MATURE MINDS TALK

WELCOME TO MATURE MINDS TALK

noreply@blogger.com (Jaybee) — Wed, 01 Jan 2020 16:22:00 +0000

Welcome reader, you finally found your way to MATURE MINDS TALK discussion site. What took you so long. Huh?... How are you? Yeah you’re fine, as I can read and that’s why I’ll get straight to the point. You don’t want to argue that our day to day lives is the combination of a lot of things. From praying in the morning (RELIGION), our dental awareness (HEALTH), dressing up for work (STYLE & FASHION), our work (CAREER CHOICE), how we relate with others (HUMAN RELATION) our singleness or spouses (RELATIONSHIP), what we eat (DIET & NUTRITION), our interaction with our mobile phones and other gadgets around us (TECHNOLOGY), what we do after each day of work, SPORTS (guy’s weekends), TRAVEL, NATURE, HUMOUR, EDUCATION, NEWS, CHEEK TALK (for ladies. Lolz!), you can keep naming it…

…And that’s where MMT comes in. Here, a lot of topics ranging from the above named categories would be coming in a sensible and acceptably bias drop form and all we care about is your OPINION. Irrespective of what you have to say and how you chose to say it… we’ll get it. (that is why MMT is rated +16). I didn't say that :) .

MMT is determined to satisfy readers with Quality contents, Journal Series, Tips and Advice, Freebies (you can expect that a lot). Anticipation gists, Humour, Publicity and Advert for SMEs, Upcoming Artists and Authors, a chance to pry into stuffs that would normally pass you buy... that wasn't a typo. keep reading.
As a unique and diversified niche blog, I would advise you head over to ABOUT to familiarize yourself with the painstakingly reduced site navigation panels, or you might just enjoy taking a tour like me!

What makes MMT different is that you can be the admin/author anytime you want to. How is that possible right? Become a regular Opinion donor and you’ll see for yourself. You won’t just submit write-ups and articles to be posted, you'll post, monitor and admin them yourself. Seriously! So fasten your hand belt (except you’re operating your computer or phone with your legs ;) … Its just all about getting the topics posted and simply allowing your opinions wash, stain, make or break them. We could be the Lawyers, the Culprits or the Witnesses. But you're the JUDGE.
So what are you waiting for?... i thought you would've started feeling fly already. Forgive my dry jokes in between.

Thank You,

Elijah Jaybee.

Mature Minds Talk™

Computer Village Chronicles

noreply@blogger.com (Jaybee) — Wed, 25 Apr 2018 08:03:00 +0000

I alighted from the bus at Ikeja under-bridge and let out a deep sigh of anxiety. I dreaded coming to this strange part of town. It wasn’t anything personal, except for the fact that I’ve heard so many tales (no, not by moonlight) about this bizarre part of town. It was like an assembly ground of eagles, snakes, sharks and vultures. No, you need to read that animal combination again a little bit more slowly. It was a ground that unceremoniously preyed on its victims.

You can’t afford to look like a JJC, else your trip will definitely end up in SSC (Shouting, Swearing and Crying). This ground cuts you no quarters and you better go in, do whatever you’ve got to, and head straight out. You could easily get absorbed by the nice-looking guacamole, only to take a bite and taste gravel. I had come to sell off my Blackberry Z10 then add money to get myself an iPhone 6S. Finally, I was joining the Apple gang.

I smiled.

I can’t even wait to dispose this blackberry. It has always made me look archaic – like I was far behind (in Charles Okocha’s voice). Everyone was either using Android phones or iPhones. What was I still doing with a Blackberry? Mtchew! Well, I’ve never bought a phone before. I’ve always been “dashed” all the phones I’ve used. So, it’s not really my fault; I only use what I get. Started from Sendo X, now we here. If you say I’m about to now become a man, you might not be exaggerating.

I touched my pockets to make sure my wallet and phone was intact. They were. Don’t blame me I’ve heard stories. Disturbing ones in fact. Oh! I can’t forget Andrew’s saga. He had come to Computer Village to sell his Samsung S5 and he was listening to music on the same phone. One track ended and he kept waiting for the next song to come on. Well, that turned out to be the last time he’ll be hearing from the phone, literally ‘cos boys had “obtained” it.

They left him the earpiece though.

John’s case was a bit more intense. He bought an iPhone 4 from the street, and he was on his way when two angry looking guys blocked him, asking him to allow them carry out a search on him as they were undercover cops. They said they saw him discussing with a criminal who the public had been warned never to carry out any transaction with. Long story short, they seized his new phone, entered the police station, told him to go call the seller and that was it.

“Mpphh! Bros! You wan buy, you wan sell abi you wan swap?” The street dealer who had formed his lips like he wanted to kiss me, asked. He was holding three nice looking iPhones.

My instincts told me to keep walking. I refused.

“I wan swap”

Immediately his face broke into a mischievous smile.

“Oya make we go relate”.

Mature Minds Talk

HAPPY NEW DECEMBER!

noreply@blogger.com (Jaybee) — Fri, 01 Dec 2017 12:46:00 +0000

Welcome to December guys; My quick advice for us all is to ensure we make it our month of Thanksgiving.

For all you have achieved so far this year, give thanks. For all you are yet to achieve, give thanks in anticipation. I’m not preaching but if there’s one strategy I’ve put to good use in my journey this year, it’s the art and act of appreciation. I learnt from my mentor that “Appreciation always causes an appreciation” I have a habit of confusing you; don’t I?

It simply means whatever you appreciate (give thanks for) either in your life, in the life of others or in anticipation, appreciates (keeps increasing in value) in your own life. Giving thanks in faith, makes you happier and makes the way to getting your desired results clearer.

If you don’t believe me, try it.

With that said, since it’s the month of Thanksgiving, I just want to use this medium to say a mighty big “Thank You” to everyone who stayed with me through the month of November for my 30 Days Writing Challenge. You guys are the real MVP’s. Many of you didn’t know that I was typing “My Surprise Lagos Wedding” when my system developed a sudden fault. For days after, I was posting from my phone.

Even at that, different people and random peeps would slide into my inbox and tell me they’re following me. Thanks for letting me know you’re fully behind me, and that I shouldn’t judge based on comments (biko try and be dropping comments too once in a while. Lol!). I really appreciate the love and support and I do not take it for granted.

Thank you, thank you and thank you.

(I've got something interesting coming up guys; just as a show of appreciation; so you might want to watch out for my next post).

As we round up the year, may we have causes to give thanks, more than we’ve ever done since the beginning of the year. May every missed opportunity since January revisit us, even as we grab them and utilize them to the max. As we fill our hearts with gratitude, there will not be any carryover of blessings and achievements.

Welcome to December comrades.

Happy New Month.

Stay Thankful.

Mature Minds Talk.

I AM NOT A WRITER

noreply@blogger.com (Jaybee) — Thu, 30 Nov 2017 17:17:00 +0000

Yes I said it… I am not “a” writer.

I’m not leaving you in a state of confusion; am I? Okay, stay with me to the end of this article and I’ll explain what I mean.

I remember what happened sometime ago, after finally getting through to a fellow ghost-writer. While we were doing the introductions, this lady also had me in a state of confusion (just like I have you. Lol!), and what was supposed to be a quick intro turned into a session. Be intentional about your conversations. They can reorient your views.

“You’re also a ghost-writer; right?” I asked this lady.

“Nope!... I am the certified ghost-writer” She replied.

Your guess is as good as mine. The response shifted my eyebrows. Natural reaction was about making me feel somehow about her response, but I didn’t let my emotions get the better of me. After our conversation, I came to the conclusion that I was going to make every necessary effort to get my status from “A” to “The” in whatever I do.

Try introducing what you do with an “A”, then repeat the process and replace it with “The”.

“A” somehow sets a limit to what it is the other party needs to know about you, while “The” opens up space for a further inquisition into your persona and what you stand for. “He’s a man” is a statement that is most likely to get an “Ok”. But “He’s the man” is most likely to get a question “He’s the man that (did) what?” Notice the difference?

A couple of days ago, I was conversing with my kid bro who’s currently serving his country in the north. He was telling me how some random peeps were asking him if he was related to Elijah “The Writer guy” because of his surname. I smiled ‘cos it made me remember how I was asking someone if she was related to Chinua Achebe because of her surname.

Be good and be good at it.

Meaning, be good at what you do, and let the world create a mental attachment of that thing to you. Zaha Hadid was not “an” Architect; she was “the” Architect. Wait! Do you know that I’m also an architect? (Not yet “the” architect. I’m coming. Lol!). Floyd Mayweather is not “a” boxer; he is “the” boxer. Lionel Messi is not “a” footballer; he is “the” footballer. Jack Ma is not “an” entrepreneur; he is “the” entrepreneur.

You are not “a” (insert what you do). You are “the” (insert what you do), who takes the best approach, produces the best possible result, and gives your client the utmost feeling of satisfaction. Did you notice the difference in the length of the two sentences? Now, understand that it takes intentional investments to go from “A” to “The” but if anyone tells you it’s not achievable, you have my permission to get them arrested.

“If a man is called to be a street sweeper,

he should sweep the streets even as

Michael Angelo painted, or Beethoven

composed music, or Shakespeare wrote

poetry. He should sweep the streets so

well that all the hosts of heaven and

earth will pause to say, here lived a

great street sweeper who did his job well.”

- Martin Luther King Jr.

So my friend, I am not “a” writer; you see? I am “the” certified ghost writer who sometimes, when searching for things on Google, stumbles on search results of articles he wrote himself. I am “the” writer behind some books you’ve read and applauded the authors. I am arguably “the” most spontaneous writer you know.

Be good and be good at it.

Cheers!

Mature Minds Talk.

STOP SLAVE AUCTIONS IN LIBYA

noreply@blogger.com (Jaybee) — Wed, 29 Nov 2017 19:34:00 +0000

The things I’ve been reading on the news recently makes me so sad for Africa. When did it come to this? How long has this rot been spreading under our skin? When did we lose every sense of honour, prestige and respect for one another as fellow Africans? How did we come this low? How can I wrap my brain around all I’ve seen recently?

I thought you were my brother. I thought you were supposed to have my back. My country's leaders have failed me; the system has failed me; everything has left me broken and all I have is a tiny flicker of hope... Well, rather the promise of a better life across the shores. It’s not going to be easy but if only you can make it to the land of dreams; they said.

You were supposed to have my back brother; I never knew it was too much to ask to create a passage for me to pass. I never knew the real danger on the road to the “promise land” was amongst my own brothers; the same sons of Mama Africa. All I wanted was to make it past the shores. I would’ve braced myself more for this if I was taken back to when it was a war of race and colour.

So flipping what? So flipping what if I land on your soil illegally?! So flipping what if I rest for a while before returning to my search for hope?!

This is your soil right? Well, point of correction – This is our soil, our land, our continent. This is AFRICA! People in the western world sometimes refer to Africa a country damn it! Our forefathers, our heroes, didn’t dies for this sh!t. They shed sweat and blood to put an end to anything called “Slavery”. They gave up their life, their future, their joy to ensure we live free. Yet this is how you repay them?!

My brother, you look at me very well and you trade me for a couple of notes? You auction me like I'm some piece of drawing, a property, or a commodity? You belittle me just because I’m passing through your yard on my search for the better life I was promised. You trample on my self-esteem, and display to the world how backwards we are, as a continent.

Oh Mama Africa!

You starve me, jail me, scourge me, and even kill me?! Just to sell me into slavery?... Just so you know – What's most confusing to me about this whole thing is that this retarded act of extreme bestiality is perpetuated by my own fellow African. This amount of pain is being inflicted on me by my own kinsmen. My God! The pain, the disappointment, the grief, the agony.

Damn!

This sh!t's gotta stop! This is 2017 Damn it! The world has moved past this. Why do we have to dig up buried graves? To what end? If we know how long and how much it cost to break free decades ago, then why would I be stuck in Libya and the course of my life be altered forever by my fellow African. Aren’t we in this sh!t together?

Stop slave trade in Libya!

Peace!

God bless Africa!

THE GLORY ISLAND

noreply@blogger.com (Jaybee) — Tue, 28 Nov 2017 18:51:00 +0000

I can feel it in my mouth. I accidentally bit my tongue this morning again, and that’s a sign. Err… Well, I know I may have slightly been over-fantasizing about acquiring a property in "The Glory Island" but I know I have to be patient. You know what the Nigerian “Glory Island” is, right? You don’t? Of course you do – Banana Island.

This is the dream of every Nigerian Real Estate Investor – Stamping a mark on Banana Island, Lagos.

Class is in session. Sit down, and take an informed look with me into the Glory Island. Well, Banana Island was the brain child of the late Chief Adebayo Adeleke. A London trained Civil Engineer and CEO of City Property Development Ltd.

Banana Island is an area of Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria, 8.6 kilometres east of Tafawa Balewa Square. Part of the Lagos State Local Government Area of Eti-Osa in Central Lagos. It’s a man-made island and the name originated from its shape – it’s curved like a Banana. It is known for its wealthy, multi-cultural community and some of the most expensive Real Estate allocations in Nigeria, and even West Africa. In Banana Island, a three bedroom apartment typically sells for at least $555,000(₦200Million) and $2.81Million(₦1.09Billion) for a 5 bedroom fully serviced house. Rental properties are very popular in this location and rent for a 3 bedroom apartment is typically around $63,000(₦22Million) per annum.

‘The Glory Island’ hosts several high end residential developments such as the Ocean parade towers (a series of 14 luxury tower blocks strategically placed at one end of the island, where the 180 degree panoramic view of the island can be taken advantage of). Some of Nigeria’s International corporate bodies such as Airtel Nigeria, Ford Foundation Nigeria, 9Mobile Nigeria and many others are also not left out of booking their space. Banana Island according to Forbes, is the most expensive neighbourhood in Nigeria and little was that said, before buyers started scrambling for properties put out for sale at the time.

Implication is, you don’t wake up in the morning to the usual sights you might be used to. How would you, when you have neighbours like Aliko Dangote, Mike Adenuga (Billionare CEO Globacom Telecommunications Ltd), Kola Abiola (Publisher and Businessman son of the popular MKO Abiola, Saayu Dantata (Son of the Alhassan Dantata – the wealthiest man in West Africa in the ‘50s).

Real Estate Investors continue to act and react to whatever news radiate from The Glory Island, and would hope the rumoured property price decline would actualize to allow the usual “down and hit” strategy, which is very common in the Real Estate business. It would be a jackpot play if there ever was any significant fall in the price of properties as that would definitely be the news of a lifetime to the many Banana Island’s lurking prospective investors.

Meanwhile, little or nothing needs to be said about the lifestyle of habitants of The Glory Island. What do you expect, living next to or in-between two billionaires?

While Chief Adeleke’s aim of “making Nigeria proud” has not been totally met (Judging from his initial plan), we can justifiably say that ‘The Glory Island’ hasn’t fallen overly far short off the path as it’s on a daily basis tending more and more towards becoming a global spectacle for both local and foreign Real Estate Investors. Even…

I just bit my tongue again.

Mature Minds Talk.

THE END JUSTIFIES THE MEANS

noreply@blogger.com (Jaybee) — Mon, 27 Nov 2017 19:26:00 +0000

I remember reading an insightful Facebook post by a blogger who talked about intentionally choosing the pressure you respond to, and the pressure you ignore; and I couldn’t agree more. If as a pre-millennial, you think everything is in the same motion as it was back then, please wake up and smell the coffee.

Welcome to the 21st century world we live in, where the most common slogan is “The End Justifies The Means” the world has never moved this fast, and no one wants to be left behind. Hence, it’s a frantic mad pursuit of the good life. Success has been stripped of its definition and almost everyone is dancing to a new tune – “By any means necessary”.

We now live in a society that celebrates the product and ignores the process. “Who process epp?” The current normalcy of previous anomalies has got some saying it’s just an indication of the end times. You know, everything is all up in your face these days. Day in day out, you’re slapped with bogus success show reel characterized by flashy cars, clothes, followers, money, popularity, and so on.

Does the end really justify the means?

We live in a world where people’s self-esteems are affected by the number of followers they have, the number of likes and comments on their social media posts, who’s had the most body counts, who wears the most expensive wig, who lives the most lavish lifestyle, and so on. We live in a world where rather than getting their hands dirty; the youth would rather go through the “whatever it takes” route. Get money, live fast and die young.

Those who are living right are beginning to feel left behind by the “Slay Queens” on Instagram and Snap chat. Sixteen year old girls are asking one another how many sugar daddies they have. You’re a dulling dude if you decide to work hard and smart, rather than sit behind your laptop with a red calabash on your head, punch a few keys, and go smiling to the bank.

A lot have forgotten that it’s a rabbit hole life – You can never know how far it goes. In the classroom of life, we only want to see your answer. Don’t worry about the workings. “Only God can judge me” is the new slang of consolation, whenever what’s left of the conscience wants to ask questions. It’s a world of statuses, filters, and a hasty attempt to catch up with those who are actually trying to catch up with you.

Does the end really justify the means?

For those who, in the face of the disturbing metamorphosis and the continuous perforation of values and morality, still have words like “hard/smart work”, “leadership”, “spirituality”, productivity”, “emotional intelligence”, “personal development”, “moral etiquettes”, “financial intelligence”, “resource investments”, and so on in their dictionaries, trust me, you are the real MVP’s.

For those who disagree with those three American artistes’ definition of success in that 2009 song titled “Successful”, and understand that the process is more important than the product; For those like me, who have seen “Fly Guys” go from millions in the account to “can I see money for bike?”, Let’s take it upon ourselves to spread the word.

The real reward for what you do is not the result, but who you become through the process.

That, my friend, is Success.

Mature Minds Talk

OUR ENEMY CALLED THEM

noreply@blogger.com (Jaybee) — Sun, 26 Nov 2017 20:37:00 +0000

Those who have gone house hunting in Nigeria would understand this scenario – Have you ever gone house hunting, and you see things like “No Pets”, “No Bachelor/Spinster”, “No Huasa/No Igbo/No Yoruba”? Does seeing “No certain ethnicity” make you feel somehow? Cos you’re damn right if you guess it makes me feel somehow.

You know, I’m sometimes like "What the heck is this?!" I can’t even get total freedom to make certain choices in my own country again?

Now, I’ve heard cases of university admissions being given first to undeserving natives of a region, before merited candidates from other regions are considered. I’ve heard where the owner of a company decides to employ a less qualified applicant from the same ethnic group, and drop a more qualified candidate from a different ethnicity.

I’ve had the opportunity to listen to one or two well-educated older citizens, who strongly believe that we were not supposed to be a country. I’ve heard them discuss how we would be better off if we took the bold step as a country and just went our separate ways. To this set of experienced intelligentsia, Nigeria is simply too diverse to be unified.

According to them, a country that is home to two hundred and fifty different ethnic groups, joined together by "Oga Lugard" who was probably hyped by the uncanny intelligence of his babe – Flora Shaw, just can’t work. You know, she probably just downed a cup of coffee, looked over the whole region, and Boom! Eureka! – “The area shall be called Nigeria!” she exclaimed.

But have we taken a look at other countries all around the world and realize that there are almost no country without diversity in ethnicities? Have we taken a thorough look at other countries and seen that we are not the country with the highest number of diverse ethnic groups who refer to one region as Home? Do we know that breaking another country out of this present one wouldn’t solve any problem?

See, I believe the problem we have isn’t the fact that we were forced into coming together as one nation (probably against our will). I believe the problem we have is simply the refusal to rise above our ethnic differences and work together as one unit; one country. The refusal to see that house hunter, that job seeker, that neighbour as first of all, a fellow human, then a fellow Nigerian.

To all those vehemently preaching division, fighting tooth and nail to break out, here is my simple logic why it’s a silly idea.

If for instance we split into our ethnic groups and we went our separate ways, soon the “Them Mentality” which we have now would set in again. Then the Yoruba stops seeing a fellow Yoruba and starts segregating “Ijesha” from “Ekiti”, “Egun” from “Ijebu”. The Igbo starts segregating the “Ohuhu” from “Nsukka”, “Middle Belt” from “Mbaise”. The Hausa start segregating the “Arewa” from “Zazzangaci”, “Daura” from “Bausanchi”… and so on. Trust me, that’s what would happen.

So next time, when you want to support those crying for a split or those who see their tribes as “We” and others as “Them” understand that the problem is simply with our mentality as a country, and it’s time we stop that sh!t and see ourselves for who we truly are – fellow humans, and fellow patriotic Nigerians.

Pause and think.

Mature Minds Talk.

TEAM SAY YES!

noreply@blogger.com (Jaybee) — Sat, 25 Nov 2017 17:30:00 +0000

It was my first time in this restaurant and it was really looking as nice as you’d expect a restaurant in Victoria Island, Lagos to look. The attendants were nice and polite, the whole space was well decorated and arranged, and the music… Oh the music was making me thank God I forgot my earpiece at home. Whoever was behind their music selection definitely knows about “music and public spaces”.

I would later find out that there was more to the music this lovely Saturday morning, than “music and public spaces” knowledge. Lol!

I actually didn’t know I was on set for a drama that was about to unfold. You want to know what it was; right? I know you like gist. So, just across the restaurant were a guy and a lady, doing justice to their dessert. My meal was served and almost at the same time, theirs’ was too.

James Blunt’s Blue on Blue track came on, and the guy “accidentally” dropped something. They both made for the foot of the table to pick it up, and just in that moment, as they bent to pick it, the guy went down on one knee… You know, he bent the knee… You still don’t get it? He proposed! The World Spinsters Association was about to lose a member.

In my mind, I was like “Aww! So sweet!” oh and yea, the dropped item was a signal. Once my guy bent the knee, their friends rushed in, surrounded the couple and started doing their thing. You know, the cheerleaders, the clappers, the recorders, snapchatters, and one particular lady who started shouting “Say Yes!”

I’m not even making this up, the lady being proposed to, was shocked quite alright, but in that moment, you could see a little bit of reluctance written on her face, as she looked down at the guy, and looked around, still surprised at how one second, it was just the both of them and the next second, they were the center of attraction.

For a moment, I had my heart in my mouth, as it looked like something was about to go wrong. The lady just stood there, with a mixture of surprise and reluctance, but as soon as the “Team Say Yes!” captain started chanting “Say Yes!” “Say Yes!!” every other friend, and even some onlookers began chanting along.

A quick warning – During my proposal, if you’re my friend and you dare chant “Say Yes!”, I promise to get up and shove the ring down your throat. What’s the meaning of that? Why won’t you allow my lady make a clear headed decision? Are you normal? Is it your proposal? See, don’t try it with me o. We all won’t find it funny.

If you’re also in the habit of chanting “Say Yes!” “Say Yes!!” when people are proposing, that’s how they’ll chant you or your spouse into saying “Yes!” too, even if “No!” would’ve saved your marriage. Stop that nonsense. You hear me? Is it your "Yes?" Record, clap, just do your thing, but most importantly, allow the lady make a sound, well thought out decision.

That moment is very very crucial. So before you join the “Team Say Yes!”, ask yourself if you’ll like people shouting “Say Yes!” at your proposal.

Better a “No”, than a “Save face”.

So, did the lady say "Yes" or "No"?... Wait, I'm coming. Let me finish my food.

Mature Minds Talk

BLACK FRIDAY PARANIOA

noreply@blogger.com (Jaybee) — Fri, 24 Nov 2017 18:06:00 +0000

I remember back in 2014, during the annual Black Friday shopping ceremony (yes, it's a ceremonious event like Sallah and Christmas... Hold on, I'll come back to that), one of the top online shopping malls publicized their returns and the figure they announced was edging close to hundreds of millions of dollars. I remember getting just one item - a watch.

One particular scenario I'd like to forget though, was the crash of a long friendship. Friend A, a shopaholic had "access" to Friend B's bank card. Friend A had tried convincing Friend B of the gains and thrills of Black Friday, but she had made it clear that all she wanted was a handbag.

She got the handbag alright, but the Black Friday thrill seeker friend ensure she got more than just a handbag. She ran purchases of over N50k, after a discounted handbag purchase of N7k from Alibaba e-commerce store. It was a nasty scenario; one which would only leave you wondering why some people are just discount zombies.

"Black Friday" or "Shopping holiday" if you like, started in the United States as a post-Thanksgiving ceremony. The shopping holiday sees retail stores offer a significant discount to customers and it has for really long time, been the busiest day retail day of the year. Some customers camp outside their favourite stores, just to be among the first to be attended to.

Now, if you like conspiracy theories, stay with me. If you run a retail store, how would you orchestrate your store's black Friday sales? Would you run at a loss every November because of Black Friday or would be clever about the whole process? If you think retail stores both online and offline make no profit, or run at a loss because of Black, Yellow or White Friday, then think again.

Market research shows November as the happiest month of retailers, and their profits peak highest on the same month than any other month. Now, shouldn't all the discounts they've offered drop their profit margin? Think about "Trade Secrets". Trade secrets are an important, but invisible component of a company's intellectual property (IP).

A company's trade secret's contribution to its value, measured as its market capitalization, can be major. Call me paranoid, but I know that a lot of strategic pricing technicalities are involved in Black Friday sales, and even in coming months after the consumed Black Friday. Believe me, "Somebody's gotta pay!"

A quick Black Friday conspiracy theory.

Pay attention now; will you? I sell handmade shoes and I make 13% profit on each sale. Black Friday comes and I reduce my profit percentage to 6.5%, leaving you my customer jumping for joy. And for some items, I make a meagre 1.5 to 2% profit but they're flash sale items. The amount of customers who rush the items, mean I make more profit than I would on a normal day. Even though in coming months, I'll be putting an almost unnoticeable hike in item prices.

I don't only make my profit, I make more. The only difference? Returns are spread over a longer period of time - We're talking months here.

So don't call me a non-believer in discounts when I say Black Friday is simply customer bait. In the words of a mentor, “Keep your credit/debit cards out of sight. Don’t disrespect your budget because of seductive deals. Be steadfast. The scam will soon be over”.

Happy Black Friday.

Mature Minds Talk

ONCE UPON A LOVELY TIME IN LAGOS

noreply@blogger.com (Jaybee) — Thu, 23 Nov 2017 19:43:00 +0000

Lagos! – The land of opportunities. One of the skills needed to survive in “Lasgidi” is the opportunity recognition skill. A few weeks ago, the conductor had joined “Lady-in-red” and I, in holy… sorry, monetary matrimony. I had told her I was running late for work, and she had to leave the whole N1k for me. I remember she gave me one look like “Is this one normal?”

I told her I was just kidding and asked where she was headed.

“Lekki” she replied with her sweet “beggy beggy” voice. I don’t want to start sharing my contact extraction skills (it’s called competitive advantage) but I collected her number. She wouldn’t tell me her name though, so of course you already know what I saved it with. We had chatted on WhatsApp, about four five times and had agreed to meet today at Ikeja City Mall.

The D-Day *inserts soundtrack*

It was a lovely Saturday morning. Two birds were chirping on my window, like they were gossiping about me. I had woken up early, freshened up, but I had to wait until the end of the environmental cleaning exercise before heading out. Stupid something. With all the environmental, is Lagos now as clean as London? Mtchew!

I used my roll-on, sprayed my perfume, and wore my Adidas sneakers. My “hypoed” white t-shirt and deep blue jean were also not looking bad.

“Mans not hot!” I said, as I flipped my shades on and removed myself from the front of the mirror. Just as I stepped out of my apartment, my phone rang.

“Hello there” I said with a wide grin on my face.

“Hi dear. How are you?”

“I’m fine o. And you?” I continued walking towards the bus park.

“I’m ok. So I just wanted to tell you that I’m at Magodo with a friend. When you’re at ICM, call me. I’ll start coming over.”

“Oh okay then. I want to make a quick stop at Computer Village, and I’ll be heading to ICM from there. Okay?”

“Alright. No problem.”

“So you still won’t tell me your name?”

“Don’t worry. I’ll tell you when we see.”

I and the shirtless bus conductor, who was yelling “Ikeja! Under bridge Ikeja!” almost accidentally did a chest bump but I quickly avoided him. Suddenly, another bus conductor grabbed my hand, and pulled me frantically towards his bus. The one I just avoided caught up, and pulled me by my other hand back to his bus.

“Are you mad?!” I shouted as I jerked my hand off the hijacker’s, and climbed into the shirtless conductor’s bus. I was the last passenger, and in forty minutes, I was at computer village. I held my properties close as I entered Computer Village. You can’t be careless here. Earlier this year, boys moved my friend’s phone while his earpiece was plugged in. One music track ended and bros was waiting for the next track.

Reports have it that he’s still waiting

Paul, who was excited to see me, was just hailing me, left right and center. I told him I had a meeting to attend, and quickly dropped my Blackberry Z10. I added N70k and picked the iPhone 6S we’d already discussed over the phone. “Perfect timing for my date” I smiled as the thought flashed across my mind. Paul helped set my new phone up, and transferred my SIM and memory card.

“Bros, your money con remain five thous…”

I didn’t wait for the rest of Paul’s rambling. I zoomed out of Computer Village and was quickly inside the bus to ICM. The guy sitting beside me gave me a tract. I took a quick glance “Signs Of The End Times!”. If there was ever any time I was going to read tracts, not today. I was busy imagining and rehearsing my date with Lady-in-red.

Few minutes later, the same guy asked me how he could get to Ojodu Berger from Alausa Secretariat. I realized he was holding a brown envelope, so I described.

“Shoprite! Shoprite!!” The bus conductor shouted.

“O wa o!” I responded and alighted (I wonder why they call the whole mall “Shoprite” anyway). Three seconds after the bus moved, I realized.

“My change! My change!!” I shouted but the bus had gone too far. N400 was gone just like that. “Ooh! See what over-excitement has caused now!” I murmured, ensuring nobody saw me running after the bus.

Something felt odd...

I felt my pocket and my wallet was intact. I was just about breathing a sigh of relief when I realized my new phone wasn’t in my pocket.

Jesus!, The Tract Guy!!!

Mature Minds Talk.

WHO IS ZHOU QUNFEI?!

noreply@blogger.com (Jaybee) — Wed, 22 Nov 2017 18:15:00 +0000

Don’t tell me she’s one Asian woman. Of course, the name already gives that away. So, do you know who she is? Before I give you her summarized profile (trust me, she has a very bulky one), let me just give us a quick reminder – Never ever allow your background put your back to the ground.

Zhou Qunfei was born in 1970 at Xiangxiang, Hunan province, china (you don’t necessarily have to pronounce it. Lol!... Just keep reading). She was the youngest of three children and from a very wretched family – calling her family ‘poor’ is disrespect to the word ‘poor’. Just before she was born, her father, a former soldier, became partially blind and challenged in an industrial accident in the ‘60s. He was (before the accident) a skilled craftsman who ‘supported’ his family by repairing bicycles, making bamboo chairs and baskets. Zhou lost her mother when she was five.

As a child, she suggested the family ventured into animal husbandry, and it became a business that helped her family raise small profit for sustenance. She’s the only one amongst her siblings to attend secondary school and her teachers described her as a "hard-working and talented” student. Her father couldn’t cope financially and she had to drop out at age 16. She had to move in with her uncle's family to become a migrant worker in Shenzhen, (Shezen’s economic state was like what Lagos is now).

Hardly had she settled in Shenzhen that she began to volunteer to work from one place to another. She was at the same time taking part time courses at Shenzhen University, so she ensured the places she worked were in the University’s vicinity. She studied many subjects and passed the examinations to be certified for accounting, computer operations, customs processing, and even became licensed for driving commercial vehicles (something like a female ‘danfo’ driver) at the age of 21.

She said her dream was to become a huge fashion designer but she wanted to start her own firm. (Now this is where her profile gets interesting) Zhou got a job working in a small family company where watch parts were being made and after just three months on the job, she decided to quit. Her reason – She didn’t like the working conditions and every other worker’s dispensation towards work. The factory chief read her resignation letter and was moved to promote her instead.

By the time the factory closed down in 1993, she had already saved around $3,000. She used this as the capital to start her own company. She was scared but her cousin encouraged her. The company started in a three bedroom apartment, with her brother, sister, their spouses, and two cousins as the workers. She had, and still has a hands-on approach to getting things done. Destiny came smiling in 2001 with the advent of mobile phones. Her company won the contract to produce phone screens and she had to sell her personal belongings to ensure they delivered a job void of any form of error/complain.

Zhou Qunfei is presently the wealthiest woman in china. She’s the owner of Lens Technology - the producer of screens for clients like Apple, Samsung, HTC, Nokia, Huawei, and so on. Her present staff strength is 60,000 and her factories are in 13 different locations across china. Her firm produces around 1 billion pieces of glass for smartphones, TVs, and apple watches. 90% of smartphones in the world uses Lens Technology product (yes, including your smartphone too).

“I’ve had to sell my house twice to pay my workers” she said in an interview.

When asked what her secret to success is, her simple reply was: “I have a very high desire to learn. I learn from almost everything”.

That poor girl from Xiangxiang is presently the 17th richest woman in the world. She’s 46 and has a net worth of $7 billion.

Don’t forget the reminder – “Never ever let your background put your back to the ground”.

Mature Minds Talk.

HEADACHE 101

noreply@blogger.com (Jaybee) — Tue, 21 Nov 2017 18:44:00 +0000

Asides the pain of course, headaches can be very nasty and annoying. They sometimes come unannounced and can be really frustrating, especially when you feel they’re starting to overstay their welcome. Sometimes, you can hypothetically trace the cause of a headache, and sometimes, they’re like professional assassins – Traceless (Lol!).

They can affect your productivity, your mood and even your relationships.

All over the world, headaches aren’t taken as serious as many other health related discomforts, as many people believe it’s solely a sign of stress. But that’s a wrong notion, and that might be the first thing you want know about headaches. As much as Headaches are usually the body’s response to a risk factor, it is safe to say that not all headaches are ‘just” headaches.

So, let’s put a magnifying glass on headaches. Shall we?

What exactly is a headache? Simple! When your head aches *ducks from slippers*. Basically, it’s the symptom of a sharp or throbbing pain in the head or neck.

Quickly below, are a few cool… or uncool facts about headaches, which may allow you have a more precise approach to tackling the situation next time around (yes, don’t be overly spiritual. I can bet there will be a next time, if you’re not currently experiencing it).

There are two major kinds of headaches – Primary and Secondary headaches. While primary headaches may cause significant discomfort or pain, they are often benign, and not dangerous. They are caused by stress, eye muscle strain, inflammation, illness, sleeplessness, hunger (I know you can relate), your environment, and your spouse (I included this myself).

Secondary headaches on the other hand are mostly caused by an underlying disease like a head injury, growing tumours, brain bleed, vascular disorder or an infection. They are often “red flags” to a more pressing concern that’s happening in the body, and they may be dangerous. Good news is though – 90% of all headaches are primary headaches.

What’s going on inside when you’re experiencing a headache?

What do you think? Your cells are having a concert on your head… just kidding. Your brain is the main culprit for the pain you feel during a headache. The pain comes from a mix of signals between the brain blood, nearby nerves, and blood vessels. Once this happens, next thing, your head muscles flare up and send pain signals to your brain, which in turn sends the signal to your CNS.

Types of headaches include: Hormone headaches (happens to women during their periods, pregnancy, and menopause, due to changing hormonal levels), Sinus headaches (most times come with an infection like running nose, etc.), Cluster headaches (affects men more than women, and can visit for 2 weeks to 2/3months, only to “travel” for up to a year before coming back), then give it up for their most popular sibling – Migraine (can last for hours or days; it depends. It accompanies illness or can be a sign of an underlying illness. It’s most times, the nastiest of them all).

As opposed to self-medication which is the norm, checking in with your doctor should follow, after you suffer a headache (don’t give me that side eye). You should follow their prescriptions for pain relievers and other medications. The best way though, is the preventive route, which can mostly be achieved via QLA (Quality Lifestyle Adjustment).

I’ll be back; I need a glass of water.

Mature Minds Talk

DO IT FOR FREE; USE THE BAIT!

noreply@blogger.com (Jaybee) — Mon, 20 Nov 2017 19:18:00 +0000

Heath Ledger’s popular statement – If you're really good at something, never do it for free has become a mantra for quite a number of business people, and I think there’s always a caveat to the statement, because everyone (including a business owner) loves free things. So guys, please let’s understand that the statement is really technical and I’ll explain what I mean.

I don’t have any issue whatsoever with putting a FEE on what you could have done for FREE, because it is totally correct when turning your passion to a profitable business. Whatever makes you tick should make you rich. Meaning, whatever you’re really good at, and passionate about, should be what puts food on your table and money in your bank account.

With that out of the way, always remember the importance of the free stuff, from the stage when you’re trying to grapple unto the ladder, to when you’re sitting pretty on top of the wall. Imagine if Mark, seeing how fast Facebook was growing, were to put a subscription fee on Facebook. I’m sure the Facebook experience wouldn’t be what we have now. I can assure you of that (there are currently 2.07 billion monthly users of the platform).

One very deep example of the gains embedded in giving out (seemingly) free stuff which took the whole world aback, happened on February 12, 2017 when Chance the Rapper (You can check him out on Google) went back home with three Grammy Awards without a single sold track.

As if winning three straight Grammy awards on the third time of asking wasn’t bizarre enough, Chance the Rapper (very funny name though) became the first music artiste to win a Grammy with neither an album, nor a record label representation. (No label like Agege bread. Lol!). What then did he win a whole 3 Grammy awards for?

He won them for his “Mix-tape” titled: Colouring Book (Yeup! A bloody mixtape)

The 23-year old went on to become the first rapper to win a Grammy off a mixtape. Reviews of “Colouring Book Mix-tape” showed that listeners rated it better than many other Mixtapes, EPs and even albums, (including albums of some popular names in hip-hop) as people genuinely appreciated the depth and effort that went into the production by him and his group (why won’t they appreciate, when they didn’t pay a dime for it? Lol!)

After the release of the mix-tape in May 2016, he allowed people to stream it online for free. Chance the Rapper went on to bag seven nominations for his mix-tape, Coloring Book, which was directed, produced, and streamed to the web, all from his home town; Chicago. It was the first streaming-only mix-tape to win a Grammy.

Sometimes, people won’t know your real value until you allow them have a taste of it. Don’t worry, if there’s real value, they won’t taste and walk away. They will actually taste and come rushing back, screaming “Take my money!”. In 2014, a popular American record label refused to sign Chance, saying he wasn’t a risk they were ready to take. Now his CV is not on the same level. But how many would he have gotten to appreciate his art if he had put a price on the mixtape?

Just wondering…

Doing what you do best for free strategically, (once in a while) is a major secret to business success. Everyone with a business to handle should know this. No wonder those with (FREE) platforms on the internet control the tides of the revenue generated online.

Give that valuable stuff out for free (emphasis on “valuable”) and watch how it sends people your way, who are ready to break their wallets for it.

Hope this helps.

Mature Minds Talk

IS IT YOUR MONEY?

noreply@blogger.com (Jaybee) — Sun, 19 Nov 2017 18:41:00 +0000

As much as I’ve said I won’t be saying anything about this religious topic, since it doesn’t affect the generality of religions as a whole, here we are, with you reading what might not be your business after all. I think that’s the point of this article – A subtle reminder to me, the writer; to you, the reader; and to everyone else, to stick our noses where it belongs.

I’m a Christian, and if you make your research right, Christianity is the most diverse religion in the world. I mean you can’t name it all. We have the Anglican, the Catholic, the Pentecostal, the Baptist, the Adventist, the Methodist, I could go on and on, all under the same canopy of Christianity. So first of all, you need to understand that our doctrines might be quite different, even if we fall under the same religion. Capiché?

Second of all, when you sit down and try to tell people about their religion, bear it in mind that they may not be one of those who sit down and take in all what religious leaders say, hook, line and sinker. They may make their personal researches too. I also would also would like you to respect my intelligence, and don’t label me gullible because I do something in the name of religion, and you don’t. Doesn’t make you any wiser or smarter.

Now, to those talking about paying or not paying tithe, I have three quick questions:
1. Is it your money?
2. Is it your money?
3. Is it your money?

Now, after answering these three questions (someone said the questions look the same. I don’t care) understand that Tithing is a religious responsibility in Christianity, just as Judaism has Tzedakah, and Islam has Zakat. Now, also understand that in religion, if you eat "Arguments" for dinner, you can easily make one question give birth to three others. Let me make it practical and tell you pay tithes.

1. What percentage of my income should I pay as tithe? (66.5321%. You didn't know?)
2. What exactly is the tithe used for? (Monthly purchase of Private Jets; of course)
3. Am I going to hell if don't pay tithe? (Do I look like I'm the one with the register?)

See, let me help you out a bit. I said in one of my previous articles, that everything we know, we learnt. So, if as a Christian, you grew up with a doctrine that says "Paying of tithe is a waste of money"; you'll always see those paying tithe as one of the problems of Christianity (knowing fully well that God said he hates wastage). You get the logic?

Brethren and "Sistren", if you have the mixture of conviction, deep level of research, and the application of common sense, you can almost never go wrong on any controversial issue. If you take the deeper understanding of... (backspaced because I promised myself not to quote any bible verse). It is wrong to force people to conform to your doctrine(s).

If you go to any church where you're forced or threatened to pay tithes, I wonder why you'restill sitting down there.

If I don't pay tithe, I don't pay tithe, not because of what anyone says in Church, on social media, and not 'cos family and friends don't pay. I don't pay because I've given myself to deep research, I've applied my common sense, and I feel a deep sense of conviction in my spirit that I'm a hundred percent correct... And if I do pay tithes, it's because of the same reason.

Rather than sit down in front of your phone camera, and form one "yeye" online religious revolutionary, calling people "sheeple" for what they do or do not do, why not encourage them to give themselves to deep research and stop doing things cos that's what "they" said is right? Why not understand that some people are paying, or not paying tithe because that's where deep research, application of common sense, and personal conviction brought them.

After all said and done, when people tell you they pay tithe and you feel pained on their behalf, because that means one more private jet for the MOG, take a deep breath, take a cup of tea, and take a quick glance at the title of this post. Yup!

Is It Your Money?

Mature Minds Talk

SECRETS, LOVE AND TRUST

noreply@blogger.com (Jaybee) — Sat, 18 Nov 2017 20:13:00 +0000

From time to time, I always remember the story Simi told me a couple of years ago. How could I forget? Simi was someone with one of the most intriguing stories I've heard. Her story sounded like something you'd only stumble on, in movies or some sort of fiction, only a mischievous writer could come up with. How open should you be with a prospective spouse?

She was an orphan, who had been forced into early motherhood, as she had to take responsibility for her three younger siblings. She was just in her first year in the University, and thanks to her level of exposure and information; she had resorted to a “by any means necessary” way of life. She juggled two businesses by day and joined up with fellow hookers by night. She kept her night life a secret and not even Lizzy, her best friend knew what she was up to at night. She graduated with a 2.1 and sponsored her siblings through school.

“She did what she had to do”.

She had met Roland soon after securing a job with ABC multinational Oil and Gas Company and he was her supervisor. She was the hardest worker in the room, so he’d rather work with her, than any other person on the team. Feelings crept in and they started going out. Over time, Simi had familiarized herself over various phone calls, with Roland’s parents. Three and half years later, he proposed.

They had talked about their past – Roland told her how he battled with masturbation and kleptomania during his teenage years. She had also told him about the death of her parents and how she managed to raise three kids all by herself. Also, how she used to be sexually attracted to both genders, into her early twenties. They both knew all that there was to know… except a minute detail. She didn’t tell Roland about her past “Night Life”.

Every time she came close to spilling it, her courage would fail her. “Some parts of the past are better left hidden away.” she’ll tell herself and shrug off the urge to tell him. Roland now owned his own oil and gas company, but Simi still worked with ABC Oil and Gas Company. The future was looking good for the intending couple. Roland’s parents were both based in the States, after his Mum threatened to come back if his Dad didn’t come join her.

Simi was to finally meet her prospective in-laws for the first time. They had travelled down. Roland drove her to their abode in Magodo. The house looked magnificent and everything had a touch of class… but there was a problem. A huge problem, in fact. Right there on the wall, staring at her was an image of someone that took her right back to her night life – Her sugar daddy back in the days. He had met her at Allen Avenue and he played a significant role in her life.

Ten months of a lot of s3x, a lot of money, and a lot of lies. Oh, and it didn’t go without three abortions too. The part of her past she believed was dead and buried, was all up, right in her face. Roland’s parents would make their way down the stairs any minute now, and the ground had better swallowed her up, than shamelessly sit down in front of “Papa D”.

"When opening up to a partner, is it right to leave some parts of your past out?"

"If you find out a filthy past about your partner, would you feel betrayed?"

"Would you rather lie and keep a loved one, or say the truth and lose them?"

"Can trust, when broken, ever be rebuilt like new?"

Secrets, Love and Trust.

Mature Minds Talk

MARY AND THE CURSED CROSS

noreply@blogger.com (Jaybee) — Fri, 17 Nov 2017 22:00:00 +0000

“Hail Mary, full of grace, the lord is with thee; blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen!”

I stood up, dragged out the little box from under my bed, and jacked it open. The revolver lay still in there, reflecting the little moonlight that penetrated into the room. I checked the little black pouch containing the bullets, and they were intact – Perfect! I dislodged the chamber and seeded the bullets into it, spinning it shut, just as soon as I was done.

This ends now!

I exited the room to the realization that everywhere was pitch-black. I hadn’t noticed how dark it was, as I had scrambled my way up earlier, locking my room shut as soon as I jumped up the stairs. I began descending the stairs, one slow step after the other. I had a torch in one hand, and a revolver in another. My heart beat so fast, it scared me. I could literally feel blood flow through my veins.

“Baam!” something fell from the ceiling.

The loud thud made me miss a step, and I came sliding down the stairs on my back. I winced in pain as a broken piece of wood sliced through the left side of my lower back. I was now bleeding on my right leg, my right temple and my back, but that was the least of my worries. I scrambled for my torch, and immediately pointed it towards the direction of what fell from the ceiling.

“Sarah! Oh my God!” I shrieked at the sight of what was staring at me. Her eyes looked blank and reflective. Half of her neck was viciously ripped off; her left hand was missing. Even though she was covered in a pool of blood, I could see that she was eviscerated. I couldn’t tell if it was just me, or her intestines looked like they were still moving.

Something moved quickly across the ceiling.

“MARY?!!” I yelled as I tried to follow the movement with the light from my torch. I couldn’t catch up. I knew whatever that was, crawling on the ceiling, wasn’t Mary. Abigail had found the golden, ancient looking cross this morning on the farm. It looked like it had been there for decades. She had suddenly developed an abnormal affection towards it all morning.

By mid-day, she had begun behaving strangely, cuddling the cross and talking to it. By evening, Sarah and Mary tried separating their mum from her discovery, only to realize how pale she looked, and her eyeballs were totally black. Something had taken over Abigail. She attacked our daughters, and it took their courage, and stab of wood to the head for her to let go of Mary’s throat.

One way or the other, Mary had touched the cross, and was cursed too. She had hit me on the head with a goblet as I tried to wrestle Sarah from her grasp, and scratched my right leg, as I bolted for the revolver in my room. I’ll be calling the Priest tomorrow morning, but I’ve got to survive this night first. Whatever it ta…

…Mary jumped out of nowhere!

She grabbed my throat, shouting wildly as she continuously tried to gnaw at my face. Her face was covered with blood, her jaw was missing, and her tongue was so long, it flapped against the back of my neck. Both my torch and revolver had fallen. Air stuck in my throat, and my lungs began to expand. I fought her off, with every ounce of strength in me.

She was inhumanely strong.

I was feeling faint already. In one instant, as I was backing up against the wall, I stepped on Sarah’s blood, slipped, and fell. She almost took a big bite of my face, but I quickly turned away. There it was! Reflecting sympathetically, the last ray of hope I had of making it out of my house alive. I grabbed the revolver, and just as I did, Mary bit my left ear off. I screamed.

I pointed the muzzle in between the black holes that used to be her eyes.

“Forgive me Mary!” I whispered as I pulled back the hammer, and squeezed the trigger.

Mature Minds Talk.

THE FIGHTER

noreply@blogger.com (Jaybee) — Thu, 16 Nov 2017 19:58:00 +0000

I smile now as I remember back in 2012, the younger Jaybee in his twenties, labelled the ambitious kid by everyone who knew him then. He always wondered why people referred to him as "T-Money" but apparently, kid was all about the money. If it was not making money, it wasn't making sense. So kid always looked out for ways by which more money could be made. He was always up all night, trying to get lucky...

...I gotta digress quickly.

Let me ask you quick question - Ever heard a song, and your immediate reaction was "Mhen, this song is crap!"... Only to catch yourself singing the same song much later? Or have you ever listened to a song that made you feel energetic or gloomy? Also, have you ever listened to a song in another language, without a single idea of what the singer was saying, but you totally connected with it?

MUSIC!

Ever wondered why MUSIC is said to be the food of the SOUL? It is simply because music has the ability to transcend your physicality, connecting with seamless fluidity with your spirituality. Music can be a weapon, an antidote, a means of provoking the spiritual, a means of preserving history, a cultural pointer, a distraction, an indicator, and so much more. Music has more to it than meets the eye (and ears. Lol!)

Health researches put the revenues from "Digital Drugs" at about half of what typical "drugs" rake in. DD's are simply binaural beats that alter the brain's wave patterns, inducing an altered state of consciousness. Using DD results in a high. Practically the same effect as using any typical "drug". Ever seen people die with headphones on, blood, unexplainably oozing out of their noses and mouths? That's DD abuse.

Sorry for the graphic illustration.

The point here is - If you've ever heard the saying "Guard your heart with all diligence, for out of it flows the issues of life" (it's a biblical verse - Proverbs 4:23) then, don't you for once think that the kind of music you expose yourself to, is an exemption. If an American president can say the cause of increased gangterism and public violence towards LGBT, was a rapper's music, then don't think he's totally delusional.

We may have little or no control over what we hear, but we've got to be more intentional about what we listen to; especially these days when music is implemented as a drill to bore more holes into the already severely perforated morality. There is more to music than meets the eye (and ears). Have you ever been singing a song in your mind, only for someone else to sing it out loud?

Let's watch what goes in, as they form the ingredients to produce what comes out.

You thought I forgot I started with a story. Right? Back to the story. So, young Jaybee had invested in some seemingly sure deals that had nosedived and crashed. He felt so bad, it was eating him up deep inside. With no one physically available to talk to, Jaybee was strolling on the edge of depression. Suddenly, he stumbled on a song that came to the rescue.

Excerpts of the Lyrics:

"...Until the referee rings the bell
Until both your eyes start to swell
Until the crowd goes home
What we gonna do y'all?

Give 'em hell, turn their heads
Gonna live life till we're dead.
Give me scars, give me pain
Then just say to me, say to me, say to me
There goes a fighter, there goes a fighter
Here comes a fighter
That's what they'll say to me, say to me
Say to me, this one's a fighter"

My fav genre of music is rap and back in 2012, Gym Class Heroes' THE FIGHTER served a higher purpose than just entertainment. Till today, it's more than just a song to me. That song was my "bounce back" song.

Be intentional about your music.

Cheers!

Mature Minds Talk

MY SURPRISE LAGOS WEDDING

noreply@blogger.com (Jaybee) — Wed, 15 Nov 2017 20:15:00 +0000

It was a lovely Monday morning. The African sun had strolled out early and had begun her catwalk on her cloudy runway in all her elegance. It was my first day at work, and I was determined to make a superb first impression. I was dressed up in my whitish white shirt and slim fit blue trouser. I checked myself out in the mirror, and I was looking like fresh bread, straight outta the oven.

I smiled, gave myself a peck, grabbed my keys and my laptop bag, and whispered "Leggo!" as I stepped onto the street of Lagos, straight to the bus park. Oh the keys? I meant the keys to my simple self contain apartment in the heart of Ojuelegba. I took a quick glance at my watch - 6:50am. Nice! I felt a bit uneasy, being only the second person in the 14-Seater bus that wouldn't move an inch until it was full.

Little did I know that I was heading to my own surprise wedding.

"CMS! CMS!! Two hundred. CMS!!!" The bus conductor screamed at the top of his voice. "Oga enter. One bus just commot now" I sighed and climbed into the bus. Not long after, passengers started coming in, in ones and twos. "Enter with your change o. Five hundred, One thousand, ma wole o (Don't enter). Na Monday morning be this o." The bus conductor gave his quick instructions and continued yelling "CMS! CMS!!"

The last two passengers made their way into the bus - A guy, and a lady. The guy was well built; like a bouncer and the moment he stepped into the bus, it went down a bit, acknowledging his weight. The lady looked like a half cast; her red gown was nicely cut and her natural hair was dark and well packed. "All these team naturalistas" I thought to myself. The driver made his way into his seat, kissed the positive and negative wires under the steering wheel together and the bus coughed to life.

As we journeyed from Ojuelegba to CMS, the baby on the back of the woman sitting right in front of me began playfully trying to drag my phone. On a normal day, I would play with his cheeks or make funny faces but not today. Today, he only constituted a distraction from my focus - "Lady-in-Red", seated at the far end, two seats away. So baby, please free me and let me strategically stare without getting caught.

We had just passed Costain, and were now on Carter Bridge, when the bus conductor, who was typically hanging from the door of the bus, leaned in. He looked angry but like most others, it probably was his face's default setting. "Yes, your money from the front" he motioned, meaning it was time to collect the bus fares. On impulse, I wanted to pay for "Lady-in-red" but thanks to my strict feeding budget, I couldn't.

That would mean no lunch meal. Probably just enough to buy snacks and a bottle of coke and I don't like what I hate - Hunger. So I rebuked the thought and brought out my N500 note. The conductor took the cash and continued his grumbling about warning everyone in the bus about not having change. Everyone ignored him. The two women in the front kept chorusing "Conductor; change o!"

An hour later, We got to the last stop at CMS and everyone alighted from the bus. The conductor sorted everyone's change, still grumbling "Shebi I don tell una say make una enter with Change!". Lo and behold, a couple of seconds later, I was standing next to "Lady-in-Red", both our hands stretched expectantly towards the bus conductor.

The conductor took a quick glance at both our faces, I couldn't tell if it was just me, or he actually had a mischievous smile on his face but before either of us could say Jack, he squeezed a One Thousand Naira note into Lady-in-Red's hand and shouted "Give this bros three hundred naira. I don join una together."

We looked at each, then looked up at him, as he was still hanging from the door of the bus, and it was as if he was admiring us both. He hit the top of the bus twice, and shouted "Oya! Go on!"... Just as the bus made to zoom off, I kid you not, this guy, with a wide grin on his face waved at us and shouted "Happy Married Life o!".

We looked at each other, probably wondering how long this new surprise marriage would last. I'll leave the rest to your imagination but just so you know that it was a really hungry first day at work.

Hehehe.

Mature Minds Talk

THE 4TH IDIOT

noreply@blogger.com (Jaybee) — Tue, 14 Nov 2017 18:45:00 +0000

“Life is too short to….”

Since the emergence of that phrase in the early years of the millennium, it has been one of the most adopted phrases, used to provide reasons to do… or not to do something. A quick instance – When people ask me why I don’t really watch Indian movies, my response is “life is too short to watch a movie for 5 hours (I exaggerate. I know. Bite me). Indians are so skilled in strategically embedding music videos in movies.

Am I the only one who skips it past the singing and dancing part?

Just sitting to write now, I remember one Indian movie that got me hooked from start to finish. I couldn’t even skip the singing and dancing parts. It was just too good to be skipped. It wasn’t any shorter than usual (2hrs 51mins) but it was a perfect blend of the right ingredients needed to make a badass movie, and one of the few movies to earn a hundred percent on Rotten Tomatoes. But I’m not writing a movie review.

You see, most times, a lot of us journey through life, unconsciously using pressure as the compass, forgetting that life itself is one big “pressure” park. Just like we’ll select whether we’re using the Carousel, the Swing, the Bumper Car, or the Roller Coaster, we should also select the pressure we’re paying attention to, at different points in our lives. A couple of things go right, more go wrong, when pressure is applied.

That’s why sometimes I look around and realize a lot of us might just be the 4th idiot from the movie “3 Idiots”. A lot of people walk around, transferring aggression like Viru “Virus” Sahastrabudhhe, others like Raju Rastogi, totally dependent on spirituality to waddle through life’s pressures; others like Farhan “Fahrenheit”, forming “mans not hot” but burning and choking up deep inside.

Oh! Not also forgetting those of us like Chatur “Silencer” who’s reaction to pressure is simply “The End Justifies The Means”. Then of course, the “Rancho”, pressured into living other people’s lives. One thing that makes no sense is when people do what they hate just so they can be paid enough to afford the things they love. Which is the reason some people only smile at month ends. I’m serious.

A lot of “4th idiot” sports personalities, suiting up to the bank daily. “4th idiot” farmers, sitting in a cubicle, wearing headsets and robotically reciting “Thank you for calling XYZ telecoms. How may I help you today?”. “4th idiot” job seekers, searching for employment for 4 years, when their businesses should be celebrating its 4th anniversary. A lot of us are just living lives according to societal, cultural, financial, and emotional pressures around us.

Our words may be false, our actions may be deceptive, but pressure is a revealer. Give two people the same task. One who’s just there for the money you promised to pay at the end and another who’s not only skilled, but also passionate about that thing and see the contrast in their results. It’s time to stop being the “4th idiot” and exchange the “Pressure Compass” we’ve carried all these while for the “Passion Compass”.

“Follow your passion, for on that path lies the Joy of living a fulfilled life”

Cheers!

PS: To fully understand this article, you might need to first watch the Indian movie “3 Idiots”.

Mature Minds Talk

YOUR BIGGEST MOTIVATION

noreply@blogger.com (Jaybee) — Mon, 13 Nov 2017 09:29:00 +0000

Wow! Is it really just 40-plus days to the end of the year already? Where’d all the days go? How many of the things we wrote out to accomplish before the end of the year, have we actually accomplished? How many of those things are already looking like they aren’t going to happen this year anymore? Why is it that sometimes, we dive into a challenge before our rational mind, famed for over-calculation can paralyse us?

Other times, we hesitate, calculate, plan, analyse and strategize. But guess what? I’ve noticed that we tend to see results on the first instance, while on the second instance, not quite. The question is “Why do we swing between these two scenarios from time to time?” Probably we weren’t spurred or motivated enough? Or we were sincerely motivated but just got cold feet?

Imagine how motivated you’ll be, if when you wake up in the morning, it’s to Eric Thomas’s audio, you then finish up a book by Zig Ziglar, and start another by Les Brown. On your way to work, you’re able to squeeze in a few YouTube minutes of Tony Robbins. Your head would figuratively be on fire, and you may even start plotting how to take over the world. I’m serious. Sure you know the power of motivation.

In all these, one thing I’ve noticed is that until your biggest motivation gives you that pep talk, every other motivational speech, be it from Jim Rohn, Nick Vujicic, Dr. Wayne Dyer, or anyone at that, wouldn’t amount to anything. Trust me, nothing would change. We can be so motivated, yet not motivated enough to take action. There a lot of people walking around who are “all motivation, no action”.

The voice of your biggest motivation is like a seal of approval, without which nothing can be done. So who/what is your biggest motivation? Don’t be quick to answer, before you start mentioning Success, Money, Family, and so on. All these is a means to achieving one purpose and that’s the FEELING of JOY attached to the achievement of any the means. We all are beings of emotion. Hence, your biggest motivation is YOU.

If the entire motivational speakers in the world were to come together and spend a day inspiring and motivating you, as long as you’ve not given yourself that “Mental Ginger” (in local parlance) trust me, every time you set foot on the ledge of action, you will not jump. No one else sees that picture you see when you close your eyes. Just you. No one else can give you that most important final push. Just you.

When the chips are down, you are left to either rejoice over opportunities you allowed yourself take, or regret the opportunities you allow yourself miss. No one else feels the full weight of the emotion; Just You. So every day you wake up, never forget to give yourself that pep talk. Give yourself valid reasons why you need to accomplish that feat. In other words, find your “WHY”. The most effective motivational speech ever is the one that comes from inside.

You Are Your Biggest Motivation.

Cheers!

Mature Minds Talk.

WHEN SHEPHERDS EAT THE FLOCK

noreply@blogger.com (Jaybee) — Sun, 12 Nov 2017 18:24:00 +0000

The word “Religion” is mostly used interchangeably with “Faith” or “Belief”, and just so you know, there are approximately 4,200 different kinds of religion in the world. Regardless of the message conveyed, or how awkward the practice of any of those religions may seem, every religion claims to be a means to achieving a unified purpose, and that’s connecting humanity with spirituality.

For the record, the moment you catch me mention any religion in this article, you can stop reading. I’m not here to paint any religion black or white. I just want to iron out a pertinent issue which my (little) exposure has made me realize cuts across every religion. It is just more pronounced in some religions than others. For every “authentic” religious doctrine, there is a counterfeit.

Every religion has their practices and how things should be done. These teachings are taught to everyone of that particular faith, by those who, from generation to generation have dedicated their time and lives to the acquisition of knowledge, and the understanding of the intricacies of the religion. These ones are highly regarded and oftentimes, given leadership positions, hence, one of the most delicate aspects of a human’s life – “BELIEFS” is entrusted into the hands of the “Shepherds”, expected to lead their “Flock” aright.

While some shepherds genuinely care for the spiritual health and progress of their flock, some are just rearing them like livestock, strategically feasting on the simplicity that they have planted amidst those who only wanted to be led aright. I’ve said it before and won’t stop saying it – “We will be stupendously stupid to sit down and suspend our brains, anytime religion is called into question”. There are hungry shepherds everywhere.

A particular religion requires you spend at least 1 hour of the 24 on meditation and deeper spiritual communication. A Shepherd then tells you they’ve seen how busy you are, and if you can pay a certain amount of money, they’ll meditate on your behalf. Another requires you fast and pray, and a shepherd tells you it’ll cost you this much, to do that on your behalf. Seriously? It has come to contractual activities now?

You don’t even want to know how gullible a lot of people have become, thanks to religion (and brain suspension). Husbands giving out their wives to “Holy Shagging”, Parents allowing their children become slaves to spiritual heads, people living day-to-day life exactly according to how they are told to, “Divine Orgies”, people running into insurmountable debts on divine instructions, “Killing for God”, “Holy Suicides”…

I could go on and on, but the fact remains that even though there’s more to spirituality than meets the eye, the application of commonsense and engagement of discretion has never and would never be a sin. Any religion that preaches otherwise is crap. Yes! Quote me anywhere. As a spiritual shepherd, if what gives you joy is to continually feed on your flock; then enjoy. One day the feast will come to an end, and it’ll be the turn of termites to feed on you.

The question I keep asking is “Who’s to blame for spiritual gullibility? The Shepherd or The Flock?”

Cheers!

Mature Minds Talk

WHEN WILL YOU MARRY?

noreply@blogger.com (Jaybee) — Sat, 11 Nov 2017 15:00:00 +0000

The statement hardly ever sounds like “When will you marry” though… Where I’m from, It sounds more like “Oga when you go marry na?” and trust me, that’s putting it mildly behind those that’ll slap it in your face and blurt out “Aunty go and marry!” *Ghen ghen*. I don’t know about your continent, but in an African home, you don’t need to be a detective to pick up these signs, especially when everyone starts expecting you either to be married by now, or to have a prospective spouse.

But no, you’re there forming strategic planner and keen observer, when you should already be discussing with an event planner and wedding IV designer. Remember you said 2017 is the year. News Flash – After today, we have just 7 Saturdays to go. While you’re still doing “Skiyaa!”, all your mates have gone “Skidiki Pa Pa!” and their wedding ceremonies have gone “Kuku Skruuu Boom!” If you don’t know, now you know. When will you marry? What are you scared of?

I’m just on my way back from a wedding ceremony and this particular wedding is a special one. Let me tell you why. The bride is like a big aunty to me, and trust me when I say the bride isn’t a young lady (I’ll just call her “Aunty”). Aunty’s immediate older brother is married with two grown kids. My big bro, who I went with to the ceremony is married with three kids, and he’s very much younger than Aunty.

In an African home, cases like Aunty’s gets spiritual at some point, as some people would begin to wonder if you’ve been married in the spirit realm and your spirit husband wouldn’t allow men track your GPS in the physical realm. Ladies would relate when I say the pressure can be real sometimes. Civilization has done all it can, but the result has simply been – Ladies are no longer shipped off like cargoes to their betrothed, and are no longer becoming number six, nine, or twelve in the wives’ roaster.

If you’ve read to this point, let me ask you a question – “How soon can you get on a train whose rails lead to eternity?” or simply put “What exactly is the point, rushing with someone into an agreement that lasts a life time?” A wise man once gave a reply to the question “When is the right time to get married?” and he said “When that inner voice vindicates the thought in your head, and the timing tallies with that of your prospective spouse”.

Marriage is not in any way a certification of wholeness. It’s not the pathway to the fulfillment of your destiny, and neither does it in any way guarantee your ‘happily ever after’. If anyone tells you otherwise, stay away from them. You don’t need that kind of pressure. The most popular blogger in Nigeria is a single lady, and every time she achieves a feat, the next question a lot of people raise is “When will you marry?” The heck?! Seriously?!

You mean she has suddenly lost her right to achievements and fulfillment in life just because she’s single? Marriage is an extremely sacred institution, and those pressuring others into it, are part of those responsible for how dilapidated the institution is today. So my dear single brethren, the next time someone asks you “When will you marry?” Just smile and say “When it’s time, you’ll know”.

End of story.

Cheers!

PS: If for any reason, you’ve decided to remain single, you have every right to your decision. In fact, I hold you in very high esteem. Accept my dab offering.

Mature Minds Talk.

STOP BEING HOMOPHOBIC?!

noreply@blogger.com (Jaybee) — Fri, 10 Nov 2017 12:22:00 +0000

If there’s one thing I can be sure of, it’s that by the end of my Writing Challenge, I’ll have shared some personal info with the world, with which you can boldly say you know me a little bit more than just from afar.

Recent conversations have been centered on a businessman in the beauty and cosmetics industry in Nigeria, since news broke that he has been arrested for coming out of the closet and declaring his sexual orientation. While some are saying the reason for his arrest isn’t related to his sexuality, others are saying the cops were already itching to have him arrested. But that’s not even my problem or concern.

I’m so annoyed because I simply just took a thirty minutes break from work and went to my Twitter timeline to see what’s going on and the news of this bleaching cream merchant littered the whole place. In fact, it was trending. I quickly took off to Instagram and guess what? This same news was all over. Basically, the timeline has suddenly become risky for one go through in peace. Since everyone is dropping their OPINION, here’s mine.

I remember my first encounter with homosexuality – It was my second year in secondary school. I wasn’t sure what spirit had moved round the hostel but boys were on a humping spree. We were about fifteen boys. Two boys started humping each other, another boy joined, then another, and another. I just stood there bemused, trying to wrap my tender brain around what my eyes were feeding it.

It was such a disgusting sight that day. The strong irritation for what I beheld came to me naturally, just as breathing or blinking. It was stomach wrenching, even for “Young Jaybee”.

If you’re a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT), in my opinion, I strongly believe that you're on the pinnacle of confusion, and there's something is wrong somewhere in your head. No offence intended. I’m basically saying you’ve subconsciously undergone some conditioning (maybe an experience) and what you’re exhibiting is the result of a mind that’s been tampered with. There’s always the “You” before the “Gay You” your brain may just have blotted most of those parts out. Sad!

“That’s how I was born” is a statement that toys with my “Patience” button. That’s freaking not how you were born. Snap out of your emotional low self-esteem. And for those saying it’s none of their business what two adults (of the same gender) do in their privacy, just know that the road of morality and sanity of the coming generation, has too many deadly potholes already. Just don’t say anything likewise against Bestiality, Mechanophilia, and the likes. Hypocrites!

Nobody taught me to be homophobic. I witnessed homosexuality way before I knew it even had fancy names and my natural response to it was a volcanic eruption of negative emotions… and if Mother Nature herself can tell me that something is wrong, then who the heck are you? Give yourself in to therapy and mind conditioning. There are real success stories. Stop imprisoning yourself in your mind. Fix up your life.

The earth's force field itself is designed like one giant magnet. Take away the earth’s magnetic field, and the whole planet could be gone in a matter of hours. The day you see a magnet attract it’s like pole, shoot me!

My name is Elijah and I’m proudly homophobic.

Cheers!

Mature Minds Talk.

GONE ARE THE DAYS!

noreply@blogger.com (Jaybee) — Thu, 09 Nov 2017 17:13:00 +0000

“Wake Up Jaybee!”

“But why?... I’m enjoying this trip”

“You’ll soon have to get back to work and you need to quickly compose today’s content”

I don’t like it when the tiny voice in my head guilt-trips me into doing things, especially at times like this when I’m touring “Good Old Town”. So, rather than start thinking of the right thing to write, let me let you in. From here on, you are inside my head for the next couple of minutes. Welcome to Good Old Town. I come here once in a while, so everything is in shape.

If you’re allergic to nostalgia, be warned. Good Old Town is all shades of it. This is strictly for those who grew up in Nigeria. Find your own Nostalgia if you didn’t. Sorry. While you mo… Careful!... That picture is from a time during breakfast, and that’s me dunking my bread inside my teacup. Oh here I am, rushing home from school to meet the start of TV stations’ transmission by 5pm. You remember that song “Our Sweetest Station NTA 2, NTA 2 Channel 5!”

Remember those dope series – Tiny Toon Adventures, The Lion King, Taz-Mania, Rug-Rats, and so on. That’s me watching… what movie was it again? Wasn’t it Terminator, Mrs Doubtfire, Home Alone, Apollo 13, Jurrasic Park, Coming to America, Rocky, or Equalizer 2000… can’t quite remember. Oh, and that’s me cutting paper currencies to spend during “Daddy and Mommy”. I was always the child. Never got to play “Daddy” *side eye*

Well, I preferred it to “Hide and Seek”, “Police and Thief”, “Stay/freeze”, “Obey My Command”, “Who’s in the Garden”, “Form a Big Circle” and “Where did I see” (My bro was always asking where he saw what only him can see). That’s me stretching my hand and singing for a bird to poo on my fingernails, to make them white and fine. I was flying kites in this picture and I played truancy just so I could play with this Red Toy Car. Gone are the days.

The nostalgia of recitations may be too much for you, but at least you remember “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”, “I see the moon; the moon sees me”, “Wherever you go”, “Biro Master”, and… Wait! Hope you also believed that India beat Nigeria 99-1 in a football match where the ball transformed to various kinds of animals. Santa Claus creeped me the heck out. I still don’t like him or his gifts. I’ll rather watch Chukky, Mount Zion Horror Movies, or Willow.

Big Boy starter pack – 1 Head warmer/Bandana/Durag, 1 Fila face cap, 1 Fubu oversized T-Shirt, 1 baggy Jean or Combat, 1 “Timbolo” (go figure), 1 walkman (with extra audio cassettes). Alternatively, you can manage a Palito radio. But before we became big boys, playing the “200 in 1 brick games” with the overhead light, there was just the “10-10”, “Tinko tinko”, “After Round 1”, and “Who Mess?!”.

That’s me rolling a tyre (I was an expert driver), before there was Table Soccer, Fall the Maize cobs, and Rubber Band Olympics. Oh how I enjoyed Tales by Moonlight. Remember Sprint and Banana chewing gums, Baba Dudu, Short Cake and Coconut biscuits, the choco cubes, Video Cassette rewinders, Kitto and Trekkers sandals and Goody Goody. Christmas period was a time for new shoes and clothes, but looking back now, you can’t but exclaim “Gone are the days!”

Mature Minds Talk.