Credibility Matters!!!

 The little stuffs we feel doesn't count!!! Everyday thousands of people destroy their integrity with the most insignificant issues, how sad! lets take my case scenario.....
The other day, i got a call from an unknown number, the person at the other end of the line was super annoying, but something kept me from ending the call, probably i didn't want to come across as being rude! He was a stranger, i thought," be Nice". All this while, my Big bro was calling. finally the annoying call ended....oh thank goodness! Okay... so brother of life called back, being the inquisitive brother that he was, he started off with, "who's been calling you", "what were you guys discussing that was taking forever", blablabla..... "why should i discuss my private calls/discussion with you', i asked and his reply was "cos am your BIG Bro" with emphasis o. "Not good enough", i said to myself(fear nor lemme tell am that one o), so i told him some interesting story...Smart, you'd say, right? Wrong move. It turned out my strange caller was my darling brother....yeah yeah, you can laugh..... His next words to me, i dont think i would forget in a hurry "chai, so you can lie like this, if na person tell me, i for no believe am at all". There, my credibility shattered. i tried to explain why i had to and he said the most i could have done is not tell him about it. Thinking about it now, i realise he was right. I could have just said, "hey am not telling you about it, period". He would only go angry for a little while. I dont know if he would be able to trust/believe me next time, i sincerely pray he does.
So what am i trying to say? we should make conscious effort to uphold our integrity. You never know how far it would go for you. So next time you are in that position and you feel its too insignificant a thing to say, trust me, the most you can say is am not telling you, the person deserves that much truth.

"I am different from [George] Washington; I have a higher, grander standard of principle. Washington could not lie. I can lie, but I won't."— Mark Twain

Okay enough of my integrity talk already.......my stomach calls out.... i need to feed meeeeeeeeee......... until next time, let us all stay CREDIBLE....

GOING WITH THE CROWD....YAY OR NAY?

 

Sorry I haven’t blogged for a long time now, I’ve had little or no time for myself….. *smiles* life’s getting in the way. 

 

 Back to the topic….. I was recently faced with a critical decision that I didn’t know where and how to decide (not that am not good at decision making, but I have this problem of wanting to please almost everyone, especially when you are dear to me). So in my usual self of pleasing, I went all out to seek peoples opinion, I asked everyone that cared to give me a listening ear what I should do. After everyone has aired their opinion, I went with what the majority said. And after all said and done, I felt I made the biggest mistake ever….why didn’t I go with the minority or better still, my heart! Where the people wrong about their opinion? NO WAY, they are not! Was I wrong to have gone with the crowd? Naaa, I don’t think so, but was I fulfilled? Not even an inch close to that. So I said to myself, “Oma, when next you are to make a critical decision, go with your heart. You might be wrong, YES but at least you’d be fulfilled”.

Now this is me wanting to know your opinion. If you are faced with a situation which seems more like a dilemma, what would you do? Would you seek people’s opinion and go with majority than minority, or you'd go with your heart?  Tell me what you will do on that ground.

How "EGO" can destroy even your best relationship.

Anyone who has read me knows that there is something I say over and over again (because it is so

important!): To be able to truly love yourself and to truly be able to love someone else, you must drop the ego. This is absolutely essential to finding an amazing relationship, but it’s equally critical to maintaining and continually improving a relationship once you’re already in it.
Nothing will kill a relationship (even the best of relationships) more quickly than ego. Here are 6 ways your ego can kill your relationship, and how to avoid having your ego ruin your relationship.

1.Resist The Temptation To Defend Yourself: Think about the number of times you’ve fought with a significant other, and whenever things get a little heated you start to defend yourself. All you hear is you being attacked, and you immediately go into “defending yourself” mode. Do you know that when you defend yourself in a fight, what’s really happening is your ego is defending itself.
It also means that you’ve stopped listening to the other person.  If someone tells you that they don’t like the way you’ve been acting lately, why not hear them out instead of defending yourself? It will almost always create a MUCH better outcome. 

2.To Love Yourself And Someone Else Completely You Must Separate The Ego: In order to truly love someone, you must separate your ego from yourself. This is also true if you want to be able to totally love yourself. Now, I know that in a perfect world, we would never be ego-driven. This is not a perfect world of course, so let’s get real. We are all ego-driven to some extent or another, so let’s acknowledge it and embrace that we need to separate the ego to cultivate and maintain a truly amazing relationship with someone.
 
3.Your Ego Can Ruin Any Conversation: The truth is that no matter how much you prepare, plan and hope for a good conversation with your significant other, your ego is the one thing that will consistently ruin any conversation you’re about to have if you let it. 
Let’s say your significant other is frustrated with you in one way or another and really needs to express something about that to you. How do you respond? If you let your ego get involved and you defend yourself, it means that you’re not listening to them.
In order to really listen to somebody, it’s uncomfortable.  Sometimes your significant other has things that are really bothering them about which they want to talk to you, but which you would rather not hear. To maintain a great relationship, however, you can’t let your ego keep you from really listening

So the next time you see your ego getting involved in your relationship, get rid of it! If you find yourself defending yourself or not allowing you to really listen, then you need to take a step back. Listen carefully to what’s really being said, and use it to create the most amazing relationship.

 

5 TINS YOU ALREADY DID WRONG BEFORE 8 A.M

You are not alone, of course. While no one excuses bad behavior like growling at a colleague at 3

p.m. for "not being an afternoon person," society has somehow accepted that it's okay to grunt, stumble and bitch our way through the start of every day. And so we do. What we don't realize is it's not just our bodies but our souls as well that need sustenance for a long day ahead, and just like a good breakfast can start the day off right, a good outlook at 6:30 a.m. can shape the way you get through to 6:30 p.m.

Here are five things you probably already did wrong this morning -- and five ways you can get every day off to a better start, including breaking up with your snooze button once and for all.

1. Don't predict the future. Stub your toe in the middle of the afternoon and you think, "ouch." But stub it at 7 a.m. and somehow it becomes an omen, a sign that this is going to be "one of those days." Talk about yourself-fulfilling prophesies.
   Instead, savor the present. Pick one thing to be grateful for that's unique to today. Maybe it's a beautiful morning. Maybe it's a cold miserable morning but you have a great new coat to wear. Maybe it's the person in bed next to you, or maybe it's the fact that you have the bed all to yourself. However you look at it, there is always something. It's up to you to find it.


2. Don't use a morning screw up as an excuse all day. You're in a hurry, haven't had breakfast and so you grab a handful of Oreos for the road. Then lunch rolls around and you let yourself have extra-large fries and a burger -- hey, you've already blown the diet.
   Instead, take control of your own reset button. Some mornings there will be Oreos and other things you could have done better. Recognize that the problem is not the cookies, it's you. Forgive yourself, then challenge yourself. I had Oreos for breakfast so I will take a long walk at lunch...


3. Don't wake up to your to-do list. Busy, successful people have a hard time letting go of their obligations. That's not a bad thing... once your day begins. No matter what kinds of things are on your to do list, to start stewing over them while flossing in the shower is to miss the shower itself, that little bit of luxury to which we treat ourselves each morning. So you don't enjoy your shower AND nothing on your to do list gets done.
   Instead, force yourself to think of at least one thing you get to do today. That's very different from have to do. This one thing is sure to give you pleasure and joy... a good hot shower counts, so does a hug from your child, a great song on your iPod to listen to on the way to work, and any number of small things you are lucky enough to get to experience. You still get to your to-do list, so don't worry.


4. Don't settle. Everyone has a few favorite outfits -- the suit that makes you feel like you belong in the C-Suite, the pants that make you look particularly skinny. When you are wearing these outfits the answer is always yes -- yes, I want to be president of the PTA, yes, I want to stop by that cocktail party after work. Then there are the "I'm not going to see anyone today, so I guess I'll wear these," shoes that you swear add 10 years to your look. Every time you put on an outfit you don't like you are telling yourself all the things you won't do today, all the possibilities that won't happen or the chances you won't take. And all that before you even go downstairs for coffee.
   Instead, edit and forget it. If you don't like it, get rid of it -- even if you have worn it in the last two years. Stick to fewer, better pieces that really work for you. If you wouldn't wear it to your high school reunion, you don't need to own it anymore.


5. And finally, back to the snooze button. For goodness sakes, cut it out. Every time you hit the snooze button you are not doing what it is you set out to do that morning, which is get out of bed at whatever time you set the alarm for. You are therefore failing, miserably, at your first task of the day. Those seven minutes of guilty, woozy, semi-sleep is just not worth the karmic hangover.
   Instead, set the alarm for the time you actually have to get up and do it. There, a sense of purpose and accomplishment, and you're still in your pajamas. And a final, bonus don't: Don't blame the bed. There is no wrong side to get up on, only wrong paths to go down.

 

4 STEPS AND YOU ARE OUT OF THE FRIEND ZONE.

More than 20% of persons who see this, will want to read. It's obvious that as words will make and break us, so will the internet make and destroy us. Not neglecting the fact that the computer was designed to make life easier for humans, it role in the great reduction of moral value cannot be over emphasized. And trust humans, they dint fail to help it achieve it's mission. I bet this is no news, but lets just call it an experiment

        Go to www.youtube.com etc. and do a search for "how to become a great public speaker", you will find clips having between 1-70,000 views. On the other hand, do a search for
Nollywood/Ghollywood/Hollywood romantic sex short films or precisely "greedy sex" etc..
 or " how to hack a Facebook password in 2 minutes" and you will find clips having over a million views, knowing these are clips which will add no value to our existence.
        Only if we as humans can utilize the internet searching for things that will add value to us and our environment, the world will be a better place. Lets create a change.

10 ANSWERS YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE YOUR JOB INTERVIEW

Your Job Interview

With the competition keener than ever and the economy in a slump, you need to prepare for your job interview thoroughly. It’s no longer enough to offer a firm handshake to your interviewer, make eye contact, and nod pleasantly now and then. You need to prepare a dynamic application letter and resume. You need to research the company. And you need to present a confident image and develop the ability to answer tough questions on the spot.

Although no one can predict the questions your potential employer will ask, you can think about how you’d answer some of the commonly asked ones. Here are ten questions for you to consider and a few hints about how to answer them:

1. Tell me about yourself.
   Chances are the employer doesn’t want to know how much you weighed when you were born, when you learned to tie your shoes, or how much you had to drink last night. He or she wants to know how you would fit into the company and what your relevant job experience is. You might answer by asking the interviewer what he’d like to know. Or you might talk about your education, the fact that you’re a team player, or whatever you think might be important to this particular company.


2. Why should we hire you?
   Even though five people may be waiting outside, you need to sound confident, calm, and capable. Explain how your experience has prepared you for the job. Emphasize the qualities you think the employer is looking for, such as your outstanding work ethic or the fact that you’re a fast learner.


3. What is your worst characteristic?
   Some human resource specialists suggest that you make a virtue sound like a flaw. “I tend to be a perfectionist,” or, “Everyone says I work too hard.” But others say these answers have become clichés. Mention a minor flaw, such as, “I think I’m too outspoken at times, but I’m working on it.”


4. Where do you want to be five years from now?
   Let the interviewer know you’re looking for job stability and that you aren’t planning to use this job as a temporary stopping point in your quest for a better position. You
   could say, “I’d like to be employed in a small company like this one, where I can learn,
   contribute, and advance.”


5. Why did you leave your last job?
   Never put your former employer or your co-workers in a negative light. Don’t blame them for your departure. Give a positive reason, such as you left to take advantage of another opportunity that was better suited to your skills.


6. Tell me about a problem you had in your life and how you solved it.
   Be prepared with a short answer that shows you’re resourceful. “I really wanted to go to a private university, but my parents didn’t have the money. I went to a community college for two years, worked part time and saved my money so I could attend the last two years at the college of my choice.”


7. Have you had difficulties getting along with supervisors or co-workers?
   You’d have to be a saint to have had no problems with the people you worked with. You might answer, “Nothing major. I try to get along with everyone.”


8. How do you deal with stress on the job?
   The employer wants to know if you’re going to run out the door when things get stressful. Ask yourself if you thrive on working with deadlines or if you need creative time to function more effectively. Think about how you handle stress and be honest. “I focus on the work I’m doing,” or, “I make time to work out at the gym.”


9. What salary do you want for this job?
   Rather than stating a definite figure, tell the interviewer you’d expect to get somewhere in the standard range paid for this position.


10. Do you have questions for me?
    Always have a few questions. They show that you researched the company. Ask about a
    current issue the company is working on or how their recent layoff in another department
    affected company morale.

Remember-- the job interview is a two-way discovery process. By doing your homework and answering interview questions intelligently, you’re striving to prove you’re the person for the job On the other hand, you need to decide--sometimes in the midst of the questions---if the position you’re applying for is what you want to do and if the company is where you want to spend most of your time for the next few (at least) years.

PINKIE SWEAR???

Remember how when we were younger, we would bet on things and to make it more authentic, make it a pinkie swear  . Those were the days when we didn't have too many issues to contend with…though it did seem like we had a lot on our plates then! 

 How many of us would swear to do whatever it takes to be healthy, live as many years as possible in perfect health of mind and body? How many would swear to work out everyday knowing that even 30 mins of exercise everyday cuts our risk of a lot of diseases including cancer? How many would reduce their alcohol intake knowing that it reduces their chances of a lot of ailments? We could go on!

It is with these questions in mind that we turn to the disease represented by the colour pink…breast cancer. Angelina Jolie made headlines some couple of months back when she announced that she had a high risk of breast cancer and decided to take action to reduce her risk. This involved double mastectomy…which in simple everyday English means cutting off both her breasts!!! A small pause here for all that to sink in….

Note that she didn't have cancer, a lump, any change in breast size or contour to suggest that something funny was going on. She just had a gene that meant she was more at risk of having breast cancer than other people. So she decided to do something about it. This sounds like common sense and appears to even follow biblical injunctions to cut off any part of your body that causes you to sin, right? It sounds like everybody should know this…’in fact why make a big fuss about it; I’d do the same!’ But here’s the thing, a lot of us prefer to live in denial. We KNOW we have a family history of hypertension, but do we check our blood pressure always…NO. Some of us know we’ve undertaken some risky sex behaviour, do we screen for STIs and HIV…NO. After all, it’s better not to know, right? Wrong.

People, I’m about to utter some earth shattering mind bogging amazing news right now: Ignorance is not bliss! In fact it is the not-knowing that constitutes a problem and puts more people at risk. It is for this same reason that breast and other cancers that can be detected pretty early go undetected until the final stages when little or nothing can be done because people do not want to get screened, preferring not to know. This is sad!

There are pre-disposing factors for breast cancer. These factors are things, conditions or situations that affect your chances of getting breast cancer. However having even two of these risk factors does not necessarily mean that you will have cancer; in fact people with no risk factors have been known to have cancer. The point however is that if any of the risk factors are present, then one should be sure to reduce that risk by focusing on preventive strategies discussed here.
 
The risk factors for breast cancer include things that you don’t really have much control over like:
Your sex: women are more likely to have this disease than men.

Your age: the risk of this cancer increases with age.

Race or ethnicity: white women are more pre-disposed to breast cancer, but black people are more likely to die of the complications of breast cancer.

Your genes: about 5 to 10% of breast cancer cases are thought to be hereditary resulting from inherited defective genes. These cancers are found in even young women where they may affect both breasts.

Family history of breast cancer: if a member of your family has suffered from this disease, you have a higher risk of it.

Personal history of breast cancer: the risk of this disease increases if one has had this disease in the past. 

Women who have had a lot of menstrual cycles because their menstrual cycles started early and stopped later in life, around 55 years.

Previous radiation therapy to the chest also increases risk.

Other associations that have been made with breast cancer and increase the risk of having the disease include:

• Women who have had no children or had their first child after the age of 30 years(Oya,where are the single ladies in the house, its marriage tym!)
• Women using oral contraceptive pills
• Breast feeding has been found to be protective of breast cancer. So ladies, kindly breast feed those little ones.
• The use of alcohol has been very clearly linked to an increased risk of breast cancer. Follow the daily limits that we have advised on previous posts. 
• Being overweight or obese after menopause increases the risk
• Lack of physical activity has also been incriminated. 

So, do you give your word today to do something about these risk factors if they are under your control, pinkie swear? Or are you going to keep hiding your head in the sand? It doesn’t mean danger is not lurking round the corner, it just means you don’t know when it hits you over the head with a big bang.

Do a self breast exam every day…it’s not too much. There are multiple online materials that teach you exactly how to do this. If you feel a lump, nodule, swelling…anything you’re uncomfortable about, see your doctor. Better safe than sorry. Look at yourself in the mirror, naked. You know what your breasts normally look like; if they change shape, colour, contour or your nipples start to look different or give strange discharges, see a doctor…today and not tomorrow. Once you hit 40, get a mammogram done once every two years (some authorities say from age 50. Ask your doctor what works for you based on your risk profile). And if you can afford it, get gene tested for breast cancer. You just might be buying more time and improving the quality of that time you have to spend with a family that loves you to bits.

Be healthy, people!

Here’s to a healthier you!

DEPRESSION AND HOW IT AFFECTS US.

Depression is a state of low mood and aversion to activity that can affect a person's thoughts, behavior,feelings and sense of well being. Depressed people may feel sad, anxious, empty, hopeless, worried, helpless, worthless, guilty, irritable, hurt, or restless. They may lose interest in activities that once were pleasurable, experience loss of appetite or overeating, have problems concentrating, remembering details, or making decisions, and may contemplate or attempt suicide. Insomnia, excessive sleeping, fatigue, loss of energy, or aches, pains, or digestive problems that are resistant to treatment may also be present.

Doctors do not know the exact causes of depression. It is believed that chemical changes in the brain are responsible. This may be due to a problem with your genes. Or it may be triggered by certain stressful events. More likely it is a combination of both.

Some types of depression run in families. Other types occur even if you have no family history of the illness. Anyone can develop depression, even children and teens.

Depression may be brought on by:

• Alcohol or drug abuse
• Certain medical conditions, including undereactive thyroid, cancer, or long-term pain
• Certain medicines such as steroids
• Sleeping problems
• Stressful life events, such as death or illness of someone close to you, divorce, childhood abuse or neglect, loneliness (common in the elderly), relationship breakup

Symptoms of depression can include:

• Agitation, restlessness, and irritability, anger
• Becoming withdrawn or isolated
• Fatigue and lack of energy
• Feeling hopeless and helpless, worthless, guilty, self-hate
• Loss of interest or pleasure in activities that were once enjoyed
• Sudden change in appetite, often with weight gain or loss
• Thoughts of death or suicide
• Trouble concentrating
• Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much

• Treatment »

  Depression can be treated. Treatment includes medicines, talk therapy, or both.
  If you are thinking about suicide or are very depressed and cannot function, you may need to be treated in a hospital.
  WARNING: Children, teens, and young adults should be watched closely for suicidal behavior. This is especially true during the first few months after starting medicines for depression.
  Women being treated for depression who are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant should not stop taking antidepressants without first talking to their provider.

  Prevention

  Do not drink alcohol or use illegal drugs. These substances make depression worse and may lead to thoughts of suicide.
  Take your medicine exactly as your doctor instructed. Learn to recognize the early signs that your depression is getting worse.
  Keep going to your talk therapy sessions. Counseling is just as effective as taking medicine.
  The following tips may help you feel better:
  • Get more exercise.
  • Maintain good sleep habits.
  • Do activities that bring you pleasure.
  • Volunteer or get involved in group activities.
  • Talk to someone you trust about how you are feeling.
  • Try to be around people who are caring and positive......

You’re Entitled to My Opinion

So, you’re a vegetarian? Great. You go to the gym every day? Wonderful. You lost 14 pounds on your newfangled diet? I’m happy for. You hate to manage resources? Super. You love your peace and quite? Nice. You’re a devoted person of faith? Good for you. Now, do you want my opinion?

It’s wonderful that you’ve assumed such a healthy lifestyle; that you’re so passionate about your beliefs and committed to your causes; and that you want to raise your kids just like your parents raised you.

But . . .
But that doesn’t mean I have to agree with you. Believe me, I’m not trying to pass judgment; quite to the contrary. Unlike multiple-choice tests, in life there may be two right answers to the same question. And I know what’s right for me. I have strong beliefs and am passionate about my values too.

I don’t mind if you ask me to follow your lead every once in a while, but I’m afraid that you’re misconstruing my silence (a.k.a. “No, I don’t happen to agree with you”) for an answer. And you’re making me feel uncomfortable. So, you’re welcome to your own opinion, but PLEASE let me be me.

My Opinion Or the Highway
On a small scale, forcing your opinions upon others can lead to arguments and damaged relationships. It can pit friend against friend, create strife among family members, generate tension in the workplace, and cause gridlock in government. On a larger scale, forcing one’s values on others can lead to war.

The fact remains that if someone chooses to live a certain way, and it doesn’t infringe on anyone’s freedom, it’s their choice to make. With that in mind, a true friend is one who respects a friend for who he is, rather than who he wants him to be. It’s important to be respectful of other people’s ways of life and traditions –– even if you’re not in complete agreement.

Sometimes, however, it’s not that simple –– especially when one’s beliefs and values encroach on another’s freedom. In fact, some issues today are responsible for the polarization that is paralyzing our country’s political process. Rather than striving to seek compromise, it seems that the new standard of discourse is “My Way Or the Highway.” This is a shortsighted and ultimately destructive attitude that is a “lose-lose” for everyone. We can’t expect others to abandon their values any more than we would forsake our own.

The fact is, we live in a world that’s getting smaller every day. It’s important to be tolerant of other people’s cultures and values, recognizing that no one has the right to force his way of life on anyone else.

Building Bridges . . .
This does not mean that people shouldn’t speak out for their beliefs. This process, however, must be civil and respectful of others’ views. In fact, the manner we use to air our differences of opinion is the signal we send to others about our willingness to build bridges of trust. If we view every issue as a “take no prisoners” battle, or use underhanded (or dishonest) means to influence opinions, the outcome is likely to be ugly. No bridges will be built, and any existing structures of understanding that link us will be quickly demolished, On the other hand, if we’re sensitive to other people’s views and avoid forcing our opinions, then we’re far more likely to achieve a satisfactory outcome. Furthermore, this process will enable us to build a trusting relationship going forward rather than a process that is poisoned from the outset.

Here are some considerations to promote an amicable debate:

Ground rules

When a disagreement arises, all discussion should focus on the merits of each position, without denigration of others. There’s no need to either disparage anyone or resort to personal attacks.
Nothing but the facts

Timely and accurate information is an important ingredient of successful debate. As Daniel Patrick Moynihan once said, “Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not his own facts.”
Does everyone view the issue from the same perspective? Is everyone taking the same short- or long-term perspective? Does the issue affect everyone the same way?
Is everyone being fair and objective? Are people letting their personal biases influence their positions? Are unstated factors clouding their judgment? Is their bias based on uninformed or outdated thinking?
Is someone trying to influence the decision? Do they have a separate agenda or a vested interest in the outcome?
Are any of the negotiators in it just to be “spoilers” with no real stake in the outcome, except to ensure that no consensus is reached?
The best strategy — WIN-WIN

Many “battles” don’t have winners and losers –– there are just losers. Don’t look for ways to back an opponent into a corner. Instead, find ways to let each side save face. You gain nothing by making others look bad.
Take the high ground. Remain open-minded. Look for common ground. Identify ways to compromise and find opportunities where everyone wins.
Now hear this: Is everyone really hearing what the others are saying? Communication is a two-way street. It requires more than talking. Remember, there’s a difference between listening and hearing.
Although it may take longer, it’s better to achieve buy-in than to be overpowering in order to achieve a short-term gain. Buy-in is best achieved with expertise, integrity, charisma, and respect rather than with authority and position.
Remember, if you win the battle (and ruin a relationship), what have you gained?
Trust takes a long time to develop, but can be destroyed in seconds.
Making the case

It is important to put yourself in the other person’s shoes. Try to find the merit in each other’s arguments.
Presenting both sides of an argument helps you to be objective and fair.
Repeating something over and over doesn’t make it true.
Just because more people hold a particular view doesn’t make it right.
Raising your voice doesn’t make an argument more convincing.
Just because a person is silent doesn’t mean that person doesn’t have a message to convey.
When you distort the truth, you weaken your credibility.
Please don’t dance in the end zone when you score points. It’ll only damage the process going forward.
Be Prepared to Heal Thyself
There are a lot of good and decent people in this world who have much in common. They wake up every morning as proud parents and spouses. They build great businesses, give back to their communities, and assist those in need. They want to lead purposeful lives, provide for their families, and assure better lives for their children. It’s important to build relationships on what unites us, not fight over what divides us. We should abandon the hateful rhetoric, expose our counterfeit leaders, desert our malicious role models, and reject the disgusting greed and envy that pits us against one another.

I long for a day when our leaders bring us together rather than divide us; when people strive to better themselves rather than trying to change others; when fairness and tolerance replace weapons disguised as words; when we measure success, not by what people accumulate in life, but by what they’re able to give to others; when “the world revolves around me” gives way to being a responsible member of the “world community.” And when “win-win,” long-term relationships become the new definition of success, rather than winning at all costs.

Before we can make this a reality, keep in mind the wisdom of Bill Bluestein, who said, “Before you try to change others, remember how hard it is to change yourself.” But that’s my opinion.


Credits: Frank Sonnenberg

Are you intrested in weight loss, clean mouth, fresher skin, avoiding diabetes, etc then read this.

Cucumbers are the fourth most cultivated vegetable in the world and known to be one of the best foods for your body's overall health, often referred to as a superfood. Cucumbers are often sprayed with pesticides so it is important to buy organic or even better, grow them yourself
Here is a short list of the impressive health benefits that a cucumber carries:

• Keeps you hydrated. If you are too busy to drink enough water, munch on the cool cucumber, which is 96 percent water. It will cheerfully compensate!
• Fights heat, both inside and out. Eat cucumber, and your body gets relief from heartburn. Apply cucumber on your skin, and you get relief from sunburn.
• Flushes out toxins. All that water in cucumber acts as a virtual broom, sweeping waste products out of your system. With regular use, cucumber is known to dissolve kidney stones.
• Lavishes you with vitamins. A B and C, which boost immunity, give you energy, and keep you radiant. Give it more power by juicing cucumber with carrot and spinach.
• Supplies skin-friendly minerals: magnesium, potassium, silicon. That’s why cucumber-based treatments abound in spas.
• Aids in weight loss. Enjoy cucumbers in your salads and soups. My favorite snack? Crunchy cucumber sticks with creamy low-fat yogurt dip.
• Revives the eyes. Placing chilled slices of cucumber on the eyes is a clichéd beauty visual, but it really helps reduce under-eye bags and puffiness.
• Cuts cancer. Cut down your risk of several cancers by including cucumber in your diet. Several studies show its cancer-fighting potential.
• Stabilizes blood pressure. Patients of blood pressure, both high and low, often find that eating cucumber brings relief.
• Refreshes the mouth. Cucumber juice refreshes and heals diseased gums, leaving your mouth smelling good.
• Helps digestion. Chewing cucumber gives the jaws a good workout, and the fiber in it is great for digestion.
• Smooths hair and nails. Silica, the wonder mineral in cucumber makes your hair and nails stronger and shinier.
• Soothes muscle and joint pain. All those vitamins and minerals in cucumber make it a powerful enemy of muscle and joint pain.
• Keeps kidneys in shape. Cucumber lowers uric acid levels in your system, keeping the kidneys happy.
• Good for diabetics. Patients of diabetes can enjoy cucumber while also reaping its health benefits: cucumber contains a hormone needed by the cells of the pancreas for producing insulin.
• Reduces cholesterol. A compound called sterols in cucumber helps reduce bad cholesPick a handful of firm, dark green cucumbers and pop them into your shopping basket. Congratulations! You have just bought yourself a fruit (yes, the cool cuke is fruit, not a vegetable) full of good health!
  
• People still have cancer, go blind, develop diabetes etc. because of bad health maintenance culture in Nigeria. Lets not let the last minute be a default in our character. We can change it.
  

PASTOR DISGUISED HIMSELF AS A DESTITUTE AND WAS DESPICED BY MEMBERS OF HIS CONGREGATION.

Pastor Jeremiah Steepek (pictured below) transformed himself into a homeless person and went to the 10,000 member church that he was to be introduced as the head pastor at that morning. He walked around his soon to be church for 30 minutes while it was filling with people for service....only 3 people out of the 7-10,000 people said hello to him. He asked people for change to buy food... NO ONE in the church gave him change. He went into the sanctuary to sit down in the front of the church and was asked by the ushers if he would please sit in the back. He greeted people to be greeted back with stares and dirty looks, with people looking down on him and judging him.

As he sat in the back of the church, he listened to the church announcements and such. When all that was done, the elders went up and were excited to introduce the new pastor of the church to the congregation...."We would like to introduce to you Pastor Jeremiah Steepek"... The congregation looked around clapping with joy and anticipation.....The homeless man sitting in the back stood up... and started walking down the aisle... the clapping stopped with ALL eyes on him.... he walked up the altar and took the microphone from the elders (who were in on this) and paused for a moment.... then he recited

"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

"The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'"

After he recited this, he looked towards the congregation and told them all what he had experienced that morning... many began to cry and many heads were bowed in shame... he then said... Today I see a gathering of people... not a church of Jesus Christ. The world has enough people, but not enough disciples... when will YOU decide to become disciples? He then dismissed service until next week... Being a Christian is more than something you claim. It's something you live by and share with others.

   However it's being stipulated that it's not a true story, but I believe it's a parable to reminds us of what God defined as true LOVE. What have u learnt?     

CAKES, ICE-CREAM, ALCOHOL, AND "GROUNDNUT OIL" E.T.C ARE NOW SIN TO THE HUMAN BODY..............

Cholesterol is a lipid (fat) which is produced by the liver. Cholesterol is vital for normal body function. Every cell in our body has cholesterol in its outer layer.

  

*High cholesterol levels can cause:

·         Higher coronary heart disease risk - an abnormality of the arteries that supply blood and oxygen to the heart.

·         Heart attack - occurs when the supply of blood and oxygen to an area of heart muscle is blocked, usually by a clot in a coronary artery. This causes your heart muscle to die.

·         Angina - chest pain or discomfort that occurs when your heart muscle does not get enough blood.

·         Other cardiovascular conditions - diseases of the heart and blood vessels.

·         Stroke and mini-stroke - occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery or vein, interrupting the flow to an area of the brain. Can also occur when a blood vessel breaks. Brain cells begin to die.

What causes high cholesterol?

Lifestyle causes

·         Nutrition - although some foods contain cholesterol, such as eggs, kidneys, eggs and some seafood, dietary cholesterol does not have much of an impact in human blood cholesterol levels. However, saturated fats do! Foods high in saturated fats include red meat, some pies, sausages, hard cheese, lard, pastry, cakes, most biscuits, and cream (there are many more).

·         Sedentary lifestyle - people who do not exercise and spend most of their time sitting/lying down have significantly higher levels of LDL (bad cholesterol) and lower levels of HDL (good cholesterol).

·         Body weight - people who are overweight/obese are much more likely to have higher LDL levels and lower HDL levels, compared to people who are of normal weight.

·         Smoking - this can have quite a considerable effect on LDL levels.

·         Alcohol - people who consume too much alcohol regularly, generally have much higher levels of LDL and much lower levels of HDL, compared to people who abstain or those who drink in moderation.

Foods that  causes High level of cholesterol

EGGS –  Chicken eggs are high in cholesterol, and a diet high in cholesterol can contribute to high blood cholesterol levels. One large egg has about 186 mg of cholesterol — all of which is found in the yolk. Therefore, if you eat an egg on a given day, it's important to limit other sources of cholesterol for the rest of that day. Consider substituting servings of vegetables for servings of meat, or avoid high-fat dairy products for that day. If you like eggs but don't want the extra cholesterol, use only the egg whites. Egg whites contain no cholesterol.

LIVER: Liver is loaded with Iron- which could be good for you- but is also high in cholesterol. Cholesterol is made and stored in the liver, and most concentrated levels of cholesterol in animal meats are found in the liver

Snacks – Trans fat can turn a healthy food into a high cholesterol food. These foods result from adding hydrogen to vegetable oil, which are then used in many commercial baked goods or fried foods such as cookies, cakes, French fries, Onion rings, and crackers.

Treatable medical conditions

These medical conditions are known to cause LDL levels to rise. They are all conditions which can be controlled medically (with the help of your doctor, they do not need to be contributory factors):

·         Diabetes

·         High blood pressure (hypertension)

·         High levels of triglycerides

·         Kidney diseases

·         Liver diseases

·         Under-active thyroid gland

What are the treatments for high cholesterol?

Lifestyle

Most people, especially those whose only risk factor has been lifestyle, can generally get their cholesterol and triglyceride levels back to normal by:

·         Doing plenty of exercise (check with your doctor)

·         Eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, oats, good quality fats

·         Avoiding foods with saturated fats

·         Getting plenty of sleep (8 hours each night)

·         Bringing your bodyweight back to normal

·         Avoiding alcohol

·         Stopping smoking

Many experts say that people who are at high risk of developing cardiovascular disease will not lower their risk just by altering their diet. Nevertheless, a healthy diet will have numerous health benefits.

NOTE: That thing Nigerians call vegetable oil, are not, they are just animal fat. Pure vegetable oil don't get congealed on cold weather. Please avoid it. "Here is to a Healthier you and Nation".