This title has been on my mind for almost 2 full weeks now; funny enough, certain events came up that made my deciding to write and post the article not the best thing to do. But then, i decided to take a look at the things i had been reminded about gratitude and i told myself it was the more reason why i needed to write about it.

Unlike the conventional meaning of gratitude, i’ll like to share a richer, deeper meaning with us. Gratitude involves the whole process of mental adjustment, of tuning the mind such that the mind is drawn into closer touch with God, from whom all blessings come. That process of mind adjustment and fixation creates a positive atmosphere that can attract only the best. For us to live in a world that is truly limitless in terms of possibilities, our gratitude has to be strong and continous, then, the movement of things we want will be always towards us.

We have heard and we can see already that in 2010, you won’t need to think at all to see reasons to be dissatisfied, if not personally, then, maybe about the nation or any other thing. The moment you permit your mind to dwell with dissatisfaction upon things as they are, you begin to lose ground. Jesus Christ never did without giving thanks before performing any miracle, even when he knew he could perform them. There’s a connection between gratitude and power; the more power you can exercise when you have an attitude of gratitude because your faith is strengthened.

I have decided to make gratitude an anchor for my soul this year so that my faith will be strengthened, and i can attract the things God has already made available to me. When men say there’s a casting down, i’ll say there’s a lifting up for me. So, even though i have a list of goals, i have just one new year goal….maintain an attitude of gratitude (that’s enough work!)

Happy new year!

As last week started, i looked forward to the public holiday on Friday, Democracy day, i had planned to do a little shopping and lounge for the rest of the day; fortunately/unfortunately on thursday afternoon, i got an impromptu call to speak in a church at 9am the next day, which was meant to be the public holiday. I was first told it was winners, then it was clarified to be MFM. My heart did a quick somersault as i wondered how i would do it. I trusted God and decided to go all the same. I got there and flowed with the program and at the aloted time, i got up to speak. I spoke on Effective Goal Setting. It was a great program, there were lots of questions after which showed they followed me all the way. Looking back, it was a much better way of spending the day; instead of lounging, i was able to add value.

This article is a bouquet so i’ll like to also write on something i’ve noticed in the course of relating with diverse people on a regular basis. Last week, children’s day to be precise, i was at the Fun place with my kids and the place was packed full with kids and parents. As i took my children to play one of the major games, i heard a lady, who i recognised as a nollywood actress cursing one of her children at the top of her voice. What first caught my attention was the pitch of her voice, then the content. I wondered at the damage on the child’s self esteem; i wondered if she could not even hold her cutting words till they got home; i wondered what the child would’ve done to have warranted such harshness, moreso, the child was in the very midst of other kids, i wondered….

I looked at her as she spoke. She never for once looked around or tried to keep her voice down or even care much about the fact that she’s a public figure. Then i discovered that it had nothing to do with all the fame and status. It had everything to do with her background/upbringing which had informed who she had grown up to become; that was her in action, she was being ‘herself’ which was clearly a function of where she was coming from. She was most likely treated harshly anywhere and everywhere by her parent(s) and was playing back the script. She was all dressed and decked up and the kids didn’t look loved and cared for….i might be wrong about her, but the principle, “Hurting people hurt others” seemed so real as i studied what i saw.

I’ve met people exhibit behaviors i have found appalling but which they find normal. Survey shows that family background more than talent or many other things affect the way a person turns out eventually. The growing up environment has to be right for the person to turn out right. So when i meet people with weird perspectives, i excuse them in advance because we definitely passed through different routes (Otolorin) before we arrived at where we are today. Such people who exhibit dysfunctional behaviors however need reorientation so they can become balanced.

Love never fails. Any action that has love as an undertone never fails in achieving great results. We’re surrounded daily by such people who do not even have an accurate knowledge of what’s wrong or right. We need to show love and give direction, and help others live right and achieve success. We need to be patient enough to find out why people act the way they do, and lovingly help them come out so they can be the best they should be. We can’t help everyone, but posterity won’t forgive us if we don’t help as many as we can.

Make up your mind this new month, that love will be the motivation behind your action or response. Showing love is tough, but love never fails. Have a fantastic month ahead!

Hello All, i trust this week has been fine. I’ll like to make today’s TGIF post a story that we can identify with and can learn from. It teaches us a fundamental, yet profound truth that can make us live and walk truly free. Here it goes:

There was a little boy visiting his grandparents on their farm. He was given a slingshot to play with, out in the woods. He practiced in the woods,but he could never hit the target. Getting a little discouraged, he headed back to dinner.

As he was walking back, he saw Grandma’s pet duck. Just out of impulse, he let fly, hit the duck square in the head, and killed it. He was shocked and grieved. In a panic, he hid the dead duck in the wood pile, only to see his sister watching. Sally had seen it all, but she said nothing.

After lunch that day grandma said, “Sally, let’s wash the dishes.” But Sally said, “Grandma, Johnny told me he wanted to help in the kitchen today, didn’t you Johnny?” And then she whispered to him, “Remember, the duck?” So Johnny did the dishes.

Later Grandpa asked if the children wanted to go fishing, and Grandma said, “I’m sorry but I need Sally to help make supper.” But Sally smiled and said, “Well, that’s all right because Johnny told me he wanted to help.” And she whispered again, “Remember, the duck?” So Sally went fishing and Johnny stayed.

After several days of Johnny doing both his chores and Sally’s, he finally couldn’t stand it any longer. He came to Grandma and confessed that he killed the duck. She knelt down, gave him a hug, and said, “Sweetheart, I know. You see, I was standing at the window and I saw the whole thing. But because I love you, I forgave you. But I was just wondering how long would you let Sally make a slave of you.”

I don’t know what’s in your past. I don’t know what one past sin the enemy keeps throwing up in your face. But whatever it is, I want you to know something. Jesus Christ was standing at the window and He saw the whole thing. But because He loves you, He is ready to forgive you. Perhaps He’s wondering how long you’ll let the enemy make a slave out of you.

The great thing about God is that He not only forgives, but He forgets.

Enjoy the weekend!

Hello Friends, i trust the week has been good for you. Mine was exciting, as my adrenaline level was high as i worked against time to meet deadlines. Pressure is good you know, it wakes up the brain cells! Not so fortunately for me, i have a full weekend ahead of me. It’s all good……

Today, i’ll be introducing a book, a weekly devotional, which was written by a dear friend, Funmi Osinubi-Onamusi. It is the first of its kind i’ve seen. Each week has a practical key lesson aimed at moving you forward in your journey in life, with this devotional, you can learn from the experiences of fellow men and women like you and I who in the midst of common challenges, have chosen to walk God’s path. This lady spent her time and resources to put this together and intends to give the proceeds of the book sale to missions. She’s definitely not about the money, because she has a fantastic job. Life is all about what value we can give.

To ensure you get the best, the book was printed by one of the best in printing in the world. You can get a few copies and give out to loved ones and by so doing, you’re reaching many more with the gospel of Jesus, you can buy it for more than the selling price and preach God’s word from your home or office. I have a few copies with me, if interested, please call 07086958724 or mail me on topsiesuzie@gmail.com, or better still, pick a copy at Generis Solutions, 71 Allen Avenue, Ikeja.

By the way, do you know what JEMIMA means? It means “God’s grace day by day”, and what more do we need in these times? Get your copies now!!!

I won’t do badly in advertising, will I? :-; Have a fantastic weekend!

Happy new year folks! I trust by now, we must have tons of nice sounding goals and resolutions for the new year. I’d like to share with you all on what i believe will help us get God’s best in this new year.

It’s really funny; the transition into a new year is nothing special in the sense that you sleep on one night and wake up the next morning and it’s a brand new year. The concept of a new year is man’s own way of being able to calibrate time to plan and realign ourselves with our ultimate goals, it’s a “stop, think, plan and act” opportunity, and one that helps us get the way forward.

There’s already a lot of bad news in the air; the media has done justice to spreading it far and wide; there’re projections of businesses that will fail, job losses, further drop in the price of crude oil and many more, and the anxiety mounts, the fear and uncertainty are evident. It’s obvious that systems that have stood for decades are failing and we need to shift our focus from the “fundamental things” that we used to be able to bank on to what can stand the test of time.

I’d like you to take the following points to heart in the new year and walk with them:

1) Learn to listen to, and hear God. That is the surest source of direction you will ever get. This is no old school statement o, it is obvious that how far we will go and our quality of life depend on taking accurate decisions. It is the way to live in abundance in the midst of famine.

2) Check your association: It is easy to start the year with a lot of hope and enthusiasm but the sustainability of all that depends among other things, on the people we surround ourselves with. If you know your association will do you more harm than good, run! People who always see a reason why something will not work (dream killers) should be far from you. Also, people who pleasing God is not their primary desire will slow you down and draw you back, because it will inform what they can do. If you value your destiny, you will not say you’ve been friends for years with X, and so it’s hard to break up. I dare say, the association is the reason why you haven’t gone farther than this, there’s so much you would’ve become and achieved….A word is enough for the wise.

3) Fight to keep your joy: I was in a meeting recently and someone prayed that that God should not let us have cause to complain; i wondered at the prayer; there’s no year or period without challenges and reasons to complain, it’s our attitude or response to those things that determine what we get from them. There’s a lot of battle going on in the mind, and the way we can keep winning is not to accept defeat or give in. Our strength lies in joy.

I could write much more than this, but i want it straight to the point. Please note however, that the above points and anything we need to do, cannot be done except we make the commitment to do them and achieve the results we desire, if not all within the year, then close. I look forward to an exciting and eventful year ahead, what about you? Ciao!