Ballerina Continues...

"Omo."

"Yes, mummy."

"Please, go and remove the dishes from the dinning table, your daddy has finished eating."

"Ok mummy, one minute."

"Honey."

"Yes, dear."

"Please come and listen to what Omo has to tell you."

"Daddy, regarding what?" Omo questions her father from the kitchen.

"Regarding a dancer, or don't you want to be a dancer anymore?"

"I do, daddy. But I didn't tell you that I want to discuss it with mummy."

"Discuss what with mummy?" Their mum ask as she hurry into the living room.

"Your daughter said she wants to be a dancer."

"Ha dear, I thought it's something very important you called me for."

"It's very important, she's very serious about it."

"Come on dear, you know she's only a child, she can't be serious."

"Mummy I'm not a child, I'm a teenager now and I'm in senior secondary." Omo informed her mom.

"Huh?" She responds in perplexity.

"And for your information, Omo continues, I and my friend will be representing the Apex Ball Team in next month's Ball dance competition."

"Which one is ball dance again?"

"Ah! Mummy, please don't tell me you've never heard of ballerina."

"Dear,she calls her husband with a bit of frown and curiosity. Which one is ballerina again?"

"Omo."

"Yes daddy."

"Explain to your mummy with some steps."

"Yes daddy." She stretches herself and starts to dance as she hums a song.

"Wait, wait, wait, is this what you said you want to be doing? Raising up your skirt for everybody to be looking at?"

"Mummy it's not what you think."

"Obviously, it's not what I think, it's what I'm seeing." She shakes her head in disappointment.

"This is so funny."

"Dear please stop laughing, I'm not finding this funny at all. This girl wants to spoil our family name. My only daughter!"

"Oh my God." He laughs louder.

"Daniel Ehime Lobekeme!"

"That's my full name, honey."

"Please stop laughing and talk to this girl."

"Mummy there's nothing to tell me, afterall, daddy was a dancer."

"No! He was a masquerade, not a dancer."

"Ah honey! Mr. Daniel exclaims, was I not dancing as a masquerade?"

"Oh yeah, but old things have passed away."

"Alright, Omo," Mr. Daniel calls, pretending to be serious, "you need to listen to your mom."

"No dad, both of you should please listen to yourselves." Omo advise. "Both of you used to tell us that we shouldn't live in rat-race. "You both told us that everyone was created with an ability, a gift and talent to impart lives for good."

"Yes, that's true." Mr. Daniel responds, nodding his head.

"You taught us to discover, harness and put our potentials to the best use," Omo continues," now I tell you that I want to dance and you are saying that I should not. What then do you want me to do?"

"What I want you to do is to try and understand that this country is not a place where you can get ahead with that kind of dance." Their mom tries to explain in a soft tone. "I think you should concentrate on getting into the university and think of something else."

"Mummy, Omo calls in a lachrymose tone, when did you become the creator and giver of opportunity." she asks as tears begin to well up in her eyes.

"What do you mean?"

"You said this country is not a place I can get ahead with ballerina."

"Yes, but I...I..."

"Mummy this is the opposite of what you've been teaching us, and I don't understand. Have you two been lying to us?"

"It's alright Omo, Mr. Daniel interrupts, we have not been lying to any of you, your mummy just want you to concentrate on your studies and do first things first rather than getting carried away with your hobbies.

"Hello people." Eromo calls excitedly as he walk pass his parents, he ruffles Omo's hair playfully. "What's up ballerina."

"Eromo, leave me alone, I don't have your time this morning."

"What is it?" Eromo inquires as he walks toward the dinning table. "Are you having a quarrel with you husband again?" He pulls out four eggs from the paper bag he took into the house and gently place them on the dinning table.
"Why is nobody saying anything?"
"Daddy."

"Yes."

"It must have come from you because you're the only one that is capable of releasing missiles that are powerful enough to create this type of noisy silence."
He walks into the kitchen and turn on the oven...

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Ballerina conts.

"Kunle doesn't call as he used to" Beatrice begins. Although that's not the reason I'm going out with Kelechi. We had a little altercation the last time he came visiting and we resolved it. But I just lost something I used to feel for him".

"Since when?

"A few months ago".

"Its since you started seeing kelechi" Edith replies with her eyes wide open as she nods her head repeatedly to show that she is certain of her statement.

"Who told you it's since I started seeing Kelechi?"

"You didn't lose anything when you and Kunle were still burning with passion, how come it's when this big-mouthed, haughty Kelechi shows up that you are losing something you felt for Kunle?"

"Edith please don't insult my boy... my, my friend."

"Aha!!! Your boyfriend. So soon?" Nkechi exclaims.

"I'm not insulting him, Beatrice. You of all people should know Kelechi better than that." Edith informs her in a peaceful tone. "You knew how much he disturbed me with his love stories," she continues, "and how he promised me heaven and earth while he was dating one of my friends. And come to think of it, he's even Kunle's friend. Ah, Beatrice!"

"We're just seeing each other now."

"Let me hear word." Nkechi interrupts harshly. "Are you telling me that for the few months you two have been seeing yourselves, he has not seen you finish?"

"What if he has?"

"Beatrice, why are you like this?"

"Like how?"

"Where is your dignity, your value, your pride?"

"Edith what is it now? Why are you acting like you are my mother here?" "I said I lost something I used to feel for Kunle."

"Then find it, find it and continue with him." Nkechi complains.

"Why am I even wasting my time on this issue?" Edith asks. "I don't think you ever loved Kunle."

"Both of you that are even accusing me, do you know what your boyfriends are doing as we talk now?"

"For your information, I have no boyfriend for now," Nkechi answers. "Because the three guys I dated on this campus thought they were doing me favour for dating me. They talked to me like I was their maid or some kind of whore. The only time they made me feel special was when they wanted to have sex. I observed it in all the relationships and I had to take a break."

"As for me, Edith begins, I don't care if Bryan is dating another girl. I'll keep my head straight. I'll not start doing something wrong because of someone who I'm not yet married to. If Bryan chooses to, let him date and sleep with all the girls he sees, it can't change me from being chaste, focused and disciplined. Besides I came to the university to learn not to look for boyfriends."

"I hear you, reverend sister!" Beatrice teases.

"Who is the reverend sister in our room?" A girl in her early twenties walks into the room with textbooks in her left hand and a pen in her right hand.

"Heeey, Scholar!!!" The three girls shout ubiquitously.

"Efe, you left the library on time today, it's so much unlike you."

"Edith my sister, I'm tired of deceiving myself everytime I go to the library to read."

"What do you mean?"

"I intentionally sit there and gaze into emptiness to waste time."

"Why do such a thing? That's self deception." Beatrice educates her.

"I know "B".

"Then why persist in such an act?" Nkechi inquires.

"You know those my class mates that we all go to the library to read together always complain that I'm not a serious student because I don't read as for longer hours as they do."

"Is that supposed to be their cup of tea?"

"Ask me oh, Edith. Are you people answering the same surname?" Nkechi asks with surprise.

"You girls are asking me questions that you already know the answers."

"So what's your decision?"

"Beatrice dear, no more self-deception."

"That's my girl." Beatrice nods in approval.

"Now you're talking." Nkechi offers Efe her knuckle."

"Those girls can read for six hours straight, non-stop. But they don't know that I can read all I need to know in two hours and fully comprehend. Any additional second or minute to that will be a waste of time.

"That's how one girl joined her friends to read in 300 lecture theatre, a fortnight ago, and fell asleep." Edith explains as she tries to control herself from laughing.

"Is that why you want to laugh?" Nkechi cuts in. "I've seen girls snoring in classrooms all in the name of preparation for exams."

"Allow me to finish what I want to say, now." Edith appeals.

"I'm sorry, you can continue."

"While she was sleeping, Edith continues, a guy walked up to her and started fondling her apples..."

"Ah!!!" They all scream.

"Rubbish!" Nkechi exclaims as she jumps up from her chair." What did they do to the boy?" She enquires in a raging detest.

"Nobody knew how he escaped."

"If it was me, I would lay curse on the boy and his generation." Efe adds.

"It wasn't entirely the guy's fault."

"Come Edith, don't let me slap you, o." Nkechi warns. "How can you say it's not the guy's fault?" You that is a girl." "If it were your apples, would you have been happy that a total stranger grabbed them?"

"Nkechi stop being a woman liberator, the girl deserved it. How could she go to a public place to read at about 1:00 am midnight, in night gown and bum short, without bra?"

"Ah!!! Without bra?" They all scream.

"No, no, no, she got what she was looking for." Nkechi laments, shaking her head in regret as the other girls laugh out helplessly...
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Body Guard

I like to cross the road with my husband when we walk together.
You know why?
I'll tell you.

When we are about to cross a road, he holds my hands and tells me when to move. The way he does it is like he controls the cars to let his wife pass,like he is my body guard.
Most times because of my phobia for accidents, (I have had two that left me badly wounded) I usually say to him "I'm not going to look whether cars are coming oh,I will just follow your lead when you say move or stop"
And he smiles and says ok and puts on his "full body guard armour". I m sure he likes to hear that.
That's a sign of trust. That's like saying "I trust that you will lead us safely to the other side". And when we get to the other side which we always do,I sometimes call him 'My Mr .Macho'. Well yeah,he just saved the day or at least he saved my day.

That's how it should be with us and God. Sometimes we take God along with us through life's journey but when we are about to 'cross a road' or pass through a bridge we become scared.
We want to know if the cars are coming fast or slow. We want to see the whole scenario. We want to run or give in to the fears that come from the sound of the big trucks and lorries that we hear.
A better alternative would be to say to God,I don't want to look at the other side,I'm even afraid. But I will just follow your instructions on when you say move or cross now or even stop.

But the problem is we don't trust God enough. We don't think he knows what he is doing. We don't think he can take us to the other side. We don't trust that he loves us.

Just like it will break my Husband heart when I am shouting at him from the place of my fears about the big cars that are coming or start panicking or fidgeting like we are just going to die because he is the one leading us to cross.
Just the same way,God hurts when we don't trust him enough to hold his hand.
You know how we hold his hands as we cross life's road?
It is when we obey his commands no matter the temptation to do otherwise. When we read his letters and do what he says do even if it looks stupid. That's how you know that you trust God. That's how you know that you trust your 'Body Guard' because truly he know what he is doing. That's his job not yours.

So do you trust him enough?

Selah!!!

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The making of a General...purpose in pain

There is this popular song that we learnt as kids. It goes like this:
"We are soldiers,soldiers of the cross, in the name of Jesus, we shall conquer"...
I loved that song and loved it even better when we were told to march and sing along and our teacher would then shout some orders for us to follow and we would happily do them and sing along. I loved it, I loved the feeling you get from it. That feeling of being an actual soldier.

But have you taken out time to watch soldiers train or watch them in their camps? If you have then you may be like me that just hated the whole idea. My little experience in NYSC camp for three weeks gave me a very little idea. And as little the experience was,I banished the thought of ever becoming a soldier or having anything to do with one.

Soldiers are trained in the worst of circumstances. They are deprived of sleep,they are given rigorous exercises that make them tough and almost immune to pain.

I have often even heard that if a Soldier mounts a road block on the road,they never collect bribe. Attempting to even give them bribe worsens your predicament.

Why do they act that way? Almost cruel and termed heartless sometimes. The answer is simple :TRANNING. They have been taught how to be tough. They have been trained on how to withstand pressure.
During training,the male and female train together and they see their nakedness end they don't even notice the difference between themselves as male and female. The reason they train together is so that if an enemy decides to tempt the Male soldier by sending lady to seduce them and get them to leave their post,they are actually immune to it because they have 'seen it all'.
Now that's the life of a soldier.

If we are Soldiers of Christ therefore,there are some tough and rough training that we are to be subjected to. As much as we hate to suffer pain we have to go through those trainings to be certified as good soldiers.
So the pain that the Lord who is our commanding officer allows to come our way is for a reason. He allows us go through hunger sometimes, lack at other times,and pain at yet some other times. He is not being wicked when he does that. He is not being uncaring as those from the enemy's camp make us believe. But rather he is training us to be tough,he is training us to be true Soldiers.

Just like some training done by earthly soldiers are seen as stupid and senseless. So it is sometimes when the Lord takes us through training and sometimes since we don't understand his purpose,we leave the process before we are certified as true Soldiers. People may hail us as Soldiers because we wear the 'uniform' and all but we are not true soldiers.

So the next time you face something hard and tough just remember that
"You Are A Soldier In The Making" and that there is a purpose for the pain.
God bless you.

Peace!!!
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Preparatory Time...

I was called in for an interview a few days ago and one of the questions I was asked was: "Can you type?"
I smiled at my interviewer and answered. But before I tell you what my answer was, let me tell you a story first. Come with me...

I never went to a formal computer school well because I couldn't afford it at that time,but I did learn else where.

I was in 300L university of Benin and we were on Hols,so I figured I should make a little money before school resumed.
I talked with someone and he said I could help him sell snacks and drinks in his business centre.
Well that was ok by me,at least I would carry my school books and read while I was at it. And so I resumed. While I was selling snacks I pleaded with the computer operator to teach me how to type and after much plea he agreed and I learnt a little.
When there was much typing work to do at the business centre I would beg the guy to allow me type so I could learn in the process. And so I did and there were times he wasn't around and I did the jobs myself. But school resumed and I had to go back but I couldn't get any computer to use. But what I learnt was stuck with me.

Fast forward to my first legal job after law school. I was the only lawyer at the firm at that time with the secretary. But she was the type that loved to be begged to do her job and I was looking forward to pushing her aside and getting the job done. When my boss found out I could type, he got me to do some of the jobs and actually preferred me to do the job.

All this while,instead of seeing it like I was doing a job that wasn't for me, I saw it as an opportunity to learn something new and I used every opportunity to do that.

Then the other two jobs I got after that I used the same opportunity to learn something new that wasn't necessary 'my job'. All the while I kept telling myself that I may not be doing a job I love to do (by the way that includes litigation...don't really dig it much) but I was preparing myself for my next job or my dream job.

So back to the interview... "Can you type"?
My answer was a smiling yes.

You may be at a place that you don't really like to be or doing a job you really don't love. Just know that there is something you can learn there that you would use in the future. Don't just sit there and complain about how bad you hate the job,there is something or a least one thing that will be useful in that place.
Find that one thing and do it because you never know when those skills will be needed.

What if I had said how will a 'whole me' be selling egg roll and minerals. But yes 'a whole me' sold it and learnt how to type in the process.
There is always something to learn because each step serves as PREPARATION for the next.
Don't miss your preparatory time. Seize it and make the most of it.

And oh! By the way,I got the job and its so close to my dream job and guess what? I see this as preparation for the next one...how do you see yours?...

Peace!
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Preparatory Time...

I was called in for an interview a few days ago and one of the questions I was asked was: "Can you type?"
I smiled at my interviewer and answered. But before I tell you what my answer was, let me tell you a story first. Come with me...

I never went to a formal computer school well because I couldn't afford it at that time,but I did learn else where.

I was in 300L university of Benin and we were on Hols,so I figured I should make a little money before school resumed.
I talked with someone and he said I could help him sell snacks and drinks in his business centre.
Well that was ok by me,at least I would carry my school books and read while I was at it. And so I resumed. While I was selling snacks I pleaded with the computer operator to teach me how to type and after much plea he agreed and I learnt a little.
When there was much typing work to do at the business centre I would beg the guy to allow me type so I could learn in the process. And so I did and there were times he wasn't around and I did the jobs myself. But school resumed and I had to go back but I couldn't get any computer to use. But what I learnt was stuck with me.

Fast forward to my first legal job after law school. I was the only lawyer at the firm at that time with the secretary. But she was the type that loved to be begged to do her job and I was looking forward to pushing her aside and getting the job done. When my boss found out I could type, he got me to do some of the jobs and actually preferred me to do the job.

All this while,instead of seeing it like I was doing a job that wasn't for me, I saw it as an opportunity to learn something new and I used every opportunity to do that.

Then the other two jobs I got after that I used the same opportunity to learn something new that wasn't necessary 'my job'. All the while I kept telling myself that I may not be doing a job I love to do (by the way that includes litigation...don't really dig it much) but I was preparing myself for my next job or my dream job.

So back to the interview... "Can you type"?
My answer was a smiling yes.

You may be at a place that you don't really like to be or doing a job you really don't love. Just know that there is something you can learn there that you would use in the future. Don't just sit there and complain about how bad you hate the job,there is something or a least one thing that will be useful in that place.
Find that one thing and do it because you never know when those skills will be needed.

What if I had said how will a 'whole me' be selling egg roll and minerals. But yes 'a whole me' sold it and learnt how to type in the process.
There is always something to learn because each step serves as PREPARATION for the next.
Don't miss your preparatory time. Seize it and make the most of it.

And oh! By the way,I got the job and its so close to my dream job and guess what? I see this as preparation for the next one...how do you see yours?...

Peace!
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Ballerina... Continuation

"Girls, where are you?" Nkechi calls as she walk close to the door that was left ajar. She pushed the door slowly.

"Ah! Beatrice are you sleeping?"

"No, she's meditating." A voice echoes in reply from the bathroom.

"Tatafo!!! Am I talking to you?"

"No, you are talking to my voice."

"You are supposed to be reading at this time of the night, not sleeping. Exams are commencing next week". Nkechi informs Beatrice who pays no attention to her. She starts tickling the sole of Beatrice's left foot as she whispers in a hoarse tone," Wake up little princess, your fairy grand mama is here."

Beatrice squirm with smile on her face as she mutters,
"Stop, Kelechi, oooh stop." She fondly squeeze the big teddy bear she has been holding in her arms all the while in bed.

"Kele what?" Nkechi exclaim in utmost surprise.

"What's up?" Edith inquires as she walk into the room with a white towel hanging from her chest down to her knee.

" You're supposed to be calling Kunle, not Kelechi." Nkechi informs Beatrice.

Kunle indeed! Beatrice responds sarcastically as she drags herself out of bed.


"B, are you seeing Kelechi?"

"No Edith, I'm seeing you and Nkechi." Beatrice responds angrily..

"Come on babe, relax, we're not quarreling, I'm just surprised as much as Nkechi is.

"No no no," Nkechi cuts in, shaking her head. There's nothing to relax for, Beatrice is dating Kelechi, she must confess. Beatrice, confess."

Beatrice starts laughing. "Ok, I will give you girls the gist. I know it's gist you want to hear.

"Come on baby, pour it out, I can't wait to hear it. Nkechi responds eagerly, pulling the plastic chair under her close to the bed Beatrice is sitting on...
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Downside Up Prt2

I cannot remember the exact year,but it was in the early 90's and I was still an adolescent then. I was watching an indian movie,the atmosphere was very tense and I was completely engrossed in the movie that I started sobbing without knowing. That was the last time I cried while watching a movie.
Recently I was watching a movie with my wife and the intrigue mae me to almost lose my grip. I whispered to my self again and again "this guy is very very good". I mean the writer,director,producer and creator of the movie series(It was written, created, directed and produced by the same guy). I found out that the guy is worth four hundred million dollars. Yes! Four hundred. Not four million,not forty million. FOUR HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS.
Just a minute please,let's take a trip back to his background.

He is the third of four children born into poverty and raised in a household scarred by abuse. He fought from a young age to find strength,faith and perseverance that would later form the foundations of his much acclaimed plays,films,books and shows.
He suffered regular heavy beatings from his father. It got so bad that the young boy took drastic measures. One day as an attempt to free himself from the beatings of his father he slit his wrist and tried to commit suicide.
He said he was about five or six years old the first time he was molested sexually. And since then he struggled to understand his sexuality for years
Nobody would have thought that the same boy would grow up to become the MADEA that puts smiles on faces of millions of people around the world through his shows and movies. Yes! This is a true life story of Tyler Perry

At a time in his life, he was homeless, and for six years he took on a slew of odd jobs in other to keep his shows running,while sometimes living on the street because he could not afford to pay rent.
At a point,he had saved twelve thousand dollars and rented a theatre to put on his show "I know I've been changed", unfortunately,it failed horribly. He was just starting to think about quitting and giving the whole writing career up when he decided to do one last show so that he could say he had really given it a try. The play opened in summer of 1998 and made sales beyond his expectations.
The same play "I know I've been changed" went on to gross several million dollars.

As a child,life was a living hell for him but he was able to turn the downside of his life up through the help of God, his Mom's influence and a word of encouragement from a T.V show.

No matter how hard life beats you, no matter how bad people talk about you and treat you, no matter the pain you feel and the hurt in your life you can become a better person than you are now if only...

Written by el-ehyz elisha
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Downside Up Prt2

I cannot remember the exact year,but it was in the early 90's and I was still an adolescent then. I was watching an indian movie,the atmosphere was very tense and I was completely engrossed in the movie that I started sobbing without knowing. That was the last time I cried while watching a movie.
Recently I was watching a movie with my wife and the intrigue mae me to almost lose my grip. I whispered to my self again and again "this guy is very very good". I mean the writer,director,producer and creator of the movie series(It was written, created, directed and produced by the same guy). I found out that the guy is worth four hundred million dollars. Yes! Four hundred. Not four million,not forty million. FOUR HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS.
Just a minute please,let's take a trip back to his background.

He is the third of four children born into poverty and raised in a household scarred by abuse. He fought from a young age to find strength,faith and perseverance that would later form the foundations of his much acclaimed plays,films,books and shows.
He suffered regular heavy beatings from his father. It got so bad that the young boy took drastic measures. One day as an attempt to free himself from the beatings of his father he slit his wrist and tried to commit suicide.
He said he was about five or six years old the first time he was molested sexually. And since then he struggled to understand his sexuality for years
Nobody would have thought that the same boy would grow up to become the MADEA that puts smiles on faces of millions of people around the world through his shows and movies. Yes! This is a true life story of Tyler Perry

At a time in his life, he was homeless, and for six years he took on a slew of odd jobs in other to keep his shows running,while sometimes living on the street because he could not afford to pay rent.
At a point,he had saved twelve thousand dollars and rented a theatre to put on his show "I know I've been changed", unfortunately,it failed horribly. He was just starting to think about quitting and giving the whole writing career up when he decided to do one last show so that he could say he had really given it a try. The play opened in summer of 1998 and made sales beyond his expectations.
The same play "I know I've been changed" went on to gross several million dollars.

As a child,life was a living hell for him but he was able to turn the downside of his life up through the help of God, his Mom's influence and a word of encouragement from a T.V show.

No matter how hard life beats you, no matter how bad people talk about you and treat you, no matter the pain you feel and the hurt in your life you can become a better person than you are now if only...
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Story: Ballerina continues...

Sorry guys for the short delay. Ballerina continues immediately...

Bryan Kunle and Owen showed up outside the dance hall catching the attention of Thecla who gives a warm grin at the sight of Bryan,he winks back at her flashing his teeth with swagger.

"Oh boy" Kunle exclaimed! "That babe is a paragon of impeccable beauty"

"Yeah! You can say that again. That's my precious peridot from Ethiopia" Bryan comments in glee.

"Wait wait wait, I don't understand" Owen interrupts raising both hands at the faces of Kunle and Bryan as a signal to stop.

"When did you become traditional ruler?" He questions. His face distorted by disgust and confusion.

"I don't understand" Bryan responds

"What about Edith?" Owen inquires

"Please just leave that girl alone. As long as she's in school,I don't trust her. I'm very sure she's dating another guy

"Bryan! How can you say she's doing such a thing?"

"How can he not say she's doing such a thing" Kunle cuts in.

"All girls are unfaithful,including your mother and sister" Owen replies.

"Please don't insults my mother" Bryan retorts in displeasure.

"Don't bring my sisters into this. What has what I said got to do with our mother?" Kunle asks angrily.

"Ah ha! Is it that bad to classify your mother and sisters as girls? Were you mothers not once girl?"

"You don't understand" Bryan explains. Edith is in a private university where there are rich kids,besides our university is on strike and I can't go and visit her from home because I cannot ask my parents to give me money to go and see my girl friend"

"So that's why you think she's cheating on you?"

"Owen you still don't get it. Girls like enjoyment,gifts,comfort,they like for someone to be there and keep them comfort,they like attention and I'm not there to give all those things to Edith".

"Please let's take a stroll while we talk about this topic so that we don't disrupts their dance practise,we are already distracting them with our loud arguments" Kunle advises.

The three guys walked out of the compound as they continue to argue and gesticulate in a bid to enforce their points, gained attention, approval and express disapproval...
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A Perfect Heart...

Have you ever observed this trend in yourself or maybe with someone else.
The trend is about creating conditions or certain situations in your mind which if present would make you truly happy.
I know there are some really good things that you could have that could surely make you wear that happy face,giving me sharwarma right now could do that to me right away. lolzz
But I'm talking about real lasting happiness... I'm talking about these kind of statements
"If I can just get that house,gush I will be happy for life"
"Or if I can get that job,all my problems would be solved"
I could go on and on and I know you already know my line of thoughts right now. I used to say that too until I finally realised that when I get the stuff I so badly need I would need something else too. Of course that would make me happy but it would be temporary because I would want another thing too,just on and on,it just never stops.

The truth is, you might never get a perfect condition for everything in this life. I'm sure when we get to heaven that's when that would happen. But here,its never going to be perfect.

What should we do then? You may ask
Simple: PUT ON A GRATEFUL HEART.
This is what helps you to stay truly happy. I Have tried this so I know what I'm talking about. So why don't you try it out. Learn to be grateful for little things right now. You may not have your dream life but trust me when I say your life right now is some else's idea of a dream life.

"No you can't be serious" you would say. "My life! Some else's dream, you have no idea how it is that's why you are talking like that"
But hey! I do.
Let me give you an example right away. From time to time,I like to sort out my wardrobe and do some rearranging. So I did that a couple of months ago. There were clothes that were still good but was now smaller than me ( no thanks to my love for food), there were others that needed amending. While there were others that eh using them as rag sef would be bad. So I packed those ones up in a nylon bag and threw them in the dustbin because I couldn't give them to anybody(I see giving to people as giving to the Lord and it would be the height of disrespect to give GOD rags...can't even imagine it) so I couldn't give it to people.
But guess what? After I threw those clothes in the nylon bag in a dump,I went out to buy something from a near by shop only for me to see two guys checking the bag to pick out some of the clothes. I almost wept... These same clothes I couldn't wear or even give away, somebody was grateful I 'threw' them away. My trash was some else's boutique... Wow!!!!!
That got me thinking really hard and made me grateful for the little things I have now,it may not be what I want right now but I will get there someday. But before I do, I will be grateful for the little things I have now. I will put me on some attitude of thanks living. Yeah! Not just thanks giving but living. Living everyday in thanks for what I have now.

That's the only way to be truly happy. That's one of the meaning of having a perfect heart.

Question: DO YOU HAVE ONE?
I leave you to brood on that.

Peace!
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Downside Up

2009 was the first time I heard him talk,it was at a conference in Benin City,Edo State. He was not just a motivational speaker,he was an inspiration,a life coach and an example of a miracle.

Born with a silver spoon, Olakunle Soriyan had all he needed to channel his life in the right path,but after he finished secondary school he ventured into many social vices. From cultism to drug addiction and many other vices

"By the time I gained admission,I joined a cult and it was not an interesting life. When I was in 400 Level as an economic student,I was not in my final year because I was doing seven to nine carry over courses per semester from year one. I have tasted everything from chewing gum to cocaine".
That was his testimony.

By the time he was in 400 Level, he could not talk normally because he always salivated and his words would drop.
He was eventually rusticated from the university and he continued with his deviant behaviour. His testimony continues.

"One year after I left school,I gave my life to Christ and that was the point of change in my life...and the only way I can define my life from that point is that I went Mad and by that madness I have done a lot of great stuffs."

He returned to the Lagos State University (LASU) he had left, to start from scratch. Same faculty,same course,same lecturers but children as classmate. He remained in that school pursuing his certificate for 12 years. He revealed that he was a refuse collector in Lagos State.

"Before pushing cart from house to house became popular in Lagos State,nobody pushed cart and refuse before me,I am the one that started it. When I did refuse collection and saved some money,I began to fumigate from house to house;carrying fumigation machine as an undergraduate in LASU. I moved from there and began to sell barbecue (suya) at Charley Bus stop. In Gbagada. The night I started,I was arrested by operation sweep for illegal hustling,which is understandable. They brought me back the next day and everything was burnt. So I had to start all over again. Doing that barbecue,I made my first one million naira.
I can tell you that I am a planner and strategist but I have made most of my biggest breakthrough not through strategic planning but by error,trial and providence."

Despite graduating with a 'third class' in Economics, Olakunle Soriyan is a voice to be reckoned with in the business and cooperate world.

I strongly believe that his experiences created a passion in him to add value to the society creating the establishment of Olakunle Soriyan Company, a research driven,nation building and total management firm, single- mindedly focused on using original and home-grown methodology to solve complex problems peculiar to business, government, families, youths and individuals in African and the so- called third world.

Today, credible people from profit and non- profit organisations, from diverse sectors and industries consistently engage Olakunle Soriyan as a speaker, facilitator, trainer, negotiator, mediator and even a preacher.

You too can turn your downside up!
" Unto him that believes,all things are possible".

Credit: iPledge2Nigeria.com
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Our down times...

So recently,I was laid off from work but the good side about having a walk with God is that he let you in into some things before they happen, and yes He told me that I would be laid off before it actually happened and so I switched on my 'shock absorber mode' waiting for the day to arrive.
Before the day arrived,I kept asking God what I am to do next and here is how the conversation went

Me: Dear God, what should I do next after this job?

God: (Silence)...

Me: father I need your counsel on the next thing to do with my life

God: (More silence)

Me: (laughs...) I know you love me and I know you will lead me anyhow so thank you in advance. (Within my heart I still whisper what do I do next question)

Me: Father lead me oh

God: look inwards

Me: Uh? Inwards? How do I do that? Oya please teach me what you mean daddy.

And guess what? It was in obedience to the instruction of looking inwards that this blog was born. It was from my 'low point' that I found out my true me. Of course he would provide a job for me eventually (that part he also told me. That's the expo you get from having a walk with the one that knows tomorrow) but before he does, that I'm looking inwards and making the best of what I see from my looking, and honestly I never knew this 'me' before.

So it could be that this time that you are down can be used for something beautiful if only you allow him help you find out what to do.

I read the story of a gospel singer James fortune recently. He was so broke at a point that he was evicted from his house due to his inability to pay his rent and his two kids had to sleep in the bath tub of a rented motel.
What?
Yeah that actually happened. But what also happened was that, it was at that low point of his life that he wrote one of his hit songs "I believe", which has earned him good money today.
I can actually give you more stories of people that became great because of things they learnt at those points.
So the next time you are at that place and you don't know what to do, my advice is simple: ASK THE LORD and well, LOOK INWARDS TOO.

Peace!
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Ballerina continues

"All right young ladies" the dance instructor begins. "This training began two weeks ago and most of the ladies that started with us are no more here. For the benefit of those of you who are here for the first time, let me do a brief introduction. I am Thecla Ofuzo,and I am a ballet dancer and instructor. For the next six weeks or there about, I will be teaching you how to dance ballet.

A little girl amongst the eight students raises up her right arm.

"Yes young miss". Thecla identifies her.

"My name is Chizoba Eze, and I have a question"

"Alright Chizzy, ask your question"

"What is ballet dance?" Chizoba inquires.

"Good question young lady." Thecla clears her throat and begins. "Ballet is a classical dance that started in royal courts in Europe in the early 1600s. It was performed in theatres,sometimes in the form of a story. Dancing ballet is popular throughout the world and studying it can help develop strong bodies and make you flexible even when you become adults. Ballet technique is the basis of training for all types of dance"

"I don't fully agree with that" Omo interrupts, because in the olden days when my grandpa and daddy were dancing their cultural dance,ballet was not known."

"You are absolutely correct Omo. It is the basis for all types of contemporary western dance not African cultural dance"...
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Ballerina continues...

"This is one of the reasons I don't like coming to this street" Bryan Laments with disgust. "Pot holes everywhere,its so annoying"

"Bryan look! Look at something! Kunle calls his attention as he points toward a shop.
A man that is probably in his late thirties is lying on a piece of plank that is resting on four bamboo sticks each of them buried a few inches into the ground.
Most areas of the ground have turned black including the sole of the man's feet. There are two plates, a spoon and a bottle of soft drink waiting to be rescued from the disturbance of flies and ants. The shop and its immediate surrounding are littered with sachets of table"pure" water. At the top right corner of the shop is an inscription written with charcoal on a ceiling board.

"Focking what?" Bryan asks in dismay.

"Do your fockingnizer here" Kunle reads it aloud with grand derision.

"What on earth is the meaning of that"?

"Vulcanizer"

"That cannot be" Bryan shakes his head in disagreement.

"Look" Kunle responds pointing towards some tyres lying close to a small machine.

"This is unbelievable, illiteracy is hilariously expensive" Bryan laments.

"Yeah. There was one I saw last week at a carpenter's workshop"

"What's it all about?"

"Orfostar wanted". Kunle replies as he tries to stifle an outburst of laughter.

"Oh! I get it. I guess he meant Upholsterer.
Kunle vents a high sounding laughter as he stoops holding his abdomen.

"Owen should see this."

"No!" Bryan objects," if he see it we will not get off this topic today. The Educational system,the government and religious bodies would be accused for it".

As they both raise up their heads,they see Owen approaching.

"Talk of the devil" kunle explains.

"What's up guys?"

"We are cool" they respond simultaneously

"No need to come over to my house, let's go from here" Owen advice...
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Living a life beyond food...

Something in the book of Matthew struck me recently when I read it again. The sermon on the mount the part in chapter 6 verses 25. After Jesus charges us not to worry about what we would eat,he says the reason for this is because life is more than Food and the body more than clothing.
So it means there is more to life than just eating and dressing up nicely. It means there is a life that goes beyond food.
But what do we do today? We live our lives for food,for what we would eat. We struggle only about how much money we would have to buy what we want.
But Jesus says that there is a life beyond food.
How do we discover that life? He gives us the answer,He says instead seek the kingdom and its righteousness.
Well what about the kingdom you might ask?
Let me remind you that you are a part of that kingdom and as a member of that kingdom there is a part you have to play. There is a role assigned to you. You could be part of the kingdom's hands or part of the kingdom's mouth.
Whatever part you are, seek it out and live it out. Live it out fully and if I may use Jesus words he says let your light so shine.
I charge you today learn to live your life beyond food and your body beyond clothing.
Live a life of purpose instead,find your place in the kingdom and SHINE!!!
Peace!!
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Ballerina continues...

Their father starts laughing as he covers his face with his left palm.
"Igbabonelimi" He said as he keeps laughing.

"Whatever, And you used to dance and somersault, Owen reminds him. How come you are now telling us that nobody is dancing in this family"

"Listen my children,that was way back in the days when we were controlled by evil spirits".

"No way daddy! Owen revolts." Evil spirits cannot use what you don't already have inside of you. They can't create,they can't give talents. They only mess up gifts and talents by using them for their own purposes."

"Thanks a lot for using my words against me,that means my son is learning. But sincerely speaking, my only daughter will not be a dancer."

"Why daddy? Omo demands.

He looks at her and smiles

"Just say it already. Say it daddy! Omo continues. Say that I'm fat,I know that's what you want to say,go ahead and say it".

"You are fat like me, the food monster" Eromo interrupts with hands raised up.
And the sound of laughter echoed from one end of the sitting room to the other.

"But Daddy, Owen calls "remember you told us that the best way to live a fulfilled and purposeful life is to discover ones natural ability,develop it and make it have market value."

"You're absolutely correct my son" their father consents. And you need to be educated so as to be relevant in your sphere of influence" he adds.

"So,let her dance if she wants to" Owen continues.

"Alright you guys have won the first round of this debate. But in the next round,my wife will be sitting right next to me while the final hearing of the honourable house would be done". Their Dad informs them"

" As the court pleases" they are echo.

"Court..." Eromo roars at the top of his voice while hitting the dinning table with his left fist.
They all laugh heartily.

"Alright Daddy,I will see you later" Owen tells his Dad as he walks out of the sitting room.

"Will you not go with your younger sister?"

"No let him go". Omo cuts in. "I will go on my own".
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A Poem: The Silhouette of Love.

Unveiled in a grotty trough
Severed by disdain and calumny
Illumination reduced to the shadow of animated gloom
Beauty mangled by pride and prejudice
A grotesque sight, yet the panacea for eternal gloom
The Silhouette of love,the passage to splendour.
By el-ehyz elisha.
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Ballerina

Just then kunle enters fully dressed . "What's funny?" "Nothing,let's go. You've kept me here for more than thirty minutes." Bryan replied pointing to his wrist watch, you have a few question to answer" he notifies Kunle. Both of them makes exit and Yemisi shot the door behind them.
About three streets away from Kunle house is a bungalow sandwiched between two duplex. It looks like nobody is in the building but the windows are wide open and rays of light can be seen through the windows.
"Where are you two going to?" "I'm going to see kunle and Bryan, but I don't know where she's going to" .the light-skinned bald-headed replied pointing towards his younger sister.
"Omo" "yes daddy" "where are you going to" "I'm going to see my new friend and dance teacher" "Dance what?" Their father asked with surprise on his face. "Since when did you start dancing" he inquired. "Since she finished writing her junior W.A.C.E" Eromo cuts in as he munches some more potato chips. "There is this albino that she met" "she's not an albino, "Garfield", she's half-caste" Omo interrupts. Her dad is an Urhobo man and her dad is a Belgian" "No way baby" their dad cuts in,you can't dance. I mean nobody in your family is doing that. " But daddy" "Yes what is it" "you always tell us a story of when you used to dance emm... Emm..." " Enemy", Eromo tries to help her. " No,no its Album something" Omo interupts as she presses her index finger and her middle finger against her right temple, she tries to remember the word.

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Following that, is the picture of a chubby looking baby. He is the one that is keeping Bryan on the sofa for the past seventeen minutes. The last two pictures look like a reprint of the other,only that one has a coral bead on his left wrist while the other has her's on her ears and neck. None of the babies had clothes on the upper parts of their bodies,but they all had pants and shoes on.
Bryan began to giggle as he stares at the photographs of the babies. ''What is so funny?" Yemisi inquired. "Nothing. Something just crossed my mind" Bryan responded. "How can your answer be nothing and something at the same time?" She continued. "I've been sitting here with you since you came in and you've been quietly waiting for Kunle to finish having his bath,all of a sudden you are laughing." Bryan erupted into unrestrained laughter to the dismay of Yemisi. "Oohoh! You think I don't know why you are laughing huh? She questioned. You have been looking at all the pictures on the wall and you did nothing, but when you saw mine, you started laughing." "Oh no! No, no. Bryan responds in a sorry tone. I was just thinking if every adult can have the heart of babies and dress like them as well to school,offices,and market." "Ah! Dress like them without shirts and dresses,only pants and shoes?" "Yes" Bryan responded. Both of them burst into uncontrolled laughter...

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BALLERINA

It's been seventeen minutes since Bryan got to his friend's house. He has fed his eyes with assorted pictures of Kunle's family hanging on the Mauve painted wall. At the right side of the wall,as entrance is gained into the sitting room,is the picture of Mr Adebayo's convocation gown. His eyes still glistening with excitement and exuding pride and fulfilment. The pale tawny picture is clasped in a sparsely porous mahogany frame. Next to it is Mrs Adebayo's, more recent than the former only that the bottom left of the picture is holding three broken pieces of glass. Her's is full of a warm inviting smile her hat and gown were overflowing the young skinny graduate.
On the opposite wall are five framed enlarged photographs. The first,counting from left,is the picture of a skinny looking baby with beautiful glowing eyeballs. She looks distracted and has only one earring on her left ear. Next to that is a baby smiling relentlessly with '' I'm coming to get you'' expression written all over him...

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Continuation...

Everyone has a natural habitat where you have been called to function. Take a look at the body for example. The eyes are meant to help the body see where its going. The legs are to take the body where the eyes are seeing for it. Meanwhile,the mind has told the body what direction to take. So they all have their function or should I say their habitat. Another example is the story of John the baptist and Jesus. The former's assignment was to prepare the way for the latter. So he just stayed where he was and did what he was supposed to do. John's disciples even told him see Jesus that you baptised (that sounded like Jesus that you started 'Ministry' before or Jesus that you came before) he is getting more people than you oh or he is making waves more than you. But his reply was epic,he said I know my habitat. I know where I have been called to live in. My job is just to prepare the way for. Jesus. He didn't struggle with it. He didn't let his friends tell him stuffs to make feel like he needed to 'step up his game'. He knew his habitat and he lived there. He didn't have to compete with Jesus for followers or fame. He knew his ministry was going to be 'over' when Jesus starts his.
Sometimes we let people push us to live were we aren't meant to live in. We let other people success determine what we do.
My advice: find your habitat and live there and stay there and grow there. That's just where you were created for. It may not be fancy but trust me you will be productive in that place. Just make your impact to be felt.
Peace.

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Finding your Natural Habitat Part 3

I remember walking home from work some years ago. While I was walking at a fence at the left side of the road, something caught my attention. It was the shocking sight of an unusual shape hanging on the wall. It looked like an angry face with eyes fixed on me.
Out of curiosity,I left my track and walked close to the wall to know exactly what it was. Behold! It was a butterfly. I stretched out my hand to pick it up but it fluttered away. Later on I found out that the shape and colour of butterflies help them to blend into their surroundings and deceive as well as warn predators to stay away.
Everything in life exist for a purpose. Your skin colour,race,nationality,shape, height and experiences are all for a purpose. Instead of trying to change who you naturally are to somebody else,endeavour to add value to your personality,experiences,natural abilities and use them to manoeuvre your circumstances for better and positively influence the world around you.
Do that today and start living in your Natural habitat.

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The Gift of Time

Have you ever sat down like me at anytime thinking about what could have,what you could have done or the choices you would have made? Well if you haven't, I have.
Let me let you into some of it.
I wish I had studied mass communication,I wish I grew up with my parents and the list is endless. And after this line of thought,you then start to imagine what life could have been if you had those choices, but you didn't. And after the imagination,then comes the feeling of deep regret and pain.
But Hey! no matter how hard you try,you can't change what has happened in the past,you can't undo that bad choice you made,you just can't change it,because its past and its gone and I believe like Jesus says in Matthew that worry is a waste because it does nothing.
So instead of thinking of what could have happened, while don't you think of what can happen from now on. Why don't you start doing something with the life and time you have now,why don't you start making better choices from the picture of where you want to be.
Today I chose to forget what could have been and I start thinking about what can be from now on. And so help me God. FORGET WHAT YOU CANNOT CHANGE AND FOCUS ON WHAT YOU CAN BE FROM NOW ON. And so help you God.
Peace.

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