LIES WE'VE BELIEVED - by Adeolu Nathan

Lie 1: Goals Motivate People.

Goals give direction to actions, they let us know which way to move, but on their own they do not motivate.

In fact if goals are not correctly set, they can create fear, negativity and procrastination. For people to take effective action, they must understand, ‘why’ the goal is important to them.

Only when people truly feel the importance of the goal are they likely to commit to take the actions required.

“Emotion is required for motivation”

Lie 2: Motivation Has Substance.

Motivation is not a thing, it has no substance; you cannot directly measure it. Motivation is a process that is linked to behaviours.

If a person says that they are motivated to get fit, but take no action, you would seriously doubt their motivation.

VISION and MOTIVATION are not enough, they must be combined with VENTURE. It is not enough to stare up the steps, we must step up the stairs.

“There is no motivation without movement!”

Written by:
Nathan Adeolu
Tweet @idealnathan
BB pin - 334015E5
Hashtag: #dailydose

PESSIMISM (by James Bekenawei)

Pessimism nauseates me
It churns the linings of my stomach
It generates a morbid feeling
It weakens my bones
And dampen my hopes.

Pessimism gives me obscure vision
It overestimates my fears
And underestimates my strength
It makes me weak
Sap off all my faith
And leaves me naked and cold

Pessimism nauseates me
It emanates a fever not existing
It births visions of events not happening
It steals the joy of each day
And paints my world in dark colors

Pessimism nauseates me
It weakens my resolve
It soils my inner beauty
It envisions the worse
the world is bleak already
why make it bleaker?

Written by:
James Bekenawei
Follow and Tweet @bekexjj

Postponement of Nigeria's Doomsday

This pic is an attestation to the fact that evil doth rule the world. That your life is a part of a grand scheme to give the devil dominion over the world.

I look at this in a Religious and Political eyes because both are in play in this picture. We should really feel lucky in Nigeria especially the youths that you can use a Blackberry to update TGIF every Friday yet the living standards in Nigeria is bad, that you can be Igbo, Yoruba or Hausa and your life isn't threatened while Hutus almost wiped out Tutsis some years back in Rwanda, that we didn't have to fight bloody to gain Independence like the South Africans...BUT feel sad because we have only succeeded in shifting our DOOMSDAY forward.

I am a proponent of Idealism as Materialism has only made everybody in Nigeria lazy. We all love Fela yet the deep message in his songs like "Suffering and Smiling" is overlooked while his weeding habit is embraced as if that's all he taught us.

This Generation lived as though it was created to party and get wasted with dwindling moral values. I wonder if the thousands of generations before us were party animals or funseekers like us if anything worthwhile would be accomplished, Karl Marx, Descartes, Carl Benz, Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Steve Jobs, Da Vinci, Jesus Christ...Even money without values soon fades (I dare you to test the theory). What the f**k did our parents eat or do that made us so worthless?! I jammed up my points yes but i will subsequently pick them out for discuss in due time.

Written by:
Moyo John


(culled from facebook status update)

AFRICA EMERGE: Rediscovering The Wealthiest Continent

The rebirth of Africa is now very nigh;
A nation with new breed without greed approaches.
Did you not see it?

Of course, mockers would make jest
And misconstrue this bestowed vision for an illusion.
Did you not already know it?

Many more will come to condemn that we are yet young and frail;
A nation of unschooled, poor and war-torn-apart people.
Have you not heard it before?

But what does it matter whether anyone believe or not?
Let the mockers mock and the doubters doubt
And speak as though Africa is forever doomed.

Our gaze is fixed on this new Africa whose strength is not in numbers
And whose wealth is not dependent on minerals
But rather, in her culture, language and people.

Though there be no food to go round for those who are hungry
And water for those who are thirsty
Yet, we shall stand undivided.

Though our roofs be buried under many floods of waters
And our children be casted into the streets
Yet, like a rock, we shall remain unshaken.

For when this old Africa gives way to the new
Her dreams, both stolen and lost, shall be restored.
And her voice no longer shall cry in despair.

Her goodness shall be brought forth from obscurity into limelight
And her people shall regain their pride...
A nation without shame or reproach.

A few men may betray us as we forge ahead
But I have sworn never to derail
Until the new Africa emerges.

Authored by:
Ebenezer Akinrinade (CYFI Fellow)
+2348027701092
gent2poetry@gmail.com
Twitter: @gent2smile
Blog: Use Your Mind
(June 1st, 2013; 7:31am)

Youth Leadership Training 2013

The Youth Leadership Training 2013 is a capacity building conference organized by Life Care Outreach (LICO) for Youth Leaders and Secondary School Prefects in Aba, Abia State.

Theme: "Raising Youth Leaders with Difference"

Date: Friday, 24th May, 2013

Venue: Nwaniegbo Complex, CKC Bus-stop, Aba, Abia State, Nigeria.

Facilitators:
Kingsley Bangwell, Sam Nduka, Ebenezer Kalu, Richie Felix, Ruth-Oyediya Kalu, Ebenezer Akinrinade and others.

Special Feature:
The participants will be watching the advocacy video, "Project 15 Video" produced by ARLFoundation

Program partners:
Youngstars Foundation, CLEEN Foundation and African Resourceful Leaders Foundation.

In Search Of Me

"Nothing is found except it is hidden.
Nothing is hidden except it is a treasure."

In me is a talent waiting to be discovered;
The very gift that makes me priceless.

In me is a voice waiting to be heard,
Food for those whose mind hunger for knowledge.

My little light is waiting to shine bright
Upon a world clouded with darkness and confusion.

I am on a journey in search of me
On a quest to know the essence for my being.

The search will never end until there's no more hidden place.
The digging continues until the depth is within reach.

With these eyes I shall look beyond the obvious.
And with my ears listen beyond what is spoken.

Though the road is unknown yet I will venture
Better to die searching than to retreat and live a lie.

My instinct and inner light shall guide me
My faith and hope shall sustain me

Until the hidden me is revealed for the world to see
I will never give up on this search for the priceless me.

Written & Authored by:
Ebenezer O. Akinrinade (CYFI Fellow)
08027701092
gent2poetry@gmail.com
Twitter: @gent2smile

A Book Written By You (poem)

A new book has just been openned unto you...
The chapters are yet unwritten
And the pages are still blank.
There is a pen right by the side
And the ink in the pen is filled to the brim...
It's a pen specially made for you.
With this pen in your hand
You must write your own story.
Do not ask me about what story to tell
Because this should be your story, not mine.
I can only tell that the world is yearning to read
Especially a book written by none but you.
Therefore, do not delay any further
Get started and be through in time
For I also yearn to read from it, too.

Written by:
Ebenezer Akinrinade (CYFI Fellow)
+2348027701092
gent2poetry@gmail.com

THE MUSIC WITHIN ME

There's music in me,
A thousand stanza yet unsung.

There's is music in me,
Best of songs for youtube and itunes.

There's music in me,
A healing balm for the broken heart.

There's music in me,
A song for friends and lovers to sing along.

There's music in me,
A sweet rhythm that soothes the ear.

There's music in me,
A song so beautiful even the birds wants to learn.

There's music in me,
It's a song I must sing before I depart from you.

There's music within me,
A special song for you and me.

There's music within me,
I shall sing, I will sing, I must sing.

There's music within me,
And now is the time to let the music play!

Written & Composed by:
Ebenezer O. Akinrinade (CYFI Fellow)
+2348027701092
gent2poetry@gmail.com
http://gent2smile.blogspot.com

Special Dedication: This poem is dedicated to a friend, Josie Macalino.

TODAY IS MY DAY

It's a new dawn.
Yes, a new day!
The sun will rise again
The raven will sing a new song.
Oh, I will make hay,
Bid goodbye to yesterday,
Embrace the new day,
And start anew with a clean slate.
Today is my day.
I must garner my strength,
Make haste,
And go my way.
I can't wait,
I must not .
Discouragers and doubters lie in wait,
Hunting like a lion in search of a prey
Yet, I will go on my way.
But while I draw near to their snare,
I'll carefully watch and pray
Believing that GOD will save the day.
Written by:
Ebenezer Akinrinade (CYFI Alumni Fellow)
+2348027701092
gent2poetry@gmail.com
http://gent2smile.blogspot.com

THE MIRROR LIED (Poem)

Who am I?
And, why am I here?
The questions in my heart keep multiplying from time to time
I thought my parents would have an answer
But unfortunately, not even my mum or dad have a clue.
I spoke to my grandpa, and he asked me to look in the mirror.
So I ran back home to have a good look of myself
But the me in the mirror only stare in my face and mimic my gestures.
Of course, I saw a reflection of me in the mirror
But it never said a word of it own.
In fact, staring at him for that long made me feel dumb and dumber.
So I ran back to tell grandpa a piece of my mind
And on getting there, they said grandpa is gone.
He left without telling me the answer that I seek.
Now, I must keep on searching until...
Or should I return to that mirror and look a bit longer?

Authored by: Ebenezer O. Akinrinade (CYFI Fellow)
+2348027701092
gent2poetry@gmail.com
Follow on twitter @gent2smile

IF TOMORROW NEVER COME

Yesterday is gone forever;
We have parted ways and shall meet no-more.
And though I may recount my victories
I have kissed goodbye all the wrongs which can no longer be undone.

Today is right here, right now;
It is unscripted and carefully placed in my hands
As I unite with nature and summon the gods
To join force with me and make of it whatever I believe that I can.

Tomorrow is beyond my reach;
I can only hope and wait in faith to see what it will bring.
And if I sleep and never wake-up tomorrow
Make me worthy of a crown, a sit by your side and a new song to sing.

Written & Composed by:
Ebenezer O. Akinrinade
+2348027701092
gent2poetry@gmail.com
(March 29th, 2012; 01:12pm)

MOVE ON

Back in the days...
When I was frail and young
I believed in every kind of lies
I day-dream and fantasize
Everything seem perfect and alright
I thought life is all a bed of roses
But when the table turned
And trusted friends were all gone
I realized I had been a fool all along
From that moment on...
I got a new life...
And a new dream...
And a new reality to pursue.
I decided to move on into the future
And never to look back anymore
Because my pains are hidden in the past
But my gains lay bare in the future
That is why I am moving on!


Written by:
Ebenezer O. Akinrinade
+2348027701092
gent2poetry@gmail.com
(27-Nov.-2011; 07:02pm)

What If Your Mind Deceives You?

"Don't follow your heart always. Seek the opinions of the wise before you act." ~ Ebenezer O. Akinrinade


Warmth greetings to Your Excellencies for counting it worthy to be a part of this great happy online family. Having you here is a gift.

=> What If Your Conscience Deceives You <=

The statement, "Follow Your Heart" is a popular verse we get (from friends, parents, mentors and etc) everytime we're caught up in a situation that no-one seems to have a sure solution to.

But my question to you is: how many times have you followed your heart? and how many times have you ended up satisfied with the outcomes?

Little children exhibits some characters which adults may sometimes find annoying, irritating or difficult to understand and we end up punishing them for it even though the child sees no reason why he/she should be punished.

Do you know that millions of thoughts (ideas or intensions) runs through the human mind in a second? Children are human, too. Because of the excessive activity of the hormones in their body system and their inability to guide (or control) their thoughts, a child then feels like doing everything that comes to his/her mind whether wrong or right.

Experience comes with age but wisdom comes through a different path.

Many adults still think like children, lacking the ability to coordinate they thoughts. They continue acting out every instructions or ideas that flows through their mind. Now, imagine yourself as a mentor telling such a man/women to follow his/her heart. What a disaster!

Individually and collectively, we must NURTURE and RE-NEW our mind consistently before we start following it to avoid costly mistakes. He who walks with the wise will himself become wise.

Until next time, THINK, READ, DISCUSS and IMPACT the WORLD.


Ebenezer O. Akinrinade
gent2poetry@gmail.com
+234-(0)8027701092