Category: Make me fabulous

Yes you can…just not all at once! It is possible to have all of your dreams come true but sometimes it’ll delay, and it’s ok. We have a role to play in fulfilling our own dreams and God’s desired purpose for us. First we need to ask ourselves: “are we deserving of the things and wishes that we ask for?” In other words, are we ready to receive and nurture that which we are praying for? For instance, If you are asking to marry a man or woman who is an epitome of class or good taste, are you living your life as one befitting to stand beside that person? Or if you are asking God for another job – more prestigious than the one you have at the moment – have you garnered the requisite knowledge for that higher ambition? We hate to hear these things, but it is true – God does miracles, but He does not expect us to live our lives waiting for manna (miracles) to fall from heaven. He expects us to prepare our beds (our lives) and be ready to receive our blessings from Him. The reason why it seems our blessings or requests from Heaven delay is because if God gives us what we ask for this minute, we may not be equipped enough to nurture or sustain what He has given. So it may seem He is delaying, but He is not – He is always on time and is waiting on you to prepare your house so He can pour down a blessing – the type that cannot be contained! It is the principle of His word. God blesses the prepared heart. So be prepared.

– Stephanie

“Don’t spend time beating on a wall, hoping to transform it into a door.”
― Coco Chanel

“Sometimes people are beautiful. Not in looks. Not in what they say. Just in what they are.”
― Markus Zusak

“Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.”
― Confucius

“Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough”
― Oprah Winfrey

“Always be a first rate version of yourself and not a second rate version of someone else.”
― Judy Garland

“You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.”
― Mae West

“To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.”
― Oscar Wilde

“Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.”
― Dr. Seuss

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.”
― Albert Einstein

“Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than going to a garage makes you an automobile.”
― Billy Sunday

“The opposite of love is not hate, it’s indifference. The opposite of art is not ugliness, it’s indifference. The opposite of faith is not heresy, it’s indifference. And the opposite of life is not death, it’s indifference.”
― Elie Wiesel

Indeed, life’s greatest snare is Indifference. In my honest opinion, I believe it is our indifference to our issues (politics, socio-economic growth, education, and ultimately our collective dreams)  that keeps us drenched in worry, confusion and poor development in all areas of our lives – personally and as a nation.

It’s been over a week since four young and promising lives were crushed out of existence; it’s been many months ago when a young girl was raped by five men and was recorded and posted on you-tube; many weeks of flooding in many areas in the Nation; and many other issues that we conveniently rant about for a few days and then watch as it slips under the carpet.

Under the Nigerian carpet are many unresolved issues- issues we had once fought hard but not long enough for. These are issues that crawl out from their hiding place to torment us later.

It is a vicious cycle of felony and neglect. Ultimately, it is our indifference that is killing us – not the many crimes that have been committed.

If we can find our passion and run with it, no matter how small we think the issues are, we will change our society and break the vicious cycle so that our children can inherit a more stable society.

Let us find the passion to fight for what we believe in. If we stamp our feet hard enough on the ground, the earth will shake!

 – Stephanie

“Beloved countrymen and women, on this day, fifty-two years ago, our founding fathers brought joy and hope to the hearts of our people when they won independence for our great country. Nigeria made a clean break with more than six decades of colonial rule, and emerged as a truly independent nation. That turning point was a new beginning for our nation.

“Those who witnessed the lowering of the Union Jack and the emergence of the Green White Green flag continue to relish the memory, because that ceremony was not just about the destiny of a nation, but the future of a people.

“That future is here; we are the inheritors of a great legacy that goes even much farther into the past…

“On this special day, I call on every Nigerian to remain steadfast, because our nation is indeed making progress. I call on every Nigerian to rediscover that special spirit that enables us to triumph over every adversity as a people…”

-Excerpts of the address by His Excellency, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan on the occasion of the Independence Anniversary, 1st October, 2012.

God bless Nigeria! Happy Anniversary!

“…whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy– think about such things.” – Philippians 4:8

Happy Independence week!

From the 2002 movie, Antwone Fisher:

“Now you listen to me. This is MY TIME! No matter what you did, you couldn’t break me. I’m still standing! I’m still strong! And I always will be.”

A much older and accomplished Antwone Fisher confronted his foster parent, Mrs Tate, with those words.

I get goose bumps every time I hear it. Powerful confirmation!

Happy Thursday!

Beyond just gracing the cover of the most prestigious Men’s magazine, Denzel Washington is a brilliant actor! One of the few in Hollywood whose marriage has survived the fame and attention that comes from being constantly in the spotlight. Monitored by millions of fans and critics, he is a man who continues to re-invent himself. One thing I picked whilst researching on his works was what he said about growing up on the streets until he was 14 when his mother relocated to another side of town and sent him to a private school, Oakland Military Academy in New York. That decision, he said, changed his life.

In Denzel’s words: “…because I wouldn’t have survived in the direction I was going. The guys I was hanging out with at the time, my running buddies, have now done maybe 40 years combined in the penitentiary (prisons). They were nice guys, but the streets got them!”

The “streets” can be anything that is stopping you from realizing your full potential. The “streets” can be that habit that is holding you back from living your best life. The “streets” can be anyone who persistently drums fear and doubt into your spirit. The “streets” can represent anything. For Denzel, the “streets” were friends who were heading in the wrong direction. But he was lucky to get out of it, and for the last 20 years the world celebrates him, adores his works, and respects his craft.

It is time to let go of the “streets”. Whatever it is, tell yourself I am letting go of it now so I can fulfill destiny!

Happy Friday!

“When we treat people merely as they are, they will remain as they are. When we treat them as if they were what they should be, they will become what they should be. ”
― Thomas S. Monson

A friend once told me, “You always believe in people.” And I replied, “That is all I can offer, my belief in your talent and skill.”

I know it is tough to get by these days, everyone is protecting their businesses for their children to take over even if they come unprepared. In most societies, our success is tied to the feats our parents have made. It has little to do with our own credibility. And this hurts, oh yes it hurts the average man who has something to offer but because his last name is not known in certain circles he may never get to certain places. Only a few break out from the norm – it requires really tough skin to rebel against a system. For the rest, they just keep living below their expected ends.

It is not enough to believe in yourself, sometimes you want another human being to look at you and say, “I believe in you.”

That sentence can give you wings. A man with talent, who is given the opportunity to nurture his talent can do amazing things. And a well-nurtured talent enriches everyone! I have met people who broke the cycle and succeeded regardless of what their last names were. But I understand if it is hard for the next person. All I can offer is this: never give up. Never wish you were someone else. You are who you should be. It is tough now, but tomorrow is another day to try again, keep trying and don’t stop. If you need someone’s assurance go to God, pray! If you want some more, ask a friend or a family member: “do you believe in me?” Look into their eyes when they respond, the truth lies in there. And if you still have any doubts, come here as often as you should. This is where we let off all the heat that comes as life happens.

I believe in you. Yes, you!

– Stephanie

I love the title of this book! Richard Branson is a phenomenal business man with some of the most revolutionary business strategies. Screw it, Let’s do it is one of his successful biographies launched into the market. There’s just so much you can do with a title like that…

Screw it, let’s start a business

Screw it, I’m getting that promotion

Screw it, I’m losing weight

Screw it, I’m getting that MBA

Screw it, I’m letting go of all the anger and unforgiveness

Screw it…

You can recite as many “screw it” as possible that suits your personal life! C’mon people, let’s shake it all out!

Screw it, let’s make history!