William Shakespeare wrote that the world is a stage. Human beings are actors and actresses, each playing a different role. This statement might sound philosophical to some, but there is truth in it. Indeed, the world is stage; we are all acting and watching one another. The audience is large.

Millions of people before us have played their roles and exited. Some as heroes or heroines, protagonists or and antagonists, loyal or traitors, teachable or stubborn etc. Right from creation, there has been a constant war between light and darkness. Each fighting for dorminace. Less Brown even said, “Life is a fight for territory”. There is nothing wrong in fighting for your territory. It only becomes sinful and evil when one plays the following roles in life. Remember, your role is going to affect the world either positively or negatively. The choice is yours. Choose wisely!

I hope this short piece will inspire you to be a better citizen of the world.

1. Double Faced People: This first group of people have contributed to a lot of the problems we are facing in the world. They are those who disguised themselves as friends, but are actually your worst enemies. They would say every good thing about you in your presence. The moment you give your back, they start to slander and devise means to silence your dream and even put an end to your life. Such people can stab you and ask the cause for your bleeding. History is replete with people who have played this unfortunate role. Some may get away with it for a while, but retribution eventually comes in full measure. This is a role for the coward. Bravery is measured by one’s ability to present your true nature and not the other way round.

2. Time Wasters: The second group of people one must not aspire to be in their company, are those who like to waste time and see nothing wrong with it. These people are naturally negligent, lazy and careless. They have nothing productive to do with their time. They merely exist. To them life is about eating, sleeping and sensualism without any meaningful contribution to the betterment of the world. You will live a wasted life by associating with them. The Bible says “Redeeming the time, for the days are evil”. Wasting time on useless things of this life is foolishness. You can play a better role. Make each moment count. There is always something to do for a better you and the world. I bet, if it were possible, some will trade their time for something else. Unfortunately, nature makes it impossible. Don’t live a carefree  life. The time you spend on useless things is the same time that someone is using to study, learn a relevant skill, read a good book or review his/her life goals. You don’t need a fortune teller to predict the quality of your life. Life is about making the most of our time.

3. Hatred for Truth: The word of God says “The truth shall set you free”. Have you seen people who would malice others or cut off friendly ties for telling them the truth? Have you seen or heard about someone who got angry because he/she was told the truth? This is the type of people am referring to. They prefer to be flattered. They are playing a terrible role in the world. Imagine how the world would have been if people refuse to be corrected. It is one of the reasons we dislike dictatorship. A wise man is he who accepts corrections and loves the truth. Otherwise, how would we learn from our costly mistakes? Unfortunately, we live in a world where truth is becoming a rare commodity. Endeavour to be among the few who love the truth no matter the circumstance. “Truth is is not what you want it to be: it is what it is and you must bend to its power or live a lie” Miyamoto Musashi.

4. Tendency to Receive Without Giving: The scripture is ” It is more blessed to give than to receive”. This group consists of so-called wise people who have the inclination to only receive without any desire to give. This role is for the average person with low self esteem. There is nothing wrong in receiving. I am talking about misers and parasites. Don’t just be a receiver, aspire to give even more. That is the way to the top. Anyone with the right senses will not keep company of people, who are only looking for ways to receive from others. Life is more than getting from others. Life is about giving out. Give your time and talent if you have nothing else to give. The world will be better for it. Giving is not limited to material possessions or finance. A listening ear to a lonely soul is worth more than a couple of dollars.

5.Backbiting: This fifth group of people are those who make it a habit to discuss their fellows in their absence. They are back biters. Nothing may be wrong to occasionally talk about others, if it is done in the right manner. The right manner here means not spreading lies about them or revealing their secrets. Remember, they trusted you that’s why. There are people who find pleasure in discussing other people’s affairs. This is a dirty role to play in the world.

Written with Love, Frank.

Eleanor Roosevelt said “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams”. All successful people have dreams. The difference we make in the world is determined by the quality of our individual dreams. It is important to note that merely dreaming without corresponding actions to achieving your dream is like a farmer who sits at home during the rainy season and expecting a bumper harvest. You know the result, he is deceiving himself. A songwriter wrote “dream like the ocean blue“. You should put down practical means of achieving your goals in life no matter what. You owe this to no one but yourself. Just like action speaks louder than words, so must you dare to take practical steps towards your desired future. Your future lies in your own hands.

As you read along, I want you to know this with all certainty; there is nothing that a human being cannot achieve under the sun. “All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them“, Walt Disney. Whatever you have in mind to do is in fact an indication of possibility. That is why you must not give in to fear concerning your dream; so go out and pursue it. Life becomes more meaningful when dreams are achieved. However, if care is not taken one could be living someone else’s dream thinking that will make him/her happy and fulfilled. Well, it is the exact opposite. Your life will amount to almost nothing if you are derailed from your dream. Someone rightly said, if dreams die, life is like a broken-winged bird that cannot fly.

After you have your future in mind with all clarity, it is your sole responsibility to identify the skills sets needed to accomplish it. There is an adage that “no pain no gain”. Therefore, you must be willing and ready to put in the time and effort required to realise your dream. Remember dreams without goals are just dreams. But dreams with tangible steps have 50% chance of success, because several others have achieved the same or similar things before. What you need to do is learn the principles and apply the knowledge. Soon your star will rise and you will begin to contribute your quota to the world more meaningfully.

Throughout history, men and women went out and achieved greatness by simply pursing their dreams. Most of them came from very humble backgrounds with little education, yet they wrote their names indelibly in the sand of time. One common attribute for their breakthrough is the courage to pursue their dreams. However, every worthy dream attracts obstacles. In fact someone said ” dreams expose obstacles, if we encounter one and quit, then we must confront, if what we are pursuing is truly a dream“. The world will test you to see whether you are truly worthy of your dream or not. Worthiness is known by your attitude towards challenges. Great achievers everywhere are those who faced daunting obstacles with the right mindset and went on to prove their doubters wrong. They refused to give up when most of their counterparts quit. They won man’s greatest battle; battle against his own mind and consequently conquered the world. Study the lives of such men and women and you will claim your power and stamp your name among the great. Remember challenges are part of life and overcoming them makes life meaningful.

In conclusion, whatever is your dream, go out and pursue it. Within you lies the seed of greatness untapped like anyone that is considered great. The lives of Henry Ford, Bill Gates, Nelson Mandela, Warren Bufffet, Abraham Lincoln, Mark Zuckerberg, Thomas Edison, Agatha Christie, Elon Musk, Napoleon Hill, Steve Jobs, Chimanda Ngozi, Barrack Obama, Christiano Ronaldo, Gim Kwik, Dale Carnegie, Mahatma Gandhi, and Martin Luther King Jr. to name, but just a few, are examples of individuals who pursued their dreams and achieved greatness. These people have changed the world in their own ways. My challenge for  you, dear reader is, “Go out and pursue your dream” Whatever it is, that burning desire in your heart. You can make it happen. It has been done before. You can do it even better. You only need courage. That’s why Paulo Coehlo said “ A dream is something unpredictable and dangerous for those who lack the courage to dream“. Therefore, muster courage and pursue your dream.

Written with love, Frank.

I was thirteen years old when I had my first pet dog, Capon. Capon was a lovely pet. My friend, John gave him to me as a treasured gift upon my request. One of my childhood mates, Sang also had a pet which he named Ratty. Both dogs are almost of the same age. I can vividly recall our sporadic fights over them. As children, one of us would deliberately maltreat the other’s pet and then a fight starts immediately.

I love taking care of Capon. I fed him with pounded peanut when he was a puppy. After few weeks, I began giving him part of my food. He became very healthy and fun to play with. I will never forget the moments he used to chase me and I will run around until I was exhausted. I usually take him to the football field during my training hours, mostly in the evening. He became used to all my mates. We are always happy being with Capon. I would steal household salt and mix it with water. That is how I used to bath him until his demise, because of our proximity to the beach.

When he and Ratty, my freinds dog were older, we sometimes take them on hunting trips. This was really fun. We succeeded a few times, but returned home empty most of the time. On top of that, we occasionally missed meals and had to rely on mangoes, cashew fruit, oranges, or guava depending on which season it was. It was one of the benefits of growing up in the village. I doubt if I will ever forget these memories. Indeed, children are natural explorers.

During the farming season, Capon played a very important role in scaring monkeys away. Our farm is just about two hundred metres away from the house. There was no boring moment with Capon. He was hyper active and always in motion. He served as my first child, because I nursed him from a puppy to a mighty bitch. Unlike my present dog, Fred, Capon was not castrated. He influenced my world for a significant part of my teenage life and I will never forget my moments with him.

One fateful evening, my kid brother went out with him. It was in the wet season and I was away for a football match. He did not come to watch me that day. According to him, a snake attacked them and my dog took up the challenge. It was either a viper or cobra. I forgot the type of snake it was. My brother told me that he tried to chase it away with sticks and few stones, but the snake was adamant he explained. My dog was bitten. The neck was swollen at the time my brother was relating the matter to me. I was very sad, because the life of my pet is at stake. If it were now, I would just have to ring my vet and he will be at my service in no time. Unfortunately, I did not know any vet at the time. Few weeks after, Capon died at the backyard of our farm. Looking at his lifeless body brought uncontrollable tears. It was one of the saddest days of my life. I dug a small pit outside the farm and gave him my own form of burial. Although we have other dogs like Salasy and Lion afterwards, I have been dreaming of raising another to replace Capon.

In the summer of 2014, I was again blessed with an amazing puppy. A brother living in our church yard gave it to me. He told me his children brought it, but he was already having a dog. I gladly took it home and named him Fred. He has been a friend all these years and very loyal. My siblings always tease me that he is my child. I learnt so much from him and continue to learn. Unlike, Capon, Fred has a vet; whom I call from time to time. My uncle and I pay for his services. When he was younger, I used to take him to the beach for occasional bath. The trend has changed lately, we now get salt water and bath him at home. Fred barks at visitors during the day and at night. He follows me around town sometimes in chains. He serves as a watchdog at home. Kids in my neighbourhood are afraid of him and runs at the sight of him even when in chains.

This is how my love for dogs started and I am dreaming of having three dogs in my house. These creatures are wonderful. Sometimes they behave more human than some people, at least from my personal judgment. I love dogs and forever will.

Written with love, Frank.

Life is a journey of no retardation, but of continual progress and adjustments. Learning and becoming better than you were, day by day, weekly and yearly. The cycle continues until the grave, some call it man’s last home. Each day offers another chance to begin all over again. As an average human being, certain things are expected to influence and change your life, either for good or bad. Nonetheless, our duty is to learn from them and be wiser. While a lot has contributed to the person I have come to be over the years, these six things grately changed my life for the better.

1. HOME: Home, my first contact with the outside world has tremendously changed my life for good. Growing up from an extended African home has been a blessing. I learnt a lot at home, especially from my late grandma. Home is where I learnt about responsibilities and the consequences for violating laws. Depending on the people living there, home can be heaven on earth or hell. As a child, I have experienced both at different times. It is here that I know the power of love and hate, the reward for hardwork, honesty, and the strength for unity. Home gave me a sense of belonging. Indeed home is sweet and no place on earth can replace it, despite our social standing. My heart beats each time I hear this four-letter word, HOME: Home is my first university and a place I would always run to. My home played a significant role in the kind of person I am today.

2. THE HOLY BIBLE: Although born to Catholic parents, I was not exposed to the Bible early. I started reading this amazing book after my salvation in 2007. It is awesome reading the holy scriptures with the Holy Spirit at work. The feeling is better experienced than explained. Before this time, I read several books, but none is like the Bible. Since then, I have been reading the Bible more often; a great source of knowledge and inspiration. I believe that the holy Bible is a blueprint for life. No wonder some scholars gave it the acroynm Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth (B.I.B.L.E)

3. COMPUTER AND INTERNET: This device has changed almost every aspect of human experience since its invention. Therefore, it is obvious that as a student of the world in the twenty first century, computer and the internet has grately changed my life. I have always been fascinated by computer and what it is capable of, especially when connected to the internet. As an average African, I was introduced to computer as a teenager and my life has never been the same since then. Well before I had my first cell phone, I spent a good part of my leisure time on computer. I would go to the cyber cafe after school. My duration there depends on how much money I have on me. I used to watch the latest football highlights and sometimes video clips of some of my favourite musicians at the time like Lucky Dube, Admiral Tibet, Chris Brown, Lily Wayne etc. Later on, I began to search what interests me on Google. This was the most exiciting part of this whole experience; which ultimately transformed my life and gave it a different meaning.

4. SCHOOL: School is undoubtedly one of the places capable of changing lives. Personally, school changed my level of thinking, interracting with other people, and general behaviour. I have learnt to work harmoniously with different individuals from diverse backgrounds and upbringing. School enhanced my socialisation skills. I met a lot of people who influenced my life both positively and negatively, to be honest at least. I built friendship with some of these incredible people( students and teachers) as I progressed from one class to another all through university. I still maintained good relationship with some of them until now. Indeed, getting enrolled in school is a blessing. I will forever be grateful to my family for giving me this unique opportunity, which millions are deprived of worldwide. School is an incredible place that has changed my life for good.

5. BOOKS: Words put together have always amazed me since childhood. That is why I wanted to know the mystery behind it; that curiosity led me to reading a lot and the time was worthwhile. Books enabled me to know about a lot of things in life. I started avid reader since my second grade. The librarian in my primary school befriend me simply for borrowing books from him. Anytime I returned a book, he would advise me to continue reading. He even gave me some books as gifts. Although, they bear the school’s stamp, he asked me not to return them. He was motivating me. They were one of my treasured gifts for a long time. I safely kept most of them until the latter part of my junior school. However, few were missing after I moved to the city to continue high school. Football and reading were the major activities I enjoyed during my leisure time. Through books, I have been to several places. Books have the power to change anyone who reads with understanding; even a single sentence. I can boldly say that books have changed every aspect of my life. It is through books that I have an idea of the power of the human mind. Until now, books continue to influence my life and change it for the better. A library is part of the plans I have for my dream house in the near future by the grace of God. There are things I wouldn’t have known without books. I really thank God and the universe for sending those books to me at different stages of my life. Thanks to all the amazing authors like William Shakespeare, Sydney Seldon, Chinua Achebe, Wordsworth, Pst. W.F. Kumuyi, Robert Frost, George Orwell, Chimanda Ngozi, Dr. Michael Murdock, Charles Dickens, Stephen King, James Joyce,etc. The list is almost endless.

6. FRIENDS: Everyone is influenced by the people they network with most of the time, circle of friends. Friendship is essential in life, because no man is an island. I have learnt both good and bad from friendship. The bad aspects however taught me invaluable lessons which I will never forget. I have been exposed to loyalty and betrayal and accorded the choice of either. I met individuals that I thought were friends, but they proved to be the very opposite in every sense of the word. There are some I initially had nothing to do with, who later become like family members. In a nutshell, I have learnt and continue to learn about human beings through friends. Although I am a sociable person, but as I grow older, I began to be more selective of the people I consider friends and that has made the difference in my life. I have transitioned from a boy with many friends to a young man with very few friends. In fact, not long ago, my kid brother asked me a simple, strange question. It was, “who are your friends”? It was an obvious question considering my sudden change of lifestyle.

I would like to know which things changed your life in the comment section. STAY HOME! STAY SAFE!

Written with love, Frank.

2020 is a remarkable year. Like any other year, we all have plans. Six months ago, everyone was excited to welcome another year; the beginning of a decade. However, little did we know that an unprecedented war was looming.

Towards the end of 2019, China’s province of Wuhan was overwhelmed with coronavirus or COVID-19. A virus that baffled medical practitioners worldwide. While they were battling, it spread to other countries and within few months the entire world is affected.

Thousands died and it led to an unprecedented lockdown, where every corner of the planet is directly or indirectly affected.

Christians around the world are celebrating Easter to commemorate the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This year’s feast is a special one, because believers do not congregate in churches like usual. Instead, many are streaming church services online or radio broadcast from their homes.

Wherever you are right now, I hope you are staying safe with your family and loved ones. I wish you a wonderful Easter and may the joy and blessings of Calvary rain on you. Happy Easter amidst the COVID-19.

Written with love, Frank.

The Holy Bible says as a man thinks in his heart so is he. Every word uttered by man is the fruit of his thought. It was first conceived in the heart before manifesting outside as a statement. That is why it is very important to take care of your mind and thoughts. The good news is, you have absolute power over your mind; because the kind of thoughts you choose to feed will produce your reality.

Successful people have the ability to nurse positive thoughts and ignore negative ones. There is no one that is not faced with the challenge of negative thinking from time to time. The difference between high achievers and failures is how they handle their thoughts. The later tend to allow negative thoughts to dorminate their minds. It is manifested in thier careless confession of defeat, failure, regret and all forms of evil upon themselves. The purpose of today’s post is to show you the power of positive affirmations which has changed my life and still changing it for the better since I started the practice of daily affirmations.

Below are the ten affirmations from practical experience. I hope they will change your life for the better as you read and apply them from today. Enjoy reading!

1. I AM GRATEFUL TO GOD FOR MY LIFE: Simply being aware of God’s goodness in your daily life will open doors for breakthrough.

2. I AM HEALTHY: This improves your health and general wellbeing even if you are not fully healthy. Use it! It works and is still working in my life.

3. I AM HAPPY: It makes you see good in every situation and life becomes a blissful experience.

4. I AM GRATEFUL FOR MY FAMILY: It improves your relationship with people around you. You tend to value them more.

5. I AM UNIQUE: It makes you celebrate your difference from others and empowers you to cherish them without discrimination.

6. I AM HELPING OTHERS: This makes you happier and more fulfilled as a person, especially if you actuallly do it.

7. I AM LEARNING EVERYDAY: It puts you in the top 5% of the human population committed to lifelong learning and a better world.

8. I AM LIVING IN A PEACEFUL WORLD: This feeling expels nervousness and anticipates the best in a seemingly chaotic world.

9. I AM WEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL: It attracts abundance and takes laziness away from your life.

10. I AM ALIVE BECAUSE MY MISSION IS NOT FINISH: It gives you enough energy to live your life with purposefulness.

Written with love, Frank.

“Every adversity, every failure, every heartbreak, carries with it the seed of an equal or greater benefit”. Napoleon Hill

I want you to read the above quote at least three times as uncertainty engulfs the universe right now. You don’t need to be a medical practitioner to know the gravity of COVID-19. The virus has affected everyone everywhere. Although certain places haven’t recorded a positive case so far, but the entire world is literally battling with it, not a single living soul is spared. However, the essence of this post is not to scare you, rather I want to share with you some insights on how to maximise this period together with your loved ones. The rat race made us somehow strangers even to our dear ones, but fate has caused us to become more connected again. I want you reading this post in particular to see it as a rare opportunity to invest in yourself greatly.

We are forced to adapt new ways of living in order to reduce the spread of the coronavirus. Staying at home, regular handwashing, use of disinfectants, avoidng large crowds of people, hugging etc are very essential at this time. Your role is to respect these and other important guidelines as your acontribution in curbing this global threat. You should not see this unprecedented time as an avenue to sleep, tweet, Facebook or watch TV all day for the sake of it. You should rather use this moment for your benefit.

5 Ways to Benefit from This Moment of Lockdown

1. Time with your family: This could be the best time to connect and bond with your family more meaningfully than anytime since the rat race. It should be a time of deep connection. Parents and children can now spend quality time together to produce the best version of themselves. Work and education has robbed us of this privilege for so long a time. While some may be worried at this time, consider it an opportunity to listen to one another as a family and embrace the joy of togetherness. COVID-19 has taken us back to the first school and classroom, family unit; where teaching and learning began. Enjoy your family now, thank God for it and pray that we come out of this soon.

2. Take your passion to the next level by devoting an extra hour or so on what matters to you. Pick up that great book you started reading but only stopped at the second chapter. Look for your old journal and get that book written for publication. The world is waiting to learn from you. Use this moment to better contribute your quota to the universe.

3. Show love with action: Use this time to show your love with tangible action. Help that granny in your neighbourhood by shopping for him/her to reduce risk of infection. A gallon of clean water to that poor household which depend soley on well water is a significant contribution. Help your sibling to read, write or solve that Mathematical problem. Donate a dollar or two to a charity that supports the needy. Provide food for that student who depends on school feeding programme for survival. Call your distant relatives more often and find out how they are doing during these trying moments. Let them know you truly care. These are some practical ways we can show love to others during this time. You do not have to be Bill Gates or Warren Buffet before you can meaningfully touch someone’s life.

4. Awaken your creative giant: The pandemic gives us the opportunity to awaken our creative giants that might be sleeping inside. Use this moment to awaken your creative giant for positive use. You have enough time to discover and improve your skills for the betterment of the world.

5. Become a more responsible citizen: By simplying obeying these new directive to stay at home is a great way to prove your responsibility as a global citizen. You are responsible for what happens to you and your actions. Staying at home implies you are not wasting masks which should be reserved for those that need them most; like our health practitioners and others more vulnerable to the outbreak than you. Again, you are reducing the work of our security personnel. Above all, staying at home reduces your risk of infection and consequently saving a life, at least your own. Be a responsible citizen, stay at home, stay healthy. God bless you!

Written with love,Frank.

Each and everyone of us, citizens of the world are here to make it a better place for all and sundry. While it is true that we are all important, I want to take this opportunity to celebrate all health workers globally on this hort post at a time like this. Just like lawyers, bankers, soldiers, teachers, and farmers to name but a few are contributing immensely to the betterment of the world ; so are doctors, nurses and everyone in the health fraternity doing great things for the world, especially during pandemic times like this when COVID-19 is waging an unprecedented war against mankind.

Health officials, are indeed rendering very unique services to humanity. Of course, we are all useful in our own ways and callings. I personally want to recognize the selfless services of those in our health fraternity globally. Even the blind and the deaf can tell the risks these men and women are taking daily. It is an open secret that some end up losing their own lives in their quest to safe others.

As the world battles with COVID-19, I wish to convey my heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims. Already, the virus has claimed thousands of lives and several others receiving care in various hospitals around the world. It has also caused millions to adapt new ways of living as a means to curb it’s spread. People are practising good hygien like regular handwashing and social distancing. Even the culture of handshaking, still prevalent among Africans is becoming a thing of the past. Recreational centres are empty. Millions of working class individuals are out of work and thousand others working from home. Children are out of school, for how long nobody knows. While a good percentage of the world’s population is trying to avoid contact with people, our global health fraternity is in the frontline, doing their work with love. They are the ones taking good care of the sick among us to ensure a healthier world for all.

The media on the other hand is busy painting a terrifying picture of the whole matter. It is easy to loose hope if care is not taken. One of the questions I often ask myself is ” why does our contemporary media keep aggravating issues to increase tension”? While coronavirus may be deadly as it has proven, they (media) should not be only spreading fear. Since there is always something good and positive about any given situation, it is better to focus on the brighter side of life. China is a good example, because they are gradually having an upper hand. No new cases recorded recently, at least as far as I know. My advice for you, dear reader is to avoid panic and keep your mind positive, believing that this too shall pass. Remind yourself of previous outbreaks like polio and ebola for example. Even though the later affected only Africa to some degree. Your responsibility during these trying times is to thank God for your life, pray for His intervention, create time to meditate, adhere to WHO’s precautions, recognise the sacrifice of our health professionals and pray for them; that God will protect and grant them wisdom needed to navigate this sooner than projected. When this is done and with the help of God, we will come out of this even stronger and feel more connected as citizens of the world. This is a proof that we are all one, just separated by physical borders, because the entire globe is feeling the pinch right now. Coronavirus is not here to stay, have that at the back of your mind. Bravo to our global health fraternity. We love you. We celebrate you. God bless and reward you greatly.

Written with love, Frank.

The world, they say is a battle ground where every man fights to win or loose. We are indeed fighting unique battles in the form of broken relationship, poverty, sickness, illiteracy, loneliness etc. Each of these battles come at different times to different people. However, not all of them come to crush you, but to make you stronger and reveal what you were made of. Men all over history have engaged in one form of battle or another in varrying times and degree. Few came out triumphant while others as victims. It is in our power to assume the role of either victor or victim, depending on the attitude with which we face our battles. The sad truth is however, most people go through life as victims and literally have no influence on the bearing their life takes.

Since Bible days, man has always limited himself and his potentials leaving his fate on some external forces. For example, when prophet Moses sent out twelve spies to go and see the Promised Land. All ten of them returned with a negative report except Joshua and Caleb. The rest saw themselves as grasshoppers among giants instead of mighty and valiant soldiers marching unto victory. Therefore, it should not be a surprise if people limit themselves today and are defeated by circumstances of life. We have heard of people who succum to the unfortunate demands of life; like sickness, poverty and even untimely death because of their limiting beliefs and negative affirmations or confessions. Few others on the contrary affirmed positive things even in the midst of daunting challenges of life and have seen tremendous results. You are in this battle to win, but you must first and foremost have the winner’s mentality before the actual victory comes. People like Jabaz and Hezekiah bended reality and changed their destiny for good through positive confessions. You too can do the same.

Just like it would be foolish to expect life to always treat you well, so it is to readily accept it’s demands and suggestions so to say; in the form of temporary defeat or misfortune. You should keep moving, because it is only through progress that you realise your potential and actual worth in life. Always think victory regardless of what life throws at you, because you are what you think. Your dorminant thought produces your reality.

Whether you know it or not, human beings are all fighting various battles. One is despodent and fearful of the unknown. This blurs his vision for the good life he was created to enjoy. Another is battling with a longstanding sickness or disease which made almost every other experience bitter and life unbearable. Few months ago, a dear one lost his job and only source of income. How to pay bills, educate kids, cater for the family and meet other pressing needs are his worst nightmare. This man is fighting a unique battle. You are watching BBC news with your family and you saw how someone lost his entire household in a car accident. How terrible that was! You went to bed with all these bad news coupled with your own battle(s). In the morning, as you are driving to work, you received a call from that distant friend. He informed you of how his only son was stabbed to death at a graduation party the precious night. The whole world is in warfare and no one is truly spared. The only thing to do is to keep moving.

Right now, COVID-19; Coronavirus is shaking the globe with China, Europe and America having the greatest share. It is a sad story, because almost everyone is affected either directly or indirectly. Currently, nowhere is safe because of the rate at which it is spreading. People everywhere are overwhemed as a result of this global crisis which has come as an addition to the the battles of men and women on earth.

In a nutshell, the life of man is that of warfare since creation. What distinguishes the victor from the victim is the lense through which we see and face our individual battles. My advice for you, dear reader is to keep on moving. Soon you will write your story.

Written with love, Frank. Look out for my next post.

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Twenty first century is the era of knowledge. Knowledge has increased in an unprecedented manner in the last few decades. There are more colleges and universities than any time in history. However, a lot of students just carry bags to and from school without maximising the benefits of education; and hence this post: The imperatives of a good student.

1. Must be an avid reader: The importance of reading cannot be overemphasized, especially for students who desire success. A good student should have deep passion for reading. Reading in this sense is not only limited to the subjects or courses s/he is doing to earn grades or certificate. Many students know almost nothing about their fields few years after graduation simply because they stop reading. Therefore, you must read extensively in order to navigate the academic world properly. After all, you are what you read. Readers ride the world. Dare to pick a good book and soak yourself in it, the result would surprise you greatly. Bill Gates and other influential people of pur generation are all avid readers.

2. Must be an early bird or night owl: We are living in a world full of distractions coming from all angles. Therefore, there is need to stay up late or rise early in order to achieve your academic goals as a student. All successful people have this virtue in them. Successful people including Jesus Christ were early risers.

3. Must be curious: The saying that curiosity kills the cat is not applicable in this case. A good student reads ahead and asks relevant questions in order to be abreast with the course or subject being taught. Curiosity should be part of your life as a student.

4. Must have good peer group: We all know that birds of the same feather flock together. You are the average of the five people you spend most time with. For that being the case, a good student must belong to a good peer group; those that are examplary and serious with their academic work. Choose friends wisely dear student.

5. Must be God-fearing: One of the principles of success as a spiritual being is putting God first. Without godly fear, a student easily becomes victim of examination malpractice and other vices which are cankerworms for success.

6. Must have a positive mindset: A positive mindset is necessary in order to navigate life and come out stronger even after sporadic failure or challenges. This virtue is also what attracks success, it is said that “thought attracts that upon which it is directed. All great students have a positive mindset.

7. Must be humble: Humility is one of the virtues that almost all successful people have in common; good students inclusive. Without it, questions are not asked. Anyone seeking knowledge should be humble in order to get the best from teachers and mentors.

8. Must be very active: Laziness has killed more dreams in life than inability. The academic world is demanding and unless a student is truly active, success is very slim. It is not enough to rise early or stay up late without corresponding action. A good student must frown at laziness like an ant.

9. Must be polite: Rudeness takes people nowhere except regret and eventual frustration later in life. Good manners is essential for success in the academic world. It is an open secret that many dreams are killed and destinies ruined by simple lack of this virtue. Indiscipline students are being suspended and even expelled from schools and higher academic institutions. Impoliteness is what led to the dismissal of some of these poor students.

10. Must seek knowledge not grades or certificate: Certificates and grades used to be the yardstick for measuring students’ achievements and level of success in professional life. However, that is no longer the case. The world is now looking for individuals with knowledge; who are able to practice what they learn. We are now talking about transformtional education, where knowledge is what matters and not mere certificate or so-called degree.

I would be pleased if you could identify some imperatives of a good students that I did not mention above. Also, let me know if you agree with the ten points I shared with you in the comment section. Thank you and enjoy reading. Look forward to another post soon.

Written with love, Frank.