The Weekend Bite™ Online June/July 2016

 

 

Hello friends! Hope you're having a great summer

 

Summer brings a lot of warmth and sunshine; the perfect time to get out and do something. However, before we get busy in our environment, it's good to sit back, reflect and ensure that our values are in check. Yes, that's our focus this month on the Weekend Bite™ : #Values. 
 
#Values can be defined as the collection of ideals, beliefs, views and principles that guide our behavior and our daily lives. They define who we are, what we are about and the choices we make. 

Our values keep us in check through the machinery of our conscience. As humans, we are prone to temptations and tough situations. The path we decide to take will be influenced by the kind of values we have. When we miss it, our conscience should prick us and remind us of the need to fix things.

However, the road to staying true to our values might be quite bumpy. This is because we live in a world where it has become politically incorrect to express views that are contrary to popular opinion. This is irrespective of what the popular opinion is and whether it represents good or bad values.

Some have based their decisions on whims simply because of the influence of those around them. Others derive their values from people they know or respect.

Consider:
 

Should we allow our environment or people around us determine what our values are?

How then does an individual find his true self or ascertain what values are truly central to his existence?

Resolve:
 

You should know what exactly you stand for and believe in. What is your raison d'etre? This requires a soul search, meditation, finding out who you really are and having a goal to become better.

Once you are able to ascertain your values, it's important to stay true to them, irrespective of unpopularity, persecution or discouragement. Stay true to your values in your dealings, relationships, speech and actions. Let others be able to identify them in you and respect you for them.

With strong values and commitment, each of us has a greater opportunity to make a difference in the world. Let's make a change together, with the right values!

Cheers!

©LAW Afolabi, July 2016

The Weekend Bite™ Online May 2016

Hello friends! As we enjoy this beautiful spring weather, let's take a while to discuss about #mindoverbody - our focus on the Weekend Bite™ this month.

The mind and the body are two important parts of our beings that determine our decisions and actions. Many times we may find ourselves making decisions, based on our emotions or perhaps some physical gratification. However, the truth of the matter is that when the body is the main deciding factor for our decisions, most of such decisions may end up being regretted.

 

For example, the decision to cheat on your spouse to feed a physical desire or to get drunk to drown your problems will always backfire. You will either end up betraying the one you love and potentially damaging your relationship or with a hangover and a series of bad decisions.

Photo: kikicomin.com

If your mind tells you to do something NOW but your body feels to lazy to do so all the time, it's definitely a set up for failure. No one ever got anything done by being lazy or procrastinating, but by pushing themselves harder even when they don't feel like it.

We have to learn not to be controlled by our feelings. We may feel insecure, tired, or beat down, but we must be prepared to push ourselves with all we have, even when we feel we are unable. If we are able to convince our minds that we are able to do or achieve something, then sooner than later, our bodies will start to believe it.

If your mind says you are unable, then it's time to change your mind. And when you change your mind, your body will change too. Change your mind by speaking positive words about yourself, declaring you can do and become exactly what and who you aspire to be.

Keep your mind positive and you'll be on the right track to success! Let your motto be #mindoverbody always. 

All the best!

Cheers!

 
©LAW Afolabi, May 2016

The Weekend Bite™ Online April 2016

Hello friends. Yippee, spring is here! May this month be filled with goodness, brightness and greatness. Our focus on The Weekend Bite™ this month is #Validation

#Validation is the recognition of another person's feelings, position, abilities, attributes or point of view. It doesn't necessarily mean agreement but gives the recipient an opportunity to feel heard, understood, valued and important.

Validation helps nurture relationships. You cannot say you truly love someone if you never acknowledge their standpoint, views, feelings, strengths or good deeds. Where such validation is absent, one person may feel undervalued, underappreciated or misunderstood and that may slowly drive a union to its death.

People need positive feedback that what they say and believe in matters to those who love them. They want to be seen, heard, thought of, appreciated and celebrated.

Listen to others, respect their feelings and view points, praise their strengths, encourage them to do better in areas of weakness.

Love them unconditionally. Use 'please', 'thank you', 'I'm sorry', 'well done', 'You are great' and more, for those you love. This will encourage them to keep going.

Don't choose to be the source of a person's discouragement, lack of self-confidence or distress. You cannot knowingly hurt those you love, you should be spurring them on. It is for this reason that it is important to make amends when you get it wrong. Your focus should be on adding value always.

Finally, take time to re-evaluate your words, actions and relationships. Get your thoughts together and start validating those you love the most. That's the secret to getting the best out of them and helping them to become all they are meant to be.

All the best!

Cheers!

©LAW Afolabi, April 2016

The Weekend Bite™ Online March 2016

Hello friends,

Welcome to the month of March. How's has the journey been so far? Let's keep marching with our eyes fixed on our goals; soon we shall experience success.

On The Weekend Bite™, we looked at something quite different. Here it is: this one's called #Egocentric .

An #Egocentric person is someone who thinks only of his/herself, without considering the feelings or desires of others. Everyone has an #ego which is a sense of self worth or self-importance, although the term is more associated with men who seem to have more of it than others.

The problem is when a person has an over-inflated ego or sense of self-importance, he is then #egocentric and self-centred.

For the success of any relationship, it's important for both parties to constantly have regard for each other's feelings. Where one party is only concerned with his/her feelings, perspective and concerns, the success of such relationship is at stake.

In our interactions with people everyday, we need to learn to look beyond ourselves and any demand for benefits for good deeds or anything we are requested to do. Our selflessness and humility in such situations is what will promote us, but being #egocentric will limit us.

Don't demand undue favours or rewards when asked to do something; especially if its something you love and which will make an impact. Of course, there is nothing wrong with profiting from our gifts, but let's not allow it limit us from making impact.

Don't disregard the feelings of others. Listen and apologise when someone is hurt by something you have said or done and live at peace with all. Don't be discouraged when someone, whose feelings you have consideration for, does the opposite to you. Don't base your actions or words on the attitudes of others.

Finally, make up your mind today not to be egocentric; it will help you have healthier relationships and this world will be a better place because of it!

Cheers!

©LAW Afolabi, March 2016.

The Weekend Bite™ Online February 2016

Hello friends, welcome to February; the month that's widely celebrated as the month of love.

However, we chose to look at something else on The Weekend Bite™, in line with our general theme so far in 2016. This one is #Transformation.

#Transformation is simply a change in substance, form, character or even situation, radically or thoroughly. Although we spoke about change last month, transformation goes further than change. It's okay to make a few changes in our lives sometimes, but there is also a time when transformation comes into play.

The metamorphosis of an insect shows the need for transformation at certain stages of life.

The journey from egg to insect is not for a day, but at each stage, it transforms in form and substance.

Likewise in our journey from babies to adults, we too must transform in substance, maturity, knowledge, character and values.

In character, transformation becomes necessary, when more than one person, including our conscience condemns what we do. 

In values and our way of life, transformation is necessary when we find ourselves entangled in undignified lifestyles with decayed values. We have to come to a point where we can completely trash out all filth and everything that constantly holds us back or weighs us down.

If we find ourselves in any environment or situation that constantly steals our joy, we need to shake it up and let transformation allow us fixate on the positive and also restore our joy.

Never let anything or anyone steal your joy. Remain positive always and hope against all hope!

Therefore, we need to examine ourselves again and find what element of our characters, lifestyles, habits, beliefs and value systems need transformation and go ahead to do just that. Once you let go and become that which you need to be, you will experience a new dimension of yourself; said the butterfly to the caterpillar.

Cheers!

 ©LAW Afolabi, February 2016.

The Weekend Bite™ Online January 2016

Hello there, I hope 2016 has been great so far. We kicked off #TheWeekendBite #2016 with #Change. 

#Change is the act or process of becoming different; a turn around from one point to another. Sometimes we choose change, other times change chooses us. On the one hand, we can decide to change our beliefs, environment, jobs or something about ourselves. On the other hand, we can experience change, whereby the circumstances in our lives change us.

At certain points in our lives we have to look at ourselves objectively. We need to be able to review our actions, know where we are and measure how far we have gone in the race towards the fulfillment of our dreams. Our ability to properly assess ourselves will determine how open we are to the idea of change.

Greek philosopher, Heraclitus, stated that “Change is the only constant in life”. We can make plans but we should be prepared for change at any point in time. We shouldn't fear it, rather we should embrace it; as there is always room for improvement.

This 2016, do a self review for the past year, yourself, goals and dreams. What have you constantly repeated without success? According to Albert Einstein, doing the same thing over again and expecting a different result is the definition of insanity. Thus, we need to check what needs to change in every aspect of our lives. It doesn't have to be a total change, just in the areas that need a tweak. Concentrate on anything that is defective, even character.

In conclusion, the charge to us all, is to get ready to change today, so as to have a better tomorrow!

Cheers!

©LAW Afolabi, January 2016.

The Weekend Bite™ Online...December Recap

Happy New Year! May it be a year of the harvest, rewards and delivery for us all.

Here is a recap of #ExcerptsFromTheWeekendBite for the month of December. Our central theme was #Silverlining.

2015 was quite an eventful year, no doubt full of ups and downs. No matter the disappointments, there will be a few achievements to show that there are things we can be grateful for.

In desperate situations and when we face undue delays, we may begin to lose our conviction and doubt that we can still attain our desired outcome. However, that is no reason to throw in the towel or give up. If we are honest, there are still things we can be grateful for.

But how do you handle yourself when things seem to be falling apart? Look to your desired outcome and keep pushing to achieve it.

If we stay dedicated to our dreams instead of being disappointed by setbacks or delays, there will certainly be a silver lining for us soon.

So instead of declaring 2015 a disappointment, count your blessings, stay positive, look at your silver lining, revisit your plans and stay on course. Soon, your silver lining will become visible not to you alone, but to the whole world to witness your glorious manifestation.

Never give up, you will get there soon, someday , somehow. Keep your eyes on the prize and keep running till you get there

Have a rewarding 2016!

©LAW Afolabi, January 2016.