people

A Tale of 3 Women Who Broke Barriers

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Birds Who Flew Without Wings A Tale of Three Women Who Broke Barriers

A Tale of 3 women who against all odds broke barriers, Dr. Yvonne, Miss Ara, and Mrs. Ayanfe, didn’t let their past and background define them; read this article to see their stories, how they flew even when it seemed as though their wings had been cut.

Female Genital Mutilation: The Tale of a Victim 1

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Female Genital Mutilation Tale of a Victim (1)

Amina’s 10th birthday marked a turning point in her life. Instead of celebrating, she was taken to a village where she was forced to undergo female genital mutilation (FGM). The experience was traumatic, and Amina witnessed the devastating consequences of FGM, including the death of a young girl who underwent the procedure before her.

The Best Love: 8 Ways To Remind You of God’s Love

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The Best Love 8 Ways To Remind You of God's Love

Feeling Unloved and Unseen? Here Are Reminders of the Best Love Ever – God’s Love. Love is an emotion characterized by strong feelings of affection for another arising out of kinship, companionship, admiration, or benevolence (Britannica). God is love. The best description of love is found in John 3:16, which says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” It’s essential to remember that there’s no better love than the love God has for us. And God has commanded us to love others as He has loved us (John 13:34). In the Bible, we see that God is a loving Father. Here are some reminders of His love: Love Cares: Do you feel uncared for here’s a reminder of God’s love, and how much He cares for us. God cares for us deeply. In Matthew 6:26-30, Jesus says, “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?… And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.” Love Provides: The other day, you were in lack and as always, God came through for you in ways you didn’t even expect. Fear not, God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He will come to your aid today. God provides for His children abundantly. In Matthew 7:9-11, Jesus says, “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” Love Sacrifices: There’s no love without sacrifice, and Christ has made the greatest sacrifice ever. Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Love Protects: Are you scared of the plans of the enemy? Here’s a reassurance, God protects His children with care. In Psalm 91:11-12, it says, “For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.” Love Comforts: Are you in despair, so you feel depressed, neglected. God is stretching His arms, allow Him into your heart. God comforts His children in times of need. In John 14:16-17, Jesus says, “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth.” Matthew 11:28-30 says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Love Sees: God sees us and knows each and every part of our being. In Genesis 16:13-14, Hagar, who was distressed and in the desert, encountered the angel of the Lord. She realized God was aware of her circumstances and called Him El-roi, meaning “You are the God who sees me… I have now seen the One who sees me.” Love Listens: You need someone to talk to? God listens to our prayers and answers. God knows the voice of His sheep. In Jeremiah 33:3, it says, “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” Love Heals: I want you to hold on God no matter how terrible and sad the hospital report says. God is the Great Physician. In Matthew 15:30, it says, “Great crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute, and many others, and laid them at his feet; and he healed them.” Call to Action: Now, take a moment to reflect on the aspects of your life where God’s love is visible and undoubtedly present. Hold on to His faithfulness, and in prayer, ask the Lord to help your heart. Conclusion: As children of God, we’re commanded to love others as He has loved us (John 13:34). Love can be shared through the smallest acts of kindness. A smile, a thoughtful gesture, or a kind word can go a long way. True love goes beyond public displays; it’s about genuinely regarding others with kindness and respect. It’s about being willing to sacrifice for the benefit of others. Love is doing good without expecting anything in return. As Jesus taught, love is forgiving others “seventy times seven” (Matthew 18:22).   ALSO READ: Religion Creates No Boundaries In Love

 5 Ways to Improve Communication Skills

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5 Ways to Improve Communication Skills

It is known that having effective communication skills is the basic foundation of a successful relationship between people. On personal or professional levels, communication involves more than exchanging information. Having communication skills refers to someone’s ability to convey ideas, thoughts and messages in a clear way to other people receiving them. It also involves viewing and understanding perspectives, and engaging others. Nowadays, having communication skills is very important as it is needed for building trust between people to foster strong relationships, to achieve professional as well as personal success, and to understand individual perspectives. Not everyone is born naturally with effective communication skills. For some it takes time, practice, dedication and patience to be able to achieve this skill. However, to be able to achieve this, there are important strategies that you need to learn to be a more effective communicator. In this article, we will explore 5 major things to do that will help you improve your communication skill. Pay rapt attention to the speaker Paying full attention to the speaker while communicating is very important. This also means you have to listen actively and this involves engaging fully with the speaker, listening and understanding their perspective, asking questions to clarify and understand their message and even maintaining eye contact to stay focused. Communicate in an easy-to-understand manner Communication between two parties flows well when the message delivered is very clear and concise. Avoid the use of ambiguous and unimportant words when communicating. Make use of simple terms that will make the information or message well understood by the listening party. This is important to prevent miscommunication. Be aware of nonverbal communication There is a need to understand that there are some unspoken messages that are conveyed in various ways such as facial expressions, body languages, silence, and even voice tones. They differ from each person and this needs to be recognized and understood. Also, ensure that these nonverbal communication styles convey the intended message you want to share to avoid miscommunication or misinterpretation. Encourage open ended questions Engaging in meaningful discussions that will prompt responses, encourage thinking and provide reasonable insights will help improve communication. This will help communication go both ways (both parties- the speaker and listener) and not make it one sided. It helps to keep the flow of communication going between people. Also, questions that requires just a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer should mostly be avoided if an effective communication is to be achieved. Ensure and confirm understanding of the information/message It is important to ensure that the information or message shared is well understood by the listening party. Most importantly, a confirmation that it’s been well understood is needed to avoid miscommunication and to ensure effective communication. In conclusion, effective communication is very necessary for two or more people to be able to relate and understand each other. It is therefore important for individuals to have this skill. By developing great communication skills, it helps people to build strong relationships, trust, achieve success personally and professionally to help live in a more harmonious and connected world.   ALSO READ: Mastering the Art of Effective Communication    

Which Morning Persona Fits You Best

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morning

In a world filled with billions of individuals, each person lives their life differently and has their own unique experience. We all come from different backgrounds, have different dreams and aspirations, and face daily challenges. But no matter who we are, there’s one universal experience that connects us all: waking up in the morning. This makes us think about what kind of person you could possibly embody in the morning. Are you one of the following types? 1. The Early Riser: You’re the type of person who greets each day with boundless energy and enthusiasm. You don’t need the sound of an alarm clock to jolt you awake because you’re up and ready to seize the day before the sun even rises. You get up and just get straight into it by quickly going through your morning routine. This includes showering, brushing your teeth, and dressing up for the day. By 7:30 AM, when most people are just starting their day, you’re ready for the day’s challenges. You’re already well on your way to accomplishing your goals. 2. The Alarm Waker: Life for you isn’t overly stressful. If the alarm fails to wake you on time, you don’t fret. I mean, your employer shouldn’t expect you to arrive early if the alarm hasn’t cooperated. You’re not necessarily an early riser, but you’re also not one to hit the snooze button endlessly. When your alarm goes off, you may not leap out of bed with great energy, but you’re not far behind. You understand the importance of starting your day on time, so you quickly get dressed, grab a quick breakfast, and head out the door. Ready to tackle whatever challenges lie ahead, your day begins without delay! 3. The Planner: You’re all about being organized and ready to go from the moment you wake up. You plan out everything you need to do the night before, down to the last detail. You set alarms to make sure you wake up on time, and once you’re up, you check your schedule or list of things to do.  You know exactly what tasks you want to get done during the day, so you tackle them one by one, making sure not to waste any time. By the time most people start their day, you’ve already accomplished a lot, which sets you up for a busy but successful day ahead. 4. The Zen Starter: You value calm and quiet in the mornings. Instead of hurrying into the day, you like to take things slow and thoughtful. You wake up early to enjoy the peaceful moments before everyone else is awake. You spend time meditating, doing yoga, or writing in your journal, getting your mind in a positive place for the day, just taking each day at a time. With a relaxed and focused mindset, you slowly start your morning tasks, enjoying each step. By the time you’re ready to start your day, you feel calm and ready to handle whatever comes your way. READ ALSO: The Art of Introversion 5. The Reluctant One: Then there are those of us who fall into the category of reluctant risers. For us, the sound of the alarm clock is both a blessing and a curse. It’s a battle to stir from slumber, often requiring multiple snoozes before you can even muster the energy to open your eyes. It’s a challenge to transition from the comfort of sleep to the demands of the day, and it takes just a bit of time to shake off the grogginess and fully wake up. But eventually, with a few deep breaths and perhaps a strong cup of coffee, you find your groove and are ready to face the day head-on. So, which morning routine resonates most with you? Regardless of your preference, remember that each new day offers a fresh start and endless possibilities.  

The Art of Introversion

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The Art of Introversion

Introversion has always been my behavioural type since I heard of it and started taking the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator test. I have taken the test about 4 times, and it’s still the same “I” result I get. As a startup writer, I was made to understand that if I want to improve my writing skills, I have to write at least an article every day. It does not matter if I am going to be publishing it or not. I guess this one has to be published on WordPress. I was quite perplexed about what to write up on because, honestly, no matter the topic you want to write up on, if you are a perfectionist like me, you will have to do a little research. Even though I write like a total beginner, I want my write-up to sound somewhat good. So, I decided to use myself as a case study. So, here goes nothing. Let’s talk about Introversion. When someone asks you if you understand the term “introversion” or if you could explain the term with just a word, phrase or sentence, I wonder what your answer would be? Introversion simply is the art and act of being an introvert. At first, I thought being an introvert was being shy, not being able to assert yourself, and being afraid to actively express one’s thoughts, especially in a gathering of people. However, according to The Myers-Briggs Indicator (MBTI), an introvert is someone who gets his/her energy from their inner world of reflections and thoughts. The Myers-Briggs Indicator (MBTI) test is a self-administered assessment test that groups every human on the face of planet Earth into 16 personalities. Introverts apparently focus their energy and attention inward on the reflection of their thoughts. According to Healthline, being an introvert does not necessarily mean that one is shy, it means one gets energized by solo time and feels drained after prolonged social interactions. They do better in quiet environments, enjoy their alone time, and tend to be more reserved than enthusiastic in social settings. I would also say there are different types of introverts because I think I am safe to say this, those definitions given above are definitely not “a one shoe sizes all” type of definition. Having a definition that will fit more than 90% of the introvert population, when you see one or come across one, sure do let me know about it. There are various categories into which introverts can be grouped. The introvert types take into account the varied personalities and acknowledge that introversion is a spectrum. There are 4 types of introverts, and they are; Social introverts: They are the most outgoing and the most private of the types of introverts. While they enjoy socializing, they easily feel emotionally drained when they stay out for too long. They have a small circle of friends and might even be the most social in their circle of friends. Thinking introverts: They also socialize, but they most often will not because they are always caught up in their minds thinking and daydreaming. They are so caught up in their own thoughts that they may seem snubbish to those who are meeting them for the first time. They are also more in tune with their feelings so that other people might have a hard time connecting with them. Anxious introverts: They crave solitude even when they are with their closest friend, playing scenarios over and over in their heads about how to let out their thought process. They feel extremely uncomfortable in new, unfamiliar, and large environments. They analyse their day over and over and over in their head to see if they might have made any mistakes. Restrained introverts: They feel uncomfortable when they are rushed into socializing. They are reserved and thoughtful and do not like forced or rushed changes. They find comfort in their routine, appreciate forewarning, and would only go for social activities if and only if it had been planned and never something spontaneous. READ ALSO: How To Overcome Low Self-Esteem Furthermore, one’s lifestyle and way of life are deeply dependent on the spectrum of introversion a person falls on because it affects the way a person interacts with their surrounding environment and whom we call members of the community. Finally, which one of the introvert types do you think you are? I think I might be 80% more restrained than 20% anxious introvert type. Moreover, being introverted should not be seen as a character flaw or as a disadvantage. Every character type has its advantages, disadvantages strengths, and weaknesses. It is simply a personality trait that should not be changed for anybody at any time.

10 Habits that Will Change Your Life Positively

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10 Habits that Will Change Your Life Positively

Developing good habits is a vital tool for achieving your goal. It positively impacts your relationships, career, and personal development.  A good habit can positively transform your life. It flows from within and then manifests physically. You may have been experiencing setbacks in your daily life, and the cause of them is not far-fetched. When you lack good habits, all your dealings will be limited, resulting in an unproductive lifestyle.  Meanwhile, embracing a good routine that positively changes your life would be best. Once a habit is established, it will help you remain focused, organized, and productive. Wayne Dyer said, “Our lives are the sum of our choices.” Once they become habitual, these choices become automatic. Thus, we have the power to consciously create new and healthier habits to make choices that can lead to our physical and mental well-being.  10 Habits to Develop in Your Life for Positive Results 1. Get Enough Sleep Many people stay up late because of their workload, but no matter how heavy your workload is, getting more sleep is necessary. Working late at night and finding it difficult to sleep is a habit. To avoid this: Create a relaxing sleep environment. Reduce your caffeine intake, especially at night. Put your phone away and remove any distracting objects. Find the number of sleep hours that energize you when you wake up. 2. Get Up Early  Getting up early in the morning is a habit, as is waking up late. However, it is essential to develop the former if you want to be productive. Early from bed lets you plan and prepare for the day’s activities. When you wake up a little before your regular time every morning, you will experience success and complete your daily tasks on time. Ensure you develop this habit, as it will help you achieve success. 3. Learning Always Always focus on learning. Learning new things is a habit you need to develop. Avoid learning only from instructors, as this will limit your knowledge of things happening around you. Develop yourself by practicing self-learning to broaden your understanding. As you know, life teaches a lot. You can learn from what is happening around you and other people’s mistakes and develop good habits to avoid those mistakes. So, learning and adjusting yourself is necessary to stay more productive. 4. Meditate Daily Meditation is a powerful tool for establishing calm and a positive mindset. A morning meditation allows you to begin your day on a positive note. It also helps you stay focused and productive. Meditation increases self-awareness, enhances concentration, and enables you to remain calm, resulting in peace of mind. 5. Eat Healthy Eating healthy is vital to our well-being. Nutritious meals are necessary for physical and mental soundness and productivity. When you develop the habit of eating well, it will not only nourish your body but also propel you to think and reason well. Eating healthy can also help you stay fit in your daily life. 6. Create Daily Routine Establishing a morning routine is another habit that can positively affect your life. Establishing a daily routine will help you plan and complete your daily tasks. It will also allow you to focus on the critical task first and prompt you to have a to-do list.  7. Exercise Regularly Physical exercise is another habit that benefits mental well-being. It can enhance physical and psychological health and prepare your mind for positivity. It may be a morning workout, yoga, or indoor exercise. These activities positively impact overall wellness. 8. Positive Mindset Keeping positive thoughts within yourself is another great habit that can transform your life for good. Doing this solves half of your problems. It will automatically help you produce good results in all facets of life.  9. Hard work  Hard work is a positive habit that you should practice. As you know, there is no shortcut to success.  Hard-working people usually experience success, although it depends on the kind of work they do. Although it may seem difficult initially, success will surely come to them as time passes. 10. Limit your Time on Social Media  Many people have become more addicted to social media. Excessive scrolling on social media delays productivity. Limiting the time you spend on social media will have a positive impact on your success. In other words, reduce your frequent scrolling on Social media and do something productive for your success. Finally, having extensively discussed habits that can change your life, it is time to put them into practice and make them part of your daily routine. Acquiring these habits will have a positive result, which may lead to a more fulfilling and successful life.

Self-Acceptance – Key to Building a Healthy and Positive Relationship

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Self-Acceptance - Key to Building a Healthy and Positive Relationship

Self-Acceptance

Self-acceptance is the key to building a healthy and positive relationship with oneself.

Key Components of Self-Acceptance

  1. Self-Compassion: You must learn to treat yourself with kindness and understanding, especially in the face of challenges or mistakes. This involves offering the same compassion to yourself as you would offer to a friend.
  2. Self-Appraisal: You need to have a realistic and balanced view of yourself, and acknowledge your strengths and areas for growth without overly criticizing or inflating your abilities.
  3. Self-Approval: Self-acceptance is about relying on internal validation and approval rather than seeking constant validation from others. Understanding that external opinions do not solely determine your worth. Look inward and capture your real personhood.
  4. Self-Love: One thing you must always do is cultivate genuine love and care for yourself. This involves prioritizing self-care and making healthy choices that contribute to your overall well-being.

 

  1. Self-talk: Be watchful and sensitive about the self-conversation or inner conversation you carry in your mind. What do you tell yourself? Are they positive or negative words?

“I am a good and caring person.”

“I am capable of achieving success in my life.”

“I am intelligent.”

“I am not alone in this. I know there are people who love me and will be there for me when I need them.” etc

WHAT IS SELF-ACCEPTANCE?

Self-acceptance is the ability to embrace and fully accept oneself, including one’s strengths, weaknesses, quirks, and imperfections. It involves acknowledging and appreciating your individuality without judgment or the need for external validation.

1. Embrace What Makes You Unique

A good place to start is to think of the things that make you special. Ask yourself how these differences may benefit you in the future and how they add value to your life.

2. Let go of the Things you can’t Change

It’s important not to focus on the things you can’t change. You may find it helpful to write a letter to yourself about letting go of what you can’t change and welcoming the things you love about yourself. Self-acceptance is essential for your mental and emotional well-being. It’s important to learn to love yourself and the things that make you unique.

Self-acceptance is learning to love yourself, inside and out. It’s about letting go of the things you can’t change and appreciating what makes you unique.

3. Identify your Strengths

Write down the things you’re good at and/or love to do (e.g. sports, watching movies, music, art, etc.). Practicing these activities regularly can help you feel more confident in your abilities.

4. Set Goals

Set a few realistic goals for yourself and create a plan to meet them (this may also help with your self-esteem).

Don’t forget to reward yourself when you meet a goal!

5. Celebrate Your Accomplishments

Make a list of everything you’ve accomplished so far and add to it regularly. Post your list someplace where you can see it often. Be proud of yourself!

6. Plan ahead

If you can, try to avoid the people and/or things that challenge your self-acceptance.

8. Show Gratitude

There’s so much in our lives that we can be grateful for. Get two jars and label it Gratitude Jar and the other Happening Jar.

At the end of each day, write down what you are grateful for and what happened that overwhelmed you or got you angry. At the end of each year, you will be surprised at how much God has done for you/saved you from.

8. Be Kind to Yourself

Consider a few things you can do to treat yourself and spend quality time on your own (e.g. taking a warm bath, going for a walk in nature, going to the spa to be pampered, etc.).

It’s also important to take care of yourself by eating right, sleeping enough, and exercising regularly.

9. Think Positively

Remember to speak kindly to yourself and turn any self-critical, negative thoughts into positive thoughts.

Don’t be too hard on yourself or compare yourself to others. Positive thinking naturally draws positive energy to you. If you want to practice this, you can have your time frame. It’s a personal decision

10. Get Involved

Try a new extracurricular activity to learn more about yourself, what you enjoy, and what you’re good at.

You can NEVER get it wrong with volunteering, the feeling of satisfaction is usually awesome. I’m sure you don’t want to deprive yourself of this.

11. Find Support

You can always share your feelings with people you trust such as family and friends. (You could even try asking them to name two or three things they like about you.)

In conclusion, everyone’s journey to self-acceptance is different, but you can learn to be comfortable in your skin. NEVER compare yourself to anyone else

What is the opposite of self-acceptance?

  • self-rejection
  • self-abasement
  • self-contempt
  • self-denigration
  • self-disgust
  • self-hatred
  • self-loathing
  • mortification
  • humiliation

Don’t do any of this opposite to yourself !!!