How Do You Value?

No one knows tomorrow; a statement which is not true to an extent. Example, if today was a Thursday, I do know for a fact that tomorrow will be Friday. Not Monday nor Wednesday, but Friday. I know too that gravity will still be existent tomorrow and till thy kingdom come. As a matter of fact, every concrete evidences around which we have built our lives will remain the same or flow in the same time stream and these are what have been given the name laws of nature.

After that consideration, let’s change the angle. Which part of tomorrow don’t I know? Let’s take it from the top. I don’t know which side of the bed I will get up from, or how long I will take to prepare for work. Neither my breakfast, nor clothes nor anything that has to do with me personally. Is the picture getting clearer?

Tomorrow will have 24 hours whether I’m alive or not but then how I drive to work will determine whether I get to see the day end with me or otherwise. People, we have a gift and a bonus to that gift that surpasses anything that we could ever perceive or imagine. The gift is LIFE and the bonus, FREEWILL.

How we use our freewill to direct our lives will determine to an extent how tomorrow will be for us. Yes, it is true, time and unforeseen occurrence befall everyone and at anytime. Yet, we have a measure of power through which we can effect change. The one who gave us these priceless gems has told us all we need to do to use this power efficiently to a degree. Are we going to read the instructions manual to know them? That will truly be a good course to take.

How does this knowledge about our gifts and the power we have to control them affect our lives and our interpersonal relationships? I think just one word can help us answer: Karma. Karma is a law in Hinduism and Buddhism which was borrowed from Christianity and modified. In short it states that everything that we sow, we will reap; when we throw the ball to the wall, it comes back to us. No matter what it is that we do, we will always be held responsible because our actions will always come back to us and either give us a sucker punch or a high five.

Here is an example: A man who was late for a job interview bumped into a nerd looking worker a swore the full length of the Mississippi to him. At the interview, much to his surprise, it was the nerd who was the HR manager of the firm. Finish the story for yourself. It’s kind of sarcastic isn’t it? In just a moment of anger and emotional instability, he’s lost his opportunity of a lifetime.

From my point of view, I don’t think the man had read the instructions manual. Perhaps had he done so, he would have noticed the portion when an older man was admonishing his fellow brothers and friends. He told them to “return evil for evil to no one. Provide fine things in the sight of all men. If possible, as far as it depends on you, be peaceable with all men.” Why? Because you do not know who the person you’re dealing with is; even better, what that person can be tomorrow.

There are many instances of situations in which people who were disregarded totally have proven the masses wrong by going ahead to reach for and accomplish great things. What was their motivating force? They realized they had the power to change the future and the put themselves to work to effect that change.

Well, what about me? What about you? We have a measure to effect change. Let’s use it wisely. So then WHAT DID YOU LEARN TODAY?

What is in a ‘Thank You’?

In many situations we come across daily, we are presented with an opportunity to express thanks. But what really is involved in doing that?
Well first of all, we would have received something which we needed, either in words or in deeds. Second, we appreciated what was done for us. Third, we are content with whatever it is and are determined to put it to good use for our benefit or to help others. So then , ask yourself, “When i say a thank you, do i really mean it?”

#MystUnknown

The Legacy

[Singing] How do you want to be remembered, as a sinner or a saint, as a hero or a villain? Then think about the steps you take. How do you want to be remembered when we standing at your grave, on your tombstone, what is written? Think about the steps you take, you take, you take.

That is one of my favorite songs. It was written by the rock band Magic! for their 2014 debut album, Don’t Kill The Magic. The title is How Do You Want to Be Remembered and it talks of the decisions we make and take in life and the effect it has on us and on our social lives. In simple terms, it’s asking of the kind of legacy we want to make in life and to leave behind to be remembered by. That is what we want to discuss today.

Legacy in most English language references is about property or money that has been left behind for the next generation through a will statement. It can also mean something that has been handed down or left by a predecessor.

But in this context, it gives itself a new meaning. In personality terms, a legacy refers to how someone is remembered and what contributions they made while they were alive. That’s it! That is what a person’s legacy is.

So then I ask myself, what legacy am I building now? How do the people I relate to view me? Even more important, how do those whom I do not even know think of me? Unfortunately, many people today do not see these questions to be important. Some have taken up the kind of lifestyle in which they choose to do whatever they please at any point in time. “Follow your heart” is the standard of living they have chosen. In no way whatsoever do they want to take responsibility for their actions. Eeeerm sorry……. [Delete that]……THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE AT ALL! Such ones have no purpose in life.

In recent times the numbers of celebrity deaths through suicide have been increasing. Every wondered why? It’s Emptiness. In their possession is all they could have ever wanted but in reality, deep down, they themselves know that they are naught but ashes.

Unbeknownst to you, a lot of others might have set their eyes on you, giving you 24/7 surveillance as if you’re the most wanted criminal in the world. Why? Here are a few: to be their mentor or godfather, to be able to determine whether to date you, or even to model whatever they do in their lives from the example you are setting. Weird huh? But that’s the truth. You can have a sterling effect on others without even knowing it.

I have been reading over the internet recently and I see shocking news of people spending hundreds of thousands of pounds and dollars for very shallow minded projects. Just so they can look like their idols! Humph! Why didn’t they give that money to charity…or even to me! Hehe.

What of you who are contemplating marriage or are even married with kids? You, I would say have the most pressure on you. Why? Well consider this: there is work to be done. Would you prefer to do it yourself or to delegate someone to do it? ……. Have you answered yet? Many people have developed and stuck to the idea of “do what I say and not what I do” mentality. What do I think of it? It makes no sense. Most parents today imprint that onto the minds of their kids. If you set the good example it will be very easy for others to follow than to tell them to do one thing while you go against your own principles. Your conscience will never allow you to freely discipline others because you are not a man of your word. They will grumble and when they can’t take it anymore, rebellion will sprout.

How would you feel if you were a kid who was beaten harshly by your dad for telling a lie and when the landlord came around for his rent, he hid in the bathhouse and told you to go tell him that he’s traveled for a funeral? Well, for me, I would have told the landlord, “My dad is home but he told me to tell you that he’s going for a funeral in our bathhouse!!” LOL.

In Magic’s song, there’s a line that says, “How do you want to be remembered when your children come to aid and they need some inspiration?” If I lived a lie, they will find it easier to follow my bad course than to make their own way or change the legacy I’ve left for them. But if the correlation between my words and actions was close, how relieving that will be! A beneficial legacy is what they will inherit.

I do not want to be a sinner and I can’t possibly be a saint. But this I’ll always remember: make good decisions for then your legacy won’t taint. If I should die today, I will prefer that I did knowing I was pleasing the one to whom my life truly belongs to. For then will my name, not be written on a tombstone which can be broken down in no time, but in his eternal memory. Why? A good name is of far more worth than riches, so said one who couldn’t live by his words. Well, I do. And so should you.

So then, WHAT DID YOU LEARN TODAY?

Incoming.

Pen on paper and my mind on cloud nine. What are you about? What will u be remembered for ? #keepinexpectation

Learn From The Present. See The Future.

DATE: January 25, 2015.

Today being a Sunday, I went out in service with my brother. We were only able to meet one of our friends who had expressed an interest to study the Bible. On our way there though, just about 50 meters from his house, we had to go through an area which was wet from last night’s showers.

Unfortunately for me though, a portion of ground which looked like was a firm piece of earth on which I could place my foot was in fact a deceit of sight. My left foot went on and in I sank a good 3 inches into the booby trap.

He giggled and laughed a little, my brother, and from that he chose a different path which will be safer for his footwear, balance and proper appearance.

We had to take some time to get my shoes cleaned to a presentable state and then continue to see our friend for the discussion.

When I got back home at around 1 pm, I took some time to ponder over the incident and from that meditation I gleamed some insights which I would like to share.

Concerning the part during which I misconstrued the appearance of the ground, I realized this: Not everything that we see may be what it seems to be. Many situations which may come our way in this life we are living will look to present itself as concrete and firm like that portion of ground.

But then deep consideration of the environmental factors surrounding the problem, including past, present and possible future outcome will prove otherwise. Had I called to mind the fact that it had rained the night before, I could have thought over that action as to whether it was in the best interest of me and my leather shoes to choose that path or to have a change of mind.

Such is the situation we all face in the reality of our lives. Sometimes we take actions too quickly and then in the short term result we earn, we actually realize then that had we been a little patient and more thoughtful

we could have avoided the pain and heartache that comes from a totally preventable mistake or gain bigger rewards than that from which we may have benefitted.

We then ask ourselves why we had acted so childishly. Were we really so ignorant to the clear signs staring at us in the face? Why didn’t we shift our focus to what really had to matter but then wanted a quick way to get away with. Eventually, we have to clean up a mess which we are not happy with. And no matter how hard we try to blot out the happening, it will always leave a scar or memory which we shall live with, either to laugh about or to regret over.

Now, from the viewpoint of my brother: He made fun of my demise because he knew me and thus was able to determine to a fair amount how I would react if he did so.

Similarly, in the relationships that we build with friends and family, we should be able to discern to an extent their emotional health and strength so we can better relate to them. For someone who has low confidence or self esteem, a tease or slight mocking of his problem will not build his spirit. Perhaps a ‘sorry’ will serve as a consolation affirming to him that these things do happen, but it’s what we do afterwards that shows what we are capable of: moping about our problem or picking and cleaning up to continue.

He also chose another path which was better and more suitable for him. In other words, he learnt from my unfortunate eventuality and was able to see the calamity and conceal himself. Such is life. I believe that in this modern age, knowledge and wisdom has overflowed and is more abundant than in any century in history. Hence, we have an advantage when it comes to making decisions wisely.

We do not always have to go through a problem to be able to learn a lesson from it. And that means that the statement, “Experience is the best teacher” is not totally true. I don’t need to use drugs before I know the effect it can have on me neither do I need an angel to tell me that drunk-driving will end my life. We learn these and many other lessons from other people’s experiences as well as from precautions and warnings from friends, family or the media and from that we should be able to see our own futures. We will thus be able to avoid these accidents and save ourselves the trouble.

We should however have pity on those to whom we learnt such lessons from because due to our human nature we may take a false step before we realize it. So we should be thankful that we weren’t the victims and help such ones get back to the race of life.

In conclusion, optimism on our part and kindness shown to us from loved ones has a great effect only if we appreciate their value and make good use of them.

So , WHAT DID YOU LEARN TODAY?

Who Am I?

……..did that soak in well..? who am i?….do i even know? the fact is that, self-identity is not an easy thing to do. it has never been and will forever not be. but why is that so? if we ourselves do not know who we are, who else should do that homework on our behalf? hmm..

but then the question comes up: what is self-identity? [Google it!!] hehhe…i wonder what we will do without Google……..[Google that too!!] yeah right!

anyway this is what it says: Self identity is the recognition of one’s potential and qualities as an individual, especially in relation to social context.

mm-hmm. all i read was blah potential blah black sheep! ha ha. why don’t we come down a little. it really is 1. understanding what we have in the sense of our capabilities. 2. how people around us can help us realize them and 3.to make good use them for the benefit of ourselves and others.

maybe a consideration of these examples will help us.

going back a few years, i remember watching a Hollywood blockbuster which featured the well renowned stunt man: Jackie Chan. in that movie, he got involved in an accident which rendered his memory blank, totally wiped out. he could not remember his name, where he was, his background….at one time he almost forgot his own language! funny to say that though but there have been extreme situations such as that in actual reality.

it was only after his hunters came looking for him, since he actually did have some top-secret info, that he was provided with breadcrumbs to help him remember.

well, in Jackie’s case, he might have probably had an identity, personality or perhaps a way of life which was to unique to him. he lost those features as a result of an unforeseen occurrence. so rediscovering himself might have been easier compared to an example we will consider later. he only suffered a memory loss and as and when his memory came back to him, he was his old self again relating freely to those around him.

my second example, i draw from another movie. i do love movies, especially for their dialogue, mystery and humor. in many ways, hidden from the majority though, hidden gems can be found in these productions for screen as i do find in the movie, Rango.

Rango is a cartoon animation production which casts Johnny Depp as its main character. he uses his voice over to play a lizard who, in his own small world is a movie director, producer, writer and actor too. whoa, whole lot of roles to be played by just one person, huh. his life seems to be filled with activity, doesn’t it? so it may seem. but Rango, the name of the lizard, is unfortunately a very lonely person.

he only realizes this when he, in a funny way also gets involved in an accident which separates him from his owner. his so-called friends and movie set were all in his imagination, characters he had created to make himself feel loved but when he was faced with reality, there was no backing away from it.

Rango eventually made his own discovery when faced with shame and disgrace. he then found out that no one but we ourselves have to write our own script, do the screenplay, be part of the cast, direct our actions and come out as one of the very best in movies ever produced.

yes, people, we have the power. the power to realize that we need change. the power to accept that fact. the power to make up our minds and decide that this is what we want, this is what we need, i am going for it!! STOP ME IF YOU DARE!

the power to build around us a network of people we love and feel so dear to. these are the ones that will raise us up and encourage us to keep moving when we stumble and fall. sharing our thoughts and goals with such ones will help us to be able to decipher who will and who will not be of benefit to us on this journey of life and when we finally do discover who we are or what we can be, the possibilities are endless.

true, we will not be able to TOTALLY know who we are because of imperfection and needed changes we will make along the way. like an actor, we cannot possibly remember the script word for word. what matters is that the true essence is clear to whom it matters to.

what of yours?……what of mine? we all have flaws; more so, time. Dig deep. true treasure is hard to find but when we all do find it, the pain and the scars of possible injuries we may have incurred, all do not compare to the value of what we have earned.

Who am i? …….. i am Myst.

Hello world!

mystunknown

Blogger. Blubber. Burger. exploring the endless possibilities in life and learning from every experience; that is what being educated means. There is no better way to have fun than to learn from work and life and to enjoy every moment as it passes by.

i hope you all will enjoy my blogging and be addicted kleptomaniacs to my work. *smiley face.

Happy blogging!

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Hello world!

Blogger. Blubber. Burger. exploring the endless possibilities in life and learning from every experience; that is what being educated means. There is no better way to have fun than to learn from work and life and to enjoy every moment as it passes by.

i hope you all will enjoy my blogging and be addicted kleptomaniacs to my work. *smiley face.

Happy blogging!