My Thought Today: Believe and Act

Hi,

First, let me say thanks to my readers. You guys keep me going.

What happened to my thought yesterday? Sorry, had a presentation in Abuja and its a whole day story, maybe for another time.

My thought today is one that has never left me since the time I read a paragraph in Max Lucado's book ( He still moves stones) during my flight to Abuja.

See this story as illustrated by Max Lucado

I love the story of the private who ran after and caught the runaway horse of Alexander the Great. When he brought the animal back to the general, Alexander thanked him by saying, "Thanks you, captain.''

With one word the private was promoted. When the general said it, the private believed it. He went to the quartermaster, selected a new uniform, and put it on. He went to the officer's quarters and selected a bunk. He went to the officer's mess and had a meal.

Because the General said it, he believed it. Would that we would do the same.

I wish we would do that; I wish we would take Jesus at his words. I wish, like heaven, that we would learn that when he says something, it happens. What is this peculiar paralysis that confines us? What is this stubborn unwillingness to be healed? When Jesus tells you to stand, let's stand
When he says we are forgiven, let's unload the guilt.
When he says we are valuable, let's believe him.
When he says we are eternal, let's bury our fear.
When he says we are provided for, let's stop worrying.
When he says, "Stand up,'" let's do it.

Bringing it home, what do you believe about yourself, start living the lifestyle now. My pastor will say ,' you are not a millionaire when you have a million naira in your bank account, you become a millionaire first in your mind, then the millions have no choice but to find their way into your bank account.

Go back and list all that God has said about you, build your mind capacity till that word becomes part of you, then act accordingly. Just like the private, immediately the general called him a captain, he started acting as one.

Do Have a great day.

Your Friend and Brother

Albert Afolabi
"Born to Impact, Never to Impress"
www.daalberto.blogspot.com

Today's Thought: Give and Take

Hi,

You are wondering why I am bothering you with my thoughts everyday. My Life goal is to impact my world and one of the ways I have chosen to do that is to share my thoughts with you. I tell people that I am a very young person but I have learnt quite a lot which has really helped me. I also see myself learning more from people when I can help them trigger their own thoughts too. So lets enjoy the process together. To all those that took their time to read my ramblings yesterday, I say a big thank you.

On my way to work today, I was offered a free ride by my landlord right from my house to my office. It was a pleasurable ride. While in the car, I looked at what I stand to enjoy by this free ride and what I stand to loose. Its brings to light clearly that there is no free lunch anywhere. It's a life of give and take. Let me explain further by painting the two scenarios.

The Good
1. It is stressless. I was picked practically from my doorstep to my office.
2. It is free. was able to save #300 in the process.
3. It is very comfortable

The Bad
1. I wasnt too free like I would have been in the BRT bus.
2. I could not read my book.
3. Maybe I would have me a new friend or an old friend on the bus.

This is my point.

1. Life is about give and take. For every time people offer to give you something, you dont just collect, there is a part of you that is giving too.

2. Be very conscious of every offer that comes to you because they all come with their strings. Many people could not leave their present place of work today because they have received so much favour to keep tying them down. A friend left a company after 3 years and was still referred to as an ingrate. The boss told him,"after all that I have done to you".

3. Weigh the options. Sometimes the cost to be saved is not worth the cost of your freedom. Try to think ahead of time. My boss would always advice to look at every option in the passage of time.Not all that glitters is gold.

4. Most people give to you because they want something in return. Only few give without expecting returns. When you are the one giving, please understand fully why you are giving and if possible do not expect anything in return. I learnt that lesson recently when I thought people I have stood for in their own time will also stand for me. Most times, it does not work like that.

5. See these quotes

“Nature provides a free lunch, but only if we control our appetites.” - William Ruckelshaus

“A free lunch is only found in mousetraps.”- John Capozzi

“Life is a gift. Never take it for granted.”- Sasha Azevedo

Let me stop here for today. Below is a quote that relates my today's thought with that of yesterday (Titled - Today's thought - make someone happy). Always keep this quote in mind.

“I expect to pass through this world but once; any good thing therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now; let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.” Etienne De Grellet

Thanks once again for your time.

Your Friend and Brother

Albert Afolabi
"Born to Impact, Never to Impress"
www.daalberto.blogspot.com

Today's thought: Make Someone Happy

Yhello,

On my way to the office today ( thanks to the BRT buses that are fully fitted with Air conditioning systems),I was reading a book written by Max Lucado and I came across an excerpt which I want to share with you. I wish I could talk about books by Max Lucado but you won't feel me till you go get yourself a copy and you would be introduced to the world of one of the most poetic author.

This excerpt is from his book titled: He still moves stones and like i said its been very interesting. He was describing the experience of the woman with the issue of blood that touched the hem of Jesus garment. Two great things happened to the woman namely
1. She was healed of her disease
2. Jesus called her "daughter".

This was the only time Jesus calls any woman like that in the bible. Imagine how that would make the woman feel. Who would remember the last time she received a term of affection? Who knew the last time kind eyes met hers?

Max Lucado tells the story of LeO Tolstoy, the great Russian writer, who tells of the time he was walking down the street and passed a beggar. Tolstoy reached into his pocket to give the beggar some money, but his pocket was empty. Tolstoy turned to the man and said, "I am sorry, my brother, but I have nothing to give."

The beggar brightened and said, " You have given me more than I asked for - you have called me brother."

TO THE LOVED, A WORD OF AFFECTION IS A MORSEL, BUT TO THE LOVE-STARVED, A WORD OF AFFECTION CAN BE A FEAST.

Remember, Jesus gave the woman a banquet.

Bringing it home, can you take time to look every person that has come across your way today. They may be okada men, bus conductors, beggars, cleaners, security guards, colleagues, your boss or whoever they are or claim to be, Go ahead and place before them a banquet just like Jesus did. Show them that affection that God has blessed you with. Be kind to every one that you come across. i have learnt in life that if you want to be happy, make other people happy. What you do for others will surely come your way.

Its a great day ahead. Make the most out of it and like Max Lucado will say, thanks for reading my ramblings today.



Your Friend and Brother

Albert Afolabi
www.daalberto.blogspot.com
"Born to Impact, Never to Impress"

From Me to You

My special Gift

I do have one special gift for all my friends. It’s an advice and it is priceless. I would advise you to please listen to Pastor Sam Adeyemi’s recent messages on” Real Money”. Life is guided by principles. These principles work even they don’t make sense to you. I have seen some of these principles worked and I am triggered now to commit my life to great principles.

Pastor Sam identified real money as value and not the paper note we so desire. The paper note is to be in exchange for value. Being a consultant, I can say that about 8% of people that I have interviewed for jobs are more particular about how much the job will be paying them. Some even told me that they can do any job just as the pay is there. Very few people have learnt this principle of giving value first to get value. Pastor Sam made a statement that when the bricklayer is building the house; the house too is building the bricklayer. This is so true. Imagine your level of wisdom and knowledge before you took up a job and then imagine what you know now. In doing your job, the job also has increased your mental capabilities. I can say boldly that my mind capacity has been so stretched by my job, the networks it has afforded me, strive for possibilities and the learning turfs in new ventures I have explored. I can say that I am a 1000 time bigger on the inside than I am on the outside.

The key word here is to build value. I should advice here that you should be very careful before taking a job. Pastor Sam explained that you are the CEO of You Incorporated. When you are employed by a company, they have employed the CEO of another company to come and work with them for a while. Carry yourself with that dignity and go add your wealth of wisdom to theirs. The way an employer has the right to choose who their employee is should the same way you should determine who your employer would be.

Let me give some specific advice here.

1. Don’t work for money. Always choose to work in a place where you would develop yourself. When you are about to determine which job you should take, ask yourself this question, “in the passage of time, if you are doing this job, what would have been added to you?” if your present job is developing you but not paying too much, stay there and learn all you need to learn, what you are doing is that you are building value which another employer will pay for later. I can tell you of friends of mine who work in places where they are not well paid but they are the ones running the whole show. One of them now works with shell and gets paid like 500k monthly. I tell you, it is not his fault, he has paid his dues.

2. Always have money. I do believe that God send to us different ideas every day. Ideas that will prosper us. Ideas are like seeds. We must prepare our minds as fertile lands for every idea to germinate in our lives. One of the facts I have noticed that kills ideas in our lives is the fact that we don’t have money. No matter how grand the idea is, when the reality shines on us that we don’t have money, it rubbishes the idea. Try this simple method I have been practicing for long on having money always. It really works.

• Have at least a bank account or more. For me, I started with two banks.

• Make up your mind on what you want your minimum deposit. Have this thought that if the remaining money in your account is this minimum balance, then tell yourself you don’t have money. WHATEVER YOU DO, ALWAYS LEAVE THAT MINIMUM DEPOSIT.
I started with #5000 naira in my accounts which makes #10,000. So when I tell you I don’t have money, what I really mean is that I have #10000 in my accounts.

• Over time, increase the minimum accounts as your income grows. Always let the thought that you have money be in your mind. Relish the idea. I was able to increase my minimum balance from #5000 to #50,000. No matter the idea that comes to me, I know I have #100,000 in the bank that I can use to effect it.

• It’s so simple to do but you must be disciplined and very consistent.

3. Have a life plan. Plan your life ahead. I would always be grateful to a 10 year plan I did for myself. I have had all I planned for each year. I would implore you to sit down and create a long term and short term plan for your life. A descriptive plan I have always enjoyed writing is called “A day in my life in 5 years time”. My mind keeps getting enlarged anytime I read the last plan and decide to change it. I can assure you, it keeps getting better. Let your plan be achievable, believable and concrete.

4. Stay positive. I have learnt in life that when am going through some tough situations, I should find out what the worst case scenario is. Truth is that the worst never happens. I have made up my mind to always see the glass of water as half full and never half empty. I am an incurable optimist. It will surely get better for me. This year would be a great year for me. It might be hard but stay strong and stay positive.

5. Lastly, have good friends. Invest in friends. You will reap bountifully. The greatest thing that could happen to you is when your friends mention your name where it matters. Imagine an employer looking for a valuable staff, would your friend so much trust you to mention your name. Think about this.

Parable Of The Pencil

Parable Of The Pencil

Author Unknown



The Pencil Maker took the pencil aside, just before putting him into the box. There are 5 things you need to know, he told the pencil, before I send you out into the world. Always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best pencil you can be.



One: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in Someone's hand.



Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, but you'll need it to become a better pencil.



Three: You will be able to correct any mistakes you might make.



Four: The most important part of you will always be what's inside.



And Five: On every surface you are used on, you must leave your mark. No matter what the condition, you must continue to write.



The pencil understood and promised to remember, and went into the box with purpose in its heart.



Now replacing the place of the pencil with you; always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best person you can be.



One: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in God's hand. And allow other human beings to access you for the many gifts you possess.



Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, by going through various problems, but you'll need it to become a stronger person.



Three: You will be able to correct any mistakes you might make.



Four: The most important part of you will always be what's on the inside.



And Five: On every surface you walk through, you must leave your mark. No matter what the situation, you must continue to do your duties.



By understanding and remembering, let us proceed with our life on this earth having a meaningful purpose in our heart.



“Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” - Proverbs 27:17

Don't forget the lyrics

How much of musical lyrics can you remember? There is a reality show presently called “Don’t forget the lyrics” where you can be rewarded for the musical lyrics you can remember. It’s a contest so you would need to apply and only very few get to play.

Thinking about this show, I thought of the reality show we all are expected to play in. it pays more than any reality show presently. It’s also tied to how much you can remember. For this show, everybody is qualified to play. You don’t have to buy any ticket or send any text message where your faith is determined by a machine or somebody. It’s a show you are expected to feature in at all times. I can see that you are eager to know which show this is. Let’s give the show a name : DON’T FORGET THE GOODNESS OF GOD. To feature, all you have to do like a song is to count your blessings and name them one by one. The only person that won’t get a dime is the ungrateful ones. These are people that are never satisfied with themselves or their current position thereby failing to see all the great things that God has done for them. They always wish to be this or that but never remember to make the most of where they are now.

Let me be the first player for today if you permit me.

Lord I thank you.
For the gift of life, I am grateful.
For a fully functional body system, I am grateful.
For my family and relatives, I am thankful
For the friends you gave me, I am grateful
For not having to beg to eat, I am grateful
For my job and my co-workers, I am grateful
For good health, I am grateful
For journey mercies, I am grateful
For protection and guidance, I am grateful
For sound mind, I am grateful
For the grace the breathe fresh air daily, I am grateful
For my trials and my shortcomings, I am grateful
For Nigeria, Lord am grateful
For all that I could ever think of, Lord am grateful
For all that I can’t imagine, Lord am grateful

Waoh, this is great. My account has just been credited with goodness, mercies and blessings from God. This surpasses any amount of money you could ever think of.

I read about a guy with no shoe complaining that God is not good to him. When he saw a man with no legs, he fell on his knees and asked God to forgive him. Wherever you are now and whatever it is you are going through, you still have a reason to say,’’ Lord, I am grateful.

When you think about all things, you will always see the need to be grateful to God.

You can join me to sing this song. If really you don't have any reason to thank God for, then you can thank God for me.

1. When I see another breaking of the day, I say thank you, thank you Lord/x2

2. Thank you, Jesus
for the grace that you have given us
we could never repay you but from our heart
we like to say that we thank you

Facts and Truth: breaking free from wrong mentality

Yesterday while on my way to Abeokuta, I was recounting my last discussion with a great friend on the phone. We talked about the new set of youth corp members that just finished their service and how most of them will have to go out there looking for job. My friend made a statement that it is not easy that there are too many people and very few jobs. She concluded by saying it’s only the lucky ones that will get the few jobs available.

Something reacted to the opposite in me and I laid out my point to her that everybody can get the job they desire if they understand certain fact about themselves. Facts like
1. I am never part of the masses. I am very unique and there is already a provision in store for me because I have a unique gift that fits that provision.
2. I am here in this world for a purpose.

While still thinking about our discussion, I wanted to discuss with so many people today what I call facts and truth. A great mind once said that “Attitude is greater than facts”. This, I believe so well. No matter what the fact is, with a great and positive attitude, you can turn the fact into a lie. My definition of fact is a circumstance people term to be impossible only because they have not given it a trial yet. I look back today and I remember the facts of yesterday and where they are now, they are now regarded as the past. Do these names ring a bell – Barack Obama, Tiger Woods, Serena Williams, Thomas Edison

Fact 1: There are too many people looking for the few jobs available
Truth: There is a job reserved for you that only you fit the profile. Don’t be too concerned about the increasing number of people looking for job. People that are already working are also in this race, they want to change their job. There is something unique in you and this has already made a provision for you.

Fact 2: There are no jobs available
Truth: have you seen the Guardian newspaper on Tuesdays and Thursdays. It’s loaded with job vacancies. Companies are recruiting every day. It’s a lazy man’s excuse that there are no jobs available. Always have a mindset that there are jobs available.

Fact 3: I am limited by my age
Truth: some companies are looking for people not more than 26 years of age but not all companies. If a company rejects you because of your age, then it’s not the place to be for you. Keep looking till you get a company that will appreciate your uniqueness. Nothing can limit you, not your age, your complexion, your degree, your sex. I can stand boldly to say nothing can limit you. The only person that can limit you is the person you see when you look into a mirror. Do you know that limitation is a thing of the mind? If you can achieve it in your mind, you can’t get it in life.

Fact 4: I don’t have the connections
Truth: our uniqueness goes beyond whatever connection you might think you need. The other way to it is that if you feel you need to know somebody before you can work for that company, take a bold step, walk into the place, ask to see the person and state your cause. Truth is that you can’t be rejected at all times. Nike’s motto is “just do it”. Yes, you are right, just do it. Take that step you have always wanted to take, go meet that man you have always longed to meet. Just go for it.
A friend explained to me that whoever you desire to meet in life, you are only 4 persons away from the person. Let me explain, if I wanted to meet the president of Nigeria, this statement said I need only 4 persons. See my list
I know my dad – 1st person
My dad has a school mate friend who is in the senate- 2nd person
The senator knows the Senate resident – 3rd person
The senate presidents knows the President – 4th person
All you just need to do to meet anybody in life is just to sit and count them, then take the move.

Fact 5: I don’t always seem to be lucky
Truth: somebody once said,’’ the great heights that great men achieved were not done by sudden flight, but they while their mates were sleeping, toiled all through the night and when they are successful, people said they are lucky. I have never believed in luck. Success is when preparation meets opportunity. There is your own part of getting prepared for all the opportunities that will come your way, and then success is sure.

Here below is an article from Edgar Guest

Somebody said it couldn't be done, but he, with a chuckle replied that 'Maybe it couldn't, but he would be One who wouldn't say so till he'd tried.

So he buckled right in with the trace of a grin on his face, if he worried he hid it, he started to sing as he tackled the thing that couldn't be done, and he did it.

Somebody scoffed oh you'll never do that. At least no one ever has done it; But he took off his coat and he took off his Hat; and the first thing we knew he'd begun It .With a lift of his chin and a bit of a grin, without any doubting or quiddit, he Started Done, and he did it.

There are thousands to tell you it cannot be done, there are thousands to prophesy failure; There are thousands to point out to you, one by one, the dangers that wait to assail you. But just buckle in with a bit of a grin, Just take off your coat and go to it; Just start to sing as you tackle the thing that 'cannot be done' and you will do it