THE MOTIVATIONAL ALMANAC

Dating back from times since the BCs and ADs, motivation has been considered as one of the elements responsible for propelling the heart and mind into fruitfulness. Ultimately, our Bibles and Qurans had and have been serving a lot of motivation to mold our spirits and with growing ages, the eminent likes of Gandhi, Sophocles, Aristotle, Confucius, Diogenes Laertius, Bert Lance, Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr among others, have pronounced it more from their perspective of life and experiences. They stood firm in their storms to leave marks of hope for us to lean on; thus, building motivation as a pillar.

Gladly, I’ve been blessed to be alive today to listen and gather very insightful words from friends, family, authors and anonymous teachers who, have in their own wisdom, picked up from those predecessors who left their trails of motivation. Though, I can’t help but realize there are still some weak hearts that haven’t been touched well enough with some of the motivational messages we have flying around. Not that they’ve been skipped, but they’ve been bruised with some actions from people around and are unable to get back up with motivation. Sad isn’t it?

In a dynamic society, relationships that exists between individuals often differ and as such, equal treatment is sometimes difficult to balance. With that being the case, I realized there are a number of things very consequential to our living which many of us always tend to forget.

1.       There is God

2.       We are all different

3.       Nobody is Perfect…. Flaws are a part of us

4.       People change

5.       The time will come for you to make it…. make patience a virtue

Our tendency to forget these things are by far, what constitutes a sad part of our living and in some way, sweeps out our will to make things right. Also, people are being thronged with what seems to go neck and neck with the neglect of the aforementioned: Jealousy, Anger, Hate and Pride – enemies of the soul that drown our ability to look beyond what meets the eye.

Again, we have people burying themselves alive six feet and deeper with their passions, dreams and unsharpened potentials all because of these two mind-picking questions that in one way or the other, have robbed people of their can-do spirits.

1.       What would people say?

2.       How can I believe in myself if no one else does?

It may seem to some extent that these questions count when one looks up to other or relies on him/her to set a good example but on the contrary, People have fallen into the cracks of their own emotional squalors all because tongues have beaten them up with these questions, coupled with their scrutinizing eyes and worse. As per this trauma, many out there and many in their graves who have or had the power to say or do something that could make a difference, have had to tie up their talents or abilities and sleep with their mouths shut.

In some way, you’ll get to understand the pain of some of those who commit suicide and begin to envy some of those who rest in peace. They’ve been bent and broken with missiles thrown at their feelings; ridding them of faith and leaving them hopeless. How then do we expect to help the weak-hearted or troubled soul if all we spread is negative vibes instead of motivation?

Well, as a way to contribute to those who spew worthy and positive messages of goodwill, I constructed this piece, believing that it will snap someone’s passion or even fuel a discouraged spirit with hope.

The foremost thing I’ll touch on is something I’ve framed as a reminder for and to those who are often struck at a moment with sadness or thronged with depression.

1.       You’re beautiful inside: always consider the pulchritude of your heart. In a world where looks are compared, it helps to admire the person you are within. I for instance, am not really a 10 when it comes to looks but I’m a 100 percent gifted and that’s one thing I wouldn’t want to trade for the face of an Adonis or an Aphrodite.

2.       Nothing rewards more than good character: I haven’t heard of anyone who was deprived of an opportunity or privilege because of his/her good character. This is one significant feature that is coupled with hard work and trust me, it pays good.

3.       Count your blessings: just as you see every day to be an opportunity, take the time to realize the blessings God has given you. Start counting from the blessing of life, the friends and family you’re surrounded by, to all that you’ve acquired without having to pay a dime for it. if you doubt or feel it’s luck, try and imagine your being without those blessings.

4.       Eject yourself from blindness: not referring to visual impairment rather the need to realize the magnitude of God’s grace and mercies in your life. Until you do so, you’ll be wandering about unsatisfied.

5.       Know your worth: never worship mediocrity at the expense of excellence. Equate yourself to the great things you know you’re destined for and refuse to bow to or settle for less.

6.       Just Do It: I’ve observed that, until the world comes to an end, people will never stop talking about what you do or what you say. So why not just do it if it makes you happy? Would you rather prefer hiding in regret when you could have taken the chance or smiling through the chance now while you’ve grabbed it? remember, you can’t please everyone.

7.       Gain high self-esteem by defecting from negative people and engaging with positive ones: after analyzing some research on young suicide victims, I observed that majority have low self-esteem; something that’s difficult to build up when you’ve been bullied by social, verbal or cyber means. In most cases, people like that are usually not surrounded by others who encourage them and motivate them rather, they are choked and stubbed at the same time with words from people who delight in crushing their happiness.

Now, some advice…

1.       Pray in faith: believe in the power of prayer and doors will open for you at the right time.

2.       Abreast yourself with motivational messages that keep you focused and going.

3.       Don’t confuse Humility with a low key lifestyle: humility is all about being meek and modest whereas a low key lifestyle implies keeping your business out of the streets. I could be rich and have it written all over me but so long as I don’t go about rubbing it in people’s faces and flaunting extravagantly, I remain humble. However, if I’m rich and prefer to keep my affluence hidden, I can call that low key.

4.       Be selfish with your priorities: God/Allah, dreams and other significant objectives may at some point in your life, have to come above all other things on your radar.

5.       Let your light shine: your light may be love, care or even compassion. Why not use it to build a bridge of light? Maybe your talent can awaken a passion. Why not explore what’s within and unleash it?

6.       Enjoy your youth: not to the extreme! take time to mold your young mind and build yourself; knowing where you see yourself in future.

7.       Respect that friend that criticizes you in the face and praises you behind your back.

8.       Use your experience to sing a song for yourself: know that we learn more in our valley experiences than on our mountain tops.

9.       You can either learn from your past or run from it. either way, don’t live in it…sell that building.

10.   Mistakes should not a be setback. Learn from them and move on.

11.   Forgive: let go off the pride and learn to settle scores you have with others. It wouldn’t kill to apologize for a wrong doing or an offence…just clear the air of malice.

12.   Don’t rush: we’re are all different which means, our paths are also different. Your time may come before others and others may come before yours. Don’t try to beat God’s plan.

Motivation comes to us every day when we wake up. Sometimes we just need the strongest words of motivation that bite our memories and electrify our spirits to remind us to move on because we have a purpose to fulfill.