I’m about to lead a deliverance session right now.
But wait, don’t close your eyes and pray in tongues just yet.
You’ve got to listen to me.
So, open your eyes and awaken your thoughts.
Darkness is a phenomenon many of us will never identify ourselves with for what it connotes.
But in one way or the other, we’ve all been victims of this power of darkness.
Many times, we’ve been: – Oppressed by it. – Depressed. – Confused. – Stressed. – Caged. – Tied.
And a lot of people have lived this way for years without even knowing it.
This is a very important aspect of life we must become more conscious about and be intentional about escaping its shackles.
No one likes darkness. But can we ever live without it?
Can we ever have day without night?
Can light ever shine without darkness.
Can we ever appreciate light without darkness?
If you stay with me and read the next few paragraphs, you’ll learn to see, appreciate and master this power of darkness.
You’ll be so empowered for the next moment you ever feel like the power of darkness is at work again.
First, you’d need to understand that darkness is not the opposite of light. It is simply the absence of light.
This means, the moment it appears things aren’t working as planned, you don’t start looking for the enemy to send spiritual missiles to.
But to wait and first understand why it’s so. Then engage the light you’ve found.
Darkness is not always evil. Stop associating it with the devil.
Darkness is simply a moment when light is absent. Darkness was created to help use appreciate light!
Thanks to the ‘holders of power’ here, many of us already understand this concept of darkness. We do not need any further explanations.
But for clarity, I speak of a different kind of darkness.
The one that becloud you and almost halts your life.
The one that depresses you so much you just want to quit.
Or even take your life.
For the most parts, this kind of darkness is largely psychological, emotional, mental or environmental at different degrees.
You feel like your life, relationship, business or career is stuck at different levels… No progress.
This is darkness. And all you need is light.
And guess what? That night comes doesn’t mean the sun loses its light.
You have that light! Or at least, it’s within sight.
But, you have to stop groping in darkness. You can’t win darkness by fighting in it.
If you’re experiencing darkness in any aspect of your life, stop trying to manage it. Darkness will always overcome everything that stays in it.
No matter how healthy your eyes are, you cannot see in the dark and it’s not because you’ve suddenly gone blind. But that your eyes were not made for the dark.
You need light to win the dark. Take the first step by seeking help. Speak to trusted people who can help about that condition.
Learn to understand what kind of darkness you’re currently experiencing.
When you’re stressed, pressured and shrinking, that everything appears confusing and depressing, that’s a form of darkness.
Deliverance for you could be to turn off social media.
Many times, as a creative person, you find it hard to create and then you try to force it, which in most ocassions, is disastrous.
Deliverance for you could be a really sound sleep or some playful activity or laughter!
Everyone who ever made a mark in life emanated from some darkness of different sizes, degrees and levels…or why do we say stuff like “He has entered into the limelight?”
Next time the Power of Darkness is at Work in or around you, neither grope nor fight in it
Rather, get some Light and win. For when light comes, every form of darkness must give way.
Remember, Darkness is not always evil. So stop associating it with the devil.
Get some light. And more light. For the tiniest of lights still shines in the thickest darkness.
“Bashiru Adamu writes striking words that will probably resonate with people everywhere, facing challenges at different times in their lives:”
Dr. Strive Masiyiwa
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Book Title: Escape From Prison
On September 8, 2017, my youth Afripreneurship Town Hall in Lagos was filled with young Nigerian entrepreneurs and aspiring ones: students, traders, bankers, side-hustlers, business managers, engineers, and at least one very memorable social entrepreneur. About 425,000 viewers were also watching online!
When Bashiru Adamu stood up to share his entrepreneurial vision during the Q&A, my first impression was exactly as he tells it here in his book, “Wow, wow, wow, wow!”
He opened his brief pitch by telling me and about 300 others crowded in the room: “I help prisoners escape from prison”.
Although this slight young man from Kaduna State in North West of Nigeria, did not look like a jailbreaker, he got all our attention immediately. A few people laughed and then all grew silent. I asked: “You did?” and he answered without a hint of a smile, “I do!”
He tells the rest of the story in this book. Not only did Bashiru’s pitch show passionate commitment to serving humanity, but he had already developed and executed a plan, drawn together key decision-makers, and found partners who supported his idea of setting up libraries and business skills programs for incarcerated prisoners in Nigeria. His vision [first sparked in 2012 during his National Youth Service year in Benue State] came to be known as the Dream Again Prison and Youth Foundation.
Having heard Bashiru boldly speak in Lagos that day, I was surprised to learn in the book that when growing up, he himself felt imprisoned and paralyzed by a mindset of self-doubt and trepidation. He writes striking words that will probably resonate with people everywhere, facing challenges at different times in their lives:
“I was dead while alive. I was hopeless even when surrounded by opportunities. I just didn’t see life beyond the pain, hunger, helplessness, and the chain that held me down in my head. My life was not just a joke, it was a junk. It was a miracle of self-belief and hard work that I broke out of the chains”.
On the contrary, the social entrepreneur I met that Friday at my town hall, who’d also been following my Facebook entrepreneurship blog for years, stood out as someone special who did not just talk the talk [which he did memorably that day] but was also walking the talk of what he said was his favourite quote: “It’s better to prepare and not meet opportunity than to meet opportunity when you are not prepared”… He was prepared!
The fifth of seven children, Bashiru shares in one chapter about the life of his entrepreneurial mother. Amazing. These are the inspiring stories of resilient, visionary, and solution-seeking African business founders that need to be published as books, made into podcasts and films, and widely shared. Make no mistake: Amidst the challenges on our continent, greatness is being born and nurtured every day.
Dr. Strive Masiyiwa Founder and Chairman of Econet Group
“Escape from Prison,” is a true-life story of a young social changemaker from Nigeria presented in a simple but extraordinary way that will leave the reader with strategy and plan on how to create sustainable social change.
Bashiru Adamu is a social change maker who has brought light and hope to so many inmates across the correctional space in Nigeria and is now extending his frontiers through Africa.
Bashiru boasts about a decade’s experience in building a non-profit from scratch, beginning with a sub-rural community in Otukpo, Benue State, Nigeria.
Today ,the organization Dream Again Prison & Youth Foundation is in full operation in several parts of Western and Northern Nigeria.
An alumnus of the Kanthari International Institute of Social Change Makers, India; the Leap Africa Social Innovators Program; and the Non-profit Leadership and Program at Lagos Business School.
He was the 2017 pitch winner of Dr. Strive Masiyiwa Youth Entrepreneur Town Hall meeting in Lagos, Nigeria..
“Bash” as he us fondly call is also a certified coach with Open Door Coaching Group (ODCG) and Catalyst Coach Certification (CCC) Australia.
He received the Most Outstanding Community Influencer award in Nigeria from National Youth Assembly of Nigeria in 2018. Most recently, he is also a 2022 Acumen Academy West Africa Fellow.
“His favourite slogan “In conformity many dreams die” is a propelling factor behind his passion and his unconventional approach to excellence to life and work.”
I’m about to lead a deliverance session right now. But wait, don’t close your eyes and pray in tongues just yet. You’ve got to listen to me. So, open your eyes and awaken your … Continue reading WHEN THE POWER OF DARKNESS IS AT WORK!→
Those who disrespected you yesterday will still disrespect you today if your personality of yesterday hasn’t changed till today!
Seth A. Thomas
The soothing feeling of self-worth and high public recognition among humans cannot be overemphasised.
We all love to be treated with preference and importance among peers, at work, school, in groups and organizations, even in our own homes. And that’s why we see people willing to go the extra-mile of “demanding” it from those who they feel “owe” it to them.
Words like: “Am I your mate?” “You better respect yourself because I’m not your mate!” Are few of the many utterances we hear from people who feel like their “authority” is being threatened.
We love to feel important but every too often, we are “guilty of ignorance,” to the simple insights we require to accord ourselves the “importance” we so crave.
It’s no surprise to me “Esteem Needs” ranks third (from the top) in Abraham Maslow‘s pyramid of Humans Needs as shown below.
Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
Having discovered this gap, I thought it necessary to discuss about it, perhaps someone’s understanding may be enlightened and a lesson or two learnt too.
As “ordinary” as they may seem, they are in fact, my list of recommended life-attitude every young person needing an upward shift in personality needs to adopt.
So the list now:
1. MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS
The consel about minding one’s business has really raised a lot of controversies today. It’s hard to come to terms with the saying upfront.
There’s this set of people who cannot just see something “wrong” happening and be cool with it. They feel it’s their responsibility to right every wrong that they unintentionally end up getting themselves into even bigger wrongs than they could possibly handle!
The second set of people are those who could see your body practically ablaze and just decide to “mind their business” – not even care!
In other to easily convey my point here, I decided to share these few thoughts from great men with you:
1. “You would be very surprise with how much positive changes that you could make in your life, if you could make it your top priority to mind your own business.”
– Edmond Mbiaka
2. “Keep your attention focused entirely on what is truly your own concern, and be clear that what belongs to others is their business and none of yours.”
– Epictetus
3. “Mind your own business. What your neighbor does (within the law) is none of your concern. Accept that behavior is not evil simply because it is different.”
– Jonathan Lockwood Huie
4. “Mind your own business. But love your neighbor as yourself.”
– David C. Hill
I personally like the 4th quote, it’s simple and tries to strike a balance; as much as you’d “mind your business”, just be sure that what you do to others in their times of despair or enjoyment is what you’d prefer others to do to you as well in same or similar condition…
That way, you don’t mince your standard and your worth rises as well!
2. TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY
Develop the attitude of taking full responsibility of everything that happens to you; things that revolve around your sphere of influence and control, and you’d realise that in fact, they’re not happening to you but for you.
Granted, you may not be able to choose what happens to you on every occasion but your response to what has happened is fully your responsibility.
Avoid fault-finding and self-seeking behaviours when dealing with issues that relates with people. Make people see you as someone they could rely on; who’s in control of things and doesn’t blame but claims responsibility for their team’s actions.
That way, your worth rises as they place you high and above and always seek your counsel to execute any task.
3. THINK BIG BUT SMARTLY
Eventhough it’s advisable for young people to THINK BIG, you must note that not every thought is important and useful. Some ideas and thoughts are really garbage waiting to be trashed. Build the courage to accept it and move on.
To think smartly, you have to do it on paper, putting the past, present and future in perspective.
Smart thoughts are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-bound. You could have a BIG dream that isn’t SMART but you can’t have a SMART thought that doesn’t have the capacity of becoming a BIG accomplishment!
So strike out everything that doesn’t fit in. Find a calm & comfortable place to aid you too. Just let your every thought be accompanied with precision.
4. SPEAK RARELY
The Holy Bible, in Proverbs 29:20 says,
“There’s more hope for a fool than for someone who speaks without thinking.”
Don’t speak because you feel like it, don’t speak because they said you should, speak only when you have something to say – having thought through it first.
Let your words always convey wisdom and truth.
Learn to control when you speak and what you say.
The difference between an intelligent and wise person is that, the former speaks when he HAS TO SAY SOMETHING but the latter speaks only when HE HAS SOMETHING TO SAY.
Be wise!
5. ACT QUICKLY BUT WISELY
Don’t just be someone who’s a dedicated thinker and accurate planner but never a practical “Doer.”
You must be a committed doer to ever achieve anything noteworthy in life.
“Action,” they say, “speaks louder than words.”
Don’t hesitate, neither give in to procrastination especially when your non-performance could be detrimental to your progress.
People will always trust and respect someone who speaks less but does more.
It’s only in practically “executing” thoughts and plans that progress is ever made.
You must develop a quick decision-making instinct that conveys wisdom too.
6. FORGIVE EASILY
It’s a common saying that “To err is human but to forgive is divine.”
Forgiveness is a rare virtue. People will always respect and trust anyone who’s easy going and whose mind is free from hate.
Sometimes you need to forgive others to be free yourself.
Matthew 6:14 says, “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:”
Remember “Holding a grudge doesn’t make you stronger, it make you bitter and forgiving doesn’t make you weak, it makes you free!”
So do it for yourself, set yourself free from hurt, it will accord even more respect to you too.
So that’s it from me today. I hope you found some value from it?
Till I write you again with more mind-boggling and life-transforming teachings/contents as they get unfolded to me…
Do well to share this post widely to as many young people as you can find so more people can also get value.
“A hospital study was done on 100 aged people facing death close to their last breath, it showed that most of them greatly regretted not the things they did but the … Continue reading Don’t Fear Failure→
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