STRANGE GUESTS VISITED STAMFORD BRIDGE

Another stadium was visited by strange guests over the weekend, with 11 hooded onlookers causing a stir at Stamford Bridge on SundayEXTRA TIMEChelsea's Stamford Bridge became the latest football venue to play host to a gang of mysterious visitors on Sunday when 11 men in robes were spotted at the Premier League clash with Manchester City.The figures closely resembled those seen at Saturday's Bundesliga fixture between Bayern Munich and Hertha Berlin at the Allianz Arena.Shrouded in secrecy | The visitors provoked curious glances from Chelsea supporters at the BridgeAs in the previous sighting, they wore black robes with mysterious circles on their chest and were seen making curious synchronised movements at irregular intervals during Chelsea's 2-1 win, while they also stood in unison at random moments. Situated three rows back from the corner flag at the Shed End, the gang could be clearly seen on TV cameras beaming pictures of the crunch fixture all across the world.One Chelsea fan sat close to the mysterious guests was Robin Taylor, who said afterwards that he was slightly perturbed by their presence."We're used to a few different characters down at Chelsea, there was once even a guy brushing his teeth behind the bench at a game, but we've had nothing quite like this before," he said. Watching the Kaiser | Franz Beckenbauer was pictured near a robed man at Stamford Bridge on SundayThe appearance of the mystery men coincided with the surprise visit to Stamford Bridge of Franz Beckenbauer, the former Germany World Cup-winning captain and coach.The Kaiser watched the game from the VIP area and conducted media interviews. He subsequently released an extraordinary personal video which can be viewed from the link below.The sightings at the football grounds follow a series of bizarre incidents involving the same mysterious circles at landmark locations - including London, New York and Rio - across the world. Speculation over the events has hit social media, with discussions using the hashtag witnessed at the sightings: #WINNERTAKESEARTH

PARENTS BE CAREFUL!

Parents determine to a large extent what their kids would turn out to be in the future. Studies have shown that in most cases, great men and women of our generation have one good thing or the other to say about their childhood. In the same vein, people that turn out quite bad with various psychological issues have one link or the other with abused childhood. (in each case though, there are exceptions.)

Often times, children with melancholy nature are pro e to suffer bouts if depression as adults and also, tend to have some bad traits. Medical experts have carried out research and have revealed that children who lived in an abusive environment display negative tendencies ;violent in nature, low self esteem etc.

The late king of pop, Michael Jackson was one of America's music icons with lots of fans even among the unborn and people hoping to be great like him. His life was full of surprises, not many would have guessed he suffered low self esteem. In spite of his prodigious talent, unlike the great James Brown who reigned before him, he failed to convince his teeming fans to take him for who he was. He underwent many cosmetic surgeries and the after effects.., we all know. Therfore, it wasn't surprising when he told the world that he was a victim of a deprived childhood.

In contrast, our own Professor Wolf Soyinka, in his autobiography "AKE", narrated how his parents were able to mould him into becoming a success in life. Though his mother was not educated, yet her love and proper discipline molded him into becoming what and who he is today.

Parents should know that in as much as they love their children, they must take note of the following so that their good intent wouldn't boomerang.
~>If a child lives with CRITICISM, he will learn to CONDEMN.
~>If a child lives with HOSTILITY, he learns to FIGHT.
~>If a child lives with RIDICLE, he becomes shy and afraid.
~>If a child lives with SHAME, he learns to feel GUILTY.
~>If a child lives with TOLERANCE, he learns to be PATIENT.
~>If a child lives with ENCOURAGEMENT, he learns to APPRECIATE.
~>If a child lives with PRAISE, he learns to APPRECIATE.
~>If a child lives with FAIRNESS, he learns to be JUST.
~>If a child lives with APPROVAL, he learns to LOVE himself.
~>If a child lives with COMPARISON, he learns to be COMPETITIVE.

Finally parents, learn to pray, bless, listen, and your children rather than cursing, dictating for them. Allow them to make choices for themselves whenever they want to choose, all you have to do is to advise and pray for them. Trust me, if you gave done your homework (which is, bringing them up in the way they should go;the way of the Lord) I tell you that you have nothing to be afraid of because they'll never make the wrong choices. Parents make your children your friends, believe in their dreams and aspirations, celebrate their success and encourage them when they fail.

Remember that you are just a guide, a caretaker and not the owner of their lives so never push them to the wall. You should never see or take your children as investments, hoping to make profit off them someday or as a joker for you to win what ever game you are playing. Parents which is pronounced as PAY–RENTS, should actually pay all rents(bills) be it water, electricity, medical, shelter, or whatever. Do allow your children to handle your responsibilities while they are unmarried.You have lived your life, let them live theirs. All you have to do is to nurture them physically, spiritually, educationally, emotionally, mentally and otherwise, and see how God will bless you and your children.  CHEERS!

DEEPEST FEAR.

Marianne Williamson once said that "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It's our light and not our darkness that frightens us. We ask ourselves 'who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?'
Actually, whobarevyou ou ou not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There's nothing enlightening about shrinking so that other people around you don't fell insecure. We are born to manifest the glory of God that is with in us. It's not just in some of us, it's in everyone. And as we let the light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do same. And as we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically releases others'.

Are you the best you can be or are you just making do with your mundane existence because like hundreds before you, you are afraid. Fear is a terrible thing. Some fear are well founded, others imaginary but either way, fear isn't right. It's not of God and it's in fact a ploy of the devil, a cunning way of binding and clipping us as we seek for refuge.
The big question is what do we fear? We fear the unknown, we fear the future, we fear the myth, We fear having money, we fear having none, we fear for our loved ones. We fear what people will  say or think about us, we fear circumstances. We even fear humans, We fear friends, we fear enemies. I can go on and on.
The Bible endears us not to fear because fear isn't of God. It can cripple one into inactivity, it can cause you to become pompous in a bid to seem strong. Fear can make you do or say things that you'll later regret. It makes one an underachiever because of the fear of failure. The truth isthat as Christians, we have immense  strength more than we perhaps realise.'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me', is no idle talk. Think of David, imagine how terrible he would have felt if he had been overcome with fear, only to discover later that he could have defeated goliath so swiftly.

In life, there are so many obstacles.They may seem large and looming  but we have the strength to overcome, but  only  if we have faith and trust in the Lord. Fear put us in a cave in an uninhabited valley when we have every capability to be on the mountain's top.

Remember, fret not because God loves you, faint not because God holds you and finally, FEAR NOT because God keeps you. These three keys of real peace, will open the gates to our prison of fear, worries and discouragements. Cheers!

JUST ONE TREE.

Some time ago, on one cool breezy hamatan afternoon in Mkputu clan of Owerezukala village in Orumba south local government area of Anambra state. It's was the 26th day in December of that year, we were sitted on the balcony enjoying nature blessings ;from the different beautiful songs of the birds to the wonderful palm trees land scape, the hills, oh what a wonderful scenery it was. And most of all we were enjoying this with some kegs of fresh palm wine and bush meat from mkpurunma.

Amidst us was Daniel, a young man who was concerned and uncertain of his future and confused about which direction to take with his life. He sat quietly, watching squirrels stamper among the trees. He drew our attention to a squirrel that suddenly jumped from one high tree to another, aiming for a limb so far out of reach that the leap looked like sheer suicide.

Though the squirrel missed it's mark, it landed safely and seemingly unconcerned, on a branch several feet below. The squirrel then scampered upward to its original goal, and all was well.
"Funny thing" remarked an old man who was sitting by our side. "I' ve seen hundreds of them jump like that, a lot of  them miss, but I've never seen any hurting trying". Then the old man chuckled and added, "I guess they've got to risk something if they don't want to spend their lives in just one tree".
Daniel thought to himself aloud, "a squirrel takes a chance - have less nerve than a squirrel?"  Grabing a cup, he filled  it with palm wine, the same(palm wine) he refused drinking awhile ago and after some gulp, he told us that he has made up his mind to take the risk he has been considering and sure enough ;when we met a year later, he landed safer and higher than he had dared to imagine.

Break through confusion by taking a bold leap of faith .  As you take that risk today, pray, believe, persevere, have faith and I assure you that you'll be a trail blazer Cheers!

NEVER GIVE UP, NO MATTER THE OBSTACLES!

NEVER GIVE UP ON ANYTHING NO MATTER THE OBSTACLES!

It's madness to hate roses because you got scratched by one thorn. It's just not right to give up on your dreams and aspirations because of the obstacles and challenges you going through. Remember that if you are trying to achieve in life, there will be roadblocks. But obstacles don't have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb, go through or walk around it. NEVER GIVE UP ON ANYTHING, ALWAYS DETERMINE TO FIGHT TO THE END.

Obstacles/challenges /troubles are often tools by which God fashions us for better things. Difficulties are meant to rouse not to discourage. Challenges are what makes life interesting ; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful. No wonder, B. C FORBES  wrote "History has demonstrated that the most notable winners usually encountered heartbreaking obstacles before they triumphed. They won because they refused to get discouraged by their defeats".Finally  folks , believe in yourself and all that you are and know that there is no obstacle that can defeat you! Cheers. 

ASPIRATION

There's still room for the high adventure of attempting the impossible, what you need is Aspiration. Without it, seas would never have been crossed, poles ascended, instead of braving the upper air on the wings of the wind, man would still be creeping among the brutes that perish. Through aspiration, mountains were surveyed, islands discovered and valleys explored. Every researcher has a marked quality of it in his system. Nor was is not the spectacle through which the past heroes viewed their services for their father land?

In many great cases;the untiring effort of the Allied nations, the heroic services of athletes, the going of divers into the bottom of the sea and the ascension of astronauts to the moon, the search for knowledge by scientists in the tropical forest to the Greenland are unique efforts of men on whom aspiration had prevailed.
A man of aspiration is quite insatiable of his present achievement. He works his hands to the bone. His philosophy isn't equality with anybody but blazing the tray for everyone. A man full of aspiration sees beyond his microscopic environment. His optimization for his course of choice can no mortal man ward off. His motto is that of Oliver Goldsmith-"where determination is predominant, failure cannot dismantle the flag if success ". He says to those who praise themselves " if what you did yesterday is yet big before you, you haven't done anything today ".

Be a man of vision, be an epitome of selfless ambition, have aspiration  for your discipline or any other you love. Single yourself out of the multitude and try to make a remarkable grade in your course of choice. By this, you can become somebody for your family, community, city, state, nation and the world and successfully retain the divine service which you're relentlessly labored for, in the proper perspective, leaving a mark in the annals of history.

IF YOU WERE GLENN CUNNINGHAM.....?

The little country schoolhouse was heated by an old-fashioned, pot-
bellied coal stove. A eight-year-old boy named Glenn Cunningham
had the job of coming to school early each day so that he could use
kerosene to start the fire and warm the room before his teacher and
his classmates arrived. One cold morning someone mistakenly filled
the kerosene container he used with gasoline, and disaster struck.
The class and teacher arrived to find the schoolhouse engulfed in
flames. Terrified on realizing that Glenn was inside, they rushed in
and managed to drag the unconscious little boy out of the flaming
building more dead than alive. He had major burns over the lower
half of his body and was taken to a nearby county hospital.
From his bed, the dreadfully burned, semi-conscious little boy faintly
heard the doctor talking to his mother. The doctor told his mother
that her son would surely die – which was for the best, really – for
the terrible fire had devastated the lower half of his body.
But the brave boy didn't want to die. Glenn made up his mind that
he would survive. And somehow, to the amazement of the physician,
he did survive. Yet when the mortal danger was past, he again heard
the doctor and his mother speaking quietly. The mother was told
that since the fire had destroyed so much flesh in the lower part of
his body, it would almost be better if he had died, since he was
doomed to be a lifetime cripple with no use at all of his lower
limbs. His mother refused to let the doctors amputate.
Once more this brave little boy made up his mind. He would not be
a cripple. He would walk. But unfortunately from the waist down,
Glenn had no motor ability. His thin, scarred legs just dangled there,
all but lifeless.
Ultimately Glenn was released from the hospital. Every day
afterward his mother and father would massage his little legs, but
there was no feeling, no control, nothing. Yet his determination that
he would walk was as strong as ever.
When he wasn't in bed, he was confined to a wheelchair. One sunny
day his mother wheeled him out into the yard to get some fresh air.
This day, instead of sitting there, he threw himself from the chair.
Glenn pulled himself across the grass, dragging his legs behind him.
He worked his way to the white picket fence bordering their lot. With
great effort, he raised himself up on the fence. Then, stake by
stake, he began dragging himself along the fence, resolved that he
would walk. He started to do this every day until he wore a smooth
path all around the yard beside the fence. There was nothing he
wanted more than to develop life in those legs.
Ultimately through his daily massages, Glenn's iron persistence and
his resolute determination, he did develop the ability first to stand
up, then to walk haltingly with help, then to walk by himself – and
then miraculously – to run.
Glenn began to run to school. He ran for the sheer joy of running
and being able to run. He ran everywhere that he could. The people
in his town would often see him run by on his way to who knows
where and smile. Later in college Glenn made the track team where
his tremendous determination paid off. He eventually received the
nickname the "Kansas Flyer."
In February 1934, in New York City's famed Madison Square
Garden, this young man who was not expected to survive, who
would surely never walk, who could never hope to run – this
determined young man, Dr. Glenn Cunningham, ran the mile in four
minutes and eight seconds, the world's fastest indoor mile! Later
that same year in a prestigious outdoor track meet, he shaved
another second off his record to run the world's fastest mile to that
time . if you were  Dr. Cunningham would you have accepted the doctors verdict?

NOBODY IS WELL QUALIFIED TO DETERMINE YOUR FUTURE. YOUR FUTURE IS WHAT YOU MAKE OF IT. THE KEY IS IN YOUR HANDS. USE IT. Now that you know.... 

KNOWLEDGE & WISDOM

Knowledge
Smart people are full of knowledge. Knowledge is the
accumulation of facts. It empowers you to make educated
decisions about rational questions. It is gained through
experience, reading, listening and doing. Knowledge is
possible regardless of your age or experience level.
Wisdom
“Wisdom is the faculty of making the use of knowledge, a
combination of discernment, judgement, sagacity and
similar powers. If knowledge is the accumulation of facts
and intelligence the development of reason, wisdom is
emotional and spiritual discernment. More than knowledge,
it is the right application of knowledge in moral and
spiritual matters, in handling dilemmas, in negotiating
complex relationships. Wisdom is nine-tenths a matter of
being wise in time. Most of us are often too wise after the
event! It is insight into the heart of the matter.” Wise
people see beyond the facts and figures. They avoid
problems before they occur. Wisdom is gained through
experience, patience and listening.
It’s been said that smart people learn from their mistakes .
Do you agree?
One of my favorite quotes I’ve recently heard is this:
Smart people learn from their mistakes. Wise people
learn from the mistakes of others.
So which one are you? Are you the journeyman who has to
experience everything to learn or do you learn by the
actions of others? It’s often assumed that wisdom is a trait
reserved for the older wise man who sits in a chair of
power imparting his guidance. However, I have come to
believe that wisdom is available to anyone willing to
humble themselves enough to learn from the mistakes of
others. Rather than having to do things “their way,” wise
people follow the example of men greater than themselves... Cheers!

HAVING ONLY POSITIVE EXPECTATIONS!

Over time I have discovered there is no absolute finish line for everyone in the race of life. Our tracks are different and our durations are different. The only thing we have in common is the same empire. For instance, one person graduates @ age 20 and struggles for another 5 years to get a job, another might graduate @ 25 and get a job immediately. One can marry a virgin and wait for the next decade to have the blessings of children, another lady probably after having series of abortions in her past, becomes a mother almost immediately after marriage. A fellow becomes MD @ 38 and dies @ 56, another becomes MD @ 55 and lives to 90. What a life! Life is full of twists, turns, ups and downs and many more surprises and disappointments. Life offers each one of us different opportunities and once an opportunity is lost, it's gone forever except by the grace of God. It is up to each one of us to patiently prepare, wait, recognise and utilise every opportunity. We learn on the way. No one knows it all or has it better. There is a reason why we all don't fall @ the same time. It's so that when one is down, weak and discouraged, the other who is strong, can encourage and lift the other person. God never promise that the road would be easy but he promised never to leave nor forsake us. Although life is a competition, let us learn to go easy on ourselves and trust that God is working it all out for good (even if it doesn't make sense now). I know that there is a time for everything but most importantly that "  it will come to pass ". Whatever trials, challenges or down time , this too shall pass and in due course, u will be up and strong again to lift up those who maybe down around u......NEVER LOSE HOPE...cheers!