IN 2015 YOU SHOULD...

 


1.    KEEP GOD FIRST
Cliche? Maybe, but you can't neglect this. When you think about all the amazing things we can achieve and accumulate here on earth, but notice at the end of the day we leave them all here and go with none of them. So this world is just an opening act. So, God should be at the forefront of everything we dabble into. Reading the bible, praying, worshiping him is very important. With God's approval we can stand before any man/circumstance.

2.   NOT BE SCARED TO THINK
Notice I didn't say 'worry'. I mean think! Task your brain! Most times we are scared to think to certain places in our minds, scared to question ourselves, scared to admit our faults. Sometimes we are scared to think about our future, scared to generate and develop ideas we have. We have so much capacity to create amazing ideas in our brains that can be fruitful. So this coming year, fight the barrier of not thinking, of not tasking our brains.

3.  PLAN AHEAD
Jot down. We cannot predict the future, but we can take steps towards it. Most times we tend to head-plan and not write down bi-monthly/yearly goals we hope to achieve. It goes a long way. Strategize, draw business/growth plans, develop ideas. There is no limit to jotting down, just use it as an expression and pour out all your thoughts-in writing. Soon all the dots will connect.

4.   DO IT
Fear is a bitch. It fights us and always wants to defeat us. Whenever you have an idea, fear tells you stuff like "You're just one of many" or "you don't have capital or connections" or "theres no time", or procrastination kicks in and puts the final nail in the coffin. If you have an idea, after much research and strategizing, make steps, start the race, build the foundation and move towards actualizing them. We can't keep lying to ourselves that we aren't good enough.


5.   NOT DO ANYTHING FOR FREE
Simply put. Nothing good comes easy. Sometimes people tend to always seek services for free at a cost of friendship or familiarity. This new year, don't do anything for free. Time and effort is money and it's high time we realize that. Also you also should pay people for services they render no matter how small. Simple principles of business.



6.   NETWORK !!
Business is definitely built on relationships. Everywhere you go, network, sell yourself{market yourself}, Simple and short. Networking never goes wrong.



7.  DROP THEM, IF NEED BE.
As we grow older, we may grow past some of our friends/relationships and that's okay. You may not be into the things those friends do, and there's just no correlation. Friendship should be built on mutualism. Gaining from each other, learning, growing off each other. Your friends have to be in line with your goals. If not, drop them off. Life is too short to carry excessive weight. Always try to have intellectual conversations that you can feed off.



8.  RESEARCH
We plainly hate doing this. But it very important. Going into a business? Do lots and lots of market research. Basically, ask questions from people who run similar businesses or have past experiences, use 'GOOGLE' !! It's so simple yet so difficult. EVERYTHING you need is on there. Proper research helps cover all the loopholes there is going into any business/field.



9.  PUT YOUR PHONE DOWN
Can we just put it down? Try and leverage the beneficial activities you do and match it up against the hours you use your phone doing basically "nothing''. When you do use your phone try researching on your interests, look for opportunities. Its seems simple but its very hard. Doing other leisure stuff like chatting, using Instagram, Tumblr and all are very enticing but at the same time highly time consuming and as we know TIME is money.





10. LIVE A LITTLE
Why not? Don't be too hard on yourself. Loosen up, warm up to others, don't be stuck up, being stuck up isn't the new cool. Dance! a lot.. Laugh a whole lot too, its free at least. Its okay to have free-spirited conversations too, you can't have intellectual conversations all the time, ease up sometimes. Also create lots of family time, they are the most important people in our lives.

DO "MARRIAGES" STILL WORK ?

 

                            
                           
                                       


  Back and forth, back and forth. Basically today, I saw a marriage that had reached it's climax. The husband literally told his wife, that he can no longer put up with her and she should leave their matrimonial  home before he returned from work. In my mind I thought " The f+ck was happily ever after meant to be then ?" Back and forth, back  and forth, she kept running her mouth, till he got up and landed a warm (lol) slap on her cheek. Discussing with my cousin, I was just thinking like go home, sit down, agree for changes, make up, have good sex or something and move on..Like it was that easy... We then came to a conclusion that the "marriage" institution  is fading away and washed up. Yes. I don't know if people get married for acclaim, or for childbearing, or for "marriage" sake, or "getting old" sake. Some give up two months in, one year in, was marriage supposed to be beans ? I am getting confused mehn. The husband gave an excuse of neglect from the wife, and hence his reason for cheating.. Reason enough? I don't know.. Another situation I happen to know of, The husband married this lady, they had two children, and he left for America for over 20 years... Only to return, and take the children, and leave the wife behind..  I couldn't and still cannot and will not be able to get my head around this one.. Never.  Cruelty at the highest level.  I happened to witness one of the most unconditional love ever, with my grandfather and my grandmother. He was bed ridden for almost 20 years with stroke, and this woman never left his side, even to the point where all his body parts had failed, she stood by her husband. I felt the love when in their presence. So, is it the current generation that are neglecting "marriage"? Or we aren't just here for marriage? 
    Forth and Forth, In all I realized WOMEN/WIVES are strong, beyond physical strength, God gave them higher levels of endurance, in the woman I saw today, I saw a woman even through strife, she did not want to lose her man, she was fighting for what belonged to her, and remember the man was already opting out, SMH ! (Lol)

THE EMEZI SISTERS.

Running through the INTERNET, I found these "sisters' of mine, who are from my state, ABIA STATE, IN NIGERIA. AKWAEKE EMEZI AND YAGAZIE EMEZI. Both are extremely artsy beings. I love the aura of nature and simplicity they ooze. It gives me "INDIE VIBES'' i'm inspired. They grew up in Umuahia and Aba in Abia State, before later moving to the United States of America.

• AKWAEKWE EMEZI. 

WRITER, FILMAKER AND PHOTOGRAPHER.
Her bio on her website reads- Akwaeke Emezi is an Igbo and Tamil writer and filmmaker based in liminal spaces. She was born in Umuahia and raised in Aba, Nigeria. Her work is often set in a landscape of disquietude, excavating the surface to reveal forces of psychosexual dislocation and violence. Brutal and surreal, it pushes past comfortable morality to honestly explore the margins of humanity. 
Here are some of her amazing photos.



 
   Aze has some short films, which are amazing like UDUDEAGU, find the videos here - AKWAEKES VIDEOS
Follow her on instagram @azemezi 
Website- azemezi.com

• YAGAZIE EMEZI

VISUAL CURATOR, CARTOONIST, VIDEO BLOGGER.

Her bio reads- Yagazie Ledi Francisca Emezi was born and raised in Aba, Nigeria and moved to the United States in 2005 where her love and yearning for home led to an intensified passion for Africa and the arts. She is also a visual artist and cartoonist, as well as a video blogger whose YouTube channel is a popular digital platform that discusses social issues, hilarious snippets of personal life, and a plethora of topics rarely addressed openly in African communities, such as eating disorders and sexuality. She is currently relocating back to the continent. visit http://www.yagazieemezi.com for more.

WATCH ONE OF HER VIDEOS BELOW

• BE INSPIRED.

ARTIST FEATURE x TwoMacks

  With today presenting it's fair share of ups and downs, I thank God for life. Eventful day from the continued search/protests for the missing (about 234 in number) girls in my country, Nigeria, I would just describe this as inhumane. SIGN THE PETITION TO GET THESE GIRLS BACK HOME HERE !!
Through and through, I was able to find inspiration to post, and I found it in WHITNEY .C. MITCHELL ( TwoMacks). I cannot remember how I found her, but I went through her Instagram for about 30 minutes and I did my research, and I want to share. The kind of artist I love, with amazing photographs, realer than life and close to home, I was blown away by the simplicity, with a tinge of complexity of these pictures and more........


Picture Gallery------->>>


                        
                                    
                                    
                                    
                                    
                                    
                                    
                                    
                                    
                                    
                                    
                                    
                                    
                                    
                                    
                                    
                                    
                                    
                                    
                                    
                                    
                                    
                                    
                                    
                                    
                                    
                                    
                                    
                                    
                                    
                                   

                                 



Write-up---->

q & a

What happens: 
- to butterflies when he’s touched all the wings?
- if dared to befriend a man once loved?
- if opportunity knocks on hollowed doors?
- if the red bull is flat?
- if everything said was someone’s stolen truth?
Answer.
- you learn to toss the caterpillars that fear the brew of your cocoon.
- chose truth, set ink on idle hands and drink as much ice cream as possible.
- keep writing, God’s favor ushers in patience and choice.
- borrow used wings.
- remind yourself what boundaries protect, look in the mirror and kiss beauty a time for each moment of neglect.

when answers aren’t enough, dreaming is the remedy.

by Whitney Mitchell (TwoMacks)

Find her on-
Instagram- HERE
Tumblr- HERE
Vimeo- HERE
                                   

TALK IS CHEAP.

x.  Talk is indeed cheap. It's always so easy to pass judgment, down-cast someone, with our mouths, it doesn't cost a thing literally. Here are my guidelines to maximizing OUR talking potential.Yes.

• NO FILTER.

Yes indeed. I learnt recently to blurt out what I feel, it really helps. We probably try to sugar coat our words to suit people or norms and stuff, but, Stand for nothing, fall for anything. The moment we start speaking our minds, people start accepting our personalities more. If you feel the need to critique, please do. In some cases people tend to "filter" their words for fear of being misunderstood and other consequences that may follow, but its not a crime to be misunderstood. If you feel a situation or a relationship is not working, say it how you feel, don't endure and try to bit around the bush in fear of provoking the other party. You cannot be a "YES" man. Its really absurd that we do this sometimes, how can you not express yourself, and let feelings mould up inside you ? Do not compromise anything.

• STOP THE TONGUE-IN-CHEEK

I believe everybody gossips. The chit-chat never stops. Stop being in other people's business, you have yours to cater for, I tell myself this too. When you are in a situation where someone is being talked about, at their back, in a disrespectful or rude way, you really should leave the scene and don't utter a word. "The person you gossip with, will gossip about you". So true, its a cycle that never ends. If its something you cannot tell the person face-to-face, then it's not worth speaking of. When you feel like someone offended you or crossed a line, you should speak to them, rather than adding other parties to dissect the story and move it on to the next awaiting ears. Lets cut out ill talk, it has never payed..

• KEEP TO YOUR WORD

Very, very important. Do not make empty, baseless, unfulfilled promises. Most times, we become too much of a "YES' man, and we forget the countless promises we made. We should not give our word cheaply. Talk is really cheap, and without action it's DEAD. When we speak, we have to back it up. People who talk, talk, and never act are Cowards, they cannot keep their word. It leads to distrust. You don't have to promise if you won't carry out, rather not.

• TALK MORE, TALK LESS

I couldn't decide which was better of, talking less or more, so I put them together. There needs to be balance, for real, balance is one of the most important things in life. In some cases, we need to talk more, you need to share your ideas and not be trampled upon by other people's words, everybody deserves to be heard, hence, we need to to eradicate 'The fear of being wrong", I really have battled this, and just speak and share ideas and thoughts. On the other hand, some times we need to talk less and listen more. Absorb information, and add input, when needed. Its great to listen, but don't sit there listening all along, without chirping in something, when you have something to contribute. Be heard! Imagine if you had the idea that could change a whole situation, and you are sat there thinking of when could be the right time to talk, and at the end of the day, you do not speak. If you believe in something, SAY IT.

• SPEAK WITH PURPOSE

Yes, speak with purpose, intellect, direction and with right timing. Don't be lousy with your speech, (unless you are in a jovial set up, with maybe close friends), but do not be know as a Blank talker. You should not  just speak and it does not connect, educate, raise arguments, influence, or create.  

 

----> Finally, all these points are all seamlessly connected, and the most important thing is we should talk wisely, and not loosely, and back it up with actions.

" Talk is cheap when your words are of no value” 
 -Habeeb Akande.

   

P.S- See music playlist of the week  HERE

IN LOVING MEMORY, SAM BERNS - MY PHILOSOPHY FOR A HAPPY LIFE (TedX Talks)

• VIDEO> SAM BERNS , TED X TALKS- My philosophy for a happy Life.

 I did not plan to do a post today, but I had to after seeing this video(video above) of the late,  SAM BERNS.  Here is a link to the video too..>  SAM BERNS- MY PHILOSOPHY FOR A HAPPY LIFE.

  Sam Berns was Junior at Foxboro High School  in Foxboro, Massachusetts, where he has achieved highest honors and as a percussion section leader in the high school marching band. He recently achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America. Sam was diagnosed with Progeria, a rare, rapid aging disease, at the age of 2. He is featured in the documentary Life According to Sam, which  premiered on HBO on October 21, 2013.
  Sam was talking about looking past the negativity and acknowledging what we have and what is important. He prioritized thinking positively, looking forward to exciting events and not hammering of the fact he had a deadly, rare disease.  I have always believed in this message, nothing is more paramount than being happy. "We see each other for who we are on the inside". Sam said this concerning him and his friends this is so important. Sam died on the 10th of January, May his Soul rest in peace. It hurts to see that all the dreams he had, and mentioned in this video, and all the brevity and strength he showed, he couldn't achieve them, but he was happy till the end. And that's life, its unpredictable and it's the things that last, the moments we cherish we should strive for. This video is so inspiring and emotional, SAM was a GREAT SOUL. Its a must watch...

• Remembering Sam Berns (VIDEO BELOW)

.

COACHELLA !!! + MUSIC PLAYLIST

 

COACHELLA Valley & ARTS Festival, in California, USA. I've never attended, for obvious reasons , distance, but I've been following since I discovered it in 2010. Coachella screams hipster, indie fashion to me, stadium-filling alternative/folk music playing, and just running around and laying on the grass, basking in the sun. This years festival ,divided into two weekends, (the first weekend just concluded), has been eventful to say the least. I streamed Outkast's BIG  comeback performance on my laptop, honestly I LOVE them, but the Crowd was dull, I wanted to turn off the stream, only for Andre to mention PRINCE was backstage, I waited till the last minute because, If you know Prince, he can appear in glitters in any second. Sadly, he did not show up. Other notable performers were MUSE, NAS (Jayz ,made a suprise cameo appearance during Dead Presidents), and Diddy, PHARRELL, he brought out GWEN STEFANI, and others, LANA DEL REY, KID CUDI( He wore a female-esque crop-top, that has been making rounds in the tabloids), SOLANGE(with Beyonce making a suprise-cameo appearance during the "Losing You" dance break), Chance the rapper, bringing out Bieber, Jhene Aiko, Haim, Mary J Blige, Arcade Fire, ASAP Ferg, and many more.Pop culture was well represented this year, as opposed to the more alternative nature. I cant wait for my own Coachella experience, just cant !!!! Pictures Below..

•  Coachella Performances...

                     
                                                     x Andre 3000 + Big Boi(Outkast) + Future.
                                          
                                                                           x Solange x Beyonce during "Losing You"
                                          
                                                                  x Pharrell
                                
                                                               x Pharrell x Gwen Stefani
                                
                                                          x Chance the rapper x Justin Bieber
                                
                                                                      x Muse
                                
                                                                       xLorde
                                
                                                                   xLana del rey
                                
                                                                    xMary J Blige
                                
                                                              Jay x Nas

                         

• -- Coachella PEOPLE + FASHION.......

                         
                                 
                                 

                      
                                 
                                  
                                  
                                  

                                  
                                  
                                  
                                  
                                  
                                  
                                  
                                 
                                 
                               
                       
                                 
                                 
                                 
                               
                                 
                       
                                 
                                 
                                 
                                 x The Infamous Kid Cudi, Crop Top, FASHION STATEMENT !! Lol

 In the Spirit of Coachella, my Playlist of the week (Last week)...

                   This playlist is a mixture of genres, and live performances, Bi-polar.

•  Justin Timberlake- Pusher Love Girl

RnB groove at is finest,with smooth falsetto tone, and classical arrangements, Timberlake always delivers. I don't use the second part of the song though, highly unnecessary, TUNE !! Listen Below...

• Wizkid- Joy/No Woman No Cry (Live )

Stumbled upon this video and it was pretty impressive, love the melody of the song, and the cover of Bob marley's tune, Watch Below...

• JAYZ x KANYE WEST- GOTTA HAVE IT. (Live )

My favorite song on Watch The Throne, such a hype track, with flawless samples, GET INTO THIS TRACK !

• TAMAR BRAXTON- THE ONE

Tamar silently had one of the best albums in 2013, bringing RnB back to existence. This mid-tempo track is everything ! Listen...

• Janelle Monae ft Miguel- Primetime

This ballad reminds me of Prince with the guitar solo, and live instrumentation, Janelle is a creative force, Miguel is a force to reckon with in RnB.. Listen...

• Jackson 5- Wanna Be Where You Are

With Michael's whiny voice written all over this track, this was the soundtrack of many growing up, Great Throwback. Listen..

• Chris Brown ft Lil wayne and French Montana- LoYaL

Tuuune !!! JAM ! EVERYTHING ! Listen..

• Diana Ross and Smokey Robinson- Missing You(Live)

Diana is the Queen of Queens, and Smokey still can hit those notes till today, MOTOWN ROYALTY, WATCH..