Kingsley Osajie

Money Matters

Money is a subject of great interest to most people and most people want to get more of it. The lawless ones among us see robbery, arson and other forms of stealing as their way to it. Others enrich themselves by using the posts they occupy in companies or government departments to collect bribes or pickups for the award of contracts. Those without financial acumen whatever will merely save any money they acquire by keeping it in the proverbial box under the bed or hole in the ground in which case, clearly it earn no interest. But most people with legacy to spare will think of some kind of holdings, acting on the sound principle that one sum of money can be made to grow into a larger sum.

This can happen in various ways. In Nigeria, small businesses are very popular; saving becomes the foundation needed to establish a provision shop, say or to run a taxi. Although this type of business entails some risks it also offers the prospect of fairly quick and sometimes quite healthy credits. Less enterprising citizens will prefer to put their money in savings or mortgage accounts in banks or they purchase interests-bearing government obligations or stakes in companies that pay a regular refund.

Trading in stocks and shares is what large scale financial dealings are all about and in Nigeria as in other countries these are entirely carried out through the Stock Exchange. The Nigerian Stock Exchange has trading floors in Lagos, Port Harcourt and Kano; it also has branches in Kaduna, Onitsha and Ibadan. The middlemen of the Stock Exchange are known as stockbrokers; they buy and sell shares on behalf of clients for which they charge a tax. Often the client is a company seeking to purchase shares in another company, sometimes with a view to taking over completely. The reason is that several companies operate in a particular line of business. E.g. timber production or textiles and each have a natural interest in driving out competitors and establishing a uniformity.

However, some of those dealing in the Stock Exchange are not there to further the interests of a company engaged in productive business; they are there merely to accumulate that is to purchase shares when they are relatively cheap and sell them again when they fetch higher price. At any time certain shares are increasing in attractiveness and price while others are less attractive and their price is falling.

Occasionally, there is a general loss of confidence in the Stock Exchange, people rush to sell all their shares and there may even be a worldwide Stock Market strike.

The Kind Lady! Oh….! How Sweet and Heartwarming!!

Lavonda Wright Myers and Jayden Sutton: Legit News

Lady Gifts Secondary School boy Who Treks Long Distance to Work a New Car, She Said His Heart Made Her Cry

A kindhearted lady identified as Lavonda Wright Myers has put a smile on the face of a secondary schoolboy who treks long hours to work After her first encounter with the 18-year-old boy named Jayden Sutton, Myers took it upon herself to get him a new car and made good with that vow Speaking on what inspired her kind gesture, the businesswoman said his heart and determination made her cry.

A young boy’s hard work and positive approach to life have earned him a life-changing gesture from a stranger. 18-year-old secondary school student, Jayden Sutton who is from Cobb County, Georgia, US was surprised with a new whip by a kind woman who had given him a ride in her car.

Determined against all odds, the young lad would trek about 7 miles every day after closing from school by 3:30 pm to do his shift of 6-7 hours at the restaurant.

By the time he finished work and trekked back, Jayden would arrive home by 11:30 pm. A date with destiny On December 10, 2020, a lady identified as Lavonda Wright Myers was driving by when she saw the boy trekking in the rain. The businesswoman offered him a ride and learnt about his touching story of how he trekked because of his inability to pay for Uber rides.

“Once I dropped him off to work, his heart and determination filled my eyes with tears.” He said, ‘Ma’am, I walk because I have to.’

“He was smiling in good spirits, and that’s a child worth blessing,” she told newsmen.

She immediately moved into action From that point, the woman vowed to get him a car and shared his story online as well as set up a GoFundMe page for him. Within days of setting the page, it received $6,635 (N.7 million) in donations.

She bargained with a car dealer to bring a Honda price from $7,800 (N3.2 million) to $7,000 (2.9 million) and added $635 of her own money to complete it. Jayden was overwhelmed with joy and showered encomiums on Myers for the car gift. In his words: “I love her for it. I just want to thank you so much, you don’t even understand how much. “I knew that if I had to walk to work every day to get a car, that is what I was going to do. If you’re doing something good or trying to reach a goal, keep doing it. You might get some help. That’s what happened to me.”

GOD DID IT YALL 😭🙌🏾 ‼️Plz know GOD PROVIDES‼️🗣Jayden no more walking 7 miles to work after school young man. GOD bless everyone that donated entrusting me & GOD with your seed I declare a 100 fold return. On, Dec 10, I passed a 12th grade stranger walking in a light rain at the speed of lightning headed to work after school. After working a 7hr shift, He would walk miles back in the cold arriving home around 1130pm at night with this same smile! I gave him a ride to work on DEC 10th and I told him in BOLD FAITH the next time you see me it’ll be with a car the lord’s going to bless you with. We prayed together on the steps of his job and activated our faith! This child nor his family never asked me for a penny it was all GOD‼️I sowed my seed first on Dec 11th, created Gofund me on Dec 12th with a goal of $4,000 and within 30days GOD demonstrated his love, power and ability to provide over/above my goal with a $7,000 miracle in the middle of a pandemic. Thank you Jesus for an ear to hear, a heart ❤for your people and the obedience to be a blessing in this World 🌎 His mom’s car was recently totaled and she was laid off from work. If you’d like to be a blessing to her as well you can give on the Gofund link on my Facebook page posted on Dec 12th. 👈🏾 I definitely heard GOD clearly concerning this family. She said this act of kindness from a genuine heart expecting nothing in return has blown her mind. She thanks me daily by text and tears of gratefulness is her sentiments to GOD and everyone that gave. Jayden Sutton will never forget this reward for his Faithulness over a few things as an amazing YOUNG BLACK MAN!!!! All the Glory belongs to you GOD! I bless your great NAME 😭 Everyone from around the world that donated, believed and prayed with me thank you for trusting me with every penny and I bless GOD for your sacrifice. I declare it returns to you 100 fold. My husband was overly supportive and found the perfect car for Jayden🚗 Nalley Honda Dealership heard the story and dropped the price for us as well to meet budget 🙌🏾 GOD’S FAVOR & 🖐🏾was evident all around. 🙏🏾‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️

Netizens shower encomiums on the kind lady Wanda Morrison said: “You are so amazing, My God continue to bless you so that you can be a blessing to others. This is also my prayer for others and myself as well.” Dynomite Jones stated: “Lord !!!!Bless this child and u as well plus blessings towards anyone that took the time out to donate!!!!My heart is filled.”

Michael Anderson wrote:

“Cuz you have always had a heart for other people even for me may God continue to bless you and may you never change reap the harvest he promised you!!! You shall and you will recover it all! Love you!!”

Sherri Wright opined: “God Bless you abundantly for hearing Him and willing to do the work so God could put His Super on the natural!! You just ENLARGE YOUR TERRITORY and increased the faith of everyone that gave and that family!”

Source: Legit News,

https://www.legit.ng/people/1457602-kind-lady-gifts-secondary-schoolboy-who-treks-long-distance-work-a-new-car-she-said-his-heart-made-her-cry/

Talking About Intelligence

Hi there!! I wanted to tell us about Intelligence. Hence I am sharing this post with us today, Hope you enjoy reading through it.

According to Psychologists, there are four types of Intelligence:

1) Intelligence Quotient (IQ)

2) Emotional Quotient (EQ)

3) Social Quotient (SQ)

4) Adversity Quotient (AQ)

1. Intelligence Quotient (IQ): this is the measure of your level of comprehension. You need IQ to solve maths, memorize things, and recall lessons.

2. Emotional Quotient (EQ): this is the measure of your ability to maintain peace with others, keep to time, be responsible, be honest, respect boundaries, be humble, genuine and considerate.

3. Social Quotient (SQ): this is the measure of your ability to build a network of friends and maintain it over a long period of time.

People that have higher EQ and SQ tend to go further in life than those with a high IQ but low EQ and SQ. Most schools capitalize on improving IQ levels while EQ and SQ are played down.

A man of high IQ can end up being employed by a man of high EQ and SQ even though he has an average IQ.

Your EQ represents your Character, while your SQ represents your Charisma. Give in to habits that will improve these three Qs, especially your EQ and SQ.

Now there is a 4th one, a new paradigm:

4. The Adversity Quotient (AQ): The measure of your ability to go through a rough patch in life, and come out of it without losing your mind.

When faced with troubles, AQ determines who will give up, who will abandon their family, and who will consider suicide.

Parents please expose your children to other areas of life than just Academics. They should adore manual labour (never use work as a form of punishment), Sports and Arts. Develop their IQ, as well as their EQ, SQ and AQ. They should become multifaceted human beings able to do things independently of their parents.

Finally, do not prepare the road for your children. Prepare your children for the road.”

(Copied)

The Three Men Who Looked for Death and Found It!!!

Long time ago in a faraway land; a wealthy young man died in that land. His death was SO mysterious and painful that it actually SPARKED curiosity among the people of that land. Filled with curiosity, three men decided to embark on a journey to find death and put death out of existence!! Is that possible?

They told the people of the land that they were going to find death and put death out of existence. Some people laughed at them others were surprised and suspicious of their movement. Some of the people in the land called them all kinds of names and how foolish their mission was!! But these three men were too determined to be discouraged so they embarked on their journey to find death and put death out of existence.

After walking a very long distance, they came across a huge baobab tree. The three young men enter and sat under the baobab tree. Surprisingly to them there was calabash filled with gold coins in it!!! They knelt down and screamed, “WE ARE RICH”!!

First Man: There is no need for any of us to work again!! We can buy clothes, house, horses and wives. The world is ours!! The whole world is under our feet!!

The Second Man: Friends, listen! What are we going to do? If we take this money home now; people will say that we stole it. We have to be careful. Let us wait until nightfall

Third Man: A very good idea!! Then we can take the gold home. Nobody will know anything about it.

First Man: But we cannot wait here all day. We have nothing to eat and we have finished the water we have with us already

Second Man: I was thinking the same thing. I have three straws in my hand. The one who chooses the shortest will go and get some food and drink. The others will stay and guard the money

Third Man: Good idea!!

First Man: Agreed!

Second Man: I am always the one who does the work. I do not have any money to buy food and drink

Third Man: I am always the man who pays for everything! Ok, take this money and go to the town—buy us food and drink. Don’t forget the change!

First Man: Alright, my friends see you soon

Second Man: (thinks to himself) If I have all the money myself, and did not have to share with the other two. I would be very rich!! But I cannot fight these two. There is only one thing I can do. I will visit a witch doctor….

Second Man: (arrives the witch doctor’s shrine)

Witch doctor: Greetings! What do you want from me? I have some excellent bat teeth to help you see in the dark, or perhaps you would like some snake blood to make your girlfriend love you

Second Man: No. I want some poison—some very powerful strong poison

Witch Doctor: Aha! I have some that are very strong that the smallest drop will kill a man in seconds. Don’t make any mistake with it!

Second Man: Thank you wise one! (Pays the Witch Doctor and pours the poison into two bottles of wine)

Third Man: You know, I have been thinking…there is not enough money for all three of us. You know.

Second Man: But what can we do? The other guy is coming back soon

Third Man: Two are stronger than one! When the other guy comes back, we will wait till he sits down and then we will both stab him

Second Man: And then we will both share the money between us! All right! Agreed—but look out here he comes!!

First Man: Hey my friends, I am back. I have bought some food and drinks for us to enjoy

Second Man: Welcome! Come and sit down

Third Man: Sit down let us eat first and then count the money

First Man: Ok (sits down)

Second Man and Third Man: (grabs the First Man and stabs him with their knives)

Second Man: You see, I told you it was easy! Now you and I can share the whole money between the two of us

Third Man: Yes, greed, I was getting tired of First Man. He was always grumbling and he never had any to pay his rounds of drinks

Second Man: Let us forget him. We will bury his body in minutes. Let us have a drink first to celebrate!

Third Man and Second Man: (takes the bottles of wine and started to drink to celebrate. Few minutes later….they both dies)

That was how the Three Men found death when they least expected it

The End.

Love, Romance and Valentine’s Day: Are They Really Connected?

The concept of Valentine’s Day celebration is something I did not understand until I graduated from college. By the way, I am Maverick. So I don’t usually follow the societal programming. For example, I “laugh” at people during Christmas celebration. That’s not say that I don’t receive Christmas gifts. I do, but there is a reason why I said I laugh at people during Christmas celebration. I will share my reasons with you in my next post.

Back to Valentine’s Day celebration; they say that the Valentine’s Day celebration is Lover’s day. I am certainly not against people who are celebrating Valentine’s Day or Christmas celebration. But I wish people would understand some things. Not because I am single is my reason for saying this. Countless times I have heard people say that they “fell in love.” I remind you that I am also quirky. So I want to add my quirkiness. Here it goes: “I don’t want to fall in love. I would rather be in love. There is a difference between the two. Falling in love and be-in Love.

When you fall in love you also fall out of love. When you are in love you are embodying love in your being. You BE-come Love. You are loved and BE-LOVED! You Do as a loving/lovely person should/would. Then you have Love—equals to: Be. Do. Have. This can also be translated to mean: be doing what you want to have…it is just my own personal opinion and belief that is unique to me. It might not make sense to others and that’s okay too.

There is something I want to share with you about this Valentine’s Day. It is from Dr. Kristin Neff. I hope you enjoy reading through it as much as I did. You should learn something from it too. Let me also add that I really agree with Dr. Kristin Neff and thanks to her for such an insightful perspective!! I believe so much in compassion: compassion on one’s self and compassion towards others; this is the message Guan Yin has been teaching us. Think about this:

“Until compassion is spread to all of creation, humanity will never find peace.”

Albert Schweitzer

Meeting Romantic Yearnings With Compassion

Dear friends,

As Valentine’s Day approaches, romance is in the air. Stores are full of bouquets and chocolate-covered strawberries, selling us myriad ways to celebrate love.

Some people are in fulfilling romantic relationships and Valentine’s Day is a wonderful opportunity to express appreciation for one’s partner. The problem, however, is the not-so-subtle message that romance is necessary for our happiness – that we need someone else to complete us.

The truth is we don’t need to connect with a romantic partner to be whole, we need to connect with our true nature to be whole. Women especially are raised with the notion that our worth stems from finding someone to love and cherish us. We’re taught that our value is derived from the adoring eyes of another, and if we aren’t in a relationship with someone who cares about us, we must be a failure.

These deep-rooted cultural beliefs are spotlighted on Valentine’s Day, and can be painful if we don’t have a partner or if our relationship isn’t what we’d like it to be

We often yearn for that feeling of intimacy, of closeness, of oneness, and feel dissatisfied if it’s lacking. These unfulfilled yearnings, though painful, are actually invaluable guideposts. They’re signals that we’re looking in the wrong place for happiness.

Feelings of incompleteness stem from the misperception that we are separate from life, isolated individuals removed from the whole. When we give compassion to ourselves for our unfulfilled yearnings, we become that which we seek.

By opening our hearts to our pain and remembering this shared aspect of the human experience, we experience true intimacy with life. Happiness doesn’t depend on circumstances, it arises from connecting with the loving quality of awareness, which can hold feelings of loneliness and romance equally.

So if feelings of sadness or dissatisfaction arise for you this Valentine’s Day, try to seize them as an opportunity to see through the illusion of separation. Our real Valentine is the loving nature of our own hearts.

Warmly,

Kristin Neff

https://self-compassion.org/

Compassion as Epitomized by Guan Yin

Compassion is a word that sounds so sweet in the tongue and yes it is a very beautiful virtue to have. “Until we extend our circle of compassion to all living things, humanity will not find peace.” – Albert Schweitzer.

On my own personal journey of spiritual awakening and personal development; I have Guan Yin (also Kwan Yin) an EPITOME of Compassion. How did I discover this BEAUTIFUL and POWERFUL Goddess?

My experience and connection with Guan Yin began when I was a Jehovah’s Witness (around 2011/2012). There were two publications by the Jehovah’s Witness. One is Mankind Search for God and Keep Yourselves in God’s Love; in one of these two publications Holy Mother Mary and Guan Yin was talked about. Guan was adorned with a golden gown carrying a baby. As I was already familiar with Holy Mother Mary; I became curious about Guan Yin! I was like “Goddess of mercy? How? Why…”? But my curiosity did not stop there. I could remember using a friend’s phone when I was in college to read about Guan Yin (for the virtues of Guan Yin TRULY captured my attention!! At that time and has been endearing and enchanting to date and will always be forever!).

When I finally left Jehovah’s Witness in October 2013; my quest for Truth, Light and my journey to Spirituality and spiritual awakening began. I began exploring Eastern spirituality: for some reason which I have not known yet; I am subliminally drawn to Eastern Spirituality. I have a thing for Eastern spirituality.

As my connection and relationship with Guan Yin began to blossom; I became more drawn towards compassion. With Guan Yin; I have grown more to appreciate compassion. Compassion for one’s self and compassion towards others: this is what Guan Yin is teaching us. Every since I have developed a connection with Guan Yin there have been remarkable changes in my life as I am embracing more of compassion each day and striving towards being a better human being; I affectionately refer to Guan Yin as my Mother (and I am Her child).

I am fond of playing the compassionate mantras of Guan Yin: they are SO healing, sublime, uplifting and peaceful. Suffice to say that they could leave you in joyful tears with goosebumps (as I always experience when I am playing them). Even as I am typing this article I have been playing them on repeat (Lol). These mantras keep you in mindfulness, empowered, grateful and blissful!! I am talking about the Om Mani Padme Hum and Namo Guan Shi Yin Pusa; if you have ever played these mantras you will understand my reason for loving Guan Yin and I am sure you will confirm what I have said. I have the pictures of Guan Yin in my room.

About two weeks ago, I was going to the farm and mindfully singing the Namo Guan Shi Yin Pusa quietly to myself; unknowingly to me; there was trouble and danger ahead of me; but it was averted (maybe I would not have been alive to write this as it was something was about to lead to bloodshed…).

Trust me; Guan Yin is a force to reckon with! A Goddess to be honoured and respected; She is preeminent. I follow the teachings and wisdom of Guan Yin. In truth, compassion is the pill the world need today because if we all have compassion on ourselves and towards one another there would be no wickedness, racism or trouble as there would be understanding, peace and harmony in the world!

May All Beings be free from Suffering

May All Beings receive Illumination

I will round up this article with some quotes from Guan Yin

“Sit with me in divine faith and believe in me. And I will be there. This goes for all beings…It is difficult for some to hear the voices of the Divine Spirit. This may be because some are so invested in material things. I understand. I feel a deep compassion for these human beings. Material things are a temporary relief from pain.” Kwan Yin

“Some believe I am in servitude to Buddha. However, Buddha doesn’t see it like that. We’re more like brother and sister. There is a difference. I come to people in many forms, forms constructed from people’s own perceptions of how I should come to them. And it is individual spiritual needs that create these unique perceptions. In the end, it does not matter what form I take.” – Kwan Yin

“A life should definitely belong to the one who tries to saves it, not one who tries to take it.” -Kwan Yin

An Unscriptural Doctrine of the Catholic Church That MUST Be Stopped!!

Pope Francis: American Magazine.org
(via Google images)

To be honest, I have always wanted to write about this. Frankly speaking, it was in my bucket list just that I have been busy with other stuffs. Once I read the newsheadline about Reinhard Marx speaking about it I knew it was a reminder to join force with him to also speak against this unscriptural practices and doctrine of the Catholic Church!!

The Catholic Church seems to attempt being altruistic and compassionate BUT all the same they have MISSED IT for a very long time. And it is only pertinent that they change this unscriptural practice because it is baseless, unscriptural and enslaving. What is this unscriptural practice of the Catholic Church? Celibacy; serving God should and is not required to make you a barren. In the same Bible we have been told to go into the world and multiply. If ever someone wants to serve God as a celibate that should be something that comes from the person’s willingness—just the person’s volition!! But making it a compulsory requirement is unscriptural.

We have heard and seen cases were Catholic Priests are been found in the act of fornication and abuse of children sexually (pedophile) all of which are born out of the enslavement they are in. How about the so-called Reverend Sisters; they are not left out as they are still involved all manners of sexual activities. I used to teach in a Catholic School; the so-called Reverend Sisters are NOTHING to write home about as it is very obvious that they are not virgins. Even if they claim to be emulating the footsteps of Holy Mother Mary; but their lifestyle and character is NEVER in harmony with the example of Holy Mother Mary.

There are Rev. Fathers and Catholic Priests who have children, wife and girlfriends secretly. This is not something that is supposed to done in a hidden way; but because of the religious bondage they are in, they have to play “hide-and-seek.” Let us say the truth: is that allowed? Was it supposed to be so? Even the Jesus Christ they are emulating did not put a law that one must be a celibate to follow him. Mary gave birth to other children apart from Jesus Christ!

Sex is part of human existence. I have always said it and will keep saying it: religion is another form of colonialism and brainwashing—that is why I left religion years and I could not have made a better choice!

I also want to thank Reinhard Marx for speaking up on this unscriptural doctrine of the Catholic Church. I strongly believe that Reinhard Marx is making a ripple effect with such boldness of speaking the TRUTH! Also, I sincerely desire that other people even world leaders alongside other religious bodies, individuals and organizations should join hands to speak against THIS unscriptural practice of celibacy by the Catholic Church because it is UNSCRIPTURAL, ANATHEMA, inhuman and baseless.

Below is what Reinhard Marx has said about this unscriptural practice of Celibacy by the Catholic Church. I consider Reinhard Marx a SAGE!!

German cardinal urges lifting celibacy requirement for priests

By Noah Banjo

A German Cardinal, Reinhard Marx, whose archdiocese was the subject of a recent damning report into child sex abuses, said Wednesday he was in favour of lifting the celibacy requirement for priests.

“For many priests, it would be better if they were married,” the influential archbishop of Munich and Freising told the Sueddeutsche Zeitung newspaper.

His comments came after a damning independent report last month found 497 victims of sexually abusive behaviour by 235 people — including 173 priests — in the Munich and Freising archdiocese between 1945 and 2019.

The report by law firm Westpfahl Spilker Wastl found that former Munich and Freising archbishop, ex-pope Benedict XVI, failed to take action to stop four priests accused of child sex abuse in Munich in the 1980s before he became pontiff.

It also accused current archbishop Marx of failing to act in two cases of suspected abuse. After the report was released, Marx said he was “shocked and ashamed” by the findings.

On Wednesday, Marx said he wondered if celibacy “should be a basic requirement for every priest”.

“I think that things, as they are, cannot continue like this,” he added.

“I always say this to young priests: living alone is not so easy.

“And if some say: without the obligation of celibacy, they will all get married! My answer is: so what! If they all marry, it would at least be a sign that things are not currently working.”

The unusually forthright comments on the subject came on the eve of a new assembly of the German synod, which is expected to move towards modernising the institution by 2023.

It is expected to look at several subjects viewed with suspicion by conservatives and the Vatican, such as allowing priests to marry and a greater role for women.

Last year Marx offered Pope Francis his resignation over the church’s “institutional and systemic failure” in its handling of child sex abuse scandals.

However, Pope Francis rejected his offer, urging the cardinal known for his reforms to stay and help shape change in the church. Four years ago a report found that at least 3,677 children had been sexually abused in the Catholic Church in Germany since 1946; but its authors, who did not have access to the church’s files, estimated that the true number was far higher.

Source: Punch News Nigeria

https://punchng.com/german-cardinal-urges-lifting-celibacy-requirement-for-priests/

The Fish Racket

My father always gave his share of the catch to me to guard while he went to help another group. At first, I sat there, patiently and proudly guarding the growing pile of fish. But then a group of my friends came by, laughing and playing. They called to me and I left my post to play with them for a few minutes, but always with frequent glances at my pile of fish and with one eye on the figure of my father. If anyone came too near my fish or if my father turned in my direction, I hurried back to my post. But the morning was long and hot and I was only five years old. I became tired, hungry and thirsty. Food sellers went to and fro among the fishermen, with trays of tempting cakes, fruits and sweets upon their heads. I looked longingly at the food, but I had no money to buy things with.

Then, one day, I made a discovery which was to lead me into such a tangled web of deception that I was in the end unable to extract myself from it. I discovered that the food sellers would accept fish in payment for their wares. I began by exchanging the smallest fish in my charge for an orange, or piece of sugarcane. Then with a larger fish, I bought cakes and sweets and shared them with my friends. At last, the day came, when in a reckless burst of goodwill or bid for popularity, I exchanged my whole pile of fish for food and distributed it among all the children who came crowding round me.

During the next half hour, while I waited for my father. I was in agony. At last, I saw him coming.

“Where are my fish?” He asked at once.

“I sent them to grandmother.”

My father was content with this answer

He took my hand and we walked to my grandmother’s compound. Here he spoke for a few minutes with his mother and then asked her, “Where are my fish” my grandmother assumed that he was speaking about that part of the catch that was always put aside for him as a son of the house. She fetched a tray of fish and gave them to me to carry. My father assumed that the fish which I had bartered away were among those which his mother gave me. He was quite satisfied. He took my hand again and led me home. I could hardly believe my good fortune. I breathed easily again and I began to think I was rather clever.

The next Saturday, I did the same thing. I bartered away all my father’s fish. I told him that I had given them to my grandmother to be put with those which she had for us and I was not found out, I did it again the following Saturday and again and again. But my luck was too good to last….

This is a story by Francis Serlomey (The Narrow Path)

The Hidden Persuaders

Personally, since my primary school, high school, college and even after college I have been wondering how come these advertisers are SO smart and manipulative! They seem to be able to control the human mind…I am still WOWED by some jingles that are been played to make us buy products and services. These advertisers have the tips and tricks to penetrate our minds and in the end we end up doing their bidding (buying their products!). That is why today I decided to talk about advertisement. I hope you enjoy reading through and learn something from it.

As a Maverick and Quirky person that I am; I do not just subscribe to whatever is been advertised. If it is not necessary for me to have I do not spend my money on it. But unfortunately, there are people who always fall prey to the tricks, manipulations and sweet-tongues of these advertisers and their advertisements. Suffice to say that some people are like puppets—hence making to wonder where they put their willpower, discipline and integrity. By puppets I mean some people just fall for anything in vogue. Is that allowed?

Well, I am of the believe that you will find this blogpost helpful, insightful, liberating, inspiring and a game-changer: ultimately setting you up for a more positive life momentum!

Are you a victim of the hidden persuaders? We are all influenced for more than we realize by professional persuaders, the men and women of advertising. Advertisers have something to sell and they use a number of ways to persuade us to buy their products. They spend millions of naira every year studying human behaviour so that they can control our choices effectively.

Certain feelings and fears are common to nearly all of us and advertisers take advantage of these emotions. For instance, most of us need security and want to be popular with others. We also want to be healthy, successful and attractive. By playing feelings like these advertisers make us believe that we need and want certain products because they will improve our lives in some ways. For example, toothpaste makers doubled tier sales in a few years by making people uncomfortable about their teeth and breath. Unless you had fresh breath and white teeth you would be a social misfit!

Another interesting example of emotional manipulation can be seen in the advertising of beauty products. An advertising executive once said that women will pay a hundred naira for skin cream but no more than ten naira for cake of soap. The reason is that soap promises to make them clean. However, cram promises to make them beautiful. The women are buying a promise. In other words, the cosmetic manufacturers are not only selling cream, but hope. Perhaps, the most obvious method of advertising is the use of sex appeal. Some adverts promise success with the opposite sex. If you buy a product, you will get the man or woman of your dreams. For example, an advert for impulse products tells us ‘impulse made me man’s favourite.’ Sex appeal is used to manipulate men as well—“Change to Ego, it will change your life,” says the man in the advert; surrounded by beautiful women.

In other adverts, aimed mainly at men, women are used to sell products not normally associated with them. Research has shown that the image of an attractive woman is always an effective way of advertising. She may sit on a new car or she may lie at a man’s feet stroking his new socks. Whatever she does her image sells. Women are used to as objects to attract male customers. Even colour is used to manipulate our choices.

A company did a test to see if people were influenced by a product’s packaging. Firstly, they gave a group of women three different boxes which all contained the same washing powder. Then they asked them to try out the different washing powders and decide which one was best. After they had used the products, many women stated that the one in the brilliant yellow box was too strong while the one in the blue box left their clothes dirty. The best of all, according to the most of the women was the powder in the third box which has a design of soft cololurs on it.

Next time, you buy something. Ask yourself why you choose that specific product. Are you being persuaded that you need something by the men and women of advertising?

Adapted from The Hidden Persuaders by Vance Packard

“Change to Ego, it will change your life,”

Do you agree with this statement above made by the man in the article talking about advert? I do not agree with him because our Ego is NOT our Amigo!!! He made that statement from a ignorance, blindness and narrow-mindedness

Journey Through The Forest

Hello there!! Let me entertain you with a story titled “Journey Through The Forest.” Sit back and relax as we follow Kaiga and Karanja on their journey in the forest. Enjoy!

On the morning of the journey; Kaiga was careful to note who the first person to knock on his door was. People from certain clans bring bad luck. These people are well known. If one of them knocks, you have to put off the whole journey. The first person who knocks was Wakonyo; this new girl who was taken on just the other day to wash clothes and scrub the floor. She is a girl, she is not yet married. She is bound to be a good omen…

Kaiga and Karanja were away early in the morning. People were still asleep but the milk boys were already at their job. There was a lot of dew on the grass and the cold air made the ears hard and painful. Travelers can walk fairly fast in the morning, but by noon the thigh muscles get tired. The soil on the path is hot and the sandals sink into it. Then you know it is time to take a rest. It is time to eat the bananas and drink sour milk.

Inside the Nyandarua forest, it is dark during the day and it is dark during the night. You do not know the time until you come out of the forest on the other side. The paths are very narrow. They wind themselves between huge trees, into great big gullies and out again into more trees. The ground is dark and humid. The falling leaves have formed a carpet on the ground. Sometimes, a little light filters through and this gives rise to some very weird shapes among the thick trees. You see what looks like a buffalo but it turns out to be a tree stump. You see an object moving in the distance but then you decide that it is not moving at all. But when Kaiga saw a white spots across the path, he began wondering “Karanja, do you see those white spots”? “Which one?”

“Those ones near the big podo tree?”

“Yes, now I see them. They look like black and white spots spread out across the path.”

“Do you see the head?”

“Which head? Where is it?”

“On one end of the black and white spots.”

“Yes. It is the head. It is the head of something.”

“Do you see the tail?”

“Which tail? Where is it?”

“Opposite the head.”

“Yes. Now, I see the tail. It is the tail of something.”

“Karanja, what does a head and a tail and lots of black spots in between add up to?”

“A leopard. We are finished!”

“Yes, we are. If we go into a hole, the leopard will find us there. If we run, it will run after us. If we climb a tree, it will also do the same.”

“And if we sit down.”?

“Just calm down Karanja. The most important thing with a leopard is not to sit down but to be careful not to step on its tail. We won’t sit down, we will keep going. We must go slowly past it.”

“Kaiga, you mean we must pass it on the head side?”

“Yes. That is what I mean.”

“Then you go in front.”

“No. If we change places the leopard will get frightened and jump on us. Keep going, Karanja.”

“I think we had better go back, Kaiga. That girl Wakonyo is not a girl for good luck.”

“Well, maybe.”

But you cannot blame Wakonyo for this. It is the light that is to blame. Without the light there would be no optical illusions. And this was one of them.