WEDNESDAY FOOD FOR THOUGHT (17TH AUGUST, 2016)

WEDNESDAY FOOD FOR THOUGHT (17TH AUGUST, 2016)

"When wealth is lost, nothing is lost; When health is lost, something is lost; When character is lost, all is lost!" - Unknown

Character is achieved not received. They can only grow out of the substance of the man's soul. Character makes us. It is the very essence of living full and rewarding life. Today, many of us especially in this country have thrown character over the board and now behaves as cruel and bad as animals. We lack character in our home and the society. People can do anything without recourse.

Today we have so many challenges in our society because we have neglected the real maxim of a true African - "Good name is better than riches." Now we can kill, kidnap, rape, steal public funds, hide people's files in the offices until our palms have been greased and many other ways we now behave abnormally.

According to Froude, "You cannot dream yourself into a character; you must hammer and forge yourself one." Therefore, we must do something to develop character that are in conformity with the best moral standard and the ideals of true African spirit.

1) Moderation and Self discipline: We must moderate our actions and discipline ourselves. In moderating our actions, we should be extremely careful in choosing our words for thought precedes words and actions. Our thoughts and actions should be weighed in the scale of moral standard and humanity. Hurting others with carefree attitude will never bring out the best of character in us.

2) Empathizing with others: When you place yourself in another persons' position, you will always apply the golden rule of "Do unto others what you will want them to do unto you." Until we begin to behave in such manner, we can't develop character that will be pleasing to man and ideal for our society

3) We should be our brothers keeper.

4) Add wisdom to your knowledge.

There are many more to say but for now, I say good day and God bless you.

Tabugbo Uzoma

TUESDAY FOOD FOR THOUGHT

TUESDAY FOOD FOR THOUGHT

A strong man should not glory in his strength, neither the man fully armed in his armour - My Daily Covenant with God

Few years ago, we buried a young lady in our church. She was a barrister. As I looked at her obituary poster, I saw beauty and brain. She was aged 43 years with her doctorate degree in law. At her death, her beauty went with her. Her degrees became irrelevant. Then I asked myself, who will use this degree to work? It became invalid and no more useful.

Some people who have such degree and beauty are out there boasting that they have them while some have abandoned theirs. Why will you boast of your strength? Goliath saw David and despised him; cursing him with his gods for daring to stand out to challenge him. He thought his strength was enough. He thought his war experiences were enough. He thought that his stature and age were enough but they were not. He was humiliated.

What are the basis of your glory? What are the things you have and you boast with them? Are they your beauty; your certificate, your job, your family, your knowledge, your wisdom, etc? Don't glory in them. Rather, be humbled because you have them. In this life, nothing lasts forever. That thing you have and glory on it, has been used by others and dumped. Soon they will fade away be it beauty, wealth, power, position, etc. They will one day disappoint you. Therefore be humble in appreciation of what you have and return all the glory to God.