Life is Hope

5 days ago on my way to school I thought in my mind that I might need something to keep me company because I will be the only one in my room, at least for a few days or weeks;I'm not sure. And judging by my history it might be terrifying sleeping in a room alone. I shall give you a background story to that history shortly. So,I kept thinking, they won't allow a pet in the hall of residence; how it will be nice if I could get a plant, I thought.

Now,for the background story. I had a case of depression shortly a year ago and since then I had found it so terrifying to sleep alone. Yes,I use 'terrifying' a second time because it has been that bad that I hadn't slept alone until this 5 days ago. So back to my companion craving. 

As I was moving my things into my allocated room,I still had the thought of getting a plant so strong in my mind. I started to organise my things into my wardrobe and I had to move some stuffs that belonged to the former occupant to the balcony so my things can fit perfectly into the wardrobe. Voilà! Guess what I saw at the balcony? Yours truly,it was a dead aloe Vera plant. Please note the word 'dead'. The plant was actually dark brownish instead of healthy green. Well, before disappointment could creep in,my motherly instinct said to me ' why not water it for a day or two and see what becomes of it'. 'I won't loose anything by trying and this might just be God granting my heart desire' I said to myself. Hence,I started watering the plant that instant.

While I was watering the pot of plant I realised that the pot in which the plant had been planted was very weak so I got another container and put the whole thing,the old pot and plant, in the new container. Day 2 passed and I didn't even notice the change,though I had watered it happily. But,the third day, I had to check on it and, amazingly a hopeful green smiled at me through the aloe Vera plant. I immediately took a picture and compared with the picture I had taken the day I found the plant and I was so excited at the change.

It's day 5 and I can tell you that the plant is blossoming and beaming with great hope. The way it is spreading out beautifully as if it's reaching out for the sun. The brightness of its lively colour. The baby plants that are also peeping their way out of the soil. I looked at all these and I told myself,'it is time this plant live a whole new life. So I just carefully brought it out with the soil and housed it in a new,fresh container. I could feel my plant breathe fresh air. I did too actually. And I thought, Life brings hope. In fact, Life is hope.

When Life Happens...

WHEN LIFE HAPPENS...

I don't know why I am writing this but I hope it blesses someone. Over the past few weeks I have been battling with being depressed getting back up again, being embarrassed, pulling myself together again; remembering the past trying to erase things from my mind again and again. But, few days ago, after listening to my pastor preach in church, I decided to study the new Testament of the Bible extensively and intentionally too. I started and I'm now at the part where Jesus taught the BEATITUDES. I had actually read that chapter and was ready to move on to the next but something pulled me back to the 9 Beatitudes. So I decided to stay on it. I took it 2 a day and did a study on on it.

I don't want to bore you with my study but one of the major lessons I have learnt from this study and from trying to practice what I have learnt this week is that when life happens to you, you let it go. Now, I am not saying you should give up or die but you need to set what ever it is free because the truth is you are actually setting your self free.

For me, as a single lady I was okay. I did good in my career, I had side businesses that brought in money, I had successful friends around. I had love, I had a 'sound' relationship with God and all the good you can think of. So, When I got married , I entered into the marriage with the mind set of bliss forever. Forgetting that, life will sure happen. In my case, it started early. The first thing that happened was that my husband lost his job a week after our marriage. I thought to myself, the devil is just trying, my husband will get a job soon. The next that happened was that I got pregnant despite the fact that we planned not to have a baby until after 6 months. And remember, I was the only one working. Now, I should mention that there were pressures from my In-laws too. And, because of the kind of person I am, I couldn't talk to anyone about what I was facing. I cried everyday and I am not exaggerating I cried everyday.My husband and I started having issues that at the end I never could explain why. All I knew was it always starts with a simple conversation and then grows into an argument and then blows up.

What in God's name is happening to me! I asked this question everyday with no answer. it kept getting worse. I got to a state where I could not do my devotion (having a personal time meditating and communing with God). I was just numb. And, when I say numb, I really got to a state where I got used to pain, crying, thinking, even while pregnant. I was confused!

But, after I gave birth, I told God, "I want my son to know the best of You". So, I started studying again, I opened up to my mum, a bit though. I love talking to God more. Though I still falter, but I make conscious effort to get back up again. Though, I still have issues with my husband but I can boldly say that those hot issues have reduced a lot!

Now, back to LETTING GO. You must understand that Life will definitely happen to you and holding on to what ever happens to is just a waste of time you must consciously learn to let go of life itself and this is what I have learnt from the Beatitudes. It is a lesson of releasing everything to be able to get back everything that is best. Let the pain go, let the fight go, let those friends go, let go of everything and let your focus be on you. However, you cannot focus on yourself because you are weak, weak in every sense of it. So you need to get help from someone stronger. And, for me I always run back to God.

If you are reading this and you are at that state where you can't push again, you are just TIRED! I want you to know that JESUS CHRIST went through worse and he came out. Now, he did not just choose to, he did it for you. I have gone through hell myself, but I can write this to you because God has given me himself in  JESUS CHRIST. I have him to always run to for strength, for cover, for help. 

Run to Him now and he will receive you.

MY JOB IS TIRING!

MY JOB IS TIRING!

'Everyone' in Nigeria believes that landing a federal job is a great achievement ; big money! We have also made ourselves believe that civil service is the easiest of jobs. Well, that might be very true but have you considered and ever pondered on the words 'Comfort Zone'?

I joined my organisation with little or no experience in June 2015 but I was determined to put all I have into it and give my organisation the best. That was exactly what I did. I learnt form everyone, gave my assigned tasks my 110% attention, asked questions and did everything that diligence means. Ofcourse, as you would have guessed I became better at what I do despite the fact that I studied an entirely different Course in School. As a matter of fact, I studied English Language as my first degree and here I am multi tasking in a Real Estate company. I grew everyday to love not just the job but the business. And, this became my driving force when I started getting TIRED of the job. The love for what I do and the love for the business pushed me further.

A lot of people working with the so called 'One man business' organisations often feel what I felt at a certain point. I sat down one day to ask questions and research why that should be; because for me, when you know you love something you should not be tired of it. But, I realized eventually that it's a right feeling for most people who are very creative. Creative thinkers and workers usually get tired of doing the same thing for a long period of time and always want to get out of their COMFORT ZONES as quick as possible. For me, the following steps are the steps I took when work became so tiring, boring and frustrating:

1. Think of new ways to do your job: I had to research into what other companies in the same business are doing and I have not been doing. I took time to discuss this with my team and I was able to spice things up a little.

2. Start something for yourself: I realized that I was not really doing anything to improve my life, to upgrade myself because all my focus was spent on getting the organisation going fine as far as my department was concerned. I was so engrossed in getting things done that all my self value has now been sacrificed for the organisation's success. So, I stopped and took a deep breath. I decided to take some free courses on business and learn some graphic designing. I also learnt web development and these things are now a great plus for me as I'm working on starting my own business.

3. Take a break: I got to understand that first there is nothing wrong in being tired and second, you have every right to take a break. Hence, I take time to cool off once in a while. Sometimes, I just go to the movies with friends and family, other times I stay at home to just relax. Though all of these times I get new ideas from my environment, from meditating and all.

I hope these helps you as they have tremendously helped my career. You can also research into what works for you and I would love to know.

HOMES FIT FOR HUMAN DIGNITY

                                           HOMES FIT FOR HUMAN DIGNITY

“… houses small and without, foundations, subdivided and often around unpaved courts. An almost total lack of drainage and sewerage was made worse by the excavation of brick earth. Pigs and cows in back yards, noxious trades like boiling tripe, melting tallow, or preparing cat’s meat, and slaughter houses, dust heaps, and “lakes of putrefying night soil” added to filth” – Henry Mayhew.

 It is not far-fetched to state that the problem of housing is not peculiar to Nigeria. But, do we fold our arms as a country and allow the ‘general problem syndrome’ submerge us. It is pertinent to realize that solving the housing deficit in a country reduces the world’s problem in the global housing sector.

Nigeria, which has the largest population in Africa, rated as the 8^th in the world and also accounts for 47% of West Africa’s population, has been grappling with this unsolved situation of housing deficit. It has been estimated that Nigeria has about 18 million housing deficit with a 177.5 million population and GDP of 568.5 billion dollars. 

Nigeria, whose soil is embedded with the richest mineral resources in the world, has about 60% of her population either living in overpopulated homes, substandard homes or in sheds built with dried grass, plastics etc. It is a pathetic case that even in urban societies; Nigerians live in slums, in homes that are not fit for human habitation.

 

The Nigerian government has of-course been planting great seeds of policies in the housing sector to reduce the problem of homelessness and under quality housing in Nigeria. These policies have empowered the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), the Real Estate Development Association of Nigeria (REDAN), Building Materials Producers Association of Nigeria (BUMPAN). The policies were proclaimed to be aimed at solving the problems associated with homelessness, inferior quality housing and unaffordable housing.

Over the years, it has been a case of different administrations with different policies, yet many Nigerians are either homeless or reside in life risking homes. However, in recent times, the Nigerian government seem to have really been implementing its housing policies. There are physical evidences in urban areas as well as some rural environments. Modern houses are springing up, builders are constructing with novel ideas and quality materials, such as bricks, concrete, among others. With the resurrection of the land use act and PPP between both Federal and State government and Private Investors, the real Estates business is booming and boosting the economy.  But with these result from the housing policies, have they been serving their purpose of solving the problems they have been created for?

Considering the issues opposing these policies, issues such as expensive property registration, high cost of housing construction, few access to mortgage finance among others, it is as though the policies have only been working for the upper class community and a few in the middle class. It is such a vicious circle! 

In Abuja, Lagos, Kano and Ibadan for instance, there have been a constant rise in home sales and lease prices in the last few years. Homes are built by the upper class and are purchased by the upper middle class who already have enough houses.  A lot of these houses are in turn leased out at exorbitant prices. Hence, the lower class community holds on to its undignified homes or even nothing at all.

        

Unsafe and undignified homes are therefore a subject that needs urgent ‘change’ in Nigeria. If truly‘Change has come’, then it should reflect on the housing sector in Nigeria. According to the 1991 constitution (Chapter 4, Section 34, SS 1, article a), every Nigerian is entitled to a home fit for human dignity. 

The lower class Nigerians are entitled to have access to mortgage. Sincere affordable housing should be provided for the low income earners. A check should be placed on gluttonous property acquisition and unrealistic lease or rent rates. Otherwise, the housing policies in Nigeria would have produced undemocratic and one – sided result. It is time for all Nigerians to have a humane life and live in dignified homes.

                        

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LEGACY ESTATES IBADAN.. View this email in your browser Legacy Estates Housing Newsletter 18, June 2015 LEGACY ESTATES IBADAN.. Research shows that only a few property development companies in Ibadan, Oyo State are able to deliver on affordable good quality housing and infrastructure. This feat is being achieved by Structuracasa Nig. Ltd, developers of Legacy Estates, Kolapo Ishola GRA, Akobo, Ibadan. Legacy Estates Ibadan consists of detached and attached bungalows and duplexes on 112 fully serviced plots within a fenced and gated estate. Special Sales Opportunity Phase 1 which consists of 54 plots is almost sold out. There are 2 remaining properties for sale Plot A8- 5 bedroom detached duplex from N34M Plot C11- Serviced corner plot on 993 sqm priced at N12.5M  Phase 2 properties are currently open for sale. Development of Legacy Estates phase 1, kicked off a few years ago and since then, infrastructural development for phase 1 is almost complete and many housing units have been completed or are nearing completion. Legacy Estates Ibadan is located within the luxurious Kolapo Ishola GRA, Akobo, Ibadan, an area which is well on its way to becoming Ibadan’s next upper class environ. Planned and developed by Structuracasa Nig. Ltd, this luxurious yet affordable estate boasts of the following facilities: good road network, good covered drainage network, lovely landscaping, efficient water treatment and distribution systems, recreational areas, concrete walkways, 24hr security, street lights, electricity transformers and distribution network.  Please contact us for more details: 07005342291, 09036785018, 08144852015, or send us a mail at info@legacyestatesibadan.com or info@structuracasa.com Facebook Twitter Website Instagram Copyright @ 2015 Structuracasa, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: info@structuracasa.com Structuracasa Nigeria Limited 2, Oshin Street, Kongi, Bodija, Ibadan 212002. Nigeria unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences

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MATURITY: A CHILD'S HEART
A lot of us have a misconception about maturity. We believe that  being mature is when u're over 18,controlling money, able to stand up to adults, even your parents . But that's not true.

What then is maturity,I know you'led ask. Overtime, from experience, I have found out that maturity has nothing to do with age. No, you say. Okay no argument. But, have you ever thought about whatever is wrong with that father of four De u r house who throws tantrums everytime.? Oh now you agree with me. Let'sector try this,have you thought about what made you act so rashly the other time? Well, it'seems called IMMATURITY.

Maturity therefore is wisdom,patience,selfcontrol, forgiveness. Maturity is having a heart of a child but a man's heart.

I have learnt that immaturity deprives you of the right to be right. It makes you look stupid  when you  should have known what to do; it makes you a public clown when you should be respected.

However, you can cultivate yourself into maturity. Yes it'should hard be a use that's  just who you are. But aren'the you tired of being hurt because of an a ton you regret taking ;  crying because you said something you shouldn'the have said;being called stupid when you're right? Sure you are.

All you need to do is, be calm always and look within before taking any action. That is wisdom. It sounds so simple but trust me I'be tried it my self but sometimes I just get sore of keeping quiet and looking like a fool. But, today I realised that keeping calm is the wisest thing to do for yourself in life. What do you think?

RAINBOWMUSINGS: Impending Extinction Alert!!! – Meanest Moms and Gentlemen

RAINBOWMUSINGS: Impending Extinction Alert!!! – Meanest Moms and Gentlemen