Bound by a Vision

There is a road that must be traveled, a picture that must be painted, a song that must be sang, a story that must be told, a call that must be answered, a voice that must be heard.

Yes! I am gripped in the fierce embrace of a vision pulsating through my soul. Amidst the menacing drums of dismay, distress, destruction and waste. Above the deafening cries of pain and the anguished gnashing of teeth. Inspite of the coursing rivers of tears that flood through my eyes, threatening to obscure my vision.

I am stirred, bound by this vision so searing it brands my heart leaving room for nothing save the crystal clarity of a beatific portrait commissioned on my soul. A glowing of light, a flaring of hope, a mustering of strength.

I am held, enthralled by the brilliance of this vision surging to become, straining for release. A vision burning inside, seeking recognition, demanding a channel, an outlet, a call to service, a step to action, a re -assessment of values, a renewing of minds, a transformation of conscience.

I tell you no lie. There is a road of success we must travel, a picture of glory we must paint, a song of healing we must sing, a story of greatness we must tell, a call of patriots we must answer, an assembly of voices we must raise in pursuit of a future wrapped encased within the silken threads of a vision.

So! Let us look now with eyes of understanding for there is a task ahead that we must each take on. A puzzle that we must piece. A role we must play. A stand we must take. A reflection we must be as we take our positions of light, to usher and be, a symbol of the rebirth of our nation - THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA!

SPICY Chrysalis - Speak. Positively. to Inspire. and Cause. to Yield!

May 2012

A frightful concept

Beyond the glaring decay of political corruption and the visible vices of our public offices lie a pernicious yet dormant form of corruption that has wormed its way into our homes and is eating away at the very foundation of our being and society.

Please explore this concept with me....

Is corruption not to raise our children without values?
Without a belief system that seeks after honour?
Isnt it corruption when we do not equip them with a sense of worthiness and self worth?
Is it not corruption to deny our children the principles and disciplines
that shape, mould, challenge minds and build strong character?
Is that not corruption sown?

Is it not corruption to deny our children the growth process to aspire and achieve?
Is corruption not fanned as we cater to their every whim and caprice?
Like they were demi gods waited on hand and foot.
Isnt that corruption when we teach by our actions,
that they can have anything they want without the tenets of hardwork, result and reward?
Is that not corruption taught?

Is corruption not entrenched when we model and allow
our children scoff at correction and scorn at direction?
Isnt that corruption clutching as we shield them within a reality dulled existence.
When we do not expose them to the diversity of life,
nor grow an appreciation of their heritage?
Is that not corruption brooding?

Is corruption not watered in our homes when we are seen not to condemn its prevalence?
When by our silence we validate this negative norm.
And our words convey an acceptance?
Is that not corruption lurking, feeding, breathing and festering in our homes?

A frightful concept

SPICY Chrysalis - Speak. Positively. to Inspire. and Cause. to Yield!

2010

The Root of the Stench!

The issues that plague my country Nigeria is embedded within the roots of CORRUPTION!

This evil took stem and flourished by the collective selfish, greedy, deceitful, lacklustre and insensitive outlook of our GOVERNMENT and we the PEOPLE!

OCCUPY NIGERIA! majorly demands from government what is our due, but we must in turn DEMAND OF US AS CITIZENS OUR DUE TO OUR NATION!

In my view, this movement cuts beyond the removal of fuel subsidy. It stems as a product of the insatiable greed and wanton plunder by the government of a people deeply plagued with myopia.

We looked up at government 'saw that corruption was good' and joined in the plunder and greed. We embraced the narrow minds of insensitivity and surrounded ourselves with convoys of deception.

We became our government isolating and alienating ourselves one from another. We stopped feeling the pains of our neighbours like we used to, our families like we know. WE BECAME JUST LIKE OUR GOVERNMENT, REMOVED FROM OURSELVES.

We stoked the flames of deception. Self deceit warmed our bodies while the fires of CORRUPTION burned and consumed our land. We must affirm to root out these plagues that has captivated, attacked and lulled us into complacency. We must douse and put out the fires of corruption within and amongst us. We must arise as a people awakened, a people informed, a people focused and a people renewed.

We must collectively take up the message that burns our heart and run with it. Make our voices heard using any medium/media available.

Our land is bloodied with corruption and our people lying waste by the hands of Government, Boko Haram and Ourselves -look at our brothers back home kidnapping and killing us. All of these are grievous sins we commit and have allowed to ourselves.

If OCCUPY NIGERIA creates a platform where diverse reforms spring from, then am all for it! We have to regroup and start somewhere. We have to keep focus and renewed to succeed!

This movement must be seen to sweep from the top to the bottom - from the government to the people and vis - visa, without which we would have risen for nothing and chanted empty slogans.

I say not just OCCUPY NIGERIA, but OCCUPY NIGERIA ON ALL FRONTS!!!

GOD BLESS THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA!

SPICY Chrysalis - Speak.Positively. to Inspire. and Cause. to Yield!
7th Jan 2012

WHAT IS THE PATTERN OF YOUR SELF TALK

Imagine for a moment that you accidentally dropped a pile of papers in a crowded office hall as you hurried in on your way to a crucial meeting and the contents went flying everywhere. What would be your reaction to yourself about the incident?

I bet it may have been more towards the negative than positive, coloured with a touch of embarrassment, frustration, annoyance and maybe even anger! The scenario described  might seem like a simplistic approach but it highlights an indication of the patterns of our spontaneous and reflective expressions towards ourselves unconsciously or subconsciously.

What do you say to yourself about your self?
What conversations do you hold with your self?
What is the quality or pattern of your self talk?
Are they a series of self defamation or self affirmation?

Think about it....

Steven Coogler - "Seek respect mainly from thyself, for it comes first from within."

Jean Shinoda Bolen - "When you recover or discover something that nourishes your soul and brings joy, care enough about yourself to make room for it in your life."

These are some of the expressions (self affirmation) I have learned and taught myself to define me...

I am mastering myself.
I am learning.
I am growing.
I am getting better.
I am succeeding.
I am a genius.

I am happy
I am enthusiastic.
I am confident
I am healthy.
I am responsible.
I am improvement.
I am fulfilled.
I am successful in life.

I am good.
I am kind.
I am favoured.
I am appreciated.
I am thankful.
I am gracious.
I am filled with love.
I am loved.

I am cheerful.
I am beautiful.
I am lovely.
I am full of life.
I am joy-full.
I am laughter.
I am a wink.
I am a smile.
I am a gift.

I am productive.
I am positive.
I am expectant.
I am receiving.
I am a blessing.
I am blessed.
I am impact-full

Bobbe Sommer - "Having a low opinion of yourself is not "modesty". It's self-destruction. Holding your uniqueness in high regard is not "egotism". It's a necessary precondition to happiness and success."

SPICY Chrysalis - Speak. Positively. to Inspire. and Cause. to Yield!

July 23rd 2012

To Act is to Heal- The theory of 'time heals all wounds'

Every physical wound requires a process or an action to heal right and ethically. Some with a quick swab of antiseptic, while others may require more than that. If you have a severe or deep wound, you must take steps to treat it. If you leave it, over time scabs, infections or scar tissues will form and these are generally more difficult to heal and/or repair... therefore the severe the wound, the more immediate and active course of treatment to heal it right.

In the same vein, our emotional wounds require a process to heal. Some by a swipe of your bank/credit card (retail therapy),  or the kind listening ears of a trusted friend or confidente while others would need a more concerted effort to heal. A deep emotional wound requires an immediate active course of process to heal ethically. This is not the time to slink away and lick your wounds for days on end but the time to seek ACTION... a process of healing to heal properly and ethically. As it is commonly accepted not to leave a wound to fester and rot so must we not leave an emotional wound to do same.

Often times we mis-interprete the adage 'it takes time to heal' as a ticket to roll over, play dead or bury our heads in the sand, with the hope that the pain and hurt we feel will magically dissipate. But the damaging reality just as with a physical wound, an emotional wound not properly addressed will over time grow 'scar tissues' which are more difficult and complex to heal or repair.

Just as the world does not grind to a halt because we are hurting. We must learn to take a cue from the sun and the moon. The circle of life continue with each sunrise and sunset, nature's clear indication to us that to HEAL... time demands of us to ACT! Healing from an emotional wound requires an active process not a passive one, and this process begins with an understanding through to accepting and is majorly self focused.

SPICY Chrysalis - Speak. Positively. to Inspire. and Cause. to Yield!
11th Nov 2011

Hello HappIness - Own the 'I' in happiness!

Happiness is the easiest emotion to feel, the most difficult to define, and the hardest to create intentionally. 
-Norman Cousins 

Happiness is the criterion of excellence in the art of living.
-Eric Fromm

It is interesting how we spend so much time; expend so much energy trying to figure out what happiness is that we fail to see how how easily it can be achieved. The reason is simply because we are misguided in our search for happiness. We wrongly anchor happiness to external conditions or factors that we believe will make us happy. This is why we can be deeply unhappy even though we may “have it all” - wealth, power, health, a good family, etc because the truth is that happiness comes from within.

Many times when I am asked “how is it that you are so happy”, I can’t help but smile. The question in itself brings me a state of happiness. Lol! That is not to say that I am always chirpy in a bunny rabbit frame of mind neither have I magically transported myself to an utopic world free from the challenges and storms of life. Rather I found happiness in living, I found happiness in loving and I found happiness in truth. I came to my place of happiness from within.

Achieving happiness is a choice. We become happy by choosing, learning and living happy. As we consciously introduce new sets of positive outlook to life and practice them daily, happiness will begin to bloom within and wrap us in its warm glow becoming a permanent part of our emotional make up.

For most people, happiness isn’t something stumbled upon but an attitude that must be learnt.
“Like swimming, riding, writing, or playing golf, happiness can be learned.”
~Boris Sokoloff.

So for the many times I have been asked, listed below in no particular order of importance are a few tips on how I daily own the ‘I’ in happiness and make it mine, with the hope that it helps you find true and authentic happiness for yourself


Be true to self. You are responsible for your own happiness
Accept yourself. You are a unique expression of God’s perfection.
Celebrate yourself. There is nothing wrong with giving yourself a pat on the back. Keep in mind that feeling guilty defeats the purpose.

“Realize that true happiness lies within you.  Waste no time and effort searching for peace and contentment and joy in the world outside.  Remember that there is no happiness in having or in getting… Happiness is a perfume you cannot pour on others without getting a few drops on yourself”. 
-Og Mandino

“Did you ever see an unhappy horse?  Did you ever see a bird that had the blues?  One reason why birds and horses are not unhappy is because they are not trying to impress other birds and horses.” 
 -Dale Carnegie


Be charitable. Do something good for someone.
Be gracious. Sow compliments and reap a smile.
Be kind and polite. ‘Please’ ‘thank you’ and ‘well-done’ never killed anyone

“We learn the inner secret of happiness when we learn to direct our inner drives, our interest and our attention to something outside ourselves.”
-Ethel Perry Andrus


Be grateful. Gratitude can turn things around.
Be thankful. A thankful heart is a merry one.
Be content. Do not envy people who are happy but be happy for their happiness.

“Happiness does not consist in having what you want, but in wanting what you have.”
-Confucius

“I'm fulfilled in what I do...I never thought that a lot of money or fine clothes--the finer things in life--would make you happy.  My happiness is to be filled in a spiritual sense.”
-Coretta Scott King


Learn to laugh at yourself first before anyone else can.
Each day do something you love, something new, something fun.
Surround yourself with happy people. Associate with happy people, and try to learn from them to be happy. Trust me, happiness is contagious.

“Happiness is a state of non-contradictory joy - a joy without penalty or guilt” – Ayn Rand

“It is very important to generate a good attitude, a good heart, as much as possible. From this, happiness in both the short term and the long term for both yourself and others will come.”
-Dalia Lama 


Discover your purpose
Develop your talent
Acquire a new skill
Become a solution, not the problem

“Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence.” 
-Aristotle

“If you want to be happy, set a goal that commands your thoughts, liberates your energy, and inspires your hopes.”
-Andrew Carnegie

“I'm fulfilled in what I do...I never thought that a lot of money or fine clothes--the finer things in life--would make you happy.  My happiness is to be filled in a spiritual sense.”  
-Coretta Scott King


Be positive
Expect to be happy. You deserve happiness
Watch your thoughts. Be mindful what you think
Mind your words. Be careful what you say, affirm or confess.
Laugh always and laugh hard


“A smile starts on the lips, a grin spreads to the eyes, a chuckle comes from the belly; but a good laugh bursts forth from the soul, Overflows, and bubbles all around.”
-Carolyn Birmingham

“Seven days without laughter makes one weak.”
-Mort Walker


Look forward to discovering a happier you as you follow and practice all of these happiness building tools.

Hello Happiness!… Send a mail to spicychrysalis@gmail.com to share your experience and learn more on how we can help you achieve your personal development goals.

SPICY Chrysalis - Speak. Positively. to Inspire. and Cause. to Yield!
May 2012