Thursday, November 28, 2013

In the spirit of thanksgiving - Be thankful!

Be thankful that you don’t already have everything you desire,
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?

Be thankful when you don’t know something
For it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times.
During those times you grow.

Be thankful for your limitations
Because they give you opportunities for improvement.

Be thankful for each new challenge
Because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes
They will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you’re tired and weary
Because it means you've made a difference.

It is easy to be thankful for the good things.

A life of rich fulfilment comes to those who are
also thankful for the setbacks.

GRATITUDE can turn a negative into a positive.

So find a way to be thankful for your troubles
and they can become your blessings.


Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Quote of the Week!

Money is like manure. If you pile it around the corner, it starts to smell – if you spread it and pass it around everything grows better.

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

My Journey of Self Discovery - Chapter 4: My Bliss!

When it comes to the things I am passionate about, my continent and my country always rank first place. 

But my love for Cameroon and Africa run deeper than just a place I call home; it is inextricably linked to my vision for the future – a vision which has set me on the course of social entrepreneurship.

Therefore, when I am working on my ideas and projects for social change, I am transported to a different universe, one where my vision has come to fruition. As I brainstorm, research, test and work on these different ideas, I imagine myself in this alter universe and with each second that goes by, I am drawn in, forgetting that it is yet to happen – it is these moments that I wish would last forever.

Thus, when I am delivering a speech or giving a talk, my vision is my starting point. And with that in mind, I always somehow end up dazzling the crowd, drawing them in to my vision so much that they feel transported to this alter universe. 

And even moments/days after my presentation or speech is over, the vision and unwavering resolve lives on.

Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.” JFK

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Food for thought!

"Before you assume, learn the facts. 
Before you judge, understand why. 
Before you hurt someone, feel. 
Before you speak, think."



Friday, November 22, 2013

Live, Laugh, Love!


Life is too short to wake up with regrets
So love the people who treat you right
Forget about the ones who don't

Believe everything happens for a reason
If you get a second chance, grab it with both hands
If it changes your life, let it
Nobody said life would be easy
They just promised it would be worth it

Life is too short to be anything but happy
Love deeply, forgive quickly, take chances
And give everything with no regrets
Forget the past with exception of what you have learned
And remember everything happens for a reason

The happiest people don’t have the best of everything
They just make the best of everything they have

           

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Intentionality and Mindfulness!

On average, a person at rest takes about 16 breaths per minute.

This means we breathe about 960 breaths an hour, 23,040 breaths a day, 8,409,600 a year.

But as poet Maya Angelou once said, "Life is not measured by how many breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."

                   Thus make it a daily routine to savour and connect!

Remember to ritualize your wins and sustain the memory of that good thing or event for 20 seconds in your consciousness and re-release the positive neurotransmitters. 
                                      
                                 Share them with others!

Give heart to heart hugs (go in on the right side, so your hearts touch) and hold hug for 20 seconds to release oxytocin.

And remember that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.



Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Quote of the Week!

“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it...

Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”

Howard Thurman

The Pandemonium continues...

Welcoming our readers joining us from Turkey.

Monday, November 18, 2013

Positive Psychology

Today I gained new insights on positive psychology, a field that is credited to Marty Seligman.

This is a branch of psychology which focuses on the empirical study of such things as positive emotions, strengths-based character and healthy institutions.

Simply put, positive psychology is the scientific study of the strengths and virtues that enable individuals and communities to thrive. It can be understood as the science of positive emotion, engagement and peak performance.

It is grounded on the belief that people want to lead meaningful and fulfilling lives, to cultivate what is best within themselves, and to enhance their experiences of love, work and play.

In a nutshell, positive psychology is being pulled by your future, your best future - the way things could be versus the way things have been in the past.

POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY = PROSPECTION = FUTURE ORIENTATION

Nonetheless, it is worth mentioning that positive psychology is a misnomer - it does not mean absence of negativity.  Because being happy does not mean that everything is perfect; it means you have decided to look past the imperfections.

"Successful people aren’t happy people, happy people are successful people"

Call to Action!
Increase happiness at home and work by being a SOcial-eMOtional Leader -- a change-agent.

Actively increase your positivity and hold space for the people around you to do the same.

Practice intentional activities, challenge pessimistic thinking, intentionally use your strengths and create authentic relationships with others.


Friday, November 15, 2013

Quote of the Week

Do not educate your child to be rich. Educate him to be happy. So when he grows up, he'll know the value of things, not the price.

Thursday, November 14, 2013

My Journey of Self Discovery - Chapter 3: Transitions!

After my time at the African Leadership Academy, I moved to London to study at the London School of Economics. 

Talk about change! LSE was a whole new experience. 

I believe this had to do with me being miles from home, juggling studies with work, paying bills, competing for the very best internships and jobs and living in the busy maze of London.
                   
And after countless sleepless nights, that day came - when I graduated with a dual degree in Law and Anthropology. 

Then came the next phase of my life...

After a couple of internships in corporate law and finance, I decided to take a road less travelled; to take a leap of faith and pursue social entrepreneurship.

Months later, I started Youths4Change - a youth led organization that empowers and mentors youth of all abilities in Cameroon.

And after setting out on this “Road Less Travelled”, I ask myself three questions at the start of each day:

If not Now, When?
If not Here, Where?
And If not I, Who?

In order to pioneer, you have to be willing to let go of what you are, what you have been and even what you think you should be. 
A pioneer must let go of the known and venture into the unknown. He risks what he is in order to become something greater.



Wednesday, November 06, 2013

Quote of the Week!

Everyone fails at times. Defeat is only when you don't rebound, but instead allow failure to turn what could be a successful life into a wasted one.


Epic Watson Road Trip!


So I just returned from an epic road trip with my compatriots at Watson University... We left Boulder, Colorado, to Utah, through Arizona, to Las Vegas, Nevada and finally to San Francisco, California! Thanks to what I believe is an alignment of the universe, I conquered three of my greatest fears during this epic journey - fear of heights, fear of water and fear of the dark. During the trip, we stopped over and camped at the Arches and Zion national parks respectively. At Arches national park, I leaned into my fear of heights and I climbed not one but several cliffs culminating with going up very steep rocks and mountains. At Zion, I leaned into my fear of water by traversing across a body of water. It was cold, I was scared, I felt like making a U turn...but I kept going and I made it to the other side and back! And in each case, I faced my fear of the dark by camping out in the middle of nowhere.

And once I had set aside my fear, I was able to notice and fully appreciate how beautiful the scenery around me was. In that moment devoid of worry, I had the curiosity of a little child... 

I noticed the flowing waters charging down over the rocks - it reminded me of going forward even in the face of adversities.

I noticed the trees shedding their leaves and colours changing from green to yellow - it reminded me of change, shedding habits and attitudes that hold us back. 

And I noticed the huge mass of rock and debris. In all it’s grandeur, it reminded me of balance and that solid foundation which keeps us grounded and focused at all times. That focal point which no matter how much we waver or how many times we go off course, brings us back on the path to fulfilling our life’s purpose - to our hero’s journey.