I made it!

I started a 30 days blogging challenge on 6 August, at a time when writing daily was already a great challenge. Initially it was like a walk through the park but as the days went by it became more and more tedious. Whoever said anything good comes easy must be joking. Today is the last day of the challenge for me and I am indeed grateful for the opportunity to be part of this. This is not the end of writing for me even though this particular challenge has come to an end.

I’ll like to share some of the lessons that were reinforced in the course of this; sure someone will pick a thing or two from them.

1. Whatever you set your heart to do can be achieved. When there is a will there is a way!

2. God’s grace is more than sufficient to carry us through anything, nothing is too minute to commit to His hands.

3. There is always help for the man with a plan. I got a lot of support from my hubby and children even though they were not the ones that signed up for the challenge.

4. Reading is a good skill to develop. It helps to stretch the mind. A number of times I didn’t have an idea of what to write about and then as I read either the news or an article or even a book, the “eureka” feeling came and then I was able to drop some lines.

5. There is a lot of satisfaction from getting results which in turn spurs us on for more and more. What’s that end you have in mind? Take the small steps that can help you get there. Don’t just sit still waiting for a big break.

6. We are in families, communities, states and countries before being in the world so we can help influence the people around us. How much impact can be felt by the people around you because you are alive? Don’t wait to be the best in the world. Be the best in your small corner first.

7. Mistakes are great tools for a great future. Don’t be scared of taking steps towards your goals because you are not certain of the outcome.

I’ll like to stop here for today but before I go I will like to say thank you and well done to everyone who made it exciting to do this, especially Wale Osideinde who initiated it (you can reach him on http://waleosideinde.com). It was well worth it!

Related Article:
– When there is a will there is a way (https://gbonjubolasanni.wordpress.com/2014/08/16/when-there-is-a-will-there-is-a-way/)

This life

A colleague passed on suddenly two days ago and it was very devastating for people who had related with him closely. Some people even saw him in the morning because he came to work and was about his business normally until he stepped out to go to the clinic. Barely 6 hours after he resumed that day the office got a message that he was late. Even though we all felt the pain, life continued as usual for us because we are not part of his immediate family. This led to various discussions about life and what our lives should be about.

As I thought about the various discussions, I remembered a video of Mohammed Ali I had watched a while back. He was asked at the age of 30 what he would do when he retired. He went ahead to state that of the 30 years he is likely to have till retirement, he only had 16 effective years which according to him will be used to prepare for his maker. Isn’t that profound? Are you living as if you owe no one an explanation about how you live your life? Or do you have it in your mind that you will give account one day?

All of our life is meant to serve the course of the one that has given us life. God invested in us and He expects to yield dividends; thus our lives should not be about empty pursuits but about ensuring that God’s will is done on earth as it is in heaven. The articles below are also in line with this topic and will help us live our lives with the end in mind.

Let this September be one to remember for people around you as you resolve to live a very impactful life.

Enjoy the rest of your day!

Related Articles:
– What is your life about? Don’t waste it! (https://gbonjubolasanni.wordpress.com/2013/06/30/what-is-your-life-about-dont-waste-it/)
– Life is about purpose (https://gbonjubolasanni.wordpress.com/2013/05/20/life-is-about-purpose/)
– Reflections (https://gbonjubolasanni.wordpress.com/2014/08/27/reflections/)

Gratitude

For more than 4 weeks now it was as if the only thing I got to hear around me was to be grateful. From themes and messages in churches to challenges on Facebook and articles online, everyone seems to be saying the same thing. Interestingly, the environment and happenings around us do not support it all but I believe it is the best attitude for the times.

As an individual I decided to take up this gratitude challenge personally by giving thanks, without thinking of whatever will make me ungrateful for the next few days. To start it out I will use the opportunity to pen down some of the many reasons why I am grateful.

1. I am grateful I have a God who loves me irrespective of myself. His word tells me that even when I am faithless He remains faithful because He cannot deny Himself.

2. I am grateful for the gift of life, for health and a sane mind. I am grateful for hands that can type this, feet that can walk, the ability to sit, lie, eat, drink and move around.

3. I am grateful for a loving and wonderful husband, one who allows me to be me.

4. I am grateful for great children who love me so much and help me realise that life is beautiful when we decide to love.

5. I am grateful for the gift of a family that cares deeply about me. My siblings and parents are such wonderful people.

6. I am grateful for friends, colleagues and business associates who have helped me get better on a daily basis, without them all I can’t be who I am today.

7. I am grateful for every opportunity that has come my way in life, those I was excited about and those I felt wasn’t too good for me. I know that they are all working together for my good.

8. I am grateful for wonderful people around me who make me laugh. It is indeed a blessing.

9. I am grateful for the ability to read, write and the opportunity to share some of these learnings with other people via different means.

10. I am grateful to you for taking out time to read this and my other articles. Thank you!

The list is endless and I can go on and on. I trust you will use the opportunity to also count your blessings.

Have a blissful day!

Related Article:
– New habits to start with your children in 2014 (https://gbonjubolasanni.wordpress.com/2014/02/03/new-habits-to-start-with-your-children-in-2014/)

Quick Back-to-School Shopping Tips

I wrote this article sometimes back and felt today is an appropriate day to publish. The situation of the country as a result of the EVD crisis has, however, changed the timetable a bit. Notwithstanding I believe it will still be of help to everyone.

It’s back-to-school time! Now is the time of year when you’re saying goodbye to the holidays and saying hello to the classroom. So I hope you are prepared for this time of year financially. But if not, here are a few tips to help you ease into the back-to-school season.

Budget!
This is the first basic thing you have to do before shopping. List out everything you need and make sure you’ve budgeted the money to cover all of it. The worst thing you can do is go out and blindly shop. You’ll end up spending way too much money, and you’ll probably buy back-to-school stuff your kid doesn’t really need.

Let the kids help
If your kids want the “cool brand” as opposed to the brand you’re willing to pay for, then let them cover the difference. There might be a designer backpack or a trendy locker accessory they want—and that’s fine. But make them pitch in to help pay for the extra cost.

Put needs over wants
You have a required list of stuff the teacher asks from you. That’s your priority. After that, decide what else is absolutely necessary on your list and what can wait until later in the year – or really isn’t needed at all. For example, if you just bought a new backpack last fall, your kid shouldn’t need another one this year.

Don’t forget about the shots!
Does your child need immunizations for the upcoming year, or will they be playing sports and need to complete a physical examination? Make sure you’ve budgeted money (and time) for any upcoming back-to-school medical costs that aren’t covered by your insurance.

Remember, your kids grow!
I know it’s crazy, isn’t it? But don’t get caught off guard when your sixth grader – who’s been wearing flip flops all summer – suddenly can’t wear the tennis shoes he was wearing back in June. Junior high school is hard enough. Don’t make it any more difficult for your kids by sending them to school in clothes not their size.

Don’t go into debt
This goes back to my point about budgeting. When you budget and make sure you have the money to pay for everything, you make sure that debt isn’t in the picture. If you’re like a lot of Americans who use credit cards, you’ll put it all on credit with interest. Then you’ll still be paying for this year’s back-to-school expenses when you go shopping next year. Bad idea!

You don’t have to be like the average family and way too much on school shopping. That’s not necessary at all! Sit down, make a list, budget for your expenses, and focus on your kids’ needs over their wants. You’ll be off to a great start in making sure back-to-school shopping doesn’t bust your budget!

Adapted from: http://www.rachelcruze.com/topics/real-life-on-a-budget/6-quick-back-to-school-shopping-tips

Related Articles:
– Sticking to your budget (https://gbonjubolasanni.wordpress.com/2014/08/28/sticking-to-your-budget/)
– Budgetting myts you may be falling for (https://gbonjubolasanni.wordpress.com/2014/03/25/budgeting-myths-you-may-be-falling-for/)