Are Miracles Real?

These are my views on miracles:

Miracles can be divine or man-made.

Doctors and medicines are miracles.

Divine miracle will step in where man-made miracles are ineffective.

If you have a headache, you don’t need a divine miracle to get well. All you need is the miracle called paracetamol or another miracle known as rest/sleep.

If you have an incurable disease, you can seek divine miracle through prayers. This will work because there is no known solution yet for that incurable disease.

There are miracles like Penicillin or antibiotics for bacterial infections, or chloroquine for malaria. These are man-made. However, since there’s no man-made cure for deafness, dumbness, blindness or lameness yet, a prayer of faith will make a divine miracle take place. If you are at the early stages of diabetes, miracles like reduction in sugar intake and diet management can help.

Since there’s no known cure for HIV yet, one can seek and get a divine miracle. However, there are also preventive miracles for HIV and other STDs called abstinence and the condom miracle.

Family planning is another miracle.

Our friends, family and neighbours are miracles.

The fact that you can think, pray, cry, laugh and the fact that you are even privileged to be alive is a miracle.

Miracles are real. They are everywhere. I believe in Miracles.

What’s your view?

The miracle called Penicillin for bacterial infections.. or chloroquine for malaria..these are man-made. Since there’s no man-made cure for deafness, dumbness, blindness or lameness yet, a prayer of faith will make God intervene. If you have a small headache, take paracetamol. If you are at the Read Moreearly stages of diabetes, reduce your intake of sugar and manage it with diet…or another way you can look at it is since there’s no cure for HIV yet, GOD will intervene if one prays with faith… else prevent HIV by using the miracle called abstinence or the condom miracle.

The Rewards Theory

Dear,

Cast your mind back to the months or weeks preceding the naija bloggers’ awards.

There was a boom in blogville. New blogs came up. I got to meet lots of bloggers. I made friends, networked, read quality, hilarious and life changing posts. I was motivated. It was a great period.

I had just started blogging, but I could feel the warmth, the energy, the family, the motivation…

The success of blogville will always have a connection to those awards (at least in my mind).

As humans, we expect rewards for our acts or services. These rewards could come in different forms.

Reward is a motivator. Reward reinforces. It strengthens. It approves. It is a honour. We all need it even if you don’t acknowledge the fact that you need it.

Truth is, reward is a good thing. It is very natural to need rewards. It keeps us going.

Reward comes in different forms. It doesn’t have to be huge. It’s just:

A little “thank you“.  A little hug.  A little kiss.  A little apology- “I’m sorry.  A warm handshake or holding of hands.

A little bonus.  A little extra.  A little “checking up on you“.  A little donation.  A beautifully crafted SMS.  A quick “flashing“.

A little scolding.  A little explanation.  A little mentoring and guidance.  A little treat.  A little acknowledgment.

An authentic smile.  A little acceptance.  And the rewards list go on…

…and you’d have changed a generation… and you’d have injected energy into humanity… and you’d have saved a life!!

Reward others. Be rewarded.

Have a great week :D

Too long…

A second.. a minute.. a day.. a week.. two weeks.. a month.. a year…

is just… Too long!!

You love someone and you don’t see for just..

..a second.. a minute.. a day.. a week.. two weeks.. a month.. a year…

and it becomes… Too long!!

You get angry and you keep a grudge for just..

..a second.. a minute.. a day.. a week.. two weeks.. a month.. a year…

and it turns out… Too long!!

You are committed to something and you let go for just..

..a second.. a minute.. a day.. a week.. two weeks.. a month.. a year…

and its… Too long!!

And LIFE is the exact opposite… and life’s just… Too short!!!

It’s just too short to let go… and it doesn’t matter if it’s just for..

..a second.. a minute.. a day.. a week.. two weeks.. a month.. a year…

It will all be over!!

Just HANG ON… Hang in there!!!

:-)

…..

It’s been looooong, I’ve really missed everyone of you.. I have a lot to catch up with… I’m right at your spots!!!

Thanks to all who have been helping out with the DirectRelief cause as sponsored by Sprint. It’s free, just click on the help button of the SocialVibe widget and make a difference. :-)

Do have a great friday and TGIF!!! :-)

Love, Ochuko Φ

Darkwaters

It was Irving Penn who said: “A good photograph is one that communicate a fact, touches the heart,leaves the viewer a changed person for having seen it. It is, in a word, effective.”…

Edward Weston also said that he saw no reason for recording the obvious (he was talking about photographs).

Today, drawing inspiration from quotes above, I felt a strong desire to share one of my old photographs called Darkwaters. Darkwaters is an abstract that seeks to summarize the complexities of the problems arising from the discovery and the ‘curse’ of crude oil in Nigeria…

The lives, the blood, the greed, the poverty, the hatred, the destitution, the ‘riches’, the struggle, the fears…

The waters have darkened… The bloods are black…

I’ll quote some lines from Daktari’s poem, H-matrix:

Crude makes unclean black from live green…I’m not instigating a violent revolution… But this institution needs relevent evolution!…

So, here is Darkwaters… what does it mean to you?

 

DarkWaters

DarkWaters

Appreciation

Let me also use this medium to express my sincere appreciation to you all for the warm birthday wishes and prayers. May your joys know no boundaries. Amen.

Ochuko’s Blog Φ

Lessons from ROMA 2009

I had earlier predicted a 2-0 victory in favour of Manchester United. Alas, I was wrong. The scoreline was 2-0 in favour of Barcelona FC.

Lessons I learnt:

1. There are somethings in life we just do not have any control over.

2. We can never successfully predict the future.

3. Our goals and plans can be totally disrupted and changed.

4. God knows everything and we should rely on HIM for everything including our future.

5. Our goals, aspiration, plans and dreams must be in accordance with the will of God.

6. If we must have faith in anything, that thing must fulfil God’s purpose else our faith will not work.

7. Things can turn around for good or for bad. Our reaction(s) to change is what makes the difference.

8. Do not base important life decisions on sentiments and horried conclusions. Think things through properly, weigh your options and make educated + informed decisions.

9. We are mere MORTALS. We totally need God to direct our paths.

10. If you lose today like ManUtd, you still have a chance to succeed tomorrow like Liverpool FC :D .

Can you add more to these please :)

Am I naked?

Is he Naked? Why din’t you tell him?

Why doesn’t the emperor know he is naked?

Ok, look at me and tell me: Am I naked?

What? I am? Then why din’t you say it all this while?

[Or is nakedness in the eye of the beholder?

Do we see nakedness differently?]

Sir, We did tell you… but you still pretended you had clothes on!!

You ‘held your head up high’. You din’t want to look stupid.

But it’s totally unfair!!!

It’s unfair to leave the emperor to his stupidity.

It’s unfair to keep mute when I go wrong. 

It’s unfair to keep the truth away from me – especially my nakedness!!

But we din’t keep mute. We told you sir… Maybe you din’t listen sir…

Sir, maybe It’s not also fair to stick to your stupidity.

OK, I’ve heard all you said. I’ll change.

So, please don’t hesitate to tell me when next I am naked. Will you?

——–

A thousand people cannot undress a naked person.~ Greek Proverb

He who is covered with other people’s clothes is naked.~ Tunisian Proverb

Common sense is not common. ~ Unknown

The Layman Theory!!

Layman: A person who is a non-expert in a given field of knowledge.

According to Wikipedia article, to put something in layman’s terms is to describe a complex or technical issue using words and terms that the average individual (someone without professional training in the subject area) can understand, so that they may comprehend the issue to some degree.

Introducing Layman! Layman is the you and me who form personal, informal and sometimes mis-informed opinion(s) about a product or service. If Layman’s point of view is wrong about a particular thing, then that thing is probably not good for Layman, and the product is wrong/bad according to Layman, no matter what official research, professionals and polls say.

It’s about time you listened to Layman. It’s about time you explained your complex issue/product/service/theory in simple Layman’s terms.

Cos in the new world order, Layman determines everything. Layman’s views determines how right or wrong, good or bad your product or service is.

Listen to the Layman. Focus on the Layman.

Have a great weekend. :D

AWOL?

Did I go AWOL? No. Far from it…

Ok.. Ok.. Yes, I’m sorry I din’t tell you I was leaving… But who tells?

Who even knows? It always happens suddenly…

Anybody can suddenly go out… seize to be present… a sudden exit !!

Anybody can just go AWOL!!

It isn’t entirely anybody’s fault that nobody knows… that nobody can tell the hour anybody would leave…

All anybody needs to go AWOL is to take a short dash out the door – without telling nobody… 

Oh yes, a short dash seperating presence from absence… birthday from deathday

Nobody knows when Anybody would go AWOL…

Truth is Nobody has the authority to give Anybody the permission to be absent in the first place… Nobody would even want Anybody absent!!

So, it all happens suddenly without Nobody giving Anybody any official leave of absence.

We are mere mortals. Always remember that.

————-

Yeahhh it feels so good to be back after the short, eventful, ‘life-lessons-full’, stressful 1week away from blogging and blogsville

Some few minutes ago, I stumbled upon a post by Naijagirl. Powerful post (read it here)…

Plus I need to catch up with what’s been happening.. so, I’m off to your blog!!!…………. (what? you haven’t opened one yet? you’re not gay yet??? lol)

All the best..  Cheers :D

Thirsty…

Tho’

it springs forth from inner sources with

waters crystal and pure yet on the surface

where they drank from did they not see?

that it was on edge? the pond a mirage?

that the Fountain was also thirsty?

…..

The past few days have been filled with trials and temptations… but God has been there all the way.

My prayer for us all for the week: We shall not mourn! We shall live long and in good health. Surely, our lines have fallen to us in pleasant places.

Indeed our heritage is beautiful to us.

Cheers

:D

The Chicken Theory!!

 

The theory

the theory

 

I just couldn’t hold it any longer, so I decided to share it. That’s what blogging does to you..

He had a dream. He was called a chicken in the dream. He felt embarrased. He complained when he arose in the morning – as he always does everyday – complain. He’s even called a chicken in real life.

He was pecking away at chops in the dream. He was crushing rocks and corns. Yet they referred to him as a chicken. Toothless. They said he had no action like the others – like the cows and cowboys.

He kept complaining – and coveting the cows and the cowboys, and felt he was just what he was – a chicken!!

Just before he woke up, he heard a loud voice saying:

A chicken eats corn, swallows pebbles yet she complains of having no teeth. Would she rather eat gold? Let her ask the cow that has teeth yet eats grasses.

Oro abo la so fun omoluabi, t’oba de inu a di odidi

The Free Theory

I believe that the best things, ideas, products and innovations in life are FREE and should be FREE”

Whether it be man-made or natural..

This is what I believe.

For the not so good things, ideas, products and innovations, we can put a price tag so as to push for acceptance and make it look and feel valuable.

Free is the order of the Creator, the order of nature – free blood, free oxygen, free soil, free trees, free waters, free life, free salvation via Christ…

I’m not trying to preach here…even if I am trying to, you either take it or leave it – it’s my opinion – [well, you can key into it too ;-) ]

For those who are already grumbling inside, there’s a sweet side to this theory..

..the fact that greater than 90% of our outputs (ideas, products, etc) are not the best.. they tend towards the average mark.. mediocre..

..so, for these 90% of average output, you can put a price tag so as to make it look valuable (of which it isn’t the best and it isn’t so valuable in actual sense)

For the few very good/best outputs, it’s now up to you to intelligently make available these best products, ideas, books, art, time and so on, to those who are in dire need of it, for FREE!!!

Affect lives! Give freely the best things you can offer — and don’t forget to put a price tag to those that are not as good (of course you won’t forget this)!! :D

Majority of our outputs are “not as good”… so if we (including myself) keep on spending all the days of our lives putting a price tag to every output, then probably we are not as good too – maybe we’re just average people then – mediocres.. maybe!!

Have a free weekend :-)

One man gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.“ Proverbs 11:24

 

No matter what age you are, or what your circumstances might be, you are special, and you still have something unique to offer. Your life, because of who you are, has meaning.“ Barbara DeAngelis

 

There is no Box!!

 

We all know the cliché - “Think outside the box”

We all use it.. We all say it…

Others will go further to say “Think around the box”

In my honest opinion, the mere mention of a box is limiting in itself.

Imagine having to freely think and freely innovate and freely explore and explode without the boxed limitations… This was Obama’s tactics to the White house – He packed up all the boxes!!

Another great example is Steve Jobs & Apple – these guys don’t know what a box is!!…

The box also doesn’t give room for Serendipity!!

Challenge the status quo – be unboxed!!

Think without the box.. cos the box does not exist!!

Think about it….

Spell it!!

As humans, we always make attempts to define or describe or spell out things or actions…

An example of such would be ‘hissing‘… there’s this long hiss that ladies know how to do well – esp. in Africa – and people have made attempts to spell this:

I believe the closest hiss spellings are “kpsheww“… or “hmmsheewww“…

Another example of such is “arrghhhh“…

It’s great to be able to put these actions into letters… but I’d give you one of such actions you can NEVER spell out.. NEVER… you want to try it?

Action: Take a deep loud breath…

Now spell the sound made!! (I’d be waiting for your answers… forever… lol)

In essence, what I’m driving at is that there are some things we shouldn’t try putting out in letters… we shouldn’t attempt to mis- tag/mis- define/mis- spell… we can only FEEL them, we can only DO them…

Things like LOVE… Just feel it – take it in…

…don’t try tagging or spelling it.. don’t say it’s blind… or that it doesn’t exists… or that there isn’t a true love… or that you can’t fall in it…

…it’s like a deep breath that can’t be spelt!! You can only do it, feel it and try to describe it!!!

Freely FEEL it, GIVE it, RECEIVE it!!

I saw a great article today – please read it!! GREAT IMPRESSIONS!!

:D

Love,

Ochuko’s Blog

Patent Helmet!!

Ideas for life series..

What I’m about to say will affect more than 20Million humans… is demanded by 20Million… and there’s no supply yet!!

It is now mandatory especially in a state called Lagos, in a country called Nigeria for everyone who rides on a motorbike (which is a popular means of short distance transportation), to wear helmets… crash helmets…

Now, this is a good thing – it reduces rate of head injuries in the event of an accident… but there is a negative side to this!

I’d randomly say that for each passenger helmet per bike, at least 100 people would use the same helmet daily (source: my layman math).. 75 of whom do not use handkerchiefs or headties(even this isn’t safe).. 100 of whom would likely sweat in it… 50 of whom have a few skin/hair ‘deviations’ – ranging from pimples (like mine :-) ) to dandruff to ‘over make-up’, pancake, worms, fungal/bacterial infects and other advanced skin ‘deviations’… sooooo, the solution?

..Meet FOLDABLE HELMET!!! <ok, I’ve not patented it yet!!.. you are free to go ahead :D >

It’s simple; It’s portable.. easy to carry around; It’s good looking; It’s a work of art; It probably looks like a small writepad; It’s chic; It’s classy; It’s foldable… It’s yours, it’s mine.. wouldn’t share with anyone!! It’s the solution helmet!! The Patent Helmet!! The Potent Helmet!!

Go ahead. Innovate. Build it. Sell it. Make profit. Whatever…

It’s a multi million naira idea. It’s free. It’s the first in Ochuko’s Blog Ideas for Life series…..

< During the bubble, I’d always be available for consultancy and profit sharing :D >

When you see foldable helmets with everyone,… you know where it came from right?.. lol…

————–

(I was meant to write on something else today, but it’s huge and it’s delicate, so I postponed…)

————–

A little about Ochuko’s Blog Ideas for Life series – it’s simply a series of raw, innovative, profitable and FREE ideas shared… just about Giving!!

Clueless talk and giggles…

My 9-5 is on the second floor of the building..

Most times, I take the stairs.. But on this particular day I was going out and was so tired.. I decided to wait for the lift..

Now the lift in this building is slow… you could wait some >2minutes for it.. so, while waiting

Man: “Hi young man, why are you waiting for the lift?”

Me: Haha, I’m kinda fagged out today…

Man: “Why are you tired?.. You are young and well paid..”

My mind: Well whaaat? You just don’t have a clue..

Me: <Giggling>

Man: “You also look very comfortable with what you are given and I know you do not have any responsibilities… so in essence, it’s all for your mouth alone (literal Yoruba translation)

My mind: What do you know-this man-, you just don’t have a clue again.. You’re just so ignorant!!

Me: <Giggling 2>

…bla bla bla clueless talks… and giggles…

There and then, I understood the importance of not bothering ourselves with the wrong opinions others have or say about us… People just don’t have a clue of what’s going on with you… So let them talk… You listen, but don’t bother yourself if it’s wrong!!

I also may be clueless about what’s going on with others… and I learnt that day not to talk clueless talk…

Looking back, I think it would have been better to reply with: “Oh you’re tired? Hope you get strong soon, you should try taking some rest!!”..

:-)

Fagged out: Has been stretched so many times that it has lost all elasticity

GiggleTo laugh with repeated short, spasmodic sounds [my idea of this: a good way to listen and think before replying - that's if you'd even reply!!]

Bothering: To disturb or anger, especially by minor irritations

Clueless: Lacking understanding or knowledge

————————–

Do have a great week ahead :D !!! No clueless talk. No bothering with wrong opinions about you. Cheers…

Sex and Secrets… :-)

WOW.. how do I start this…

Let me start with my week - it has been a very busy week.. been working on a project at my 9-5 and it’s zapping a lot of time and energy… but finally made a headway yesterday… :D …  ok, back to the topic!!

I am going to share it with you…

I noticed a trend in the traffic statistics of Ochuko’s Blog.. 

The highest daily visits were recorded on 2 unique days with unique topics..

 ”I slept with her  and  ”PHI

Why the trend?? I will try to explain in my layman’s way..

I advertised on my facebook status the PHI‘s post with “I revealed secrets about a lot of people on Ochuko’s Blog..Check it out!!”

I advertised on my facebook status the I Slept with her post with “I did a wrong thing.. I slept with her.. read it all here!!”

Now those words were like magnet.. attracting clicks from all over.. traffic increased tremendously..

In hindsight, I can see that as humans, we have our secrets – we love to keep it secret too!!.. we don’t like this to be revealed..

I can also see that as humans, we have funny reactions to sex.. especially when committed by others.. we always want to hear another’s sex scandal or news… but we’d like ours to be kept secret!!

Maybe this is the reason there is a stigma to sexually transmitted stuffs and no stigma to malaria…

Maybe this is the reason people feel holier than others… maybe…

We love to keep ours guarded, but love to see and hear those of others… humans…

I’m just thinking.. Just my thoughts.. Just my opinion… No harm meant to myself or anyone… :-)

As Yoruba adage says: “Asiri a bo” meaning “May your secrets be covered!!”…and I mean in every sense of it!!

I’m sure this post will lead in the traffic ;-)

:-) cheers :-)

 

 

 

The highest daily visits were recorded on 2 unique days with unique topics..

“I slept with her” and “PHI “

It’s a Sign..!!

Hi,

Just said I should drop this after reading someone’s Facebook status message… it read thus:

I saw a squirrel today..that’s a good sign people..

Now, whatever this might have meant to the author, I don’t know.. but what I know is that there are better signs..

Signs like:

I woke up today.. I should be grateful

I can breathe.. I should be grateful

I have another shot at life today.. I should be grateful

There is hope..

It doesn’t cost me anything to smile..yet!”

I don’t have to pay money to laugh..yet!”

No better signs than these!! So.. we all see signs daily.. except we’ve been ignorant of these..

:D

Just in case..

Just a quick reminder..

Just in case you forgot.. or you din’t know..

Just in case you remember but just don’t care..

Just in case you are only so concerned about yourself..

Just in case..

I just want to remind you.. or tell you.. or introduce to you..

..that there are orphans and  orphanages – you can visit and donate to them!

..that there are bed-ridden individuals, who need love and care!

..that there are refugees and refugee camps near you!

..that there are jobless, unemployed youths around you that you can help!

..that there are people who all they need is a Kiva loan – you can donate!

..that there are old people and old peoples’ homes – you can visit and donate food, money, etc!

..that there are the not-so-privileged ones who have no homes, roam about and are taking over by devil and vices – you can gather some and cause changes in their lives!

..that there are children who eat once in a week – get info from unicef or your country specific NGOs, non-profits, etc!

..that there are people who just need love – show it to them!

..that there are children who could be adopted by you – yes You and me!

..that there are kids who don’t go to school – you can sponsor one or two!

..that these and many more are all around us!

Just in case you din’t know or just don’t care! Now you know!

If you’ve known, kindly add more to this list in your comments…

I slept with her..

 

the morning after...

the morning after...

 

I slept with her till dawn.. till the sun rose on my face.. till I covered my face from it’s rays.. till I realised the damage caused by her presence.

She seduced me violently.. I succumbed.. I yielded.. Hell was let loose.. and now I’m sorry.

I never knew I’d have her in till day break.. I never knew it would have such bad effects.. Now it affects me and my health and my state of mind and everything.  Ohhh, it pains me babe..

I can’t think clearly!!

Yes, I yielded to her. I slept with her.. and in hindsight, a great damage beyond repairs had been made.

I remembered the sayings in the Holy Scriptures about not allowing her to stay over even before the sun goes down.. saying I should discard her before evening.. Alas I din’t listen, I din’t obey…

Yes I remembered. It could have been avoided. All the damage. All the regrets…

I slept with Anger in my heart.. I slept with her till the sun went down.. and until the sun rose over my face..

Never let the sun set over anger within you.. Never let her stay with you till night..

She’s only a useful friend on the short run.. and a no gooder afterwards and should be discarded almost immediately.

Think before you take her to bed!!! It isn’t worth it!! She aint worth you!!

You can control anger. Don’t let it seduce you. Cos the damages it causes could be beyond repairs!!!

A word is enough for the wise.

Ephesians 4:26 – “In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold”

nb: image from stockvault.net