MAKING IT BETTER: Things I detest at Sixty
- Cruelty to humanity
- Haters
- Unkindness
- Small minded people
- False or insincere people
- False prophets/Religious frauds
- Paedophiles
- Violent men
- Violent women
- Complainers
- Unpleasantness (when not warranted)
- Tribalists
- Racists/Bigots
- Cults/Cultists
In my professional and personal journey I am always on the lookout for inspirational words and thoughts that speak to the different places I find myself on that journey. I hope the words shared below will inspire you in some small way. I also encourage you to send passages, words, stories, poems, songs that have been a source of inspiration to you.
When in fear, feel fear, and commit to love.
When in tears, cry tears. And commit to healing.
When unhappy, honour it, commit to joy.
When in conflict, own it, and commit to peace.
When in pain, express it, and commit to freedom.
When angry, feel it, and commit to harmony.
When resentful, be honest, and commit to forgiveness.
When hurting, nurse yourself, and commit to laughter;
When down and out, rest up and commit to success
I may not be always happy, but I am always joyful
These words were said by a holy man who had every reason to be bitter, depressed, angry and despondent. He lost every living relative – mother, father, seventeen brothers and sisters, wife and three year old daughter to the Nazi death camps, and then a second wife to cancer. However he chose to remain joyful.
Rabbi Joseph Gelberman
Our ultimate aim is the
Realisation of God
And all our activities
-Social, political, religious-
Have to be guided by the ultimate
Aim of the vision of God.
The immediate service of all
Human beings
Becomes a necessary part of
The endeavour,
Simply because the only way to find
God is to see him/her in his/her
Creation and be one with it.
This can only be done by service
To all.
Mahatma Ghandi
I have put my duality away
And see the two worlds as One.
One I seek, One I know
One I see, One I call
He/She is the outwards, he/she is
The inward.
Out beyond duality
We have a home and it is glory.
This is the time of union
The time of eternal beauty.
Abandon your stagnant pool
For the running waters of life
From the world of separation to the
World of union
RUMI
Maya Angelous’s Ten Rules for Success
- Just do right! You don’t have to ask anyone. It will satisfy your soul. It brings you protection body guards can’t afford you. Try to live your life in a way you won’t regret a life time of inertia.
- Be Courageous. This is the most important of all virtues. Without it you can’t practice any other virtues continuously because you will give up if it feels too difficult or challenging.
- Love. Practicing self love is very important because it gives you a sense of yourself. When you go to an important occasion bring all your people with you in spirit. Your ancestors, all who have shown you love, have shown you respect and carried you up. Bring them all with you in your heart, in your mind. When you walk into that environment, people will not be able to put their finger on what it is you exude. They may call it charisma, elegance, self confident. You will shine with the strength you feel because you carry all that energy within.
- Laughter/Humour. This is self defence against the cruelties of life
- Be a blessing to somebody. Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud
- Turn struggles into triumphs. Out of evil can come good if you look at the possibilities and resources you have around you.
- Everyone is talented in some way. Find your own talent and don’t abuse or waste it
- Learn to say No! There is a place deep in your soul that you must keep sacrosanct, pristine, that is inviolate. This is a place where no one can go. This is the place where you hold up that no entry sign. The place where you are very clear that no is no. There is no compromise. It is the place that keeps you safe. Find that place within you and when you feel anyone come close to it you can say NO! STOP IT! BACK UP! NO ENTRY!
- Always do your best. You can always say you have earned the right walk away when you have done your best in any situation
- Keep rising. Moving forward and upward. Not only physically but mentally also. Do not let your mind become static. There is always another way to view any situation
Gloria Ogunbadejo writes a weekly column for Punch Newspaper. She is a Psychotherapist, a life coach, a holistic counsellor and an ordained Minister
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Maryam: 
Iyanuoluwa Isinkaye: 
Thank you, once again, ma’am. I always look forward to your articles. This has truly inspired me.
When I feel down and out, I remember these words from a song I heard and sang as a child:
“I’m climbing my mountain step by step
I’m climbing my mountain day by day
I’m climbing my mountain all the way
I’m gonna make it
One step at a time
With Jesus as my guide”
Very inspiring write up. No matter what we face, as long as there is life there is hope. Two words my father always said to me, “TAKE COURAGE”. A song I listened to when I was a child says, “When given an examination, I will do my best.”
Very inspiring.
Welldone ma. Your piece are always encouraging and impartful.
Whenever am going through one or two challenges in any phase of my life.. I love singing this song cos it encourages me and keeps me going. And it reminds me that my father (God) is always with me.
I just can’t give up nw, come too far from where I started from. Nobody told me the road won’t be easy and I don’t believe he brought me this far to leave me.
Thank you all for your contribution and for the sharing of your own personal experiences of words that inspire and comfort you.
We all can make things just a little better for one another!
Twelve years ago, my big brother bought me a NECO GCE form and at the back of the syllabus he wrote “We’ll cross our bridges when we get to them”. How many bridges I’ve crossed since then and how many more I will yet cross. I know now and always will. There’s no need to worry about the future for we’ll cross our bridges when we get to them.
This is really making my life better. God bless you ma.
I have the courage. I can be better. Thanks ma’am. You save lots of souls and I am sure just a drop of us comment here. But your encouragement goes farther than you can imagine.