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Eagle In The Storm
By Felix | June 10, 2008
I remember when I first started writing, my major motivation was for the purpose of change and I felt elated when people applauded the first set of posts, but I also got some dear friends who knew what the journey ahead would looked like and advised me as thus… “You will meet challenges, you will meet setbacks,” “not everyone will like what you are doing”. I also remember one very sound one from the commissioner of police Lagos state then, although he said this for a different project,( New Nigeria Club to be exact), when I went to introduce the club to the police force and how we intend to have a relationship which will aid them in fighting cyber crimes and also enlighten the police force on legitimate online businesses, so they don’t remain with the perception that everyone online is into one form of scam or another, this relationship was going to be beneficial for both parties.
Anyway, he applauded the project and gave his blessings, but he also gave a resounding warning then that I overlooked. “He said not to be discouraged, with the relationship at any point if we were by chance harassed by police men, because he can’t vouch for all the men in the force”.
When I also went for the interview on Mo Moments with Mo, the in house psychologist and I were discussing and she gave me a few case scenarios of what was possible for me to face in the Street Skills project, one of which being that not everyone I talk to will take the advise and some will come and it will look like I am getting across to them only to see them doing otherwise. This has actually happened, as one of my serious prospects who I know has a considerable amount of influence on some of these guys as I do, after attending our previous meetings and giving me the impression that he was in tune with what was going on, still went astray and a good number of them went along with him. Â
Aside from that, I thought I was done with being arrested, especially when it’s a fraud related issue, but I guess I was wrong. Don’t get me wrong, I have not been involved in anything illegal, just that I was arrested on Friday 30th May, for a crime I didn’t commit. And it has also was re-enforced into my psyche that in Nigeria you are guilty until proven innocent instead of the other way round, once again thanks to the Nigerian police for that.
I was going to use this post to talk to the Nigerian police to address issues on Human rights and how to not to quickly jump to conclusions that anyone who is reported to the police or who a petition is written against is immediately guilty in their eyes without proper investigation, in fact I had pre-written a post to really speak my mind on the whole issue, but decided to hold back a bit till I see the end of the case.
Although, it has already been established that I and my colleagues who names were mentioned did not in any way perpetrate any fraud, but the case still needs a conclusion, let’s not get distracted by that for now, as I will fill you guys in on the full gist when it’s all done with. Back to main story of the day.
I am writing this today, because at a point, I realized that I didn’t call a meeting last month, not just because I was busy, but because I got discouraged. Yes I was a bit ashamed to admit this fact until I read from my mentor’s site again and gained inspiration from some of the things he said here.
I have also not been to Ajegunle (Uncommon man network) in awhile, because I didn’t feel up to it to be able to motivate the youths there who look up to me, at a point I started asking myself a few fundamental questions… if I had made any difference at all? was this was what others who have threaded this path before have faced at the beginning of their journeys’?, did situations or circumstances weigh them down and made them feel they hadn’t done enough? or their inputs wasn’t well felt?
These questions challenged the very principles that I had preached, and this got me into the back row seat again, where I started to see through the eyes of some of the people that had listened to me before and came up to me after to say, “it’s not as easy as you put it” or “I can do these things you say here but I am faced with difficulties and the harsh realities of life”. I came to see why they said these things, even if it was hard for me to understand them back then.
Well the good news or should I say the news I have for you today if you fall into this category, is I understand and sympathize with your difficulties and draw backs, but the truth still remains, that just as I allowed these things to weigh me down because I focused on them, I can also shift my focus into the positive and not dwell on the present circumstance or better still, simply overlook them and keep my eyes on my destination which is the Where or What and not the How.
In simpler words, I can focus on where I am headed and what I intend to achieve while trusting God, instead of focusing on how to get there which brings the harsh realities and the storms of life to the fore front. This reminds me of a short story I read some time ago, let me share and hope it will make a difference to you the way it did for me.
Enjoy…
Did you know that an eagle knows when a storm is approaching long before it breaks?
 The eagle will fly to some high spot and wait for the winds to come. When the storm hits, it sets its wings so that the wind will pick it up and lift it above the storm. While the storm rages below, the eagle is soaring above it.
The eagle does not escape the storm. It simply uses the storm to lift it higher. It rises on the winds that bring the storm.
When the storms of life come upon us - and all of us will experience them - we can rise above them by setting our minds and our belief toward God. The storms do not have to overcome us. We can allow God’s power to lift us above them.
God enables us to ride the winds of the storm that bring sickness, tragedy, failure and disappointment in our lives. We can soar above the storm.
Remember, it is not the burdens of life that weigh us down; It is how we handle them.
Topics: Failure, Laws Of Attraction, change, choice, motivation, success principles |
June 10th, 2008 at 8:37 pm
Way to go!!! There will always be obstacles and adversities. It’s how we utilise them that says who are, God always helping of course. Have faith and be strong. My boss tells us have an “in spite of” attititude and I agree whole heartedly with him.
June 10th, 2008 at 9:35 pm
Solid! Don’t stop… power up!
June 11th, 2008 at 12:45 am
Just one of many stones in your path, you will move this one out of your way and continue to do the work God has chosen for you to do..I believe in you and know that you will move every stone that is in your path to get to where u want, You are God’s chosen one and he is with you every step of the way, Dont lose focus, stay on the positive path, and your light will continue to shine, You have and will continue to make a difference in those that read your post’s, You have made a difference in my life and how i handle struggles, how i help others when they are in need i refrence back to your words so very often. Just this past weekend i ran across an old student of mine that had dropped out of school after i resigned. We talked about his struggles with friends beating him down along with his family, fire from their mouths saying he cant do this or that.. he had inrolled into an education class to get his degree and is struggling in doing so only due to others beating him down.. when advising him i thought of the words you wrote here on how one needs to think positive, to suround yourself with positive and how others will put stones in your path … well after our long conversation we parted on a positive note he is going to continue with his studies and said that no matter how many times he fails he will go at it again n again until he is successful.. So please Felix keep doing what you are doing cuz u have an affect on people that dont even read your post’s due to those that do and use what u teach here as a… pay it forward chain of good.. So many in my life as u know have bad vibes with internet only due to what has happened to me and many look down on me saying “shes a crazy woman” and those words hurt at times, but one thing they dont know is FAITH,HOPE and the greatest LOVE… i do know these things and i follow my heart my soul the truth that God has given each of us to listen to by choice, i will forever listen to the truth in my soul, cuz it has never steard me wrong not even when i was lied to i knew the person that lied to me had a good soul was just misguided and once again my truthful soul proved right.. wink.. love u plenty n am very proud of your strength, keep the faith sweetie.. you are shining and will only get brighter .. xxx
June 11th, 2008 at 8:46 am
It was the Late Tai Solarin that said “may your road be rough!”. Quite honestly,I believe he didn’t mean it as a curse.He simply wanted to emphasize that after the rain comes sunshine.For the noble task you are undertaking be aware that a lot of obstacles may be encountered but the only way to overcome them is to tackle them heads on without fear.All the best!!!
June 11th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
Never, never, never give up”
Felix, encouraging urself is going to be a lifelong job.ur ve to be ur own cheerleader many times in ur lifetime.
when ur carrying a project through to completion,u will get to a point where u will soon run out of steam, what u need to do is to build ur own personal inspiration, memories of pple u have touched their lives.
i hope u no that experiences of ur mentors or prayer can motivate you to go to the last mile.
If there were ever a time to dare, to make a difference, to embark on something worth doing, it is now. Not for any grand cause, necessarily, but for something that tugs at your heart, something that’s your aspiration, something that’s your dream. You owe it to yourself.
Felix if you can stop one heart from breaking, you shall not live in vain; if you can ease one life from aching, or cool one pain, or help one fainting robin unto his nest again, you shall not live in vain.”
June 11th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
There are 2 things you can count on as you walk with GOD:(1) Trouble that works for you and (2)The grace to stand while u’re going through it.
Have you been praying for patience?get ready for trouble! There’s no other way to get it.Patience grows in the soil of adversity. How do u test the test the strength of an achor? Expose it to the fury of a storm.Understand this:Our problem is we pray 4things but don’t recognise the answer when it comes. HERE is how it works:U ask God 4 strength and he allows you 2 go through times of testing.U ask for wisdom and you will get 2 deal with problems that require solutions.
U ask 4 success n he will give u d ability to work,not necessarily harder,but smater.Hear this: SALVATION IS A GIFT,BUT PATIENCE IS A REWARD FOR OVERCOMING.SO DO HIS WILL N HUMBLE UR SELF N LEARN HIS WAYS N D LESSONS HIS TEACHING U…2MROW U’LL BE GLAD U DID..
June 11th, 2008 at 8:14 pm
What can I say? The eagle illustration had said it all. I wish Nigeria police will submit themselves to learning and improving… It’s such a shame.
Where was I? Yes, the eagle, with God presence and love, we will keep soaring higher and higher. Keep on the tough skin!!!(wink)
June 12th, 2008 at 2:04 am
@ Becks… i like your way of thinking .. oh wise one.. u hit it right on the head.. every word u said here i have said at one point in time.. i agree whole heartedly…. Stay focused Felix and know that you shall bear fruit when never losing Faith, God is in control of all and at times we question why us or why me as i said this morning to you.. but then realized that all happens for a reason i just havent seen the big picture yet but i will as u shall too.. xxx Stay strong babes you have a long rough road ahead.. but nothing that u cant handle.. wink.. latta luv..
June 12th, 2008 at 8:44 am
@Debra…So do i appreciate ur insight!!If only we can all see through our weakness and amour our faith for the fierce battle ahead;then we would all come to realise all it takes is d Grace of GOD,the solid faith built in us and most especially it is all about becoming who you were born to be.i believe in every soul lies salvation and positivity.But it’s urs 2 decide if ur want 2 win d battle or loose it..LIFE IS A GAME OF CHESS..
1LUV
June 12th, 2008 at 8:58 am
@Felix..U never fail to intrigue me!! u know wat?i just smile and smile each time i see the progress of ur faith n positivity..Glad u made it through n thankful 4 those nasty,crazy,funny n adventrious years we all shared.
Looking back 2day,can’t help but smile n say,GLAD WE ALL MADE IT THROUGH D STORM!
KIP UP UR SHIELD OF FAITH..IN TIMES OF DOUBT,JST REMEMBER U’VE DONE IT B4,N U CAN DO IT AGAIN!I’LL ALWAYS BELIEVE IN U…
I SMILE!!!
June 12th, 2008 at 11:14 am
@ Becks… AMEN AMEN AMEN
June 12th, 2008 at 11:17 am
@ shola… i agree with your boss, thank you for your steady follow ups.
@ deolu … thanks, you still inspire me on a daily
@debra … thanks for having faith in me, inspite of all.
@ akinpelu … Tai Solarin wouldnt have been more right, really the day starts breaking when the night has come to its darkest.
@chidinma… your words are touching really, becos i received a mail after this post and i knew that even if the change comes to one its goes a long way.
@becks… really glad we made it thru those days, and appreciate your follow up here.
@standtall… thanks for your visits, will blogroll you soon… i like what you are dong too.
@ the rest of you who didnt drop your comments… thanks for reading… hope you share with others who you feel need some of it… cheers.
@all… you guys have really jolted me up with your words of encouragement and i feel up to it again… Thank you!
June 13th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
Great post…you just descrbed some of us in this world…lol