Evergist Greetings!

,

May God bless you

with happiness

and joy which

you missed in the

last month.

May you be highly favoured

Happy New Month Beloved!

Today's Inspiration:Find out Your Inner Confidence Through Skills You Already Love

Passion and doing something really well are inseparable lovers. When you’ve crafted something into exquisite refinement, passion effortlessly flows from it.
That’s my experience playing music, writing book and blogging at least. But it wasn’t always that way.
This didn’t happen overnight. It took me about six years to become “pretty good.” There were eureka moments along the way where I took larger steps.
Eventually, with deliberate effort, I knew enough to feel comfortable teaching others.
Have you ever tried to learn a new skill? Hard work, isn’t it? It takes effort and time. Unless you’re a genius. And I’ve met very few of those.

Start with What You’re Proud Of

Write down ten skills you’re proud of. I know it sounds like a lot, but ten is the magic number. Use language that expresses your pride deeply.
Writing skills, Make up skills, Designing skills and lots more..
For example, I am proud that I can:

1. Play sweet sounds on the Keyboard
2. Write well-researched inspiring blog posts that can help people be the best they can.
3. Sing
4. Co-ordinate group or an organization with a better social interaction.
5. Teach People how to become self employed
6. Organize my time to be amazingly productive
   [ugh…this is getting hard…]
7. Read one book every week
8. Study academic papers and distill the key points
9. Play sweet sounds on the Bass
10. Cook delicious, healthy meals that nourish my family

Your turn! Do this exercise. It’s an important first step.
After all, how can you work on something new, like building supreme confidence, without knowing what worked for you in the past?
Next, read the list out loud. Mentally reinforce your exceptional skills. When you’re struggling or trying to master a new skill, read it again. These are your reminders that mastery is possible.

You Can Master Anything; the Skinny on Accelerated Learning

In his book Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell suggested that, with 10,000 hours of practice, anybody could become a world-class expert in any skill. He cited an academic article in Psychological Review titled, “The Role of Deliberate Practice in the Acquisition of Expert Performance.”
In the article, the authors found that:
“The differences between expert performers and normal adults reflect a life-long period of deliberate effort to improve performance in a specific domain.”
Gladwell admitted that this doesn’t apply to skills that require genetic ability, like sports. But it works like a champ for everyday skills.
Also, how you practice makes a huge difference.
Therefore, we can say that repeatedly taking the right actions to improve performance will make you much better at a skill.
Here’s the formula for mastering a skill:

1. Identify what to work on—by seeking out experts.
2. Identify how to work on these—see same experts.
3. Put in deliberate, consistent effort—by carving out the time and developing habits.

Question: How do I seek out experts (steps 1 and 2)?
It’s the twenty-first century, my friend! Use the Internet—eBooks, blogs, podcasts, webinars. Or go traditional with paper books and conferences. Seek and ye shall find.
Question: How do I put in deliberate, consistent effort (step 3)?
In her book Everybody Writes, Ann Handley says that practicing thirty minutes each day is much more effective than practicing for four straight hours. If you do the math, that’s 210 minutes spread out over a week vs. 240 minutes in one sitting. Less time? I’ll take that any day.
Go ahead and schedule daily time on your calendar and use an automatic reminder. Even if it’s just fifteen minutes every day. Focus on only the one skill during those fifteen minutes. You will progress rapidly from amateur to ace.

What Are You Waiting For? Discover Your Inner Confidence!

I get wonderfully lost in the moment when I’m on stage. I’m relaxed. I’m having the time of my life. But a few years back, if you asked me to stop playing keyboard and say a few words to the audience? {Silence} {Heart beating faster} {Sweat, anxiety, palpitations}
I couldn’t do it!
Like almost everybody with a pulse, I was afraid of public speaking.
I realized that, to pursue better opportunities, to network with people who could help me, and to portray myself as a true professional, I needed to be more confident.
First thought: “Nah, I’m an introverted, socially awkward engineer. Not gonna happen.”
…a few minutes go by as I ponder my continued stagnation…
Second thought: “Hmm. How will I know unless I try? Let’s do this!”
At that point, I decided to take up a new skill: the skill of confidence.
I read books and blogs on speaking and influence, joined Toastmasters, attended public speaking conferences, and volunteered for small leadership positions.

When you practice a skill, it becomes your passion. You start connecting with others, who respond with deep, meaningful emotion.
You’ve arrived at artistry—the ultimate in human expression.
Okay, enough daydreaming! Go forth use your inner confidence to develop outer confidence:

• Look at your list of already-mastered skills to get motivated.
• Identify a new skill to master, like confidence.
• Seek out experts (online, books, podcasts, webinars, conferences).
• Develop a fifteen-plus minute daily habit of working on the skill.
• Conquer the skill.

Did you try the exercises? Are you excited about your journey toward mastery of a new skill?

Today's Inspiration: Changes to Make in Your 20s that Your 30s Self Will Thank You For

When we are in our 20s, everything seems possible. These years exist for making mistakes, learning from them, and bridging yourself into a fully-adult life. Your 20s are also a time to develop good habits (and resist bad ones) until your older self cements them into place.
Do these things, and you’ll be a happier, healthier person when 30 rolls around:

1. Don’t be afraid to pursue your dreams.

“Don’t wait for the perfect moment. Take the moment and make it perfect” – Unknown

There is no better time for finding and focusing on your passions than in your 20s. The way you channel your efforts now will influence how you spend the rest of your life.
You will probably never have as much motivation and vital energy to succeed as when you are young. With few obligations yet (such as mortgages or families) to slow you down, there’s no reason not to pursue your dreams.
Don’t let your own mind limit you.

2. Spend your time wisely.

“What you do today is important because you are exchanging a day of your life for it.” ­– Unknown

When we are in our early 20s, we feel like we have an unlimited amount of time ahead of us. In fact, time is passing fast. Remember – the only thing you can never buy back is your youth. Don’t waste your time on worthless activities or by following career paths you don’t enjoy.
Value your time. What you do in your 20s—the education you pursue, the skills you acquire, and the contacts you make—are the best capital you could even gain for your future.

3. Exercise and eat well.

“Health is the greatest possession. Contentment is the greatest treasure. Confidence is the greatest friend.“ – Lao Tzu

Your body will “send you a bill” for the trash foods you eat, the fitness classes you skip, your long nights of partying, and your long days of stressful work. Treat your body as your biggest investment and take care of it.
Experiment with many physical activities and discover your favorites; you’re more likely to maintain an exercise habit if you enjoy your workouts.
Don’t try to save money by neglecting your health. Nourish yourself with fresh and healthy foods and do whatever you must to keep a regular workout schedule. It’s way better to spend fifty bucks on a quality gym membership than drinks on Friday night.

4. Stop smoking.

“Smoking isn’t sexy.“ – Wingman Magazine

There is no rational reason to smoke; quit as soon as you can. Researchers have shown that smoking is harmful at any age. However, if you stop smoking before age 35, you can still live a long life and enjoy a better quality of life in middle age.

5. Develop good sleeping patterns.

“The time to relax is when you don’t have time for it.“ – Sydney J. Harris

Your 20s body regenerates faster than it will in later decades. It’s tempting to squeeze too many activities into your day and neglect your sleep—finally oversleeping when you have the chance.
Over the long term, such an irregular sleeping cycle reduces the quality of your sleep and speeds up the aging process. Make a habit of keeping a regular bedtime; stick to your evening and morning routines as often as you can.

6. Spend your money wisely.

“Try to save something while your salary is small; it’s impossible to save after you begin to earn more.“ – Jack Benny

On a crazy party night, it’s easy to spend too much on alcohol, greasy food, drugs, and late-night taxies. Do you really want to burn your money on these unnecessary and toxic things? Your money is your time – your precious life. You’ve traded your efforts for these dollars; think carefully before throwing them away.
Save and invest your money. The earlier you start saving, the more time your money has to accrue interest.

7. Accept your imperfections.

“Be gentle with yourself. You’re doing the best you can.“ – Unknown

No matter how much you try, you will never be perfect. “Perfect” doesn’t exist. Researchers have shown that accepting your vulnerabilities is the key to inner happiness. Don’t dwell on your past mistakes; learn from them and move ahead.
Don’t be unnecessary harsh on yourself; instead, use your energy to avoid repeating these mistakes in the future.

8. Stop comparing yourself to others.

“True happiness is when you are living your life without waiting for anyone’s approval.” – Unknown

The sooner you embrace your uniqueness and the differences between you and others, the happier you will be. Comparing yourself to those around you is pointless because everyone’s life goes at a different pace.

9. Stop trying to please everyone.

 “Focus on loving yourself instead of loving the idea of other people loving you.” – Unknown

Society has conditioned us to habitually try to please everyone around us. We want to fulfil our parents’ expectations, impress our schoolteachers, be accepted by our peers, and be liked at work. However, It’s not healthy to care so much about what others think.
Learn to surround yourself with people who accept you and like you for who you are. You don’t have time for people who try to change you or reframe you. Invest your time and energy wisely in a good group of friends!

10. Learn to be happy.

“Happiness is not having what you want. It is appreciating what you have.” – Unknown

Happiness is a choice you make everyday. It’s the habit of maintaining a positive attitude towards the reality around you. Learn to appreciate what you have and always look at the positive side of things.
Research suggests that appreciating what you have can increase happiness and decrease negative feelings.
Don’t postpone your happiness to a moment in the future; life is all about enjoying the journey!

Buhari Ministerial List:Senate Screens 8 nominees today, October 20

The upper legislative chamber has so far screened 18 out of President Muhammadu Buhari’s 36 ministerial candidates.

Those to be screened today are:

1. Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers)
2. Khadijah Abba-Ibrahim (Yobe)
3. Brig-Gen. Mansur Dan Ali, retd (Zamfara)
4. James E. Ocholi (Kogi)
5. Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed (Kaduna)
6. Barrister Adebayo Shittu (Oyo)
7. Heineken Lokpobiri (Bayelsa)
8. Abubakar Bwari Bawa (Niger)

Appeal Court adjourns Saraki’s case indefinitely

The appeal by Senate President, Bukola Saraki against the jurisdiction of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), to try him over alleged false declaration of assets, was on Monday, adjourned indefinitely by the Appeal Court, sitting in Abuja.
Recall that Saraki is challenging the legal propriety of the 13-count criminal charge the Federal Government preferred against him before the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT.
He had also gone before the appellate court to query the constitutionality of the warrant of arrest earlier issued against him by chairman of the CCT, Justice Danladi Umar.
Besides, the embattled Senate President, through his team of lawyers led by a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Mr. J.B. Daudu, SAN, wanted the higher court to ascertain whether the Justice Umar-led panel subscribed to the appropriate legal procedure when it ordered him to mount the dock and enter his plea to the charge despite preliminary objections against his trial.

Inspiring Story: The Villager and the Happy Man

In a small village, in the valley, lived a man who was always happy, kind, and well disposed to everyone he met. He always smiled, and had kind and encouraging words to say, whenever it was necessary. Everyone who met him, left feeling better, happier and elated. People knew they could count on him, and regarded him as a great friend.
One of the village dwellers was curious to know what his secret was, and how he could always be so kind and helpful. He wondered, how is it that he held no grudge toward anyone, and always was happy.
Once, upon meeting him in the street he asked him: "Most people are selfish and unsatisfied. They do not smile as often as you do; neither are they as helpful or kind as you are. How do you explain it?"
The man smiled at him and replied, "When you make peace with yourself, you can be in peace with the rest of the world. If you can recognize the spirit in yourself, you can recognize the spirit in everyone, and then you find it natural to be kind and well disposed to all. If your thoughts are under your control, you become strong and firm. The personality is like a robot programmed to do certain tasks. Your habits and thoughts are the tools and programs that control your personality. Become free from being programmed, and then the inner good and the happiness that reside within you will be revealed."
"But a lot of work is necessary. Good habits have to be developed. The ability to concentrate and to control the thoughts has to be strengthened. The work is difficult and endless. There are many walls that need to be to climbed. It is not an easy task." Lamented the villager.
"Do not think about the difficulties, otherwise this is what you will see and experience. Just quieten your feelings and thoughts, and try to stay in this peace. Just try to be calm, and do not let yourself be carried away by your thoughts."
"Is that all?" Asked the villager.
"Try to watch your thoughts and see how they come and go. Stay in the quietness that arises. The moments of peace will be brief at first, but in time they will get longer. This peace is also strength, power, kindness, and love. In time, you will realize that you are one with the Universal Power, and this will lead you to act from a different dimension - point of view -consciousness, not from the selfish, small, limited ego."
"I will try to remember your words," said the villager, and continued, "there is another thing that I am curious about. You do not seem to be influenced by the environment. You have a kind word for everyone, and you are helpful. People treat you well, and never exploit your goodness."
"Being good and being kind do not necessarily point to weakness. When you are good, you can also be strong. People sense your inner strength, and therefore, do not impose on you. When you are strong and calm inside, you help people, because you can, and you want to. You act from strength, not from weakness. Goodness is not a sign of weakness, as some people erroneously think. It can manifest together with power and strength."
"Thank you very much for your advice and explanations", said the villager, and went away happy and satisfied.
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Today's Inspiration: Simple Daily Habits for a Happier Life

“Hug harder. Laugh louder. Smile bigger. Love longer.” ~Unknown
Did you ever have it all mixed up?
Happiness, I mean. I once thought that a university degree and good grades would make me happy. I thought that traveling the world would leave me feeling fulfilled. .
They all did, but only for a while. They always came with an expiration date.
Finally, I had to stop and ask myself, “If I’m not able to be truly happy now, will I ever be?” If I couldn’t appreciate everything I already had in my life, would more really be the answer?
No.
Then I thought, “If happiness is what I want, why not take a shortcut and go there directly?”
So, I did. I stopped putting it on hold. I stopped allowing external circumstances to dictate how I felt. And I stopped relying on illusionary destinations of promised happiness and bliss.
What I realized is that happiness doesn’t happen by chance–it happens by choice. It’s a skill that anyone can develop with the right habits.

19 Happiness Habits That Could Change Your Life

1. Appreciate more.

This morning I woke up feeling appreciative of my bed, my incredible siblings, and my mom for being the rock in my life. Appreciation feeds happiness. It highlights and gives value to what matters in our life. And the more you appreciate, the more you’ll find things to be appreciative of.
When waking up and going to sleep, remind yourself of three things you currently appreciate in your life.

2. Energize yourself every morning.

Mornings set the tone for the rest of the day. A good morning routine leaves you feeling centered, energized, and ready to take on the world.
Meditate, do yoga, write a list of everything you love, watch inspirational YouTube videos, or listen to your favorite song before leaving the house. Simply, set yourself up for a great day!

3. Practice acceptance.

Things don’t always go as planned. I used to get frustrated when plans changed or when the bus arrived late. But resisting never changed anything; instead, it just sent me into a downward spiral. When I started accepting whatever happened, I relieved myself from unnecessary suffering.
Start practicing acceptance. Adjust to the new situation, without fueling it with negative emotions.

4. Live in the present.

This is where it all happens, the present moment. It’s the only place where you can experience happiness (or anything else for that matter). It’s the only place worth being. It might sound obvious, but realizing this was life changing for me. In the present I think better, feel better, and act better.
Whenever you enter a new place, use your five senses—sound, sight, touch, smell and taste—to find more nowness.

5. Listen attentively.

Listen with focus and compassion. Give people the gift of your full attention. This is a powerful source of happiness, as it creates strong bonds between people and places you in the now.
Whether it’s your colleague, partner, or a complete stranger on the street, decide to be more present in all your conversations.

6. Save money to invest in memories.

Material things might satisfy us short term, but experiences are what makes us happy long term. For the past year I’ve barely bought anything new. Instead, I’ve used that money to travel. Just thinking about the beach parties in the Caribbean, those sunny days in Central Park, and that festival in Ibiza puts a ridiculously big smile on my face.
Buy only things you need or fall head-over-heels in love with. Then, use that extra money for experiences that will make you go “Aaah,” “Ohhh,” and “Wow” when you think back of them.

7. Make new friends.

Many of us stop making friends after the age of twenty. Make new friends and you’ll grow as a person, be exposed to new experiences, and have a rich social life.
Have a friendly conversation with a stranger and maybe you make a new friend. Maybe it’s for five minutes, or maybe it’s for a lifetime.

8. Dream big.

Dreams are good; they propel us forward. They enliven our heart, awaken our mind, and give us reasons for living. Allow yourself to dream big and trust that it can become a reality for you.
Dedicate at least five minutes every day to be swept into your dream life. Make it as real as possible: visualize and create the feelings of being, doing and having all that you want.

9. Take steps toward your dream.

Now, does your present look like the future you’re dreaming of? If not, put more time and energy on what you want to see grow.
Take small steps every day to elevate you toward what you want. Tiny steps all add up.

10. Develop a mindset of abundance, not scarcity.

How we experience the world depends solely on our perception of it. When you live in lack, you protect and hoard. When you give away, you signal that you have more than enough for yourself.
Don’t feel like you get enough love? Give love to someone else. Don’t feel like you make enough money? Give money to someone else in need.

11. Take time to re-charge.

Even though we live in a society that fosters us to do more, be more, give more, and have more, we need time to re-charge. We need to fuel ourselves with energy. Take short breaks, and why not a power nap?
What doesn’t get planned usually doesn’t get done, so make sure to plan for downtime.

12. Make time to play.

Living isn’t a duty. You didn’t come here to fix something that’s broken or to complete a to-do list. You came for the fun of it, for the exhilaration and magic of being alive.
Set aside at least fifteen minutes every day for fun-time and make that time non-negotiable.

13. Be around happy people.

Attitudes are contagious. If someone’s smiling at you, you’ll probably smile. If someone is rude, then you’ll probably be rude back. Only hang out with people whose attitude you want to catch.
If happy people aren’t near, go online and watch videos with awesome-attitude people.

14. Move slowly.

Lao Tzu said, “Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.” Faster doesn’t mean better. Busier doesn’t mean exceeding. Don’t rush through life.
Slow down. Put your heart and energy into what you’re doing and focus on that (and only that).

15. Actively soothe yourself.

What matters isn’t what happens in our lives, but how we choose to deal with it. To make better decisions, we need to become our own lifeguard and sooth ourselves from negative thoughts.
When I feel bad I usually go running, meditate, or write a list of everything I love about my life. Practice different techniques until you find some that work for you.

16. Let go.

Letting go isn’t always easy, but it’s the only way new and better things can come along. When we let go of something, we come to a peace of mind. The struggle is over and new ideas and perspectives can begin to open up.
Practice letting go of what doesn’t serve you, such as complaining, comparing yourself to others, negativity, and mistakes from the past or worries about the future.

17. Forgive often.

Maybe someone was late, maybe someone was rude, or maybe someone forgot to call you back. Forgiveness doesn’t excuse behavior; it frees you from it. It releases resentment and other negative emotions tied to a person or a situation.
Make a habit of forgiving people, even for the smallest of things.

18. Attend to the real world.

Smartphones, tablets, and laptops are constantly screaming for our attention to the world of social media. The digital world is supposed to be a complement to our real life, not the other way around.
So, take time to be present where you physically are (the Facebook status update can wait).

19. Care for yourself.

Our body, mind, and soul are connected. Make a change in one of them and you change the state of all three. Isn’t that nice to know?
Do something every day to improve your overall state of well-being, such as preparing a good meal, exercising, or watching a good movie. And know that caring for yourself is caring for the world.

Claim Your Happiness Once And For All

Not being in charge of your happiness is frustrating. Relying on external events and circumstances to be in a certain way in order to feel good is a recipe for misery. Because, when life doesn’t go as planned or things fall apart, so does our happiness.
Happiness isn’t about having all the pieces in place. It isn’t about having a problem-free life or reaching a certain goal or objective. Instead, it’s about being able to enjoy where you are, no matter what.
Don’t leave your happiness to chance. Choose to claim it. Live the life you deserve to live.
Happy Sunday!