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Looking Beyond Our Imperfections and Sharing Our Truths

I was recently editing a blogpost with the help of my sister when I suddenly thought: You know, I am sometimes guilty of doing the things that I tell my blog readers not to do. For example, I was thinking, sometimes I do not forgive easily; sometimes I dwell on things that make me sad. After taking a short guilt trip, I realized something that I had to mention. I told my sister: I share my truths with others not because I am perfect, but because I know that my truths can help people including myself. My definition of “my truths” is – things that the instructor knows are factual and helpful to mankind, and some of these things, the instructor, in his/her human nature may not be perfect at adhering to. I learn from my truths. I use them often in my life, but I am not perfect at applying them at all times. Imperfection does not mean that we should hold back realities from others. I may not be 100% positive everyday but I know that living that way or close to that way, will pay off richly on the human body both physically and mentally. Thus, I will keep sharing my truth that everyone should let happiness and positivity in, and try to discard negative thoughts. Personally, there are many times when other people’s truths have healed me, and motivated me. Some people share their truths through their books, their quotes, their openness on their social networks e.t.c. Like I wrote on Twitter at the peak of my inner revelation of ‘sharing my truths’, – Share your truths with others, not because you are perfect, but because people need to know that no one is perfect and that they are not alone in their imperfections. – Your truths will uplift others. They will help people realize that imperfections are human and that improvement is a possibility. – Share your truths, and share the love that dwells within you. Be a light to others. A good point to note is that you should not share all your truths with everyone and/or just anyone. Remember that the world we live in has its fair share of disappointments and betrayals. Share those truths that you are not afraid to share, with – family, friends and acquaintances. However, for those truths that you are not very comfortable with letting out, and for truths which you only want a limited number of people to know, you should talk to a professional. For example – a psychologist, a religious leader, a counsellor. These individuals are expected to handle people’s personal matters with anonymity, so it is okay to trust them. This blog has been a medium for me to share my truths with the world, for a month now. A month today was when I established and started Blurred Creations! 😀 Through this blog, I have been able to share my passions, concerns, life experiences and ideas with the public. Get open. Share your truths to inspire, to educate, to encourage, to heal, to motivate. Happy birthday to our blog – Blurred Creations! Thank you SOOO much my dear followers and readers for being with me, Chiamaka, on this journey for the past month!:)
My questions for you?

– Why do you share your truths with others?

– What do you gain from people sharing their truths with you or the public?

Love,

Chiamaka.

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Heritage, Solidarity and You

*Please note that in this post, I am discussing heritage with regard to country of ‘origin’* “I was born there”, “I was born and raised there”, “my parents are from there” – The common answers to the question of “What’s your heritage?” Our heritage may not be the first answer that we give when asked: “Where are you from?” Someone with Polish parents who lives in Canada may refer to him/herself as being a Canadian. There is no wrong in that because if you live somewhere, you have the right to accept it as your own and you should. However, answers differ from person to person. Someone else with Polish parents could still refer to him/herself as being Polish-Canadian. My conception is that the main difference in answers points at solidarity. Most of the time when I meet people in Canada and I am asked where I am from, I mention the place where some of my family and I live in Canada, that is, Calgary as where I am from. I only mention Nigeria when I get into very deep conversations with people. Why? I try very hard to avoid the stereotypical questions that I usually get when I mention that I was born and raised in Nigeria – an African country. The most common and perhaps the most annoying one I get is: How did you learn English? (Err … basically every Nigerian IN Nigeria speaks it). Back to solidarity … Being born and raised somewhere is likely to not only give you a sense of belonging, it gives you a love for that place that cannot be compromised except in cases like war, bad leadership, betrayal or like in my case (sometimes) – stereotypes, e.t.c. I believe that “I was born there” and “my parents are from there” are similar in a way. If you were born somewhere but then moved away, there is a sense of belongingness but solidarity may not be reflex unless you go out of your way to keep up with the culture of the society which you left. When people say that their parents are from somewhere, the parents were most likely born and raised in that place. Children will probably feel a sense of belongingness to their parents’ native country but to really feel like they share in that heritage, to have some solidarity, both them and their parents have to put in work. The parents will cook their native food, make family friends with people from their native country, and/or speak their language at home. The children in turn, will feel something beyond a cultural history in the family tree but also a major sense of belongingness and solidarity to that heritage. A sense of solidarity and belongingness to a culture is powerful. It makes you feel the right to defend that heritage, criticize it and also celebrate it. When people speak untruly of Nigeria/Nigerians, I hardly fail to defend my country and my people. I criticize bad leadership in the federal government of Nigeria. I also criticize the actions of the Boko Haram militant group in Nigeria. I also celebrate my heritage, like I did on Twitter on May 18th, 2014 after I attended a Nigerian’s Graduation party in Colorado. The party reminded me so much of home – Nigeria. There was loud music, happy people and of course, lots of food – A Typical Nigerian Party. I was shy to dance for long, but the energy from my conversations with others, seeing lots of happy people and seeing people dancing like they just don’t care was beautiful. I came back home and reminisced on the event and I felt like a proud Nigerian. I captured some memories:) Please see below:

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Me working my waist on the dance floor. Could you tell that I was shy? Lol I was!

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 My sister, Ebele in action!:)

More dancing … http://youtu.be/PD9y1ed21ZM

My questions for you – Does the question of ‘heritage’ come up often in your conversations with people? If yes, how do you address that question? – Do you have a cultural heritage (religion, food, country, language, music e.t.c) that you would like to share with other readers of this blog, and myself?

Love,

Chiamaka.  

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Youth Courageousness and Why It’s Needed

Talk about young people stand up!! – For sometime now, I have being admiring and getting lots of inspiration from young people (teenagers and people in their twenties) who have moved out of their comfort zone and are doing creative things with their lives. On social media networks, even at school, in my family, I get to know about some young dream chasers and change-makers – From Malala Yousafzai, to a group of University of Ottawa students who together with staff formed the Independent Initiative Against Rape Culture in March 2014, to my entrepreneurial siblings. Moving out of your comfort zone to work toward something that you really want to achieve is bold. It’s even more bold, I believe when you are young. You are at that stage when most of your counterparts continually stress their desire to graduate and get a job with the government and settle for whatever or just work for someone and follow their rules. Youth is that stage where the creative individual questions if uniqueness will be worth the try. So, when I see youth entrepreneurs, youth advocates and youths who seek to make change whether through working for the government, under someone or not, I am truly inspired. Another obstacle that comes with being creative (for everyone) is rejection. Not everyone you contact with your idea will get back to you; not everyone you speak to about your plan will agree that it is a good one; even friends may not support you. However, you will have both doubters and believers. When you have reviewed your plan thoroughly on your own, and then with some family members, friends, and experts that have experience with regard with your plan; and you believe that it will accomplish a purpose that satisfies you, go on with you idea! You will attract like-minded creative people to your niche. You will motivate and inspire people to not only think outside the box, but also, to move out of the box. I am still reading the book, The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin and I am really enjoying it. In Chapter three of the book, the author writes about her decision to face her fear of failure and she made this statement: “If something is worth doing; it’s worth doing badly.” Not an attractive statement at first sight, but it is a truthful and encouraging statement. Sometimes, we are even our own obstacles by doubting ourselves. Take action instead of overthinking your idea and when you execute your idea, remember that your final goal may not be achieved in a hurry. As long as you are still passionate about your plan, continue to work your hardest at it. Your efforts will pay off, eventually. I admire that the braveness of youth success is also recognized by community event planners who feel that inspiring young people should be awarded and publicized. In Ottawa, there is the Spirit of the Capital Youth Awards that recognizes youth that have contributed to their society in different ways. In Toronto, there is the BBPA’s Harry Jerome Awards’ Young Entrepreneur award. There is also, the Royal Bank of Canada’s Students Leading Change Scholarship. Etcetera. My fellow young people let us not let doubt; fear of rejection and failure discourage us from following our heart’s desires. By being true to you, you never know the kind of huge success that you are building up. Also, you might just be inspiring people to become exceptional in their thinking and actions, as well.  

My Questions For You

– Are there some inspiring youths that you know? If yes, who are they? 🙂

– What suggestions do you have on ways to encourage young people to think outside the box and/or be bold with their dreams?

Let me know!

Love,

Chiamaka.      

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The Mistreatment of Aboriginals and The Footprints of The Colonizers, In Canada

Oh Colonization. You had both benefits and problems. The latter cannot be exempted. Being an African in Canada and an African who aims to break down the stereotypes that non-Africans have of my people, I very often fill-in the footprints of colonization. I hardly hesitate to say “Our (Nigeria’s) official language is English”, when a surprised acquaintance or friend tells me that my English is so good. I very often feel the need to have no non-North-American accent in the land of the Westerners. I very often feel the need to speak like the white man. Oh, colonization. I am not the only descendant of a former colony who tends to stick closely to the culture of the colonizers. If you have ever visited Canada, you will know that the culture of its colonizers – the British, still lives on here. It is purposely preserved by the federal government. I do admire it in some cases. I love the historical buildings, I enjoy the designs in-and-out of the pubs. However, there are some negative and worrisome colonial traits that still pervade in my dear Canada. These are with regard to the treatment of First Nations people in Canada.

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Their decision to stick with the culture and practices of their ancestors without compromise has long caused them to be treated with less value than non-Aboriginals, in Canada. During colonization, Aboriginals were mandated to totally adjust to the societal systems of the colonizers. Also, Aboriginals were not allowed to pass on their culture under colonial rule. Even now, long after colonization, these individuals earn less than the minimum wage; the rate of employment for Canada’s Indigenous peoples is “about two-thirds of the national level.” Lack of jobs sometimes leads idle hands to get dirty. Aboriginals in Canada have higher rates of alcohol abuse than the national level. Also, the death rate among Aboriginals is “about three times” higher than the national rate. While I have heard that the federal government has issued apologies and offered funds to Aboriginals for the dark history of discriminatory treatments that they have had whilst living on Canadian soil, there is still more work to be done. The cases of missing and murdered Aboriginal women are yet to cease. Early this month of May, there was a report that according to the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN), over 1000 cases of missing and murdered Aboriginal females have been discovered by Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Just when one would have thought that those horrible stories of Aboriginal women being more vulnerable to murder than non-Aboriginals in Canada, had become things of the past. I have mentioned during conversations with friends, my disgust at how Aboriginals are marginalized in a country like Canada that is known and celebrated for having a very diverse population. On some occasions I was replied with: The problem is with their culture. Now that’s the echo of colonization. That’s the trail of the colonizers being followed. No human being should be vulnerable to violence, segregation or discrimination because of his/her race, culture, gender or religion. The federal government of Canada needs to enact strict regulations that protect Aboriginal persons from being victims of violent attack and discrimination. Also, as the government has it’s huge role to play, so do members of the Canadian public. We need to change our mindset. There is no one best way of living. Not the European, African or Asian ways of life. No. Every individual has the right to stick to the culture that best suits him/her without being queried. The mosaic of a multicultural society like Canada is that the different cultures that exist will make the state beautifully unique and more understanding of difference as opposed to homogeneous societies. Rather than believe that Aboriginals should push their cultural heritage aside and dissolve in Canada’s ‘melting-pot’, we should all agree that measures should be put in place to support Aboriginals’ culture in such a way that it is beneficial to them in an all-round way. I look forward to a day when Aboriginals will be treated without discrimination and given equal opportunities to succeed, just like every other Canadian. Last week, I received the petition below via Change.org. Please take a moment to read it and consider signing. Thank you! https://www.change.org/en-CA/petitions/hon-kellie-leitch-minister-for-the-status-of-women-call-a-public-inquiry-into-hundreds-of-missing-and-murdered-aboriginal-women-like-my-cousin-loretta-saunders?utm_source=action_alert&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=57261&alert_id=wQkThaSAET_LHEtVv70qA1TFdHQ5KvFUZ%2FUTDyEyoxEtpyB7vEaSBY%3D  

My Questions For You – How do you think prejudice in society can be curbed? – Do you have other examples of negative effects of colonization that still exist in former colonies? 

Love & Peace,

Chiamaka.

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Why Happiness Deserves Your Hard Work

Each person has things that make him/her happy that differ from another individual’s picks. Every one wants to be happy but most times we do not focus on that goal. We let a lot of things take over that need. Sometimes we let people’s hurtful words, their jealousy or their uncouthness divert our attention from that top priority that is – being happy. Happiness is also left hanging on the edge when we desire money over the former. An academic advisor at the University of Ottawa told me something that has made him one of my best people forever. He told me: Do what makes you happy. I took that advice and I am not regretting doing so. That advice applies to every sphere of life. Don’t take a job that you don’t enjoy just because it pays well. Go find that job that you are actually passionate about. Make effort to be happy. Happiness not only makes you feel better, it makes you do better. Also, happiness will make you be the best person that you can be to others. The truth is everybody needs some positive actions from other people to boost their own happiness. I consider happiness to be a dream because it feels good to be very happy, but then, honestly, the feeling of happiness is inconsistent. However, we can avoid stressing over those things that are not worth compromising our joy, our happiness, for. I have been on that journey to get immune to certain annoyances, for a while now. Last year, I was speaking with my elder sister on the phone and I was telling her of my plan to be going out for dinners with friends very often. At that period, I was having frequent bouts of depression. I have made improvements now. Back to my point … I went further to tell my sister that sticking to my new plan would be costly, then I added: I don’t mind spending a lot of money. I just want to be happy. I did not have a lot. Trust me! However, I did not mind spending a great deal from the ‘just enough’ that I had. Happiness was my goal. That plan helped me very much. Every week, I would have a friend(s) that I will be meeting with for breakfast/lunch/dinner. I would take the effort to search for the restaurant to go to; I would plan where my friend(s) and I should meet at before we headed to the restaurant. My efforts were not in vain, I always had fun each time I executed my happiness plan. Happiness is a selfish emotion. It does not stick to anyone for too long, but there are ways to avoid staying out of touch with it for too long. I will share with you personal tips that have helped me grab a hold of happiness and sometimes, they have helped me hold it captive for a good amount of time. Here you go: – Stop looking down on yourself. Appreciate the person that you are now and the better person that you will become as time goes on. – “Do what makes you happy”. Really! In my case, I love going out with friends, hanging out with my sister and dancing. I also enjoy travelling. I like being an entrepreneur-in-training. Find your own passions and stick with them. – Don’t reply every insult or sarcastic statement that is directed toward you. – Don’t send an email to someone when you are still angry at that person. Give yourself some time to lighten up, so that you can express yourself in a peaceful manner, while still trying to send across your message. – It is better to call someone than to send a text message to that person when you feel that the message might be interpreted to mean something contrary to your intention. – Exercise often. People who exercise often tend to be happy and energetic (so no time to lie around and drown in sadness!). – Go out often, and try to make new friends when you do. – Distance yourself from people who make you doubt yourself. – Do things that will help others to be happy as well. Here is a quote that I learnt about from the book that I am currently reading called, The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin: “Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence.” – Aristotle I hope you put those words at the back of your mind. You deserve happiness and you need to put in effort to attain it.  

My questions for you

– What makes you happy?

– What are those things that you are going to get rid of, so that you can be happy more often?

Wishing you lots of happiness!

Love,

Chiamaka.  

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Fellow Nigerians, Keep Rising – Let’s not allow grief kill Our hope (Part II)

“Our girls” are still missing. Two-hundred-and-something of them. The President of Nigeria, Goodluck Ebele Johnathan (GEJ) is still yet to give the families of the girls hope, probably except for informing Nigerians that the United States has decided to help. President GEJ granted a media chat on May 4th, 2014. During and after the interview, a lot of Nigerians took their disgust and disappointment at the President to twitter. Many were probably expecting that GEJ’s media chat would bring hope to Nigerians, especially with regard to the case of the missing Chibok girls. However, when the President was asked about the action that he would take to solve the mystery behind the kidnap of the girls and bring them home, he said: The parents need to help us. We are asking that they bring the photo IDs of their children, but they are not co-operating. The most surprising and annoying part of President Johnathan’s answer to that question was when he stated that a high majority of the kidnapped girls are Christians. According to the President, the Muslim parents seemed to be against the idea of giving out the ID of their children because of the rules of their religion, but he did imply that the ‘good news’ is that majority of the kidnapped girls are Christian (who probably do not have that kind of ‘restriction’). Yes, I watched the interview, I thought: So this is my President? The goal is to be one. The goal is to teach Nigerians to love each other irrespective of their differences and beliefs. The goal is not to make biased statements that could lead to dispute among Nigerians. The goal is that the President, who should be the most powerful person in the country would encourage unity and peace among the public which he governs. Why would GEJ be interested in obtaining data on the religion of the kidnapped girls when everyone knows that the Boko Haram group consists of Muslim extremists. Why would the President put some, or most (according to him) of the girls who are already at risk, at greater risk by announcing such to the public. I felt weak and sad after watching President Johnathan’s media chat on May 4th. The relatives of the missing girls must have felt worse. They must feel so let down by someone who should be their hero. Someone who should be Nigerians’ defender. Now, it is confirmed that all we have and need is joint community action (both local and foreign). Nigerians, keep rising. Some weeks ago, I read a report which stated that Nigeria has become the largest economy in Africa. I was overjoyed, till I read that 70% of my people, Nigerians, are living in poverty despite this ‘growth’. The news then became bitter-sweet. A report on this milestone for Nigeria stated that the nation is expected to have a future total GDP of $510 billion based on calculations from 2013. The contributing industries to the expected progression include the film, mobile telephone and music industries of Nigeria. I was born and raised in Nigeria. The people of Nigeria are a hard working people. However, it is time to stop, like the late great Fela Anikulapo Kuti put it, “suffering and smiling”. While we should continue to persuade the federal government to improve Our society and provide more fair opportunities for Nigerians, it is time we worked on our individual talents as well. It is time that you depend on you. Build your own film market; direct movies; construct mobile phones; build your own fashion industry; build your own school. In other words, my fellow Nigerians, keep rising. I, myself, have risen with you.  

My Questions For You

– How are you planning to help the Nigerian people in this time of grief?

– What is it that you do to improve your own community?  

My dear readers, please keep using the hashtags, #BringBackOurGirls & #StopTheBombings. Keep sharing the story of the missing Chibok girls. Also, for those who can, please keep praying for the swift and safe return of “Our girls”.

Love & Peace,

Chiamaka.

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Fellow Nigerians, Keep Rising – Let’s not allow grief kill Our hope (Part I)

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Back in highschool in Nigeria, teaching students about the natural resources which their country possesses was a key part of our teachers’ curriculum. We learnt that this state in Nigeria possesses a lot of coal, the other, petroleum, the other, diamond, and the list goes on. Nigeria is a naturally blessed nation. So even in the midst of all the grief that Nigerians are currently going through, I continue to stick with my mantra: Nigeria never did anything to me, it is some Nigerians IN Nigeria that should check themselves. I developed that mantra because I do not want Nigerians including myself to look down on the Land that We are blessed with. We are lucky to belong to a Land naturally blessed with resources in terms of people, mineral resources and religion. Nigeria is a rich country. Nigeria is the earthly body containing people who were made to be able to take action. The direction Nigeria goes depends on the people it contains. It depends on Nigerians. Grief has been mentioned twice in this article. It is the simplest sorrowful word that I can use to describe the present condition that most Nigerians are in now. About two weeks ago, 234 school girls were kidnapped in Borno State, Nigeria by Boko Haram (a vicious Islamic militant group in Nigeria). The news was received, but as time went on and a majority of these girls had still not returned, Nigerians began to take action. I must say that I am very proud of my people. This has been the first time that I have heard of so many Nigerians coming together to publicly condemn the actions of the Boko Haram group. Women were marching in the rain on Wednesday, April 30th, calling for “our girls” to be brought back. Lots of Nigerians began using the hashtag #BringBackOurGirls on Twitter. I joined in. To my amazement and delight, lots of foreign celebrities joined in using that hashtag and spreading the sad message of the missing girls to others. Nigerians have had enough, so now they have risen. The rain did not stop them. Their togetherness has inspired many including foreigners to take action. This relates to the post from Tuesday in which I wrote that taking your talent or passion public would make a positive impact somehow. I am proud of the Nigerians that action for the sake of “our girls”. While I mention that Nigerians have risen to take action, I refer to the Nigerian public as the President seems to care less about these young girls who have been taken away from their families, their education and have been stripped of their human rights. Nigerians are yet to see the President, Goodluck Johnathan take serious and beneficial action towards the case of these missing girls. His wife demanded that she be addressed as “Mama Peace” some months ago. Where is she now that women need a voice? I am proud of the Nigerian public for seeing that there is power in community. However, I am saddened that the President has yet to learn and is yet to be inspired from the governed. Yes, it is meant to be the other way around, but that is what is recommended in Nigeria, at the moment. Nigerians and supporters of the #BringBackOurGirls movement from all over the world were still grieving when we heard that another bomb blast had occurred at Nyanya, Abuja. That was the same place were Boko Haram bombed and killed people about three weeks ago. As suspected, there were deaths in this second bomb blast. Still the federal government seems nonchalant. Hearts are heavy. Nigerians are grieving. It’s hard for hope to stay in hearts that have been tested by heartbreak on and on again. It is true, but please, Nigerians and all who advocate for peace in Nigeria, let us not allow grief to kill our hope. Continue to use the hashtags – #BringBackOurGirls and #StopTheBombings on your social media networks. You do not have to be Nigerian to feel the pain that looms in Nigeria right now. Do your part and inspire others to advocate for peace in Nigeria. I have hope (though on-and-off), but I do have hope that Nigerians will be rescued. I have hope that Nigerians would be rescued from Boko Haram, bad government and all people and things that are hindering Nigerians from enjoying the fruits of their naturally blessed Land. My fellow Nigerians, please keep rising. I have risen with you all.

Ahh … My heart is heavy. I had to still make sure that I ask you all a few questions, so here we go:

– How are you planning to help the Nigerian people in this time of grief?

– What do you do to maintain peace in your daily lives?

Let me know!

Also, please use the hashtags – #BringBackOurGirls and #StopTheBombings, in one tweet or separate tweets. You can follow me – @Amzy_M and tag me in your tweets. I will retweet you!

Love & peace,

Chiamaka.

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Moving Your Talent(s) Beyond You

We have all probably heard someone say: Everyone is talented in their own way. Maybe you have heard that statement in different wordings, but it is true. Every individual has a talent or has talents. Talent is invisible when it is not being used perhaps because it is yet to be discovered; because of nervousness, doubts or procrastination. Talent is personal. Your talent may be discovered by someone other than you, but it is still personal. You choose whether to gain from your talent, your personal resource or not. Reflect on your hobbies and think of a way to create something big out of one or all of them. If you like to sing, apply to showcase your talent at events, even if it is for free. Use every possible opportunity to express your talent and let people recognize your it. As time goes on, you will be on demand; people will feel the need to express your talent for you. People could eventually pay for your talent, your personal resource, because you have publicized it and they view it to be of value. These hold for whatever your talent is. Talent is personal but when you build upon it with true love and appreciation of your personal resource(s), talent becomes interpersonal. Others will be inspired and motivated by your talent. This is what it should be like. Do not feel that you are better off working for someone till retirement age hits and then there should be nothing to do. Build on your own talent. You can work for the government or for someone while you are also working on your own talent, as long as there is no conflict of interest. Entrepreneurship is where talent takes us. If you choose to be public with your talent, you will take risks; you will have to be open to criticism with the awareness that it sometimes hurts. An entrepreneur has to expect (this expectation may not be instant) even strangers to send moving compliments. What has been personal becomes inter-personal. Michael Jackson and Nelson Mandela are two of my many inspirations when it comes to community service and social justice. Thus, I will call them entrepreneurs as through their publicized personal passion/talent, they motivated and continue to motivate me to use writing to publicize my own passions with the aim of inspiring others to take action. Do not shy away from your talent. It is your personal resource. Each individual probably has more than one talent. Build upon your favourite one, at least. Use your talent to make you stand-out. Use it to make you indispensable. Use it to earn a living. Also, use it to inspire others to use theirs. Remember this: Talent is personal, but when used well, it becomes interpersonal.

My questions for you:

– How do you showcase your talent?

– What are the challenges that you have faced as a result? How did you overcome those challenges?

Love,

Chiamaka.

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Forgiveness: A virtue and a puzzle

Bitterness is a burden, it obstructs you from being the best, most loving person that you can be. The ability to forgive is a virtue. I often hope to consistently possess that virtue, both for the ‘little’ hurts and the ‘great’ ones. Despite my realization that the ability to forgive is a virtue, I struggle to understand how some people are able to forgive specific wrongs that others did against them.

During the weekend, I saw the report that Rubin ‘‘Hurricane’’ Carter has died. You may want to familiarize yourself with the late ex-boxer’s story here: http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/rubin-hurricane-carter-dead-at-76-1.2616026 I will give you a short but important summary of Carter’s life. He was an ex-boxer who was in prison for 19 years for a crime that he was innocent of. The imprisonment cut short his somewhat promising boxing career. Amongst the people who advocated for Carter’s release from prison were “a group of Canadians”, and Rubin Carter who was born in America settled in Canada after his release from prison. After getting out of imprisonment, Carter became an “advocate for the wrongly convicted …”). He was consistent with this work till his death at the age 76 in Toronto on April 20th, 2014. On his deathbed, he made known his wish that a hearing would be given to David McCullam, who has been imprisoned for 28 years. Carter believed that McCullam is innocent of the crime that he is being convicted of. I do hope that the wish gets granted.

It is unpleasing to think of what a day in prison would be like. Just one day. Then how about 19 years? What an exile. An exile from the love of family, friends, an exile from independence, an exile from gainful opportunities, an exile from freedom. Rubin’s exile was different, he was innocent, not unlike a lot of other convicts and ex-convicts though. His career was cut short just for him to be in a restricting cell, away from the luxuries of fame, again, away from freedom, to be trapped in the perils of bondage for 19 years. After Rubin Carter finally gained freedom, he began a pursuit. Not a pursuit for revenge, but a pursuit for justice for those who were convicted of crimes that they did not commit. A pursuit for redemption for near-martyrs of false accusation. What a heart.

I am not trying to make comparisons here. It’s okay to say that I am just too patriotic to Canada, but I must point out that Canada has a living public example of forgiveness by name, Orlando Bowen. His football career ended when he was brutally attacked by two police officers who had falsely accused him of possessing cocaine. Bowen was later found to be innocent of drug possession (Read story here: http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2014/03/30/football_player_who_was_beaten_by_cops_pens_letter_of_forgiveness.html) He is now a motivational speaker, and also a youth mentor through the One Voice One Team organization, in Toronto.

Forgiveness is difficult, and sometimes very difficult, but it paves the way for love to set in. Bitterness is what sets in when you block every thought of forgiveness. Bitterness will affect even those who love and support you. It’s hard to think that individuals like Rubin “Hurricane” Carter and Orlando Bowen would have been positive influences in society, if the inhumane and unjust treatments they received left them bitter.

Don’t fake forgiveness. Work towards it. Think positive every time the negative thoughts come up. Realize that you deserve true happiness within, so don’t let someone’s hurtful words and/or actions make you look down on yourself. Let go of hate and anger, and let your love and positive light keep you and others in need of soul-strengthening, strong. Also, just as forgiveness is a virtue, so are honesty and compassion. Causing people unnecessary suffering is a terrible thing to do.

My questions for you

– What does forgiveness mean to you?

– Who are the people that have motivated you to forgive?

Let me know!

Love,

Chiamaka Mogo.

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Breaking Down The Bricks: There’s A Huge World Out There, You Know?

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Often, I go down memory lane and take myself back to my high school days in my country of birth, Nigeria. In those days, dad would wake me up to go prepare for school, my mum would make sure I ate breakfast, dad would drop me off at school in the morning and he would pick me up at the same spot, at end of the day. I go down memory lane from a current stage of major (not total :)) independence.

My adjustment to independence was shocking to me. As a child, I was greatly pampered by my parents, both of whom I am ever grateful for, but they did not fail to discipline me when I erred. They deliberately made me totally dependent on them and they enjoyed it. Thus, the rate at which I adjusted to independence was and sometimes still is a shocker to me.

I moved to Calgary from Nigeria in 2011 at age 14 to seek university education. I was left with two of my elder siblings, who were now highly independent and working for the government of Canada. After about two months, I decided that I could not keep idle till it was time to get into university by the next year. So, I searched for volunteer opportunities and I finally became a volunteer with the South Calgary Youth Council. There, I was dialoguing with people who possessed a much different culture from mine. They were Canadian. I was just Nigerian not Nigerian-Canadian or so I would introduce myself to people. I started using the bus like a pro. I used to be driven in a car everywhere just a few months ago!

I currently live and school in Ottawa where I have added a few more job experiences to my resume and self-esteem. I am still a volunteer community worker, now an entrepreneur, and also, I am the newly minted Lifestyle Editor for Afri-Culture (an online publication focused on the Ottawa region).

It has hit me now, that the will to fulfill my dreams sedated my self- consciousness, feelings and doubts, and moved me out of my comfort zone and opened me to the world out there, to the people beyond my short-sightedness. I could not do it alone. I am ever thankful to my sister, Ebele Mogo, who continually encourages me to get out of my comfort zone. I actually learnt the phrase – ‘comfort zone’ from her. Then, my parents, friends and other inspiring people that I have met and some I have not met but I have read about or watched.

Today, I encourage you to break off the bricks that surround you. Move out of your comfort zone and find happiness in being uniquely you.

My questions for you: Can you remember who/what made you move out of your comfort zone and how did you find the adjustment?

Love,

Chiamaka Mogo.

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