Ola Makinde – Assessments – International Institute for Global Leadership

As A Man Thinketh

Assessment by Ola Makinde (Nigeria)

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?

The author’s main idea he tried to convey is that man/woman is the architect of his/her own life, especially with the aid of thought. This is expressible in the foreword when he writes that, “its object being to stimulate men and women to the discovery and perception of the truth that—they themselves are the makers of themselves.” It is a focal embodiment that whatever we nurture in our mind to become is what we actually become. Hence, good thoughts should at all times be nurtured.

2. What were the seven ideas which were personally most important to you and why? List these seven ideas followed by an explanation after each one as to why it was important to you. Use personal examples from your own life.

i. Thoughts build Character

The author emphasized that, “A man is literally what he thinks, his character being the complete sum of all his thoughts.” In more synonymous terms, the character of a man is equal to his thought pattern. We can say the ‘visible’ (character) nature of a man is equal to his invisible (thought) nature. Therefore, to know the invisible man, just ‘collect’ his visible scenes. Furthermore, for a demeaning life, the bearer thought himself into it.

To advance from such level to that of exploit will demand his thought again, only that he must search for that advancement in his own mind.

According to the author, “Only by much searching and mining are gold and diamonds obtained, and man can find every truth connected with his being if he will dig deep into the mine of his soul.”

The pivotal help of building a meaning thought system is anchored on the pure knowledge of oneself. The author further highlighted the path to this knowledge as thus, “for only by patience, practice and ceaseless importunity can a man enter the Door of the Temple of knowledge.” That is, for a growth in great thoughts, patience with the present level (not cursing the poor performance but shaping a conscious course that yields improvement), putting into practice the thought pattern that supports the greater outcome. For instance, the power of confession is profitable even when the physical accomplishment seems far. There was a time when I wanted to improve on my character—of jettisoning anger. Coming across James Allen words that, “An angry man is a foolish man;” I instantly changed my thought to believe that nothing on this universe can get me angry.

ii. Circumstances Reveal the Thought of Humans

The focal point on this sub-title is that man’s circumstance has no potency to create a new him, but could only show the worth of such man, be he a weakling or a challenger of challenges. This is the quintessential reason the author asserts that, “circumstances do not make the man, it reveals him to himself.” On this note, the man that has thought great of self, though embedded in an un-merry mode will not be seen in such mood. He will rather not live than to live regrettably; he will rather be mute than to lament his seemingly ill-share of the present moment, for he has the celestial understanding that all what nature ascribes to human is meant to be nurtured with joy, inclusive of a bad luck into a great one.

iii. Bodily Healthiness through Thought In the bodily ‘Kingdom’, the King is invisible and the visible ‘Citizens’ of this Kingdom cannot but obey the ‘King’.

Here the King is called Thought, and the Citizens are the organs of the body. Hence, the author’s assertion that, “The body is the servant of the mind. It obeys the operations of the mind, whether they be deliberately chosen or automatically expressed.” To be healthy is to think healthiness.

Those that are afraid of getting a particular ailment finally gets visited it. And, thank goodness that it comes on visitation (though on invitation), it can be set packing with a well nurtured thought of wellness. The author warned against thoughts that work against the body, “thoughts of malice, envy, disappointment, despondency rob the body of its health and grace.” When a body becomes weak, it does not come by chance, it is just a clear definition of weak thoughts.

According to the author, “a sour face does not come by chance, it is made by sour thoughts”, the old saying still remains fresh, and “A merry heart doeth good like medicine.” Personally, I travelled to Lagos for a friend’s wedding in the season of Ebola outbreak in Lagos. Getting back to Osun State, I had symptoms of fever. The doctor that checked on me, on getting to know I just returned from Lagos, “Ah! You travelled to Lagos!” he exclaimed, and couldn’t come close to address me. He only stayed some distance and prescribed the drugs to use. Immediately he left, I said to myself that even though I just arrived from a state that has recorded some numbers of Ebola cases, I could not have contracted it, it is not possible I die at this level of life. The rest is history.

iv. Linking Thoughts with Purpose

Since what one wants to achieve in life is one’s purpose, it is expedient to establish that on the platform of thoughts. Here, the author tutors to groom an expectation of a great accomplishment regardless of the storms of the present life. According to the author, “Aimlessness is a vice, and such drifting must not continue for him who would steer clear of catastrophe and destruction.” When an idea to be achieved is set, such should then be the center of his thought with an unwavering morale. Right thinking towards the achievement of one’s purpose may be alien to the weak mind, but with unending exercise, the weakling is soon defined as strong.

v. Thoughts birth Achievement

Here, the achievements of a man, either good ones or otherwise, are all the resultant effect of the input—his thoughts. Failure or success is fruits of a sowed ‘seed’—of thoughts. The author made it clear that, “A man’s weakness and strength, purity and impurity, are his own, and not another man’s; they are brought about by himself, and not by another; and they can only be altered by himself, never by another.” In this realm, a young boy, birthed by a jobless single mother, who aims to become an instrumental chemist has the same chance of achieving such feat just like a young boy birthed by parents of worth in billions, why so? This is because their future achievement is not being orchestrated by the external factors—poverty or riches, but the internal—of thoughts. It will not be a surprise if the so called poor boy achieves the feat, likewise will it not be a surprise if the supposedly rich boy does not achieve such, the obedient child to the law of thoughts towards achievement truly achieves.

vi. Visions are to be cherished

The author encourages us to dream. We are permitted to dream consciously even if we are not ‘helped’ to dream consciously—the dream world. Some are fortunate to be given their life’s assignment in the dream world, only to be nurtured in their wake-world. Others create their dream in the wake-world. The most important thing is to dream, and it is meant to be cherished. From the words of the author, he says to us, “Cherish your visions; cherish your ideals; cherish the music that stirs in your heart, the beauty that forms in your mind, the loveliness that drapes your purest thoughts…if you but remain true to them, your world will at last be built.” The condition of cherishing one’s vision and ideals is being true to them. Purging the mind of deceitfulness in deals and duties, with that assurance, accomplishment is fortified.

vii. Calm Mindedness

The author call’s this serenity, “the result of long and patient effort in self-control,” he defined. That is, the most matured thought is exhibited in the highest level of control. This is also concerned with being adaptable to people. People are of different cultures and background, so, the innate readiness to work and walk with another fellow of diverse beginning is the expression of being serene with the mind. A calm mind cannot be shaken by the greatest storm of life. The more aggressive and unsettled a man becomes, the easier he is to be carried away by the troubles of life.

3. How will these ideas or lessons help you in a practical way, both in your daily personal life and in helping you to create a better world? If so, how?

With good thoughts, and with the understanding the effects of circumstances on character; effects of thought on health;; effect of thought on purpose; effect of thought on achievement; and the power of being calm-minded, all these will build inside of me those mechanisms to always maintain a refined thought in order to have a fine delivery on my goal towards making the world a better place than I met it.

4. Quotes: Are there any statements which the author made that particularly got your attention? If so, please quote them and comment as to why they were important to you.

“Circumstances does not make the man, it reveals him to himself.”

This is synonymous to say that “an office does not corrupt a man; it only shows the corruption in a man that was guilty of corruption.”

“And the poor man only descends into wretchedness when he regards

his lot as a burden unjustly imposed.”

When one laments of an unfortunate position instead of thinking his way out, he cannot grow.

“Let him put away his weakly and sickly thoughts, and lo! Opportunities will spring up on every hand to aid his strong resolves; let him encourage good thoughts, and no hard fate shall bind him down to wretchedness and shame.”

To shun poor thinking, and embrace that of riches will attract open doors to man’s exploit.

“He who has conquered weakness and has put away all selfish thoughts, belongs neither to oppressor nor oppressed. He is free.”

In all human endeavors, selfishness should be jettisoned.

“The universe does not favor the greedy, the dishonest, the vicious, although on the mere surface it may sometimes appear to do so; it helps the honest, the magnanimous, the virtuous.”

In this world, those that lived best are those that imbibe virtues as a way of life.

“He who lives constantly in the conception of noble and lofty thoughts, who dwells upon all that is pure, will, as surely as the sun reaches its zenith and the moon its full, become wise and noble in character, and rise into a position of influence and blessedness.”

Not contaminating the self with evil thoughts will speed the actualization to one’s destined destination.

“By the aid of self-control, resolution, resolution, purity, righteousness, and well-directed thought a man ascends; by the aid of animality, indolence, impurity, corruption, and confusion of thought a man descends.”

It is advisable that one should follow positive notions, so as not to crash in the race of life.

“He who would accomplish little must sacrifice little; he who would achieve much must sacrifice much; he who would attain highly must sacrifice greatly.”

This is a strong advice; we must be equipped with the idea that achievement in life is determined by sacrifice of time and other contributing resources.

“To desire is to obtain; to aspire is to achieve.”

One should have the clear understanding that “desiring is equal to obtaining.” The sense of aspiring is equal to achieving; asking is equal to receiving, we should not be bothered by the waiting moment, since waiting is not synonymous to wasting.

“Your vision is the promise of what you shall one day be, your Ideal is the prophecy of what you shall at last unveil.”

Here is an emphasis that, to dream is to become, one should always nurture a great dream.

“Self Control is strength; Right Thought is mastery; Calmness is power.”

Many a people thought that a controlled person is weak, but it is now clear that true strength lies with the strong-will that is controllable. To be calm is to powerful. In the battlefield of life, calmness weighs weight.

5. Is there anything in the book that you do not understand or are unclear, or are there ideas which you disagree with and, if so, why?

All clear.

6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?

No.

7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.

No.

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.

A. How interesting was it to read? 10
B. How helpful were the contents? 10
C. How easy was it to understand? 10
D. Would you recommend it to others? 10
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 10

Jonathan Livingston Seagull

Assessment by Ola Makinde (Nigeria)

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?

The main idea here is that, Success lies in one’s true resource.

i. Being Purposeful

To be successful is rooted in being purposeful. He that has a target to accomplish a mission and set goals has achieved success by half. According to the author, he, connotatively, set being purposeful in tune when he writes that, “For most gulls, it is not flying that matters, but eating. For this gull (referring to Jonathan Livingston), it was not eating that mattered, but flight.” This can be related to the activities of human on earth.

Living is a purpose. And, I strongly affirm that living is equal to purpose. To live without purpose is to only exist. To exist, for Jonathan Seagull, was to be fed, and to live, was to fly—a purposeful agenda. Still for humans, humanity has been surpluses with peoples that have no strong will to ‘break’ the rules in order to discover a more meaningful agendas of life, rather than working to heap the daily bread.

Purpose will set a man high than his present position or environment. It will make him older in vision and also multiply his passion towards achieving the purposed objective(s). To be purposeful is not to have the wherewithal of achieving the goal; the goal will only be driven by the potency of purpose. Purpose has an inbuilt execution mechanism, strange to the beholder at its beginning. All the beholder need do is to believe in it, that’s all, for a start.

Jonathan’s achievement of being a model flyer has long been attained from the time he wanted to concentrate on flying rather than eating.

ii. Knowledge is Noble

He that seeks to know shall know no significant fall. The author expresses the vigor of Jonathan’s inquisitiveness when the Seagull replied his mother that, “I don’t mind being bone and feathers mom. I just want to know what I can do in the air and what I can’t, that’s all.” In life, a learning person is a growing person, not just in physical stature; that of intellectual is also guaranteed. This gives meaning to the popular saying, “Readers are leaders.” Jonathan’s sense to know the dos and don’ts of flying is a capital contributing factor that builds his concluded accomplishment.

It is expected to all who have set their heart in the achievement of a particular goal, in support of a strong purpose, to seek the knowledge dos and don’ts of arriving at the desired destination. The author helps to emphasize that purpose being accompanied by knowledge will bring the desired goal. Every field of exploit has its field of inquiry. The best enquirer gets the best result.

iii. To Succeed, Avoid Distractions

The author did not paint a scenario of success without distracting bubbles; he admits the possibility of distractions, but not a believer in it. When Jonathan was in the air, going in a speed that seems too much for his controlling ability (which originally was not, it was his own fear that made it seems so), quoting the author, “he couldn’t stop; he didn’t know yet even how to turn at the speed. Collision would be instant death. And so, he shut his eyes.” To Jonathan, to be conscious of collision that will lead to an instant death was the distraction up in the sky, and the following act was to shut his eyes.

That was incredible, such unbelief in the occurrence of danger when on the path to achieving our goal is a strong factor. This kind of unbelief (in danger) is worth believing.

A goal is beset with myriads of distractions that will come from friends and fiends, to be distracted is to be delayed, and continuous delay may truncate such goal.

iv. Learning Never Ends

The author expresses this when the two strange Seagulls joined Jonathan in the sky, in reply to his own weak believe of flying with more skills. “For you have learned. One school is finished, and the time has come for another to begin.” That was a strong point to the fact that learning never ends. In furtherance to continuous learning, it is sacrosanct to seek a mentor in such learning. The easiest form of learning is to understudy a more advanced figure. Jonathan’s new friends stood as his mentors. Even when someone study life in prints (books), or lives of successful living legends, it is important to have a supervisor that serves as a check to correcting the mistakes noticed which may not be seen or admitted by self.

v. Practice builds Perfection

Jonathan’s sense to keep to the practice of flying even when it demands strong-will and effort did pay well for him. He could have been satisfied with the level he was before he met his new friends, but his willingness to follow the dictates and disciplines of flying as provided by his friends qualified him for a high flyer. Nothing gets better except the better way of doing it is being subscribed to.

Practice is not without a demanding pain, but is also not without a supplying gain.

At the turn of Jonathan as a leader, practice was the factor that built his mentee. A lover of exceptional success will first love exceptional practice. It requires not just giving one’s best, but giving all it takes; the demand of outstanding success (not our own supply of effort) should be the watchwords. When the demand is first recognized, then we would at time increase our supply.

vi. The Efficacy of Kindness and Love

The author expresses that love and kindness go well in delivering the impeccable character for a successful figure. Love is an expression of an open heart; a pure magnifying symptom of a successful life.

Kindness and love, learning from the author, are important living virtues that must be used in walking out of the past into the future, “we can start working with time if you wish till you can fly the past and the future,” and Jonathan was advised by Chiang. To fly the past is to forget the ills or challenges that stood as stumbling block to one’s achievement. Flying into the future is to be optimistic about the goal to be achieved. He expressed further, “the most difficult, the most powerful, the most fun of all” is to “know the meaning of kindness and of love.” Indeed, love is to be worked upon, since it is easier said than done. Love is selfless; love is more related to others than to oneself. Learning from the author’s words, “and his own way of demonstrating love was to give something of the truth that he had seen to a gull.”

When ego builds in the heart of the outcast, of Fletcher Seagull, on his way “out toward the far Cliffs” to the Earth, a confronting voice melt it off in this manner, “Don’t be harsh on them, Fletcher Seagull. In casting you out, the other gulls have only hurt themselves, and one day they will know this, and one day they will see what you see.

Forgive them, and help them to understand.” Love sees no evil even in one’s enemy; love conquers hatred. Forgiveness, not vengeance is a strong weapon of love. Skeptical about loving, Fletcher queries, “A mob of birds that has just tried to kill you.” Jonathan’s reply, “Oh, Fletch, you don’t love that! You don’t love hatred and evil, of course, you have to practice and see the real gull, the good in every one of them, and to help them see it in themselves. That’s what I mean by love,” solves the query. To attain true success in living, loving-kindness is essential.

vii. A Leader raises Leader

The preponderant notion of leadership is to have loyal followers. But the author has made it clear that a successful leader does not only have loyal followers. They do raise followers to becoming leaders.

Jonathan nurtured Fletcher to becoming a leader, in order to further tutor those ready-to-learn flocks. The popular saying,“A leader is not successful until he has a successor,” fits well in this part of the book. Jonathan’s success was not only that he became an instructor of significance, the real determinant of success was the handing over of the instructor baton’ to Fletcher; a great landing for a great Jonathan Livingston Seagull.

3. How will these ideas or lessons help you in a practical way, both in your daily personal life and in helping you to create a better world? If so, how?

The lessons learned are life building. And they will help in my daily living, in manners of always maintaining the practical teachings in my relationship with friends and family members, colleagues, and supervisors or bosses. On the seven ideas highlighted and discussed, from number one to seven, all will be best put in use with the high hope of excellent result.

4. Quotes: Are there any statements which the author made that particularly got your attention? If so, please quote them and comment as to why they were important to you.

“We can lift ourselves out of ignorance, we can find ourselves as creatures of excellence and intelligence and skill.”

Ignorance is a state of the mind that can be dealt with. And the solution to ignorance is to seek a higher state of mind. To seek is the task of human. This is why I do agree with the author that we can lift ourselves out of ignorance. Excellence and intelligence and skill are attributes of an outstanding achiever, they belong to the circle of humans. A seeker of these equals a seer.

“Boredom and fear and anger are the reasons that a gull’s life is so short, and with these gone from his thought, he lived a long fine life indeed.”

The author cannot be wrong to have believed such. Boredom, to a prospective achiever kills faster than hemlock. Fear, to him, should only have meaning when written (but not in the mind), and anger eats up the meaningfulness of the holder, creating him a lower rank to whatsoever or whomsoever it is being expressed to. That is why these ‘triple-dynamite’ will always shorten the life of the holder. To eschew them is to embrace longevity. A candidate for success will definitely exhibit a level of wisdom, and this wisdom will demand of him to shun anger even to the figure that best qualified for it. Let such figure get it elsewhere and not from minds like ours.

“It always works, when you know what you’re doing.”

Results are the outcome of an activity that was well done. Learning to the work well earns us what further works.

“Break the chains of your thought, and you break the chains of your body.”

It is true that our body answers to our thoughts. When our thoughts are directed to healthiness; healthy we shall be.

“You have the freedom to be yourself, your true self, here and now, and nothing can stand in your way.”

The quality of our living is embedded in this freedom of self being, which includes nurturing one’s unique figure in setting great platforms for people to learn from.

5. Is there anything in the book that you do not understand or are unclear, or are there ideas which you disagree with and, if so, why?

All clear.

6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?

No.

7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.

No.

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.

How to Win Friends and Influence People

Assessment by Ola Makinde (Nigeria)

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?

The main idea is about nurturing our innate possession into great success. This spring from the author’s own offering that, “The sole purpose of this book is to help discover, develop and profit by those dormant and unused assets.”

i. Criticism: An Uneventful Path

Criticism is still part of the communication process available to be utilized by humans, but definitely not by someone that wants to influence others. Criticism is anti-magnetic, it repels human connections. The author warns that it should not be heard from anyone who cares to win friends in order to influence them, since you must first win someone to your side before you can influence them in the pattern you have already designed, and it would be a difficult task to win one with the use of criticism. He explained criticism as an expression in futility. “Criticism is dangerous, because it wounds a person’s precious pride, hurts his sense of importance, and arouses resentment”, he writes.

One of my friends on Facebook recently made a post to criticize an incumbent Governor and the President of the federation, my friend belongs to an opposing political party. He accused the Governor for the deed of State’s legislators and even the Police (controlled by the federal government). “Mad Dance,” “Show of Shame,” and other similar words form his criticism. I commented on his post that, “Hon. Adigun, a party loyalist is not synonymous to a party moralist; a word is too much for the wise.” He replied the next day as thus, “Mr. Ola Makinde, I don’t want anyone to misconstrue my views as partisan. Thank you for the caution anyway.” At the later hours from my comment on his post, there was an arrest made to officials of one of our (my friend and I actually belong to the same political party) party’s offices in Lagos. The next day, it was reported that they were arrested for cloning Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVC), thirty-one travelling bags filled with PVCs were hauled as part of exhibits by the police and other secret service agents. I made my friend realized what I was trying to preach to him on the basis that our present political leaders cannot be oathed for. We can only play our own good path by being loyal to the good rules. Ever since, I have not seen his post of criticism which seemed to be his favorite.

ii. The Potency of a Smile

The quote I long ago had on my Facebook profile page is, “Smile is the only universal language.” At the reading of the New York City departmental Store’s words on the importance of smile and the plead to give a smile even when one does not get it where expected, as shared by the author, “It costs nothing but creates much, it enriches those who receive, without, impoverishing those who give, it is rest to the weary, daylight to the discouraged, sunshine to the sad, and Natures best antidote for trouble and if in the last-minute rush of Christmas buying some of our sales people should be too tired to give you a smile, may we ask you to leave one of yours? For nobody needs a smile so much as those who have none left to give.”

All across the nations of the earth, a smile is a show of friendliness that needs no interpreter for anyone to understand. It is read by all—schooled or unschooled; it is helpful to both the giver and the receiver; it is contagious—a genuine smile births same from the other party.

iii. Of Skill: Human surpasses Technical

No doubt, skills are necessary contributory factors to success, and it can be divided into soft and hard. The soft skills form what is also referred to human skills; the hard qualifies for that of technical. The author makes it very easy to comprehend by citing this study, “investigations revealed that even in such technical lines as engineering, about 15% of one’s financial success is due to one’s technical knowledge and about 85% is due to skills in human engineering—to personality and the ability to lead people.” If human skills still dominate in the realm of technical, then the realm of non-technical— which constitutes the larger part of human endeavors— is well understood to be absolutely grown by the soft skills. From the author’s introduction on this work, it is very clear that the essential attributes to our own success is nowhere but within us. With what we have can our days be bright. He did not try to proffer solutions to our obstacles and troubles by identifying the external factors, but the list of intrinsic value and features we already have. The assets to utilize for the actualization of our goals and a yield unto profiting are those we have been ignoring, and thereby suffering from the affliction inflicted by the self. The perplexing side that confers ‘insult on injury’ is simply the fact that many of the paid-for education in colleges and university does not provides for the strong skill—the art of relationship. This art is majorly sought-after as at the end of the certificated schooling. A school’s curriculum that lacks concern with Human Skills has only majored in the minor, and thereby minored in the major. Last Friday, I was in a regional meeting of an organization I belong to, it was my first attendance. After the introduction of all attendees, we, the first timers were asked to re-introduce ourselves and speak about the challenges we have been facing since we became a member. There were groaning in the room, all attendees knew the talks should not have come up since we were aware of those challenges, hearing it again has no value. The first speaker stood and started to mention (in plenty) the challenges he has been facing in his own branch (which is not different from mine and definitely also from others). When he finished, the facilitator directed the challenge-stories back to those old members that was in this new member’s branch for response. They did. That means the stories were not important to the general house since he was still referred to those he came with, who would have tutored him before coming for the meeting or would be willing to tutor him after the meeting at his own willingness to seeking their counsel. Before he finished speaking, I said to myself that this part of the program is not necessary. When it was my turn to speak, I said that “the challenges as espoused by the first speaker is common to all, and as for me, I am lucky to have colleagues from my branch that have been mentoring me on the responsibility, and they are all here.” I didn’t see the challenges as troubles, I made my branch’s colleagues feel like a king (which others from other branches would have qualified for if they were in my branch), and I ended by saying “thank you”. The whole attendees showered claps and smiles. When those new comers after me were called to speak, they all suggested the talks have already been concluded, and they said nothing. My colleagues later said to me that I was diplomatic not to mention a challenge (which would have made me look as if I was not fit for the job), and that I sounded like a politician (who wanted to connect to the people).

iv. A Great Work needs a Great Study

I was enormously inspired by the preparedness in searches and researches of work the author and his assistants put into this work. No wonder the book became a foundational model in its coverage area. According to the author, “In preparation for this book, I read everything that I could find on the subject…I hired a trained researcher to spend one and a half years in various libraries reading everything I had missed…we read the lifestyles of all great leaders from Julius Caesar to Thomas Edison…we read over one hundred biographies of Theodore Roosevelt alone.” I cannot but re-emphasize this in my heart again and again, especially the last part “we read over one hundred biographies of Theodore Roosevelt alone!” Ever before, I always thought a book on an individual; especially the autobiography, is enough to know such a life. So, if I buy a book on a life, I preferred to buy of another the next time I would be buying, and not bother to get another side of the life I already have a side of. With a change of thinking, I recently bought a biography of a life I had studied in order to have another side of the story. Indeed, it was a good read, it is opening me to things I would not have known about such life.

v. Argument: Winning is synonymous to Losing

The author’s charge to avoid argument when it comes to attracting friends and influencing them is a worthy one. “You cannot win an argument. You can’t because if you lose it, you lose it; and if you win it, you lose it”, he writes. An argument engaged which results into a lose amounts to an unwise affair. That means the subscriber was doing so with an ignorant mindset. And on the other hand, even if one wins, the winner has already lost a friend, for no one is happy when humiliated, either in a fight or in words. Therefore, it is very important to leave the ‘tent’ of argument by either changing the topic or seize in talking while becoming all-ears to the engaging party. And when listening becomes one’s response, the other party will soon run out of words, and you have the opportunity to switch into a topic that binds, rather than separates. I once post my write-up on Facebook about the necessity of having independent nations in my country, so as to enjoy the high-paced build-up of socio-economic development, since the lack of Identity and Common Values of Purpose (CVP), core ingredients of national development, are missing in huge dimension among the major ethnic regions in the country. One of my friends did not agree that independence of nations is the most suitable option. Another of my friend agrees with my views and examples of South Korea from Korea, Singapore from Malaysia, etc. The online argument multiply into many threads, and was delving to being personal, attached with demeaning words to show the other person’s weak understanding in some areas. Noting this, I praised the notes of everyone and commented that “This is an expression of how our country should be divided and not the separation of friends!”

vi. Correcting people: How Not To Be Wrong

For the people we have the authority and seniority to correct, we still need to understand the best way of doing so, especially when we want to continue to maintain the influence we already have on them. The author advised us to “call attention to people’s mistake indirectly.” This is most appropriate in the presence of third parties. When an individual is being censured in the presence of people, he is more inflicted by the hearing of others than the censure itself. So, correction is best applied either directly (when the person to be corrected is alone) or indirectly (at the presence of people). Some months ago, when I was acting as the Head of Ushers’ team in my church, I have prepared prayer schedule which was shared to the anchor persons for each weekend. When it was the morning for one of the anchor persons to lead the prayer meeting, he told me prior to the meeting that he had forgotten he was to lead, so he did not prepare. I did not accept his excuse, and I told him to lead. At the end of the prayer, it was obvious to all that he did not prepare. Looking for a way to correct him and not to have someone else put up such excuse, I started by advising the next anchor person to please prepare by studying the theme and prayer verses attached, so that we can all benefit from the blessedness of preparation.

vii. Leaders Request: A Fine Approach

The author highlighted with explanation in how to get things done by the subordinates. Being bossy defines a boss that has no interest in influencing the subordinates or mentees. He suggested sincerity and empathy as contributing forces to a well-structured request. “When you make your request, put it in a form that will convey to the other person the idea that the personality will benefit,” he advised. Even when the subordinates employed role is to carry out requests, the leader (who has a fine and refined approach) would still need to do so in a respectful manner.

3. How will these ideas or lessons help you in a practical way, both in your daily personal life and in helping you to create a better world? If so, how?

With mindfulness and its application of all the noted ideas in my relationship with friends, family, and the society, the world will be a better place. If it would be noted in me by friends and family, I believe some of them would copy it and spread the worthy idea beyond where I can visibly get to.

4. Quotes: Are there any statements which the author made that particularly got your attention? If so, please quote them and comment as to why they were important to you.

“If one aspired to wear the captains cap and navigate the ship of business, personality, and the ability to talk are more important than a knowledge of Latin verbs or a sheepskin from Harvard.”

Of truth, the skill of talking is essential for an aspiring leader. Leadership entails communicating with the subordinates, and the art of talking is essential in the school of leadership.

Old couplet: “Once I did bad and that I heard ever/Thrice I did good, but I heard never.”

Many people of the world say long of evil done and forget quickly of the good deeds. But this should not be part of those that care to influence people.

R.W. Emerson: “Use what language you will, you can never say anything but what you are”

It is true of the old saying that “out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.”

5. Is there anything in the book that you do not understand or are unclear, or are there ideas which you disagree with and, if so, why?

All clear.

6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?

No.

7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.

No.

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.

Keys to Success

Assessment by Ola Makinde (Nigeria)

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?

The author’s cogent idea is that achievement in life can be possible in any endeavor. That is, success, in any endeavor, can be built just like building a house.

i. Team-up and Build-up

Maintaining a sense that works well with people, especially in a class of cooperativeness will guarantee an outstanding success. Learning from the author, team work will qualify one’s dream to work. “You will not succeed if you cannot convince other people to cooperate with you” writes Hill. If a tree can make a forest, then the original meaning of a forest is not known; if a man alone can amount to success, then the true meaning of success is yet to be known. For all great achievers, there cannot but be a contributive partner or personnel that stood by them. There can be a dream without a team, but no dream is actualized without a team. It is good to groom a dream, and more better to raise a team for such dream. The tenacity and believe in our dream will provide the magnetic force that will bring the team. It is universally believed that the best person that will ‘buy’ best one’s goal is oneself. This is purely true! Being the best ‘buyer’ is not the reason to remain as the only one. For a foundational belief system, singleness of mind is essential, for a furtherance build-up, multiple of minds are required—this is the quintessential of success system.

ii. Going the Extra Mile

Learning from the author, this is concerned with rendering beyond the service that is expected of us, by putting extra hours at work, or rendering volunteer service. The underline factor is to have a mind that nurtures an account that is indebted by service to anyone. Instead of we being indebted (of monetary) to people, we should at all times see to the fact that we are clean with the type of service rendered, that is, the one that abhors no excessive gain from others.

For business-oriented managers, nothing stops us from making profit in our deals. So, also, nothing should stop our customers from receiving their full share of what (perhaps in excess) they paid for. This excess is equal to extra service—the true definition of what brings our own real profiting. For instance, selling a pair of shoe for its fair price is the normal mile of selling the pair of shoe. The extra will be the smiles expressed during the transaction or the customer friendliness that goes beyond the door of the shop. This non-calculative, not only the calculative figures, makes for success.

Profit is calculative, the extra is non-calculative. Going the extra mile is the true path to true success. The extra mile can also be in giving or caring.

I was in a commercial bus a time ago (on my way home), when a young man (probably my age mate or a senior in a few years) sitting next to my immediate right-hand side whispered to my hearing if I could help pay his fare. I noticed his sense of soberness and I unhesitatingly said “No problem.” I could see sweat on his face, perhaps from the scourging sun he was coming underneath from or the disturbed emotion of getting assistance. As the bus was still waiting for more passengers, I ordered for a bottled soft drink with snacks, and I told him to make order for his preferred drink and snacks. He was surprised and smilingly placed his order. When I paid both of our fares and he was about to alight, I noticed he may still need to take another transportation home (since I knew where he alighted), so I gave him a Naira note to cover the transportation. He was very grateful, his words and facial expression could not have been much brighter. He only asked for a transportation fare, and he got extra.

iii. The Law of Compensation

This law ignites a new passion towards relating with my fellow inhabitants. It maintains closeness with the old saying, “Do unto others as you want them do unto you.” The author states that, “The law of compensation ensures that everything you do will bring you some sort of result of the same kind. To benefit from this, you must always render the most service you are capable of, with the best attitude, and you must do so regardless of your immediate compensation, even if it appears you will receive no immediate compensation.” I further learn that the law of compensation does not mean we are all-out looking for compensation. The last clause from the quoted words expresses this. The gain from the good deed rendered may or may not come from the benefiting being, it may even be lost to our memory, but one thing is certain, it shall not be unrewarded.

iv. Success is a Right

Just as human beings have right to life, free-hearing in the court of law, etc, so, also, the author expresses success as a right. “If you put your mind to work with a positive mental attitude and believe that success is your right, your belief will guide you unerringly toward whatever your definition of success might be,” he writes. The differing factor of success as a right is that it is not enforceable in the law court as the others we call fundamental human rights, but only enforceable in the court of mind. He that must succeed must be both his own ‘advocate and judge’. One can either be convicted or congratulated according to the rules laid by the mind. As I pondered upon the author’s words, it dawned on me that I have a right to succeed like I have a right to life. And, going against any right even when one is ignorant of it is not an excuse not to be punished when one faults such a right. Consequently, if one refuses to make steps to protect the right to success, by not making plans and working towards accomplishing those plans, one truly stands to be punished for not doing so. Hence, the regrets of not making moves to be successful, is inevitable.

v. Maintaining an Open Heart

The author elucidates my mind when he writes about the meaningfulness in having a mind for all. According to his words, he beckons us to “reinforce the habit of tolerance and keep an open mind in all subjects and towards all people no matter what their race or creed.”

This openness is very hard to find amongst the peoples of the world because some define themselves as a religious being before laying claim to the nationality they belong to, and others in form of tribalism before nationalism. Two weeks ago, I was discussing with a member of my unit group in church about the current political happenings and the upcoming general election in year 2015. We were rating the presidential aspirants, including the incumbent. And my friend said, “My pastor (his own zonal pastor, not our presiding Bishop) said even if the worst of the aspirants is a Christian, then the Christian body should vote for him.” I hurriedly disagree to those words. Though he even admitted that he would prefer one of the Muslim candidates because of his reputation for discipline, but tends to still hold unto what he was told, because it came from the mouth of a pastor. He forgot to realize that the pastor would have said the same thing if he were an Imam and the dividing advice would have continued with strong effect. Though I share some religious inclinations with my friend and his pastor, since we are all joined by the same ministerial creed, I do not share their belief in relating to, or measuring other non-Christians.

vi. Good-Thinking must be executed

The author inspires me that good thinking gets its true value when it is being benefited by others. “Applied accurate thinking is crucial to your desire for success, but you should also recognize that exercising it is a moral duty you owe to every other person in the world.” That is, non-executed good thoughts amount to a cheat on others. Here is the moral lesson; our own success story was built by the contributing good-thinking of others, in books or tutelage. Therefore, it would be immoral on our part if we do not activate our good-thinking to benefit others.

vii. To Eschew Habitual Rigidities

At every crossroads on our habits, the author made it clear that we are to be susceptible to changes, especially from non-good ones to good. The essence of cosmic habit force, as explained by the author is a wonderful idea. He writes that, “whatever your habits, cosmic habit force will carry them out. It isn’t enough merely to develop good habits and leave it at that. You must remain alert to the effect of your habits and be willing on a moment’s notice to change them when new ones will serve you better.” Many times, it is a common believe that one’s habit is a permanent part of the self and cannot be changed. “That’s how it’s been with me”, or “That’s my nature,” we say, in defense of the way and manner we act, even when it’s a bad manner of relating with other people. I did learn that habit is a concreted opinion of the self, and since opinion can be changed, also, habit can.

3. How will these ideas or lessons help you in a practical way, both in your daily personal life and in helping you to create a better world? If so, how?

All these ideas, following conscious efforts towards improving my connections with those around me and beyond, will be put in use as I relate with my contacts no matter the age bracket, color, or race.

4. Quotes: Are there any statements which the author made that particularly got your attention? If so, please quote them and comment as to why they were important to you.

“If you know what you want from life, if you are determined to get it to the point that it becomes an obsession, and you back that obsession with continuous effort and sound planning. Then you have awakened and developed definiteness of purpose.”

These words define the starting point of success as having a clear picture of the preferable future. This future will only become real when effective planning process is involved.

Ralph Waldo Emerson: “One single idea may have greater weight than

the labor of all the men, animals and engines for a century.”

This is an absolute truth. Great inventions like electricity and airplane are some of the ideas that have proven Emerson’s word to be true. The engine that aid the work abilities of men are from the ideas of men. So, the greatest of all engine of construction is still a product of an idea, and subject to an advanced idea.

“If you can see an opportunity as quickly as you can see the faults in others, you will soon succeed.”

Faults are easily detected in government or in other people’s affairs.

And I believe that if the same ‘speed’ to fault is channeled to seeing opportunities, success will not be far-fetched.

“Nature abhors two things: a vacuum and idleness.”

If nature ‘frowns’ at these two phenomena, then it means that natural man should not ‘smile’ at them.

“Understand that often when you have searched in vain for a solution to a problem, you can find it by helping someone else solve his or her problem.”

By solving other peoples problem brings inner joy of achievement that later softens one’s heart to seeing the solution to one’s problem.

“Closing the door on fear and worry allows you to open the doors of

hope and faith.”

It is of great importance that one should see hope and faith as the substitutes for fear and worry. Hence, if fear or worry tends to set in, it is expedient to switch one’s mind to the substitutes.

“Before you accept anyone’s statements as facts, you must try to find the motive behind those statements.”

For every story, there are two sides to its interpretation, but the real definition is embedded in the motive behind such, and that should be sieved from the motive of the interpreter. I was listening to a radio program where the Nigeria’s minister of information was being interviewed, and he said people should not just take every national daily as the news of the day. He said they should first know who owns the newspaper, since some of the publishing firms are owned and controlled by politicians that form a die-hard opposition to the government. So, they only use the newspaper to show their interest of dislike for the government, and not primarily to report to the society events and happenings. He was not incorrect.

“Your attitude toward life determines your attitude toward time.”

The lover of success cannot separate life management from that of time. Since life is measured in duration, so, the seconds, minutes, and hours, all amount to the lifetime—times of life— of anyone.

5. Is there anything in the book that you do not understand or are unclear, or are there ideas which you disagree with and, if so, why?

All clear.

6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?

Yes. They were very helpful.

7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.

No.

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.

Psycho-Cybernetics

Assessment by Ola Makinde (Nigeria)

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?

The author laid emphasis on building a strong-willed self image towards living a successful life.

i. The Importance of Self Image

The author increases my knowledge on the benefit of maintaining a conscious effort towards the image of self. From his words, “The self image sets the boundaries of individual accomplishment. It defines what you can and cannot do.” This is a complement to the idea that the way a man sees himself will determine his lot in life. That is, if he sees himself becoming a manufacturer of cars, a political statesman (not only defined by winning elective positions), or an international motivational coach, then he can become such. It requires an inner seeing before the outer; self-seen before others can see it. The author further widens my scope to assert that greatness as defined by people has been firstly defined by the bearer—those we call great people today have long ago been great in their own mind by building the image which later becomes obvious to other people. Nothing should limit our being successful, only if the self will allow it. “Expand the self-image and you expand the area of the possible”, he stated. It further expresses the idea that the only limitation to self accomplishment is the self. Aliko Dangote, the Nigerian richest man in Africa, did not get to that position with a restrictive thinking on his ‘area of the possible’. The industry he first started with was of consumables, providing salts and sugar to the society. He has now expanded his ‘area of the possible’ into cement production, and presently building a refinery that would be refining crude oil in Nigeria, the first private action in such line.

There was a time in my polytechnic days, I was discussing with a friend that I see myself writing a book. He gestured with the notion that writing a book is not an easy feat that somebody of our thinking can achieve. Perhaps he was right as at then, but he could not see the image I saw in myself. In those days, I had an urge to be a writer even when no title or contents occurred to me. I only saw the ‘end’

without a start.

ii. Failing Forward

From the author’s interesting work, he made me to understand that failure may be part of one’s affairs, but it has no right to be permanent. The only permissible duration for failure is tagged Temporal. According to his words, “Fear no failure; imagine them to be temporal, for that’s their real unimaginative nature.” This is an area where imagination equals non-imagination. This means, even without imagination, the time of failure should have no depressing effect. It may even be less than temporal, but definitely cannot be more. It is “No more, yes less!”

I remember when my Dad and Mum went with me to my secondary school for the collection of the final year examinations results. I had no credit in both English and Mathematics, the two subjects one must pass before being qualified to write the entrance examination into any tertiary institution. My Dad suggested to Mum that I should go learn a manual work (an informal approach to learning) because he didn’t see a prospect of my being successful in the future study, though mum was skeptical about that. Her faint believe in me was made strong by my elder brother’s advice (behind Dad’s scene) that she should enroll me into a private coaching class in preparation for the next year’s examination. Getting home that fateful night, I wept for my own poor results and was hungry for good ones. I did not allow the failure to stop me from thinking the way to being successful. I was later enrolled the next year, and I passed all subjects with some very good remarks.

iii. A Goal is Needful to Score a goal.

The footballer that scores a goal first had a Goal to do so. The Goal to score a goal has been created (in both mind and physical training) long before he appeared on the pitch of play. Also, for anyone that would achieve anything, must first set that as a goal, it may be abstract but never utopian. “When you set out to do creative work—whether in the field of selling, managing a business, writing a sonnet…you begin with a goal in mind, an end to be achieved, a target answer, which, although perhaps somewhat vague, will be recognized when achieved”, the author writes. This is a clear value of seeing the end from the beginning.

iv. The Power of Mental Picture

The author makes me realize that the picture in my mind will not too long become visible. Whatever we mentally draw in our mind is later drawn for the eyes consumption. Hence, all things we desire to have should be mindedly drawn as a picture, and not to draw those ones we detest. Even when we do not want to see a particular thing happen, the hearty art of drawing may bring them to reality. So, if we don’t want them in real scene, then we should erase them in real sense.

v. Human is neither Inferior or Superior.

The author taught me well as regards the nature of man, which is commonly and wrongly classified to be either inferior or superior. I have built my knowledge that the inferiority or superiority complex only belongs to the man who is not old in human understanding. It cannot be measured in comparing one human to another. All humans have their distinguishing and excellent features that cannot be found in another. Comparing features of achievement between man to man will only breed unnecessary commotion of identity; running from ‘here’ to ‘there’ without valid explanation for such differing features. In the Class of Men of Purpose, neither inferior nor superior complex has a place. When one develops a purpose with all sense of excellent thinking, to be successful (which knows no class) is rest assured.

vi. Fact versus Fantasy

The author made it clear that to be free from depression or regret; we must spell out difference between a fact and an opinion (which may qualify for fantasy). At every point of one’s standing, there is a fact attached therein, likewise an opinion. When in times of trial, troubles and tribulations (the Three Ts of challenges), we have often times allowed the opinion to rule over our affairs, thereby causing an advance increase of the Three Ts. The fact may be of external factors (what has actually happened that was beyond our control); the opinion (what we see of an issue which is at all times within our control) is absolutely internal.

vii. When Self is the enemy of Self

Many a time, the best enemy putting us down is the self, no other phenomenon qualifies for an enemy. From the words of the author, “Philosophers have long told us, and now medical researchers confirm that resentment and hatred hurt us more than the person we direct them against.” Resentment qualifies as a stumbling block to one’s advancement (of purity) in life.

3. How will these ideas or lessons help you in a practical way, both in your daily personal life and in helping you to create a better world? If so, how?

By my consistent quest to improve myself and the society, I will not be ignorant to the ideas shared in this book when faced with related instance(s).

“I have always believed in going wherever it may be necessary to find truth, even if international boundaries must be crossed.”

Nothing should stop a mind that is in great pursuit of knowledge that will transform the mind and the society. Going beyond borders, if need be, should be an automatic thinking for the man that shall climb the heights of life.

“The development of an adequate, realistic self-image will seem to imbue the individual with new capabilities, new talents and literally turn failure into success.”

Seeing self at the ‘end’ of a particular task in its accomplishment will definitely require the garnering of information and gathering of tools needed to visibly realize the image that first appeared in the mind. Failure will definitely not be taken as a final stop, but a stepping platform to greater heights of success.

“Trying to be ‘a success’ in terms of acquiring prestige, symbols, and wearing certain badges leads to neuroticism, and frustration and unhappiness. Striving to be ‘successful’ brings not only material success, but satisfaction, fulfillment and happiness.”

The author opens my mind to the well posited idea that success is stationary while successful is continuous, and the latter should be sought rather than the former. It is not the case that success is not good, to continue with an improvement is better.

“We often think of ‘creative imagination’ as applying only to poets, inventors, and the like. But imagination is creative in everything we do.”

With the power of creative imaginations, there is a huge possibility of creating greatness in small things. The way we conduct meetings, or the starting point of a business entity, can actually posits us in the realm of being creative, and to be excellent conscious, this will thereby build into large success stories.

“We act or fail to act, not because of ‘will’; as so commonly believed, but because of imagination.”

Our imagination with or without our consent determines our action or inaction. The farther we can see ourselves; such can only be our limit of progress. If perhaps, I imagined myself to stop my educational equips at the masters level, such shall be my limitation. And if I see myself completing a doctorate program, so shall be my actions tend to become. Nothing gets done outside the imaginative ‘box’.

Old Dutch proverb: “Happy people are never wicked.”

Since wickedness depicts a way of reacting to another in an unfriendly manner, hence, to be wicked is to be weak in the understanding of friendly relationship. And unfriendly people are seen to be unhappy. You cannot be friendly without being happy; neither can you be happy without being friendly.

“If you are to be happy at all, you must be happy—period! Not happy

‘because of.”

Happiness is not determined by an external force, it comes via the internal. Expecting to be happy from an external feature is like building a house from the top. The foundation for a house is in the earth; that of happiness is in the heart.

Ralph Waldo Emerson: “The measure of mental health is the disposition to find good everywhere.”

Seeing good everywhere will make us be blind to faults of men, which in actual sense contaminates our exposure to them. To be free from these contaminations to life and livings, we must have an eyes always opened to the good in all, no matter how insignificant it may be, with our eyes, insignificant good can be broadened, and the significant faults reduced to micro or better still, to naught. This shall keep us in good mental disposition, for the good nurtures unto good.

“For only by actions can goals, desires and beliefs be translated into realities.”

To be successful, one must first set out. The author ‘concretes’ my believe-system towards taking action in one’s defined goal. No matter how appealing and result-oriented an idea is, nothing is to be compared to its commencement.

5. Is there anything in the book that you do not understand or are unclear, or are there ideas which you disagree with and, if so, why?

None.

6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?

Yes. They were very helpful.

7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.

No.

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.

Success Through a Positive Mental Attitude

Assessment by Ola Makinde (Nigeria)

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?

With the right (positive) mental attitude, success is attractable and attainable.

i. Acknowledgement of Heavenly

It is a worthy and interesting idea to seek one’s creator. Just like the manufacturer of a car knows best the workability of his products, God also knows best that—success line— of all human beings created by Him. We would be doing ourselves good service if we always seek God’s consent on every of our deals and affairs. The story of S.B. Fuller touched me much on how his success was aided by the help from above.

From Fuller’s own words, “I knew what I wanted but I didn’t know how to get it.” So I read the bible for a purpose. I prayed for the knowledge to achieve my objectives.” It would be very clear that his testimony represents an echelon of trusting God for a substantial success. To connect with the heavenly will demand us to study the scriptures and render our prayers to God. The former is to learn of how the past people have been able to connect with God; the latter is to exercise this connection in proper manner. A life that cannot pray will soon fall as a prey to the challenges of life. After my graduation from the Polytechnic, I wanted to go to the university, so, I applied. At the pass of both entrance examinations into my chosen school, it was the case that my chance of being admitted may not come alive because the cut-off point for first list was higher than my combined score. When I saw the cut-off point, I was depressed about the possibility of not getting the admission sought, but I prayed to God for help, the prayer request was the apex on my list at my church’s convention that was about to commence as at then.

I went for the six-day convention (morning and evening sessions). At the end of the convention, I had the urge to go to the school for news on the lists to still be released. I had in mind of joining the sanctuary cleaners group of the church I would belong to in school. At the close of the convention, I had a revelation where I was in a gathering that hosts the pastor of my church, he was conducting a healing program, and I was standing behind an elderly woman in assistance, as she was waiting for the pastor’s touch. On his getting to our position, the pastor did not attend to the woman but faced me and said I should make sure I join the group I had in mind. At my awakening, I packed my bag and travelled to join the students that have already been attending classes, although some lists of students to be admitted is still being expected before matriculation is conducted. Getting to the school, I joined the group in church. And I was also attending classes with the students. It was not until one month after that the final lists of admission was released, and my name was on the list for my most preferred course of study. If I had not prayed that God should help, I would not have been privileged of receiving the revelation that moved me forward. To God is the glory.

ii. Pillars of Positive Mental Attitude (PMA) The authors gave a sound definition of what PMA entails.

“It is most often composed of the ‘plus’ characteristics symbolized by such words as faith, integrity, hope, optimism, courage, initiative, generosity, tolerance, tact, kindness and good common sense.” With all these characteristics being put into action, a life is guaranteed of achieving success. Putting them at work will definitely transform the personality involved, and neglecting them will result into an absolute deformity of the beholder.

iii. Minding our Role Mates

For a person that success stands as the watchword, it is expedient to be careful and mindful of the peer groups. The authors write that, “Negative attitudes are often contagious, and bad habits are contagious. Let each of us look to our own associations and be certain to keep them on the highest possible level.” Why negative is contagious than positive ones is due to the fact that the former (like excessive consumption of alcohol, the use of illicit drugs, immoral sex) is a provider of pleasure (though temporal) than the latter which demands discipline.

During my Polytechnic days, my next house neighbors were all older in age and in exposure to beer consumption. When anyone among us arrived from home, the developed trend was to go and celebrate his return at a beer house. Since I was invited to share from their merriment, I too soon became a host whenever I return from home. That continued until we all graduated and each departed to his own home. I am happy that I later decided not to take alcohol again because it always made me go beyond reasonable disposition into doing things that were neither wise nor sane. At the university, my core friends had no interest in consuming alcohol, and I was better with.

iv. The Do It Now Principle

This is fight against procrastination. This principle caught up with me while making this assessment. I told myself that I should submit it half the duration given. But another thought crept into my mind to do something else when I want to continue, since I have the full duration to myself, so long I do not exceed it. This principle fired me back to my original plan, though I have missed the first (of self) deadline, I must work to meet the second (still of self).

v. Magical Hope

I did learn from the authors that hope woks like magic. Being hopeful of success attracts plenty of it. “Hope is the magic ingredient in motivating yourself and others”, write the authors. To be hopeful is to be expectant. Expectation delivers what is being expected. The authors also write about Benjamin Franklin’s hope he exercised in building success with the supportive ‘tools’. “I judged it would be well not to distract my attention by attempting the whole at once but to fix on them (temperance, silence, order, resolution, frugality, Industry, sincerity, justice, moderation, cleanliness, tranquility, chastity, humility) at a time; and when I should be master of that, then to proceed to another.” Franklin’s hope to steadily maintain a rise unto successful achievement by a working rise from one virtue to the other is a strong sense of hope.

vi. The Art of Seeing

Learning from the process of seeing as explained by Dr. Samuel Renshaw, his explanation that “most of the process of seeing is not done by the eyes at all. The eyes act as hands which reach out there and grab meaningless ‘things’ and bring them into the brain. The brain then turns the ‘things’ over to the memory. It is not until the brain interprets in terms of comparative action that we really see anything,” can also be taking as that of life’s vision. In life’s vision, the mind is the most important part; the processing unit of all that the eyes bring into it. It is the mind that will decide whether to call a challenge an avenue to be despaired or to be repaired; it is the mind that would decide to see troubles in opportunities or opportunities in troubles. Dr. Samuel writes about the act of seeing, which I believe to be synonymous to the art of seeing. In the act, the eye is the worker that reaches out; in the art, the mind is the worker.

vii. Using Other People’s Money (OPM).

I did learn that getting OPM is not as important as using it well. The authors put this in clear terms by the preferment of “the unwritten premise” which is that, “you will operate in the highest ethical standards of integrity, honor, honesty, loyalty, consent, and the Golden rule.”

3. How will these ideas or lessons help you in a practical way, both in your daily personal life and in helping you to create a better world? If so, how?

With conscious effort of both self and societal improvement, I shall make use of those key points as highlighted.

4. Quotes: Are there any statements which the author made that particularly got your attention? If so, please quote them and comment as to why they were important to you.

“Man’s greatest power lies in the power of prayer.”

I strongly believe in the power of prayer, for it is an opportunity to have a communication with God of creation and all creatures.

Kaiser’s mother: “Loving people and serving them is the greatest value in life.”

He that truly loves people cannot hide from serving them. To serve is to add value.

“If the man is right his world would be right.”

A right mind helps build a right world; a corrupt-free world will first demand corrupt-free minds. The wellness of a man is derivable from his right mind.

“When you are faced with a problem that involves a misunderstanding with other persons, you must first start with yourself.”

Criticism of others should not form our sole reaction to misunderstanding; our own part to it should first be straightened.

“Thinking is not creative unless it is followed through with action—taking note.”

To think is the wisdom of understanding; to act is the wisdom of thinking. If our thinking has reached the apex on an idea, it is expedient of us to act upon it. This is the way we can improve with our thinking.

“The bible and both a good, comprehensive dictionary and an encyclopedia should, we believe, be in every home. They also can help in your search for something more.”

The mind that is concerned about improvement should be closer to his study of what God expects of us as we relate with those around us, and also to improve on our intellectual capacity in handling our daily affairs.

“You can ordain your destiny.”

This gives potency to the idea that every man has the capacity to be the architect of his own life.

“The mentally farsighted person is apt to overlook possibilities that are right before him…he wants to start at the top rather than move up step by step—and he does not recognize that the only job where you can start at the top is the job of digging a hole.”

These words point us to working on our immediate environment before thinking to launch into the ‘deep’. This does not discourage us to think big, it is a clear call to act big. To act—at any level—forms a big phenomenon on itself, it is thinking that puffs the act to a greater level.

“The dishonest man is not entitled to credit.”

Only the man that has excelled in honesty with his busyness and business truly deserves the crown of living.

5. Is there anything in the book that you do not understand or are unclear, or are there ideas which you disagree with and, if so, why?

When the authors explained the concept of “the unwritten premise,” the ‘Golden rule’ was part of it. But he did not write what the rule is all about.

6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?

Yes. They were very helpful.

7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.

No.

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.

Giant Steps
Assessment by Ola Makinde (Nigeria)

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?

The main idea comes from the author himself, “To inspire the reader and to funnel that energy into measurable results by getting you to consistently take simple actions.” To put into action, those decisions made of the mind.

i. The Secret to Achievement

“The secret is to make a public commitment, one so forceful you cannot turn back from it”, writes the author. Looking at the very successful captains of industries all over the world, this strong secret is visible in their work-life, which is not different from their personal life—taking the work as their primary assignment towards contributing to the world at large. The high sense not to turn back from it even in the presence of obstacles and planning-troubles will build up into being successful. It would be morally wrong to start a noble agenda without completing it. A challenge may warrant the stoppage of a project or course, but the strong and forceful spirit to continue in it will be required from he that cares to record a substantial achievement.

ii. First attempt’s failure

Many successful achievements seem to have one thing in common—failure at first attempt. The stories of Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Edison are excerpts from many successful build-ups that once faced this phenomenon. If they had surrendered to the first failure, then both Lincoln and Edison would have been replaced with other students of persistence be it from anywhere in the world. As the author asks and also answers, “If your first attempt at achieving your goals seems futile, should you move on and do something else?” He did not wait long before proffering the answer, which is emphatic, “absolutely not!” to deviate from a goal just because the process attracts stumbling blocks. When I first put up posters inviting people to join the Mentors Group under Masses Affairs, I literally failed at first attempt. I pasted the posters at night, and very early the next morning, a text message was sent to phone from someone that showed interest in becoming a member. I was surprised with the early response. Later in the evening, I received another interest via text message. I was thrilled about the response for the day since I was hoping to converge the first meeting by the weekend, which by then would have given me five days for people to show interest. The next day, Tuesday, very early in the morning, while in a public tricycle, my phone dropped (unknown to me) from my pocket. It was not until few hours after, that I noticed I had lost my phone. I tried calling the numbers but network responded that it was switched off. The phone contained the contacts of those that showed interest to join, and would have been receiving messages from new people. I was very displeased and I went into work-break for the Group for days, coupled with the fact that I tried to retrieve the sim card from my network provider and was still delayed for days. I actually wanted to discontinue the whole thing, but I told myself that if my role models were to hear that I discontinue the work all because I lost my phone that houses the contact of those I should be working with, having read from their own lives, they would call me an unserious fellow. I braced up again and redo the posters with another telephone number. The surprise was that I even got one of the former persons interest again, though he said he was worried about the change of number and why the first notification was not further replied about the venue and meeting time. When I explained what happened, he felt my concern. Many that have perhaps shown interest by sending to the first number would have been discouraged for not getting response doing so.

iii. Ingredients of Accomplishment

The author’s definition of the route to accomplishing comprises of Three Fs. The first is to be eschewed, while the remaining two are to be greatly built. “If you resist your fear, have faith, and discipline your focus, your actions will naturally take you in the direction you want,” the author advices. Fear attacks accomplishment, but has no power to stop it. With faith at work and unshakable focus, accomplishment will only be waiting to be taken.

iv. New Stage; New Pulse

The author writes about adrenaline rush—the central idea behind stage freight. This is a warning for potential public speakers. He advises that, “The next time you’ll be the centre of attention, maybe it’s time you appreciated this adrenaline rush as excitement rather than fear.” Listening to Myles Munroe (of blessed memory) over three years ago while in the university, seeing the students crowd that gathered to listened to him at the venue, he confessed his fear by saying his legs were almost shaking when he held the microphone. He said that is always the lot of speakers when confronted by a new stage, but they always exert pressures to flow with the crowd, no matter the numbers. I have been privileged to address crowds of students while in the university, and each time I want to step out, my heart beats faster than before. But since I must say that which I wanted to say, I always flow, only ‘pocketing’ the fear. Some few weeks ago, while walking to take a seat in a prayer meeting/general address of my unit in church, I was beckoned upon by the prayer organizer. Getting to her, she asked me if I could lead prayer. It was a shock to me because it was to be immediately led. She asked because there have been reports of people that have declined to lead, all to the reason that there was no preparation time, and most especially because those to be led are qualified to be one’s elderly sisters, brothers, parents and grandparents. Though there was a faster pulse within, I responded with a Yes. I quickly invited the Holy Spirit to give me utterances. During, and at the conclusion of the prayer I could hear strong responses to the calls of prayers and “Amen”. Only I alone knew I started with stage fear!

v. Continuous Reading

Reading materials in line with one’s goal is a strong factor in achieving one’s goal, and it cannot be overemphasized. The author advices that, “while you’re taking the Ten Day Mental challenge and cleansing your system, nourish it with reading material that yields insights and strategies to guide you in the new lifestyle you’ve chosen.” It has been part of me to read each day, and with my start with IIGL, I’m either caught reading or writing. I hardly let any minute go unused, public buses, or while waiting for the commencement of a meeting were used to cover some pages of books waiting to be covered. With my studentship in IIGL, it is clear that I have a reading amateur before my start with the institute. The insights I have been exposed to with the books I have studied so far, amounts to treasures that have long been far from me. The benefitting channel to achieving one’s goal is to learn (from books) about the lives of those that have been successful, since one cannot be face-to-face tutored by all the successful persons. Reading from prints to prints will help enforce the drive necessary to accomplish one’s goal. In the lifestyle you’ve chosen should be maintained. That is, not all books (even if good) should be read. There was a time I read fictional novels a lot, which I even buy for friends. When I changed focus to political and leadership books, one of my friends asked me for a fictional book, but I could not offer any. I have longed stopped reading fictional books, though they helped to build my reading ability (the voluminous ones were laid the foundation for me to read any big book of my focus nowadays), eloquence and grammatical senses. A younger person was asking me how to develop eloquence in English language and grammatical inclinations. I told her to start with fictional books. Since the stories are majorly interesting, you will want to continue turning the leaves.

vi. Rejection is part of the paths to being successful

From the words of the author, “trying to achieve the pleasure of success without risking the pain of rejection would never work.” The popular saying, “No pain, no gain”, remains true at all times. The mind that is steadfast to achieving the set goal, with rejection from partners or friends, will still achieve such goal. When I asked my mum to purchase entrance examination form into the university for me, she refused because I have not yet passed the ordinary level examinations. I was of the opinion that sitting for the two examinations in the same year will save me time of sitting for the Advanced level (A’ level) the following year, but she wanted me to pass the Ordinary level first before writing the A’ level. Though my brother was given the privilege to sit for the two examinations in that same year; He was thought to be more intelligent than I (I wrote the O’ level examination the previous year without passing the requisite subjects). It took me another four years before I could write the university’s A’ level examination. The year in-between took me to the polytechnic and industrial attachment sessions. The university’s A’ level form was actually bought by myself, with the undying zeal to go to the university. My mum still remains my best pride, what she refused me was just a path to strengthen my zeal.

vii. Doing small is better than nothing

“We don’t need to wait until we have a grandiose master plan to make a difference. We can have impact in a moment in doing smallest things, in making what often seem insignificant decisions,” forms great words from the author. During my National Service Year, the community project I first thought to embark on was to donate (by seeking sponsorship) 200 chairs with tables to the classes of the community primary school I visited. Four out of Five classes had no chairs, the children were all sitting on the floor to learn, and the lucky ones sat on mats. But the calculated sum amounted to a million naira. With such amount, I could not continue, but I noticed that the school also had no singular computer set to practically teach pupils, though they teach computer only in theory. I decided to raise support to donate computers with some brooms, parkers, waste baskets, and schools’ sign board.

3. How will these ideas or lessons help you in a practical way, both in your daily personal life and in helping you to create a better world? If so, how?

By keeping faithful to the ideas listed, as I relate with those close to me in my day-to-day affairs.

4. Quotes: Are there any statements which the author made that particularly got your attention? If so, please quote them and comment as to why they were important to you.

“Emotion is created by motion.”

Truly, it is our action that later determines how we felt about the deed.

5. Is there anything in the book that you do not understand or are unclear, or are there ideas which you disagree with and, if so, why?

I disagree with the author when he writes that, “People are not their behaviors.” The better form would have been that people are not always their behaviors. Their particular action may be as a result of some external factors beyond their own control. For the time being, they can be forgiven of the supposedly un-good behavior.

6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?

Yes. “On the line” to-do.

7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.

None

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.

A. How interesting was it to read? 7
B. How helpful were the contents? 10
C. How easy was it to understand? 10
D. Would you recommend it to others? 7
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 7

The New Dynamics of Winning
Assessment by Ola Makinde (Nigeria)

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?

The main idea is how to transform ability into accomplishment. It dwells on putting talents and skills into effective and efficient usage.

i. Getting at Success

The author has given a concise way to achieving success from his words, “Success depends on your ability to combine physical or technical skill with mental process in a stressful environment.” It is important to imbibe the technical skills in getting to success, since some things must be in place even before miracle can take place. The miracle of accomplishment will only work for the prepared mind. Skills gotten under training in formal or informal schools will qualify for the physical or technical skills. The mental process is a big determinant of the supposed success. Technical skill is good, but many unsuccessful persons have them in abundance. In fact, many of the lower/middle class of a country have one technical skill or another. The upper-class citizens maintain such position only with the exercise of the mental skill, especially “in a stressful environment.” This is what has, and will continue to separate the lower from middle-class, and middle from upper-class.

ii. Fear is a Mirage

The presence of fear is a pointer that success is ahead; overcoming it is the key to achieving success. If an agenda breeds no fear at the start, the success therein cannot be tangible. Just like a first attempt of talking to a lady one would like to date, your heart would beat faster than normal when you want to address her. Such feeling speaks volume about the yet to be unveiled love. Talking to a lady you do not have in mind to date is very easy, there is no attached extra heart beat, but that becomes a different story if you want to ask her out, you are so full of fear not to hear a “No”. So, you are very cautious to doing the talk. That is how I define the route to success; it must be huge to attract fear of accomplishment. And the good news is that, the venture that attracts fear should form the best adventure. When you now set your mind to go for it, the fear will be nowhere to be found. From the words of the author, “Fear dissipates and often disappears with knowledge and action.” Fear and action are inversely related. That is, where there is fear, action is not found; and where there is action, fear is missing.

iii. Health Maintenance

The popular saying, “Health is wealth,” remains an eternal truth. The author’s version, “Your physical well-being is your most precious gift,”also qualifies as an eternal truth. There were times I used to eat anything that is consumable, to the extent of consuming foods in large quantities, especially the leftovers from my siblings and parents all because I don’t like to see the foods turned into wastes. I humorously called by stomach ‘waste-bin’. The much consumption would make it difficult for quick digestion, and I found the lower part of my stomach in pains at intervals of sleep. It was during one of the sleeps that I heard a voice behind me (I was walking on a road where the sky was closer to the ground than what we normally see in the physical world) that “You cannot fulfill your vision without a body; you must take care of your body.” At my awakening, I knew quite well that God cares I take good care of my body. I stopped to being the ‘waste-bin’ at home, and screen well the kind of foods I take. I stopped to eat for pleasure but for energy. When dinning with friends, they become amazed at my new style of eating. The timing for eating is strictly observed, I don’t take strong meals for supper, especially when it is beyond 7pm. I came across some words I like on this, “For breakfast dine like a King; for lunch, dine like a prince; for supper, dine like a beggar.”

iv. Winning is Within

The author’s warning, “you can never win if your concept of success depends upon the perfect performance or the placing of a gold medal around your neck,” remains truthful. Physical reward for an accomplishment is good, but cannot be the real measure of such accomplishment. There are records of so many people that have done very well in their field of operations, by getting to the top title of grades, but yet dropped out of their field to seek a finer way to doing their passion. The world may have thought them to be a winner, but within them, they are yet to win. The late Nigerian afro-beat maestro, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, was a brilliant young man sent to the western world to study Medicine, but because he could perform more-well in the field of Music with well-refined sounds, he became the father of Afro-beat, an African style of beat that has turned into a study area for musicians all across the globe. Long after his demise, his legacy lives on. Though he was not moved by awards or medals, he got them in abundance.

v. Going with the Tide

I was just thinking few hours before writing this, about the strong sense of successful stories in the life of global achievers, and I realized that with their own stories and paths to success, no one can equally follow such path and become just as successful as they are. It’s either you succeed less or succeed more. The determinant is not in the path, but in the passion to thread the path. I recently had a conversation with a friend who was seeking admission into the university but could not make the last list of admission. I noticed she had some interesting jottings which I once came across in her notes, and she showed up as someone who loves to read. So, I asked her if she really love to write and read books. She replied “Yes.” Since she would have to wait till next (next) year (2016) before she can get admitted to the university, I thought she would get the benefits of my offering. Though she’s a sales person in a large shopping mall, I introduced her to IIGL and its benefiting factors, with explanation on the level of study. I opened the website for her to study through. Perhaps she was challenged by the volumes of study or the personal computer, or the timing of study to be combined with working (her only confessed challenge), she did not run to embrace the offer at a go, she only deferred till another time only time will permit. Her gesture made me understand that what equals a miracle for me to become a member was not equally seen as one for her. If I were in hers hoes, I would have thanked God for giving me a gold for an iron, for I would major on IIGL and rather seek a Diploma at the university, instead of a full time degree that will only sap my time and there again looking for a way out after certification. This is why I agree with the author that “Goals are best achieved by going with the tide and with the wind, without force, anger or impatience.” Going with the tide and with the wind is the strong determinant of being successful. If twenty people follow the life and paths of Nelson Mandela, none will end as the most respectable man in the world, if they could not go with the tide and with the wind, they go in vain.

vi. All days are not called Festive

The author gives a good advice here, “Like it or not, you are going to have some good days and some bad days. The ability to make the most of the good days is a fundamental quality of mental toughness.” Night has meaning all because there is day; dark has meaning all because there is light; un-enjoyable days have meaning all because there are enjoyable days. Without the latter, the former will not be. So, therefore, the presence of the former guarantees the latter. If the latter be delayed, the solution should be sought-after, and not the amplification of it. To dwell on troubles only doubles them.

vii. School never Ends

For the pupils of primary and secondary schools here in Nigeria, the day’s closing time is 2pm; for students of tertiary institution, official closing is 6pm. At the completion of a graduate or post graduate course, you are good as a scholar. But the author’s words dwarf those manners when he writes that, “School is never out for the winner. Education is a life-long process.” As for me, school never ends, and this is why I equaled IIGL as my post graduate study.

3. How will these ideas or lessons help you in a practical way, both in your daily personal life and in helping you to create a better world? If so, how?

These ideas will form a new me, with the strong conscious to always put them into use. My consolidated understanding about fear, the maintenance of my health, unending schooling and the rest will be my companion for living expressions among my friends and family.

4. Quotes: Are there any statements which the author made that particularly got your attention? If so, please quote them and comment as to why they were important to you.

“Achievements grow out of commitment.”

This is true because only action will lead to result, and good action via continued effort also called commitment will bring good results—also called achievement.

“The master has no mind of her own. She works with the mind of the people
She is good to people who are good. She is also good to people who aren’t good.
She trusts people who are trustworthy. She also trusts people who aren’t trustworthy.”

This is a good lifestyle every leader should imbibe.

5. Is there anything in the book that you do not understand or are unclear, or are there ideas which you disagree with and, if so, why?

Yes. I disagree with the author when he writes that, “If you’re demanding high grades from your kids in school but they never see you reading a book, they’re going to learn from what you do, not from what you say.”

In the very thick villages in some of the states of Africa, many parents never had the privilege of being educated—they cannot read, but they develop a sense to educate their children having seen the importance of it. Their demand cannot be taken as what they do not worth to get.

6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?

Yes. “On the line” to-do.

7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.

None

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.

A. How interesting was it to read? 5
B. How helpful were the contents? 10
C. How easy was it to understand? 5
D. Would you recommend it to others? 6
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 6

Real Magic
Assessment by Ola Makinde (Nigeria)

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?

The author’s main idea is how to create a new belief-system in the minds of readers where possibilities can be seen in areas that were once thought otherwise.

i. Help is always Here

I got ignited that what has been delaying our achievement is nothing but our own inaction. The author writes that, “The assistance you need will be provided by the universe as soon as you convert your readiness to willingness.” I absolutely agree this to be true from all angles. When I was thinking about the venue to use as meeting point for the local NGO I’m privileged to convene, it was hard for me to figure out one. I was encouraged by my inner spirit to go get an approval from the Local Government (LG) in order to use the Youth Center, and to also apply for a room so as to set up an office/library. With these thoughts, I still did not go. I was skeptical of an acceptance. Some days after days, on a Friday, I decided to visit the LG. on my way going, I stopped and looked at my wrist-watch, it was 12:30pm, and I remembered work closes by 1pm on Fridays due to preparation for Islamic prayers. I decided to go back, and I did turn back. A spirit quickens that I go to the venue itself, since there would be security personnel in charge and ask for who I should directly talk to even if I would be going to the LG for approval. I opted for this idea. On getting to the front gate of the venue, I was thinking of going back with the mind that they would reject my questioning on whom to see. I braced up to ask walking into the hall, I first talked to two men that later directed me to the house keeper. He told me that there is a Youth Officer in charge to give approval on whosoever wants to use the facility, since he is under the state government and not the local government. I was happy that I did not make the go to the local government. I briefed the house keeper about my intention and he was happy about my plans. He said they actually needed somebody or group that would be using the facility, as people have not been organizing anything in the centre, that was the sole reason the state government gave some part of the building to one of its commission as a registration centre. He was optimistic about the approval by the Youth Officer, and he even gave me the mobile telephone contact of the Officer with the days of the week he comes to the venue when not in the State’s secretariat. When I later met with the Officer, after I have explained my intention, which he agreed, he asked what would be my own contribution to the facility. I said we would maintain the compound by keeping it clean. He concurred. What I thought would be a huge challenge was actually waiting for me long time ago. Though the building was finely built, its non-usage, especially the area not used by the commission is now home for plenty cobwebs, while the compound is hugely littered and bushy. I saw that as my first assignment on Project Clean and Green, a facet of masses Affairs concerned with serene environment. Truly, not until my readiness was converted into willingness, the venue would not have emerged.

ii. Spirit Being—the Real Being

I am inspired from the author’s shared words of Bhagavad Gita, “We are born into the world of nature; our second birth is into the world of spirit.” Of truth, all humans come into existence through birth, but the real life is found in rebirth—a concise and concrete effort to know the driver of the self which is far from this visible world. A believer in the human soul will have access to this real in plenty dimension. And through meditation shall a man walk into the domain of the spirit, where the visible is created. The rebirth is what qualifies a man into completeness without which life remains dumbfounded even for adults. The notion of conscience fits well for a facet of spirit being. He that is guided by conscience is guided by a master of life. The singular spiritual man is a crowd. In this realm, one is a crowd. He can walk alone without stumbling, even when in the darkest of all region, illumination is assured. I once attended a public lecture, and at the end of the speakers’ talks, during question time, a man stood and asks about the possibility of getting helped with all what has been said about personal development and success. He said he is above 40years old, he has worked hard and yet he has not been successful, all that was coming was just ‘to keep body and soul together’, not that which he really desired. While he was speaking, I noticed that he did not recognize that it was his spirit self that determines success. Some weeks after, while walking to do some assignment at about 9pm, I saw him and some ladies at a beer shop drinking and chatting. It was then I realized why a married could not figure the meaning of success.

iii. Peace and Joy—Path to purpose

“When you are inspired in your relationships and have mastered how to live peacefully and joyfully with others, your life will be on the path that I have called purpose”, are the words of the author which I hugely believe. Peace is prayed for in all lands but difficult to be maintained individually. A large congregation can pray for peace to be felt in all countries of the earth, but when each disperses to their homes, peace finds it difficult to lie in some tents. On my home from church, I still here rains of shouts and curses across windows of vehicles from drivers to drivers who were all coming from church. Some weeks back, a friend gave me a pen to help fill a form. When I completed the form, I was still holding the pen when another of my friend walked in and angrily snatched the biro from me. She complained that she has been looking for the pen. I explained that it was given to me by someone else to help fill a form. My confession lowered her voice, but she was too big to apologize for her wrong accusation (which the other person confessed she originally took the pen). Throughout the day, she was hostile to me all because she was wrong but did not want to admit so. The next day, I got to our meeting point before her, on her arrival, she still ignored me. When I noticed she fell short of the living of peace, I approached her and greeted her. I could ‘here’ surprise from her response that I could still come to her.

iv. Giving, even if it be a Life

Giving should know no end; it is the oil of life for those that have found their own purpose on earth. Nothing worthwhile is worth to be held. The worth whileness of a life demands that it be prone to change. Fathers live so old and must give-up for the child to continue the living pattern. The aged contributes their best to nurture their offspring that the young may be empowered to live on. The author writes of a larger sense, “Remember, in a much larger sense, you cannot own anything while you are here, you cannot acquire anything—your life can only be given away.” One thing that is certain of giving is that it gives fulfillment to the giver, plus there is also the ‘coming back’ phenomenon—what is given finds a way back to the giver. Sometimes with more ‘accomplice’! Even the thought of giving brings profits of giving. Just last week, I was to give a sacrificial offering in and I was contemplating on what to give. I decided to give my tablet phone. I later changed my mind to step it up, so I decided to give my December salary. The thought grieved me in fear since I was on the verge of borrowing transport and support finances for January before my next pay, if I should give my December salary. I told God that I will give it, and I don’t want to borrow finances, the way He’ll do that is left for Him. Few days back, I got credited in my bank account an amount I was expecting but did not think will come as fast as that. The share that was given me was larger than my December salary which I received the same day I got the money. It was so easy for me to give my salary with joy of heart.

v. Demand Nothing

The author gave a strong advice here, “Don’t demand anything, loosen up and be willing to allow a miracle to happen without any insistence and then everything will come to you that you need.” This is correct from the start to the end. It reminds me of a poem I tagged Begging the Beggar. The summary is that the begged-from is not different from the begged-of. To demand, especially without adequate response, will only breed unnecessary enmity between the asked-from and the asked-of. There was a time I needed some funds to complete my tuition payment, and I reached out to a friend of mine who had a job and the amount I asked from him. He was the only friend I confided in about the admission and its tuition. My request actually brought about our hostile relationship; he stopped to call and even did not reply a text message I sent to him. Before I asked from him, he was the only friend that calls me most for general talks. He was surprised about the admission and was concerned about how he can get same. Instead of talking about the tuition, what he first asked was how I was able to get the admission; wanting to know the qualification (we had same) I used to secure the admission. Though I explained that our qualification could get us the admission, he was not enthusiastic in contributing to what he needs also, which I was privileged to get first. I seized to ask further, and we did not communicate for over 4months (biggest ever). Though the money I needed came from those I did not even asked by myself. I later commented on his post on Facebook (where we do see each other’s post but always ignore), in congratulations about his sister’s wedding day, just to show that I was never angry that he ignored me and did not even bother to ask if I was able to pay the tuition or not. He replied with a glad note. I would have saved the over 4months hostility if I never demanded his assistance.

vi. Force Nothing

From Lao-tzu’s words as shared by the author, “Even the best will in the world, when forced, achieves nothing; the best righteousness when forced achieves nothing; the best good-form, when forced does not come out right.” It is clear that the works of a man called Success cannot be associated with force. To flow with nature is a noble agenda. For where force lives, love leaves; where hatred slips, peace sleeps; and where serenity is the theme, bliss forms a team. I was once in a nap where a voice was clearly saying to me that “to be successful, you must force nothing.” At my awakening, it was as if I should grab the person saying those words to me, but I was alone. I thanked God for teaching me another lesson.

vii. To be an antagonist weakens the self

The question posed by the author, “Do you recognize that being against anything weakens you, while being for something empowers you?” is one to be treasured. I flout this rule not too long ago while working at my unit’s secretariat in church. It has been a rule not to allow non-official members to sit in front of the office during service so as to avoid crowding of the frontal space. A man walked to sit right in the prohibited space, and I explained to him why he can’t sit there. He was reluctant and even said he works in the office and he was querying me and said I have no right to advice him to leave. I later collected his seat, which he angrily released. I collected the seat from him just because he said he works in the office, which was not true. Some of my senior colleagues met us while exchanging words, asked what happened, and I explained. Because they knew him to be a son to one of the elders in the unit, they apologized to him, to become the saints, while I was the devil to him, on a rule that has ‘no’ exception. Some minutes later, I was not happy with the way I was made to be seen as a ‘devil’, since those that were to support me (while defending what they would have done if they knew not the victim) made me stand alone, and to prove that my own mind is the same as my supposed official mind, I went to the man and apologized to him for the argument that existed between us. He said I need not worry since we did not know each other earlier, and we became friends. After the end of the service, his wife walked up to me and introduced herself, with a jovial comment about the harassment I gave her husband. She happened to be my colleagues in a working place over 7 years ago. I was surprised about that, and was happy to see the husband lightened up since I had already apologized to him even before I met his wife; my friend I saw of seven years ago. I thanked God ego did not overrule me, which would have not been a good note to welcome a friend of 7 years past.

3. How will these ideas or lessons help you in a practical way, both in your daily personal life and in helping you to create a better world? If so, how?

By remaining steadfast to the teachings of the ideas, while relating with friends and family members.

4. Quotes: Are there any statements which the author made that particularly got your attention? If so, please quote them and comment as to why they were important to you.

“Your inner transformation cannot be completed from an intellectual or scientific perspective. Instruments of limitation will not reveal the limitless. This is a job for your mind and your soul.”

The mind still remains the ‘porter’ that molds a man after the creator has done His part of creating.

Albert Einstein: “Imagination is more important than knowledge.”

Since what is known is a function of what was once imagined by someone.

Blaise Pascal: “All man’s miseries derive from not being able to sit quietly in a room alone.”

The power of meditation should at all times be sought.

“Real magic occurs in your life when you have eliminated the hatred that is in your life, even the hatred that you have against hatred.”

That means, the word ‘hate’ should not be in our world.

Buddha: “You will not be punished for your anger; you will be punished by your anger.”

The sense of anger punishes than the act exhibited. It is wisdom to shun being angry.

Eykis: “There is no way to prosperity, prosperity is the way.”

Leaving like a prosperous fellow is the way to prosperity. Little is nothing but a title. From that little, some people can still get blessed. So, no giving is too small, give anyhow.

5. Is there anything in the book that you do not understand or are unclear, or are there ideas which you disagree with and, if so, why?

All was clear.

6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?

Yes. “On the line” to-do.

7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.

None

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.

Goal Setting 101
Assessment by Ola Makinde (Nigeria)

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?

To clearly define one’s goal is essential in its achievement.

i. Visionary: A Goal Setter’s brave Title

To be a visionary is to be a carrier of a vision; which forms the best possibility of one’s aspiration, or simply put a goal. For individuals or organizations, a visionless one cannot be taken seriously. That you have a vision statement for your organization does not mean you are a successful organization, but it depicts you are on the path to being successful. For every building, foundation is essential; for every foundation, vision is most needful. It is vision that births the foundation for the establishment of any meaningful venture. I have realized that why many business remains in the avenue of smallness is that the pioneer lacks a giant vision for such establishment. The author makes it clear that “The single most important thing to have before you do any planning is a vision. It’s a way of seeing or conceiving what you want to create or achieve.” And the essential part of having a vision is to state it. An unstated vision is as good as no vision. In the world of visionaries, exactness in writing is a key. The biblical prophet Habakkuk’s words teaches more, “And the Lord answered me, and said, write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.” When I was working to start the local NGO I’m privileged to coordinate, the researches made was central to first having a vision statement for the organization before drafting the modus operandi. It was until then that I actually drafted one, though it has long been with me to start-up and I had already designed a logo for the organization without the statement. Thanks to the vision statement, it now keeps me thinking on that one thing the NGO is central upon.

ii. Value-Driven

Values are the operational principles for our individual lives or organizations, they form the undertone phenomena that determine the sounding volume of our behavior; they are the ethical inclinations expressed in our work-life, as individuals or organizations. “Values lay the groundwork for your goals. Goals lead to the fulfillment of your mission. Your mission leads to the realization of your life’s work—your legacy,” the author writes. Looking at the lives of so many world accomplished personalities in their chosen field of endeavor, many of their legacy are greatly celebrated, being the output of their work processes. Learning from the author’s words, legacy is the end-result of values—the input. One of the working values of many high achievers is that they sleep less compared to non-high achievers. Part of the sleeping time is invested in more study or working on something meaningful. More resources inputted into a process will yield more output. Each time I get lost on the bed with more than necessary sleep, I always felt I have lagged behind in one of the necessary area that is essential for productivity. I have always believed that even if you do not sleep for one second and live for 120years, there would still be plenty things needed to be done in one’s chosen field of endeavor, so why waste time by getting lost on the bed? Our values will definitely determine our legacy, none can cheat nature. Among my own personal values are timeliness, orderliness, excellence-driven, neatness, and the fear of God, though not perfect in all, I daily work to be.

iii. Leadership and its shows

“Don’t mistake the show of leadership, no matter how necessary for leadership itself. Leadership is a synthesis of theory and practice, of preparation and spontaneity, of rehearsal and improvisation,” the author cautions. From my own understanding, the shows of leadership include giving instructions to other people and being called the title attached to such role. Some leaders are soothing with such forms of leading the subordinates, but are not too interested in the practicability of such role, and perhaps they still mistake the practice of leadership shows to leadership role. I believe role is the genuine definition of what the leader should practice, while the show forms the pseudo-practice. Reading from M.K. Gandhi’s autobiography, there was a time he visited the toilet where his followers were making use of and it was very dirty. He instructed some people to get it cleaned up, but none was actually willing to get close to the dirty place. He ordered for a cleaning material and cleaned up the messed up toilet, to the amazement of the followers. Gandhi neglected the show of leadership and plugged into its role. Leadership makes it clear that you are leading into something. That is, you are even suppose to be the first person to do what you are actually asking your followers to do, all they need do is to follow suit. I still do believe that when it comes to gain, the leader takes lesser than the followers or subordinates, especially in cases that the leader can afford his share by him/herself. And when it comes to contributing for the achievement of the group’s goal, the leader should pay more if he can afford it. I remember when I was the chairman of the Final Year Brethren of my department in the university, after all the students have contributed their own share; we still needed some funds for the actualization of what we had earlier stated. We asked ourselves (the committee members) to contribute the some more, yet the money was not enough. I decided to foot the bill with over 800% of what a member of the committee contributed, all because I wanted us to achieve our goal.

iv. Play in order not to be played

To play is to live. And it is interesting to note that “he that lives best wins best”. But the question asked is, “how do one live best?” this is what the author proffers solution to when he writes that, “In theory and in games, there is a right time to decide and take action. In the real world, however, there is no totally right time. You cannot control everything. Nor can you wait for the roll of the dice to come out just right. Sometimes you have to play with the cards you have. Make this fundamental pact with reality—or reality will leave you in the dust.” ‘To play with the cards you have’ is the most essential requirement to win in life. This is in relationship with making the utmost use of whatever we have. Aspiration is essential to being successful, and there is also great gain in contentment. The popular saying, “a bird at hand is worth two in the bush”, remains an eternal truth. What one presently has is what one should work with. To cry over what is not at hand is to be covetous—an unruly manner of behavior.

v. The Road not to go

All roads are meant to be walked, but not all are worth the go. The emphatic meaning of the road not to pass is connotatively expressed under this sub-title. It is a call to stand firm when faced with duty. The author here advises, “Do not pass the buck, dodge duty, or transfer your load to someone else. Don’t go looking for a free ride on the road of irresponsibility—it’s a dead end.” When we pass the buck of our own duty, we only pass the benefit there-in. success is often wrapped with work-cloth, he that shuns the work-cloth has already shunned the accompanied success.

vi. Celebration is Important

This is hard to be seen on the faces or in the habits of those finding it difficult to have their needs met. We become most concerned with the unmet needs and forget quickly the attained ones, even if little. Most often, even when our big dreams come to fruition, at their occurrence, we immediately turn to bigger dreams, believing that we need more from life than being offered. The author advises us to “Become a great believer in the importance of celebration and rewards prompt positive reinforcement in the form of commemoration and celebration is essential to morale. Few people devote time to this.” And I can say “I was among the few people.” When I was actually looking for a job at the conclusion that I could not start the postgraduate program I was admitted for, I then turned to seek employment opportunity. Having secured a job, with a few weeks stay, I knew well that the work was what I could actually go on with. So, I was of the interest to leave the work and forge ahead. I was only thinking of how to get another job, forgetting that I should celebrate on what I presently had, which would have been the singular prayer point of some people. I later changed my thought to that of celebration, and for the first time, I danced on duty—an expression of celebrating my position.

vii. Setting Goal: Wrong is better than Doubt

“An effective goal setter will never express an opinion! You know and speak as if you know! Everything that comes out of your mouth should be without doubt. You can be wrong but never in doubt.” This calls for emphatic expression. Courage is needed when setting a goal. The How may not practically be seen to be free of challenges, the courageous goal-setter looks towards the goal, going blind to the troubles or challenges attached o such goal. Strong assertiveness is very important when setting a goal. When I was seeking university admission, I always tell my friends that it is only Federal universities I can attend, I never saw myself in a state university because the level of operations were seen to be inferior to that controlled by the Federal government. The examination that brought about my university admission was written also by one of my friends. While filling the forms for the examination, my friend commented that I only wanted to waste the admission year. The university I chose was always ranked number one in Nigeria, so the competition was very large when it comes to getting admitted. When I finally got admitted, I became a wonder boy in the sight of my friends. I only affirmed strong, God did the rest.

3. How will these ideas or lessons help you in a practical way, both in your daily personal life and in helping you to create a better world? If so, how?

These ideas will help by practically carrying out the learned ideas in my relationship with friends and family members.

4. Quotes: Are there any statements which the author made that particularly got your attention? If so, please quote them and comment as to why they were important to you.

“The examined life is the one worth living.”

Examinations are not always externally defined, our lives should at all times—more than the external ones—be put in check.

“You need to ensure that what you want done gets done.”

This is a pure sticking to getting results on all thought duty.

“The courageous person forces himself or herself in spite of fear, to carry on.”

The force towards accomplishment should at all times override the fear of duty. Dutifulness should be primed over laziness.

“Discipline, pride, self-respect, self-confidence, and the love of victory are attributes that will make you courageous…even when you are afraid.”

Life is not free of fear, but the listed principles will help surmount such fear, leading to grand achievement.

“The road to success is often bumpy and constantly under construction, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the ride.”

Since there is no destination to success, there will always be ‘mountains to climb’ in the adventure of life, the gains at a particular ‘valley’ can be enjoyed while trying to ‘climb a new mountain’.

5. Is there anything in the book that you do not understand or are unclear, or are there ideas which you disagree with and, if so, why?

All was clear.

6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?

Exercises are within the notes.

7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.

No.

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.

Nonviolent Communication
Assessment by Ola Makinde (Nigeria)

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?

This comes from the author’s own words; the work “is to establish a relationship based on honesty and empathy.”

i. Differing Observation from Evaluation

The author gives an explicit meaning to communication. The common means of communication has always been to diffuse what we are observing in an evaluating manner. To observe, according to the English dictionary (mobile application), to observe is to notice or view, especially carefully or with attention to detail, and to evaluate is to draw conclusion from examining, to assess. With many communicators, the premonition idea is to observe without evaluating, though the end result is a classic diffusion of both observation and evaluation, a far prospect of differing both. And this cannot be totally free from violent (the author’s own meaning) communication. According to the author, “The first component of NVC entails the separation of observation from evaluation. When we combine observation with evaluation, others are apt to hear criticism and resist what we are saying.” To draw conclusion when not in the legal position to doing so will only build violent communication, because our own conclusion, no matter how exact it is— most especially when it is without the input of who we are observing— will not give the best result. Such expression will be qualified for defending how one see the world from one’s own spectacle. I once came across a wise prayer, “Help me never to judge another until I have walked a mile in his moccasins.” And when each has the full opportunity to walk in another’s “moccasins,” there would be none qualified to be a judge. The title will be as dormant as a neglected bank account. I believe this is not an advocate for us not to evaluate, but the strong meaning is to un-mix observation with evaluation. That is, when observation is to be done, nothing more should be added, and evaluation is to be done, the intention should be clearly stated. Telling a worker by the boss to prepare for evaluation will not make him/her bitter at the end result, be it a query or a thumb-up.

ii. To Feel is not equal to Feeling

From the exposition of the author, “it is not necessary to use the word feel at all when we’re actually expressing a feeling. We can say, I’m feeling irritated, or simply, I’m irritated.” To clearly express the self is to mention what it is that is actually going on within us. Many compliments that fly from one person to another are basically not the intent of the provider. I was once acknowledging the beauty of a friends hairdo when I said, “That was a beautiful style.” Such expression, from my new learning, lacks the content of my interest in the style, since it does not express my own feeling. Learning from the author, our feeling in our words will give clarity to those words, that’s what will guarantee credence to the communication. Back to my compliments, I would have said, “I love your hairdo, it makes you look beautiful.”

iii. How not to do a Don’t

I understand from the author that the best way to undo the things we don’t want done is to do that which we want done. From his words, “Clarifying what I do want to do is the best way of not to do a don’t. Saying what not to be done instead of what is to be done is the best practice of doing a don’t, an unhelpful manner of communication.” In the words of some politicians, doing a don’t is a strong weapon—the strong reason why victory is only in their spelling letters and not as an achievement. I was listening to a presidential candidate contesting for the February 14, 2015 elections here in Nigeria, and he was giving reasons why the other candidate should not be voted, he laid less emphasis on why he should be voted. He forgot the notion that he was busy campaigning for his opponent, rather than for himself. No electorate cares to hear why he/she should not vote for a candidate from the mouth of a co-contender, knowing fully-well that both candidates are seeking the same office. I believe that even if you have something substantial against the candidacy of a co-contender, such personalized notion should be championed by supporters, not the candidate. What is expected of a candidate is to only talk on what he/she will do if given the seat of service.

iv. Of Assistance: Handling our Request

Since assistance from friends, colleagues, or family members forms a part that will always remain to be expressed, relating with people especially our loved ones will put us in situations where we need to get something done through or by them. Requesting this assistance, if we fault the reasonable process will only jeopardize the trust and good mannerisms that have long been established between us. This is why we must follow the good teachings of the author so as not to reduce requests to demands. We should always remember, nothing worth to have is to be demanded. With request, seeking assistance is more meaningful. When seeking assistance takes the form requests, even when it is not attended to, it will not darken our thoughts toward where it is being sought. And when they take the form of demands, when not attended to, it grieves us, thereby creating unnecessary discomfort towards the quarter it was sought. An unattended request is not to be quarried, just channel it somewhere else. From the words of the author, “The more we have in the past blamed, punished, or laid guilt trips on others when they haven’t responded to our requests, the higher the likelihood that our requests will now be heard as demands.” While attending to one of the secretaries of the units in my church activity group, she came to pick Bus Pass for the new members of her unit, and I noticed that the submission of the passports were not earlier entered in our book, and I requested her to sign for collecting the Bus Pass (the output of passports submitted). She protested that since the passports were not signed-in, why would it be requested of her to sign them out? She had a point, though it would still be official to know the numbers of Bus Pass picked for record purpose (that we made error of omission of not entering the passports submitted should not give room for giving the Bus Pass without record). With her protest, I only kept mute. After she had collected the Bus Pass, few minutes later, she asked for the book to sign out the Bus Pass collected. She was ‘bought’ by my handling of the request without turning it into a demand (though I had the official right to demand of her to sign, which only bring about argument and violence in communication).

v. Of Request: the Second Party’s Concern has Weight

According to the author, “expressing genuine requests also requires an awareness of our objective. If our objective is only to change people and their behavior or to get our way, then NVC is not an appropriate tool. The process is designed for those of us who would like others to change and respond, but only if they choose to do so willingly and compassionately.” This means that when putting up a request, the person we request from should be put in consideration on how the request really goes with them. Force must not be smelled in our request; otherwise, it may lead to violence in communication. With this idea, it’s now part of me to always add “what do you think?” at the end of my request to friends or subordinates.

vi. Labels: Some are not of Good Designs

From the words of the author, “When we give people labels, we tend to act in a way that contributes to the very behavior that concerns us, which we then view as further confirmation of our diagnosis.” This gives credence to the notion that we should always see the good side we intend to see in people even if they do not presently exhibit such side. In my local community, I live in the environment where some parents instantly react to the ‘not acceptable’ standards of behavior exhibited by their children, with name-calling of those titles and labels that further demeans the attitudinal behavior of the children. Bad labels are easily attached to bad behaviors, hence, consolidating the behavior. To those children, getting labels of no good design is normal; with the mindset that good behavior is not even important, because there has not been any label for such. And many children hardly see the sense to change to the best conduct behavior in running their own life. It is better to confront a child that he/she has the capacity to do good behavior, rather than just condemning the bad acts with complementary bad labels.

vii. When “But” is not Necessary

The author writes that, “Rather than put your “but” in the face of angry person, empathize.” Expressing “but” amidst our conversation, especially in a reply to the other party is an un-agreeable expression. It defines our non-agreement with what the other person is saying. Everyone loves to be agreed to, doing otherwise will only bring out the violence in communication. To keep mute even in the atmosphere where objection is clear is sometimes interesting than making such objection. Learning from the saying that, “No one can really win an argument, when you win it, you actually lose it.” You lose the confidence of a friend.

3. How will these ideas or lessons help you in a practical way, both in your daily personal life and in helping you to create a better world? If so, how?

With the conscious effort to put the ideas learnt as I relate with family members and friends.

4. Quotes: Are there any statements which the author made that particularly got your attention? If so, please quote them and comment as to why they were important to you.

Epictetus: “People are disturbed not by things, but by the view they take of them.”

Our interpretation of events is the determinant of our feeling. The mechanism is within, not without.

Buddhist saying: “Don’t just do something, stand there.”

This is a call to be more concerned with the affairs of people. We should try stay around those we care about.

Mariane Williamson: “As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

Our skills and knowledge should be used to raise others without charging them its equivalent price.

5. Is there anything in the book that you do not understand or are unclear, or are there ideas which you disagree with and, if so, why?

All was clear.

6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?

Exercises are within the notes.

7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.

No.

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.

The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People

Assessment by Ola Makinde (Nigeria)

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?

It is an exposition to some important principles that aid the effectiveness of human in the world of relationship.

i. Of Ethics: Character surpasses Personality

The magnetic force that establishes human relationship is no doubt that of personality, but the sustenance of such force will only be guaranteed by that of character. The author lists integrity, humility, fidelity, temperance, courage, justice, patience, industry, simplicity, modesty, and the golden rule as those character traits that will be required for the true effectiveness of any one. Whereas, the personality ethics can be seen in form of human and public relations technique, and positive mental attitude. It is possible to be friendly without exercising fidelity or courage or justice or patience. And we should not forget that a professional armed robber still has friends that would love to be around him, though the nature of his work remains unknown. There was a time that one of my communal friend was an internet fraudster (we call them Yahoo Boys), and I would even used his personal laptop computer to check information about my admission status to the university. Fellow area friends do gather at his house to watch weekend football matches on his cable TV. His personality trait in relationship was good to us but he was busy getting his money in an infidel way. Some years later, he travelled to South Africa (SA). It was reported by another communal person who visited SA and was able to meet this young man in subject that he had developed the lifestyle of consuming plenty of alcohol; a habit he never indulged in when he was here in Nigeria. According to the reporter, the person in subject was influenced by higher colleagues in their own work-system. I only hope he is led to a company of good character builders, before he gets into big troubles of life.

ii. Success feeds on Trust

Success in marital relationship, friendship, or business will require the parties involved to act outside their own believe system. Relating with people in any form for the actualization of a goal can only be done when we are not full of ourselves. And to doubt the efficacy of a partner for the achievement of a goal relays such thinking to be close to failure. The author made it clear when he writes that, “If there is little or no trust, there is no foundation for permanent success.” I once worked with a boss I held (and still holds) in high esteem, he was open in his operations with me, though he started by trying to see if he could really trust me. That was when I knew in my heart that the relationship will not be an eternal one. There was a time he sent me into his car to look for a piece of paper in his bag. Getting to check the bag, I checked and checked, but could not find the particular paper, I was only flipping through envelopes that contained plenty of dollar and higher naira bills. I sensed that the assignment was just to test me in searching through the currencies, perhaps I would pick any. On getting to report to him that I did not see the paper, he said I should go and check the inner side of the bag and also the car safe. Getting to check again, I only saw more currency bills. I smiled to myself and said, “I have long time passed this test, even before I came to work here.” (It was then I remembered while he was driving home one day, he asked me that if money starts to fall from the sky now, would I pick some? I was surprised by such question, and I said “money cant from the sky.” He persisted and asked the question again with an attachment of ‘now’. I said laughingly, “if you stop and park then I would help myself with some bills”.) When I later got to him the second time that I still did not see the paper, he lightly waved it off, meaning that the paper in the first instance was not important to be seen or does not even exist. After then, he became very fond of me in handling any of his bags. Some six or seven months later, one of his laptops (the most important of them, because it contained examination questions for some postgraduate students he was examining) was stolen from the office. The laptop was actually handed to me to go and keep in the office. Before he handed the laptop to me, there were other people around, so he was not sure of whom to hand the laptop to, when he noticed me around, he beckoned on me and asked me to go keep it in the upper office for the assurance of its safety. When it was reported that the laptop was stolen (we all saw a shoe step on the chair closest to the window of the office, showing that the thief passed through the window, since the door was locked and the window had no burglary resistance), majority of the people thought me to be the thief, including my boss. I was privately interrogated on the where about of the laptop with the assurance that my relationship with my boss will still be maintained even if I bring back the laptop, which was a great surprise to me that with our level of walk I was not fully trusted even if something goes wrong under my supposedly watch. My bossed was advised to place me on suspension for four days, so as to see how to bring back the laptop, which he did. At resumption, the laptop was still missing, and he did not allow me get close to his bags anymore. His earlier trust in me fell short, and I knew that even the earlier ones were because things have been going right; the trust was from a tested point. Real trust will not come from testing people with practices to show their trust, it comes natural. Though he still wanted me to stay even after the incidence, but since I noticed that I did not earn his 100% trust again, I needed to move on because success will not come from such relationship, and forward I moved. News got to me that the office TV was sometimes stolen not too far from when something more costly was stolen, and my boss made reference to the incidence that occurred when I was with them, with a clear note that it is now obvious that the thief is among us long after I had left the organization. That was a clean note on my person, though I felt for the huge loss of the organization.

iii. Proactive versus Reactive

According to the author, “Proactive people focus their efforts in the Circle of Influence. They work on the things they can do something about. Reactive people focus their efforts in the Circle of Concern. They focus on the weakness of other people, etc.” Learning from this, we should be seen in the Circle of Influence, for the additional improvement on those around us. We may be allowed to react to other peoples act only if they positively add to our lives, the only thing that is to be seen is their good side.

iv. Good Believe

The author’s beliefs forms mine too. From his words, “I believe that central to all enduring religious in society are the same principles clothed in different language; education, prayer, covenants, ordinances, scripture study, empathy, compassion, and many different forms of the use of both conscience and imagination.” When people of a particular faith query a different faith, I only believe they are yet to understand the meaning of their own faith. The faith of any man has room to accommodate any one from any culture or background; it is only the adherents of such faith that reduces the room’s space for other non-culture or religious folks. The first understanding of any faith is not the principles of such faith, but the capacity the faith has in non-discrimination of any one, no matter the color or race. The true faith knows no religion.

v. Love line; Life line

I can hurriedly put my personal synonym of Love to be Life. Nothing puts spices to life than love. A wealthy being without the love of anyone will not know the full meaning of such wealth and also the grand meaning of life. While a non-wealthy person with the abundance of love from his or partner or friends will enjoy life in full. “When we make deposits of unconditional love, when we live the primary laws of love, we encourage others to live the primary laws of life,” writes the author. Love expressed in giving guarantees the continued existence of the benefitting human. Many a time, I find it a hard task to just sit around my mum and do some talks, all because I have backlog of assignments to attend to. But I sometimes abandon such assignment in order to spend some time with her. The time spent with her brings her good smiles and laughter, which I know gives her energy. I took it as part of my assignment to spend time with her, most especially now that my dad (her best discussant) is of blessed memory.

vi. The Strong Security

“Your economic security does not lie in your job; it lies in your own power to produce—to think, to learn, to create, to adapt. That’s true financial independence. It’s not having wealth; it’s having the power to produce wealth.” I have seen many public or private servants that have worked under someone and after retirement would be looking for a business to venture into. Many of the businesses will not have the strong tendency of growing great. It only keeps their stomach not to be empty. Perhaps they had put in the vigor into starting a business at the early years of their career life, such business would have grown into big household names, since that is how many of the giant businesses we see around us started up. As it is for individuals, so also it is for countries. The large producers of products or services are the most secured. Nature cannot cheat the man or country full of economy.

vii. Book Keeping

When good thoughts need not be left to be stolen away by other events, then it is expected that we trap them in our notes. Inspiration has the efficacy to come from anywhere, so also does it have the potency of flying away anytime, when not trapped. We optimally trap great ideas by writing them down on where they can be further reviewed for its proper usage. “Keeping a journal of our thoughts, experiences, insights, and learning promotes mental clarity, exactness and content,”. It is now by a point of duty to carry a notebook and a biro everywhere I go. Last Friday, at a small meeting, I was talking to the members of the group on the importance of writing, that our best friend should not be those of us sitting together, but they should be a book and a biro, no companion should best be sought than those.

3. How will these ideas or lessons help you in a practical way, both in your daily personal life and in helping you to create a better world? If so, how?

With the conscious effort to put the ideas learned as I relate with family members and friends.

4. Quotes: Are there any statements which the author made that particularly got your attention? If so, please quote them and comment as to why they were important to you.

“It is character that communicates eloquently.”

Our words are now best relegated for our actions and interactions.

Cecil B. de Mille: “It is impossible for us to break the law; we can only break ourselves against the law.”
The operating laws of nature is universal, those that obey gains from it, the disobedient gets more impoverished. The stories of prosperity nations and individuals confirm this.

“Admission of ignorance is often the first step in our education.”

He that doesn’t know and admits so is ready for knowledge and growth, and he that doesn’t know but claims otherwise cannot grow.

Eastern wisdom: “If you are going to bow, bow low.”

What needs be done should be done well.

5. Is there anything in the book that you do not understand or are unclear, or are there ideas which you disagree with and, if so, why?

All was clear.

6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?

Exercises are within the notes.

7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.

No.

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.

Goals
Assessment by Ola Makinde (Nigeria)

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?

The main idea is that anything worth achieving should be pursued with a well-structured plan.

i. Destination is Key

One of the rules of success explained by the author is that, “It doesn’t matter where you’re coming from, all that matters is where you’re going.” The goal we have set is the actual destination, be it for personal life or project life. Success is not determined by the stories of yesterday, it is attainable by our belief in what we want to achieve. This is the reason why someone that has recorded failure and someone who has not recorded failure in a feat has the same chance of getting to success, and most correctly, the person that has recorded failure has a high tendency of achieving success, since he has learnt the way to failure, and he won’t want to go near it again. No matter how trouble-filled our journey of life resembles, having a mindset that sees the destination is needful. The current Emerald Laundry Starch production business I not-too-long started has been witnessing challenges, but I refuse to make them discourage me, my eyes are set on the destination for the business which is to birth other business lines. Though I presently run a stream of income, I believe with works consistency and its quality, wealth will build for the establishment of other streams.

ii. Growing without Age

I have learned from here that moving from childhood to adulthood is not the function of age, but that of responsibility. Responsibility is the determinant of maturity, the higher it is; the higher the maturity. Accepting responsibility either in relationship or business will bring about a brand new understanding of the affairs involved in. when I launched the laundry starch into the market, it was on my plan to recruit two sales persons. Before I could conclude on their mode of operations, one person showed up. What I could offer was for him to face another direction I could not possibly cover for the moment being worked on—doing exactly what I do—talking to store owners about the product and getting deals for its supplies. His first day on the job was a big challenge to him, and I didn’t see him the next day. I thought I had exposed him to what he cannot for the fresh start keep to, perhaps he was discouraged to the numbers of “No, not now”, “Oh, let people start asking for it before we start to buy from you” and similar comments, that he felt the job is not worth doing. I had a rethink of putting him in a fixed shop to be a sales attendant, while I be the sole distributor till we can get a stronger mind that best understand that “No, not now” is a plus to the distributor, most especially when the wholesaler are seeing the product for the first time. The zeal resides in me, and I need to pass out the zeal—not the products—to new distributors. So I accepted the full responsibility of distributing, and care to make him a shop attendant.

iii. Goals are first Personal

Most often, all of the noble goals in the world tend to live with sanctity of purpose and also leave behind beneficial contribution to the present generation and generations to come. The most important thing of all noble goals is that it affects people positively, nothing but peoples business. Learning from the idea in concern clearly defines that our goals must be personal. That is, impersonality is borne by personality—it must first be thought immensely by the self in order to influence the world. The conviction must be strong enough from the mind before it can actually locate its place in the world. When I recently finished the one year National Youth Service scheme, one of my friends called me up for a meeting to discuss on how to partner on a business line; he also called up another of his friend that I have never met. The company was to be involved in the importation of automatic remote control system for house gates, automatic car locks, and camera surveillances for houses and offices. The other person was an engineer who would be involved in the installation for clients. Before we could understand the basic operations of the items (we didn’t have any at hand, and I could read skepticism in the eyes of the engineer who has not done anything in such field before), my friend said he has registered the company and we should talk about the profit sharing formula. I said that should not even be on the agenda, since we are not clear who or where our market would be, and the to-be installer have not even seen what he is to install. We would need to get one of the items and see if the engineer can really work on it, since I and my friend has no knowledge on the installation. The engineer concurred and said he has to go do his research first, and perhaps visit similar firms in order to build knowledge. It is from then I was convinced that I could not be a party in such deal where profit sharing precedes knowledge on items. Because I had no personal conviction of joining such team, I knew it was not a goal for me.

iv. When Quitting is not a Loss

Many a times, the fear of not having a formal organization to work for (especially those that are present staffs of one) lured many away from the big picture that we can actually have our own official organization, if only we can be ready to go unofficial for some time— when planning and execution is hugely demanded.

When it was clear that I had to abort my postgraduate admission, the only thing on my mind was to be engaged in a job. Within three weeks, I secured one. I got the position of Direct Sales Representative with a commercial bank. I took the job because I had worked as a teller in a commercial bank as an intern after the polytechnic study. I thought I would be able to cope, alongside the local NGO and other personal engagements. I tapped into the experiences of my friends in marketing unit way-back my internship year, and thought I could use their enjoying stories in my new job. When I started, the clear demand of the work with its very little work sustaining modules, I knew clearly that I could not function well in that role, and I knew I was wrong to have ‘imported’ the enjoying stories of my friend in my new role. My friends were working as a team, but my new job requires each man to fend for himself. I and those we fall into the same job level were not officially allowed to go out with the senior colleague in the official cars. They called us “foot soldiers”, our mobility can only be done with our legs. Going out to the same market platform where staffs of other banks were present, their team spirit would dwarf that of a lone walker like me. Complaint forms the work anthem of me and my colleagues, but I knew that to opt out is better than to complain on issues that complaining can’t solve, so, I made up mind to resign. When I dropped my resignation letter to the Branch Manager (BM), she announced with surprise in a loud voice the title of my letter that hurriedly brought into the office a senior colleague. When the senior colleague was aware of what just happened, he said my letter will not fly, meaning that the BM should not accept the letter, but they saw in my face they can’t stop me in following my mind. The BM later asked me to sit in order to informally give reasons for leaving. I told her I needed to start a business of my own.

v. Management: Self is True than Time

The shared fact that “you can’t manage time, you can only manage yourself”, remains true. This is so, because the same number of hours is allotted to all humans, those that can really manage themselves will do exploit with such time. Some minutes before writing this, while coming from shopping stores for distribution and business soliciting, I remembered that this is the last week to write the remaining two assessments for submission to conclude on my level two. Getting home, I put myself together again and got back to writing. In actual sense, the time was not there to be managed, what was available was myself that needs to be managed in order to fit the work demand of writing the assessment.

vi. There is a Door in a Wall

Getting to the wall has been a common phenomenon in every successful story. Setting out on a project will birth discoveries of outstanding challenge, and for the dogged mind, a door is always waiting to be opened on the wall.

Just in less than 24 hours of writing this, I was talking with a friend about the newly started laundry starch business, and he could not stop to express surprise on the product. We actually met last October at the venue of an interview where I accepted the job I resigned from. He was not willing to agree to the terms of contract for the job I accepted (he was a master’s degree holder). But joblessness and its pressure have lured him to recently take a similar job function to the one I resigned from, though in another commercial bank. When he saw the product, he was willing to quit his job and partner with me in the line of business. When I expressed to him that there will always be an opportunity for growth and expansion even to other line of business, and it would only require painstakingness, he agreed. He later suggested consulting with his uncle who could raise him the capital to partner so as to take the business to a top level coverage. He said he won’t stay more than next month in the banking job. He believed in ‘a door in a wall’ explanation.

vii. Achieving Goals require Flexibility

Clarity has been advanced to always be imprinted on our goals, so also should flexibility. On the first production of the laundry starch, I have set the monthly profit target. Getting to the market, with reference to wholesalers concern for the cost of the product, especially for a new product, someone advised I reduce the price so as to gain larger chunk of the market share, even if I will affect the targeted profit at a start. In my mind, I agreed with him, since gaining the market will at the long run bring the target profit, and even surpass it—the higher the quantity sold, the higher the income. I cited to him that most new products always come with a price that secures continued production, and because the starting number cannot be so many, the unit price will be seen on the high side and later on reduce the selling price when more people are buying such product, though I told him the selling price would be looked into. When I left his store, I cut down the price by 16.67% (a little higher than break-even for the mean time is not destructive). If profit is affected at the short term to bring about more profit in the long term, it does makes financial sense.

3. How will these ideas or lessons help you in a practical way, both in your daily personal life and in helping you to create a better world? If so, how?

These ideas will help reinforce the strength of goal setting in my daily deals in business and career life.

4. Quotes: Are there any statements which the author made that particularly got your attention? If so, please quote them and comment as to why they were important to you.

John Hopkins: “Goals are the fuel in the furnace of achievement.”

Without a particular thing to be achieved in view, its achievement will lack the worth of meaningful occurrence.

James Allen: “You will become large as your controlling desire; or as great as your dominant aspiration.”

The thoughts of a man pave his path thereof.

Henry David Thoreau: “Have you built your castles in the air? Good. That is where they should be built. Now, go to work and build foundations under them.”

Dreams are only worth having when there is a ready mind to physically work out such dream in concise planning and execution.

“A great life like a great ship should never be held by a single hope, or a single rope.”

All humans should be wise enough to have alternative route to reaching their goals, when a door closes, then knock hard on another.

5. Is there anything in the book that you do not understand or are unclear, or are there ideas which you disagree with and, if so, why?

None

6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?

It does, they were helpful.

7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.

None

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.

The Law of Attraction
Assessment by Ola Makinde (Nigeria)

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?

We can bring into our lives whatever we really are concerned of getting so long we keep saying, focusing, and believing it.

i. Both Negative and Positive Phenomena are Attractive

With the law of attraction, either positive and negative phenomena or occurrences have the same weight. I learnt that we have not been enjoying the many good side of life just because we have not been attracting them to ourselves. For those who have been moving from trouble to trials, and trials to tribulations, they were doing so just because they never dare to attract the sides of triumph and jubilations. Attention is the key to attraction, whatever it is and in whom so ever heart it forms. While I was having an interactive session with my partners at the mentor’s group, I told them that I look towards a day when we will have some set of products that can that we will get percentage from while we sell to the society. As at then, I did not know a particular business to run that can fetch us income that can run the NGO without solely depending on sponsors and donors. All I know is that we will have access to a company that can give some percentage from the income for our own running cost. Few weeks after that, I was inspired to start the laundry starch business. I decided that 16.6% on each product earnings will go into the account of the NGO so as to meet the running cost, as I plan to go into another line of business.
Not too long ago, I was researching on the business to really be involved in apart from the laundry starch business, and I stumbled upon the food items and charcoal exporting. With the brief introduction on what I saw, I was not equipped with the information that could get me started. So, I put to halt the idea, but not the zeal in starting the business. I saved the page to be visited in an unknown date. Few weeks from that, my mum called me that she would want me to attend a seminar she heard on the radio to be organized by Export Platform Limited on how to go into exporting of food items, cashew nuts, and charcoal. I never said it to my mum or anyone else that I would like to go into exporting business. It was only in my heart and saved on my phone, which my mum would not have had clear understanding if she sees it. I attended the seminar, and it solved all my unclear and difficult questions I have been dreaming to get answers to.

ii. The Law of More

I have learned that multiplication answers to celebration, especially when we like what seems little to us. When we always find and see reason to smile and laugh, fulfillment will find its way to us. A happy heart is a happening one—he always makes things happen. Out of much corrective happening brings efforts that yield unstoppable progress.
Before I knew about IIGL, I was fond of reading with a schedule to work with. I love what I was doing even though nobody was overseeing me. I have always wanted to be under the tutelage of a higher experienced person to say something about what I was doing. I missed that part since I stopped working for the professor I once worked for. I believe that the joy in my work and the thought to be mentored attracted IIGL to my awareness, and I grabbed with all enthusiasm.

iii. Good Selfish

When selfish is seen as self-care, as explained by the author, then it should be sought. Its being maintained will not give room for one to get it with the detriment of other people. I was not too long ago discussing with my friend, explaining why politicians cannot, and will never meet all the needs of all the people in a particular country. I told him that every individual has a priority on things to be achieved, so also are governments of nations. As at the time of executing a particular plan on one sector of the economy, there is one sector that would be mildly neglected. Attending to one’s priority is like a self-care, because no matter the agitations of the populace, the leader will only be convinced from his mind of the effective step to take. Agitations will never stop, even when all the streets are paved with gold. So, the leader must be selfish in bringing about good governance to the people. I also cited the present thing we wanted to do; I was actually trying to change the position of our table and chairs so as to hide from huge cold rushing in from the open space we were sitting before, which seems to me as a self-care, also subscribed to by another of my friend. Someone else may not want the position changed, just to stop our act of selfishness.

iv. We Attract by Feeling, not just by Words

I have learned that words only will not guarantee what we really want to attract to ourselves. There are oceans apart between saying something and feeling that thing. Just like there is a big difference between saying “I love you”, and sharing the feelings of love. One can actually say, “I love you” without exhibiting or expressing such word called “love.”

In a small group meeting I do attend, the facilitator was asking what will change in our lives if we have all the money we need, and how much money do we really need now that will make us comfortable, it was to be a monthly income. a lady said she would need 10 million naira per month, and she would treat her natural hair to look like the imported attachment of her taste. She would need to do the treatment every 2 weeks. She was later asked how much it would cost her per time to do the treatment; she has no answers to that. The facilitator admonished us not to dream of something without actually feeling like we already have that thing. He said the price of what we really want is for free! Walking up to price a house or a car of ones dream at leisure time will not attract a fee or a fine. Getting closer or familiar to one’s dream doesn’t require the fee at its start, but only the feeling.

v. Attraction demands Allowing

Allowing is to be started by “asking yourself if there is anyone currently doing what you want to do or having what you want.” Before I read this part of allowing, I was ready to write a disagree note about so many times we do give our attention to something and still yet we don’t get that thing, until I read the allowing part, the author really thought me a great lesson. Allowing is simply telling yourself that what you want is possible simply because it is already there for someone else, be it in another country or continent. This part actually made me rethink on my own life’s goals; even with the ones I was earlier skeptical of having. I now only search out in the world for those that already have them, and I now have peace of mind that if they have it, then I can have it too.

vi. My Book of Proof

This part opened my eyes to see the good days far better than where I was coming from. I counted the good side of my life, and I actually see that it does weigh weights than the unfortunate ones. And I now have a fresh insight that if my present achievements were yesterday’s vision, then my today’s vision has the tendency of coming to reality. So, I do not fear the bigness of my goal, I only note it and try to work towards it, noting that in some tractable days, it would come to pass.

vii. Ask for Information

This is another eye-opener. Many a times, I would care to venture into some deals, but I would just write it off that the knowledge is nowhere to be found. This 7th idea has fired me up again that instead of trying to do exactly of what the successful people is doing which seems difficult to be done by new entrants; it is wise to gather information before embarking on such.

Information will bring about the odds and evens side of the venture. Like the export seminar I attended, though I was fired up to start the business, I still needed to have some information like getting quality produce to buy for export, which will equip me for the start up. So when it was announced that another seminar on a specific item will come up in a future date, to be anchor by an expert in such field. I blocked the date in my diary as a-must-to-attend. I knew quite well that general exporting is easy to address, and I also knew that each product item has its own documentation and certification processes. Hence, plenty information need be acquired in order not to kill a business before its birth.

3. How will these ideas or lessons help you in a practical way, both in your daily personal life and in helping you to create a better world? If so, how?

With the conscious effort of putting them to use each time I care to attract something new.

4. Quotes: Are there any statements which the author made that particularly got your attention? If so, please quote them and comment as to why they were important to you.

Napoleon Hill: “Positive and negative emotions cannot occupy the mind at the same time. One or the other must dominate. It is your responsibility to make sure that positive emotions constitute the dominating influence of your mind.”

We are to guard our heart jealously, not to be corrupted by negative thoughts which may be attracted.

“Your current vibration is what the law of attraction responds to.”

Attraction knows no past. Hence, positive vibrations should be at all times send to the mind.

“The first step in making the law of attraction works for you is to be clear about what you want.”

It is essential to define the interested goal to be achieved before the law can work.

“Remember, it’s the absence of doubt that will bring your desire faster.”

Believing in the achievement of a goal works fine for its attractiveness.

“Your job is not to try to figure things out intellectually but to let the law of Attraction figure it out.”

When our goals are known and our belief is set right, Attraction can have its place.

5. Is there anything in the book that you do not understand or are unclear, or are there ideas which you disagree with and, if so, why?

None.

6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?

Yes, between the lines exercises.

7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.

None.

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.

Unlimited Power
Assessment by Ola Makinde (Nigeria)

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?

The main idea is how to effectively produce positive and powerful results in our endeavors.

i. Seven Triggering Mechanisms of Success

Passion, believe, strategy, values, energy, bonding, and mastery of communication are true to equip anyone for success. Success at its occurrence is enjoyable, but it is essential to note that they don’t happen for free. The lover of success must also be the lover to all triggering mechanisms of success. Nothing worth doing should lack these mechanisms. Any endeavor that lacks passion lacks success. The passion to survive is the spirit behind success. No feat makes its great achievement so easy. Easiness is seldom in company of greatness. Greatness only comes with the strongest passion to get it done. My passion for business waxed stronger when I realized that a local NGO can best be run as a social enterprise. That is, having business line that can be giving some percentages of income to run it. The sole dependence on sponsors and donors will not bring about smooth financial running of the NGO. From the many challenging stories of many NGO I have heard about, the common expression is on finance. I then changed my perception to building an organization that can support the NGO, hence, my passion for business. From the income realized, I now know it would be easy to run the financial aspect of the local NGO within some reasonable level.

Increasing energy should also be a factor to always live with. The road to success never guarantees smoothness. Energy is the strong will to carry-on even when failure or challenge is being faced. When the passion is high, and belief is clear, energy will be a required key to unlock the door to success. That there is an established passion and a central believe system does not mean that challenges or failure will not come. He that believes in something, and is still being deterred by failure lacks energy. A life full of energy will overlook the pressing failure and still forge ahead. The forging is built by energy—a pointer to success.

ii. The Litmus Test

This is concerned with the trying times for every human. No matter how wealthy and comfortable a life is, this test still finds its way into such life. It may come through the loss of property, business opportunity, close friend or family member. As it implies, it has come to test “our faith, our values, our patience, our compassion, our ability to persist;” it tests the real human inside of us. Every one of us is expected to be full of patience, compassion and persistence. I have witnessed so many exchanges of harsh and violent words; and exchange of blows from one angry person to another. Each time I come across this, I always thought I was watching a movie, because I never expected people to be fighting and exchanging blows for issues in this 21st century. I thought that should be sent to years of old. It surprised me when people cannot exercise patience on an issue that is not worth shouting for, but they go all the way fighting for it. I do tell myself that there is nothing anyone can do for that will make me exchange harsh words or blows, and I have scaled several tests. A recent one happened just last Sunday, when I was coming from a friend’s house. I boarded a public bus where I gave the conductor 500 naira; he was to give me 400 naira, since the fare was 100 naira. He gave me 100 naira; I thought he would give me the rest later. Moving farther without him saying anything, I asked for the balance but he said the 100 naira he gave me was what I would get since it was 200 naira I gave him. I told him that it was 500 naira I handed to him. I was surprised to hear that because the only money with me was the 500 naira and I did not know how 500 naira turned to 200 naira. Because he answered me at the top of his voice, putting forth all the money he had with him to clearly show that I didn’t give him 500 naira. Even those sitting by my side said I should check my pocket well so as to be sure I was correct. I said the only money on me was what I gave him, and it could not have changed to 200 naira on the process of handing it over to the conductor. But because he put up a show that was clear (to the people in the bus) that I gave him 200 naira, I ceased to argue. But in my mind, I was asking God why should I be cheated when I was really right on what I was saying? While he was still defending himself, he said the only 500 naira with him is the one a woman gave to him, and he had given the woman 200 naira to give her the remaining balance later. He still sounded correct with the explanation, and I refused to say anything again. My silence even showed to the people in the bus that I was not really sure of what I was saying, because the normal response of the person sure will be a continued argument that may later result into exchange of blows and I was seen as someone that wanted to collect extra money from the conductor. Some minutes later, the woman he claimed to give 200 naira checked her purse and found out that the money giving her was not 200 naira but 500 naira. She then told the conductor that it was he that was really wrong and he should apologize to me. “The man gave you 500 naira which you handed to me has 200 naira,” she said. When I heard that, I only smiled and thanked God for vindicating me so fast. Other people still told the conductor to apologize which he did several times. Though I understood that it was a mistake on his part that damaged my reputation, I still understood that it was not even about my reputation but about the test for my patience and perhaps on what I once said I cannot do.

iii. Lesson on Digestion

I have learned the law of chemistry about acid and alkali that “cannot work at the same time.” Before I came across this idea, I have stopped consuming how I used to eat meat. I chose to eat fish, though not considering the combination with starchy or carbohydrate foods. I heed to this lesson because I cherish that my digestive system lasts longer. Few days ago, I was showing my friend the pictures from my childhood, and the growing years to adulthood. She noticed that the growing pattern is not the same as how I used to be. I was chubby and robust as a child. And if I were to have continued like that, my present physique would have been fatty. I told her that my lanky look is as a result of controlling what I feed on. If I had been eating what comes my way, the story would have been different, which I think I would not have liked anyway. The exposition on eating hours too is a very good idea. “At least 31/2 hours before ingesting any other food”, is a good eating lesson. Many problems with the stomach and the body come from what we eat, and if we can eat well, then we can live well.

iv. Drinking

I once came across an article long time ago that gave advice that “when eating food, water should not simultaneously be consumed.” To me, I believed, because it was written by a medical expert. I shared the lessons with my senior siblings, and they said maybe I misunderstood the lessons taught, because the popular eating habit is to drink water while eating, I argued no further. Years later, I still held the lesson because it was clear to me. I envisaged that drinking while eating makes the food too watery. If the water we drink while eating is added to the food before we eat it, no one will want to eat such food. But that is what we actually send for digestion when we drink while eating. I also witnessed this habit from my boss I once worked for; he was a professor of medicine. I once served him a plate of rice and returned to get him a cup of water, he turned the water down. He did not drink the water while eating, and even after many minutes he finished eating. Coming across this idea again certifies my belief about not to consume water while eating.

v. Bliss of Rapport

This idea has consolidated my belief on identity in establishing rapport or unity. I have always believed that religion and language are strong pointers for establishing rapport. The third I added is common heritage. These factors, when missing in any relationship will be difficult to maintain. The easiest way to create rapport is to share commonness in language. But the world has now even prioritized religion over language. Here in Nigeria, this is the bedrock of unending troubles that is threatening the integration of the different regions. It seriously disturbs me when the president of a country cannot understand the language of a larger group in the country, and we really want development to take place. That you need an interpreter to communicate with the people of one’s country is a clear sign that they don’t belong to the same country. I have my grand believe that we have countries within a country. I had my National Service in Katsina State, North-West Nigeria. The only thing that seems the different peoples of Nigeria share is the official language, which many of the northerners do not even know exists. Many do not even know they belong to a country called Nigeria. They thought the world starts and end in their environment. The problem of the Boko Haram sect would not have risen if there had been earlier referendum for each major ethnic group to decide on having their own country, since they’re already nations. But when rapport is misunderstood, all we have left is to manage malady. Many people I engaged in discussing the affairs of the country take me for a racist. They failed to understand that a racist is different from an “Identitist.” I do prefer to be called an “Identitist” which I never shy from. Identity will build rapport, rapport will build progress, and progress will definitely bring about economic development, not the economic growth being celebrated when record shows that Nigeria has the largest economic growth in the continent.

vi. Job Function: Necessity vs. Possibilities

I have learned that a seeker of possibilities will go far than he that is engaged in a work as a form of necessity, perhaps just to bring survival earnings. To start up new businesses is now my deals, though I know it’s not free from challenges, also I know it’s full of opportunities. And that’s the path I now care to walk.

vii. Good Spending

Giving and investing part of the earned income are true channels of multiplying such income. if one must earn more, then one must learn more. Earning demands learning. Being open to opportunities by the way of investing will bring about streams of income. And a giver will always be rewarded for his deed. This is one of the reasons I set some percentages from the earnings on the newly started laundry starch production to go directly into the purse of the local NGO I still coordinate.

3. How will these ideas or lessons help you in a practical way, both in your daily personal life and in helping you to create a better world? If so, how?

By consciously putting them into use as I relate with engagements that can launch me to a greater height.

4. Quotes: Are there any statements which the author made that particularly got your attention? If so, please quote them and comment as to why they were important to you.

“Nothing has any meaning except the meaning we give it.”

We alone determine the reaction we exhibit towards anything that comes our way. We can decide to be angry or smile over it.

“It’s passion that causes people to stay up late and get up early.”

Good delivery of goals will demand more than the normal time invested by an average person, it calls for extra midnight workings, and early rising to really meet up.

“There is no greatness without a passion to be great.”

The undying zeal to succeed is a key on the path to greatness.

“No matter how terrible a situation is, you can represent it in a way that empowers you.”

Seeing no evil in unfortunate situations will bring about a blessing therein.

Old Saying, “If you would be powerful, pretend to be powerful.”

The thoughts to be great have a way of building up to greatness.

Benjamin Disreali: “Little things affect little minds.”

A strong willed person will not be pushed about by the frivolities of the day. Only things that can help move us forward should be given attention to.

5. Is there anything in the book that you do not understand or are unclear, or are there ideas which you disagree with and, if so, why?

I think there is a paradox in the authors approach. According to him, “The model of change that I teach and that NLP teaches is very different from the one used in many schools of therapy. A larger number of therapists believe that in order to change, you have to go back to deep-seated negative experiences and experience them again. Everything in my experience tells me that’s one of the least effective ways to help people with their problems.”

The author advocated switch pattern, and to “Identify the behavior you want to change, now make an internal representation of that behavior as you see it through your own eyes.”

Identifying the behavior and making internal representation is not different from the therapists’ manner of experiencing what you want to change.

6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?

Yes, between the lines exercises.

7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.

None

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.

Random Reminiscences Men and Events

Assessment by Ola Makinde (Nigeria)

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?

Business life should be lived as the human one, where virtue of nobility and charity should form the core values.

i. Money Hunters

Every one engaged in a paid job gets motivated when the wages/salary are being released to them. The author’s idea has consolidated mine on the notion that, one cannot be engaged in a work just because one is being paid for doing such work. I have always held this believe even before I left the university. I knew quite well that you need something (s) rather than the flow of money for some jobs to be enjoyed. When I made up my mind to seek a job in October of 2014, within 3 weeks, I got a job as a Sales Representative with a commercial bank. When it became very clear on the mode of operations that surrounds the job position, I was beginning to think in the direction of resignation. All of my colleagues agree that the working conditions and expectations of the management are not worthwhile, but their consoling words are to continue working in order to be collecting the salary. I knew very correctly that a job where my full integrity is questionable— which also does not give me a platform to be productive—is not for me. I needed to be engaged elsewhere. I preferred to be in between jobs than to be engaged in a job that disallows the joy of a job—of integrity and productivity.

ii. Extension: A Vehicle for Business Success

Rockefeller gave a record how staying independent on the local market gave a boom to the wealth of their organization. Of course, success in a business demands starting one, and great success in business demands spreading one to many places. I looked at the banking industry here in Nigeria, and I noticed that extension is a strong point that can easily be seen in the operations of the top firms. The numbers 1-3 are the most widely spread of all the 25 banks. More coverage will definitely attract more income. it is very important to every organization (that really cares about huge success) to spread beyond the local market. Going global should be the inner motto of all organization. When I started the laundry starch business, my mind was to concentrate on the local market, but I knew in my inner mind that until the product is available in all shopping malls in Nigeria, I’m yet to know the sweets of extension. While checking in one of the large shopping malls to see the laundry starch product that is leading the market, the only liquid laundry starch I saw was from the UK. It challenged me that a product similar to what I’m privileged to produce has a producer in the UK. It was then I knew I had a lot of work to do in product awareness and marketing, while also doing other ‘home-work’ very well.
iii. Good Advice for Business Starters

The lover of a very successful organization will care to operate with utmost sincerity and honesty right from the beginning of the business. The “idea of getting from the world by hook or crook” is what the author advised against. To stabilize and grow a business will warrant the starter to study several successful organizations. And if successful Rockefeller advises against hook and crook, then, I believe a wise starter should heed. I never knew the worth of Rockefeller until I read from this book of my assessment. Here in Nigeria, the oil industry is the super chief of all industries; the feeder of all. Among the top ones of American origin are traceable to Rockefeller’s Standard Oil. Though dead two years before the start of World War II, his worth and influence is still felt today and has a strong tendency to continue with human existence. Many businesses have crumbled because the owners care much about the present than the future. The overall benefits are loved to be consumed by the pioneers, not minding to get the organization to the future generations.

iv. Watch the Need

It is essential for every business owner to establish one in the area of need of the people, and to be greatly concerned about being a partner to the actual success of the world is another important sense of starting a business. Questions like, “where can I lend a hand in a way most effectively to advance the general interests?” and “where can I fit in so that I may be most effective in the work of the world?” are the pointers to what we can set up. The needs of the world will necessitate our building of an organization for such purpose. The illiteracy of the populace necessitated the introduction of formal education; the need to conquer darkness brought about the generation of electricity; the need to cover more demands in a more efficient way brought about the industrial revolution. Successful business gets the idea from the society, not what the owner wants; it is what the society needs.

v. Duplication: An Unfriendly Business Approach

I have learned the power of uniqueness in product or service. The wise business starter will ensure that there is something different in his product than what has been known by the consuming populace. It is wise to utilize one’s money, effort and time in the venture that has a sense of originality. Even when one is opening a firm in the industry that has been existing long time ago, it is expected that branding and packaging and perhaps cost (if it can be adjusted) are all introduced in a new manner. Something must just be there to show that this is not a duplication of what the people have been seeing around. Before I started the laundry starch business, I have practically not seen a Nigerian product of liquid form, except from the person that trained me on its production but didn’t put it on large scale. The very common starch is the local rock-like one that needs hot water before it can be used, and also the powder-like (packed in sachets) starch. Those that have seen the product I was privilege to produce have been commenting that it’s very unique; all I need do is to build on awareness and marketing. Though that requires reasonable amount of money, I’m optimistic of breaking the barrier.

vi. The Dignity of Education

Here, “the root of many of the evils of the world” has been seen as the lack of education for the many peoples of the earth. And I believe the author had already incorporated moral and ethics of living as part of this education. Education, as a tool to salvage the world from its embedded evils will not yield desired good lands if we only limit education to schooling. It is indisputable that many of the sophisticated thieves we have and hi-tech terrorists of our present world are those that have thoroughly being exposed to teachings from good institution of study, under very good teachers. The ill-gains from such schooling is terror and thievery on humankind. It is a truth that the whole inhabitants , if thoroughly educated, will still not equally profit the world each at the maximum expected level (due to those that will use such education to hurt fellow human), but such endeavor (of education for all) cannot be totally regretted. This is why the most necessary reform of a people’s government is the people’s education. With proper education, expenses on health challenges can be reduced because hygienic living would have been part of the thought process; expenses on exorbitant security networks financing would be reduced; expenses on food would even be reduced, since the best combination of meals that deliver great benefit to the body system is less costly than the ones that really damage it. And all those reduced costs can then be used to increase research that will build more advantages of education, thereby yielding continuous growth of education for all. I was reading an article few hours from writing this, about how Singapore has two universities among 75 top universities in the world, having same number as China, Germany, and other well advanced nations. Though Singapore is a country of about 5million population, her feat in education is worthy of embrace, and this is why she has recorded outstanding results in innovations on societal matters. When I was first thinking on running an advocacy group, the first thing that came to my mind was to focus on sound education, followed by serene environment and strong mentoring. I knew that sound education will definitely deliver the two areas mentioned.

vii. Lines of Largest and Surest Returns

I have learned that every business that loves great success must be, at all times, ready to multiply, and should also be ready to provide in cheap prices, and as soon as it is possible be ready to operate as a universal body in what the people see as the comforts of life. All those will definitely guarantee the sustainability plan, and also yield a greater advancement of purpose and profits for any organization. It dawned on me from this section that the lover of great profits should be lovers of small profits; the former is to be attained in the long run if the latter is embraced at the immediate-run (a season less than short-run).

3. How will these ideas or lessons help you in a practical way, both in your daily personal life and in helping you to create a better world? If so, how?

These ideas will help by consciously carrying out the learned ideas in my relationship with friends and family members.

4. Quotes: Are there any statements which the author made that particularly got your attention? If so, please quote them and comment as to why they were important to you.

“Real efficiency in work comes from knowing your facts and building upon that sure foundation.”

Facts on market strength and demand profile, etc. are necessary for the success and continuous growth of a business.

“A business can’t be a great success that does not fully and efficiently accept and take advantage of its opportunities.”

Opportunities that a business has will create its success. This should be watched more than the threats.

“Don’t waste your effort on a thing which ends in petty triumph unless you are satisfied with a life of petty success.”

The end of a business should be sighted even at the beginning. The most adventurous one is to go beyond borders, thereby enhancing the greatest gain possible.

“Patience is a virtue in business affairs as in other things.”

The giant success should be measured bit by bit, regardless of the dwarf-like present returns, a word that caught my present situation.

“The man who plans to do all his giving on Sunday is a poor prop for the institutions of the country.”

Giving, like breathing should be done anywhere and everywhere possible.

“The man will be most successful who confers the greatest service on the world.”
He lives best that serves best.

“Criticism which is deliberate, sober, and fair is always valuable and it should be welcomed by all who desire progress.”

A good work is molded in fair criticism. That is what makes the error seen, corrected, and later yield better results.

5. Is there anything in the book that you do not understand or are unclear, or are there ideas which you disagree with and, if so, why?

All is clear.

6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?

No exercises.

7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.

None.

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.

The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin

Assessment by Ola Makinde (Nigeria)

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?

A purposeful life should be a replica of virtue and service to humanity.

i. Of Human Flexibility

Benjamin Franklin might have lived in the 18th century, but his belief system on human flexibility fits well in this 21st century, and I believe it is an eternal fitting. He has proved clearly that staying rigid in our present opinion will disallow us to optimally learn from the knowledge of others. Rigidity may subtly qualify for absurdity and no one else loose but the bearer. It is of good importance we maintain our stand on a matter of discourse; more important is to strike a balance between the offerings of others and that of oneself, there in comes great profits upon knowledge. Some months ago, I decided to deactivate my Facebook account in order to take my time on personal (introvert in nature) examining. When the duration was long, longer, and longest than my previous moments of halt, a thought ran in me to learn from China’s case of development (of economic in GDP). Not until China opened up to foreign investors was she able to climb the ladder of growth, thereby maintaining second largest economy in the world. Few seconds after my brooding, I activated my Facebook account, and while browsing through, I saw a profile of one of my friends that fascinated me well, checking his profile page, I saw IIGL as part of it. I was so inquisitive so know more about the institute, and I visited the web address. Getting to the site, I discovered that it was a blessing that is to replace my supposedly lost postgraduate studies. If I had not heed the introspective call for flexibility, perhaps I would still be tortured with the regrets of missing my UK study.

ii. Shun Temporal Pleasure

It is of fat truth that humans are seekers of pleasure. Pleasure oils the mechanics of our business, career and family relationship. But I have learnt again from Benjamin’s own life and living that some pleasures are pain in disguise. These pleasures are definitely sweetened to the tongue or flesh, but they crumble a great destiny. His youthful life on avoiding beer shows so, “I drank only water; the other workmen, near fifty men in number, were great guzzlers of beer.” This is perhaps synonymous to biblical Daniel’s jettisoning of temporal pleasure when he decided not to eat of the king’s meal. His fellow brethren were good loyalists of God too, but they could not see the ills of temporal pleasure. At the end, he reigned above them. I used to consumer of alcohol until I stopped before my admission into the university, with the conviction that a purposeful life need not be controlled by some mixtures in a bottle. Not only did I stop alcohol, I also greatly recommended water as my best drink. I remember one of my visits to a friend, she brought nuts for me and asked the drink she should bring (outside alcohol anyway). I had the privilege to consume juice or malt drinks—the nature of drinks they stock in their fridge, but I only asked for water, telling her it was my best drink, and it still, indeed, remains my best drink. And I do believe that drinking is a subset of areas where temporal pleasure can be shunned. It covers all the areas where the pleasure has the tendency of melting into pain at the long run. Another important area is that of sexual intercourse. And this is where biblical Old Testament’s Joseph passed with high score. To shun the temporal pleasure of sleeping with the master’s wife, this at the end turned him into a prime minister in a foreign land. I have had four different sessions with four different ladies where I could have had a free sexual intercourse, but my desire to really honor God and shun temporal pleasure has made me to ignore the entrance those laps offered. The last account was in 2013, during my National Service. There was a lady that I knew who contacted me while looking for a private accommodation (I had earlier made publicity for the ones in the house I was staying which the owner told me to do so). As fate would have it, her money, plus that of her friend, was not sufficient to rent the accommodation; the space was too big and costly (it was bigger than mine) for a serving corps member (s) to rent. Fortunately for them, they got a cheaper place. I did the painting free of charge of their new place, I cared to help because they were both relocated from Maiduguri to Katsina (meaning they had no friend that could really show them things) due to high operations of the Boko Haram sect in that city. The eldest of them started to build a closely likeness. She had invited me to their house several times, but I had no urge to visit. When her roommate travelled, she came to sleep over in my room, with the fear not to sleep alone. Because I was staying with a roommate, she only slept. The next day, she showed a sense that she could not sleep in her room alone, and she invited me over to her room, I obliged. In the night, she dressed down as of a woman with her husband, but I made my mind clear to her concerning sex, she was surprised as others.

iii. Life’s Felicity

Benjamin’s prime sense of living—truth, sincerity and integrity—forms the essential living pattern that should be lived-by by all that care for a meaningful living. If these three phenomena get missing in any relationship, such union heads for regret. Life has been modeled to be most successful on truth, honesty, sincerity and integrity, anything against any of those will always amount to poor success accomplishment. I believe that if those phenomena have been purely followed since our early understanding in life, we would have recorded success in all areas of our life without forcing anything. A fault to any of those principles takes us aback in a step towards our success.

When I was serving in the positions I occupied in the university. I always made sure no naira that belongs to the association mixed with mine. In cases where I was asked to buy something on behalf of the association and perhaps I needed to take water, though I was on an errand whose money should take care of that, because it was a personal need, I made sure that I spend my own money for such need. If I worked with some of my colleagues, they complain that they do not enjoy working with me because I would not let them gain from it, although each one of them confides in me in trust than any other. My style did not also go well with the president of our departmental association when I served as the general secretary. We once went to pay a courtesy visit to our patron, at the end of the meeting; he gave us some amount of money. Getting back to campus, the president brought out the money and shared it into two; he said that would be our gain. I suggested that we should use the money for our next transport, since we still have an agenda of visiting another quarter the next day, which will allow us to save the association’s fund, since we went on behalf of the association and not for ourselves. He agreed, but I could read some surprise in his face. I believed that the gain in any public office is the opportunity to affect a meaningful sustainability and improvement plan which represent the pure integrity of service.

iv. Securing Credit and Character as a Tradesman

Frugality and industrious were ideals of Benjamin that would survive any Tradesman, regardless of color, race or language. His sense to dress “plainly…seen at no places of idle diversion…never went out a fishing or shooting, and gave no scandal” are interesting lessons. Not only should every tradesman desire such living style, they are to be practically exhibited in our daily affairs. To face one’s work with utmost seriousness is essential for success. Benjamin’s early working and staying till night while other publishing firms have closed for duty, paid him well when the society held him of high esteem—a contributing factor to his success stories.

v. 13 Principles of Benjamin Franklin

The formation of Franklin’s belief system which includes Temperance, Silence, Order, Resolution, Frugality, Industry, Sincerity, Justice, Moderation, Cleanliness, Tranquility, Chastity, and Humility are all noble virtues that must be exhibited by a man or woman that cherishes success in all spheres. Benjamin’s principles made me ponder again on my Ten Tenets of Faith (also called my Ten I’s for Highs): Inquire from God—pray always, Imbibe Training—learn from successful people, Install Trustworthiness—be trustful, Immolate Self-defense—un-claim self-right, but speak for the right of others, Ignore to blow your own horn—do not praise yourself, Intensify on a rightful stand—do not compromise the truth, Instill a lead of righteousness to subordinates—teach others to do right, Invest in secrecy in giving or revelation, Induce Refrainment—avoid temporal pleasure, Impede Transactional Goodness—do not render a good in order to be paid back.

vi. Clearness and Punctuality

Franklin has advice young people working for someone to be accountable and punctual on duty. In all places I have worked, even at my last banking job where I could not cope with the market operations, everyone always salute my sense of punctuality. Though I was not able to meet the deposits target to raise, my punctuality almost cover the former ‘troubles’ which my manager did not query me in large magnitude. But my conviction that I did not really fit in led to my resignation, and my manager gave me a send-forth gift for my short stay with them.

vii. Vanity is not in Vain

A worthless engagement, especially when it arose from event that did not bring us success, could not be primarily castigated as a waste of time. A clear brooding on the surrounding events will give a new understanding why the so called worthless engagement should be embraced with gratitude. To thank God for “his vanity among the other comforts of life” is what Franklin has advised us to imbibe. And I agree since prosperity will not have a meaning if poverty is vague; neither will love be dearly understood if there is no non-alignment/hatred/dislike. In practical form, vanity may not be in vain.

3. How will these ideas or lessons help you in a practical way, both in your daily personal life and in helping you to create a better world? If so, how?

These ideas will help by consciously carrying out the learned ideas in my relationship with friends and family members.

4. Quotes: Are there any statements which the author made that particularly got your attention? If so, please quote them and comment as to why they were important to you.

“It would not be altogether absurd if a man were to thank God for his vanity among the other comforts of life.”

The vanities of life are important in manners that our comfort, when attained, becomes of high value. Hence, the vanities need not be cursed.

“Nothing was useful, which was not honest.”

No matter how interesting and glamorous our acquisition becomes, if it doesn’t come through honesty, then it need not come at all.

“Be encouraged to diligence in thy calling, and distrust not Providence.”

This forms the twin unto a meaningful success in the life of every sojourner on earth.

“Discretion did not always accompany years, nor was youth always without it.”

Discretion belongs to the discerner. He that craves for it gets bounty of it.

“Vicious actions are not hurtful because they are forbidden, but forbidden because they are hurtful.”

A vicious man cannot be a virtuous one, and only virtue lifestyle guarantees a happy world.

“It is hard for an empty sack to stand upright.”

It is of necessity that all man will study (in trade, career, or) to show themselves approved by the consumers of his own labor.

5. Is there anything in the book that you do not understand or are unclear, or are there ideas which you disagree with and, if so, why?

All is clear.

6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?

No exercises.

7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.

No.

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.

Theodore Roosevelt: An Autobiography

Assessment by Ola Makinde (Nigeria)

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?

The “need of combining certain sets of principles, which separately are common enough, and, alas useless enough,” are the preferment of the author on development for a nation and also for an individual.

i. Individual Responsibility

The common accusation of ill-societal structures goes to the men at the helm of affairs when it comes to governance. it is no doubt that the leaders of government are to be held responsible for the fortune or misfortune of any nation, but the citizens should be ready to accept that the work of a leader is to say well how the people are to live. That is, it is the livings of the people that will actually determine the outcome of every societal endeavor. If each will work hard, then the nation will be seen as peoples of industry; if each will be honest, then the nation will be highly esteemed amidst the comity of nations; if each is neat, then the nation will be seen as cleanly one. For the success of a nation, the leaders and the citizens must be ready to accept the equal share of the responsibility required to have a responsible nation. I am a strong adherent to the opinion that the government, as a point of necessity—especially in an underdeveloped country—must see to the overall good of her people; I am also a strong adherent to the opinion that the peoples of a nation, as a point of necessity, must see to the maintenance of orderliness with the highest sense of duty and revered responsibility. If any be missing in a nation, such “family” will not know the true sense of societal sanity. It surprises me that many of my countrymen blame the government for not maintaining a clean society, but it is they that drop nylon and paper on streets not the governor or the president, though I do believe that the president and the governors have the responsibility to tutor and discipline the dirty hands.

ii. Essence and Money

I have learned from the author that the essential sense of having money should not override or sense of purpose on earth. “I made upon my mind that, while I must earn money, I could afford to make earning money the secondary instead of the primary object of my career,” writes Roosevelt. It is very clear that money is needful for the settlement of some purposeful things, but purpose itself is more precious than money. I recently watched the movie titled “Mother Theresa,” and I was fascinated about how a city was built without first having the money but only the architectural plan. The architecture first discouraged Mother Theresa to throw away the thoughts of building such city when there was no money from anywhere, but he later agreed to help draw the plan. He later admits that it is good to at least have a plan even if the money is not there. Before he could finish completing his sentence, it was brought to their notice about an invitation from a wealthy man. The outcome of the invitation led to the funds that built the city. Roosevelt’s words consolidates my learning from that movie which has now formed a formidable thought pattern in me to always weigh purpose over money. When I was posted to my station during National Service, it was to a small private secondary school. On getting there, I was not happy with what I saw; the pupils’ population was not encouraging. I got more disinterested when the proprietor could not provide accommodation for us (as being done by other schools). I was lodging temporarily in a church’s lodge. To build my interest, I have heard about Save the Children before I got to Katsina, so I decided to switch my service to the organization. I visited the Katsina office and decided to volunteer myself as a corps member (knowing fully well that they pay corps members in multiples of 6 of what my school offered). They were happy about my intention, and the manager asked me to write an application letter. In the letter, I stated categorically that I have been posted to a school but I wished to serve with Save the Children. The manager said he would not want to ‘steal’ me away from the school that I can come back at the end of the official posting to the school. I had to go back to the school and rented a private accommodation with my own money. If I had wanted to stay with Save the Children at all cost, I would not have included the earlier post or even deny when asked, thereby doctoring the letter as if I had no place posted to (as some of my friends did and were accepted by new organizations that paid better than the earlier ones posted to) in order to be paid well. I later fell in love with my students, and I enjoyed every moments of my teaching them.

iii. Warning for Activist-Politicians

Roosevelt though dead to sight, has dropped a noble words for incumbent and upcoming politicians, and I believe that the upcoming should at most keep heed. “He must be clean of life, so that he can laugh when his public or his private record is searched; and yet being clean of life will not avail him if he is either foolish or timid,” writes Roosevelt. The new breed politicians, especially those that take it as their assignment to champion the course of righteousness and good governance should not, in any manner, be indulged in affairs that goes ill to their preaching. It disturbs me when people that actually want more from government never care to give any contribution to what they really care about. We complain about our leaders being corrupt, piling away our public funds for private use, but many of us are involved in stealing, deceit, and immoral business transactions with fellow inhabitants. These people have forgotten that our leaders used to maintain the positions of the common man now occupied by the complainants, and there is no strong difference between the masses and the leader (or there cannot be except in very few cases of men that saintly resolved to be different), since the society will always be led by the peoples of her occupation—honest or dishonest people. If the nation be populated by dishonesty people, shall we blame Providence for allowing a dishonesty man to lead the people? If the nation be populated by lovers of pleasure than of responsibilities, shall we blame Providence for allowing a man of such habit lead the people? These I doubt. It is of necessity for men that must lead (or that must measure the work of those that lead) to be clean in all ways and manners. A “discolored measure” spoils the show and is not ideal to be uttered. The seeker of justice must first be a just man.
iv. A Law of Life

“Worthy effort, the law of service for a worthy endeavors without regards whether it brings pain or pleasure” has been well opined to be an important law of life. What else would supersede the law of service? I know of none. Service is the pure understanding of the importance of living, whether in business of transactions or of charity. The world is left to crumble with the halt of service from one man to another. The most revered service that disallows the world to crumble will be a worthy one. For, if the world is flooded with an unworthy service, greater work is built for the fastest means of crumbling the world. So, not just service is required to sustain our continued prosperous living, a worthy and noble service is required.

v. Watch your Nation

Roosevelt understood well the importance of growing masses of nations separately. His example of Americans and Japan is a good teaching for countries plagued with the troubles of miscegenation witnessed in her land. Freedom of movement should not make us be blind to freedom of Living Sanity. It would not be a noble agenda where in today’s world, people are not asked of their intention before they go into another country. And when the exodus of people from a country to another is unchecked or not controlled, it may threaten the civility of the host country, and perhaps bringing harassment from the so called visitors, especially when they have different identity—of language, religion, and race. This is the fundamental issue plaguing my country where the Fulani/Hausa have a different identity to the peoples of the West which is also different from those of the South. Miscegenation will hardly bring about a cordial relationship when practiced on a very large scale, as of nations in a country, a strong scenario of my country—Nigeria.

vi. Jeffersonians

The adherents to the operations of Thomas Jefferson are referred to as Jeffersonian. And the author shared their belief system which I strongly subscribe to, a “belief in the people as the ultimate authority and in the welfare of the people as the end of government,” is what all civil government should mark as a cardinal code of conduct. The highest agenda of a good government should be concerned about the lowest peoples’ agenda, stipulating how they too can climb the ladder of good living. If this be forgotten, then assignments are equal to naught.

vii. Continuous Fitness

Theodore’s advice to the soldiers is one that needs to be addressed to all humans of all endeavors. “If you ever think that you are fit enough, you can make up your minds that from that moment you will begin to go backward.” Unending study builds the mind well, and makes it more refreshing and younger. It makes life more interesting, since you cannot exhaust all the knowledge of the world. To further explore the knowledge of the world should be the ambition of every lover of life. In trade or charity, continuous contribution of operating resources is essential for the joy of the soul.

3. How will these ideas or lessons help you in a practical way, both in your daily personal life and in helping you to create a better world? If so, how?

These ideas will help by consciously carrying out the learned ideas in my relationship with friends and family members.

4. Quotes: Are there any statements which the author made that particularly got your attention? If so, please quote them and comment as to why they were important to you.

“No man can lead a public lead a public career really worth leading… if he is himself vulnerable in his private character.”

It is essential for a public official to have sameness of good behaviors in both public and private life.

“A leader is necessary, but his opponents always call him a boss.”

It is true that a good leader cannot be loved by everyone he leads. I recently heard the saying that 25% will love you, 25% will hate you, 25% can still decide to love you, ad 25% are indifference to what you are.

“I have always tried to insist to men that they should do their duty to the women even more than the women to them.”

Since the man was who proposed to the woman, then he has the greatest responsibility to love her more, in order to keep the fire of love burning well.

“The question of moral standards is even more important than the question of economic standards.”

When morality is a watchword, every facets of the economy will be well organized.

“You cannot overpay the debt of gratitude.”

Continuous appreciation is important to the growth of the present ‘receivements’ or achievements.

Senator Pratt: “If a man’s character was such that it was necessary to get a promise from him, it was clear proof that his character was such that the promise would not be worth anything after it was made.”

Trust requires no proof of promise. The latter necessarily negates the former.

“He travels farthest who travels alone; but the goal thus reached is not worth reaching.”

Team work remains the best work, it gives the greatest result.

“It is impossible to win the great prizes of life without running risks.”

Risks and success are intertwined; the heart that loves success cannot hate risks.

“The importance of a promise lies not in making it but in keeping it.”

Making promise is so easy to make than to keep. He that will operate best with the law of nature must know how to keep promise.

Abraham Lincoln: “With malice to none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in.”

Everyone should be a friend of the leader, including the known and unknown foes.

5. Is there anything in the book that you do not understand or are unclear, or are there ideas which you disagree with and, if so, why?

All is clear.

6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?

No exercises.

7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.

No.

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.

The Autobiography of Abraham Lincoln

Assessment by Ola Makinde (Nigeria)

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?

A pure will to do can actually bring the work to be done.

i. Education is not to be restricted to the Walls of a School

The giant success of Abraham Lincoln was majorly built by his own will, when he himself thought that the aggregate of all his schooling did not amount to one year. Though I have spent the largest of my educational years in formal institutions, Lincoln’s case is one I can use as a good reference for those not hugely buoyant to finance a formal education. Even for those of us that are schooled, without self-development, success will not be guaranteed. This means that for both the schooled and the unschooled; self-improvement is a strong point to note. This forms the chief reason why even when I was in school, I made sure I read books of my interest which is sometimes outside of the subjects required to pass the school’s examination.

ii. The Gain of Volunteering

Lincoln’s volunteer for the Black Hawk war of 1882 was a good build-up for his own leadership skills. There is always a gain in volunteering even if the gain is not sought. His sense to contribute gave him a place to lead as the Captain of the volunteer company, which was a surprising thing to him. He only came to serve, but he never knew his own point of service was an express lane to lead. This is a good call for everyone who believes they have some innate voice calling for leadership. The call for leadership will always be answered by a heart of service—to serve, of servant-hood.

I find it so difficult to be in a group of a people where I would only be receiving their service and be served. In all the associations and organizations I have passed through, I have at one point or another served as a member of the executive or a worker in the case of a religious group. Since I became born again, I have attended six churches (some due to a change of location) and I have been a worker in all. I could not just be comfortable being attended to by others where I could also be of good support. In the areas I have volunteered, especially at the executive level, it has really helped me to be serious on planning and how to really manage my time well. It has also taught me that a leader that will last in the heart of people must have integrity, because I have seen leaders that have been humiliated for the lack of it, and I have also seen leaders honored for showing it.

iii. Same Measure

A conviction of good deed should not be aborted, even in the large camp of those that thought otherwise. And in politics, the measure should still not be changed. Lincoln’s dogged campaign in support of General Taylor’s nomination to contest the seat of the president even when others of his party colleagues formed opposition to such nomination could not have been done without future reward. When it was time for his own candidacy, amidst opposition in some quarters, he was yet successful. The goodness done for a fellow is only waiting for us ahead in the future, though it may not be in the same area we rendered it or from the person we rendered it to, but it would definitely be in the area of our interest.

When I was in the university, my friend contested for the position of the students’ union president, while I was also in the race for our departmental president. I saw less of my ambition and worked for his campaign. The banners for his campaign was handled by me, I personally cut the stencil and dabbed the colors. I was greatly involved that another friend of mine commented that I carried a friend’s load on the head and hold mine with a hand, which means that I was overworking myself for the campaign of other than I am doing for myself. And that was just the truth. I was working so because I felt he needs a hand more than I need one, his was a larger place to cover than mine, and I could not just close my eyes to utmost supporting him because I have an ambition to run. At the end of their own election, he was totally available to support mine, which was a few day after the union’s election. My own campaign was literally carried out by those I hardly thought would do so. Support was coming from those that have been indifferent at the earlier stage.

iv. Of success: Conviction, Vision and Mission

This particular part is what I happened to learn after I was yet to learn from it. Success, no doubt will require a conviction to first know or agree to the present condition, which I have tagged conviction; having a foresight of what we really want to achieve of the present condition; and thereunto forge in processes that will birth the vision in what is now popularly called mission.

How did I learn when I was yet to learn? Here’s how. My first reading of the three books I collected is this one by Lincoln. At the first reading, I was only able to write down three ideas that got my attention; the small volume of the book was a challenge to me. When it was time to write the assessment, I knew I could not write three ideas in place of the required seven. So, I decided to re-read the work. I was convinced that even if a book is only made of seven words, and there is an assignment to write on seven ideas, then each word will necessarily form the idea. So, I should have no challenge in clearly bringing out seven ideas that I like in the work. Having sat to measure where I was (with three ideas clear form my interest) and where I need to be (of seven ideas), solution was clearer. The first additional idea I earlier was blind to was the starting sentence of Lincoln’s speech at Springfield in June 16, 1858, “If we could first know where we are, and whither we are tending, we could better judge what to do, and how to do it.” The combination of the future and the present is important in achieving success. And I believe this is why vision statement of individuals and organization is necessary even if they do not in any way look like whatever was written down. A strong conviction will bring about a strong vision, which will now bring about the mission of working it out.

v. Of Dispute Resolution and Formation

In Abraham’s reaction to the opponents and advocates cases on slavery, I was clearly taught on the easy way to resolving a dispute. No dispute can finally be resolved when its formation is not in fact understood. Many of the conflict in dispute resolution’s offerings would want to resolve it at the ‘head’ rather than the ‘base’. Lincoln has suggested that “Let him consider, not only what work the machinery is adapted to do, and how well adapted; but also let him study the history of its construction, and trace if he can…to trace the evidences of design and concert of action among its chief architects from the beginning.” The words “history of its construction,” “evidence of design,” and ‘its chief architects’ are to be well understood in solving any conflict or dispute.

In this week of my writing this, the National Assembly of my country, especially the House of Representatives, fell into another trouble of fists among senators on how to occupy the principal officers. The fists was no different from the previous ones we’ve witnessed from previous governments’ assemblies where shouts, push and cloth dragging of distinguished senators replaced the expected civil behaviors from that chamber. Many have started to complain why the newly formed chamber by the majority of a new party in power could still not be said to be different from the party that was abated? They complain that Nigerian politicians are fond of politics than governance. But they failed to understand that Nigeria was only to be best operational in politics and not in governance. The populace is complaining why politicians get lost in politics rather than settle down for the societal business? But the chief architect’s design was to create nothing more than a land where politics is the only thing that binds us (in the area of which region takes which power?). Even when independence from the British was being demanded for, the agenda was not to liberate the land but to be sure of which part of the country will occupy the political office. The trust burst among the politicians since Nigeria’s independence will repel the country’s development.

vi. Choosing a Partner

In the course of business or social work, it is important to know how best to choose a partner, “whose hands are free, whose hearts are in the work, who do care for the result” as suggested by Lincoln should be a notable point of concern. Free hands will not definitely be an idle hand. a practical idle hands will take the job nowhere. A free hand will mean a busy one that can as well create time for the new task.

vii. Change and Intimacy

Learning from this work, no change can come out of a process where intimacy has not first been established. Inventors and discoverers could not have been successful if there were no reasonable intimation between them and their work. To pass a college examination will require you to be intimate with the books in form of studying the areas the questions may likely come from; to bring about positive societal change will as well need a good study on the present condition in order to see the best practice that could be arrived at.

3. How will these ideas or lessons help you in a practical way, both in your daily personal life and in helping you to create a better world? If so, how?

To live with them and teach the ideas in the group I belong to.

4. Quotes: Are there any statements which the author made that particularly got your attention? If so, please quote them and comment as to why they were important to you.

“Wise counsel may accelerate, or mistakes delay it; but sooner or later the victory is sure to come.”

5. Is there anything in the book that you do not understand or are unclear, or are there ideas which you disagree with and, if so, why?

All clear.

6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?

No exercises.

7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.

None.

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.

A. How interesting was it to read? 6
B. How helpful were the contents? 8
C. How easy was it to understand? 10
D. Would you recommend it to others? 3
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 6

The God Code

Assessment by Ola Makinde (Nigeria)

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?

To recognize that humans have functional relationship with our Creator, and His is God.

i. Force will not be Peaceful

The seeker of peace must necessarily be a lover of all means to it than that of force. The author consolidates my belief on conflict management when he writes that “an imposed peace is generally ineffective. Force cannot bring a lasting peace.” The case of the insurgency in my country where the insurgents seem to be resurrecting after many attacks on their camps, causing unending havoc on lives and properties in the north-eastern part of Nigeria is a strong case to study.

The immediate past president had been hugely criticized for his subtle sense of combating the Boko Haram sect, which was one of the major factors that worked against his reelection bid. The opposition (now ruling) party capitalized on the actions of the brutal sect to gain a cheap political point, with loud promises to end insurgency if given the mandate to govern the affairs of the country. After the election and settling down to the office of the president, it was announced that Nigerian military cannot alone fight the sect. the president recently announced the stoppage of road checks in the main states affected by the sect’s operations, which will definitely be an upper hand to operate freely by the sect. party wise, I strongly believe that the end to insurgency cannot be guaranteed by president Buhari’s declaration to fight the sect as he had promised in the electoral campaigns before the election. To measure, the sect gets donations of ammunitions from foreign supporters, but the Nigerian government buys arms from foreigners. This alone will show the side that will last long in the fight; more fighting strength will come to Nigeria if she decides to divert the whole of the budget to procure war equipment, and also going to Mali to fight the base of the sect in Africa. The first solution is what cannot practically be done, because the doing so will collapse the economy for a fight, a road no government in the world will be willing to go. The second option will fault the international law of sovereignty, hence no way thereunto. What Sudan fought for many years and finally admitted to in 2011 (secession) which would have saved the lost lives is what Nigerian government is toying with as well. There is no reason why peace should be forced. The sect ordinarily have a demand, to meet it will salvage the unnecessary One Nigeria that was never one.

ii. Angels and Humans

The characteristics shared in this work: of power of speech, discriminating intellect, upright walk and glance of the eyes, are said to be common between human and angel. It portends the case when we are equals, and some do believe, more ranked than the angels because angels are to carry out our needs from God. He that has a good relationship with God will be a good friend to the angels; they will always be ready to bring good tidings to him from the Master. Also, angels know no restriction in advancement, and the tribulations of men that come from the earth will be surmounted by willing hearts. Angels operate best in heaven, humans (when in bodily form) should operate best on earth, and the earth is our playing ground. With adequate concentration, human challenges are pointers to the next opportunity.

iii. Orderliness: Nature’s Offspring

The preponderant causal of most troubles is the great lack of orderliness. I agree with the author that, “In nature, order is often seen as a sign of intelligence.” The education system that is meant to fix the problems of men needs not to be painted in difficult expression where hours are exerted on a singular examination question. No, the answer of the success world system is not in the solutions proffered by brilliant mathematicians; it’s not the symbolic logic expressed in philosophy; it’s not even in the codified computer programming languages. It’s simply in the abode of order. When order takes its place in every community, bliss forms the affairs of men. Orderliness will demand punctuality, honesty and industry; orderliness will demand will demand cleanliness and respectfulness, and when the demand is met, the supply of clean environment and wealthy nations will spring forth, it is just following the law of demand and supply.
When we know that waste should be housed in a bin; truth should be uttered from a mouth; neat clothes should be on the body and the dirty ones in the laundry; motor-able roads should be well tarred; and every human should enjoy the dignity of excellent living, then we are doing nothing but being orderly. Life demands nothing from us than to be orderly.

Last Sunday, two kids of my unit leader were intentionally disorganizing my table at the office. Having warned them to relax out of play without any serious yield, I later asked them if they’ve heard the word order. They only knew order to be a command given by a superior to a subordinate. I explained to them that orderliness is to treat each thing in the primary way it ought to be treated. Nothing but toys is to be played with. I told them that the place of a thing when mismanaged with is a moral offence. And since all I had on my table was no toy, then it should be left alone to function in its original plan. If the wall clock is to be on the wall, you should not put it on the chair. They assimilated a new teaching with gentleness.

iv. A Species of Goodness

The good Creator has bequeathed all humans heart to prime in goodness. A sense of continual goodness will yield gain to human race. And indeed, we all have the sense to be good if we would only exhibit our own share. A day to my writing this, I faulted in this aspect. I did a computer work for my elder sister, and I later suggested she could use my laptop for the editing. The computer she used in her place of work could not open the file I worked on, which was saved in her flash drive. I dropped the system with her and I later went in the evening to get it back in order to finish a work I was working on and would need to complete that very day. She asked if the system would be free for her use the next day. I said “Yes, but I would not be available to bring.” She would need to come pick it from the house (the distance could easily be covered, but she does not prefer to be out of work). The next day, she was expecting me to come with the laptop. She later called that I should tell mum if she has anything to do in her area of work, and to help bring come with the laptop. I did not report the words to mum because I knew it would bounce back on me to take the system, since would not want mum to carry a laptop where I could actually do so. I was of the thought that she would call mum herself. She did not. When I returned from where I went to, the system was where I left it. I thought she would call mum or come get it herself, I was wrong. And I felt bad that I did not go the extra-mile of dropping the system even though it would have affected my schedule and perhaps a trekking for some minutes in order to catch up with my initial plan. I asked God and my sister’s spirit to forgive me for folding my hands to goodness. That I realized I could go drop the system is an instance that humans can always be good if we choose to.

v. Order and Chaos

It is written, “Nature shows us that to move from one level of order to another requires a period of chaos in between.” Chaos may not necessarily be turbulent, it may just show the imbalance created by a seemingly balanced situation.

A few months ago, I was in a meeting where the immediate past governor of Lagos State was addressing us, paraphrasing what he said among his statement was that “as you build a place, another destruction will show.” That is when you solve a social problem; it will spring up another problem. When he said that, there was a doubt in my heart. The words were later confirmed in my room. I repainted my room sometimes ago, while I was appreciating the beauty of the work, and trying to perfect the touches, I climbed down the table to the bed, in the manner I have been doing since I started the work, but this time, the wood layer for the foam which I stepped on broke (I did not dismantle the bed to allow free movement while painting), it was then I recalled Governor Fashola’s words. I painted the room but the bed was damaged. Labors’ riot in many countries must first come before they would get increase in wages or better living standards, and many other cases where order is just waiting for chaos before it can take its place.

vi. Age of Mastery

This era as suggested by Dr. Michio Kaku is a new one to me. Taking cognizance to the fact that humans are no longer to operate in the age-long of discoveries, but should now be a partner with nature for its advancement. That is, maintaining a heart of creativity and sustainability, a practical manner of being a co-creator.

vii. God is the Creator of Humans

I have no iota of doubt that God is the Creator of heaven and earth. I am not convinced so because I read the bible; I am not convinced because my pastor says so; I am not convinced because my parents were born into a Christian home. I am convinced because I have heard the voice of God speak to me; I have been given instructions from Him. The bible and my pastors and other materials I have come across to speak about Him were only to go in line with my utmost believe.

3. How will these ideas or lessons help you in a practical way, both in your daily personal life and in helping you to create a better world? If so, how?

These ideas will help by consciously carrying out the learned ideas in my relationship with friends and family members.

4. Quotes: Are there any statements which the author made that particularly got your attention? If so, please quote them and comment as to why they were important to you.

Ancient Hebrew Scripture: “As my ancestors planted for me before I was born, so do I plant for those who will come after me.”

No doubt, the blessings of a man was a contribution from those that have once lived, either by reading their materials or going to the schools they built or any other resources that have aided one’s success, and so also should every one work to leave a benefiting monument for the generations to come.

Old Adage: “When answers are vague and situations difficult to resolve, it’s generally because we don’t have all the information we need—something is missing.”

In absolute terms, a student fails an examination not because he does not know anything at all; it is just because he does not know enough things that would make him pass.

“Recognize what is in your sight, and that which is hidden from you will become plain to you.”

Appreciation of the present will bring the desired future.

William Blake: “God became as we are, that we may be as he is.”

We must go the road of righteousness and holiness to be ranked among the lovers of God.

5. Is there anything in the book that you do not understand or are unclear, or are there ideas which you disagree with and, if so, why?

All is clear.

6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?

No exercises.

7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.

None.

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.

Churchill, the Power of Words

Assessment by Ola Makinde (Nigeria)

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?

Communication skills of writing and speaking are essential attributes of a leader.

i. Religion’s Reductionism

It was opined that the adherents to the rigid dictates of religion cannot be far from the dungeon of a base life. There was a time when the world was majorly judged according to race. The campaign against racism gave prominence to the defenders of religion, the birth of religious fanatics. Religion, to many who never fully understand the rule of life and living, has been taking to be the sole rule that mankind is formed to operate by. The founders or first practitioners of religious movement did not even care that it be tagged as such; it is the followers and its different interpreters that modified the concepts of religious witnessed long time ago and of the now-time developments. I am of the belief that the biblical, quranic, gujarati, and other religious of the prophets, apostles, rabbi, kings, governors, mothers, etc., are guidelines to learn from on the best way of relating to our God and fellow men. To study these books without having a personal encounter with God is a perfect example of deceit personified. To the Christians, if Old Testament Joseph never had an encounter with the vision, how would we be making reference to his sense of discipline; and if he Christ did not live, would we be saying God does not exist? Many believed in God even before the mother of Jesus was given birth to. The case of prophet Esdras in his book Sirach (a book not in the common bibles) as unto the clear picture of the end-time could not be known by some because they never read the book, and many books of the prophets of old that was removed at the rendezvous of those that put books of the common bible together. Even if no books exist to be read, it would still be expected that everyone must have an encounter with God (towards the fear/love of God and respect/love of humanity), the encounter is important than the chanting or religions. Religious affiliation is the fruit of the love for fellowship and relationship (an important factor in the affairs of men).

In my country, religion is a dominant player in the affairs of many country men. Politically, a president or governor must contest (if the party cares to win, all other things being equal) with a vice or deputy from the other religion. I always imagine how chanters of “One Nigeria” could not see the divisive attributes. Just last week, the president concluded on nine appointments, 8 were from the north and 1 was from the south west. People started reacting that the appointments were not fair, the popular query was that why should his regional people dominate the appointments. If they actually believe we are all Nigerians, why should there be need for such query? At least all the appointed persons are Nigerians. The reaction of many, only approves my original stance that Nigeria cannot be held as a nation, it does not qualify for one, and it takes one to see great development.

ii. Hard work is Bliss

“No one is to be pitied for having to work hard, for nature has contrived a special reward for the man who works hard,” said Churchill. In truth and in deed, working hard is always in the attributes of successful people. There is a saying that “hard work doesn’t wear people out, it is wrong work that does.” Men have tried to find a replacement for hard work, by asserting that smart work pays than hard work. They thought hard work is defined by working with hand diggers or serving as a laborer for a bricklayer. For the smartest of all works to be greatly successful, hard work must be seen in it. It has been proved overtimes that the hardest working people are the employers rather than the employees. Employees may be complaining that they put more daily working hours in a job, while the employer is just enjoying the gain. That can be said to be untrue. The build-up of the enterprise is not work for a lazy person, and when the employee is sleeping, the C.E.O. is working overnight in private plans or meeting with some stakeholders. The successful a man is; the hard working he is. Indolence has no space for success. That is why heads of companies and world leaders knows no night, 24 hours is their working schedule.

To run from plenty of work (otherwise known as hard work) is synonymous to running from success. How else can a man be hard working when his calendar at the beginning of the year has already been blocked by events and meetings to be carried out? Some of the world leaders even have their calendar blocked for 2 years, which means they already know where they would be at so and so month in the next two years. The easy way for a worker to get the bliss of working is to embrace the hard work as they crept in.

iii. Upon Life’s Brevity

The question, “what is the use of living, if it be not to strive for noble causes and to make this muddle world a better place for those who will live in it after we are gone?” Is to be pondered upon by all humans, with accompanied suggestive ways of proffering worthy answers.

The affirmation that, “soon, very soon, we and our affairs will have passed away” remains a pointer that we need not delay a good that is supposed to come from our own hands or heart. The assuredness of death for all and the unending ‘living’ of some that left good monuments behind, and the enjoyments of gains from our leaders past and present are all pointers to the fact that he lives best that gives best. The best harmony the world can enjoy will be founded on relentless service from all of humanity to all of humanity. From the spiritualist to the physicist; from the philosophers to the astrologers, continual improvement of the world remains a common phenomenon. Our ancestors and leaders past have done their part in warranting us a living in this contemporary world, though not free from their mistakes and mis-thoughts, the baton now passed to us warrants us to correct the acts rather complain about them. That is the necessary task of all living humans. I have many times explain to some people that if great development is what we seek in Nigeria, then the best route to that is to birth nations from Nigeria. This was to have been done in 1967 when the south-east Colonel Odimegwu Ojukwu asked the south-west leader, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, to form a coalition government and opt out of Nigeria, chief Awolowo was optimistic that there can still be something meaningful in Nigeria (considering his own pace of development in his region), and he supported the military government against the south-east to win the 1967-70 civil war. At the end of the war, there was to be a transitional government to civilian leadership, but the northern military government changed the populace’s expectation by withholding to power. Chief Awolowo resigned as the minister of finance. His effort to become the president was frustrated by the northerners. Again, in 1993, Chief M.K.O. Abiola (south-west) formed a coalition with the northern region, he won the presidential election, but the results were annulled by the military government in power. What brought chief Obasanjo (south-west) in 1999 as the president was a compensation plan by the north to the south-west for the 1993 loss, and the president, in many eyes were seen to have danced to the tune of the northerners, since they brought him in, the south-west actually supported chief Olu Falae, who failed to win.

Repeating the mistakes of coalition government with the northerners, former senator and Lagos state governor and national leader of ACN (former political party that dominated the south-west) formed a coalition with CPC (General Buhari’s party) to form the now ruling party, APC. The very day the merger was made, I said to those who cared to listen that Tinubu has made another monumental mistake. The emergence of president Buhari has now made it clear to the watchers of Nigeria’s politics, which the north has now built up their political hegemony again. A friend was just telling me a day before writing this (though he was not a supporter of APC) that, “sentiments apart, I do not like how Buhari is treating Tinubu, having worked rigorously to get him the presidency.” Tinubu’s coalition (of huge finances and party formations) was the major contributing factor that aided Buhari’s victory. Buhari is now indifference to the northerners’seemingly hijack of the party from the holds of Tinubu and company. I replied that I’m not surprised of the outcome, because when the living fails to correct the mistake of our heroes past, then pity should not be rendered on any victim that forgot his primary assignment. One’s brevity of life need not be used in repeating the mistakes (in pure fact, their works could not be called a mistake, it’s just a work to be carried out by the next generation) of our heroes past, they had tried their best; we are to improve on it, in a more wise affairs.

iv. Success’ Brethren

Success is nurtured in the company of some disappointments—which I tagged brethren. The successful stories of successful people are not free from series of disappointments. Churchill’s first political contest was lost. Amidst his great credentials, he suffered defeats in. 1922 when he was defeated by a Labor candidate; failed to get elected in 1923 (bye-election in another constituency); lost by 43 votes in 1924 as an independent candidate. He later won in October 1924; he won the conservative seat which PM Baldwin did not allow any conservative member to contest so that Churchill could win. And he grew to become the Prime Minister Idea 5 Poor Power ‘Power for the sake of lording it over fellow-creatures or adding to personal pomp is rightly judged base.’ Political power is the most meaningful of all powers, the affairs of the state is to be managed by such power, with the inclusion of adequate mega-watts of electricity, for economic and social development.

v. Discrediting past Leaders

The Un-golden Path Churchill had caution the incumbents followers and leaders at every stage to take the mistake of the past as our own duty of improvement. He wrote that, ‘If we open a quarrel between the past and the present, we shall find that we have lost the future.’ I have now made it a point of necessity never to blame the errors of the past heroes, with the new mindset that their errors is an opportunity of our own growth.

This is similar to an article I wrote at my first year in the university that advanced that the poor sense of socio-economic happenings is the work of leaders that care in such direction.

vi. Division is better than Destruction

“It is better to have a world united than a world divided; but it is also better to have a world divided, than a world destroyed.” These words of Churchill still fit in our world today. With series of unrests in the Middle East, especially between Israel and the territory of Palestine, is now what the US government is counseling a new path to peace. Palestine has long been demanding of independence which Israel never allowed, with an option of allowance of wanton killings and bombings. The president Obama led government is now suggesting to the Israeli government to seek a peaceful path in allowing the Palestinians get a free land. In Nigeria here, the federal government believes that the objectives (to carve a sharia country out of Nigeria) of the leaders of Boko Haram sect should not stand, thereby fighting the continual destruction of lives and properties in the north eastern part of Nigeria. The lovers of peace cannot also be the lovers of destruction, division I always better than destruction.

3. How will these ideas or lessons help you in a practical way, both in your daily personal life and in helping you to create a better world? If so, how?

These ideas will help me as I put them into heart when I relate with those around me and beyond.

4. Quotes: Are there any statements which the author made that particularly got your attention? If so, please quote them and comment as to why they were important to you.

“Dreams of the future are blurred but the main objective is clear.”

Vision gives direction to mission. Hence, a given vision on a particular area of life should be pursued with all sense of seriousness and doggedness.

“Revenge may be sweet, but it is also most expensive.”

He that seeks vengeance cannot be free from the loss in the gains accrued.

“Today we can have the greatest …triumph as we choose. There is enough for all. The earth is a generous mother.”

The profits of everyman will be that which he ponders upon without giving up to the accompanied challenges.

“Take things as they come, dread naught, all will be will.”

The lover of progress cannot at the same time be the mirror for fear. Without fear and force, mankind can attain its ambitions.

“The soul of freedom is deathless; it cannot, and will not perish.”

When freedom is thought about, that gives a small posture that it can be accomplished if further continued in the strongest ways and manners. All lands, like all men, need not be held in a forced union.

Edmund Burke: “People will not look forward to posterity who never looks backward to their ancestors.” We should always remember the great works of our heroes past, thanking them even when their bones have disappeared from the grave.

Kipling: “We must meet with triumph and disaster and treat those two imposters just the same.”

This is a call for a stoical attitude.

“The power of the wind shall reap a whirlwind.”

He that care to enjoy peace must be involved in the work of peace, same coins are used for a particular trade; the trade of anti-peace movements brings home the gains of such movements.

“Only our own follies can deprive us of our own victory.”

When success is far, it only spells that we are yet to get wise on a particular event that has been witnessing our surplus folly. A change of plan or strategies or thinking will bring about a desired result.

“Working happy days—by discipline, by morale, by industry, by good laws, by fair institutions.”

These will truly guaranty a happy moments for every countries if they embrace in full.

“No boy or girl should ever be disheartened by lack of success in their youth but should diligently and faithfully continue to persevere and make up for the lost time.”

It would be more meaningful to forge ahead in preparation and upright doing than to cry over the troubles or failures engulfed by.

“It is often said that ‘facts are stubborn things.”

A factual condition cannot be falsified, it can only be “painted,” but the original “color will soon show up.

5. Is there anything in the book that you do not understand or are unclear, or are there ideas which you disagree with and, if so, why?

All clear.

6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?

No exercises.

7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.

None.

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.

Development as Freedom

Assessment by Ola Makinde (Nigeria)

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?

The measurement of development should expand from human capital to human capability, with public policy playing the lead role in guaranteeing economic, social and political prosperity.

i. Development: Fighting the Un-freedom

Every free land (of territorial sovereignty) that have once witnessed a fight for political freedom need not rest on their oars, the emergence of myriads of un-freedom (under-nutrition, little access to healthcare, little access to clean water, dysfunctional education, unemployment, economic and social insecurity, short life span, inequality between women and men) call for a monumental action plan. An interesting government will forever be that whose working effort is clearly felt in all the lives of the peoples under her.

It has been argued in some quarters that government cannot satisfy every citizen of a particular country. And that will be correct if government turns into a feeder of food substances for the consumption of all. But in a situation where education and adequate health facilities replace the feeder phenomenon, government can assuredly be felt by all.
My observation of the class of my father and his father, where the unschooled greatly surpass the schooled, I thought that could only have happened when education was not well sung in my country. It becomes inglorious in my own class to still see growing numbers of unschooled, amidst the seemingly “classy class” I was born into. In this contemporary world, even in the largest economy in Africa, education (of schooling) should not be as devastating as we have it.

Few weeks ago, I saw a friend of mine (a classmate in the junior high school) after over 15 years of sighting and hearing. He could not further his education due to moral and financial constraint. He has been engaged in hustling in a local market for upkeep. He now has a wife with three children. I was displeased even in my own generation; things are still having a similar face to that of my father. Also, when I was younger, I had the thought that the plenty of touts in public transport garages will wipe out with the help of spreading education. But as grew older, the touts tend to grow too, still recreating younger ones to take the place of the older ones.

For the advocate of privatizing education, this will only compound the troubles of surplus people out of schools. A development-centric government will see education of the masses as the topmost priority of all agenda. And this is why the almost free education carried out in many public schools should be highly encouraged to the point of no fee. Sustaining the maintenance of staffs salary and other demands should be centered on a production/service outfit that will meet the needs of those in the academy and the society at large, even to the point of exporting. If every institution of learning is also engaged in at least a production/service company where each student works for a schedule time with stipends for upkeep and industrial skills, the expenses of the school can actually come from the company.

Man of the third world countries sees free education as a burden because there is no attached scheme of generating income. The art of combining industrial skills with academic skills for pupils from age 5 will bring about innovative and dutiful citizens with the assurance of meaningful wealth. Working without being schooled breeds frustration, likewise having been to school without a place of work. The former guarantees illiteracy, while the later guarantees unemployment—the two troubles that show the un-freedom of a free land.

ii. Child Labor: Of Neo-Protectionism

Many have argued that child labor should be discouraged at all times, but there is no crime in child labor. It can only be criminal if the labor is abused. The neo-protectionism theory will enhance that the work ethics is passed into a child without affecting the psychological and physical ability of such child. It would be an abuse if a child is left to the streets, to hawk on behalf of him or the family; it would be an abuse if a child is engaged in hard labor (e.g. bricklayer assistant or operating delicate machine). To be involved in easy sorting or arrangement of production processes or being apprenticing in a software company for pay will enhance the work sense of the child who can later come up with innovative means of doing things. At least, every child is involved in helping with home chores, and if this be a little bit formalized in corporate setting, it will be of good importance. A case where a child is half-way protected (by not allowing doing any work than a primary level of school and later abandoned to fend for herself) is not a good style of upbringing. A case of Nigeria, primary education is freely encouraged, and in some states up till secondary level. A child is then left to take care of herself. The difficulty in gaining admission into the tertiary institution reduces the zeal of many pupils to forge ahead, especially pupils of single parent (a high number in Nigeria due to low mortality rate). Hence, by the time many pupils escape the child labor at tender age, they now grow into teenage labor (many now attaining the age of 18), where the state is seemingly legally free to be in full charge of their educational affairs. The child labor was only waiting in a corner to embrace its victim marked few years ago. Abolishing child labor should be newly looked into by abolishing teenage labor—a quick action for free and compulsory tertiary education.

iii. Human Development’s Ally

It is natural that the sick needs health and the poor need wealth. So also, “Human development is first and foremost an ally of the poor, rather than of the rich and the affluent”, writes Amartya. Immense public development as witnessed in some countries in East Asia, central Europe and North America is seen by some people to be a characteristic of those regions. But development is always available to be achieved by anyone or country that cares to do so. Development in its literal terms is solely concerned with improvement. The worst case shows the best form of development; the impoverished, tattered, battered and unhealthy will enjoy most the offerings of development.

Few days ago, I came across a plastic road on the internet. It’s a new means of constructing a road with a plastic layer. Research says it lasts longer than the common asphalt used today, with advantage of passing electric or water pipes underneath without breakage as seen with interlocking tiles or asphalt. Such road will best be enhanced in roads of countries that have not even seen asphalt/interlocking roads (many of such roads are in surplus counts in sub-Saharan Africa). If this can be adopted, it will show that the exhibitors’ roads will be more beautiful (from its promising colors) than other roads that have been paved for a long time ago. This means the seemingly underdeveloped countries only have opportunity to be more developed. In Nigeria, rural communities far surpass the cities. And I do say that the rural states should be more interesting to govern. With a master plan for the territorial state in the area of housing estates, industrial estates, and other units, can easily be carved, as against the already clustered habitation witnessed in Lagos (the largest city in the country).

iv. The Production of Starvation

Just like cars and clothes are produced, starvation is another form of production that comes from the hands of men. “It is the general defenselessness of the very poor, combined with additional misfortunes created by economic variations that produce the victims of drastic starvation.” The first assignment of every government is to take good care of the downtrodden on raising their well-being. The poor cannot be left to handle their own life, liberty of living (in the case of the poor) must not be granted by the government. That is, the continued poorly living of the poor must be replaced with a more meaningful one. But in a case where a man is allowed to fend for himself just because he has grown into the legal age, this will aggravate the already impoverished lifestyle—the unwise form of governance.

v. None is a Native

State of origin emphasis is a popular definition of where someone really belongs in Nigeria. As old as this is, it was as old as my dispute for it. many of my country folks traditionally believes that where one’s ancestor claim to originate from is one’s place of origin, forgetting that none is really a native of anywhere. Amartya has warned that “the image of regional self-sufficiency in cultural matters is deeply misleading, and the value of keeping traditions pure and unpolluted is hard to sustain.” For instance, I am permitted to claim the village my father grew up (his home of birth) as my place of origin. Meanwhile, my grandfather was not born in that place, he only migrated from another part of the state to work and live where he gave birth to my father. This means that my father was to have been claiming the birthplace of his father as his own place of origin, but that was not the case. And this place my siblings and I claim as our origin, we never stayed up to one week (I remember visiting the place for the first and last time with my parents for 3-4 days when I was between 4-5 years old). And with this arrangement, politically, any of us is allowed to contest in this place of origin without knowing the affairs of the people, while a person from another state (by origin) that has stayed donkey years in this place will not be supported to even win a primary election because his father was not an indigene of the place. I know exactly that such attitude continued in the inhabitants of my country because villages surpass cities. Lagos is indifferent to such attitude, as you can be supported for elections so long you have stayed at least 10 years (though it has not matured to the position of the executive governor—Yoruba man still owns the seat). If nativity is thoroughly sought after, then everyone will need to vacate the homeland. With emigration and immigration from ancient years, none is a really a native.

vi. The Wind is with the Sail

The wind is always with the sail and it can either be stormy or superb. At the end, there is always a story to tell. The story teller has the potency to tell the tale of either ends with a finer spirit. This spells the importance of Amartya’s second line when he writes that, “things often do not go as we plan. Sometimes we have excellent reasons for being grateful for this.”

vii. Nature allows Nurture

Nature gives us existence, nurture empowers our existence. The profitability of good habit, disciplined custom and purposeful education will be instruments to nurture the gift of nature—of bodily living figure. Adam Smith lays the foundation, “The difference between the most dissimilar characters between a philosopher and a common street porter, for example, seems to arise not so much from nature, as from habit, custom, and education.”

3. How will these ideas or lessons help you in a practical way, both in your daily personal life and in helping you to create a better world? If so, how?

These ideas will help me when I have the privilege to host a public policy or input in such processes.

4. Quotes: Are there any statements which the author made that particularly got your attention? If so, please quote them and comment as to why they were important to you.

“The power to do good goes almost always with the possibility to do the opposite.”

A single heart has the ability to show or shun kindness, and to show it will aid the improvement of those around us.

“A person with high income but no opportunity of political participation is not poor in the usual sense, but is clearly poor in terms of an important freedom.”

The allowance for public participation in elections is an amusing exercise that will be devious to disallow.

“Financial conservatism should be the nightmare of the militarist, not of the school teacher or the hospital nurse.”

When the guns and swords take the larger chunk of the budget, the chalk and its user cannot be effective.

Condorcet: “People will know that if they have a duty towards those who are not yet born, that duty is not to give them existence but to give them happiness.”

The work of the present generation is to make the world happier and more prosperous than we met it, that the generations yet unborn may have a safe landing.

Confucius: “When the good way prevails in the state, speak boldly and act boldly. When the state has lost the way, act boldly and speak softly.”

The lover of good living cannot afford to be dumb when things that is to be right goes in the wrong direction.

“We must not lose our ability to understand one another and to enjoy the cultural products of different countries in the passionate advocacy of conservation and purity.”
Culture may differ from land to land, but they are to be respected and not to be repelled by a non-holder.

“Dubious history does nothing to vindicate dubious politics.”

The wise learning stays with the past works of wise governance. The mistake of the old time need not be repeated, even when it promises a heaped selfish gain.

Adam Smith: “Humanity, generality and public spirit are the qualities most useful to others.”

The best of man is measured by his best sense of relationship with others.

William Cowper: “Freedom has a thousand charms to show, that slaves, howe’er contended, never know.”

A free man guarantees a better life than a confined rich one.

5. Is there anything in the book that you do not understand or are unclear, or are there ideas which you disagree with and, if so, why?

All clear.

6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?

No exercises.

7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.

No.

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.

Margaret Thatcher: An Autobiography

Assessment by Ola Makinde (Nigeria)

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?

When a giant mission is perceived, it still demands a giant vigor for dogged pursuance in humility and modesty.

i. The Culture of Quality

For a country as well as for an individual, it is of prime importance to cultivate the culture of quality. The following words formed an advice to young Margaret, “Never to buy a low-quality silk when the same amount of money would purchase good quality cotton; never aspire to a cheap fur coat when a well-tailored wool coat would be better buy.” She summarily teaches fellow human to “go for quality within your own income.” Either managing a state’s “purse” of one’s own wallet, the lesson should never be ignored. Some years ago, instead of buying a non-quality sandals, I would prefer to use the same amount (or even less) to buy used (but quality) ones. It was a clear idea that the locally made sandals are of inferior quality and does not last long, the latter last longer. And it sometimes baffles me why the local producers will not produce a quality product when they are almost close to producing such. Two weeks ago, I went to the market to purchase a pressing iron, I asked for a particular brand and two different types was offered to me; one local and another of foreign made. Visibly, I could not see the difference, so I was confused on the one to pick (though the price too suggest the difference), and also there was an additional difference; the longevity of use will tell. That my confusion may be aborted, I decided to go for another brand that has just one type that came directly from the manufacturer of trusted quality.

Taking a break from market supplies, the many works of government authorities, to me, causes more damage than the solution they intended to create. Few weeks ago, while I was surveying the environment in my new community, I saw a long gutter credited to have been done by the state government. With the many of tax-payers’ money spent, the gutter was done without covering it either with a slab or iron rods. Yes it is useful for drainage, but the water knows no passage because the gutter was blocked with plenty dirt of plastics, nylons, and other rubbish. The water could not flow, making it a home for different kind of mosquitoes and bad smell. The work depicts the hearts of a doer that is alien to quality. I was baffled because what is needed to have completed the quality of the gutter is very less to all the monies spent. The songs of quality deeds need be sung to the ears of my country-men.

ii. Civil needs Nurture

The many preaching of liberalism is tied to the individual’s freedom to “this and to that,” this new neo-liberal, if not nurture in pure civility will erect a monument of societal contamination. I believe a sense of this goes in semblance to what Margaret suggests when she writes that, “Civilization had constantly to be nurtured, which meant that good people had to stand up for the things they believed in.” No matter the setting, goodness is still demanded for the successful networks of individuals and communities. To being blind to goodliness in human behavior which allows untamed liberalness be exhorted is not a noble path to thread. If civility is not nurture unto good measure in human relationships, the world cannot last longer in continual provision of living spaces. This is why good governance, honesty, orderliness and modesty will continue to be the ingredients for good world’s meal of transformational serenity.

Last night, a friend was sharing moments of his with a former roommate who takes great pleasure in smoking from pipes. He cited another case of a former colleague who was sacked due to his heavy smoking. I was trying to see why those addicts would not see the disappearance of civility in their deals. If all humans really take pleasure in being a chain smoker all the time, we would have been blind with smokes, but if all human takes pleasure in neatness and truthfulness, the world would have been saner. There is always a better way, civility is the way.

iii. Politics’ Got a Blood

“No one with political blood in their veins shies away from the excitement of electioneering,” writes Margaret. This I agree in 101%. I remember the 2011 presidential election when I was in the university. School was announced closed in order to forestall the unrest that may likely affect students, especially those staying off campus. So, students were asked to travel home. I could travel because it will amount to my non-participation in the election process. I registered to vote on campus when the registration processes were conducted, and you can only vote in the polling booth where you registered. So, many of my friends that registered to vote on campus could not vote in their respective homes. And because I must have an input in the election process, I decided not to travel. I was lucky to be staying off campus, for the hostels were closed. I was among the party agents in one of the booths on campus were teaching and non-teaching staffs and other natives were allowed to vote. I just could not imagine an election pass me by without actively being engaged most especially to vote, all because the blood of politics runs in my veins.

In 2012, as election is approaching in the US, an apolitical brother of a friend of mine, both living in the US wrote on his Facebook page, “I smell bullshit, it’s an election year.” I could only see moments of interest, and I replied that “Bullshit can grow a grain or green a grass,” the comment attracted a like from her sister! Politics to some is a dirty game, but to people like me, it’s the only game of huge interest—all for the blood.

iv. Divinity upon Humanity

The apex of all human wisdom is very far from the lowliest of the spiritual. More light is shed on the theme from the words of Margaret’s father, “Men, nations, races, or any particular generation cannot be saved by ordinances, power, legislation, we worry about all this, and our faith becomes weak and faltering. But all these things are as old as the human race.” God, though not our mate, remains our friend, always willing to help the needful ones that call on Him. Closeness to divinity makes success close. With the seeking of God, in doing His will, peace of activity is guaranteed. The warring lords of the earth, if they shall seek the worthy Lord of heaven, shall dine in peaceful productive work.

v. Of Party Propaganda

In the court of unskilled political players, propaganda has been the cards of lies; a scheme of deceits in direct attack of the other contestant. But the original meaning of it according to the English dictionary is “a concerted set of messages aimed at influencing the opinions or behavior of large numbers of people,” and Margaret has best advised that “in party propaganda, you should not mention your opponent directly.” Direct mentioning of the opponent will only add publicity to such candidate.

The last presidential election between President Goodluck Jonathan and General Mohammed Buhari witnessed an ill-play from the incumbent’s campaign team. Television campaign against Buhari was widely cast in national station (NTA) with the inclusion of a foremost private independent one (AIT). The central idea was to damage Buhari’s candidacy, but it was too directly attacking that it attracted more sympathy from the masses to Buhari, the populace seemed to be aware that the work of the incumbent is to alter the prospects of Buhari’s victory, hence a campaign against Buhari resulted into more publicity for him the name kept ringing, and eventually he won the 2015 presidential election.

vi. Sleep Curtailed

In my early readings, I find it exaggerating when I read that the authors could boast of waking in the early hours to read (some say 4am, others earlier than that), I only thought they were cooking their waking hours. By my starting journey with IIGL, I have discovered that to be early upon easy assimilation, writing, and to still be effective in other daily demands, I would need to wake by 4am daily. This now forms my daily lifestyle, and sometimes even before the alarm could tick by 4, I’m up to “wake” the alarm perhaps it has “overslept.” I’m now convinced that the workload will naturally cut the sleeping hours for he that embraces the work though.

“Over the years I had trained myself to do with about 4 hours a night,” says Margaret. Presently for me, 6 hours a night fits well for my body system, when its more, I know I have wasted some moments in sleep, so I always long to cut the waste. Few months ago, a friend and I were discussing about the time management for top CEOs, he commented that they sleep for few hours per night, I replied that even if they would have loved to sleep longer, the work never allows, and that’s one of the reason their success keeps increasing, for if they have allowed sleep to have many hours, their gains cannot be many, this they knew, and this we should know. And if one’s work schedule is not as big as theirs, we should still cut the sleep while reading or thinking on how to make things work, by so doing the work schedule of a busy and interesting life will find a place in us, by so doing, we would have prepared the place such style could stay.

vii. Trade is better than Aid

I’m always not happy when the voice for international aid surpasses that of trade. Few days ago, the newly appointed Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, announced that in 2016, Nigeria will go for an international loan. I do not absolutely nullify the place of monetary friendship between nations, but I would have preferred to hear the essence of this kind of friendship of borrowing rather than the friendship alone. It would have been more better if the essence is announced, say, the revitalization of iron industry or setting up of massive agro-allied factories. Every followers of Nigeria’s economic history know that the government has been borrowing since independence, but we do not all know the manner of such expenses. May spending sanity prevail!

3. How will these ideas or lessons help you in a practical way, both in your daily personal life and in helping you to create a better world? If so, how?

They will be of immense help in my self-examination, and a great help when opportune to serve in a public office.

4. Quotes: Are there any statements which the author made that particularly got your attention? If so, please quote them and comment as to why they were important to you.

Margaret’s father: “Never do things just because other people do them.”

The bandwagon movement is not plausible for all roads.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow: “The height by great men reached and kept were not attained by sudden flight, but they, while their companions slept, were toiling in the night.”

Greatness is not accidental; it can be planned with a disciplined heart and a diligent hand.

“If you are looking for somebody to pick up principles trampled in the mud, the place to look is not among the tramplers.”

For those looking to appoint others for an important position, disciplined people should be watched out for.

“The economy had gone wrong because something else had gone wrong spiritually and philosophically.”

Only the natural instinct of men cannot guide them for pure success, it requires closeness to divinity.

“In politics, as in life, the ‘ifs’ offer no consolation.”

Assumption to a perfect duty will be a waste of duration.

“By offering help we enhance our moral authority.”

Helping others is an opportunity to showcase our belief system; it is a must to show for the genuine souls.

St. Francis of Asisi: “Where there is discord, may we bring harmony, where there is error, may we bring truth, where there is doubt, may we bring faith. And where there is despair, may we bring hope.”

5. Is there anything in the book that you do not understand or are unclear, or are there ideas which you disagree with and, if so, why?

All information is clear.

6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?

No exercises.

7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.

No.

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.

The Course of my Life

Assessment by Ola Makinde (Nigeria)

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?

Public life of greatest influence requires tact, exposure and, does attract great criticism from minds that nature originally positioned to doing so.

i. Increasing Intelligent Folks

No doubt, societal development is tied to the individual development of the people. The mind must first be enlightened before the development is tied to the societal light can be seen. A crude land is as a result of a crude mind. The most developed nations have also recorded the most educated people on earth. It would be of great importance to seek an open mind to a closed one in the continuance of healthy society. Education breeds critical thinking, which in furtherance can spark up an invention or innovation. I’m interestingly surprised, same as Heath was, about the population policy of Singapore’s Harry Lee. According to Lee, “I am using our taxation policy as an instrument for raising the intellectual standard of our people. If a man with a first-class honors marries a girl with first honors, they will have children who will get first-class honors. To encourage this, they will pay a reduced rate of taxation. If a man or a woman marry, and only one of them has first-class honors, they will pay the normal rate of taxation. If two people without an honors degree marry, the children will not be clever and they will all pay a higher rate of tax.” Though this cannot be said to be correct at all the times, but the point being addressed cannot be totally faulted. And a society that will be interested in matching intelligent couples must as a matter of necessity provide the education to all citizens of that land, including adult education, which must be free, interestingly subsidized or mortgaged.

When I studied this amusing paragraph, I paused and reflected on the low-educated nations with that of Singapore, I could then see why Singapore takes the position she maintained above the compared nations. Even if love can be blind not to see the first-class partner, love (for the schooled) should not be blind to discern that a schooled partner will be a good companion, all other things being equal.

Few years, ago, a friend was telling me about the improvement between our appearance as children and those of nowadays. It was approved that today’s children are more handsome, beautiful, sharp, neat, and intelligent. My reply was that, majority of the children are just so fortunate to be birthed by educated parents. In our days, many of our parents are not educated, that was why we could be allowed to play on the street without wearing a pants or cloth; we could go far the next street without any restriction; we could consume any kind of meal without parental advice on food combination. The result will definitely show. It was when we were lucky to climb the ladder of education that we learned the proper behaving pattern, different to the growing styles of today’s children. Their educated parents are breeding them in improving counsel even before the children could gain higher education, and this is the result that shows.

ii. A Work for Prosperity

The big duty of every government is to channel the works of her inhabitants for a prosperous identity. When the peoples’ toil faces no improving gain or even records a better yesterday, then the occupier of the helm of affair should leave for another occupant. The occupier must now work to “bringing the separate groups of the economy into a much closer relationship.” The essence of communing in unity must be spelt out. It is worthy to note that unity does not guarantee prosperity, it is to commune in unity that does. The act of communing is to be preached by the machinery that controls the state. Second to this will be the heart for “regional development.” It is of common works of federal and state governments to concentrate developmental work in capitals of country and states, though a worker for prosperity will see all her jurisdiction as a ground that must be widely worked upon. In many of the states in my homeland, the rural are in plurals. Only the dogged governors’ concern can be felt in this many places. When prosperity forms the watchword, no region can be left out.

iii. Federalism, Confederalism and Confusion

Heath could be no more correct when he wrote that “the words federalism and confederalism have always caused no end of confusion.” We live in a world where an action is traced to a particular causal theory, politics inclusive. The modus operandi of every government at its forming or independence stage is often define to one form of government or another. But only a visionless government will allow herself be led in total obeisance to the dictate of a particular theory.

As at Nigeria’s independence in 1960, she operates with federal-regional governance; a semblance to confederate system. When the military took over the government in 1966, she operates with federal-unitary governance. The advocate of unitary system was of the opinion that regional system disallows loyalty and unity from each region to the central government. Hence, the abolition of regional government. Between 1966 and 1979, unitary system was seen as a no-better system. Federal-presidential system was adopted which ushered in the civilian government back to power. This later gave in for coup upon coup, sacking the civilian government. There was clamor that the presidential system allowed the heads of government too many privileges that made them forget their true mission.

To save the history, the 2014 National Conference saw the agitation for a return to regional (confederate) government, owing to the fact that the federal system has failed to satisfy the differing regions and cannot understand the regions from the center. Because the lovers of territorial laws have been sold to political theories without seeking for the real admission of communal advancement in its own identity. They shall so seek and shall not see—a valid notion for the continuance of confusion.

iv. Speak not to Shame Another

There are times we tend to know much about somethings than other people, and our teaching them may even have a way of shaming them. Not all ideas need to be passed, especially when it is not necessary, caution here is important. Apart from passing knowledge, passing information is as well important. When the information or speech intended to be spoken is a construct of shame to another, then it need not be said.

A report given by the president Obote of Uganda concerning Edward Heath, should not be copied. President Obote was saying to the press after a commonwealth meeting, “Yes. Heath is finished, absolutely finished, we have written him off. We have got our own way and he is a failure.” But before president Obote could get to his country, he has already been overthrown by a coup which led to the reign of Idi Amin. And the man he shamed in words returned as the prime minister.Even when one does not agree with another, it is better to always confront than talk when the character is invisible.

v. Fairness and Reason

No relationship can survive without the optimal usage of this idea—of fairness and reason, be it for countries or individuals. Even for super power countries, if fairness is not exhibited in their devotions in interactions to other smaller nations, unnecessary militant expenses shall be a large consumer of their monetary prowess, in form of weaponry disposition. For individuals, even when one is pained by an act of another, reason should still be allowed to take its original shape. Few days ago, a colleague disagreed with me on why people should not be trusted. I asked for a case why it should be so. He said he has been duped many times by people. I asked for a particular case. He continued that he once asked someone to register him for an examination, and before the date of the examination, the center was cancelled as a venue. He asked for a refund but the man could not provide. It was clear to me that he was not fair to the man. And the center was for other applicants who were just unfortunate to have chosen the same center. We have seen more drastic measure whereby candidates have finished writing a particular exam and all the papers will be cancelled due to one reason or another by the authority who organized the examination. In such case, no refund is allowed. It would have been fairer to directly ask the authority for refund. With my clarification, he was gentle and could see how he has missed good reasoning.

vi. There’s always a Fish

I would emphasize on the conversation between both presidents Reagan of US and Nyerere of Tanzania. “I will help you buy the fishing pond, but after that the rest lies with you. You must fish in your own pond to support yourselves,” says Reagan. “That is fine, but what happens if you haven’t got a pond with any fish,” replied Nyerere.

Nature does not leave any homeland with penury. Sustainability is first given to everyone or nation that will work hard to seeing such provision. The “fish” here is of resources for development, which I believe every nations of the earth already has—the inhabiting people. Making the people resourceful worth more than searching for material resources, especially from abroad.

vii. The World cannot be viewed in a Mirror

The “religious, doctrines, faiths, attitudes and historical backgrounds” of the many people represents diversity which means that we are not to judge another majorly with our own belief system. Respect for other faiths and behaviors must be of high regards for a more peaceful world.

3. How will these ideas or lessons help you in a practical way, both in your daily personal life and in helping you to create a better world? If so, how?

They will be of immense help in my relationship with humans around me.

4. Quotes: Are there any statements which the author made that particularly got your attention? If so, please quote them and comment as to why they were important to you.

Tony Barber: “The most important aspect of any modern industry was its degree of competitiveness.”

If an industry will not seek improvement to the point of continued quality delivery, it will soon be phased out by more competent ones.

Richard Nixon: “In our line of work (politics and governance), it’s always good to have a second skill.”

Politics, though an interesting affair for those who have flair for it, it should not be considered as a line of revenue for survival. Every politician should be resourceful for their own needs.

Shakespeare: “There is a tide in the affairs of men, which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune.”

The challenges on a duty should not be backed, flowing with it will lead to a good result.

“It is a truism that personal friends can turn out to be your sternest critics.”

Indeed, because they know one best.

Benjamin Disreali: “Power has only one duty—to secure the social welfare of the people.”

Since all cannot be the president, the president should then work for all.

“Temperamentally, I believe that, in meeting with triumph and disaster, one must try to treat those imposters just the same.”

Same calmness should be exerted in the procedural progress of living, be it fortune or otherwise.

Winston Churchill: “The scheme of society for which we stand is the establishment and maintenance of a basic minimum standard of life and labor below which a man or woman of good will, however old and weak, will not be allowed to fall.”

Governance is a work for all, no seclusion; no seduction.

5. Is there anything in the book that you do not understand or are unclear, or are there ideas which you disagree with and, if so, why?

All clear.

6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?

No exercises.

7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.

No.

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.

A. How interesting was it to read? 10
B. How helpful were the contents? 10
C. How easy was it to understand? 10
D. Would you recommend it to others? 10

E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 10

Through the Years with Jimmy Carter

Assessment by Ola Makinde (Nigeria)

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?

The essence of our Christian faith is to continue the lifestyle of Jesus in the worshiping of God and untiring service to our world.

i. God; A Full Promise Keeper

A promise is mildly expressed in words from the mouth of many, which may be kept or not. This is synonymous to an oath or a vow. People tend to respect an oath than a promise because the former has an insignia attached by it. God’s promise is always sure so long we stick to His line of action. Though God will not speak openly from heaven (for our ears cannot hold the sound of His voice) He speaks to us in dreams and visions.

I could remember few months ago, I had a dream where I was coming from a particular place which seemed like that of a teaching class. I met a young girl on the way and she told me that another assignment has been given to me, I made her realized I have one already, but I still asked her what’s the subject. She simply said “church”. I asked her when I’m supposed to start, she said I was to start anytime I like, but I was actually to have resumed earlier. On my way going, I saw varieties of fruits, I plucked some that there were plenty left for further time to pluck. When I woke up, I knew I had to be more punctual in the church daily morning meeting I had been sometimes skipping, now that the assignment is very clear. The same morning, for the first time in this new church where my antecedent is unknown to none, I was asked to lead a prayer session among those old to be my father. And since then, I have been given frequent privileges to lead sessions. The fruits I saw have been meeting my physical needs as I want them. Categorically, I lacked nothing!

ii. Ethics or Relics

I have come to realize that until concrete ethical behavior is imbibed by Christians, Christianity will still be stained with “dirt.” Not even going to church can help solve the menace of poor standard of behavior. When we ignore ethics in our conduct, the remaining result; tagged relics; abide in plenty.

When I first held this work of Carter, having gone through the table of contents, I did not liked the idea that it’s just a daily devotion on the bible annotations. I was expecting the book to be more of political happenings, since I knew Carter was a former president before I ordered for the book. And while reading the book proper (which became a must, for the assessment), the book was more than interesting, that I got to a point where I needed to stop and pray. His advice on this line is that we Christians are expected to measure up to a very high standard of ethics and conduct.

iii. Stage Actor

Many times, we have been stage-acting even when we are not earning any income in such role. The word “hypocrite” comes from the Greek term “hypocrites” which means “stage actor”. Hypocrisy, according to the English dictionary is the pretense of having beliefs, standards, qualities, behaviors, virtues, motivations, etc. which one does not actually have. I have often wondered if it is really possible to commit this mode of living, and I have come to the result that this is practically possible, in which case I have been a victim. In my case, I have always tried not to eat meat, and when I and friends go out for events, they do consume my portion of meats, telling them that I don’t eat meat. Many of my friends like to go out with me to a place where meat is certain, so as to consume my portion to theirs. But sometimes when I’m at home, in cases where I had to serve myself, I seldom take meat for consumption (giving myself the defense that just this one should not alter why I’m abstaining from meat). Hence, in cases where I can absolutely do without the meat, and when people show interest in me not eating the meat, instead of saying, “I don’t eat meat” (which will increase my reputation as a strong principled person), I would rather say, “I don’t want to eat meat”, or “I’ll prefer to take the meal without meat.”

iv. Feed the Heed

Jimmy gives the caution here, “we should take heed whenever our life’s priorities focus more on money than thankful prayer and good deeds, we have adopted the same attitude as the money changers.” He was citing the case-habit of the biblical money changers that Jesus did disrupt their activities in the temple. Come what may, thankfulness and goodness must always be seen in our affairs. Though money is needful to accomplish the deals of the day, but this need not be wanted by all means.

There was a time I knew my goodness-tank was going empty towards giving to those in need (especially those who asked me). Thereupon, I decided to set a particular percentage on every of my income which I tagged “Public Fund,” this I never used for myself. It made me to be absolutely to give to anyone that either asks for a help in the area the budget can cover. Since I separated that percentage, I never see the money as mine, but it is now the property of the public. Because I did not want to struggle in my giving-life, I could not operate less than that.

I was surprised when a senior colleague commented that he did not want to join any church because he is not just ready to pay any church his tithe, as that will be the next thing they will be talking about if he joins any. As well paid as he was, I was very surprised how 10% of his income could become a hard work to release. I have never heard of a church that practically demands a tithe from her member. Such giving (and by all means, all giving) in church, can never be, and will never be by force. I knew such words could only come from the heart of a no-giver, he soon proved to be a force-taker.

v. Christocracy

We’ve heard of plutocracy, theocracy and many other system of governance, but none is void of its own troubles. I once revisited the biblical Ten Commandments, and I realized that it’s a clear model to build an excellent nation. If the contents can be pursued, then I believed that perils and national pains will be a thing that does not define the affairs of our world. Also, with the beatitude as taught by Christ, and putting into good use of its teachings, this will be the best form of governance. Hear Jimmy here, “As Christians living in a democracy, we are responsible for taking steps to correct our society’s injustices.” Our own form should be well heart-defined, nothing short of Christocracy: the government of exhibiting the teachings of Christ.

vi. Braced by Grace

It is true that sin attracts punishment, so also does it allow forgiveness. Some sins must be paid for so as to learn in such manner. I have been reminded again by Jimmy that it is not all punishment-like condition that really came from the fall of man. the case of biblical Job is good to be referenced, though some will argue that Job’s fear was the entrance of his misfortune. “We should not look at people who are poor or suffering and think they must have done something to deserve that. Neither should we look with pride at our own blessings and think, I must be a good person to deserve all this.”

vii. Accomplishing

It takes more than one person to achieve his goal, and the one that accomplish his task most efficiently will be one that seeks the assistance of God. In my new environment, I have stayed three months and I have not for once been late for work or to church. There was a time I knew I would be late for an evening service due to my departure time from home, but I was still hopeful not to be late. On my way out, I talked to God that I have never been late, “please help me not to be late today too.” Few steps away from my gate, a public transport showed up and took me straight to the direction where I was going. Before then, such transport does not ply the route, I would either need to walk some minutes or take two different means, which would have activated my lateness, but I was early on this day to church.

Though some people find it difficult to pray, most especially when the earlier prayers seems not to have been answered, but this should not be our attitudinal display. For an unanswered prayer is also an answered prayer; it was just the case that the recipient was expecting it in his own defined manners. But the real manners are not for us to define. In the school of accomplishment, the Master remains the defining mouth-piece. Only the wise student can grasp the definition. So, instead of being a vigilant actionist, it would be more profiting to be a wise student.

3. How will these ideas or lessons help you in a practical way, both in your daily personal life and in helping you to create a better world? If so, how?

Living that learned through conscious efforts in my relationship with those I relate with.

4. Quotes: Are there any statements which the author made that particularly got your attention? If so, please quote them and comment as to why they were important to you.

“To enjoy a successful Christian life and effectively launch out into the grand adventure to which God calls us, we need to build with the right materials, and have a good idea of our ultimate mission.”

Life is best enjoyed when the assignment on earth is very clear.

“Patient love transcends the vicissitudes of human life.”

Hiccups cannot be silenced in a union, but reacting to it can.

“Dormancy is no virtue when it comes to conviction about God’s influence and power in our lives.”

We must be concretely alive to the supremacy of God in our affairs, in so doing, bliss forms.

“We don’t have to worry about being spiritually inarticulate. If a sincere yearning burdens our heart, it will reach God.”

God, seemingly a resident in heaven is very closer to us than imagined; the speed of light far compares His link to us.

“God detests dishonesty and he has an unbending commitment to correcting the balance sheet.”

This is why punishment can be valid; to balance the sheet of humans trade of trespass.

“No one becomes godly without training for it.”

To covet godliness will also demand core seriousness to keeping the laws as clearly defined by the Author.

“Christians who desire to please their Lord and enjoy a vibrant life also will choose the way of service; it’s in our divine DNA.”

Serving cannot be deleted from our own dictionary, when this can be done, then the worst is done.

“When our moral values become a source of pride and prejudice against others, then they become an affliction instead of an asset.”

We must at all times never negate our gains in sanctity with the holy-than-thou syndrome.

Theologian Reinhold Niebuhr: “The purpose of politics is to establish justice in a sinful world.”

Keeping to the fate of politics will require more than just serving for the dated tenure; it will also demand a justifiable delivery.

5. Is there anything in the book that you do not understand or are unclear, or are there ideas which you disagree with and, if so, why?

All clear.

6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?

No exercises.

7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.

None.

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.

You Must Set Forth at Dawn

Assessment by Ola Makinde (Nigeria)

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?

Justice is first the work of everyone, be it a poor lad or a prosperous land.

2: What were the seven ideas which were personally most important to you and why? List these seven ideas followed by an explanation after each one as to why it was important to you. Use personal examples from your own life.

i. Woes are Seldom Wars

Wars are the unnecessary affairs of human or national relationship. This cannot be said of human woes. The most interesting lives were often faced uninteresting style of living. The woes are always the building factors to challenge their lives and cause a bravery of living. With wars, an external retaliation is expected; with woes, an internal reformation cum examination should be ignited. Wars are fought with another, woes are fought with self. The time of woes is a very important time to seek the power of introspection and to increase the reliance of nature’s bliss; what one already possesses. A nation that fights no war will still have woes to fight of unemployment, high illiteracy rate, hyperinflation, economic depression, etc. and if she looks for external assistance in greater dimension than the internal ones, then she treats woes as wars.

As it is for a nation, so it is for an individual. The trial and tribulation of a man forms his woes, and to seek the help of another man forms an unwise venture to embark on. Wars are best fought with alliance to another party. But this cannot be true of human woes—best fought alone. A lone soldier in the battle front is a walkover for the opposition’s victory; a lone “fighter” on the platform of woes gets the greatest level of victory. The serenity of development or personal advancement lies on the management of the woes. Wole’s woes were of incarceration and exile, the results were of more books coupled with enlistment in the earners of Nobel laureates.

ii. Unsurprised Truth

Having read about Harold Smith’s (former colonial officer) unpublished memoir (sent to Wole) on his revelation concerning the happenings of the election that birthed political leaders for independent Nigeria, I was not surprised that smith wrote to “had been ordered by the Home Office to take part in the rigging of the 1959 elections.” Smith further claimed that ‘it was the British who taught Nigerians the art of rigging.’ The so-called rigging elevated northern extraction to the leadership affairs of the country.

Prior to my reading of Smith’s words, the popular believe system was that the North were helped to get the country’s leadership during independence by external force. The idea behind colonialist’s preferential support for the northerners was due to the regional framework on the north that will continue to enhance easy bilateral relationship with Britain. Southern (East and West) Nigeria was seen by the British to be peopled by intelligent and troublesome political leaders who will weigh-well any relationship before it can be embarked upon. Education is the propeller of enlightenment, and the southern Nigeria was peopled with such political leaders. That forms the fear of the British, which led to a settlement with the northerners.

On earning the first political leadership as at independence in 1960, many of the Northerners believed that Nigeria belongs to them. The partitioning of Nigeria into twelve states in 1966 from three major regions gave the north six states. Presently, Nigeria boasts of thirty six states with nineteen from the north. In the political history of the country, the northerners have earned a large chunk of presidents/head of states (of presidential and military rule). When folks from the south or east of the country wonders why the northerners of low educational prowess have governed the affairs of the country longer than any other region, I always replied that the governance we operate works with democracy, and democracy works with numbers. If nineteen is taken from thirty-six, the rest is left for remaining regions to share. To me, I never argue that Nigeria does not belong to the north, or why shall I venture into a trail that I already know leads nowhere? Any other occupants of Nigeria’s highest office, apart from the northerners, have always been by political accident or total anointing by the northerners. The accidental were of Aguiyi Ironsi in 1966, Olusegun Obasanjo in 1976, and Goodluck Jonathan in 2010; the anointed were of Ernest Shonekan in 1993 and Olusegun Obasanjo in 1999.

For a bush-pig to be cleanly addressed, it must earn a new name; a parable for those that love the inner strength of lettered-lines.

iii. When Great Measure Equals No Measure

I have listened to many talks from veterans of Nigerian history. These veterans are being surplus by minds who believe that for Nigeria to be classed among developed countries, a new name is necessary. This new name will take evolvement from the birth of many nations. They know-well the trouble that operates in the seemingly maneuvering of governance and why the great efforts of a president cannot and will not be felt on the streets where the masses ply. The veterans have a strong believe that something fundamental is missing which, if not maintained, will only allow for a cosmetic good-governance.

Some years ago, I attended a conference where the speaker was talking on the structural association of the components that made up Nigeria as a country. He was of the opinion that if the Yoruba nation should have independence, for the lovers of population ranking, she will still be ranked high among the populous African states. This speaker was a pioneer member of a geo-political group that seeks a better union for the component regions that made up Nigeria. Even when they believe that association by identity is the surest path to each nation’s prosperity, they will never advocate for it clearly. From Wole’s writings, his idea points to the huge racial differences that has stood as a core barrier to the development of Nigeria. Above all, when election draws near (of 1993 elections), the momentum will make these veterans start to take side to one political bigwig or another.

Few weeks ago, Wole requested the federal government to organize a national economic summit where the economic affairs of the country can be widely discussed as a result from the drastic economic misfortune. I’m yet to be convinced that summit can make societal sanity submit to Nigeria. When great measure equals no measure, this means that those that know the country well, knows not the country.

iv. Of Work and Prize

It is true that prizes can be traceable to work achievement. But it cannot be true that all work must be done with the sole idea of winning a prize. It is of necessity to render a quality work, for in such capacity will prizes pursue, though quality work need not be engaged for the pursuance of prize. It is only in a competition that participants aim the prize, this can be well acceptable since the prize is already known to be present in such relationship. And even in competitive affairs, the spirit of sportsmanship is greatly expected and respected. The most important part of human life is competition-prohibited, rather, a complementary life is to be nurtured. In a complementary world of work, a seeker of prize performs ill. “Why should people worry their heads over a prize whose mode of selection they can in no way influence. Indeed, why should one strain for a prize? If it comes, fine, if it doesn’t, what was one before the prize? Why should one notice the existence of a prize for anything?” those were the words of Wole in addressing the essence of prize on work. He addresses both competitive and complementary work pattern. On the competitive side, even though the prize is being worked for from the start of the game or program, for the smart players, the love of the game without qualms for the other party is essential in enjoying the game. The utmost genuineness of his statements rest on the complementary side of work. On this side, the seeker of prize gets none, and the non-seeker gets plenty. It seems to operate on the notion of paradox, moreover, nature is a lover of such notion, and the lover of nature will not find it difficult to operate in such affairs.

v. Of Horn and Honor

Honor dignifies the recipient, but it is not all honor that are free from the giver’s black-mind; now tagged horn. Some kind of activities may take the firm of honor, though when it is observed intensely, the real intention will be seen. Many Nigerian elites had refused to take national honors because they do not trust the giver of such seemingly honor. Gifts too cannot be far from honor. And when one is not seeing the bright side of a gift, it can be refused in a polite manner.

Not too long ago, I made some travelling allowance to a colleague in the office, and he tried to some part of the money as a tip to me and my supervisor. He first gave my supervisor which he collected and he later came to give me, I thanked him for his kind gesture and declined acceptance. At his return from the training, it was discovered by a more senior colleague that his duration of stay was calculated (by my supervisor) more than the actual days used for the training. So, he was asked to refund the difference. He had already finished spending the money, so it took some days for him to come refund the money. If I had collected the money he offered, he might have asked for a refund from me too.

vi. Governance for All

It is a clear notion that that every citizen of a state or a country cannot be the governor or president at the same time. Although every citizen of a state can be catered for by the governor or president. Adequate social amenities and infrastructure, education for all, prompt medical services and other social goods should be available for all.

vii. Safety in Waves

Life may not be free of troubles, it is also not free of plausible solutions to the troubles. The lover of life even with its many waves shall live to enjoy the best of life. Living without regrets, being thankful for all things, and being grateful to all deeds, shall make safety nets be woven fast in the midst of wave lengths.

3. How will these ideas or lessons help you in a practical way, both in your daily personal life and in helping you to create a better world? If so, how?

As nature calls for assignment which allows interaction with people, the practice of justice must be adhered to.

4. Quotes: Are there any statements which the author made that particularly got your attention? If so, please quote them and comment as to why they were important to you.

“There comes a moment when age dictates the avoidance of certain forms of engagement.”

Life is in stages, what was prime twenty years ago may not be ten years from now.

Forbears saying: “If a hunter counted his woes, he would never invite a friend to dinner.”

We may work with huge risks and challenges, but the reward of our work is necessary to be shared to those that are poor.

“Confident authority often achieves what physical force cannot.”

Determination in achieving one’s goal is important than scheming in an unruly way.

Hermit Priest Malarepa: “I need nothing. I seek nothing. I desire nothing.”

Contentment in what is owned is important in having an enjoyable life.

“Sacrifice, preferably as a voluntary act, is part of communion.”

The work we do should not be void of free-will offerings, where charges are not worked upon.

Bard: “Readiness is all.”

Success in life demands setting one’s mind to it even when the resources are not nearly seen.

5. Is there anything in the book that you do not understand or are unclear, or are there ideas which you disagree with and, if so, why?

All clear.

6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?

No exercises.

7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.

No.

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.

A. How interesting was it to read? 10
B. How helpful were the contents? 10
C. How easy was it to understand? 10
D. Would you recommend it to others? 9
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 9

Abraham Lincoln: Complete Works (Volume 2)

Assessment by Ola Makinde (Nigeria)

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?

Exercising leadership necessarily requires the combination of firmness, humility, doggedness and a heart that measures all men without prejudice.

Question 2: What were the seven ideas which were personally most important to you and why? List these seven ideas followed by an explanation after each one as to why it was important to you. Use personal examples from your own life.

i. Speak the Good Side

Every words often has an alternative; good or bad, beautiful or ugly, interesting or non-interesting, strong or feeble, etc. In the world of accomplishment, the good speaks precedes the good works. In many instances, we even tend to deny the occurrence of some things we do not want to see. But refuting or pronouncement still bothers on an issue, and both has the potency of bringing about the issue we concentrate upon. Instead of denying the occurrence or possibility of a particular issue, due to the fact that we do not want it to happen, it is greatly important not to mention the issue at all. For instance, it is far interesting to say “I will always be happy” than to say “I can never be unhappy”. The positive side remains the good side. On the continuum of the American civil war, Abraham posits, “That there are persons in one section or another who seek to destroy the union at all events, and are glad of any pretext to do it, I will neither affirm nor deny…but to those however who really love the union may I not speak?”

I recently moved to a new apartment. It was when I finally moved in that I realized that the electrical transformer in my community was not a good one, this made the electricity very scarce, and even when there is electricity, and it’s always a very low current. Coupled with the very hot weather, my room was christened a Furnace by my friend that visits often because of the heat we get from the room. Her realistic sense won me in calling the room furnace too. Few days later, I was really tired of the heat and sweat, and I re-christened the room as Palace. I was really expecting a change, and I passed the new name to my friend. Few days later, the electricity improved and I saw a high current that in a few days made me to have catarrh (from cold) due to high speed of the fan. I spoke the good side, and the good electricity walked in.

ii. Secession: Sick or Sane?

Secession which is used for a legal dis-joining or separation from a political union need not be promulgated with envy, rancor or bitterness. In a country, a time may occur whereby the dis-joining of the union will bring more progress to the different constituents than being together. But it must be sought with all sense of openness and constructive reasoning. In the era of Abraham, it was derived from the advocates of secession that “If unsuccessful at the polls, to raise the standards of secession immediately afterward …that party was unsuccessful at the polls. In the frenzy which followed the announcement of their defeat… and within the periods of three months, they have succeeded in obtaining ordinances of secession by which seven of the slave states seceded and organized a new confederacy.” When a shout of secession is high only because the victim was not favored in elections he participated in, then that’s a deceitful shout. A healthy secession plan will not identify individuals or people as the problem of progress, but the process. I am a strong believer of the differing nations in Nigeria to secede, though without malice to any nation. I love to see people from the other nations, and I sometimes get well pleased with my many friends and funny names (to me) from other regions than I originated from. With all the interesting things from other regions, I still believe the present governmental structure will not bring the genuine laughter, joy and enlightenment that should be derived from our land. Come what may, a secession plan must be more of words than swords.

In Nigeria’s civil war (1967-1970), the leader of the seceding Biafra believed in more swords than words. The end only was the abortion of Biafra as a country. The present case of re-awakening the Biafra pursuance is tendering to be fruitful than the model used over 46 years ago. Only when the secession plan of widely sung Biafra and faintly sung Oduduwa Republic as countries are not traced to swords and much malice, then sane secession, rather than a sick one shall be established.

iii. Resolving Controversies

The nature of human relationship does not totally dis-allows for controversies. The manner of handling these controversies really depends on us. When issues leave the sides of mutual respect to that of pride or judging from passion, then it is not the proper way. Force cannot totally be won with force.

Two months ago, I got into controversy with my housemates (also doubles as my senior colleagues in the office), where a significant happens to still be my line-supervisor in the office. When I returned from my work-leave, they’ve already planned an exit form for me (I paid to one of them because they first secured the house alone from the landlord) only waiting for me to append my signature. When I saw the forms, I smiled and made them to be aware of the reason why I will not sign the paper. They were angered by my courage to even confront them of my decision, most especially because I was the lowliest ranked by official title. My direct supervisor (who was bringing official unfavorable conditions to act in unofficial matters), though under the control of alcohol he has drank before coming and was still drinking, stood up and tore the papers, and started to destroy my already tied mosquito net (the meeting was in my room) with the intention to physically assault me, he was being led away by his co-conspirators. I was only surprised how he could reduce himself to that. When they left my room, I had several thought which includes reporting them to the necessary quarters in the office, but I just changed my mind and resulted into keeping mute. The next day, I related with my direct supervisor as normal, as if nothing happened among us last night. The signs were already clear, I had to look for another house (they verbally gave me one week ultimatum), and I got in 5 days. Few days after, I started my leave, and it was while I was away that I heard he has resigned. He resigned due to the office controversy which he defaulted upon, and my vindication was gotten without application.

iv. A Work for Peace: Demonstration or Vexation

The worker of peace need not be angry as part of the habits in actualizing his work. Reacting to the anti-peaceful adventure will still demand a pure heart. It is of great truth that force will not permanently win force; lie will never win a lie; anger never wins anger. We can show our concern for a peaceful world by demonstrating in many ways, which may include forming a group of advocacy. All of this works, to be tagged successful must not include any inch of anger or vexation. If it be, then the work for peace is nullified. Peace, when demonstrated, does not mean that you will stay idle even when you’re being threatened to be attacked in cases where self-defense is possible, to be peaceful will require a work for a good result without damaging the other party. And in cases when injury or assault is passed to the other party, it must be done not for the reason of damaging the other party, but in correcting the existence of anti-peace.

v. The Pure Political Power

Electors in a particular region are often times banked upon in giving victory to whomever the populace speaks louder for. But sometimes, the victory turns around, so because the talkers are always more than the voters. It is very true that, “it is not the qualified voters, but the qualified voters who choose to vote, that constitute the political power of the state.”

The last gubernatorial election in Lagos was a popular contest between Ambode (of the incumbent’s party aspirant) and Agbaje (of opposition party). In the streets, commercial buses, highways, etc., the voices are always for Agbaje. He was the man of the people (among the two-topmost contender). I would tell my friend that “many of these voices do not even have voter’s card, and some that do have will automatically not be able to vote because they registered in a place now different from their place of residence” (and you could only vote from your place of registration, in addition to the fact that you cannot use vehicles while election is going on). From that, there is automatic ‘disenfranchisement’ of qualified voters. And the result was not surprising to me, since the victory went to Ambode. The incumbent party did maintain a party structure that allowed members to be mobilized well, Agbaje’s party could not get members that will strongly be willing to vote (come what may), he only ridded on the voices of the masses which equals to less votes. In politics, more voices are necessary for democracy to thrive, and more votes are necessary for victory.

vi. Toil and Trust

Those who understand wealth very well are those who have gone through its crucial build up. This is because they have seen the two sides of financial life, and they can best make valid judgment upon the usage of abundant wealth, all other things being equal.

vii. Reliance and Trust

Success stories are built by two factors: reliance upon providence and earnestness upon one’s duty. The former will build our humility—a key factor in purposeful growth, and the later will strengthen our doggedness for a continual good work. In cases where providence is all embraced without earnestness, providence never stays long. And in cases where earnestness is embraced without providence, success never stays long. This twin must be embraced in equal weight. He that loves one without the other loves nothing.

3. How will these ideas or lessons help you in a practical way, both in your daily personal life and in helping you to create a better world? If so, how?

Being conscious of these ideas when working on self and communal growth.

4. Quotes: Are there any statements which the author made that particularly got your attention? If so, please quote them and comment as to why they were important to you.

“No men or people have so many difficulties as those whose firmness is doubted.”

Being firm is synonymous to being honest, and it will create a good opportunity for a comfortable success.

“The people will save their government if the government itself will do its part only indifferently well.”

A government must at all time work to earn the trust of the people.

“And having thus chosen our course without guile and with pure purpose, let us renew our trust in God and go forward without fear and with manly hearts.”

The lover of accomplishment must be lover of bravery. Those afraid to act cannot achieve a great feat.

“At time of public distress, men may find enough to do in the service of God and their country without abandoning themselves to vice and immorality.”

When many say the worst economic condition perhaps permit a chance for dubious deals, then that’s our opportunity to build a good work with decency and modesty.

“Men should utter nothing for which they would not willingly be responsible through time and in eternity.”

Being cautious of our words will still be a cogent way of forging ahead to success stories.

“Necessity knows no law.”

You need not wait to be told to do the right thing, right deed is all written on the wall.

“Serious blame is not necessarily due to any serious disaster.”

When nature decides to work out a challenge, none should get the blame but the way out need only be concentrated upon.

“Truth is generally the best vindication against slander.”

At all times, truth need be told. Orderliness will not disallow mistake or error, acknowledging and correcting it is more important.

“Gold is good in its place, but living brave, patriotic men are better than gold.”

Nothing should be compared to a man who has distinguished himself in good works known for the people he cares about.

“Bad promises are better broken than kept.”

When a promise forfeits the goodness of deeds, then it needs to be overlooked.

5. Is there anything in the book that you do not understand or are unclear, or are there ideas which you disagree with and, if so, why?

All clear.

6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?

No exercises.

7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.

No.

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.

Creativity Workout

Assessment by Ola Makinde (Nigeria)

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?

Creativity guarantees continued relevance.

i. Improvement

This forms the chief idea of randomly selecting a word, and then select another one. The function of the second word is to improve the first. Here, the first word is Staff, the second is Stage. Here is the immediate thought, a staff of an organization should be asked to stage a presentation on his formative idea, be it from a learned platform or anywhere else. This would definitely improve the staff’s presentation/communication skill, and it would give room for others to learn from whatever skills or knowledge they missed. Periodic stage of presentation will encourage staff to seek diverse forms of self and organizational improvement, since it is now part of the work affairs to seek improvement upon knowledge to self or to work.

Two weeks ago, it was a week of capacity building, being coordinated by one of the key person at our training center in Kenya. In what came as a surprise to me, I was notified by my head of department to prepare a presentation on a particular topic, and because I have learnt not to say “no” in such demand, I agreed and started to prepare. A day to my presentation, the training coordinator request for my slides, with the intention to co-present with me. The program schedule had been slated for her to co-present that topic. When she went through the slides, she commented that done well, and that I would need to do it alone, since I have covered areas she would care to talk about. At the end of the session, it went well from the looks and reactions of the attendees. Another expatriate requested for the slides which seemed to amuse him. The stage definitely improved me as a staff, and also influenced others. Another first random word is tower. The second is police. Immediate thought… houses tall like tower tends to collapse than bungalow ones… the duty of a community police is to maintain law and order in the neighborhood, policing can as well be put to check the policies of building a tower, whereby the life span is monitored in order to avoid a collapse that will affect the occupants.

ii. Ideas for Problem-Solving

Under this exercise, the problem must be defined, a random word or two is obtained, and then the word(s) is used to trigger ideas that might solve the problem. Here is the stated problem: Majority of Nigerians are not keen to cleanliness, and hence uses the streets as a store for dirt. The random words are crime and cream. The immediate thought, throwing of dirt on the street should be criminalized and punishable with fines or infringements, while the cream will be a means of rewarding anyone that reports the offenders, either by taking photographs or other means. This should be coupled with CCTV placed on strategic places on the street, with officials to see that the offenders are adequately prosecuted. This will put a stop to abundance of dirt that blocks many of the drainage channels, which also serves as breeding point of outbreak of water-borne diseases that easily catch up with people including the innocent to dirt conveyor. Another stated problem: majority of the gutters constructed by Nigerian government allows for dirt to be thrown in it which later blocks the drainage channel. The random word is cover… gutters constructed should have a cover that can be opened which will not allow dirt to be dropped in it.

iii. Central

The exercise here is to choose five random words. To select a word chosen to be central, and relate the four words to the central one. The random words are tank, perfume, guitar, cook, thunder. The central word is guitar. Immediate thought: organize a guitar evening where every participant wears their favorite perfume, and they are to exchange the perfume during the course of the event… build the tank of a guitar to the shape of the musician… thunder has a unique sound, the introductory sound of a guitarist should be identifiable in all his music: organize a festival of guitarists for streets children where cooked food is freely served.

Choosing another random words, late, snacks, raise, rain, pack. Immediate thoughts for you not to be late for an interview, make sure you pack all the needed items on the table a night before the interview… in order to encourage punctuality, those that are often late to work should not be considered for promotion the C.E.O. should periodically lunch with a punctual staff, asking on the areas they need to develop on the career… when it is raining, you should be conscious that traffic jam may increase, and that should make you prepare to go out earlier than normal schedule, so as not to be late. Further thoughts, a non-scheduled pay raise should be added to the most punctual in a defined duration.

iv. Rescue

This exercise is about a difficult situation that one need to find a way out of. Five random words are obtained. One of the words is used to suggest a problem or crisis, another from the words is used to suggest how the situation can be rescued. Here the five words are theft, success, key, fan, huge. Immediate thought; there is high level of theft among poor people. The key word to be emphasized by the societal institutions, most especially among poor society is that success is mainly derived from what one offers, not what one gets, and the need for the basic social amenities among the poor must be made available by such institutions. Further thought; the kids play a lot with the standing fan… a fan manufactured with key buttons to put it on. Another random five words: space, station, pocket, star, powder. Immediate thought; there is high rate of divorce with music stars… the space of marriage should not be encroached by outside gossips.

Another random five words are: university, pharmacy, neck, kiss, elephant, and theater. Immediate thought; pharmacies in tertiary institutions are short of adequate drugs due to poor funding; university students should be routinely used as staff in the pharmacy where they can get stipends and still learn, instead of employing full-fledged staff that heaps the recurrent expenditure to the detriment of stock-expenses.

v. Poetry

In this exercise, “the random provides fixed points in the poem around which the rest can be written.” The task is to obtain two random words. And thereafter choosing words that rhymes with the random words. Here, the two random words are glamour and braced. Immediate thought:

Brick by brick, a palace is built unto kins’ glamour;

Thread by thread, the queen’s garment is sown unto king’s clamor,

If the poorly tidings of today be stoically braced;

Then the wealthy bid’ings to come shall be paced,

Another definition of life is case-based.

Another random words are Juwon and July. Immediate thought:

A leaf pluck’d in sufficient lief, To leave the lock’d pot In proficient relieve,

‘Of what hour o’ clock? Of blessedness o’ clock, Oh! Tis of Juwon-o’-July!!

When nature crown’st Caesar a Month, None could reword the reward that birth’d July to Julius,

Reasonably to the dictator of springs, Seasonably to the progenator’s offsprings,

Of all, 31st-o’-July weighs weight.With all hearth lit you a glow by,

From all heart leach you a groan bye, And to all earth lead you a grow buy,

All hail Juju’s July!!! Pray thy mission lack no seed, And thy vision pack to speed,

When thy path be learned, May it be a part to build the leaned

That life be your true friend, Hail we Juju-o’-July!

vi. Influence

The exercise is to obtain five random words, and thereby show how each of the words will influence others. The random words are custard, crystal, whistle, nuts, and aspirin. Immediate thought… when headache is noticed, the usage of aspirin can help relieve the pain… it is not proper to use a medicine with an empty stomach, so taking custard can be helpful… many of the whistle used by referees and later passed to other hands are filled with saliva…it is possible to manufacture a crystal whistle that its inside can be viewed if filled with saliva, and there should be a way to open for cleaning.

vii. Keep Going

This exercise bothers on building strong connections. A random word is obtained, and a second random word is obtained, or further random words till there is no strong connection. The task is to show connection between the two words, and if possible, continue the connection. The first word is mother. The second word is water. Here is the connection, they both soothes. Water has many uses which includes to clean and drink. Mothers are generally caring. The third word is bag. A bag is used to contain items so that it will not fall over. Mother can serve as a container of a child, this sense is to nurture a child in the way he should go so as not to fall out of good living the forth word is fan… fan rotates. Fan and bag in rotation does not strongly connect. So, the connection ends.

3. How will these ideas or lessons help you in a practical way, both in your daily personal life and in helping you to create a better world? If so, how?

Living the words in my relationship with people far and near to me.

4. Quotes: Are there any statements which the author made that particularly got your attention? If so, please quote them and comment as to why they were important to you.

“Without creativity, there is only repetition and routine.”

When creativity is added to a work-line, the work becomes more interesting.

“Our culture and habits of thinking insist that we always move towards certainty. We need to pay equal attention to possibility.”

With high hope and strong faith, some work will deliver excellence than rigid accurateness of purpose.

“Without the ability to see values, you would not be able to see the values in any idea you created.”

Value-oriented thinking is essential for all spheres of life, good work is central on improvement on the last output; this is another definition of value.

5. Is there anything in the book that you do not understand or are unclear, or are there ideas which you disagree with and, if so, why?

All was clear.

6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?

The book was mainly exercises. I completed some of it.

7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.

No.

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.

A. How interesting was it to read? 5
B. How helpful were the contents? 5
C. How easy was it to understand? 7
D.Would you recommend it to others? 2
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 5

The Kingdom of God is Within You

Assessment by Ola Makinde (Nigeria)

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?

The practical inhibition of Christ’s teaching and the consciousness that our sole duty is to do the will of God in our individual will (of work).

i. Prevention from Harm, A Work not for the Arm

Persons, from one land to another, believe as part of the importance of bodily arm is to protect (if possible) from the occurrence of harm, generally in defensive mode. And in many cases, defensiveness was totally mistaken for retaliation. Hence, the bred of damaged-defense. Many times when I see people going into physical contact with the aid of their own arms just in defense of their own self, I knew quite well that such behavior could really be forestalled if reason was to take its own place. I still believe that in this 21st century, people should not be fighting each other or one another, (perhaps only to see such scene in movies). So, when I passed across a place where two or more people are involved in a fight, I still thought what on earth can make me a fighter of no screenplay? I have never been bequeathed with a valid answer. Before a physical contact is activated, plenty and abusive words would have been in place, and when the hearer of such words could not find a big heart to contain those words, he flairs up and practically engage in a fight. With the aid of reason, quietness in non-response to aggravating words can be more preventive from harm, because it saves from wasting energy on physical contact and saves the body from upcoming injuries or bruises or lost or damaged clothing during the course of the so-called contact. Some weeks ago, a colleague was not understandably happy with how I calculated his travelling allowance, and he bagged into my work-space with heated emotion and high voices, I knew if I gave it to him the same manner he came, fight will be inevitable. I only kept mute the ranting, and at the end, peace overrules.

ii. Governance and Right

In politics, democracy has a place to thrive. And in democracy, every one (of voting age) have the right to vote and b voted for, absolutely. But when the “voted for” gets into governance, there is no absolute right to govern. Governance is people-oriented, the occupant of the office should not be caught to be polarized in discharging protective and benefiting governance to all, regardless if some part of the populace did not even vote for her during the election. In 1999 general election, the elected president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, got his majority votes from the northern part of the country, while his contender, Chief Olu Falae, got massive votes from the South-Western part (the Yoruba people). Though both candidates are from the Yoruba race. The Yorubas as at then, believed that Obasanjo was an instrument of the northerners, and so should not be sent to Aso Villa (the seat of the presidential government). In the whole of Obasanjo’s 8-year in governance, the south-west were shouting a deep cry of marginalization in social benefits. And at the corridor of governance, the presidency was keen to posit that why should the south-west complain of being marginalized when they did not support or vote for the incumbent in his presidential bid? That can only be the reply of a poor student of governance. Votes may be counted or matched to a particular region or territory, but governance cannot be traced to votes. When the later occurs, the polity will be heated and the politics becomes miserable. This is the preponderant reason why Tolstoi (Tolstoy) asserts that, “No one has the absolute right to govern others. It ought to be done for the benefits of those who are governed”, not for those who only voted the incumbent to power.

iii. Moral Influence

If there is no moral measure, humans will tend to behave as they so choose, crude and crook inclusive. No matter how ignorant we are of the best possible way and manner in good conduct, it will not erase the fact that there remains a good conduct that guarantees more interesting life. Many have thought, and still thinks, that pure sense of being moral will not avail the full enjoyment of life. For instance, a very moral man, in a particular culture, is not expected to have more than one wife. The castigator (especially from a culture where you are seen as a reputable fellow if you marry two or more wives) of absolute morality to that culture will only see punishment with regards to female sexual acquisition, ownership, or life-long relationship, as the case may apply. And on the lower note, majority of the youths generally see it as a punishment when you talk against premarital sex. Though with the popular knowledge of danger in such conduct (of windows to diseases), some of them now seems to approve of this caution. Morality is inclusive of every caution to ‘ungood’ charter and character, in order not to face the unnecessary infliction of regret. More learning from Tolstoi here, “The effect of moral influence on a man is to change his desires and to bend them in the direction of the duty required of him.” Humanity breeds on freedom of thinking and sinking. The adherent of nature’s moral will always think his way through to optimal survival and sustainability and sufficiency, while the one that choose to play against the moral nature of life shall only sink in the course of activating a living. Morality in the French land does not speak Spanish, nor does it speak German in Japan. Every land speak identifiable moral, only the deaf-pretender hides his hear to hug his own misery.

iv. Pre-living?

Some people do believe that the suffering, peril, and every other troubles of humans would have been averted if it is possible that we are able to know what would befalls us in events and occurrences to come. Hence, they claim nature is deceitful. If it were to be possible for such pre-life knowledge of humans, then the word “living” must be replaced by something else, since the momentum of living will not fit. The components of living includes experience and exposure. The former deals with occurred events, while the latter deals with ‘occurring’ and ‘to be occurred’ ones. Today’s exposure will definitely be tomorrow’s experience. If there is pre-living, then exposure will not happen, expiration will then take its place, and because exposure means “it is no longer useful”, since life is already showing what will happen (which many people will even take for what has happened), life in such agenda can be said to be expired, or not useful. Hence, it’s total collapse or demise. Tolstoi’s words, “The conditions of the new order of life cannot be known by us because we have to create them by our own labors,” consolidates my knowledge. With this vintage point, it is now supposedly possible for a man to actually “pre-live.” By this understanding, one has the pure potency to create the order of one’s life if the actor will align with nature. In other words, it is actually possible to pre-live, not in the abstract sense of overtly knowing the absolute events of the next day, but in sure confidence of knowing what one’s life outcome will tends to. What we really care to know ahead can, in all sincerity and modesty, be created. Creation is fascinating than visitation. The owner of a life in anticipation of pre-living without his own influence will only visit such events that follow, while the one who anticipates with his own influence creates his own life.

v. Force and fall

He that loves to succeed well must learn, with all modesty, the notion of ‘not to force the affairs of human’. Force among human relationship is very close to fraud, which in no time will lead to a fall. As it is for individuals, so it is for countries. Many of the environmental troubles besetting people and their communities were majorly as a result of forcing things where they do not belong. Few days ago, I was passing across a certain street and the area was so uninteresting to sight, it was a blatant picture of stagnant water full of dirt. The plenty dirt will not allow the flow of the water. I knew quite well that if people of that community or passers-by had held unto their dirt in order to be disposed in the appropriate dustbin or refuse collection point, it would have been a different interesting story to ear and sight. It is nothing but force for dirt to be dropped on the ground since its primary place is not the ground, even if not useful anymore. It saddens my heart how people just feel comfortable to force a dirt on the street when the doer (schooled or not) may just have finished (or still querying) why the government will not put more effort in giving us a cleaner environment. They have forgotten that their own practice of forcing things where they don’t belong is a key contribution to the fall of the community to huge dirt. Before I could change my thought, a colleague, after finishing the snacks with her, threw the whole of the empty pack to the street, I asked her to go pick it up, which she did. That was her second deed of throwing things off in just short minute’s interval. I then knew why it was so easy for the huge rubbish to heap on the street.

vi. Life for Life?

In the law court, a murder case may not easily be free from being judged to be murdered. Many verdicts may have their points of action but Tolstoi’s thought are not to be waved off. “To destroy another life for the sake of justice is as though a man, to repair the misfortune of losing one arm, should cut off the other arm for the sake of equity.” Reform unto usefulness remains a watchword.

vii. Mirroring the Truth

I have at all time remain a student to truth. I believed it should be said at all time. “Truth not only points out the way along which human life ought to move, but reveals also the only way along which it can move.” The remains the safest way.

3 How will these ideas or lessons help you in a practical way, both in your daily personal life and in helping you to create a better world? If so, how?

Living the words in my relationship with people far and near to me.

4. Quotes: Are there any statements which the author made that particularly got your attention? If so, please quote them and comment as to why they were important to you.

“Even the strongest current of water cannot add a drop to a cup which is already full.”

Rigidity of learning will not bring about new knowledge.

“Blessedness consists in progress toward perfection.”

A work for perfection should be seen in us, in so doing can the world improve.

“Every branch in a tree comes from the root in unbroken connection but the fact that each branch comes from the root does not prove at all that each branch was the only one. Precisely with the church.”

No church should condemn the pattern of another, condemnation is an agenda for the dead church.

“To live in opposition to one’s reason is the most intolerable condition.”

When reason is allowed to be dwindled, fatal miserabableness shall abide.

“Let a man but realize that the aim of his life is the fulfillment of God’s law.”

When the divine law is kept, earthly living becomes interesting.

“If we must be afraid let us be afraid of what is really alarming, and not what we imagine as alarming.”

Many things that people are afraid of never exist. Hence living upon what is not real.

5. Is there anything in the book that you do not understand or are unclear, or are there ideas which you disagree with and, if so, why?

All was clear.

6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?

No exercises.

7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.

No.

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.

A. How interesting was it to read? 10
B. How helpful were the contents? 10
C. How easy was it to understand? 9
D.Would you recommend it to others? 10
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 10

This Child Will Be Great: Autobiography of Ellen Sirleaf Johnson

Assessment by Ola Makinde (Nigeria)

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?

Whenever we are fortunate with a hint to greatness, such must be nurtured with a believing heart while making necessary moves in pure faith and utmost diligence.

i. When my Land Measured to High Quality

Ellen wrote about the need for her to really do something meaningful with her life when the only thing she worth was a full house-wife, while her friends “had gone off to college in Nigeria or London or the US” and were returning now, sophisticated and professional”. That was in the 1960s. The definition of prosperity is advancement inclusive. A fundamental error occurs when a land prospers yesteryears than the years of now. Ellen could not be more correct about equaling the education derived in Nigeria with that of UK. As at then, A Nigerian need no visa to travel to the UK or US, and even the Nigerian Naira was higher than the US dollar, which as at today lowers about 400 Naira to a dollar. Last month, I was conversing with a friend who seemed to not to agree with me about my preferment of fundamental change—of secession of differing nations of the country—in bringing about meaningful development. I asked him to name a notable development strength of the country beginning from 1980 till date. He could not point to any. In the educational sector, the federal universities that was built before 1980 remains the best in the country till date. In 2011, the federal government added six universities, and their structural strength could hardly match the least of the first generation ones. We have long lost the culture of quality to the couture of politicking. When the past of land was rosier than the present, it’s only an insignia that the future can’t be amusing than the present. Yet, the fortune of such land is still sure, if she will only be interested in fundamental correction. My point still stands as, if it has been good before, then it can really be good again. The evil with Nigeria is neither the Boko Haram sect in the North-east nor the Militancy group in the South-south; the evil is simply the Independence that birthed the deformed union.

ii. Double Duty: Of Peoples and Government

A citizen that will not saddle the responsibilities that belong to him but complains that the government is not always sane, and the government that believes only the patriotism of the citizens is required for a strong and wealthy nation, both are qualified to live in exile, or better still, need to be greatly reformed. Lest, they heap up double trouble for the land that host them. Every citizen is “to invest in learning and trying out new crops and techniques and undertaking efforts and investments that would increase production.” Even when education is free or immensely cost-reduced, some students still cannot be focused on their study but will rather love to be gangsters than gang-studying. Some belongs to a particular cult group which makes them a victim of attack from another group, many getting killed from the bullets of angry antagonist group.

At my first year in the university, there was a particular course I knew I might fail if I did not get help from a colleague that understood it well. Yes, I attended the most reduced tuition fee university in the country, which also ranks as the best, but I knew quite well that the government cannot perform a surgery to put the knowledge in my brain. And I would say if a failed a course, then I caused that by myself. I met a friend for joint reading, and I was improved. The first semester results saw 78 people failed the course, I passed! The second semester results saw 87 people failed the course, I passed again! I never failed a course in the university because I knew it was my own duty to get additional knowledge that aid success.

In as much as the citizens have taken firm their own duties, the government cannot be blind “to provide infrastructure, financing investment in agriculture, housing, education and manufacturing.” Always seeking a wonderful life for all citizen is the duty of the government. To shy away from such is to allow poverty and retrogression shine on such land.

iii. Nation and its Nurture

“To understand a nation’s future, one had to first understand its past.” Just like the success stories of an individual can be traceable to his goals. Also, the prosperity of a nation will be tied to the foundations (in aspiration) of early dispensation. The past will showcase the pitfalls that were witnessed, and a wise government will take necessary caution not to wallow in the ditch that her fore-fathers fell into. Definitely, every government will face her own challenges, but the essence of history is not just to form a story about the past, it is a story to be learnt from.

iv. Taking a Great Stand

A conviction to pursue a particular course of life will most importantly make the holder stand alone. At some instances, she may not even have a singular person to subscribe to such belief pattern which may be seen as absurd at the initial stage. When the conviction is purposeful, a forge ahead is most crucial. And in the nearer future, such conviction will find its place. At the inception stage or during the building process, it may seems one is losing ground, though the ground is only getting far to regroup in taking one closer to the result.

I remember when I was actually looking for a publishing firm that will work on the manuscript “A Call for Hero,” I had the premonition to publish the work outside of Nigeria though there was a common tale among first-time writers’ work being rejected by publishing firms. I have read and heard many of such tale. So, I was a little bit apprehensive about the reply to get from the firm I was communicating with since I did not know if the work will be accepted. My first question to the firm was if they do publish for Nigerian writers, they answered to the affirmative. They only asked me to send my manuscript for a review. And while I was waiting for the reply, I contacted another firm in the same country as the first, and I was also asked to send in the manuscript. Both actually offered me a contract of publishing, and I needed to work the one that my funds could allow. It was then I knew the stand to publish the work in such region of the world was a good one even though it was not free of anxiety at the initial stage.

v. To be Hailed or Nailed

The work of a leader is to seek the common good of her members. This will come with some hailing, and when the good seems to be far, the nailing follows suit. A purposeful leader need neither to be moved by both. Being conscious about the hailing in some particular quarter may lead to exclusion of the segment that is not responding as such, and being led by the ostracizing from another quarter may make the leader ignore such place. The land of a leader, no matter what is coming out from there is to be worked upon. To be raised in good words, and to be reprimanded in words are all attributes of the attractions of a leader. So long the good works never stop, the end shall justify all means—of hailing and nailing.

vi. Leadership is Crucial

No doubt, many developed lands and peoples have witnessed challenges that demanded great reaction from her leaders, and they did not cursed but cured such moment. Even their continued wherewithal is not absolutely free from daily loads of challenges to development. The outstanding task of a leader will demand her to understand the root cause of the challenges and put the required possible solution. When a nation cannot boast of lesser complaints than the previous year from her peoples, this should be a critical call of concern to the leader. Some of the wealthy countries were not so in decades past, a spark for greatness was caught at a particular point. The contemporary poor ones can be wealthy if they will throw away pomposity of a sovereign land and learn from the books of those ahead. The necessary tool remains a willing heart that is braced with immense sincerity.

vii. Leadership; Stamina Defined

A dogged heart is necessary for the actualization of a leading role. To lead is not just to take the front part ahead of others, make makes that role a successful one will almost require such person to put greater portion of whatever is needed for the survival and success of the trade involved, in time and other important resources. Indolence is never an attribute of a leader, and this will only repel the heart that cares to lead from doing so. Normalcy will not pave the way to the place of a good leader, more than what normalcy offers will be the starting line of a leader that will not only take the frontal role, but will also take such role in the heart of the members. The strength never to back a huge task; the robustness never to run from responsibilities; the frankness to always stand for the truth, all these will be required in full portion from he that will lead well.

3. How will these ideas or lessons help you in a practical way, both in your daily personal life and in helping you to create a better world? If so, how?

Day by day exhibiting the ideas which fit when dealing with an individual or group.

4. Quotes: Are there any statements which the author made that particularly got your attention? If so, please quote them and comment as to why they were important to you.

“So often, it is the small decisions in life that end up shaping our future the most.”

Success stories are always a build-up of little spark of purposeful consciousness.

“When push comes to shove and at the end of the day, depend on yourself, no one else is guaranteed to be there; no one.”

Dependence on others for what one can really do for himself only showcases the weakness of such person.

“Every country needed some great cause to bind its citizens.”

When there is no great purpose of having a common ground, there can be no assurances of a wonderful land.

Jeane Kirkpatrick: “A government is not legitimate merely because it exists.”

The existence of a government must be to the facilitation of great feats for the peoples of such land.

“The inability to tolerate criticism is a troublesome trait in any human being, but in a leader it is especially so.”

For every event, there is always a two sides to it, which is sometimes not free from criticism. All things have bliss on them—even be it a harsh moment.

“I believe that perhaps the thing that has sustained me during my many close calls is that I have a certain frame of mind that banishes fear.”

We need not falter to fear, what need be done must be done, this is the route to giant success.

“The root cause of conflict is not simply poverty but poverty brought on by exclusion. Exclusion from resources, from power, from education and information, from the opportunity to better one’s life. All of these exclusions contribute to poverty.”

Every government must always work for the inclusion of every citizen to living their lives in full.

“To be a great leader means to get to a place where personal considerations and needs become secondary to the achievement of your goal.”

Influence is the goal of a leader, and this will demand from the bearer moments that the self is ignored for the good of others.

5. Is there anything in the book that you do not understand or are unclear, or are there ideas which you disagree with and, if so, why?

All cleared.

6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?

No exercises.

7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.

No.

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.

Ronald Reagan: The Autobiography An American Life

Assessment by Ola Makinde (Nigeria)

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?

Quest for an influential living must always be part of us, nothing is more supreme than working for the good of all people.

i. People-centric: The Real Job

In all intents and purposes (of the best practice though), people are the most meaningful central of it. Either to serve them or be served by them. All walks of life are to be optimized by people, this is why good works from all walks are greatly preached by those that are really interested in making the world a much more habitable place for all peoples.

When Ronald was asked if he missed Washington (that was when he had left the White House), his reply was “I don’t miss the job, what I do miss is the people joined by the desire to serve their country.” From manufacturing to marketing; from cake-making to gate-keeping; from entertainer to entrepreneur, all of those and many more are to be phased and faced to people. This is not the same as following the bandwagon, but creating a “wagon” that the people can follow. In politicking or pot-making, one thing must still be common, that is, to give the greater good to the end-user. In the former of politics the populace matters. While in the latter of potters’ duty, the customer matters. In as much as we cannot satisfy all peoples together with same dimension of good, yet, we shall not sing that as an anthem. It is expedient of us to do the greatest good we can, a larger percentage of those we come in contact with must be able to certify our deals, the remaining percentage can be left to nature to handle, and she will handle them well.

ii. Dreams are Assets

I was raised from the part of the world where lands, houses and other assets are prime to be inherited from age old parents. And if the original owners be dead, the offspring do meet on how to distribute the properties among themselves. This, many times, is not free from troubles of sharing. When my maternal grandfather passed on, the only house he left (without a testament/will) was opinionated to be sold by my mother’s younger brother, while my mother wanted the house to be kept as a memorial place which can serve as a remembrance of their childhood days and the affiliations they shared with their parents. She suggested the house to be rented out to users. Her suggestion did not get into the good ears of her brother, and she was later advised by third parties to go in-line with her brother, since the brother can later sell the house without her notice, which will then be much of a family fight. She agreed. As at today, my mother used her share to build another house while her brother only lavished his.

In summer of 1932, the things Ronald could boast of were “a college degree and a lot of dreams.” As at now, my Dad left a house where my Mum occupies, and she has additional two houses with two or so landed properties. I really did not envisage sharing those with my siblings (I already made up my mind they can have it all). It has always been part of dream to build a finer one for her to enjoying her old age. Beginning from last April, I started giving her 10,000 NGN monthly to support her cooking needs since Dad is late to do most of that. And this December, I gave her 50,000 NGN. Festivity needs more money. She could not thank me enough. I was only thankful to God that I am getting close to my giving-dream for her. My philosophy of giving is, “So long I have it, then I can give it.”

iii. Overcoming Recession

Q3 and Q4 of 2016 made recession balanced well on Nigeria’s economy. The quick cause was the removal of petroleum subsidy by the federal government which took effect from January 1, 2016. That was later seconded by the drastic drop in the price of crude oil at the international market. The seconded cause of price drop would not have paved the un-golden way to recession if the dominant and almost sole avenue of revenue was not crude oil.

Of course, recession did hit Ronald’s reign, though with the ability to respond by cutting tax rates, reduction of government spending, investment to spur productivity, hard work and discipline (fiscal and monetary), he was able to bring the economy out of recession.

Recession is an insignia that means rest has entered into the place of laziness. Recess may be good for human beings to recoup the lost energy, but it is not good for an economy. I often wonder how majority of the few manufacturing companies in my land do not operate night economy. Production is a phenomenon that feeds on time. If you work for 24 hours, you get the produce of such duration, and if less than such hours, you also get the equivalent of your input. At 9pm, 80% of Nigeria is already shutdown from the day’s business. How do we take care of ourselves with such input of work talk less of exporting our deeds? That was what I fear for a land that cares to be global. Shifting of duty (especially at night time) must be introduced to really cover the demands of hard work. Production listens to time; prosperity listens to production. There is no other way.

iv. Budget Deficits

Some people have argued that deficits are caused when economy operates on little taxes, but the real cause of deficits remains huge spending, especially, on silent recurrent payments (SRP). When capital expenditures falls below SRP, deficits is birthed. It is not de-work to have huge recurrent expenditures, if and only if the capital ones are greater. When recurrent is more than capital, it is a semblance to a man that sleeps more than he works, he cannot be prosperous. When a land makes it a point of duty to minimally produce 60% of her own consumption, she cannot be ranked among the poor ones. Just like a student that scores 60% in all subjects is more than an average one. Although the excellent nations will care to produce 70% of what she consumes. This should be the aspiration of all land, this is the way from deficits to surplus.

v. Pledge to Humanity

The school of politicians is Humanity. In as much as a pledge is rendered to an institution of work or learning, so also should every actor in politics pledge to those that nature has allotted to his/her constituency. This must definitely go beyond the oath taking, as it was long ago said by Aeschylus that the oath does not make us believe the man, but the man makes us believe the oath. When politicians are convinced about their task as a true calling, then this can form their pledge to all: “No matter what your background, no matter how low your station in life, there must be no limit on your ability to reach for the stars, to go as far as your God-given talents will take you. Trust the people; believe every human being is capable of greatness…only when people are giving a personal stake in deciding their destiny and benefiting from their own risks, only then do societies become dynamic, prosperous, progressive and free.” At the inception taking a political office, pledges are carried out with whatsoever signifies the belief of the official, in most cases Bibles or Quran. When oaths are central to the material, its effectiveness is questionable. Yes, we cannot blame such practice, since the mind of man and its level of immunity to corruption cannot be waged instantaneously, the official can only be well judged at the feet of his/her own conscience even in cases that concerns the people but not known to the people.

vi. Negotiating

At the negotiating table, every participants care to show they are not there to waste time. All parties really want to have their way. Assuredly, this brings a lockdown to all ways. Since it is very sure that the term ‘negotiate’ literarily deals with talks, and you cannot talk without communicating; you cannot communicate without listening; and you cannot listen without giving in. Ronald advised that “you’ll probably get more of what you want if you don’t issue ultimatums and leave your adversary room to maneuver; you shouldn’t back your adversary into a corner, embarrass him or humiliate him.”

vii. Mission Accomplished?

The real mission of a man or woman is always embedded in the blood. That is, when the blood is still warm, then the work continues, regardless of great recorded accomplishments. When Ronald was being flew out of White House on the last day of after eight years of presidency, someone said to him, “Mission accomplished Mr. President, mission accomplished.” Ronald said to himself, “Not yet, not yet.” A calling cannot be boxed into an office, the potency knows no structural limitedness. He that stops his societal deeds when he’s out of the office was only there to occupy space. When I was launching the community development service carried out in a public primary school during my national service, the coordinator that honored the event said to that this gestures must not be allowed to stop when I graduated from the service. Truly, it could not stop.

3 How will these ideas or lessons help you in a practical way, both in your daily personal life and in helping you to create a better world? If so, how?

Day by day exhibiting the ideas which fit when dealing with an individual or group.

4: Quotes: Are there any statements which the author made that particularly got your attention? If so, please quote them and comment as to why they were important to you.

“The process called empathy, is not bad training for someone who goes into politics (or any other calling).”

Being concerned about the feelings of others is as well important as to the help we care to render.

Thomas Jefferson: “A wise and frugal government, which shall restrain men from injuring one another, shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned—this is the sum of good government.”

The trade of governance is that of goodness.

“If you can, use an example. An example is better than a sermon.”

Anecdotes are the uttermost point of all notes. When they are missing, the notes are as good as missing.

Harry Truman: “Find me a one-armed economist, because everyone I know always says Well, on the other hand’.”

This is a humor on the non-rigidity to ideas, an issue can be viewed on many sides.

“Sometimes, troubles carry with them the seeds of something better.”

What is sometimes called bad luck is just an introduction to good one.

“If we approach the issue holding to a belief that war is somehow inevitable, then we are doomed to failure.”

We cannot be living our lives on fighting one another. There is more interesting manner, that of peace.

5. Is there anything in the book that you do not understand or are unclear, or are there ideas which you disagree with and, if so, why?

All cleared.

6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?

No exercises.

7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.

No.

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.

War and Peace

Assessment by Ola Makinde (Nigeria)

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?

The warring world can be peaceful if the people so choose. To choose peace is to choose God.

i. Understanding History? Leave People Alone!

When an event is concluded, historians get into action. They feed us with tales of occurrence (s), juxtaposing with seemingly similar ones, trying to establish the cause of such event, and majorly expressing the pattern of events as primarily tied to the actor (or actress) of action. Anywhere there is movement, the mover is not far, and be it a vehicle, remote-controlled television, or a people itself. When kings give orders, the king alone did not birthed such orders; when ministers perform, they were only used (known or unknown to them); when generals lead to war, they do so with “a higher command.” It would be pure semblance to earthly missing wisdom to assert that their trade of relationship is solely bequeathed by their own reasoning alone. Leaving actors and actresses of events alone means neither to sing aloud their praises nor their criticisms. Circumstance is the architect of the role of people, and not the other way round. When we really care to get the best out of circumstance, it is very important to seek the mover of circumstance. The world, no doubt, is a synopsis of stories of men & women. And, when there is a story, there is a story teller. Historians are custodians of notes and quotes of events, even though their instruments lacks the most important dictate of such event—the spirit of action.

ii. Vision Matters

Plenty act tagged “mission” would have been much more meaningful if they were obtained through vision. The immense outstanding life’s trade will be the combination of natural and supernatural phenomena. Mission is natural, vision is supernatural. A nation birthed with vision will make more meaning to her people than the one that solely evolved from tenets, verdicts or verbals of conferences. Mission on its own is not a missed activity if swiftly paved with vision. As it is for an individual, so it is for a nation. Vision makes none a seeker to always fist or feast, but for what fits. If fisting (of defense) fits or feasting fits, vision has already made provision for such. “The end justifies the means” is a clarion supporter of vision enhancing mission. If there is no picture of the future, the means will be drastically miserable; if the biblical Israelites were not led by a vision of the Promised Land, total withering would have caught up with them.

When a nation alter the appearance of her dexterity to pursue peace by faltering in good standing among the comity of nations, that would only give credence that she has abandoned the pursuant of either gaining or keeping her own watch—being on utmost duty of development. And because vision is not derived from nature, such nation needs to seek the true place where it resides.

iii. Peace is beyond People

When a nation conquers another, the victor is said to be the chief over the victim. And perhaps, we say, victory has brought about peace. A calculated work for peace in the affairs of men rests majorly to the side of the conqueror. When Napoleon led the French army to be victorious over Moscow at the battle of Borodino, surely, they overtook Moscow, but peace did not come through their victory. There was a turn to the dictate of constructing peace in human understanding, and the populous French army fled from victory while the small Russian army was later to become the pursuer of the French.

Great skills of war or weaponry of huge sophistication were primed by history to be important factors to bringing about peace, but in cases where small numbers of army gets fortunate to override larger ones, peace is said to be defined newly. The Second World War did not happen in 1939-45, it happened before then; when Winston Churchill, as a young boy, saw in a dream of himself at the helm of a troubled world affairs, and he was bringing about peace.

iv. A Blessed Nation

A nation is termed “blessed,” when in the times of trial seeks Providence’s place rather than the pages of constitution. From my few experience and personal trial, I have learned that every bit of it was a platform to knowing myself. It is a strong opportunity to be very much alive to the inner self in connection with the Mover of the world. The president or prime minister or head of government, no doubt, runs the affairs of that land, and the only expectation is to give it a good running. Absolutely, the running is more than what the head can do alone, for a nuclear family cannot be effectively led to success only by the father (every member has a share of responsibility for their sheer good stories), and this is why closeness to the higher nature is essential. Of truth, a blessed nation is not one that all her people are wealthy, although the lower ones must be seen on the path to being wealthy. Not to be seen on such path is to depart from blessedness. A platform of enlightenment is necessary for blessedness. This is what is demanded of leaders to her people, and this is what is in decline in poor nations.

v. Warfare: Partisan Wins Tactical

Partisanship is not just about the people, it is about their spirit. The tacticians may have the weapons, they could even kill part of the physical bodies of the people, but definitely not their spirits. In all fight for independence that has birthed different countries, the sophistication of the colonizers’ weapons could not put back for long the local agitators. The guerillas in Spain, mountaineers in the Caucasus, mau-mau in Kenya, etc. were all pointers that a disinterest that is sparked by partisanship should not be allowed to go into crude chaos.

Here in Nigeria, the agitations of the Boko Haram sect, no matter from what angle it is viewed, it would not have resulted into the high numbers of deaths and havoc caused if the governments (of immediate past and incumbent) had really searched the heart of the country to know about the fast beats. In as much as personality at helm of affairs is not to be thoroughly criticized, the leaders still has the wherewithal to lay good executions for a system that works. That is why the essential work of a leader is not merely to lead the people but to align with the supernatural on how to lead the people. Supernatural supports the people of all land than the leader, so, for great results of leadership, the leader must be closer to the supreme power than his people. And in such doing, he would be closer to the people.

vi. The Tiring Task of Science

From all understanding of the military fighters, the full force of a battalion is derived by its numbers multiplied by what is literally unknown. The unknown phenomenon can be said to be ascribable to the spirit of such battalion. This is because “Military science, seeing from a countless number of examples in history that the mass of an army does not coincide with its force, that small detachments defeat large ones, vaguely recognizes the existence of this unknown multiplier and tries to find it either in geometric disposition or in the genius of the commander.” Agreeably, the spirit of the battalion is the multiplier of the numbers that brings about the result of the force. “To determine and express the value of that unknown multiplier, the spirit of an army, is the task of science.” Unarguably, spirit belongs to no human, it is of divinity. To look elsewhere is synonymous to looking for a red-hot charcoal in the bank of an ocean, a true tiring task.

vii. Measuring Greatness

None can be said to be great if not said to be good, for goodness begets greatness. In real measure, none can be said to be free from guilt of deed, for a good rendered to one denies another of such. Although if such deed is in good faith, even if unknown to the seemingly deprived, the actor, especially in governance, will still be categorized as good. Also, a denial of good deed done in good faith qualifies for a good one. “The recognition of a greatness not measurable by the measure of good and bad is only a recognition of one’s own insignificance and immeasurable littleness.”

The aim for any worker need not be greatness, for it cannot be attained blatantly. The ladder to such height is of goodness. And the actor cannot even decide for himself because the good deeds were not enjoyed by himself. Great is the continuous of big; that is, having an unending interest in seeing other people getting bigger than the bearer of authority in enlightenment and knowledge and good lifestyle providing enhancement for the growth of all. No one is qualified to be called great when the land and her people he/she leads shrink than he/she met them. If it is not good, it cannot be great. If the people do not grow, the leader cannot be great. When the land flourishes and her people are wealthy or on the verge to being wealthy, the leading architect need not clamor for the honor of greatness, it becomes automatic.

3. How will these ideas or lessons help you in a practical way, both in your daily personal life and in helping you to create a better world? If so, how?

Putting learning into act and deals in resolutions of conflicts when being faced with one.

4. Quotes: Are there any statements which the author made that particularly got your attention? If so, please quote them and comment as to why they were important to you.

“For it is passion that by its flash illuminates an object, intensifying its appearance.”

A passionate person towards a work gets result faster than person of alternate.

“My hero is truth.”

It cannot be too much said of the importance of truth, especially the one said straight from the start.

“Marriages are made in heaven.”

Weddings are made on earth. A help-mate is given by God, to be maintained by a man. When there is divorce, the man has abandoned his duty.

“Help is given only by God.”

Assistance comes through humans.

“I’m happy when I can do good, but to set right an injustice is the greatest happiness.”

We all have the task to speak for the voiceless.

“Wisdom has no need of violence.”

Peace loving is people loving and God loving.

“Don’t think that grief is caused by people, people are his instruments.”

Circumstance uses a man, only the thoughtful man towards peace is being used for a more meaningful life and living.

“Don’t grieve, little friend, you suffer an hour, you live an age!”

We need not pity ourselves for suffering that attacks, bracing with hopeful thoughts and works is essential.

“Fate seeks a head.”

Fortunes and misfortunes are hanging all-round, our concrete understanding of the world gives us either of such titles.

“There is nothing frightening in the world.”

The world is made perfect, our worries are worldly.

“If we allow that human life can be governed by reason, the possibility of life is annihilated.”

There is more to life than the reasoning from the brain.

“When two persons quarrel, both are always guilty.”

When correcting another fellow, or making a case of note, it must be done without malice or animosity.

5. “Is there anything in the book that you do not understand or are unclear, or are there ideas which you disagree with and, if so, why?”

All clear.

6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?

No exercises.

7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.

No.

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.

Diplomacy

Assessment by OlaMakinde (Nigeria)

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?

The serene relationship among nations is essential for their total bliss, with the tacit assurance that to court with one another, it is not necessary to count on the ill-dictates of before-now.

i. Same Notion of Men and Nation

What strengthens or prospers a man has the tendency of doing so for a nation. Gratefulness, faithfulness, openness and generosity, are good ideals being advanced for the uplift of humans. If it can take a man from the ‘dungeon’ to ‘the top of the mountain’, then it sure can as well change the wherewithal of a nation. The similarities of abundance creation enunciated for peoples can as well be sought in a nation since a nation is simply a conglomerate of the individuals. If a giving heart never lacks, then a giving nation shall not lack. When nations give to nations, it is not the case that there is no need to be met in the donor country, it just signifies that the donor country understood that the giving sense they exhibit is what culminates in their wealth. If “givers never lack” is true, then “beggars always beg” cannot be false. Poor nations can learn from this, and can as well tap into this ‘wealth-creating’ platform of giving. Even the lowest ranked country in terms of poverty still has the enablement to be a giver. Say, in trying moments of disaster in another country, she can as well have something to donate. I believe all countries, especially the seemingly poor ones should earmark a percentage of their national income as donations to countries in dire need, even to those richer in normal conditions. I looked around my homeland and see that the so called wealthy countries are still the donors funding projects here and there. They do not give because they are wealthy; they are wealthy countries because they give. And this is what the poor countries should learn.

ii. “Peace without Victory”

A work for peace does not exist for victory, because when it seems it is worn, then it is really worn. Peace cannot be fought for, it can only be worked for. This does not mean confrontation will be missing, for you cannot truly approach peace without confronting the other party (ies). And when resole is arrived at, none should claim victory over another. Peace building is not a context of contest but that of content acknowledgement and understanding. Peace in the affairs of men or nations will not be realized when ‘running from facing the issues’ is the order of operation. When a work for peace is taking for a war, then fisting shall be hard to cease. Peace building does not allow for enemy christening. I remember the qualms that happened between me and my former supervisor at workplace. I once had sometimes ago in a dream when he was begging me to forgive him. At my waking, the understanding was that it is left for me to deal with him, that is, anything I say to him will happen. I had previously had a dream about the office burning and he was being burnt (that was after I reported the case to God in prayers). It was then that I became solemn and asked God that he should not be sacked but he should get another job, since the trust of working together has been damaged. He got another job (which led to his resignation). Just yesterday (to writing this), I received a call from him to reach out to me, and even complain that I have not been calling him. We chatted well into cordiality as if we never had a grudge indeed, the peace had long been restored without me claiming a victory over him.

iii. Leaders and Publics

In as much as the task of a leader is to work for the greater good of the people, he still cannot afford to be a follower of the followers. Nature and necessity has placed upon the leader an honest task to take the people to a more improved place. A leader is to be ahead, coupled with the fact that he is still the head of the country, and he must necessarily be on top of affairs, even if it be the strangest of all affairs. His tools include inner intuition and adequate meditation one can only lead more than one person if he seeks the understanding beyond the experience of the led. “A leader who confines himself to the experience of his people in a period of upheaval purchases temporary popularity at the price of condemnation by posterity, whose claims he is neglecting.” A good work must be sustainable beyond the era of the incumbent practitioners. Building upon the laid foundation that guarantees goodwill and laying the foundation for further building of good works are the duties of a leader. “A leader who gets far ahead of his society will become irrelevant.” Balance must be sought, and this is different from being in the middle.

iv. The Test of a Society

Societies from time immemorial have not been free of either home-made or external conflicts. And those that have strongly survived till date considered reconciliations rather than continual of conflict. Germany was popularly held to be the chief cause of the 2nd world war, but at the end of it, Germans were not extricated from planet earth. Continuous aggressive confrontation rather than that of reconciliatory will only postpone the multi-enacted troubles. It assuredly remains that “the test of a society is whether it can submerge its difference and whether it can keep in mind that societies thrive on their reconciliation, not on their conflicts.” He that chooses to reconcile cannot at the same time choose to condemn, and the former is far more interesting. In all pursuit, force will remain false.

v. Strength vs. Energy

Every leader must not only have energy for a task, it is much more important to have strength. You can start a work with energy, but you can only achieve accomplishment with strength. I looked into my IIGL journey, and I realized vividly that if energy of writing and reading was relied upon, Level Three would have been my stoppage. When I moved into Level Four, that was when my location changed upon double duty. Nothing but strength has been used since then. I would get to a point and say “Oh, IIGL drills!” it really drills energy out of me. I only told myself that “you signed up for it,” with the inner conviction that it’s all an interesting drill. I used to think writing cannot be fiery to me, but when I recently finished reading this book (in assessment), then I knew otherwise. I even started reading the 4th book the night I finished the 3rd, energy was really lost to make an assessment, but not the strength. I have for long purposed in my heart that I will never make an assessment just because I already have seven ideas derived from the book (a possible alternative to making assessment) without finishing the book, instead of reading till the last page. No matter how big the book is (all Level Six’s are really long books anyway), I must finish reading before I make an assessment.

vi. The Story of History

History should be looked into to get the knowledge of what has happened and how it really affects our present standing. Albeit, our success stories shall be ascribable to that of faith—believing that the outcome of our engagements shall be more meaningful. Contemporary life demands novelty to whatever has happened in the past. Every individual or nation must follow his or her own distinct path to greatness, no matter how much history she seems to know. The biblical lives which seems to be the commonest compilation of events and living poses how some optimized faith into walking out of temptation how some fell into it. We read and are amazed but forgetting that our story is being told already, with the temptation we overcome or overcomes us. If the past lives qualifies for a story today, then the lives (ours) of today is a story tomorrow, may ours truly be a good one. Autobiographies and biographies still serve as the pointer to lives whose stories can be learned from. Virtues that really nurtures are embedded in their lines, application is what may differ, but the real point cannot be denied. All virtues enunciated by a subscriber can generate into more profits in the lives of new subscribers, it’s a link that is not susceptible to breakage.

vii. Diplomacy is Deeper

Diplomacy is more than signing a treaty or giving a nod to the concerns of the other party. The interplay of agreement is not really decided upon the papers. It follows more from immense persuasion and conviction beyond the study of the other party. The sense to engage in a successful diplomacy is not derived on its face value of the offerings of the negotiating party. “No experienced statesman settles just because his interlocutor feels a sense of urgency.” Pure decisions of diplomacy will not only be derived from the table of discussion or conversation, the effective diplomacy will be that which is carried out in trust rather than what the thrust of faces offers. You may look into all notes and study former relationship patterns between the other party and yet not see the essence of having a diplomatic ties, but that does not mean there cannot be one. Sometimes, fresh wound requires fresh medicine, and this is the core of diplomacy deeper than the depth in sight.

3. How will these ideas or lessons help you in a practical way, both in your daily personal life and in helping you to create a better world? If so, how?

Ideas shall be applied when posited to doing so as I relate with the world.

4. Quotes: Are there any statements which the author made that particularly got your attention? If so, please quote them and comment as to why they were important to you.

“Intellectuals analyze the operations of international systems; statesmen build them.”

To build is an essential duty of a president, he is first a laborer seconded by authority.

“A great president must be an educator, bridging the gap between his people’s future and its experience.”

Enlightenment is the grand task of a president, when the people can ‘see’, their trouble knows no significance.

“Power without legitimacy tempts test of strength; legitimacy without power tempts empty posturing.”

Power and legitimacy must not be seen to be in disarray, a balance is needful.

“It would be a great folly for me to try to strengthen a kingdom, which God has granted, with means that God hates.”

Right done in a wrong way is still wrong; you cannot be good by being bad; stealing to feed the hungry is not acceptable.

“A country that seeks great changes and lacks the willingness to run great risks dooms itself to futility.”

Immense success is not devoid of risks, and it must be taken unequivocally.

“A statesman test is whether he can discern from the swirl of tactical decisions the true long-term interests of his country and device an appropriate strategy for achieving them.”

Adequate continuum of prosperity for the land must be seen in the works of a president.

“Frivolity is a costly indulgence for a statesman and its price must eventually be paid.”

Proper deeds and words must be an attribute of a president, for he/she is looked upon as the country-personified.

“For in the end it is reality, not publicity, that determines whether a leader has made a difference.”

Campaign is fitting before the election, it is foolery to engage in such after victory because what has been rendered has an inherent publicity; if it cannot be seen, then it was not to be seen (it was never there).

“Structure, not motive, determined stability.”

We cannot build by only wishing it, we must really build.

“It is in the nature of prophets to redouble their efforts not to abandon them in the face of a recalcitrant reality.”

Prophecy comes when all present appearances are almost opposite what is to come, staying put is a necessary factor in realizing what was to come.

5. Is there anything in the book that you do not understand or are unclear, or are there ideas which you disagree with and, if so, why?

All clear.

6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?

No exercises.

7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.

No.

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.

The Generalissimo and the Struggle for Modern China

Assessment by OlaMakinde (Nigeria)

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?

“Profound change first of all depends on one or two persons who manage deeply, delicately and silently, then their successors join in and God responds to their call.”

i. Redemption needs Identity

Redemption, following from being redeem, as purposefully used in the religious circa, cannot be far from the political on what it sure entails. Religiously, it is to save a person from his or her sinful or evil deeds, while the general meaning is to “make up for the faults or bad aspects of someone.” What is to be redeemed must first exist in spirit and physical for this is the predominant requirement that disallow preponderant predicament. China’s Chiang (Generalissimo) believed so strongly that “patriotism and national spirit most especially identity with the mother country above family, possession and one’s life were the keys to restoring China’s dignity and its place in the world.” Redemption tends to make a particular identity return to its original dignity; that is, an existing renewal before the advent of the exhibiting troubles. Frankly, China had historical sense of dutifulness and economic wherewithal which was lost in the 20th century but cannot be denied in this contemporary century.

Coming back home to my land, of course Nigeria, in some quarters, there is a position that we need to redeem the country before it struck the eternal damage. But they forgot that redemption does not work on ghost (what is practically not seen). Redemption works where there is an affirmation on basic foundational principles. In the case of Nigeria, redemption will only thrive on the existing foundations that was in place before the amalgamation of the northern and southern regions. Some of also argued that we don’t need to break-up to make-up, and that we can still build-up on whatever strands we have. But edifices does not stay on the air. All is air without identity. Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the first Premier of Western Region, and a contributive architect to the victory achieved by the federal government during the civil war, wrote in one of his early books that, “there are no Nigerians anywhere” since Nigeria itself is “a mere geographical expression,” although I need not read it to know it. No identity; no redemption, and when there is no redemption, there cannot be a good life close to miserable ones are allowed. May God save my land from misery.

ii. Talk No-ill of Leaders

Criticism, as pointed to leaders, should be differentiated from crisis-driven talks. For a follower or subordinates, you are only permitted to criticize the leader if done to his or her awareness, or an avenue where the leader can still have access to the opinion. Primarily, it need not be done purposefully behind the leader, where the follower is really hiding the words. Most of the ill-talks that goes around the circles of the subordinates will not be said when the leaders are around and this is a pure hypocrisy which paves way for crisis to the follower.

There is no point talking about a leader to fellow subordinate in ill-mannered without the leader being aware. This will only breed room for gossips and backbiting.

I remember some months ago, there were talks going around staffs against the management that bothers on annual leaves and the usage of official air transport. According to an aggrieved staff, he missed his flight and he was told that the day he missed will be deducted from his remaining days of leave. He was of the opinion that it should not be so. There was an arranged meeting that was to hear the seemingly quarries from staffs, prior to the day of the meeting, he was even telling me that he would raise the matter. When there was opportunity for him to raise the matter, he kept mute. I did raise the concern of staff that that once said it to my hearing, since he seems not to be interested in raising such matter anymore.

A week ago, a senior colleague was telling me about the mild controversy that was going on between a more senior colleague and another member of staff. Few minutes into his talks, the more senior colleague walked into our presence, I could see jittery in his eyes, and he stylishly stopped talking. When the more senior one left us, he started to ask me of my input on what was discussed. I replied him that he already had whatever he had, that is, he can decide for himself. If I care to say anything, then she should be there to hear herself. Criticism, as of open confrontation corrects the misdeeds, but as of covert utterances (gossips and its similarities) build crisis more to the subscribers.

iii. The Benefit of Bereft

When work is done well and it still seems to be that molestation will not disappear, then it must definitely be a pointer to something good. All things are good on their own, even if it be a slander. When a heart is in tune with orderliness unto good works, he will be attractive to both good works and bad ones. The bad ones, yet, are not bad in all means, the intrinsic value they have is for good only the silent heart can benefit of such manner and offerings. In 2013, while in Katsina State, during the graduation service of a biblical course I enrolled for, the invited guest was the resident pastor of Kano State headquarter church, which was a mother church to ours. When the guest minister was preaching, he would often go to our resident pastor and hit him on the shoulder to pass the seriousness in his message to the listeners. Where I was seated, I was saying to myself that these acts is not necessary, it was a pure heart of humiliation, since we already know that the guest is reasonably senior to our pastor. He continued by saying that our pastor should organize another session sometimes later for him to show us the real stuffs in what he was trying to tell us, that the platform of now is not sufficient for that. I could only see an advertorial of himself. Our pastor was only nodding to every shoulder tap he received. He was floored by such act since it came from a seemingly senior pastor, although they are both of the same title resident pastors. Another thought then came to my mind that this kind of humiliation is a pointer for something good. And I said to myself, don’t worry pastor, something good is coming. Some weeks after our graduation. It was announced that our pastor has been posted to Kaduna State headquarter church as the resident pastor. Kaduna was the mother church to Kano State headquarter church. All fights are to be fought except for self. If it is for self, it is to be ignored, for gold is inherent, and such bereft will be of immense benefit.

iv. Losing is a Lesson

The game of life does not allow a player to have total victory. To be dexterous, losing is somewhat of an ingredient. “Losing can teach us lessons and made us strong… It is not a personal shame.” Shame never comes from what is done to us, it only comes from what we do ourselves derivable from embarrassment of what is done wrongly or foolishly. Contesting for an election with absolute conviction to doing so, and resulting into a loss is not equal to a shameful act. It will only bring about an area of focus that need to be improved upon. Losing in a particular area will equip the victim for a better performance or open her up to a more adequate calling.

v. Seek the Success of Successor

Good works, like good words, cannot be exclusive to a singular leader. That is why it is essential to have an eye for the good life of one’s successor. Chiang’s dream for China was for her to be orderly and prosperous. The present economic prosperity of China (in terms of GDP) can be said to be a dream come true for Chiang. This was the same country whose inflation will be a ‘grand-father’ to that of present-day Zimbabwe. In June 1948, “A standard sack of rice sold for 6.7 million yuan and sold for 63 million yuan in August.” Misery was indeed melted when China’s life of now is weighed with that of late 1940s.

vi. Disagreement need not be in Disarray

Confrontation is not a crime. In fact, it can be seen as the cream that brings about a fine outcome of conversation, although it must be without confusion. When disagreeing, you don’t see the people, you only deal with the policies; you don’t attack the faces, you only address the phases, without malice to none. Set the record straight, calmness is possible in disagreement; this is a high order of operations.

vii. Education Surpasses Schooling

“Despite Chiang’s limited schooling, he was a thinker who kept abreast of world affairs, talking knowingly about the new society in Russia.” While school provides a class, education provides a life. My long walk with IIGL has taking me to different countries without leaving the walls of my study room. The exactitude caught from each of the books cannot be seen in the curriculum of any university. Each moment I have the privilege to give a talk, and I shared an idea from books I once read, I could see aroused elevation from the audience. If my university knowledge was the stoppage point of acquisition, I know the talks cannot be more fascinating. Upon graduation from schools, education must never end.

3. How will these ideas or lessons help you in a practical way, both in your daily personal life and in helping you to create a better world? If so, how?

All of these learnings will be put to use when opportunities offers, as I relate to my environment.

4. Quotes: Are there any statements which the author made that particularly got your attention? If so, please quote them and comment as to why they were important to you.

“Every duty is a charge, but the charge of oneself is the root of all others.”

Self does propitiates the discharge of all duties.

“But a man with a bad temper is better than a man without a temper.”

Firmness and stubbornness may not be rid-off a life, although it must work for mildness.

“It takes a true crisis to produce good thinking and action; sometimes, in life, trouble is an excellent tonic.”

Troubles and problems are part of the process of life, our tasks is to solve them.

“The essence of life is the performance of benevolence.”

A full life is the aggregation of the kindness of many, and this is a gift that must still be passed to others from such life.

“In this world, all the difficulties and humiliations are brought on by oneself, not others.”

Liberation is possible only for the ready mind, all the rest is to seek for it.

“A true man should be able to bend and stretch (whatever the misfortune).”

All forms of life must be faced with the belief that it’s leading to wellness. Dances are possible even in the dungeon.

“The mills of fate grind exceedingly slow but exceedingly fine.”

When our role in this world is known, hastiness to accomplishment must be avoided.

5. Is there anything in the book that you do not understand or are unclear, or are there ideas which you disagree with and, if so, why?

All clear.

6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?

No exercises.

7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.

No.

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.

Hirohito & the Making of Modern Japan

Assessment by OlaMakinde (Nigeria)

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?

The love of one’s land for buoyant prosperity will attract and provide same, in such endeavors, benevolence remains important.

i. Habit for Future Sovereign – Stock of Stoicism

It was literally spelt as “Ability to exercise strong self-control under difficult conditions.” A genuine lifetime cannot be devoid of hard times. When such moments knock, the victim must cultivate the fortitude to withstand. Misfortune is not a missed fortune, it has more to teach than mere depriving someone of significant substance. Some accomplishment will only happen when sobriety is utmost. If self-control will not aid a good life, then strong self-control will.

Three days ago to writing this, my friend working on her final year project in the university was lamenting to me about how her supervisor has been so unconcerned about her advancement on the project. She complained about how the supervisor can delay her for hours without attending to her work, and sometimes the only thing he says to her on some days is just to send her on errands without even checking her work. She was tired to the point of calling her supervisor “the nonsense man”. Immediately I hear her unsound qualification of her supervisor, I asked her to stop referring to her supervisor in that manner. I reminded her of a Yoruba saying, “Ogiri leti,” thus translated into English as, “The walls have ears,” and perhaps the supervisor can be hearing of the unsound words. I told her to change her countenance about her supervisor by saying good things about him, and very soon, he will begin to attend to her very well. She immediately heeded my words and started saying that he’s a nice man, and many other good words. Just yesterday to writing this, she informed me that the supervisor has actually approved her project to the next stage of binding—which is definitely the last part. A crude mannerism from others need not be exchanged by our rude manners. To exhibit self-control under an enjoyable condition is easy to come-by, and exhibiting such under a difficult condition is noble it forms an architect of a fine edifice of life and living.

ii. People are Study-Subjects

On the road to accomplishment, learning cannot be ruled-out. I was astonished about the forms of study granted to Hirohito in grooming him for the leadership position in Japan. In the year three of his study, he was majorly “lectured on George Washington, Colombus, Malthus theory of population, Peter the Great, and Rousseau”. In all fields of people, it can be said that someone has set a great or noticeable mark that can serve as a catalyst to do more great or notable things. Even if one is inventing a new stuff, to learn about how other great inventors kept to the task of invention would still be a fascinating idea to embrace. The popular saying, “Show me your friends, and I will know the kind of person you are”, may not be far from the truth, but show me your books, and I will know who you will become, remains an infallible truth. Who we shall become is much more worthwhile than who we are, since a life cannot remain redundant, it is either progressing or regressing. It remains an important thing to know that a life can be caught by their words. Before the advent of prints or before writing became popular, blessings are transferred on beneficiaries orally, and this is still in large practice even in world of now. When people, especially notable leaders started to put their life in prints for others to study (in form of autobiographies), this forms another means of being imparted with the spirit of the writer. The founding Bishop of my church, Dr. Bishop David Oyedepo would say many times how he read all books written by Dr. Kenneth E. Hagin (of blessed memory) and Dr. Kenneth Copeland, this is why he cannot be doubted to be a continuing person-phenomenon of his own mentors and role models.

I remember my secondary school years, how I was lost in the crowd. When my colleagues were talking about a particular subject, I could not contribute because I really did not know about the discourse of discussion. I can categorically say I was among the low-rated students. I became a changed person when I started to read books about people majorly autobiographies. In my own measure, these books are worthwhile because they are like practical to the theoretical class topical-issues I have come across in my political and economic learnings.

iii. Supremacy of Governance of Benevolence and Justice

Nothing surpasses the kindly and charitable spirit of a government to her peoples, highly done in absolute fairness. In all deals, making good things happen is the hallmark of a veritable government. Sovereignty is not an excuse for perpetual averageness. A leap towards excelling is important. If benevolence and justice be the watchword of a government that is totally concerned about the good life of her peoples, a thin line will exist between the super-rich and the poor. To be kingly is to be kindly, the chief executive of any land that operates less has forgotten his first errand towards governance. When tattered-ness on the streets are hugely differentiated from the exorbitant style of government officials in a land, then something is wrong; when illiteracy is clearly identified in large portion as against the literate folks, then something is awkward; when a beggarly lifestyles almost surpasses that of the seemingly well-to-dos, then a classical societal breakdown is in up-scale. The kindness of governance must be seen, smelt and felt in all aspects of a land, for areas not seen as high-handed, a work towards high-handedness must be seen. Working for the good of all remains possible for the government that cares to. If the land of the government seems too big to be handled, it is better to segment such land for effective management. To bite what the mouth can chew is more sensible. In governance, a work for excellence is important than a work for working-sake. Governance is more than controlling the affairs of a state, it’s about facilitating a blossoming land and her peoples—this will be achieved by a pure attitude of benevolence and fairness.

iv. Shortcoming of Character: Insufficient Calmness

Calmness, especially in self-portrait endeavors is not a weakness. In my quest for orderliness, I used to be very strict to making them happen. Few weeks ago, about six names was pasted on the notice board in the office, it was about some missing documents in the files of the staffs. My name was on the list, and all the documents happened to be missing in my file as shown on the notice. I really wondered how they would get the form in the office when I was actually recruited in the Abuja office, which definitely has all my documents. My rigid decision was that I would not submit any document, since the HR can ask for the documents to be sent to them from the Abuja office if they care to have a file for me also in Maiduguri office (my current station). After few days, I changed my mind having allowed calmness to reign over me. Some confrontation really need not be made, especially when it is for self.

v. Solving Societal Defects

Defects are the effect of misplaced priorities or wrong choices. That they have happened does not mean they cannot be hampered, ills can be healed; a dirty place can be neat; an illiterate can be literate; a poor economy can be wealthy; an indolent masses can be industrious; good life remains always possible. Nothing qualifies for a defect if it cannot be renewed. “Renovation of unjust institutions” is paramount in birthing a renewed atmosphere where societal bliss is guaranteed for all. I looked at the immense dirt on public roads and really wonder if the state governor is on sabbatical. If cleanliness is really next to godliness, then all around me certifies the notion that we have been very far from the seemingly professed God.

I say to the political leaders of my land, if we are really poor, then let’s show it with the whole of our lives. When many of our leaders are meeting with their counterparts from the western world, they admit that Africans are poor. But when the leaders are sick, they rush to the western hospitals for proper health resurge. While the common man gets sick back in the land and died at home or even in the hospitals due to lack of adequate treatment that ordinarily could have saved his life on simple terms. I only see this as cheating on the people if leaders can use tax-payers money (accumulated from salary or allowances) to travel abroad. If we can’t fix the hospitals to work well in saving lives on simple health challenges claiming the lives of many, then let all of us bear the result together.

vi. Remaking any land: Knowledge Seeking

As for Hirohito in remaking Japan, “we shall seek knowledge throughout the world and thus invigorate the foundations of this imperial nation.” The popular saying, “Knowledge is power” cannot be overemphasized. Knowledge traverses in all peoples and every land. This is why a leader of people must also be a seeker of what makes other lands and peoples more successful. An open land cultivates pleasant things, also does an open mind—inclusive of the mind of a nation. That Japan blossoms now than pre-World War II era is a clear term of a re-bounce after suffering immense defeat and monumental devastation during World War II.

vii. Preaching need be practiced

The preacher is not to be freed from practicing whatever correction was uttered to the hearers. I know many of my colleagues that complain about dirt all around on the streets, but before you know it, they already throw one on the ground. I sometimes ignore them for I cannot count the numbers of time in correcting them. With their dirty habits all around me, I never allow myself fall into such deeds. Even when public disposable bins are missing, my bags or pockets make up till I get to a proper place to dispose them. If I cannot practice what I preach, then such is a deceitful preaching.

3. How will these ideas or lessons help you in a practical way, both in your daily personal life and in helping you to create a better world? If so, how?

In my relationship with the world all around me, putting to use the learning is prime.

4. Quotes: Are there any statements which the author made that particularly got your attention? If so, please quote them and comment as to why they were important to you.

“With the right education, one could overcome all shortcomings.”

Education remains a light for the darkness that ignorance entails.

Hirohito: “We cannot become a rich country unless we make industry and transportation flourish and increase the efficiency of workers.”

Wealth creation is more of practical than rhetorical.

“Prudence and meditation enhances virtue.”

Virtue not nurtured or enhanced is already on its way to derision.

“Nothing great is ever accomplished without tremendous exertion and sacrifice.”

There are options to our daily schedules, and high priority must be set in achieving our goals. We must sacrifice other things for the things that really matters to us.

“Those who fear shame are strong… die so as not to leave behind a soiled name.”

To engage in things that are shame-oriented need not occupy our time, stealing is shame-plated, so also is similar act.

“Don’t rest on small achievements.”

We must at all times be forward oriented, we can do more if we aim more.

“Waiting needs patience and foresight.”

Waiting is not synonymous to wasting, the tact of doing must be with us even as we wait on the next move.

“Labor to climb out of this pit of darkness.”

Enlightenment needs to be worked upon, and a work demands energy.

“A sound idea cannot be stopped.”

Good ideas, like a moving water, always have a way to pass through.

5. Is there anything in the book that you do not understand or are unclear, or are there ideas which you disagree with and, if so, why?

All clear.

6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?

No exercises.

7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.

No.

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.

A Journey: My Political Life

Assessment by Ola Makinde (Nigeria)

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?

“Some may belittle politics, but we who are engaged in it know that it is where people stand tall… it is more often the place for the pursuit of noble causes.”

i. Sound Education for Sound Economy

Schooling, no doubt, is miles apart from education, and also important to note is that education is in a different level from sound education. The economy of a country shows the capacity and capability of her peoples, and the level of their education determines such show. Development rather than growth that some economies celebrate of a country is most definitely tied to the level of education that is obtainable in such land.

Sound education is supreme, it preaches good health practices, brings innovation to duty-discharges, and many other notions that aid the sporadic improvement of a nation and the affairs of human. Sound education helps facilitate the nurture of life and living. In as much as the concept of welfare cannot be abandoned, it must take as priority the advocacy of sound education as the top-most of its agenda, since “any welfare system that encourages people to be welfare recipients is constructed contrary to purpose. It is better to spend money in equipping people to retain and find work than on benefit.” Our concern as providers of sustainable environment for the advancement of peoples and the society is to be centered on people about how we can have more providers among the people. Sound education need not be restricted to formal learning platform, but should encompass all levels where learning can take place before school and also that of adulthood. When education is sound, it will reflect in the various segments that make up the economy.

ii. Of Economics: Micro aid Macro

“The decisions that will contribute hugely to the success of the macro strategy however, will be on the micro side, i.e. on Tax, spending, regulation, the general business environment, and above all, jobs.” As big as any country is, what really matters is how the peoples of such land are really faring in their day-to-day activities. If each day has immense possibility of being better than the last, with prospects from public policy and its policing, then we can conclude that, it is well with the larger affairs of the country. It takes a belief of a strong one to operationalize the advancement of any country. The belief will not just be present in the corridor of power, i.e., in the ranks of those in public governance, but must be in the domain of the populace. This is the best place for a believe system to materialize into a working system. It is then the task of those in power to cultivate such in the minds of the populace. This is very essential because when the populace loose interest in believing, nothing else can be true; the greatest effort to bring goodness by those at the helms of affairs will amount to nothingness. My idea on education cum job (which evolve from an economic article I once read) is that every school (from high or secondary) built by government should have an industry attached to it, where the students will be part of the employed staff, working on shift-based hours in order to have work-place experience and also earn to pay their own tuition. Upon their graduation from the university, they would have acquired wealth of work-place experience without troubling their parents for tuition fees, and above all, the nation is strong in production of goods that yields both personal income and national income.

iii. Induce Industry

Production of one’s (as a country) consumption which is really economically possible and viable is forever a profound engagement. With the larger output of electrical cars at the global stage not far from us, I recently shared a news on Facebook about the UK’s ban of cars using fuel by the year 2040 so as to have all cars to be either solar or electric, all in quest to have a safer and cleaner environment free from poisonous flames produced by fuel-oriented cars. The title I added was, “Waving a bye to Oil Politics”, and a friend commented that 2040 is still far and we can still make money from our oil. The same news had it that India has already put a ban by 2030. And a recent comment by a renowned Nigerian Economist put the total decline of demand for Nigeria’s oil at the international market to be in the next 12 years. Industry-wise, Nigeria cannot cater for 20% of her population, by food and clothing (all other are from export). A government full of great projections for development whose economy depends on the sale of crude oil will know that a ban on automobiles with fuel consumption even in 2080 is a sign to hugely diversify her economy into industry-based one, where she can be a producer of things that amounts to immense sustainability of such economy.

iv. History Matters

Most definitely, history is not to be lived in, but most importantly to be learned from. “It is hard to know how we best navigate where we must go without knowing where we have been and how we got to our present position.” Backward may be the opposite of forward, but it is never its enemy. Events in history are like foundation for building an edifice.

Today, as of writing this piece, there is an on-going rumor that the leader of the Boko-haram sect, Shekau, has been captured in area not far from our office. I was telling my colleague that the solution to the crisis caused by Boko-haram is not about capturing or killing Shekau, because he already said that even if the military ever succeed in killing him, the next person that will take over from him is more brutish than himself. Just like the killing of Osama bin Ladin never put an end to the destructive work of Al-Qaeda group. If the world (now the United Nations) is open to the blessings of history, then Palestine would be allowed to be an independent nation away from Israel; and if Nigeria (now the federal government) is open to the blessings of history, then the northern part of the country would be allowed to stand as an independent nation. In as much as I’m very futuristic, some things will not be of profit ‘tomorrow’ if “yesterday’s” offerings are thrown into the “dustbin.” Today remains the aftermath of yesterday; and tomorrow shall be the aftermath of today.

v. Accurate Debate

Adherence to political ideology hardly delivers. Societies are built to change, static principles cannot have effect in such world. “Think about the world that was not debating capitalism versus socialism, but life, hope and health versus death due to the ravages of poverty, conflict and disease.” With the fact that eloquence adds flavor to conversational communication, but if that is all a proponent or advocate of an ideology has to offer, then it is better such idea remains non-proposed. We must at all time be caught in moments that contributes to the well-being of all, be it in our leisure, pleasure, or in tough task. The global environment seems to preach democracy well, and stopping at the evolvement of such political ideology alone has denied the peoples of many adherents’ nations of the accompanying benefits of being human. Having a peaceful or free and fair election is not the all-and-all of governance. The advancement of the mind (sound education), body (strong health), and the environment (serene social infrastructure) of the peoples are supreme.

vi. Central Principles of Resolution

Resolution remains the art of proffering solution to a known conflict. “At the heart of any conflict resolution must be a framework based on agreed principles; “principle of consent.” A solution not agreed upon by conflicting parties remains a mirage. If a conflicting party is trying to be the lord of the process, then the loss of the proper solution is imminent. “Subscribing to peace deal by 90% might as well mean 0%. It must be 100%”. Peace becomes fleece if taken as a piece of association rather than a quintessential facet of human relationship. If a conflicting party’s opinion is not respected because it is regarded as a minority, the problem, dispute or conflict will only be passed to coming generation. During the agitation of restructuring before the 2015 general election, paraphrasing a Senator’s remark that, “If the call for restructuring is not answered to, then our children will still continue to ask for it.” Discussion and concession remains a tool for outright resolution.

vii. Doing the Task; Why Me?

Tasks, especially without financial gain or any other visible one, is popularly left undone. We tend to build plausibility for its impossibility, with the pure notion that there is already more to be done by our normal line of duty. We rather see such task as the duty of another person obviously a non-existing phenomenon. I remembered when I was awaiting National Service and was volunteering with a local church at her secretariat, whose pastor was also a professor of medicine. There was a time when a need arose for someone to stay at the entrance gate due to the information passed to all religious organizations by the Police force on the importance of having a secured place of worship, as a result of seeming threats from suicide bombers attacking churches and even mosques. The pastor called all staffs to a meeting upon such development, and most importantly because he does not want an outsider to be employed as the security at that initial point when getting someone is very urgent, since anyone could disguise to be an applicant, including planners of attacks. So, he already concluded one of us will need to be the security guard before we can properly get a permanent personnel for such role, which we managed to see sense in it. At the end of the briefing, he asked maybe I will help to man the gate. It brought surprises, but I could not object. The task was less of securing, because the real task was to open the gate (which was hitherto left always open) for incoming or outgoing vehicles, and to also attend to visitors before they walk to the secretariat. My role then gave me more time to read many books when there are no cars to pass through the gate or visitors to attend to.

A few days ago, I was really bothered (to the point of getting exhausted) about my daily morning attendance in church which also includes once-a-week 10-minute teaching (which most times take 1 hour to prepare for), but I have learnt from Blair that doing any voluntary task is “because destiny put you in this place in history, in this moment in time, and the tasks is yours to do.”

3. How will these ideas or lessons help you in a practical way, both in your daily personal life and in helping you to create a better world? If so, how?

The ideas have now form part of my mode of operation in my walk through life.

4. Quotes: Are there any statements which the author made that particularly got your attention? If so, please quote them and comment as to why they were important to you.

“The open-minded see globalization as an opportunity; the closed-minded as a threat, a process driven by greed and big business, in which we are helpless pawns.”

Globalization remains an advancement to all humans, what we put in it is what matters, not what we want to take from it, which may not be available.

“To be strong is not the same as being arrogant. Being humble is not the same as being passive.”

Power must not be used to intimidate, respect is adequate; nor should ignorance be allowed to lay low, making demand to know is reasonable.

“Nobody achieves without an energy that is essentially positive.”

A positive mind is the first rung on the ladder to making things happen.

“The first rule in politics is that there are no rules, at least not in the sense of inevitable defeats or inevitable victories.”

Anything can happen in politics, including unexpected defeat or victory.

“Be creative, in creativity, you cannot always think of everything, but you should be wary of doing anything that forfeits trust.”

When an act of trust is forfeited, payment for it is very certain.

“A desire to do good, the quality that motivates the best political leadership.”

Making good things happen is the first assignment of every true politician.

“To get angry is just to waste energy.”

The energy of getting angry should be diverted to something fruitful, since getting angry is not.

Abraham Lincoln: “Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves.”

Freedom is a commodity for all— both lords and serfs.

“If our spirit is right and our courage firm, the world will be with us.”

The world as visibly invisible will only support those that will not give-in for weariness nor allow an inch of wrong purpose mix with the original one.

“Never give up on excellence. Wherever it might be.”

A work and walk for excellence is a golden one.

5. Is there anything in the book that you do not understand or are unclear, or are there ideas which you disagree with and, if so, why?

All was clear.

6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?

No exercises.

7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.

No.

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.

A. How interesting was it to read? 10
B. How helpful was the content? 10
C. How easy was it to understand? 10
D. Would you recommend it to others? 10
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 10