HAPPINESS IS THE ROAD NOT A DESTINATION

We convince ourselves that life will be better once we are married, have a baby, then another.

Then we get frustrated because our children are not old enough, and that all will be well when they are older. Then we are frustrated because they reach adolescence and we must deal with them. Surely we’ll be happier when they grow out of the teen years.

We tell ourselves our life will be better when our spouse gets his/her act together, when we have a nicer car, when we can take a vacation, when we finally retire. The truth is that there is no better time to be happy than right now.  If not, then when?

Your life will always be full of challenges. It is better to admit as much and to decide to be happy in spite of it all. For the longest time, it seemed that life was about to start. Real life.  But there was always some obstacle along the way, an ordeal to get through, some work to be finished, some time to be given, a bill to be paid. Then life would start. I finally came to understand that those obstacles were life.

That point of view helped me see that there isn’t any road to happiness.  Happiness IS the road.So, enjoy every moment.  Stop waiting for school to end, for a return to school, to lose ten pounds, to gain ten pounds, for work to begin, to get married, for Friday evening, for Sunday morning, waiting for a new car, for your mortgage to be paid off, for spring, for summer, for fall, for winter, for the first or the fifteenth of the month, for your song to be played on the radio, to die, to be reborn… before deciding to be happy.

Happiness is a voyage, not a destination. There is no better time to be happy than… NOW! Live and enjoy the moment.

Now, think and try to answer these questions:
1 – Name the 5 richest people in the world.
2 – Name the last 5 Miss Universe winners.
3 – Name the last 10 Nobel Prize winners.
4 – Name the last 10 winners of the Best Actor Oscar.

Can’t do it? Rather difficult, isn’t it? Don’t worry, nobody remembers that.Applause dies away! Trophies gather dust! Winners are soon forgotten.

Now answer these questions:

1 – Name 3 teachers who contributed to your education.

2 – Name 3 friends who helped you in your hour of need.
3 – Think of a few people who made you feel special.
4 – Name 5 people that you like to spend time with.

More manageable? It’s easier, isn’t it?

The people who mean something to your life are not rated “the best”, don’t have the most money, haven’t won the greatest prizes… They are the ones who care about you, take care of you, those who, no matter what, stay close by.

Think about it for a moment. Life is very short! And you, in which list are you? Don’t know?

Let me give you a hand.

You are not among the most “famous”, but among those to whom I remember to send this message…  Some time ago, at the Seattle Olympics, nine athletes, all mentally or physically challenged, were standing on the start line for the 100 m race.  The gun fired and the race began. Not everyone was running, but everyone wanted to participate and win.  They ran in threes, a boy tripped and fell, did a few somersaults and started crying. The other eight heard him crying. They slowed down and looked behind them. They stopped and came back… All of them…  A girl with Down’s Syndrome sat down next to him, hugged him and asked, “Feeling better now?”
Then, all nine walked shoulder to shoulder to the finish line.

The whole crowd stood up and applauded. And the applause lasted a very long time…  People who witnessed this still talk about it. Why? Because deep down inside us, we all know that the most important thing in life is much more than winning for ourselves.  The most important thing in this life is to help others to win. Even if that means slowing down and changing our own race.

If you share this message, perhaps we will succeed in changing our heart, perhaps someone else’s heart, as well…  A candle loses nothing if it is used to light another one.”

So, what have you decided? Trash this or share it?

The 90/10 Principle by Steven Covey

                                       The 90/10 Principle, What is this Principle?

10% of life is made up of what happens to you…90% of life is decided by how you react…

What does this mean? We really have NO control Over 10% of what happens to us.

We cannot stop the car from breaking down. The plane will be late arriving, which throws our whole schedule off. A driver may cut us off in the traffic. We have NO control over this 10%.

The other 90% is different. You determine the other 90%.How... By your reaction. You cannot control a red light. However, you can control your reaction.  Do not let people fool you. YOU can control how you react. Let us use an example…

You are having breakfast with your family. Your daughter knocks over a cup of coffee onto your business shirt. You have no control over what has just happened. What happens next will be determined by how you react.

You curse. You harshly scold your daughter for knocking the cup over. She breaks down in tears. After scolding her, you turn to your wife and you criticize her for placing the cup too close to the edge of the table. A short verbal battle follows.

You storm upstairs and change your shirt. Back downstairs, you find your daughter has been too busy crying to finish her breakfast and getting ready to go to school. She misses the bus. Your spouse must leave immediately for work. You rush to the car and drive your daughter to school.

Because you are late, you drive 40 miles per hour in a 30 mph speed limit zone. After a 15-minute delay and throwing GH¢60.00 traffic fine away, you arrive at school. Your daughter runs into the building without saying goodbye.

After arriving at the office 20 minute late, you realize you forgot your briefcase. When you arrive home, you find a small wedge in your relationship with your wife and daughter.

Why? Because of how you reacted in the morning. Why did you have a bad day?

A) Did the coffee cause it?

B) Did your daughter cause it?

C) Did the policeman cause it?

D) Did you cause it?

The answer is “D”

You had no control over what happened with the coffee. How you reacted in those 5 seconds is what caused your bad day. Here is what could have and should have happened.

Coffe splashes over you. Your daughter is about to cry. You gently say: “It’s okay, honey, you just need to be  More careful next time.” Grabbing a towel you go upstairs and change your shirt.
You grab your briefcase, and you come back down in time to look through the window and see your child getting on the bus.She turns and waves. You arrive 5 minutes early a cheerfully greet the staff.

Notice the difference? Two different scenarios. Both started the same. Both ended different.  Why? Because of how you reacted. You really have no control over 10% of what happens in your life.

The other 90% was determined by your reaction.

Here are some ways to apply the 90/10 Principle.

If someone says something negative about you, do not be a sponge. Let the attack roll off like water on glass. You do not have to let the negative comments affect you.React properly and it will not ruin your day. A wrong reaction could result in losing a friend, being fired, or getting stressed out. How do you react if someone cuts you off in the traffic?

Do you lose your temper? Pound on the steering wheel? (a friend of mine had the steering wheel fall off), Do you curse? Does your blood pressure skyrocket? Who cares if you arrive 10 seconds later at work? Why let the cars ruin your drive? Remember the 90/10 Principle and don’t worry about it.

You are told you lost your job. Why lose sleep and get irritated? It will work out.  Use your worrying energy and time to find a new job. The plane is late. It is going to mangle your schedule for the day.Why take out your frustration on the flight attendant? She has no control over what is going on.

Use your time to study, get to know the other passenger, why stress out? It will just make things worse. Now you know the 90/10 Principle. Apply it and you will be amazed at the results.  You will lose nothing if you try it.  The 90/10 Principle is incredible.

Very few know and apply this Principle.The result? You will see it by yourself Millions of people are suffering from undeserved stress,  trials, problems and headaches.

We all must understand and apply the 90/10 Principle. It can change your life! …Enjoy it... It only takes willpower to give ourselves permission to make the experience.

Absolutely everything we do, give, say, or even think, it’s like a Boomerang.  It will come back to us... If we want to receive, we need to learn to give first... Maybe we will end with our hands empty,  but our heart will be filled with love... And those who love life,  have that feeling marked in their hearts …

The End

The 90/10 Principle by Steven Covey

                                       The 90/10 Principle, What is this Principle?

10% of life is made up of what happens to you…90% of life is decided by how you react…

What does this mean? We really have NO control Over 10% of what happens to us.

We cannot stop the car from breaking down. The plane will be late arriving, which throws our whole schedule off. A driver may cut us off in the traffic. We have NO control over this 10%.

The other 90% is different. You determine the other 90%.How... By your reaction. You cannot control a red light. However, you can control your reaction.  Do not let people fool you. YOU can control how you react. Let us use an example…

You are having breakfast with your family. Your daughter knocks over a cup of coffee onto your business shirt. You have no control over what has just happened. What happens next will be determined by how you react.

You curse. You harshly scold your daughter for knocking the cup over. She breaks down in tears. After scolding her, you turn to your wife and you criticize her for placing the cup too close to the edge of the table. A short verbal battle follows.

You storm upstairs and change your shirt. Back downstairs, you find your daughter has been too busy crying to finish her breakfast and getting ready to go to school. She misses the bus. Your spouse must leave immediately for work. You rush to the car and drive your daughter to school.

Because you are late, you drive 40 miles per hour in a 30 mph speed limit zone. After a 15-minute delay and throwing GH¢60.00 traffic fine away, you arrive at school. Your daughter runs into the building without saying goodbye.

After arriving at the office 20 minute late, you realize you forgot your briefcase. When you arrive home, you find a small wedge in your relationship with your wife and daughter.

Why? Because of how you reacted in the morning. Why did you have a bad day?

A) Did the coffee cause it?

B) Did your daughter cause it?

C) Did the policeman cause it?

D) Did you cause it?

The answer is “D”

You had no control over what happened with the coffee. How you reacted in those 5 seconds is what caused your bad day. Here is what could have and should have happened.

Coffe splashes over you. Your daughter is about to cry. You gently say: “It’s okay, honey, you just need to be  More careful next time.” Grabbing a towel you go upstairs and change your shirt.
You grab your briefcase, and you come back down in time to look through the window and see your child getting on the bus.She turns and waves. You arrive 5 minutes early a cheerfully greet the staff.

Notice the difference? Two different scenarios. Both started the same. Both ended different.  Why? Because of how you reacted. You really have no control over 10% of what happens in your life.

The other 90% was determined by your reaction.

Here are some ways to apply the 90/10 Principle.

If someone says something negative about you, do not be a sponge. Let the attack roll off like water on glass. You do not have to let the negative comments affect you.React properly and it will not ruin your day. A wrong reaction could result in losing a friend, being fired, or getting stressed out. How do you react if someone cuts you off in the traffic?

Do you lose your temper? Pound on the steering wheel? (a friend of mine had the steering wheel fall off), Do you curse? Does your blood pressure skyrocket? Who cares if you arrive 10 seconds later at work? Why let the cars ruin your drive? Remember the 90/10 Principle and don’t worry about it.

You are told you lost your job. Why lose sleep and get irritated? It will work out.  Use your worrying energy and time to find a new job. The plane is late. It is going to mangle your schedule for the day.Why take out your frustration on the flight attendant? She has no control over what is going on.

Use your time to study, get to know the other passenger, why stress out? It will just make things worse. Now you know the 90/10 Principle. Apply it and you will be amazed at the results.  You will lose nothing if you try it.  The 90/10 Principle is incredible.

Very few know and apply this Principle.The result? You will see it by yourself Millions of people are suffering from undeserved stress,  trials, problems and headaches.

We all must understand and apply the 90/10 Principle. It can change your life! …Enjoy it... It only takes willpower to give ourselves permission to make the experience.

Absolutely everything we do, give, say, or even think, it’s like a Boomerang.  It will come back to us... If we want to receive, we need to learn to give first... Maybe we will end with our hands empty,  but our heart will be filled with love... And those who love life,  have that feeling marked in their hearts …

The End

The 90/10 Principle by Steven Covey

                                       The 90/10 Principle, What is this Principle?

10% of life is made up of what happens to you…90% of life is decided by how you react…

What does this mean? We really have NO control Over 10% of what happens to us.

We cannot stop the car from breaking down. The plane will be late arriving, which throws our whole schedule off. A driver may cut us off in the traffic. We have NO control over this 10%.

The other 90% is different. You determine the other 90%.How... By your reaction. You cannot control a red light. However, you can control your reaction.  Do not let people fool you. YOU can control how you react. Let us use an example…

You are having breakfast with your family. Your daughter knocks over a cup of coffee onto your business shirt. You have no control over what has just happened. What happens next will be determined by how you react.

You curse. You harshly scold your daughter for knocking the cup over. She breaks down in tears. After scolding her, you turn to your wife and you criticize her for placing the cup too close to the edge of the table. A short verbal battle follows.

You storm upstairs and change your shirt. Back downstairs, you find your daughter has been too busy crying to finish her breakfast and getting ready to go to school. She misses the bus. Your spouse must leave immediately for work. You rush to the car and drive your daughter to school.

Because you are late, you drive 40 miles per hour in a 30 mph speed limit zone. After a 15-minute delay and throwing GH¢60.00 traffic fine away, you arrive at school. Your daughter runs into the building without saying goodbye.

After arriving at the office 20 minute late, you realize you forgot your briefcase. When you arrive home, you find a small wedge in your relationship with your wife and daughter.

Why? Because of how you reacted in the morning. Why did you have a bad day?

A) Did the coffee cause it?

B) Did your daughter cause it?

C) Did the policeman cause it?

D) Did you cause it?

The answer is “D”

You had no control over what happened with the coffee. How you reacted in those 5 seconds is what caused your bad day. Here is what could have and should have happened.

Coffe splashes over you. Your daughter is about to cry. You gently say: “It’s okay, honey, you just need to be  More careful next time.” Grabbing a towel you go upstairs and change your shirt.
You grab your briefcase, and you come back down in time to look through the window and see your child getting on the bus.She turns and waves. You arrive 5 minutes early a cheerfully greet the staff.

Notice the difference? Two different scenarios. Both started the same. Both ended different.  Why? Because of how you reacted. You really have no control over 10% of what happens in your life.

The other 90% was determined by your reaction.

Here are some ways to apply the 90/10 Principle.

If someone says something negative about you, do not be a sponge. Let the attack roll off like water on glass. You do not have to let the negative comments affect you.React properly and it will not ruin your day. A wrong reaction could result in losing a friend, being fired, or getting stressed out. How do you react if someone cuts you off in the traffic?

Do you lose your temper? Pound on the steering wheel? (a friend of mine had the steering wheel fall off), Do you curse? Does your blood pressure skyrocket? Who cares if you arrive 10 seconds later at work? Why let the cars ruin your drive? Remember the 90/10 Principle and don’t worry about it.

You are told you lost your job. Why lose sleep and get irritated? It will work out.  Use your worrying energy and time to find a new job. The plane is late. It is going to mangle your schedule for the day.Why take out your frustration on the flight attendant? She has no control over what is going on.

Use your time to study, get to know the other passenger, why stress out? It will just make things worse. Now you know the 90/10 Principle. Apply it and you will be amazed at the results.  You will lose nothing if you try it.  The 90/10 Principle is incredible.

Very few know and apply this Principle.The result? You will see it by yourself Millions of people are suffering from undeserved stress,  trials, problems and headaches.

We all must understand and apply the 90/10 Principle. It can change your life! …Enjoy it... It only takes willpower to give ourselves permission to make the experience.

Absolutely everything we do, give, say, or even think, it’s like a Boomerang.  It will come back to us... If we want to receive, we need to learn to give first... Maybe we will end with our hands empty,  but our heart will be filled with love... And those who love life,  have that feeling marked in their hearts …

The End

The 90/10 Principle by Steven Covey

                                       The 90/10 Principle, What is this Principle?

10% of life is made up of what happens to you…90% of life is decided by how you react…

What does this mean? We really have NO control Over 10% of what happens to us.

We cannot stop the car from breaking down. The plane will be late arriving, which throws our whole schedule off. A driver may cut us off in the traffic. We have NO control over this 10%.

The other 90% is different. You determine the other 90%.How... By your reaction. You cannot control a red light. However, you can control your reaction.  Do not let people fool you. YOU can control how you react. Let us use an example…

You are having breakfast with your family. Your daughter knocks over a cup of coffee onto your business shirt. You have no control over what has just happened. What happens next will be determined by how you react.

You curse. You harshly scold your daughter for knocking the cup over. She breaks down in tears. After scolding her, you turn to your wife and you criticize her for placing the cup too close to the edge of the table. A short verbal battle follows.

You storm upstairs and change your shirt. Back downstairs, you find your daughter has been too busy crying to finish her breakfast and getting ready to go to school. She misses the bus. Your spouse must leave immediately for work. You rush to the car and drive your daughter to school.

Because you are late, you drive 40 miles per hour in a 30 mph speed limit zone. After a 15-minute delay and throwing GH¢60.00 traffic fine away, you arrive at school. Your daughter runs into the building without saying goodbye.

After arriving at the office 20 minute late, you realize you forgot your briefcase. When you arrive home, you find a small wedge in your relationship with your wife and daughter.

Why? Because of how you reacted in the morning. Why did you have a bad day?

A) Did the coffee cause it?

B) Did your daughter cause it?

C) Did the policeman cause it?

D) Did you cause it?

The answer is “D”

You had no control over what happened with the coffee. How you reacted in those 5 seconds is what caused your bad day. Here is what could have and should have happened.

Coffe splashes over you. Your daughter is about to cry. You gently say: “It’s okay, honey, you just need to be  More careful next time.” Grabbing a towel you go upstairs and change your shirt.
You grab your briefcase, and you come back down in time to look through the window and see your child getting on the bus.She turns and waves. You arrive 5 minutes early a cheerfully greet the staff.

Notice the difference? Two different scenarios. Both started the same. Both ended different.  Why? Because of how you reacted. You really have no control over 10% of what happens in your life.

The other 90% was determined by your reaction.

Here are some ways to apply the 90/10 Principle.

If someone says something negative about you, do not be a sponge. Let the attack roll off like water on glass. You do not have to let the negative comments affect you.React properly and it will not ruin your day. A wrong reaction could result in losing a friend, being fired, or getting stressed out. How do you react if someone cuts you off in the traffic?

Do you lose your temper? Pound on the steering wheel? (a friend of mine had the steering wheel fall off), Do you curse? Does your blood pressure skyrocket? Who cares if you arrive 10 seconds later at work? Why let the cars ruin your drive? Remember the 90/10 Principle and don’t worry about it.

You are told you lost your job. Why lose sleep and get irritated? It will work out.  Use your worrying energy and time to find a new job. The plane is late. It is going to mangle your schedule for the day.Why take out your frustration on the flight attendant? She has no control over what is going on.

Use your time to study, get to know the other passenger, why stress out? It will just make things worse. Now you know the 90/10 Principle. Apply it and you will be amazed at the results.  You will lose nothing if you try it.  The 90/10 Principle is incredible.

Very few know and apply this Principle.The result? You will see it by yourself Millions of people are suffering from undeserved stress,  trials, problems and headaches.

We all must understand and apply the 90/10 Principle. It can change your life! …Enjoy it... It only takes willpower to give ourselves permission to make the experience.

Absolutely everything we do, give, say, or even think, it’s like a Boomerang.  It will come back to us... If we want to receive, we need to learn to give first... Maybe we will end with our hands empty,  but our heart will be filled with love... And those who love life,  have that feeling marked in their hearts …

The End

The 90/10 Principle by Steven Covey

                                       The 90/10 Principle, What is this Principle?

10% of life is made up of what happens to you…90% of life is decided by how you react…

What does this mean? We really have NO control Over 10% of what happens to us.

We cannot stop the car from breaking down. The plane will be late arriving, which throws our whole schedule off. A driver may cut us off in the traffic. We have NO control over this 10%.

The other 90% is different. You determine the other 90%.How... By your reaction. You cannot control a red light. However, you can control your reaction.  Do not let people fool you. YOU can control how you react. Let us use an example…

You are having breakfast with your family. Your daughter knocks over a cup of coffee onto your business shirt. You have no control over what has just happened. What happens next will be determined by how you react.

You curse. You harshly scold your daughter for knocking the cup over. She breaks down in tears. After scolding her, you turn to your wife and you criticize her for placing the cup too close to the edge of the table. A short verbal battle follows.

You storm upstairs and change your shirt. Back downstairs, you find your daughter has been too busy crying to finish her breakfast and getting ready to go to school. She misses the bus. Your spouse must leave immediately for work. You rush to the car and drive your daughter to school.

Because you are late, you drive 40 miles per hour in a 30 mph speed limit zone. After a 15-minute delay and throwing GH¢60.00 traffic fine away, you arrive at school. Your daughter runs into the building without saying goodbye.

After arriving at the office 20 minute late, you realize you forgot your briefcase. When you arrive home, you find a small wedge in your relationship with your wife and daughter.

Why? Because of how you reacted in the morning. Why did you have a bad day?

A) Did the coffee cause it?

B) Did your daughter cause it?

C) Did the policeman cause it?

D) Did you cause it?

The answer is “D”

You had no control over what happened with the coffee. How you reacted in those 5 seconds is what caused your bad day. Here is what could have and should have happened.

Coffe splashes over you. Your daughter is about to cry. You gently say: “It’s okay, honey, you just need to be  More careful next time.” Grabbing a towel you go upstairs and change your shirt.
You grab your briefcase, and you come back down in time to look through the window and see your child getting on the bus.She turns and waves. You arrive 5 minutes early a cheerfully greet the staff.

Notice the difference? Two different scenarios. Both started the same. Both ended different.  Why? Because of how you reacted. You really have no control over 10% of what happens in your life.

The other 90% was determined by your reaction.

Here are some ways to apply the 90/10 Principle.

If someone says something negative about you, do not be a sponge. Let the attack roll off like water on glass. You do not have to let the negative comments affect you.React properly and it will not ruin your day. A wrong reaction could result in losing a friend, being fired, or getting stressed out. How do you react if someone cuts you off in the traffic?

Do you lose your temper? Pound on the steering wheel? (a friend of mine had the steering wheel fall off), Do you curse? Does your blood pressure skyrocket? Who cares if you arrive 10 seconds later at work? Why let the cars ruin your drive? Remember the 90/10 Principle and don’t worry about it.

You are told you lost your job. Why lose sleep and get irritated? It will work out.  Use your worrying energy and time to find a new job. The plane is late. It is going to mangle your schedule for the day.Why take out your frustration on the flight attendant? She has no control over what is going on.

Use your time to study, get to know the other passenger, why stress out? It will just make things worse. Now you know the 90/10 Principle. Apply it and you will be amazed at the results.  You will lose nothing if you try it.  The 90/10 Principle is incredible.

Very few know and apply this Principle.The result? You will see it by yourself Millions of people are suffering from undeserved stress,  trials, problems and headaches.

We all must understand and apply the 90/10 Principle. It can change your life! …Enjoy it... It only takes willpower to give ourselves permission to make the experience.

Absolutely everything we do, give, say, or even think, it’s like a Boomerang.  It will come back to us... If we want to receive, we need to learn to give first... Maybe we will end with our hands empty,  but our heart will be filled with love... And those who love life,  have that feeling marked in their hearts …

The End

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Mr. Chairman, Panel of Judges, Distinguished guest, Fellow students, Ladies and gentlemen. My story for you this evening is about domestic violence, which I have summarized as,
A pattern of abusive behaviors such as sexual abuse, emotional abuse, intimidation, stalking, economic deprivation and neglect by one or both partners in an intimate relationship such as marriage, dating, family, friends or cohabitation.

Ladies and gentlemen, the wonderful faces I see here today, expresses a symphony of brotherhood and freedom, of a world devoid of gender discrimination. Sadly enough, the lives of a number of women today, is crippled by the manacles of discrimination and the chains of violence.

The crying of these muted voices cannot be left unattended to. These lamentations, echoes the sufferings of thousands of voiceless women and children in Ghana. It is time to say no more to domestic violence. We, the oppressed, behind closed doors cannot allow our hearts to be filled with pain, whiles our hearts beats, and eats our very souls.

There is a Mexican proverb which says “The house does not rest on the ground, but upon a woman.” Why then abuse the woman, upon whom the house rest.

As Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States said “Everyone has a right to peaceful coexistence, the basic personal freedoms, the alleviation of suffering, and the opportunity to lead a productive life.”

Now, we have seen the light. And have begun a brand new flight. Let us muscle voices to save the little dying cries of voiceless victims of domestic violence. Let us embark on public education, which fosters awareness and social change through women's organizations such as DOVSU and WAJU. Join me advocate for legislation to help battered women and children, as well as educating the police and the judiciary about domestic violence.

Fellow ladies and gentlemen, the laws of justice enlist us as soldiers against domestic violence, a canker eating the very fabric of our social existence. If you agree with me, I call on you; my fellow soldiers gathered here this evening, to add your voice to mine and Say after me “NO MORE ǃǃǃǃǃ” Thank You.