Henry Ward Beech said, “The first hour of the morning is the rudder of the day.”
How apt. Your morning is a very essential part of your day and creating the right habits in the morning will start you off on the right foot.
Here are a few great habits That can help you start your day on the right note.

WAKE UP WITH GRATITUDE : No matter how bad the economy is, always wake up with a grateful heart. Be thankful for the gift of life. It's always a privilege to see a new day.

PRAY /MEDITATE: when you wake up in the morning never forget to take a few minutes to meditate and give thanks to God who keeps you alive.


WAKE UP EARLY : early birds have been known to do much better in life than night owls. Some of the most successful people in the world are early birds. Research has shown that people who wake up early are more proactive. Also early birds have more time on their hands and are happier.

EAT BREAKFAST : your breakfast is the most important meal of the day, don't skip it. Your brain needs fuel to function and that's exactly what eating provides, it also helps your overall performance for the day. And if you think you loose weight by skipping breakfast, think again, you will only end up very hungry and end up overeating.

LISTEN TO INSPIRATIONAL MUSIC OR READ AN INSPIRATIONAL BOOK: starting your day with an inspirational song or an inspiring book is a great habit. It will help condition your mind positively and give you a great outlook for the day.

TAKE A GLASS OF LEMON WATER : squeezing lemon into a glass of warm water with a few drops of honey every morning is a habit you ought to develop, because it will help regulate your bowels in the morning. it also aids digestion.

PLAN YOUR DAY : they say if you fail to plan, you plan to fail, so make sure you have a clear cut definition of what you intend to achieve in a given day, and as much as it lies possibly within you, implement it.

SNACK ON WALNUTS : instead of snacking on pastries, or chips try to make a habit of eating walnuts. Walnuts are known as the king of nuts and they are incredibly healthy. They help flatten your stomach and leave you with a thinner waist line.

EXERCISE : but of course! Always take a few minutes in the morning to burn off the stored fat. A short bout of exercise just before breakfast is a great idea.

Life has taught me a lot, But I want to share just 25 of them with you. (I have tons up my sleeves)
I have learnt Some pretty good stuff
, Some pretty hard stuff
And some things i am still yet to make sense of.

1. People change.

2.Things are not always as they seem.

3 Life is not a bed of roses.

3.Do not put your trust and confidence in man.

4. Be consistent. It pays.

5.Nobody is going to hand over anything
to you on a platter. You want something, go out and get it.

6.Dreams won't come true if you don't make them come true.

7.Happiness is a choice.

8.Success is not for everyone.

9.When things are working out, everyone wants to be your friend.

10.When life gets hard the travel team gets a little bit scanty.

11.Courage is contagious.

12. smile,  it's your best accessory.

13.Family is everything.

14.Pursue your purpose relentlessly.

15.Love people regardless of whether it's easy or not.


16.Money is scarce. You will work REALLY HARD to get it.

17.Reading is one of the most rewarding things you can do with your time.

18 Time is the most precious commodity in the world. Not money.

19. Some people are toxic, stay away from them.

20.Talk less and do more.

21.Don't spend too much time making plans, get busy.

22. Not everyone will like you. People will hate you for no reason. Learn to deal with it.

23. practice makes perfect, hard work pays.

24. Life is short make the most of it.

25. Love God, love people. Be the best you can be.

Kindly use the comment box, drop a life lesson you have learned and would love to share with others.

Last week I was at a place where I needed to make a decision to either continue doing a certain thing or stop and make a fresh start.
 I am sure we all get to that point where we are faced with this life defining question, do I stand and fight for what I want, what I believe in or do I let go?

Do I go out of my way and make an extra effort or do I walk away?

 I am not being specific to any particular circumstance or situation because this question cuts across every sphere of life. school, business,relationships, work and even when it comes down to what you believe in.

sometimes the right thing to do is to stop and make a fresh start, to change course, to start a new chapter because that's what is best for the situation, and other times  the solution to a problem would be to keep putting in more effort and to persevere.

 it can get really confusing to know what is best for each situation. There is no clear cut answer. However there are ways you can determine and know what to do under  each circumstance,

You can ask yourself these questions
Why am I doing this?
What is the benefit in this?
How necessary Is it?
How hard have I worked?
 Have I given it my best?
Is it worth my time?
Is it worth doing?
Is this thing crucial to my existence?
If I stop now would I feel at peace with myself ?
 have done my best?
 if I stop now would it be a mistake ?
 Have I really tried enough..?
The list can go on and on

to each situation it's own set of questions. The most important thing being pointed out here is that, as a person you must understand that there comes a time when you must Stand and fight for what you want, against all odds, throw away pride, laziness, apathy, ego, etc because failure to do so would lead to regret.

 Look within and always endeavor to know where to draw the line.

Whatever I am today is largely the result of people who invested in my life. Whether they were singers, pastors, friends or Guardians,and whether it was through songs, books words or actions they all have shaped me into who I am today.
In every sphere of life there are people who have gone ahead of you, Find these people, follow them faithfully and learn from them.


In case you are wondering "why" this is so important, let me tell you. Firstly, This is one thing most successful people have in common-"mentors "

*Mark Zuckerberg had Steve Jobs
*Warren buffet had Benjamin Graham
and the list goes on.....


1.Whatever it is you want to do in life, bear in mind that you can't do it alone. You need someone to encourage and equip you. Someone to motivate and stir you up. You need someone to model the how for you.

2.Everyone needs a role model, a person whose life reminds you of everything you want and ought to be.

3.Mentors can be connectors. Playing a dual role of teacher and connector, a mentor can provide access to those within your industry that are willing to invest in your company, offer their skills and expertise.

4. Mentors have the experiences you can learn from to prevent making the same mistakes beginners make. Starting a business is challenging enough, so if you can skip doing things the hard way, why wouldn't you?


5.Mentors are free, which makes them priceless in more ways than one.


As Benjamin Franklin said, "Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn."

Great ideas and leaders have a common enemy- "the critic" .
I am not one who patronizes the critic, I rarely concern myself with what people think. If I believe what I am doing is right, I simply go for it.

Why?

Because I have learned that no one is immune to criticism, it comes with breathing. People will definitely criticize whether you act or fail to act, so I'd rather be criticized for doing something than for doing nothing. It may not always be easy to overcome the critics, but it's worth it.

Caustic comments and demeaning stares are all part of the life of a courageous man.
Do you know that Billy Graham was called a cultist when he started ministry? No matter who you are or what you do, not everyone is going to agree with you!

If you think everyone will be happy just because you started doing something great, you're wrong!
There are so many people, even so called friends who would want you to fail and so the moment you begin to venture, to live outside the box, they will begin to attack you and throw stones at you. Hey!! Pick those stones and build a wall! Be careful who you listen to, not everyone deserves the right to speak into your life.

READ ALSO >>DARE TO TAKE A STAND

So many people are afraid to pursue their dreams, start up a business and have a life because of what people will say. People must say, so to avoid criticism you must be willing to say nothing! Do nothing! And be nothing.

Teddy Roosevelt said "far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs even though checkered by failure than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat".

A Chinese student made an opening speech at her graduation ceremony at the University of Maryland where she said "
Five years ago, as I step off the plane from China, and left the terminal at Dallas Airport. I was ready to put on one of my five face masks, but when I took my first breaths of American air. I put my mask away. The air was so sweet and fresh, and utterly luxurious. I was surprised by this. I grew up in a city in China, where I had to wear a face mask every time I went outside, otherwise, I might get sick. However, the moment I inhaled and exhaled outside the airport, I felt free".
And the whole of China came for her head.
We are at a place right now in the world where everyone seems to be caught in the wake of hypocrisy, sycophancy and bootlicking.
If my opinion does not agree with the popular opinion, I could be crucified for it.
We are surrounded by people who don't do anything unconventional.

There is a need, no! a cry out, more than ever before for the rise of men and women of courage. People like Abraham, Moses, David, Abraham Lincoln ,Martin Luther, C. S Lewis, D. L moody
People who remind us that the motto "safety first" leads to hell.
People who inspire us to jump! Because the net will appear when we do. People who are not afraid to pack their bags and leave their father's house to a land, some unknown land.

Courageous people travel light and make maximum impact. They often take the road less traveled. Courage does not mean the absence of fear though, but responding inspite of fear.
The tombstone of a man who fails to take a stand will read "what could have been".

People of courage make a difference in the world. Instead of cowering to the pressures of this dysfunctional society, become a force. Break out of the box. Boxes are designed for storage and Shoes and not for you. Know what is right and do it. Dare to have principles and stand by them.


Some of the most impactful people in history were people who could have easily ended up on the shelf of mediocrity, but they dared to do the unconventional.
Abraham Lincoln was a failure before he became the President. Don't settle! soar.

An old adage says, nothing ventured, nothing gained.
If you live courageously you may loose friends, because the crowd thins out when you decide to live outside the box,, but the view is worth the climb.
You can leave a mark and make an impact but you must have the courage to do it.

Billy Graham writes, courage is contagious. when a brave man takes a stand the spines of others are stiffened.