TEN THINGS YOU MUST DO TO BE HAPPY THIS YEAR

Everyone wants to be happy, but some people seek happiness in others, which is a great mistake. It is essential for you to know that you alone can provide the happiness you need, you alone can make yourself smile always. You need no permission to be happy, because God has blessed you with all that you need to become happy, you just need to look within. The Yorubas will say "what you are looking for at sokoto (a place), is found right within your sokoto (trouser)"

Here are what you must do to be happy always!

 HAVE A DREAM
The year has been given to you, don't spend it without having something to pursue, without having something to achieve. Don't spend the whole 365 days without having something particular in mind to achieve. Aim to get a degree, pay your school fees, start a job, plan to buy a car, own a house. Just do something!

HAVE A MENTOR
It is mandatory for you to move with people who are better than you. Let them teach you how to become better at whatever you find yourself doing. But remember that you must be submissive to learn. Be with people who are intellectually inclined, be with people who wish to see change and are doing everything to make the change happen. Be with people who challenge you to become great and help you realise your dream. Just learn something new from someone who knows better.

LOOK GOOD ALWAYS
When it comes to your dressing, don't ever assume that you look good until you are sure that you appear good. People will be attracted to you when they find you attractive, no one will associate with a dirty person, irrespective of what you have to offer.
No matter how brilliant you are, no matter how many transforming ideas you possess, you must appear good for you to be accepted.
Truly, your dress is to cover your nakedness, keeping it simple is good but staying classy is better.

BRUSH YOUR SPANISH
You don't necessarily need to understand good English in order to speak sensible things, you only need to be guided. Before you open your mouth, be mindful of who you are talking to, where you are talking, when you are talking and also know that your integrity is at stake. In most situations, choose silence over speech unless you don't have any option. You must always speak reasonably in order not to be misinterpreted for a foolish person.

HONOUR YOUR FAMILY
I love this article I read sometime ago that says "Fri-End, Boyfri-End, Girlfri-End, Bestfri-End, fam-ILY, if you noticed, you'll see that everything has an END, but fam-ILY has I-L-Y, meaning I LOVE You." I want to quickly reveal something to you about family. Every single letter in the word is actually for you and dedicated to you. "F-A-M-I-L-Y means Forget All Mistakes, I Love You."
Do you see how much they love you, but Do you love them back?

I remember when the school session was over, I hate to go home for the holidays, since I'm fending for myself, I see no reason going home, I feel I can take care of myself, I feel I will only be a burden to my family. But then I realized that they need me to make them happy, they need me for them to feel loved and respected, they need me to share happy moments with them, they need me to catch some fun with them and hangout. Do you honour your family enough to make them consider your presence a bliss? Why not share some exciting moment with them and let them feel your presence and to be proud of you?
My father once said to me that "Everything is not about money, the people who loves you will remember you, but your money won't"….Think about it!

STAY CLOSE TO GOD AND PRAY ALWAYS
I was meant to believe that the spiritual controls the physical, so, in order to succeed, excel, triumph and be outstanding, you must be very prayerful, stay close to God and do his will always. Then he will bless you and all that you do. The truth is, no matter how logical you think things are, there's a supreme being who makes things happen, you need him more than you need your life. Have you prayed today? Have you sang praise today? Why not try it now?

STAY POSITIVE BUT BE REALISTIC
In life you will encounter challenges, you will go through situations that will make you want to doubt the potency of God, but you must be steadfast and positive. Never complicate faith with positivity, when you see tigers praying to God, don't join them. You can be positive that they won't 'eat' you since they are praying but be realistic too that after the prayers, they'll remain tigers and God will feed them with flesh.
Foolishness is when you become positive when you've not read for tests and examinations and still believe that you will pass and become the best student, that's indeed an attribute of a foolish person.
So, in every situation you must know when to accept that some things require common sense, you cannot be positive when you know you'll die if you stay in front of a moving train but you still went ahead because you have faith... God bless your soul. (I know you're smiling)

BUY SOMEONE A GIFT
We make this mistake especially in Nigeria, that we hardly give out gifts to people unless it's their birthday, wedding or any joyous celebration. This is why it is difficult for many to receive from other people around them. Let me tell you this, "no matter how small a gift is, even a little child will appreciate it, let alone an adult"
Why not look for a nice shoe, wrist watch, bag, shirt, toothbrush, perfume or what have you, package it well and take it to your parents, pastor, boyfriend, girlfriend, relative, less privilege or anyone you feel you want to appreciate on the street.
When you buy gifts for people, you will be surprised how much love you'd get in return and how they will be willing to help you anytime. (I will discuss how to surprise people with gifts in my subsequent post.…Stay tuned)

INVEST IN YOURSELF
This year, you must look different and be more than what you were last year. If you can learn a trade, do it! If you can learn a new skill, do it! If you must start a business, do it! If you must get married this year, do it!

"Invest more, save more, spend less."

Put your money into investment ventures. Buy T-bills, buy shares, buy fixed deposits, import some goods and sell, be a stock broker, etc. In fact, get more than one stream of income!

ENJOY YOUR LIFE
We all have one life to live, we are not sure if we another, in reality no one knows what tomorrow holds. So, don't work your life out. You won't take your work with you when you die. You are not as important as you think, calm down. Take time off work, go and have a medical check-up, visit your family, visit obudu cattle ranch, visit the cinemas, visit the mall, travel around the world, see new things, meet new people, go to the beach, appreciate nature. What will be your gain when your life is gone?
Explore! Tour! Enjoy! And stay happy for the rest of your life!

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