Continuation of Sunday Sermon: Delightson Emmanuel - The Individual with Visionary Aspirations

We all dream of living a careless life, devoid of brooding and depression. However, there is always something out there coming out very unexpectedly and making us stressed out. And we forget what does a happy life feels like. All in all, every one of us just fiercely desires to be happy and successful. That’s all that we need – seeing our family delighted, having a successful job, gaining more experience, and the list goes on.

But what exactly can make our lives happier? Let’s look atsimple life-changing habits that we all know of but ignore quite often.

1. Do not complain about things
We humans skilfully integrate complaining and nagging into our daily lives by constantly whining like some naughty kids.

Weather, queues, traffic jams, people around – we complain about everything that exists and doesn’t even exist. We keep going with it because it makes our lives easier, but not happier! It is like finding an excuse instead of actually going and getting what you need. Once you understand the way how this dire wheel of complaining worsens your life, you will be able to develop a more positive perspective about events and people, as well as become grateful for what you luckily have.

2. Let go of the past
Just stop being the victim of the past, instead focus on your here and the now. You can’t undo any things or take your words back, however, you have the opportunity to welcome joy back in your life and make your today better.

There is no point in keeping all the negative memories or holding grudges because in the general picture of your current state it has no sense. Maybe, it was something really worrisome and horrible yesterday but it does not mean you have to keep going with it today. Leaving all of the past unpleasant experiences behind and moving forward with enthusiasm and hope are the key for a happy being. If this one habit you can master, you will see your happiness-meter go up.

3. Change your surrounding
If you are that lucky social butterfly who has an amazing relationship with your family and friends, your life is full of beans for sure. But if you feel like you are not that delightful as you would like to be, probably that’s because of your environment.

Sometimes the people we communicate with, meet or even date affect our state of happiness more than we could ever imagine. And if you notice some detrimental addictive situations with any of your besties, it is time to change your surroundings. Give yourself and your close relatives or friends a little break and see how you feel. This period will let you understand who brings positivity and happiness to you and who is not worth your attention and dedication at all.

4. Smile more
Smile is a physical response of your body expressing happy and enjoyable moments that you experience. And if you try some smiling practice out, you can actually generate even more happiness to your daily life and reduce negativity. That’s an easy trick, however, very effective.

You can simply wear a real sincere smile, not fake or strange one, thus maintaining an elevated mood and well-being for the whole day or week. You shouldn’t be feeling like a psycho because it is really healthy and funny experience that might make you more adaptable to stress situations or some hardships. In fact, you will be better able to pursue the things you want if you wear that genuine smile on your face. This should be actually the first habit you can start working on.

Train yourself to become as happier as possible out of small and sometimes unreasonable things, then the positive energy inside of you will know no boundaries. So, more smiling, less worrying.

5. Spend time in nature
Last but not least on this list is the habit of spending time in nature. Thousands of people will tell you that it is the most efficient advice of all because our mood is closely dependable on environmental changes. Respectively, becoming closer to nature will help you soothe anxiety and relieve stress. If you are surrounded by wild animals near the swamp or river, you will 100% feel really refreshed and rejuvenated. And there is no much time to it, just 15-20 minutes a day in the fresh air and you will start feeling relaxed. Either after long and difficult working hours or nerve-wracking studying – what could be better for resetting your body and mind after this if not nature?

In any case, you have to remember that you are the only one responsible for saving the positive atmosphere and maintaining happiness in your life. Nobody else can help you out. If you find that harmony inside of you by following the above-mentioned tips, you will be on cloud nine. Accepting reality and stop regretting or connecting with new people and being closer to nature. Whatever path you choose, these habits will unavoidably lead you to happiness.

"Love is like a beautiful flower which I may not touch, but whose fragrance makes the garden a place of delight just the same."
- Helen Keller

"The night sky twinkles like diamonds bright,"
"A celestial showcase, pure delight."

"As my knowledge of things grew I felt more and more the delight of the world I was in." — Helen Keller

Little Boy's Meeting with God

There once was a little boy who wanted to meet God. He knew it was a long trip to where God lived, so he packed his suitcase with Twinkies and a six-pack of root beer and started his journey. When he had gone about three blocks, he met an old woman. She was sitting in the park just staring at some pigeons.

The boy sat down next to her and opened his suitcase. He was about to take a drink from his root beer when he noticed that the old lady looked hungry, so he offered her a Twinkie. She gratefully accepted it and smiled at him. Her smile was so pretty that the boy wanted to see it again, so he offered her a root beer. Once again she smiled at him. The boy was delighted! They sat there all afternoon eating and smiling, but they never said a word.

As it grew dark, the boy realized how tired he was, and he got up to leave but before he had gone more than a few steps, he turned around, ran back to the old woman and gave her a hug. She gave him her biggest smile ever. When the boy opened the door to his own house a short time later, his mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face. She asked him, "What did you do today that made you so happy?" He replied, "I had lunch with God." But, before his mother could respond, he added, "You know what? She's got the most beautiful smile I've ever seen!"

Meanwhile, the old woman, also radiant with joy, returned to her home. Her son was stunned by the look of peace on her face and he asked, "Mother, what did you do today that made you so happy?" She replied, "I ate Twinkies in the park with God." But, before her son responded, she added, "You know, he's much younger than I expected."

Moral: God is everywhere. We just need to share our happiness and make others smile to feel him.

AGING....
You grow old, they told me, you are no longer you, you become distant, sad and lonely.
I didn't answer...
I don't get old, I get wise.
I stopped being what others like me to become, but what I like to be.
I stopped seeking the acceptance of others and accepted myself.
I have left behind the lying mirrors that deceive mercilessly.
- No, I'm not getting old.
I just become more selective with places, people, customs and ideologies.
I have let go of attachments, unnecessary pain, toxic people, sick souls and rotten hearts... bitterness and unhappiness are not for me, I release them for my health.
I'm ditching party nights for learning and embracing insomnia.
I stopped living stories and started writing them, I threw aside the imposed stereotypes.
I no longer carry eyeshadow in my bag, now I have a book that beautifies my mind.
I exchanged wine glasses for coffee cups, forgot to idealize life and started living it.
- No, I'm not getting old.
I carry freshness in my soul, innocence in my heart, and it discovers me daily.
I have in my hands the tenderness of a cocoon that, when opened, will spread its wings to other places unreachable for those who seek only the frivolity of the material.
I have that charming smile on my face when I observe the simplicity of nature.
I carry in my ears the chirping of the birds that delight me and accompany the walk.
- No, I'm not getting old.
I become selective, betting my time on the intangible, rewriting the story I've been told, rediscovering worlds, saving those old books I've forgotten half open.
I'm becoming more cautious, I've stopped the outbursts that teach me nothing, I'm learning to talk about transcendent things, I'm learning to cultivate knowledge, plant ideals and falsify my destiny.
- No, I'm not getting old.
I begin to live who I really am.~
~Bianka Luz

News

The United Kingdom (UK) Government has donated highly technical, non-lethal military equipment worth up to one billion Naira (£450,000) to the Nigerian Army.

The equipment further enhance the ongoing partnership between the British Military and the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

The donation supports Nigeria’s fight against violent extremist organisations in the North East of Nigeria.

The donation of equipment complements a new and significant package of courses delivered by the British Military.

UK and Nigerian Army
Group photo following the handover ceremony in Maiduguri.
A team of 20 personnel from the British Army are currently living and working in Maiduguri delivering a course focused on enhancing the critical skills needed for continued operations against violent extremist organisations in the North East.


The equipment was received by the Joint Task Force North East (JTF NE) Theatre Commander, Major General Wahidi Shaibu, at a handover ceremony in Maiduguri.

Speaking at the ceremony, Colonel Martin Leach, the deputy head of British Defence Staff (West Africa) & Commander British Military Training Teams in Nigeria, said:

“I am delighted to be here today to hand over this equipment and mark another development in the strong partnership between the United Kingdom and Nigeria. The UK stands with Nigeria in the continued fight against violent extremist organisations in the North East.”


Seven further courses will be delivered between now and February 2025, focussing on training Nigerian Army personnel in the specialist skills required for future operations in the North East of Nigeria.

In addition, the UK currently has personnel attached temporarily to the Theatre Counter-IED Coordination Cell in Maiduguri, working with their Nigerian counterparts to develop intelligence on the terror networks that are killing civilians and soldiers with IEDs.