Shine

PUT OUT DARKNESS WITH YOUR LIGHT

The world has long been a very dark place, there is a lot of fear, despair, anger, rage, doubts, even carnage everywhere. There have been some great beams of light, there have been some rays, and there have been some tiny sparks trying to lighten their own little corner. Many are gone, but their light shines on, they have left legacies that no one, not even time will ever erase; but darkness never stops spreading, the world needs more light.

The shadows are spreading everywhere, and darkness seems to easily swallow everything, but light will always prevail. Everyone of us carries that light within us, although some have quietly put out theirs and turned it into darkness, but we must not allow darkness to prevail over us. The light you carry is one that cannot be extinguished, it may flicker at times, but it never really goes out, and you must not let it, because it is not just for you, it is meant to be shared, it is for the world.

Jesus said in the book of Matthew chapter 5, verse 14, "Ye are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden." We cannot hide our light, it is not meant to be hidden, but for everyone to see. You must show kindness everywhere you go, to everyone you can at everytime you can; words of encouragement can go a long way in lifting another's soul; a helping hand to those who need it, is enough to put a smile on someone else's face.

You do not have to shine as bright as the sun, you do not have to burn like a furnace, a little spark can turn into a huge flame, that is enough to light someone's path. When you choose compassion over cruelty, optimism over pessimism, courage over silence, you are not just resisting darkness, you are pushing it back. The world needs your light, not tomorrow, not when you feel ready, but right now; because darkness only wins when light refuses to shine. So, burn boldly, and let your presence be light.

To a better you, Kamikun John.

Act despite fear

DON'T BE AFRAID OF DOING BE AFRAID OF NOT DOING

The fear of failure, embarrassment, and imperfection as unnecessary as they are can sometimes be excused, because fear is a natural phenomenon to man. It is not a crime to be scared, to be afraid of something, but one thing that we really need to fear, is inaction. There is great danger in dormancy, inactivity, and laziness, unfortunately many seem to be very comfortable with them. There is nothing to regret in trying and falling short, the greatest regret comes from never trying at all.

Doing comes with double chances, we either fail or succeed, but not doing comes with a guaranteed outcome of failure. Fear will paralyse you with the potential for failure, but you have already failed by yielding to fear. If you never try, you will never know what you have missed. History belongs to those who act, not those who wait for perfect conditions. Every missed chance, every opportunity deferred, is the gradual death of great potentials.

Action is the antidote for fear; failure will teach you what success will not, but inaction will stagnate you; the sting of rejection will fade, but the regret of not trying will linger for long; progress can be slow and messy, but the effect of paralysis is permanent. The world rewards doers, not bystanders. The extra work, the courage to ask and move in-spite of difficulties, the leap of faith into the unknown, these are the moments that define our lives.

At the end of the day, your greatest regret will not be what you did and failed (that will make you proud of yourself), it will be realizing that you never gave yourself the chance to soar. You don't need confidence to start, you gain confidence by doing. The muscle of courage strengthens with use; so, use it the best way possible. The only true failure is surrender before the attempt. Fear will always be there, but never let it rule you. Don't fear the stumble, fear the standstill.

To a better you, Kamikun John.

Build yourself

IT IS NOT WHAT YOU HAVE BUT WHO YOU ARE

The true value of a man is not in the things that he possesses, but in the value that he offers. The world today can measure success by wealth, material possessions, bank statements, status, and things that can be bought, touched, and felt; but the true worth of a man is his personality. Your value is not determined by what you have, but by who you are.

Material things, possessions come and go, they can be taken away in the twinkle of an eye, money can be lost, status can fade; but your character, your kindness, your integrity, the way you treat others, the discipline that you have imbibed, and the value that you carry, these are the things that truly define you. A person with little wealth but a generous heart is richer than a miser with a fortune; a humble soul who uplifts others leaves a greater legacy than someone who hoards accolades but lacks compassion.

If everything you have today were to be taken away from you, if you were to be stripped of all you have gathered, achieved, and accomplished, what would be left of you? Will you still have the respect, the honour, and the prestige you used to command? Will people still see you as someone they can associate with, or is that all there is to your existence?

The world does not always remember the richest people, but the world never forgets those who made a difference, those who fought for humanity, those who pursued justice, loved all, and lived with purpose. The kindness you show, the courage you display, and the wisdom you share are the true essence of a well-lived life. Measure yourself by the strength of your spirit, the depth of your empathy, and the light you bring into the world, that is your true worth, and that is all that truly matters.

To a better you, Kamikun John.

Look towards tomorrow

NO FUTURE IN THE PAST

There is nothing rewarding, joyous, or profitable in looking back at the regrets, mistakes, and failures of the past, when the future holds unlimited, and unimaginable possibilities; when times ahead promises great potentials, a road to be graciously explored, and an awesome story to be written. There is so much in the future to enjoy, but we must keep that future alive by constantly looking forward, and moving towards it, without the pain of the past.

Oftentimes, we revisit the past, replay old conversations in our heads, rethinking our responses, the things we said, or wished we said, we think about the hopes that never came to pass, we look back at who we were, and who we could have become; but the truth is, all these are now gone and will never return again. Everything that happened or did not happen in the past has brought us to where we are today, but if we must move forward, if we must climb up to a higher ground we must now begin to look at the present and what we must do to make tomorrow what we want it to be.

The past is where it belongs, the present is here as an opportunity to shape the future we desire. We might miss some memories of the past, we might miss who we were, or what we enjoyed, but we have the present to create memories that will carry us through into the future. There is more that can be, if we live in the moment and make the best use of it. The past, is gone, don't waste the present thinking about it.

If the future we once imagined is lost, then we must forget about the expectations we had of it, and create new ones for tomorrow. There is hope for a life that still breathes, there is a future for the man who can still imagine, and a whole life for them that believes in their ability to reach their desired destination. The past does not contain the future, and the future is an illusion until we make it there, and bring it to life.

To a better you, Kamikun John.

Seek and you will find

YOU DON'T SEE WHAT YOU ARE NOT LOOKING FOR

If you are not looking for something, even when it is right in front of you, you would not see it. There is an old saying, "The eyes see only what the mind is prepared to comprehend." What you focus on, the expectations you have, and the biases you allow in your mind, shapes the reality of your life, and what is allowed into your space.

If there is a problem you are trying to find a solution to, and you are fixated on a particular style, pattern, or approach of solving the problem, even if you stumble on countless alternative solutions, you would easily discard them, because they do not fit the type of solution your mind have pictured. Finding anything requires intentionality, and focus. Finding something is an active process, and not something that happens passively or by accident.

Awareness is a choice. If you want to see more possibilities, more truth, more connection, you must first adjust what you are looking for. Oftentimes, what you seek is already there, only waiting to be noticed. The potential for greatness is already there, if you are not harnessing it, it would not manifest. Having an open mindset can help you see a broader spectrum of things you were not aware was available to you. Some things are hidden because we are not looking, seek and you will find.

Our mental filters determine what we notice and what we ignore. If you are convinced that the world is against you, you will always be slighted, and betrayed everywhere you go, because that is what you are looking for. If you are looking for beauty, love, and peace, you will find it in places you least expected it. However, when you want something so badly, and you believe you would get it, such that your major focus becomes your earnest desire, your mind will become attuned to noticing relevant opportunities, patterns, or information that will help you reach your goal.

To a better you, Kamikun John.

Believe in yourself

YOU CAN DO IT

Life is full of challenges, moments when the path seems too steep, the obstacles too great, the doubts too loud, and the noise disruptive. It is in those moments you must always believe in yourself and remember that, you can do it. Every great achievement begins with a simple decision, trying, and believing that you can. You may not see the finish line yet, you may stumble, fall, or face setbacks, but the deep belief that you have everything you need to rise, adapt, and keep moving forward will carry you through.

The Wright brothers were told humans would never fly, until they did, because they believed in themselves. Rosa Parks stood up against segregation by sitting down and changed the course of history because she believed in her right to dignity. Elon Musk risked everything to revolutionize space travel, even when critics called it impossible. Chelsea Football Club humiliated a team people said would destroy them. All these were not superhuman, they were simply people who refused to give up on who they are.

Let your doubts fade out, but let your courage roar loud. Fear will fade if you keep taking steps forward. Progress should be prioritised over perfection, you don't have to be perfect, just persistent. No one starts at the top. Mastery comes with time and effort. Your mindset shapes your reality. If you believe you can, you are already halfway there.

Big goals feel overwhelming, but if you focus on one small step at a time, you would achieve the impossible. When you fall, get up; when you fail, learn; when you are tired, rest, but don't quit. Your dreams are not just for you, they inspire others. Every time you push through doubt, you prove what is possible; every time you rise after a fall, you show the strength of the human spirit. In the words of Nelson Mandela "It always seems impossible until it is done."

To a better you, Kamikun John.

Stick to them

SET YOUR STANDARDS

Setting standards is like erecting a guardrail that guides your movements and alignments even when you walk with your eyes closed, it also sets a boundary between what is allowed into your space and what is not. The standards you set for yourself is what ensures you don't go below your minimum best, it ensures your value is sustained, and that you do not settle for less than you deserve.

As humans, it is important we set standards for ourselves, because without standards, everything, and anything goes. Standards are not just preferences, they are more, they are non-negotiables that must be stuck to, irrespective of what happens. When you set high standards, you attract better opportunities, people and circumstances rise or fall to meet the level you demand.

Setting and maintaining your standard helps you build respect, and a positive self esteem. Every time you uphold your standards, you reinforce your worth. When you stick to what you want, and refuse to tolerate anything less, you push yourself into putting substantial effort into whatever you do, thereby driving you toward excellence.

If you don't value yourself, others won't either. Define what you deserve in every area of life. Say no to disrespect, laziness, and inconsistency, from others or yourself. When you tolerate poor treatment, or weak habits, you invite dissatisfaction. The world does not give you what you want, it gives you what you accept. Your life is a reflection of the standards you refuse to compromise on. Set them high, defend them fiercely, and watch everything, and everyone around you rise to meet them. Standards mean nothing without discipline. Be accountable, act in ways that reflect the quality of life you desire.

To a better you, Kamikun John.