What is the meaning of faith?
When we have a problem the first person we turn to is ourselves. We face up to the issues and try to find a solution. For the most, this is normally sufficient and we create independence by sorting out our own problems. It also helps in building self confidence and self esteem.
If a solution doesn’t come forth through our own efforts then we normally turn to friends, family or a professional; an expert in the field in which our problem lies. Two heads are better than one so the saying goes, and particular with regards to the expert, their wealth of experience will usually guide us in the direction we need to go.
There are times though when despite our best efforts, despite the efforts of others, an answer to our problem doesn’t seem to be readily available. For every problem there is a solution but when it just doesn’t seem obvious “who are we gonna call?”
God.
When the going gets tough, the tough get going. But when we have a deep rooted faith, God becomes our strength. We can face up to any challenge if we believe and trust that God will see us through.
So in the event of a crisis we have three levels at which we operate.
1. We look for the answers ourselves. We do a bit of research and apply the grey matter a little bit harder and if that fails we revert to plan 2.
2. We ask somebody. Hopefully there is an answer out there amongst the people we know.
3. Plan 3 is to ask God. By having faith, asking God for his help and being patient, the answer will come.
So what happens to those non-believers? What do they do when they get to level 3. Emotions normally take over. Panic and quite often depression, and when anybody gets to this state it can be a downward spiral. When negative emotions cloud thinking the problem becomes the sole focus of attention, blinkering any thoughts of a solution.
I once had a boss who would say to me “don’t bring me problems, bring me solutions”. Easier to do when God walks by our side and we can think positive thoughts. Nowhere near so easy when negative thoughts run through the mind.
When we have the joy of knowing Gods love, when we have absolute faith in God helping us to find the answers, we think positively and the solutions surely emerge.
Perhaps I should have added another level between 2 and 3. “If all else fails read the instructions”. The bible.
How fantastic is that?
Terry Norrington
www.whatisthemeaningoffaith.com
www.cryinthedark.org
Showing posts with label human potential. Show all posts
Showing posts with label human potential. Show all posts
Thursday, 19 November 2009
Saturday, 14 November 2009
The Faith of Children
What is the meaning of faith?
On occasions our faith can be in need of strengthening. Life has a habit of sometimes throwing doubt at us when things don’t quite go as smoothly as we would like.
So where can we gain our inspiration from?
Where can we turn to regain that absolute faith that we have so relied on before?
The answer is quite simply all around us. For a start Gods creation is wonderfully inspiring. Despite the scientist great efforts to explain the origins of the universe, there are always more questions than answers and one can only conclude that some kind of super force is the creator of our world and the planets and stars beyond.
But just by purely observing nature we can see how creatures rely on faith to progress. Imagine being a chick in a birds nest. Eventually, one day that chick will have to flee the comforts of that nest to make its own way in the world. But first it must learn to fly.
But how does a bird learn to fly?
It’s not exactly one of those skills that can be practiced before hand. That chick has to take one almighty leap of faith and jump. Instantaneously that chick becomes a fully fledged bird with the instinct to fly.
Mother Nature provides many other instances of faith, but we can also see this happening naturally in our own children.
My son Charlie was up on his feet quite early; about seven months. He practically skipped the crawling stage. However once he was on his feet he would hold on to every piece of furniture to guide himself around the room. This he did for about another nine months until one day we were sitting on the patio at my parents’ house. My wife and I were sitting on one side on a concrete bench linked to the patio table and my mum and dad were sitting on a wooden bench on the other side of the patio. Charlie was eager for his grandparents’ attention and was stretching out for them to come and get him. I made to take him over to them but after a couple of steps I let go of his hand. He was left stranded in the middle of the patio.
What should he do?
For a second we could see the bemusement on his face. But he looked at my mum and dad and then went for it. His faith became instantaneous as he toddled over to nanny. From that point on there was no stopping him. His faith had provided him with a new found confidence and freedom.
We can see this faith and self confidence naturally and unquestioning in children.
But what happens to us as we grow older and our faith tends to weaken?
With life’s many ups and downs, the downsides can test our faith and self confidence if we let it. But if we take the trouble and time to look around us we can see the miracles of God all the time, and we should easily be able to recall the many times that God has helped us in our lives.
In children faith is unquestioned. They don’t think about it, they just practice it, even if they are unaware of it. This is how our faith in God should be; unquestionable.
How fantastic is that?
Terry Norrington
www.whatisthemeaningoffaith.com
www.cryinthedark.org
On occasions our faith can be in need of strengthening. Life has a habit of sometimes throwing doubt at us when things don’t quite go as smoothly as we would like.
So where can we gain our inspiration from?
Where can we turn to regain that absolute faith that we have so relied on before?
The answer is quite simply all around us. For a start Gods creation is wonderfully inspiring. Despite the scientist great efforts to explain the origins of the universe, there are always more questions than answers and one can only conclude that some kind of super force is the creator of our world and the planets and stars beyond.
But just by purely observing nature we can see how creatures rely on faith to progress. Imagine being a chick in a birds nest. Eventually, one day that chick will have to flee the comforts of that nest to make its own way in the world. But first it must learn to fly.
But how does a bird learn to fly?
It’s not exactly one of those skills that can be practiced before hand. That chick has to take one almighty leap of faith and jump. Instantaneously that chick becomes a fully fledged bird with the instinct to fly.
Mother Nature provides many other instances of faith, but we can also see this happening naturally in our own children.
My son Charlie was up on his feet quite early; about seven months. He practically skipped the crawling stage. However once he was on his feet he would hold on to every piece of furniture to guide himself around the room. This he did for about another nine months until one day we were sitting on the patio at my parents’ house. My wife and I were sitting on one side on a concrete bench linked to the patio table and my mum and dad were sitting on a wooden bench on the other side of the patio. Charlie was eager for his grandparents’ attention and was stretching out for them to come and get him. I made to take him over to them but after a couple of steps I let go of his hand. He was left stranded in the middle of the patio.
What should he do?
For a second we could see the bemusement on his face. But he looked at my mum and dad and then went for it. His faith became instantaneous as he toddled over to nanny. From that point on there was no stopping him. His faith had provided him with a new found confidence and freedom.
We can see this faith and self confidence naturally and unquestioning in children.
But what happens to us as we grow older and our faith tends to weaken?
With life’s many ups and downs, the downsides can test our faith and self confidence if we let it. But if we take the trouble and time to look around us we can see the miracles of God all the time, and we should easily be able to recall the many times that God has helped us in our lives.
In children faith is unquestioned. They don’t think about it, they just practice it, even if they are unaware of it. This is how our faith in God should be; unquestionable.
How fantastic is that?
Terry Norrington
www.whatisthemeaningoffaith.com
www.cryinthedark.org
Tuesday, 10 November 2009
Absolute Faith
What is the meaning of faith?
There is no doubt that helping others or doing something charitable can give a tremendous sense of pride and fulfilment. Whether it be fundraising, helping at a charity function or devoting time to work voluntarily in a charity shop; these all provide that sense of purpose.
Occasionally there comes an opportunity to help charities by working at “the coalface”, so to speak. For fourteen of us this opportunity was presented in the form of “The Hard Hat Challenge” as set up by the charity Cry in the Dark. Cry in the Dark was established twelve years ago by Steve Cooper. At that time he was repairing a ladies cooker and she related the horrendous plight of thousands of orphans in Romania. Steve was compelled to go and look for himself and from that visit the charity was formed.
Two years later Casa Lumina was completed. This is an orphanage in Comanesti housing twenty three orphaned children all with learning difficulties or life limiting illnesses. Casa Albert became the next project for Cry in the Dark. Initially intended to be a hospice for sick children from the poorer regions around the city of Bacau it has become an outreach centre to enable a team of dedicated nurses to visit these children in their homes. Whilst Casa Albert remains the base for this outreach team, it will also be opened as a Day-care centre once the final finishing touches are complete.
Ten years on, many of the orphans at Casa Lumina have, physically at least, developed into adults. Cry in the Dark have pledged to provide a home for these young people for the rest of their lives, so “The Hard Hat Challenge” was the project created to build an extension to Casa Lumina in order to cater for the orphans through their adult lives. Primarily the work was to be undertaken by volunteers hence, on Saturday 29th August 2009 eight of us from two churches across Tenterden plus six from Geordie land (one wee lassie from Edinburgh also included in that party) arrived in Romania for one week to help with the task.
It was hard work in some hot conditions but we achieved a lot, developed some new DIY skills, created fellowship amongst the team and yet felt extremely humbled by the experience.
So what have I gained personally from this trip?
How have I changed as a person and what has it taught me?
Certainly I am more grateful for the things that I have; my family, my friends and my home.
But I bring back from Romania one extremely valuable lesson.
On the Sunday, Steve Cooper explained how Cry in the Dark came about. He described how he was inspired to come to Romania to see for himself the dreadful conditions which orphans were having to endure; the cramped and loveless conditions which tugged at the heart strings.
God spoke to him and he knew he had to do something.
We can look back now at what has been achieved with the development of Casa Lumina and Casa Albert. In the beginning though this must have seemed like a daunting challenge.
Where does one start?
How do you even know where to start?
These were questions I put to Steve.
He answered. “I didn’t know where to start. I just turned to God, prayed for the answers and he showed me the way.”
WOW
This is true faith in God…in action.
I can recall tales, particularly in Nigeria, where my faith in God saw me through some sticky encounters.
One offs.
For twelve years God has been by Steves’ side. The creation of the Cry in the Dark team, the building of Casa Lumina, Casa Albert and now the extension at Casa Lumina.
Steve and the team at Cry in the Dark have been the sole reason why twenty three children with learning difficulties and varying illnesses have made it happily through to adulthood.
All this through his faith in God.
WOW
I believe in God, obviously.
But can I say my faith is as resolute as that of Steve Coopers’?
Probably not, or at least, not up until now.
As I’ve said, I’ve had my encounters where I believed God would pull me through…and he did. But I still worried about the bills, job, family etc., wanting to know step by step the path of my future.
I can see now the effects of an absolute belief and trust in God. By praying, and listening to his answers and believing that he WILL look after me, I can worry less about the future and open my eyes to the present.
If Steve Cooper has ever doubted his faith, it never showed, and I will be eternally grateful for this priceless lesson.
How fantastic is that?
Terry Norrington
www.whatisthemeaningoffaith.com
www.cryinthedark.org
There is no doubt that helping others or doing something charitable can give a tremendous sense of pride and fulfilment. Whether it be fundraising, helping at a charity function or devoting time to work voluntarily in a charity shop; these all provide that sense of purpose.
Occasionally there comes an opportunity to help charities by working at “the coalface”, so to speak. For fourteen of us this opportunity was presented in the form of “The Hard Hat Challenge” as set up by the charity Cry in the Dark. Cry in the Dark was established twelve years ago by Steve Cooper. At that time he was repairing a ladies cooker and she related the horrendous plight of thousands of orphans in Romania. Steve was compelled to go and look for himself and from that visit the charity was formed.
Two years later Casa Lumina was completed. This is an orphanage in Comanesti housing twenty three orphaned children all with learning difficulties or life limiting illnesses. Casa Albert became the next project for Cry in the Dark. Initially intended to be a hospice for sick children from the poorer regions around the city of Bacau it has become an outreach centre to enable a team of dedicated nurses to visit these children in their homes. Whilst Casa Albert remains the base for this outreach team, it will also be opened as a Day-care centre once the final finishing touches are complete.
Ten years on, many of the orphans at Casa Lumina have, physically at least, developed into adults. Cry in the Dark have pledged to provide a home for these young people for the rest of their lives, so “The Hard Hat Challenge” was the project created to build an extension to Casa Lumina in order to cater for the orphans through their adult lives. Primarily the work was to be undertaken by volunteers hence, on Saturday 29th August 2009 eight of us from two churches across Tenterden plus six from Geordie land (one wee lassie from Edinburgh also included in that party) arrived in Romania for one week to help with the task.
It was hard work in some hot conditions but we achieved a lot, developed some new DIY skills, created fellowship amongst the team and yet felt extremely humbled by the experience.
So what have I gained personally from this trip?
How have I changed as a person and what has it taught me?
Certainly I am more grateful for the things that I have; my family, my friends and my home.
But I bring back from Romania one extremely valuable lesson.
On the Sunday, Steve Cooper explained how Cry in the Dark came about. He described how he was inspired to come to Romania to see for himself the dreadful conditions which orphans were having to endure; the cramped and loveless conditions which tugged at the heart strings.
God spoke to him and he knew he had to do something.
We can look back now at what has been achieved with the development of Casa Lumina and Casa Albert. In the beginning though this must have seemed like a daunting challenge.
Where does one start?
How do you even know where to start?
These were questions I put to Steve.
He answered. “I didn’t know where to start. I just turned to God, prayed for the answers and he showed me the way.”
WOW
This is true faith in God…in action.
I can recall tales, particularly in Nigeria, where my faith in God saw me through some sticky encounters.
One offs.
For twelve years God has been by Steves’ side. The creation of the Cry in the Dark team, the building of Casa Lumina, Casa Albert and now the extension at Casa Lumina.
Steve and the team at Cry in the Dark have been the sole reason why twenty three children with learning difficulties and varying illnesses have made it happily through to adulthood.
All this through his faith in God.
WOW
I believe in God, obviously.
But can I say my faith is as resolute as that of Steve Coopers’?
Probably not, or at least, not up until now.
As I’ve said, I’ve had my encounters where I believed God would pull me through…and he did. But I still worried about the bills, job, family etc., wanting to know step by step the path of my future.
I can see now the effects of an absolute belief and trust in God. By praying, and listening to his answers and believing that he WILL look after me, I can worry less about the future and open my eyes to the present.
If Steve Cooper has ever doubted his faith, it never showed, and I will be eternally grateful for this priceless lesson.
How fantastic is that?
Terry Norrington
www.whatisthemeaningoffaith.com
www.cryinthedark.org
Wednesday, 4 November 2009
Give Thanks
What is the Meaning of Faith?
It’s that time of year again to give thanks. The church was full today as the people brought in their gifts of fresh fruit, vegetables, bread and many other types of food. Yes it was the harvest festival. Being also in conjunction with the family service my two boys took up our gifts of a packet of rice and biscuits. I’m sure someone somewhere in our community will be enjoying a chocolate digestive curry anytime soon.
It got me thinking though about how grateful we are for the good things we have in life. How many of us appreciate all the good we have in life and give thanks for that?
Do you see life as a glass half full or half empty? Do you see this world as being a wonderful place, a true gift from god, or somewhere filled with doom, fear and misery?
If you view the world as the latter you are likely not to see anything worth being thankful for. You cannot see passed the next day, never knowing where the next penny is coming from.
On the other hand, if the glass is half full, it is seen to be half filled with champagne. This in its self is worth being thankful for; a positive outlook on life. Despite all the doom and gloom that goes on you see and smell the roses, appreciate the food on the table, enjoy the company of good friends and family.
Even if finances are hard, having faith, trusting in god will see you through to the next day and the next harvest.
After the church service I took my wife and two boys over to my parents. Every two or three weeks we visit and they are generous enough to cook the Sunday lunch, again for which we are truly grateful. My father particularly is deeply interested in politics and will create heavy debates based upon his points of view.
Today he rambled on about the credit crunch and the financial mess that most parts of the world seem to be experiencing. He complained about the banks and bankers that reportedly have conjured up this situation. A downcast picture was painted which could very easily depress any of us. My stance however was to ask what he could do about the situation to make it better? The answer of course was nothing. Other than to vote for the other lot cometh the next general election and even then they probably won’t do any better.
Having now made him understand he could not personally do anything about the current circumstances I asked him why he was worrying about it? My point was that we all should be concerned with the things we can control and not the things we can’t. Given where we are we need to be looking at how we can progress forward, making the most of our lives and continue to grow and achieve our ambitions. It is so easy to fall into the negative trap of bad news that is constantly dished out by the media that focussing on the good becomes very difficult.
Life is full of wonderful things. Observe these and view these with gratitude.
Terry Norrington
www.whatisthemeaningoffaith.com
www.cryinthedark.org
It’s that time of year again to give thanks. The church was full today as the people brought in their gifts of fresh fruit, vegetables, bread and many other types of food. Yes it was the harvest festival. Being also in conjunction with the family service my two boys took up our gifts of a packet of rice and biscuits. I’m sure someone somewhere in our community will be enjoying a chocolate digestive curry anytime soon.
It got me thinking though about how grateful we are for the good things we have in life. How many of us appreciate all the good we have in life and give thanks for that?
Do you see life as a glass half full or half empty? Do you see this world as being a wonderful place, a true gift from god, or somewhere filled with doom, fear and misery?
If you view the world as the latter you are likely not to see anything worth being thankful for. You cannot see passed the next day, never knowing where the next penny is coming from.
On the other hand, if the glass is half full, it is seen to be half filled with champagne. This in its self is worth being thankful for; a positive outlook on life. Despite all the doom and gloom that goes on you see and smell the roses, appreciate the food on the table, enjoy the company of good friends and family.
Even if finances are hard, having faith, trusting in god will see you through to the next day and the next harvest.
After the church service I took my wife and two boys over to my parents. Every two or three weeks we visit and they are generous enough to cook the Sunday lunch, again for which we are truly grateful. My father particularly is deeply interested in politics and will create heavy debates based upon his points of view.
Today he rambled on about the credit crunch and the financial mess that most parts of the world seem to be experiencing. He complained about the banks and bankers that reportedly have conjured up this situation. A downcast picture was painted which could very easily depress any of us. My stance however was to ask what he could do about the situation to make it better? The answer of course was nothing. Other than to vote for the other lot cometh the next general election and even then they probably won’t do any better.
Having now made him understand he could not personally do anything about the current circumstances I asked him why he was worrying about it? My point was that we all should be concerned with the things we can control and not the things we can’t. Given where we are we need to be looking at how we can progress forward, making the most of our lives and continue to grow and achieve our ambitions. It is so easy to fall into the negative trap of bad news that is constantly dished out by the media that focussing on the good becomes very difficult.
Life is full of wonderful things. Observe these and view these with gratitude.
Terry Norrington
www.whatisthemeaningoffaith.com
www.cryinthedark.org
Sunday, 1 November 2009
Nightmares
What is the meaning of faith?
The most recent book that I have just finished reading was Rachel Elnaugh’s “Business Nightmares”. http://www.businessnightmares.co.uk. In this book she at first describes how she took the concept of packaging days out and experiences of a life time into gifts and creating the company Red Letter Days. She worked extremely hard to build this company into a multi-million pound business and became a celebrity as one of the first “Dragons” in the hugely popular British TV show “Dragons Den”. Unfortunately her fortunes took a downturn and Red Letter Days eventually went into administration.
Despite losing everything she had worked hard for over many years she is still positive about her future which includes much demand for her to speak publicly about business and business motivation plus, obviously she has now written the book. The whole idea of the book is to highlight the fact that life can carry on after business failures and disasters of which some can be very publicly announced.
The book recounts many other successful entrepreneurs, all who have suffered their personal business nightmares and yet have managed to rise again like the phoenix from the ashes. Indeed despite the appearance of a Midas touch where everything turns to gold, all the entrepreneurs interviewed had experienced life in the doldrums, periods when finances were tight and in some cases bankruptcy loomed. What appears to many people as failure is really just part of the learning curve in the apprenticeship of entrepreneurship.
Each chapter focuses on a different type of problem which can occur whilst building and sustaining a successful business. In each of these chapters she gives a case study of somebody who has stared that particular problem in the face. At the end of each chapter she also gives a summary of how in her opinion these obstacles can be avoided. The advice given at the end of chapter eleven was of great relevance in my eyes. Subtitled “Here are my observations of being in deep problems in business and dealing with a mountain of debt:” this is my interpretation of her words.
Fear
This emotion is tremendously restrictive. It will lead to panic which in turn makes for bad decision making. Other negative emotions such as anger and resentment cloud judgement and when displayed, can alienate clients and colleagues affected by these emotions. It is much better to try to remain positive, hopeful and optimistic.
Challenges
A positive attitude to any difficult situation will help view this situation not as a problem but as a challenge. By rising to this challenge, strength is gained and valuable lessons can be learned.
Faith
The paragraph on faith really hits home to me. She advises that even if somebody is not particularly religious it helps to call on a “higher power” in order to give strength during crisis. Having absolute faith (the experience is like having a deep sense of calm) creates the opportunities to meet people and recognise the answers as they unfold. At this point keeping an open mind is essential so that every opportunity can be explored.
Life’s Journey
It is good to remember that we are all on a life’s journey. Change is inevitable and is often sent to push us onto the next phase of our journey. Even though this can be downright unpleasant and things don’t go well, this change is likely to be paving the way to something better.
Rachel Elnaugh ends this summary with the poem Desiderata.
You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labours and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace
with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
It is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.
How fantastic is that?
Terry Norrington
www.whatisthemeaningoffaith.com
www.cryinthedark.org
The most recent book that I have just finished reading was Rachel Elnaugh’s “Business Nightmares”. http://www.businessnightmares.co.uk. In this book she at first describes how she took the concept of packaging days out and experiences of a life time into gifts and creating the company Red Letter Days. She worked extremely hard to build this company into a multi-million pound business and became a celebrity as one of the first “Dragons” in the hugely popular British TV show “Dragons Den”. Unfortunately her fortunes took a downturn and Red Letter Days eventually went into administration.
Despite losing everything she had worked hard for over many years she is still positive about her future which includes much demand for her to speak publicly about business and business motivation plus, obviously she has now written the book. The whole idea of the book is to highlight the fact that life can carry on after business failures and disasters of which some can be very publicly announced.
The book recounts many other successful entrepreneurs, all who have suffered their personal business nightmares and yet have managed to rise again like the phoenix from the ashes. Indeed despite the appearance of a Midas touch where everything turns to gold, all the entrepreneurs interviewed had experienced life in the doldrums, periods when finances were tight and in some cases bankruptcy loomed. What appears to many people as failure is really just part of the learning curve in the apprenticeship of entrepreneurship.
Each chapter focuses on a different type of problem which can occur whilst building and sustaining a successful business. In each of these chapters she gives a case study of somebody who has stared that particular problem in the face. At the end of each chapter she also gives a summary of how in her opinion these obstacles can be avoided. The advice given at the end of chapter eleven was of great relevance in my eyes. Subtitled “Here are my observations of being in deep problems in business and dealing with a mountain of debt:” this is my interpretation of her words.
Fear
This emotion is tremendously restrictive. It will lead to panic which in turn makes for bad decision making. Other negative emotions such as anger and resentment cloud judgement and when displayed, can alienate clients and colleagues affected by these emotions. It is much better to try to remain positive, hopeful and optimistic.
Challenges
A positive attitude to any difficult situation will help view this situation not as a problem but as a challenge. By rising to this challenge, strength is gained and valuable lessons can be learned.
Faith
The paragraph on faith really hits home to me. She advises that even if somebody is not particularly religious it helps to call on a “higher power” in order to give strength during crisis. Having absolute faith (the experience is like having a deep sense of calm) creates the opportunities to meet people and recognise the answers as they unfold. At this point keeping an open mind is essential so that every opportunity can be explored.
Life’s Journey
It is good to remember that we are all on a life’s journey. Change is inevitable and is often sent to push us onto the next phase of our journey. Even though this can be downright unpleasant and things don’t go well, this change is likely to be paving the way to something better.
Rachel Elnaugh ends this summary with the poem Desiderata.
You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labours and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace
with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
It is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.
How fantastic is that?
Terry Norrington
www.whatisthemeaningoffaith.com
www.cryinthedark.org
Sunday, 25 October 2009
How to be Unsuccessful
What is the meaning of faith?
What do we want to be successful for?
Waking up in the morning feeling great, feeling in control, feeling victorious.
Who wants that?
It gives you energy, then that means you have to get involved with things to burn that energy off. It would mean we’d have to be constructive and make positive contributions to the world, have things in life we really want.
Is that really how we want our lives to be?
Do we rally want loads of friends, a happy family with laughing children around our feet?
Isn’t it better to have false beliefs?
At least with false beliefs we can limit our potential, limit our abilities. If we really can’t have happiness and success we can wallow in our misery, not have to live up to expectations, watching everybody else have what they want knowing we couldn’t possibly have that.
External influences. This is a great one. We can blame other things, other people for us not making our lives better. Yes, then that takes the pressure off and we can then live with our consciences because it wasn’t our fault. It wasn’t our fault the exam board set the exams so hard that we failed. Yeh, forget the fact we couldn’t be bothered to revise.
No perseverance.
How does the saying go?
“If at first you don’t succeed, give up”. Sounds like a good motto to live our lives by to me.
Why should we be bothered to exhaust all avenues to live our dream?
That sounds to much like hard work to me. If we fall over and hurt ourselves that’s a good enough reason to give up, isn’t it?
Be flexible?
Why?
If something doesn’t work, surely there isn’t another method to get the same result. That means being adaptable, having to think a little deeper, study a bit harder to find away around obstacles. We might have to start talking to people to see if they have solutions, and find out what they might think. We know what they will think. They will think we are stupid.
It isn’t worth it is it?
Then there’s the bit about planning, setting goals. Look, if we don’t plan to get ahead, well, somebody else will. If we don’t plan to get that highly paid job, somebody else will. If we don’t plan to get that fantastic house, somebody else will. We don’t want to set goals. That might put pressure on us to achieve them.
No it’s much better not to plan, isn’t it?
Self-confidence. Wow now, surely we’re better off being the shy one. All said and done, we’re protected if we live up to our belief that we cannot do it. Our feelings are protected. Let’s face it, if we start taking risks we’re only going to fail.
And then what will people think?
No, it’s much more comfortable to have no self-confidence. If we want self-confidence we need to practice all that self-confidence stuff, and we might feel inclined to get off our backsides and get on with things.
Besides we’re frightened. We’re frightened of stepping into the dark. We don’t know every step to take even if God is there to show us the way.
And what if we do become successful?
How do we handle success?
We’re only used to failure aren’t we chaps? ….. Chaps……Hello…..Where are you?
How fantastic is that?
Terry Norrington
http://www.whatisthemeaningoffaith.com
http://www.cryinthedark.org
What do we want to be successful for?
Waking up in the morning feeling great, feeling in control, feeling victorious.
Who wants that?
It gives you energy, then that means you have to get involved with things to burn that energy off. It would mean we’d have to be constructive and make positive contributions to the world, have things in life we really want.
Is that really how we want our lives to be?
Do we rally want loads of friends, a happy family with laughing children around our feet?
Isn’t it better to have false beliefs?
At least with false beliefs we can limit our potential, limit our abilities. If we really can’t have happiness and success we can wallow in our misery, not have to live up to expectations, watching everybody else have what they want knowing we couldn’t possibly have that.
External influences. This is a great one. We can blame other things, other people for us not making our lives better. Yes, then that takes the pressure off and we can then live with our consciences because it wasn’t our fault. It wasn’t our fault the exam board set the exams so hard that we failed. Yeh, forget the fact we couldn’t be bothered to revise.
No perseverance.
How does the saying go?
“If at first you don’t succeed, give up”. Sounds like a good motto to live our lives by to me.
Why should we be bothered to exhaust all avenues to live our dream?
That sounds to much like hard work to me. If we fall over and hurt ourselves that’s a good enough reason to give up, isn’t it?
Be flexible?
Why?
If something doesn’t work, surely there isn’t another method to get the same result. That means being adaptable, having to think a little deeper, study a bit harder to find away around obstacles. We might have to start talking to people to see if they have solutions, and find out what they might think. We know what they will think. They will think we are stupid.
It isn’t worth it is it?
Then there’s the bit about planning, setting goals. Look, if we don’t plan to get ahead, well, somebody else will. If we don’t plan to get that highly paid job, somebody else will. If we don’t plan to get that fantastic house, somebody else will. We don’t want to set goals. That might put pressure on us to achieve them.
No it’s much better not to plan, isn’t it?
Self-confidence. Wow now, surely we’re better off being the shy one. All said and done, we’re protected if we live up to our belief that we cannot do it. Our feelings are protected. Let’s face it, if we start taking risks we’re only going to fail.
And then what will people think?
No, it’s much more comfortable to have no self-confidence. If we want self-confidence we need to practice all that self-confidence stuff, and we might feel inclined to get off our backsides and get on with things.
Besides we’re frightened. We’re frightened of stepping into the dark. We don’t know every step to take even if God is there to show us the way.
And what if we do become successful?
How do we handle success?
We’re only used to failure aren’t we chaps? ….. Chaps……Hello…..Where are you?
How fantastic is that?
Terry Norrington
http://www.whatisthemeaningoffaith.com
http://www.cryinthedark.org
Friday, 23 October 2009
World Peace
What is the meaning of faith?
One of the comments that frustrate me, and I heard it said just the other day, is that religion is the cause of so many wars and problems in the world.
Whilst on the surface this may appear true, it is my argument that it is not religions that are the cause of these problems but people. Wars and terrorist attacks are created by people in the name of religion. These are people with fundamentalist views, intolerant to how anybody else thinks, unmoved but what others believe in.
Any study into the main religions of the world will reveal the peaceful qualities of these religions. Correct following of the words of God, whether it be through the bible, the Qur’an or any other gospel should provide us with the laws to follow harmonious existences with each other. Religions actively promote peace and anybody who commits atrocities in the name of religion in my view has totally missed the point.
It maybe that some people are intent on causing trouble and latch onto religion to justify their actions. This is not the fault of religion or faith; more the result of disturbed minds.
Whilst I consider myself a Christian and feel very comfortable practicing my faith through an Anglican church, I have come to appreciate the fact that everybody has the right to worship the lord in which ever manner they feel most at ease with. Whichever way we practice our faith, there is one undisputable fact; we all recognise that there is a creator. Whatever name we give him, whatever images we have in our heads as to how he may appear, we all have that one common link; a belief and faith in our creator.
This should be the link between us all, the bond that draws us all together. A healthy respect towards each other, a tolerance of faith, race and culture should and can result in world peace if everybody can be of the same mind.
There are other issues with immigration that make it difficult to accept mass migration into different countries. Over population and financial burdens render it difficult to accommodate everybody into any one area. Also, unfortunately, history shows that different ethnic groups cannot live in harmony with their neighbour.
But why not?
Why can’t different tribes, races and religions co-exist next door to each other?
Why does there have to be “no-go” areas?
With tolerance it should be more than possible to love thy neighbour whatever their colour of skin, no matter the way they decide to follow their faith. It’s not rocket science, it just takes the will of the people to live peaceful lives.
How fantastic is that?
Terry Norrington
http://www.whatisthemeaningoffaith.com
One of the comments that frustrate me, and I heard it said just the other day, is that religion is the cause of so many wars and problems in the world.
Whilst on the surface this may appear true, it is my argument that it is not religions that are the cause of these problems but people. Wars and terrorist attacks are created by people in the name of religion. These are people with fundamentalist views, intolerant to how anybody else thinks, unmoved but what others believe in.
Any study into the main religions of the world will reveal the peaceful qualities of these religions. Correct following of the words of God, whether it be through the bible, the Qur’an or any other gospel should provide us with the laws to follow harmonious existences with each other. Religions actively promote peace and anybody who commits atrocities in the name of religion in my view has totally missed the point.
It maybe that some people are intent on causing trouble and latch onto religion to justify their actions. This is not the fault of religion or faith; more the result of disturbed minds.
Whilst I consider myself a Christian and feel very comfortable practicing my faith through an Anglican church, I have come to appreciate the fact that everybody has the right to worship the lord in which ever manner they feel most at ease with. Whichever way we practice our faith, there is one undisputable fact; we all recognise that there is a creator. Whatever name we give him, whatever images we have in our heads as to how he may appear, we all have that one common link; a belief and faith in our creator.
This should be the link between us all, the bond that draws us all together. A healthy respect towards each other, a tolerance of faith, race and culture should and can result in world peace if everybody can be of the same mind.
There are other issues with immigration that make it difficult to accept mass migration into different countries. Over population and financial burdens render it difficult to accommodate everybody into any one area. Also, unfortunately, history shows that different ethnic groups cannot live in harmony with their neighbour.
But why not?
Why can’t different tribes, races and religions co-exist next door to each other?
Why does there have to be “no-go” areas?
With tolerance it should be more than possible to love thy neighbour whatever their colour of skin, no matter the way they decide to follow their faith. It’s not rocket science, it just takes the will of the people to live peaceful lives.
How fantastic is that?
Terry Norrington
http://www.whatisthemeaningoffaith.com
Tuesday, 6 October 2009
The Battle is Not Ours
What is the meaning of Faith?
So many times in life things get on top of us. Things don't seem to go right and other people demand so much that we wonder how we can cope with it all. We brood over our problems and dispair at the magnitude of everything. At this point our faith in God can very much be tested.
Amongst all our problems we can easily forget to turn to God. The hussle and bussle of everyday life creates no time to sit and allow God to give us answers.
Yet amazingly, if we can just switch off for a few minutes, think about God and re-affirm our faith and belief in him, suddenly a peace of mind washes over us. This allows us to see the problems from another perspective and helps us to prioritise the things that are really important.
If we turn to God and ask for the help that accomplishes good works, we get answers. To do good works is not our battle but that of God. We are merely the tools for which God's work can be completed. God will take on the burdens and relieve us of the pressure if we allow him to.
Heb. 11 : 1 Faith means that we have the full confidence in the things that we hope for, it means being certain of things we cannot see.
Joshua 1 Verses 2 and 5. Arise, go over this Jordan...I will not leave you or forsake you.
2 Chronicles 20 : 15 Do not be afraid nor dismayedbecause of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God's.
How fantastic is that?
Terry Norrington
http://www.whatisthemeaningoffaith.com/
So many times in life things get on top of us. Things don't seem to go right and other people demand so much that we wonder how we can cope with it all. We brood over our problems and dispair at the magnitude of everything. At this point our faith in God can very much be tested.
Amongst all our problems we can easily forget to turn to God. The hussle and bussle of everyday life creates no time to sit and allow God to give us answers.
Yet amazingly, if we can just switch off for a few minutes, think about God and re-affirm our faith and belief in him, suddenly a peace of mind washes over us. This allows us to see the problems from another perspective and helps us to prioritise the things that are really important.
If we turn to God and ask for the help that accomplishes good works, we get answers. To do good works is not our battle but that of God. We are merely the tools for which God's work can be completed. God will take on the burdens and relieve us of the pressure if we allow him to.
Heb. 11 : 1 Faith means that we have the full confidence in the things that we hope for, it means being certain of things we cannot see.
Joshua 1 Verses 2 and 5. Arise, go over this Jordan...I will not leave you or forsake you.
2 Chronicles 20 : 15 Do not be afraid nor dismayedbecause of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God's.
How fantastic is that?
Terry Norrington
http://www.whatisthemeaningoffaith.com/
Monday, 28 September 2009
A Christian's Look at Islam
What is the meaning of faith?
As a Christian I practice my faith in God in a manner that feels the most comfortable to me. Perhaps this has evolved from my upbringing, the teachings that have been presented to me through the course of my life and from what I have encountered myself during my life.
Ultimately how I allow my faith and beliefs to affect my life is down to me. The rules that I obey through Christianity allow me to live a clean and happy life with a well developed sense of morality and fairness.
But do we need to be a Christian to have a faith in God and live a decent life?
At www.whatisthemeaningoffaith.com it is the aim to look at all aspects of faith. In the first of two articles we shall look at the very basic beliefs of Islam as practiced by its Muslim followers.
The major source of information for this article has come from www.geocities.com/mikailtariq/index.htm and it is sincerely hoped that the interpretation is factually correct and in no way offensive.
The Islamic faith and Christianity agree in many things and as is also common with other faiths such as the Jewish faith, they all believe in one God. Perhaps the confusion comes with the fact that Muslims refer to Allah, which is a contraction of Al Ilah (The God).
A true Christian will follow the teachings of Jesus as presented in their one book, The Bible. A Muslim will accept the teachings of the great prophets Jesus, Moses and Abraham, but practice their faith through the words of The Qur’an. This, they believe is the most complete and reliable source of God’s revelations as presented through the prophet Muhammed, and as he was the last of the great prophets, this must be the most up to date account of God’s wisdom.
So Christians and Muslims have common ground in the belief of one God and a desire to live good, clean and honest lives. So where are the differences?
Muslims are taught to be proud and to conduct themselves with dignity and honour. They believe that Christianity teaches meekness, which is true although it could be argued that modesty doesn’t have to obscure self esteem. Assertiveness is viewed as inline with Muslim thinking.
Muslims place tremendous store on education. They place great reverence on schools and books and encourage efforts to acquire great knowledge. It certainly could be said that those that sit on the fringes of Christianity are not so disciplined in their attempts to gain a better education.
The Islamic faith encourages commerce and the accumulation of wealth whilst it believes that a good Christian will shun riches and depend on God for sustenance. Muslims have an immense work ethic and although they aren’t against benefits handed out by governments and charitable organisations they have the belief that they should work where at all possible. In defence of Christians, the bible implies that it is the desire for wealth that is the root of all evil. The earning of money to enjoy God’s abundance and perhaps to help others is no sin at all.
Christians are certainly encouraged to turn the other cheek. A follower of Islam on the other hand will defend his family, his faith and himself. Although not advocating violence they would not be subjected to humiliation by submitting to evil. The difficulty may come in respect to the interpretation of who or what is evil.
This is the first of two articles on a Christians view of Islam through www.whatisthemeaningoffaith.com. So far we can see that there is a lot of common ground between these two major religions and perhaps the differences aren’t really that great a divide. Accepting the common denominators of the two should surely mean that we can live in harmony with each other.
How fantastic is that?
Terry Norrington
www.whatisthemeaningoffaith.com
As a Christian I practice my faith in God in a manner that feels the most comfortable to me. Perhaps this has evolved from my upbringing, the teachings that have been presented to me through the course of my life and from what I have encountered myself during my life.
Ultimately how I allow my faith and beliefs to affect my life is down to me. The rules that I obey through Christianity allow me to live a clean and happy life with a well developed sense of morality and fairness.
But do we need to be a Christian to have a faith in God and live a decent life?
At www.whatisthemeaningoffaith.com it is the aim to look at all aspects of faith. In the first of two articles we shall look at the very basic beliefs of Islam as practiced by its Muslim followers.
The major source of information for this article has come from www.geocities.com/mikailtariq/index.htm and it is sincerely hoped that the interpretation is factually correct and in no way offensive.
The Islamic faith and Christianity agree in many things and as is also common with other faiths such as the Jewish faith, they all believe in one God. Perhaps the confusion comes with the fact that Muslims refer to Allah, which is a contraction of Al Ilah (The God).
A true Christian will follow the teachings of Jesus as presented in their one book, The Bible. A Muslim will accept the teachings of the great prophets Jesus, Moses and Abraham, but practice their faith through the words of The Qur’an. This, they believe is the most complete and reliable source of God’s revelations as presented through the prophet Muhammed, and as he was the last of the great prophets, this must be the most up to date account of God’s wisdom.
So Christians and Muslims have common ground in the belief of one God and a desire to live good, clean and honest lives. So where are the differences?
Muslims are taught to be proud and to conduct themselves with dignity and honour. They believe that Christianity teaches meekness, which is true although it could be argued that modesty doesn’t have to obscure self esteem. Assertiveness is viewed as inline with Muslim thinking.
Muslims place tremendous store on education. They place great reverence on schools and books and encourage efforts to acquire great knowledge. It certainly could be said that those that sit on the fringes of Christianity are not so disciplined in their attempts to gain a better education.
The Islamic faith encourages commerce and the accumulation of wealth whilst it believes that a good Christian will shun riches and depend on God for sustenance. Muslims have an immense work ethic and although they aren’t against benefits handed out by governments and charitable organisations they have the belief that they should work where at all possible. In defence of Christians, the bible implies that it is the desire for wealth that is the root of all evil. The earning of money to enjoy God’s abundance and perhaps to help others is no sin at all.
Christians are certainly encouraged to turn the other cheek. A follower of Islam on the other hand will defend his family, his faith and himself. Although not advocating violence they would not be subjected to humiliation by submitting to evil. The difficulty may come in respect to the interpretation of who or what is evil.
This is the first of two articles on a Christians view of Islam through www.whatisthemeaningoffaith.com. So far we can see that there is a lot of common ground between these two major religions and perhaps the differences aren’t really that great a divide. Accepting the common denominators of the two should surely mean that we can live in harmony with each other.
How fantastic is that?
Terry Norrington
www.whatisthemeaningoffaith.com
Monday, 13 April 2009
Stand Tall with Self Confidence
Communication applies to us all. To provide inspiration and motivation to others we must be able to communicate and communicate with self confidence. Most of us will consider the most important part of our communication to be speech. The ability to express our words certainly will be an inspiration and motivation to others particularly if delivered in an enthusiastic and engaging way.
Yet the truth is that only 45% of effective communication is verbal. Although others hear your words, they also receive signals generated by our body language. It is body language that provides the other 55% of effective communication. Thus when we are trying to convey a message to somebody else, we must be conscious that our body is telling the same story as our voice.
Most people, except perhaps the really insecure, find self confidence to be an attractive quality and the body will demonstrate a great deal about whether someone possess that fantastic quality called self confidence.
So what are the posturing signals that give off self confidence vibrations?
Standing with hands behind our backs demonstrates a naturally self confident person or at least somebody who is on top of a situation.
Clasping hands in front of our stomachs is a stance that you will normally see being taken by world leaders during press conferences and speeches.
Finger tips of both hands touching each other
Standing upright with both feet firmly placed upon the ground.
Walking with long strides shows somebody with purpose, someone who is ready to take on new challenges.
Being someone who refuses to panic when mistakes happen.
Sitting with one leg crossed over the other and hands clasped behind our heads tends to show an air of superiority and over confidence. We do use this posture sometimes when we have completed a difficult task of finished a hard exam but care has to be taken as others may consider this to be impolite.
That great quality of self confidence can be seen by all and attracts many people to those that possess it. Inspiration and motivation radiate from these people providing optimism that everybody can attain this quality too.
How fantastic is that?
Terry Norrington
http://www.whatisthemeaningoffaith.com
http://www.whitedovebooks.co.uk/index.htm#terryn1
Yet the truth is that only 45% of effective communication is verbal. Although others hear your words, they also receive signals generated by our body language. It is body language that provides the other 55% of effective communication. Thus when we are trying to convey a message to somebody else, we must be conscious that our body is telling the same story as our voice.
Most people, except perhaps the really insecure, find self confidence to be an attractive quality and the body will demonstrate a great deal about whether someone possess that fantastic quality called self confidence.
So what are the posturing signals that give off self confidence vibrations?
Standing with hands behind our backs demonstrates a naturally self confident person or at least somebody who is on top of a situation.
Clasping hands in front of our stomachs is a stance that you will normally see being taken by world leaders during press conferences and speeches.
Finger tips of both hands touching each other
Standing upright with both feet firmly placed upon the ground.
Walking with long strides shows somebody with purpose, someone who is ready to take on new challenges.
Being someone who refuses to panic when mistakes happen.
Sitting with one leg crossed over the other and hands clasped behind our heads tends to show an air of superiority and over confidence. We do use this posture sometimes when we have completed a difficult task of finished a hard exam but care has to be taken as others may consider this to be impolite.
That great quality of self confidence can be seen by all and attracts many people to those that possess it. Inspiration and motivation radiate from these people providing optimism that everybody can attain this quality too.
How fantastic is that?
Terry Norrington
http://www.whatisthemeaningoffaith.com
http://www.whitedovebooks.co.uk/index.htm#terryn1
Friday, 10 April 2009
Meaning of Success
There seems to be some people who are blessed. They are vibrant and happy; the glowing companion linked to their arm and abundance seems to flow into their lives. So why does life always appear good for them yet for others misery seems to follow with every step they take?
I was with two colleagues today; Sid and Steve. Sid is happy go lucky, a colourful character who has experienced a lot of life’s ups and downs. He is a great example of the phrase “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know”. He lives off of his wits and always seems to find that extra buck or two. Despite being obviously very street wise, he does attend church and appreciates a spiritual side within himself.
Steve is a worker. He does work hard yet always seems to be just keeping his head above the financial waters. Although he doesn’t constantly moan about his problems there are many hints and signs that he is tremendously concerned about his money situation.
We had two conversations of note during the course of the day; the first was when Steve stated that “I can’t see the point in religion. It only causes all the troubles in the world. It seems that people who don’t believe, like atheists, are the ones that are peaceful”.
The first thing that I pointed out was that the troubles are caused in the name of religion. It isn’t the religions themselves that cause the issues. Fundamentalists; people with such a deep beliefs in their teachings that they cannot accept other faiths, races and points of views seem to be at the heart of the troubles. The mainstream religions of this world have one common theme. They all believe in one creator. We may have differing guidelines on how to worship our creator and how to practice our religions but that one common link should be what binds us together and allow us to live in harmony with each other.
Secondly, I focussed on the Islamic faith. I don’t profess to know much about the religion but I hear many times that this is a very peaceful religion that denounces any form of violence. Any atrocity caused in the name of Islam is really so far removed from their teachings. Unfortunately within any race or creed; even amongst the atheists, there are good people and there are bad. It is a sign of the times that the world’s media only focuses on the bad.
It is an indication of Steve’s thought patterns that he had chosen to start a conversation on a real negative. This was even more noticeable with the statement he made later on in the day.
“I’ll be glad when this year is over”.
Considering that, at the time of writing we are only into the third week of January, this took Sid and me a little by surprise.
“Why’s that then?” I asked
He went on to point out that we were doing a horrible job (his words were a bit more flavoursome than that), and that the recession was really getting him down.
Admittedly the job wasn’t likely to be classified as our favourite, but I felt the need to express the notion that sometimes we need to experience the rough to truly enjoy the smooth.
With regards to the credit crunch I asked him
“What can you do about it?”
“Well nothing” he replied.
“Exactly” I countered. “So why keep thinking about it. Concentrate on what you can do to work around it”.
I then highlighted that the world is a beautiful place. Continuously seeing it as a dark, horribly place; one full of misery will lead to his world being one of misery. Conversely, choosing to see it for what it really is, a wonderful place full of abundance will mean a life that god wants us to experience, full of the abundances that he has put here for us to enjoy.
Undoubtedly there will be harder times than others. If we decide to see the world in its full glory, those harder times will be so much easier to handle, obstacles so much easier to overcome.
Sid pointed out that if we visualise life like a steeplechase race, we have hurdles to straddle. If we view the world with tremendous optimism and confidence we will jump the hurdles. If we see our planet as a world full of darkness we are going to clip those hurdles and fall over. Worst still, we will probably run straight into them.
Sid obviously had a better grasp on how to view his world and consequently experiences a lot more of the good that is out there.
We can all decide to see the world in a positive light; full of hope and optimism. It is our choice and we don’t have to let other people’s negativity cloud our vision. It doesn’t come easy, but catching ourselves thinking negative thoughts is a start. Substituting those thoughts with ones of vibrancy, abundance, happiness and tranquillity and then truly believing that we deserve these riches, will, eventually, develop us into those that have and not those that have not.
Terry Norrington
http://www.whatisthemeaningoffaith.com
http://www.whitedovebooks.co.uk/index#terryn1
I was with two colleagues today; Sid and Steve. Sid is happy go lucky, a colourful character who has experienced a lot of life’s ups and downs. He is a great example of the phrase “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know”. He lives off of his wits and always seems to find that extra buck or two. Despite being obviously very street wise, he does attend church and appreciates a spiritual side within himself.
Steve is a worker. He does work hard yet always seems to be just keeping his head above the financial waters. Although he doesn’t constantly moan about his problems there are many hints and signs that he is tremendously concerned about his money situation.
We had two conversations of note during the course of the day; the first was when Steve stated that “I can’t see the point in religion. It only causes all the troubles in the world. It seems that people who don’t believe, like atheists, are the ones that are peaceful”.
The first thing that I pointed out was that the troubles are caused in the name of religion. It isn’t the religions themselves that cause the issues. Fundamentalists; people with such a deep beliefs in their teachings that they cannot accept other faiths, races and points of views seem to be at the heart of the troubles. The mainstream religions of this world have one common theme. They all believe in one creator. We may have differing guidelines on how to worship our creator and how to practice our religions but that one common link should be what binds us together and allow us to live in harmony with each other.
Secondly, I focussed on the Islamic faith. I don’t profess to know much about the religion but I hear many times that this is a very peaceful religion that denounces any form of violence. Any atrocity caused in the name of Islam is really so far removed from their teachings. Unfortunately within any race or creed; even amongst the atheists, there are good people and there are bad. It is a sign of the times that the world’s media only focuses on the bad.
It is an indication of Steve’s thought patterns that he had chosen to start a conversation on a real negative. This was even more noticeable with the statement he made later on in the day.
“I’ll be glad when this year is over”.
Considering that, at the time of writing we are only into the third week of January, this took Sid and me a little by surprise.
“Why’s that then?” I asked
He went on to point out that we were doing a horrible job (his words were a bit more flavoursome than that), and that the recession was really getting him down.
Admittedly the job wasn’t likely to be classified as our favourite, but I felt the need to express the notion that sometimes we need to experience the rough to truly enjoy the smooth.
With regards to the credit crunch I asked him
“What can you do about it?”
“Well nothing” he replied.
“Exactly” I countered. “So why keep thinking about it. Concentrate on what you can do to work around it”.
I then highlighted that the world is a beautiful place. Continuously seeing it as a dark, horribly place; one full of misery will lead to his world being one of misery. Conversely, choosing to see it for what it really is, a wonderful place full of abundance will mean a life that god wants us to experience, full of the abundances that he has put here for us to enjoy.
Undoubtedly there will be harder times than others. If we decide to see the world in its full glory, those harder times will be so much easier to handle, obstacles so much easier to overcome.
Sid pointed out that if we visualise life like a steeplechase race, we have hurdles to straddle. If we view the world with tremendous optimism and confidence we will jump the hurdles. If we see our planet as a world full of darkness we are going to clip those hurdles and fall over. Worst still, we will probably run straight into them.
Sid obviously had a better grasp on how to view his world and consequently experiences a lot more of the good that is out there.
We can all decide to see the world in a positive light; full of hope and optimism. It is our choice and we don’t have to let other people’s negativity cloud our vision. It doesn’t come easy, but catching ourselves thinking negative thoughts is a start. Substituting those thoughts with ones of vibrancy, abundance, happiness and tranquillity and then truly believing that we deserve these riches, will, eventually, develop us into those that have and not those that have not.
Terry Norrington
http://www.whatisthemeaningoffaith.com
http://www.whitedovebooks.co.uk/index#terryn1
Wednesday, 8 April 2009
Decisions, Decisions. How to Make the Right Choice with Self Confidence
Making decisions comes naturally to some and not to others. Self confidence plays a major part in somebody’s ability to make quick decisions. Once made, a decision will provide energy and motivation to make that decision the right one.
But how do we know if we have made the right decision?
Ultimately, nobody has a crystal ball. But there are several things that we can call upon to make the best decision possible.
Information
To the best of our ability we need to do our homework about a subject. Find out as much about the problem or answer that you need to make as possible. This may take time and sometimes we don’t have the time we would like to research the point in question. Fortunately with the aid of today’s technology, finding answers to our queries can be a lot quicker and easier. Although it may not be easy, if we can push for as much time as possible to do our homework, the decision is more likely to be an informed one.
Experience
Quick decisions can be made if we have experienced the situation before. We know the pitfalls and the likely outcomes because we have seen similar circumstances in the past. Experience is a wonderful thing because it often means we can do things on auto pilot. We make decisions daily and even hourly yet we probably don’t realise it because they are decisions we make without giving a second thought, based on the fact that we have been along this road many times before.
Seek Advice
Along with doing our homework comes seeking advice. Making milestone decisions on a particular point which we have no experience will work out much more in our favour if we speak to people who are expert in the field or at least have experience of the point in question. Some advice may come at a price. Legal or financial advice will probably cost but will be worth it in the long run if it points us in the right direction. It’s surprising how so many people will not ask for advice. It dents their pride to think that they don’t know all the answers or cannot work the answer out for themselves. Others just don’t like to burden folk with their problems believing that they have enough of their own. Yet we all like to be needed. We all like to think that we have something valuable to contribute, so are very often happy to give our advice, and for free.
Gut Instinct
Sometimes a decision just feels right. That new house we are after, we can’t put our finger on why, but it just feels like the right place. It’s giving off the right vibrations. That business deal we are trying to clinch, it just seems like the right decision to make. Unfortunately, when speed is of the essence, we need to make a decision straight away and we don’t have time to do the homework. We may just have to go on gut instinct. But if it doesn’t feel right, if there are any doubts, do not go through with it. Experience can provide a terrific grounding for gut instinct. Deep in the subconscious mind we may be recalling a previous similar situation and although the clarity isn’t there, the feelings are coming through via our subconscious mind.
The hard part of using gut instinct is appreciating when it is saying “no”. We can be left with the question, are we saying “no” because our gut instinct is saying so or is the answer “no” coming from fear, fear of stepping outside our comfort zone?
This is when homework, experience and seeking advice will help determine whether it is gut instinct or fear that is holding us back.
Entrepreneurs and business people are extremely good at making quick decisions. As they become more experienced the right decisions are made more frequently. We all make mistakes and if we make the wrong choice, we have to view it is part of the learning process. Making the correct choice will become easier as we learn and absorb more. Then we will have the self confidence, inspiration and optimism to go forward believing that we are making the right decisions.
How fantastic is that?
Terry Norrington
http://www.whatisthemeaningoffaith.com
http://www.whitedovebooks.co.uk/index.htm#terryn1
But how do we know if we have made the right decision?
Ultimately, nobody has a crystal ball. But there are several things that we can call upon to make the best decision possible.
Information
To the best of our ability we need to do our homework about a subject. Find out as much about the problem or answer that you need to make as possible. This may take time and sometimes we don’t have the time we would like to research the point in question. Fortunately with the aid of today’s technology, finding answers to our queries can be a lot quicker and easier. Although it may not be easy, if we can push for as much time as possible to do our homework, the decision is more likely to be an informed one.
Experience
Quick decisions can be made if we have experienced the situation before. We know the pitfalls and the likely outcomes because we have seen similar circumstances in the past. Experience is a wonderful thing because it often means we can do things on auto pilot. We make decisions daily and even hourly yet we probably don’t realise it because they are decisions we make without giving a second thought, based on the fact that we have been along this road many times before.
Seek Advice
Along with doing our homework comes seeking advice. Making milestone decisions on a particular point which we have no experience will work out much more in our favour if we speak to people who are expert in the field or at least have experience of the point in question. Some advice may come at a price. Legal or financial advice will probably cost but will be worth it in the long run if it points us in the right direction. It’s surprising how so many people will not ask for advice. It dents their pride to think that they don’t know all the answers or cannot work the answer out for themselves. Others just don’t like to burden folk with their problems believing that they have enough of their own. Yet we all like to be needed. We all like to think that we have something valuable to contribute, so are very often happy to give our advice, and for free.
Gut Instinct
Sometimes a decision just feels right. That new house we are after, we can’t put our finger on why, but it just feels like the right place. It’s giving off the right vibrations. That business deal we are trying to clinch, it just seems like the right decision to make. Unfortunately, when speed is of the essence, we need to make a decision straight away and we don’t have time to do the homework. We may just have to go on gut instinct. But if it doesn’t feel right, if there are any doubts, do not go through with it. Experience can provide a terrific grounding for gut instinct. Deep in the subconscious mind we may be recalling a previous similar situation and although the clarity isn’t there, the feelings are coming through via our subconscious mind.
The hard part of using gut instinct is appreciating when it is saying “no”. We can be left with the question, are we saying “no” because our gut instinct is saying so or is the answer “no” coming from fear, fear of stepping outside our comfort zone?
This is when homework, experience and seeking advice will help determine whether it is gut instinct or fear that is holding us back.
Entrepreneurs and business people are extremely good at making quick decisions. As they become more experienced the right decisions are made more frequently. We all make mistakes and if we make the wrong choice, we have to view it is part of the learning process. Making the correct choice will become easier as we learn and absorb more. Then we will have the self confidence, inspiration and optimism to go forward believing that we are making the right decisions.
How fantastic is that?
Terry Norrington
http://www.whatisthemeaningoffaith.com
http://www.whitedovebooks.co.uk/index.htm#terryn1
Sunday, 1 March 2009
How to Provide Motivation to Persuade People to Come Around to Your Way of Thinking
Some people seem to be naturally gifted with the power of persuasion. Optimism, inspiration and self confidence radiates with every word they say. Their personality is adorned with charisma and others trust implicitly every word they speak.
So what techniques are these people using that make their points of view so compelling?
One mistake that many people make when trying to convince somebody to do something or believe in something, is to present their reasoning without due regard to the other persons existing points of views.
It becomes necessary to try to think of all the opposing arguments so that you can tackle each one by one. Usually people are hard to convince because they have many reasons to oppose what you are trying to say. If you can answer all their arguments effectively you can more easily start to programme their subconscious mind into believing what you want them to believe. You will know when an argument has been countered effectively when the person moves onto the next point without returning back to the previous one. http://www.2knowmyself.com/
There are at least three reasons why somebody may be initially opposed to what you have to say.
Belief Conflict
Somebodys’ beliefs are opposed to your own despite the fact that these beliefs may not even be backed up by hard evidence. For many centuries people believed that the world was flat and that there was a point where we could all fall off. It took a lot of hard persuading and much evidence to change that belief system.
Greater Knowledge
Someone has a greater knowledge on the subject on which you are trying to have your say. Try to convince an astronomer that the sun is nearer to the earth than the moon and you task is nigh on impossible because he knows differently.
Sceptics
These types of people will doubt almost anything. They have to be absolutely convinced about a point before accepting it, usually needing to see facts and evidence first.
So how do you go about persuading these hard to convince people of your point of view or command?
Shaking Beliefs
Talk assertively and with confidence about your subject matter. If their beliefs are not founded on sound knowledge, a manner of authority will cause doubts about their beliefs.
Undermining Knowledge
The idea is to convince the person that you are an authority on their subject. This is far more important than trying to convince them of a specific idea. By doing this you become a trusted source in the minds of their subconscious which in turn becomes easier to programme. In order to prove your authority on their subject matter, you will probably need to highlight documents and point out clues in order to support your thinking.
Convincing a Sceptic
Sceptics can be persuaded of a new idea provided that again, evidence can support your words. The more clues that can be provided the easier your task becomes. http://www.2knowmyself.com/
Now that all initial arguments have been overcome the programming of their subconscious mind starts. List all the benefits of your idea or command that you want the other person to take on board. Be assertive when delivering these benefits and repeat them over and over again. Constant repetition will shake any belief system as long as the conscious mind can be by-passed or you have become a trusted source.
It really helps if you truly believe in what it is you are trying to sell. A totally belief in your idea gives you self confidence and you will sound far more convincing to the other person. It is the entrepreneur who really believes in his product that becomes the success.
It may sound like the advice is to manipulate people into believing in your idea or doing what you want them to do. The word “programming” possibly makes people seem like computers. The whole point is to understand the mechanics of the techniques. These techniques are being used on us inadvertently many times a day. Conversations express points of views that are conveyed to all involved and these words are stored in our minds at a subconscious level. It is just a natural process.
Once opposition to your idea can be overcome, your idea expressed with optimism, self confidence and inspiration can be much more easily sold.
How fantastic is that?
Terry Norrington
http://www.whatisthemeaningoffaith.com
http://www.whitedovebooks.co.uk/index.htm#terryn1
So what techniques are these people using that make their points of view so compelling?
One mistake that many people make when trying to convince somebody to do something or believe in something, is to present their reasoning without due regard to the other persons existing points of views.
It becomes necessary to try to think of all the opposing arguments so that you can tackle each one by one. Usually people are hard to convince because they have many reasons to oppose what you are trying to say. If you can answer all their arguments effectively you can more easily start to programme their subconscious mind into believing what you want them to believe. You will know when an argument has been countered effectively when the person moves onto the next point without returning back to the previous one. http://www.2knowmyself.com/
There are at least three reasons why somebody may be initially opposed to what you have to say.
Belief Conflict
Somebodys’ beliefs are opposed to your own despite the fact that these beliefs may not even be backed up by hard evidence. For many centuries people believed that the world was flat and that there was a point where we could all fall off. It took a lot of hard persuading and much evidence to change that belief system.
Greater Knowledge
Someone has a greater knowledge on the subject on which you are trying to have your say. Try to convince an astronomer that the sun is nearer to the earth than the moon and you task is nigh on impossible because he knows differently.
Sceptics
These types of people will doubt almost anything. They have to be absolutely convinced about a point before accepting it, usually needing to see facts and evidence first.
So how do you go about persuading these hard to convince people of your point of view or command?
Shaking Beliefs
Talk assertively and with confidence about your subject matter. If their beliefs are not founded on sound knowledge, a manner of authority will cause doubts about their beliefs.
Undermining Knowledge
The idea is to convince the person that you are an authority on their subject. This is far more important than trying to convince them of a specific idea. By doing this you become a trusted source in the minds of their subconscious which in turn becomes easier to programme. In order to prove your authority on their subject matter, you will probably need to highlight documents and point out clues in order to support your thinking.
Convincing a Sceptic
Sceptics can be persuaded of a new idea provided that again, evidence can support your words. The more clues that can be provided the easier your task becomes. http://www.2knowmyself.com/
Now that all initial arguments have been overcome the programming of their subconscious mind starts. List all the benefits of your idea or command that you want the other person to take on board. Be assertive when delivering these benefits and repeat them over and over again. Constant repetition will shake any belief system as long as the conscious mind can be by-passed or you have become a trusted source.
It really helps if you truly believe in what it is you are trying to sell. A totally belief in your idea gives you self confidence and you will sound far more convincing to the other person. It is the entrepreneur who really believes in his product that becomes the success.
It may sound like the advice is to manipulate people into believing in your idea or doing what you want them to do. The word “programming” possibly makes people seem like computers. The whole point is to understand the mechanics of the techniques. These techniques are being used on us inadvertently many times a day. Conversations express points of views that are conveyed to all involved and these words are stored in our minds at a subconscious level. It is just a natural process.
Once opposition to your idea can be overcome, your idea expressed with optimism, self confidence and inspiration can be much more easily sold.
How fantastic is that?
Terry Norrington
http://www.whatisthemeaningoffaith.com
http://www.whitedovebooks.co.uk/index.htm#terryn1
Friday, 27 February 2009
How to Practice Forgiveness and Experience That Wonderful Sense of Well Being
Forgiveness is a truly inspirational quality to have, admired by many, the examples of which should provide motivation to us all to practice forgiveness ourselves. Those wonderful reports of people who have lost loved ones under murderous circumstances, yet have still found it in their hearts to forgive the perpetrators.
How easy is it to forgive though, when hurt has penetrated deep inside and the feelings of revenge or justice are upper most in the heart? http://www.2knowmyself.com/
There are hundreds of articles written about forgiveness. Many of the great religions are founded upon forgiveness. They promise the feel good factor and experiences of inner peace if forgiveness is practiced. So words of forgiveness are expressed, wanting that calm to materialise inside, yet still, there is a little part that won’t let go of the hurt that is being felt.
Reading articles and opinions about forgiveness provides motivation in the short term but soon the old way of thinking starts to creep back in as the emotional pain rears its ugly head again.
The fact is we must try to unravel the underlying reasons for the feelings that prevent us practicing forgiveness. We must deal with our ego issues as these are the reasons for our bad feelings and the pain that we feel. http://www.2knowmyself.com/
Jealousy is a tremendously negative emotion that blocks the ability to forgive. Somebody gets the job you have tried so hard to get or that fantastic looking girl has gone off with another guy. It is so difficult to forgive the opposition when the green eyed monster of jealousy masks the truth.
Forgiveness is associated with strength and self confidence. People with self esteem and confidence crack on with their own lives and don’t get bogged down with what other people are doing. A lack of self confidence tends to make someone look for the faults in others and when somebody commits a crime against their moral judgement, this gives them a feeling of strength, believing that the perpetrator is a lesser person than they. Practicing forgiveness then relinquishes that position of strength.
When trying out a new venture there is normally some insecurity involved as one is learning the ropes and perhaps lacks the self belief that success can be achieved. So any criticism at this point can harbour much resentment. As time goes on and the venture becomes successful, self confidence and self esteem are far stronger and it is easier to look back at the criticism and forgive the person that has made the comments. They may even be viewed as actually having a point. http://2knowmyself.com/
To practice forgiveness we need to understand the real emotions that surround our pain. Jealousy, insecurity and a lack of self confidence will always sap our strength and thus our ability to forgive. By building up our emotional strength and self esteem we are far more able to practice that admirable quality of forgiveness and get on with our lives with hope, optimism and motivation.
How fantastic is that?
Terry Norrington
http://www.whatisthemeaningoffaith.com
http://www.whitedovebooks.co.uk/index.htm#terryn1
How easy is it to forgive though, when hurt has penetrated deep inside and the feelings of revenge or justice are upper most in the heart? http://www.2knowmyself.com/
There are hundreds of articles written about forgiveness. Many of the great religions are founded upon forgiveness. They promise the feel good factor and experiences of inner peace if forgiveness is practiced. So words of forgiveness are expressed, wanting that calm to materialise inside, yet still, there is a little part that won’t let go of the hurt that is being felt.
Reading articles and opinions about forgiveness provides motivation in the short term but soon the old way of thinking starts to creep back in as the emotional pain rears its ugly head again.
The fact is we must try to unravel the underlying reasons for the feelings that prevent us practicing forgiveness. We must deal with our ego issues as these are the reasons for our bad feelings and the pain that we feel. http://www.2knowmyself.com/
Jealousy is a tremendously negative emotion that blocks the ability to forgive. Somebody gets the job you have tried so hard to get or that fantastic looking girl has gone off with another guy. It is so difficult to forgive the opposition when the green eyed monster of jealousy masks the truth.
Forgiveness is associated with strength and self confidence. People with self esteem and confidence crack on with their own lives and don’t get bogged down with what other people are doing. A lack of self confidence tends to make someone look for the faults in others and when somebody commits a crime against their moral judgement, this gives them a feeling of strength, believing that the perpetrator is a lesser person than they. Practicing forgiveness then relinquishes that position of strength.
When trying out a new venture there is normally some insecurity involved as one is learning the ropes and perhaps lacks the self belief that success can be achieved. So any criticism at this point can harbour much resentment. As time goes on and the venture becomes successful, self confidence and self esteem are far stronger and it is easier to look back at the criticism and forgive the person that has made the comments. They may even be viewed as actually having a point. http://2knowmyself.com/
To practice forgiveness we need to understand the real emotions that surround our pain. Jealousy, insecurity and a lack of self confidence will always sap our strength and thus our ability to forgive. By building up our emotional strength and self esteem we are far more able to practice that admirable quality of forgiveness and get on with our lives with hope, optimism and motivation.
How fantastic is that?
Terry Norrington
http://www.whatisthemeaningoffaith.com
http://www.whitedovebooks.co.uk/index.htm#terryn1
Saturday, 21 February 2009
See How Easily you Can Enjoy Your Evening with Self Confidence
Do you know who you are?
This may sound like a really peculiar question, but are you truly the person that you portray to the rest of the world. When you are out with friends do you try to be the life and soul of the party, always cracking jokes and making people laugh, appearing to be have extreme self confidence.
Perhaps you always act like the supremely tough person with self confidence, hoping to make others respect you by allowing them to think that you are somebody not to be messed with.
But is this your true nature or are you attempting to portray a false image?
It is human nature to be liked by everybody else. Very few people like to be hated or have others think ill of them. We prefer to have others think highly of us and act in a way that is going to promote a positive image of ourselves. This gives us self confidence and self esteem albeit temporarily while our friends play along with our acting.
Once you are away from the crowd you probably start to ask questions of yourself.
Did you make a fool of yourself?
Did you go over the top and make comments that offended someone?
Was you really true to yourself?
Perhaps your self confidence and image of yourself isn’t yet as highly developed as you would like. If it was you would have the belief that you are a decent person and your friends will accept you for the way you are.
How often before meeting friends for the evening do you rehearse the things you are likely to say?
How many jokes do you practice in your head just so you can spread some hilarity amongst the crowd?
Do you go over the tough sounding sound bytes to make your acquaintances look up to you?
All this can be quite emotionally draining and does nothing for your self confidence especially if things don’t go according to plan. Your evening could be ruined all for the sake of impressing others.
You need to be yourself. Deep down you know you are a good person. Have the self confidence and belief in yourself to be yourself. Others will respect you for it. By going out in the evening with the only plan being to be yourself you may actually start to enjoy yourself. It’s surprising how spontaneity can give you the quick and funny one liners without having to rehearse any lines. Getting into debates can be very interesting without having to plan them or make them come up in conversation. Just let them happen. By the end of the evening your friends will have seen the real you and they will be the happier for it because they are likely to have been more relaxed in your company; not having had to compete to keep up with you. Your self confidence will have been boosted to.
O.K. you may naturally be the witty guy full of the wise cracks. You may well be the hard man with the self confidence to be able to handle yourself. That is perfectly fine if that is the real you. But you decide. If you act in a way that is done only to impress others then stop.
Who is the most important person for you to impress?
It’s yourself. And you can only do this if you are true to yourself. We cannot be everything to everybody.
So why even try?
Although you can try to influence what others think, you cannot control what others think. What you can control is what you think. Concentrate on yourself. Look at what your principles are; the principles by which you try to live your life. Have the self confidence and belief that these principles are good ones. By acting according to these principles others will see the real you and this is what will gain their respect most of all.
It is not being said here that you can’t have a laugh and a joke, but don’t go out of your way to force it to happen. Let it happen naturally with spontaneity. It is much more fun that way.
Living your life according to what you believe in should be practiced twenty four hours a day. It isn’t difficult because this is the way you are naturally. Going against your principles is where the hard work is.
Study your principles. Have the self confidence that these principles are good and then be yourself living as best as you can according to these principles.
This is who you really are.
How fantastic is that?
Terry Norrington
http://www.whatisthemeaningoffaith.com
http://www.whitedovebooks.co.uk/index.htm#terryn1
This may sound like a really peculiar question, but are you truly the person that you portray to the rest of the world. When you are out with friends do you try to be the life and soul of the party, always cracking jokes and making people laugh, appearing to be have extreme self confidence.
Perhaps you always act like the supremely tough person with self confidence, hoping to make others respect you by allowing them to think that you are somebody not to be messed with.
But is this your true nature or are you attempting to portray a false image?
It is human nature to be liked by everybody else. Very few people like to be hated or have others think ill of them. We prefer to have others think highly of us and act in a way that is going to promote a positive image of ourselves. This gives us self confidence and self esteem albeit temporarily while our friends play along with our acting.
Once you are away from the crowd you probably start to ask questions of yourself.
Did you make a fool of yourself?
Did you go over the top and make comments that offended someone?
Was you really true to yourself?
Perhaps your self confidence and image of yourself isn’t yet as highly developed as you would like. If it was you would have the belief that you are a decent person and your friends will accept you for the way you are.
How often before meeting friends for the evening do you rehearse the things you are likely to say?
How many jokes do you practice in your head just so you can spread some hilarity amongst the crowd?
Do you go over the tough sounding sound bytes to make your acquaintances look up to you?
All this can be quite emotionally draining and does nothing for your self confidence especially if things don’t go according to plan. Your evening could be ruined all for the sake of impressing others.
You need to be yourself. Deep down you know you are a good person. Have the self confidence and belief in yourself to be yourself. Others will respect you for it. By going out in the evening with the only plan being to be yourself you may actually start to enjoy yourself. It’s surprising how spontaneity can give you the quick and funny one liners without having to rehearse any lines. Getting into debates can be very interesting without having to plan them or make them come up in conversation. Just let them happen. By the end of the evening your friends will have seen the real you and they will be the happier for it because they are likely to have been more relaxed in your company; not having had to compete to keep up with you. Your self confidence will have been boosted to.
O.K. you may naturally be the witty guy full of the wise cracks. You may well be the hard man with the self confidence to be able to handle yourself. That is perfectly fine if that is the real you. But you decide. If you act in a way that is done only to impress others then stop.
Who is the most important person for you to impress?
It’s yourself. And you can only do this if you are true to yourself. We cannot be everything to everybody.
So why even try?
Although you can try to influence what others think, you cannot control what others think. What you can control is what you think. Concentrate on yourself. Look at what your principles are; the principles by which you try to live your life. Have the self confidence and belief that these principles are good ones. By acting according to these principles others will see the real you and this is what will gain their respect most of all.
It is not being said here that you can’t have a laugh and a joke, but don’t go out of your way to force it to happen. Let it happen naturally with spontaneity. It is much more fun that way.
Living your life according to what you believe in should be practiced twenty four hours a day. It isn’t difficult because this is the way you are naturally. Going against your principles is where the hard work is.
Study your principles. Have the self confidence that these principles are good and then be yourself living as best as you can according to these principles.
This is who you really are.
How fantastic is that?
Terry Norrington
http://www.whatisthemeaningoffaith.com
http://www.whitedovebooks.co.uk/index.htm#terryn1
Thursday, 19 February 2009
How You Can Walk Through a Storm with Hope and Optimism in Your Heart
There are many times when life gets us down. Life is hard, finances are tight or a relationship breaks up. We’ve all been there and we are left wondering where God was throughout these difficult times. Why did God not help us in our hour of need?
I find the verse “Footprints in the Sand” by Mary Stevenson such a poignant piece of work. For those that have never read it, I feel inspired to copy it for you here.
Footprints in the Sand
One night I had a dream.
I dreamed that I was walking along the beach with the Lord,
and across the sky flashed scenes from my life.
For each scene I noticed two sets of footprints,
One belonged to me and the other to the lord.
When the last scene of my life flashed before me,
I looked back at the footprints in the sand.
I noticed that many times along the path of my life,
there was only one set of footprints.
I also noticed that it happened at the very lowest
and saddest times in my life.
This really bothered me and I questioned the Lord about it
“Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you,
you would walk with me all the way,
but I noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life
there is only one set of footprints.
I don’t understand why in my times when I needed you most,
you should leave me.”
The Lord replied “My precious, precious child,
I love you and would never, never leave you
during your times of trial and suffering.
When you saw only one set of footprints
it was then that I carried you.”
The truth is that God is always there by our sides and watches over us “for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health”. He is there for the good times as well as the bad. Whatever situation we find ourselves in, we come through it eventually and it is Gods guidance, his desire to carry us that brings us safely to the end of that particular journey in our lives.
Knowing that God holds our hands when we need him most helps us to walk through the storm with hope in our hearts believing that we will never walk alone.
We can always have motivation, inspiration, optimism, self confidence and self esteem when there is help by our sides.
Terry Norrington
http://www.whatisthemeaningoffaith.com
http://www.whitedovebooks.co.uk/index.htm#terryn1
I find the verse “Footprints in the Sand” by Mary Stevenson such a poignant piece of work. For those that have never read it, I feel inspired to copy it for you here.
Footprints in the Sand
One night I had a dream.
I dreamed that I was walking along the beach with the Lord,
and across the sky flashed scenes from my life.
For each scene I noticed two sets of footprints,
One belonged to me and the other to the lord.
When the last scene of my life flashed before me,
I looked back at the footprints in the sand.
I noticed that many times along the path of my life,
there was only one set of footprints.
I also noticed that it happened at the very lowest
and saddest times in my life.
This really bothered me and I questioned the Lord about it
“Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you,
you would walk with me all the way,
but I noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life
there is only one set of footprints.
I don’t understand why in my times when I needed you most,
you should leave me.”
The Lord replied “My precious, precious child,
I love you and would never, never leave you
during your times of trial and suffering.
When you saw only one set of footprints
it was then that I carried you.”
The truth is that God is always there by our sides and watches over us “for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health”. He is there for the good times as well as the bad. Whatever situation we find ourselves in, we come through it eventually and it is Gods guidance, his desire to carry us that brings us safely to the end of that particular journey in our lives.
Knowing that God holds our hands when we need him most helps us to walk through the storm with hope in our hearts believing that we will never walk alone.
We can always have motivation, inspiration, optimism, self confidence and self esteem when there is help by our sides.
Terry Norrington
http://www.whatisthemeaningoffaith.com
http://www.whitedovebooks.co.uk/index.htm#terryn1
Tuesday, 17 February 2009
Flippin' Heck That's a Big 'Un. What Is? Your Ego
Why is it that people start fights?
Possibly because of somebodys ego. That somebody will have probably thought that they didn’t get the respect that they deserved. This welled up anger inside them enough to thump the other person. Their ego provides the motivation for a fight.
Some people spend a good part of their lives in fights purely because others don’t have the same high regard for them as they have of themselves. Their ego is inflated, becoming so large it becomes fragile. Others around them cannot possibly keep providing the fuel to keep this ego so well inflated. http://www.2knowmyself.com/
Egos can also be deflated, particularly when a person believes that they aren’t as successful as they ought to be. This can bring on the onset of depression. We all have a sense of worthiness, even those who suffer from an inferiority complex. The problem comes when an ego is so great that life just becomes one of pain and mental suffering.
Why do some companies have such a tremendous desire to build huge, tall buildings?
Do they really use all that space in these skyscrapers?
Well some do, but others are built to satisfy the egos of the company directors. The skyscraper is a symbol of how demanding an ego can be. We all try, in our own way, to build skyscrapers. In a positive manner, some of us look to become leaders or build financial success which in turn boosts our self confidence and self esteem. On the negative front, a minority will cause wars and tremendous suffering, all in the name of power and a desire to boost an ego.
Unfortunately skyscrapers sometimes fail to get built or come crashing down. As was mentioned earlier, this failure can lead to depression. How deep and severe the depression can be equates to the difference between ambition driven by ego and the current level of achievement.
How many people remain in unhealthy relationships because of their ego?
They continue to put up a front, creating to the world an impression that life is perfectly rosy in their relationship. Despite the underlying unhappiness, these people refuse to remove themselves from the relationship because of what others might think of them. Frightened perhaps that others may not see them as being normal because they are not part of a couple.
So how do we let go of this gremlin called an ego?
Despite not trying to preach religion, a belief in God certainly can help. God ultimately controls everything and in a roundabout way that includes us. Yes we make choices, but it is God who provides these choices, those opportunities and the tools with which to use to reach our goals. Take away some of these tools and we wouldn’t be the person we are today.
God doesn’t just give us everything we desire directly; he doesn’t plant that tree in our gardens that money grows on (despite what my wife and kids might think). But he does give us the tools to create the things that we desire. He gives us our minds, produces opportunities and creates those chance meetings with people who provide us with knowledge and inspiration.
These tools are responsible for our current identity and achievements. If we find that our egos are as inflated as a hot air balloon, we shouldn’t knock ourselves for it; just ask God to provide the tools that we need to develop the motivation, optimism and self confidence to achieve our dreams.
Terry Norrington
http://www.whatisthemeaningoffaith.com
http://www.whitedovebooks.co.uk/index.htm#terryn1
Possibly because of somebodys ego. That somebody will have probably thought that they didn’t get the respect that they deserved. This welled up anger inside them enough to thump the other person. Their ego provides the motivation for a fight.
Some people spend a good part of their lives in fights purely because others don’t have the same high regard for them as they have of themselves. Their ego is inflated, becoming so large it becomes fragile. Others around them cannot possibly keep providing the fuel to keep this ego so well inflated. http://www.2knowmyself.com/
Egos can also be deflated, particularly when a person believes that they aren’t as successful as they ought to be. This can bring on the onset of depression. We all have a sense of worthiness, even those who suffer from an inferiority complex. The problem comes when an ego is so great that life just becomes one of pain and mental suffering.
Why do some companies have such a tremendous desire to build huge, tall buildings?
Do they really use all that space in these skyscrapers?
Well some do, but others are built to satisfy the egos of the company directors. The skyscraper is a symbol of how demanding an ego can be. We all try, in our own way, to build skyscrapers. In a positive manner, some of us look to become leaders or build financial success which in turn boosts our self confidence and self esteem. On the negative front, a minority will cause wars and tremendous suffering, all in the name of power and a desire to boost an ego.
Unfortunately skyscrapers sometimes fail to get built or come crashing down. As was mentioned earlier, this failure can lead to depression. How deep and severe the depression can be equates to the difference between ambition driven by ego and the current level of achievement.
How many people remain in unhealthy relationships because of their ego?
They continue to put up a front, creating to the world an impression that life is perfectly rosy in their relationship. Despite the underlying unhappiness, these people refuse to remove themselves from the relationship because of what others might think of them. Frightened perhaps that others may not see them as being normal because they are not part of a couple.
So how do we let go of this gremlin called an ego?
Despite not trying to preach religion, a belief in God certainly can help. God ultimately controls everything and in a roundabout way that includes us. Yes we make choices, but it is God who provides these choices, those opportunities and the tools with which to use to reach our goals. Take away some of these tools and we wouldn’t be the person we are today.
God doesn’t just give us everything we desire directly; he doesn’t plant that tree in our gardens that money grows on (despite what my wife and kids might think). But he does give us the tools to create the things that we desire. He gives us our minds, produces opportunities and creates those chance meetings with people who provide us with knowledge and inspiration.
These tools are responsible for our current identity and achievements. If we find that our egos are as inflated as a hot air balloon, we shouldn’t knock ourselves for it; just ask God to provide the tools that we need to develop the motivation, optimism and self confidence to achieve our dreams.
Terry Norrington
http://www.whatisthemeaningoffaith.com
http://www.whitedovebooks.co.uk/index.htm#terryn1
Sunday, 15 February 2009
How the Law of Attraction Can Create Great Wealth and Abundance
Jason was the bloke that everybody liked to criticise. He was naturally self confident, with plenty of self esteem and optimism. He had the gift of the gab and always had a gorgeous girl on his arm. A natural salesman he had great abundance in his life. When he went to the “bookies” he nearly always came out on top, with more money than he went in with. Yet everybody knocked him, trying to pick holes in every trait of his personality.
Why?
Envy probably. People just didn’t like to see someone having a quality of life that really they wanted for themselves. It was far easier to criticise than to create the self confidence and self esteem that Jason had. Fortunately, what people thought and said mattered not one jot to Jason. He was way to busy producing and enjoying the riches that he had discovered.
We can all enjoy abundance and great riches too. Just like Jason we need that self belief that we can have, and will have riches. That fantastic natural law of attraction will bring those riches to those who wholeheartedly believe they can have them. Just about every great, successful person has that self belief that firstly, they can achieve success, and secondly, that once they have it, they deserve their success and can keep it. Some of these people may not be aware of their self confidence; it is something they have inherited. But for many others they have removed the barrier of natural pessimism using self confidence techniques and creating tremendous self esteem to orchestrate their success. http://www.whitedovebooks.co.uk/index.htm#terryn1
If you naturally think the worst, think that if you prepare yourself for the worst, then you won’t be disappointed, then guess what? You will not be disappointed. The worst WILL indeed happen. That again is this Law of Attraction. To attract great abundance you must clearly visualise abundance. Visualise and dream of all the things you want in life. See them as a clear image in your mind. Believe you CAN have them and don’t allow this vision to fade. Allowing negative thoughts to crawl their way back in will only restrict the flow of riches to you. I know this is easier said than done but you must be alert to those old thoughts worming their way back into your subconscious mind.
When formulating positive images to improve self confidence and magnetically attract abundance, concentrate on yourself and everything you want to achieve. Refrain from visualising harm being inflicted onto others or imagining others failing. To create true richness, harmony needs to prevail between you and all people you encounter in life. With this type of attitude we can all live in a world where a spirit of co-operation exists, where each person is willing to help the next.
Willing ill on your neighbour very seldom hurts that neighbour. Instead you end up hurting yourself, draining energy from within with the bitter emotions that have built up inside. Be a “Jason”. Look to enrich your life and concern yourself with what you can do to improve your lot. Develop your self esteem, optimism, motivation and inspiration and help yourself to achieve great abundance and wealth.
Terry Norrington
http://www.whatisthemeaningoffaith.com/
http://www.whitedovebooks.co.uk/index.htm#terryn1
Why?
Envy probably. People just didn’t like to see someone having a quality of life that really they wanted for themselves. It was far easier to criticise than to create the self confidence and self esteem that Jason had. Fortunately, what people thought and said mattered not one jot to Jason. He was way to busy producing and enjoying the riches that he had discovered.
We can all enjoy abundance and great riches too. Just like Jason we need that self belief that we can have, and will have riches. That fantastic natural law of attraction will bring those riches to those who wholeheartedly believe they can have them. Just about every great, successful person has that self belief that firstly, they can achieve success, and secondly, that once they have it, they deserve their success and can keep it. Some of these people may not be aware of their self confidence; it is something they have inherited. But for many others they have removed the barrier of natural pessimism using self confidence techniques and creating tremendous self esteem to orchestrate their success. http://www.whitedovebooks.co.uk/index.htm#terryn1
If you naturally think the worst, think that if you prepare yourself for the worst, then you won’t be disappointed, then guess what? You will not be disappointed. The worst WILL indeed happen. That again is this Law of Attraction. To attract great abundance you must clearly visualise abundance. Visualise and dream of all the things you want in life. See them as a clear image in your mind. Believe you CAN have them and don’t allow this vision to fade. Allowing negative thoughts to crawl their way back in will only restrict the flow of riches to you. I know this is easier said than done but you must be alert to those old thoughts worming their way back into your subconscious mind.
When formulating positive images to improve self confidence and magnetically attract abundance, concentrate on yourself and everything you want to achieve. Refrain from visualising harm being inflicted onto others or imagining others failing. To create true richness, harmony needs to prevail between you and all people you encounter in life. With this type of attitude we can all live in a world where a spirit of co-operation exists, where each person is willing to help the next.
Willing ill on your neighbour very seldom hurts that neighbour. Instead you end up hurting yourself, draining energy from within with the bitter emotions that have built up inside. Be a “Jason”. Look to enrich your life and concern yourself with what you can do to improve your lot. Develop your self esteem, optimism, motivation and inspiration and help yourself to achieve great abundance and wealth.
Terry Norrington
http://www.whatisthemeaningoffaith.com/
http://www.whitedovebooks.co.uk/index.htm#terryn1
Thursday, 12 February 2009
Become a Great Leader Using Your Optimism and Motivation
To be a leader requires many qualities and abilities; qualities such as self confidence, motivation, optimism and enthusiasm. Having charisma also helps particularly in line with the ability to be engaging. To help you team to focus on the goals or project and fully understand their roles is a necessity for any task to be truly successful.
As a commissioning engineer I have had to train many personnel on equipment before handing over for them to maintain. It is extremely rewarding when your audience have fully participated in the training programme and you can see that they have really appreciated the knowledge that has been passed to them.
Back in 2003 I had two visits to Nigeria to commission some water treatment equipment at a tobacco factory in the city of Ibadan. On the second visit, one of my remits was to perform the training not only on the plant that I had been commissioning but also on another companys system to. As I wasn’t overly familiar with this equipment, I felt very apprehensive about conducting the training.
The organisation that I had been sub-contracted to were Yugoslavian and the engineers that I had been reporting to had said
“Don’t worry, these Nigerians won’t ask any questions, the training will soon be over”
These Yugoslavian engineers were conducting some training of their own after my session was over. Tuesday afternoon at 1.00p.m. my time came to perform my training. Gathered around the plant were ten Nigerian guys that at first glance looked totally uninterested.
“Lets go for it” I thought and proceeded to introduce myself.
Now my style was to be light-hearted, not taking myself too seriously. I would obviously go systematically over the equipment but I would throw questions back at them to make sure that they were taking in the information that I was imparting. By the time I had finished talking about the system that I was less familiar with I really felt that I had gotten these Nigerian maintenance staff on my side. I had them then ask me questions and these questions were very intelligent ones. They were interested and I was pleased that my style seemed to be working.
I was becoming more at ease now and when I went on to explain about my “baby”; the piece of equipment that I had commissioned I was in my element. The enthusiasm flowed out and by the end of my training session all these Nigerian maintenance engineers were gathering around me to ask questions about me. I honestly felt that they had taken me to their hearts. It was 4.00p.m.; some three hours later. This had hardly been a short training course and my Yugoslavian friends had still to conduct their training.
In comparison their method was far more serious. They didn’t ask questions of the students and didn’t invite questions back. It was plain to see the Nigerian staff “switching off” and loosing interest. These people were bright, intelligent people who could very easily take in the lessons providing the training was interesting and engaging.
Despite my nervousness at the beginning, I had the self confidence and self belief to get me through the training and win these people over. With the qualities of enthusiasm and optimism I was able to find the ability to provide motivation and inspiration to these Nigerian people.
Terry Norrington
http://www.alleluiasuccessishere.com
http://www.whitedovebooks.co.uk/index.htm#terryn1
http://www.getselfconfident.com
http://140020.successuniversity.com
As a commissioning engineer I have had to train many personnel on equipment before handing over for them to maintain. It is extremely rewarding when your audience have fully participated in the training programme and you can see that they have really appreciated the knowledge that has been passed to them.
Back in 2003 I had two visits to Nigeria to commission some water treatment equipment at a tobacco factory in the city of Ibadan. On the second visit, one of my remits was to perform the training not only on the plant that I had been commissioning but also on another companys system to. As I wasn’t overly familiar with this equipment, I felt very apprehensive about conducting the training.
The organisation that I had been sub-contracted to were Yugoslavian and the engineers that I had been reporting to had said
“Don’t worry, these Nigerians won’t ask any questions, the training will soon be over”
These Yugoslavian engineers were conducting some training of their own after my session was over. Tuesday afternoon at 1.00p.m. my time came to perform my training. Gathered around the plant were ten Nigerian guys that at first glance looked totally uninterested.
“Lets go for it” I thought and proceeded to introduce myself.
Now my style was to be light-hearted, not taking myself too seriously. I would obviously go systematically over the equipment but I would throw questions back at them to make sure that they were taking in the information that I was imparting. By the time I had finished talking about the system that I was less familiar with I really felt that I had gotten these Nigerian maintenance staff on my side. I had them then ask me questions and these questions were very intelligent ones. They were interested and I was pleased that my style seemed to be working.
I was becoming more at ease now and when I went on to explain about my “baby”; the piece of equipment that I had commissioned I was in my element. The enthusiasm flowed out and by the end of my training session all these Nigerian maintenance engineers were gathering around me to ask questions about me. I honestly felt that they had taken me to their hearts. It was 4.00p.m.; some three hours later. This had hardly been a short training course and my Yugoslavian friends had still to conduct their training.
In comparison their method was far more serious. They didn’t ask questions of the students and didn’t invite questions back. It was plain to see the Nigerian staff “switching off” and loosing interest. These people were bright, intelligent people who could very easily take in the lessons providing the training was interesting and engaging.
Despite my nervousness at the beginning, I had the self confidence and self belief to get me through the training and win these people over. With the qualities of enthusiasm and optimism I was able to find the ability to provide motivation and inspiration to these Nigerian people.
Terry Norrington
http://www.alleluiasuccessishere.com
http://www.whitedovebooks.co.uk/index.htm#terryn1
http://www.getselfconfident.com
http://140020.successuniversity.com
Tuesday, 10 February 2009
Through My Faith and Optimism, God Looked After Me
In 2003, working as a Water Treatment Engineer, I was asked if I fancied a trip to Nigeria to commission some equipment. Having a certain spirit of adventure and wanderlust, it took me about ……. ten seconds to make up my mind. I had never visited an African state before and experiencing a culture completely different to my own, at first, seemed daunting yet exciting. I have always had a good amount of self confidence in my ability to adapt and a belief that God would always look after me.
It took two trips in the end to commission the water treatment equipment which amounted to about fifteen days in all. During that time I can easily say that I had more experiences than in the rest of my life, but that said, I have never regretted making those visits to Nigeria as I have tremendous memories despite quite a few dubious moments.
One of these precarious moments involved the journey home at the end of my second visit. The water treatment equipment that I had been commissioning had been installed at a tobacco plant being constructed for British American Tobacco in Ibadan, approximately ninety minutes drive north-east of Lagos – Lagos being Nigeria’s largest and most populated city. The Lagos to Ibadan Highway was a dual carriageway that consisted of two stretches of tarmac that carved its way through the jungle. There were no road markings and road users drove on any part of the lane they fancied and the usual, almost obligatory driving at eighty m.p.h. was made even more hazardous by the numerous pot-holes in the road.
Gabriel was my driver – a well built Nigerian gentleman who seemed full of self confidence and very at ease with the world; until he got behind the wheel of a car.
The car he chauffeured me around in was a beige coloured Mercedes. The first time I had visited it had been relatively luxurious, but now it seemed to be in need of a good service. The engine sounded very rough, the radio didn’t work and neither did the air conditioning. It didn’t provide me with much optimism.
We left Ibadan with what we thought was plenty of time to spare to travel back to the airport at Lagos. The weather was extremely hot and humid and the non existent air conditioning made for a very uncomfortable journey. There were two sets of tolls between Ibadan and Lagos, the first being five or six miles outside of Ibadan. Just after the first set of booths we were beckoned to pull over at a police check point. There were many of these check points on the roads around the big cities. A policeman, dressed in his burgundy uniform looked at me and asked Gabriel,
“Is he French?”
Although I am not, Gabriels reply was.
“Yes”
“Move on” the policeman ordered and gestured for us to go. Gabriel obligingly drove on.
A few miles further down the road one of the tyres developed a puncture. Gabriel pulled the Mercedes onto the dusty roadside. We both got out of the car and Gabriel proceeded to swap over the wheel with the spare.
“No good” he proclaimed.
“You mean the spare’s got a flat as well?” I asked in amazement.
“Look after these” Gabriel said. I was dumbfounded as he shoved the keys to the car into my hand.
I was totally bemused as Gabriel wheeled the two flat tyres over to an old, beat up, yellow recovery truck parked some fifty yards behind us. I watched as they drove off down the road, leaving me to look after the car. I checked my mobile phone. Surprise, surprise there was no signal available for me to be able to phone anybody. My only choice was to sit and wait, praying for Gabriel’s return.
Sitting in the boot of the car was my suitcase crammed with my clothes, my tool bag and a rucksack storing my paperwork. I couldn’t have cared less about the suitcase and tools but I wanted to protect the paperwork which basically consisted of my flight ticket and my passport. I took the rucksack and positioned it in the foot well behind my seat. Then I locked the doors.
Whilst I was nervously waiting, suddenly from across the other side of the highway came a family of four Nigerian girls, with what I assume to be the mother at the head, going down in age through the daughters, with the youngest at the rear. She looked to be about eight years old. They were all dressed in colourful tops and sarongs and carried baskets on their heads. Patiently they waited for gaps in the fast moving traffic, before making their way across the road and disappearing down a track into the jungle.
Forty minutes later I was absolutely relieved to see Gabriel returning in the yellow recovery truck with one repaired tyre. He quickly fitted this and we sped off to find a ram shackled shed by the side of the road that was equipped with an air compressor. This apparently was the road side tyre repair service. The young man there repaired the second tyre. Now that I realised what they were I noted many of these sheds spread along the highway between Ibadan and Lagos.
“Great” I thought, “now let’s just get to the airport.”
The second set of toll booths were situated half way between Ibadan and Lagos. As we approached these the traffic came to a grinding halt. It took ages but when we finally reached the booths Gabriel asked the attendant why we were held-up.
“Highway robbery. Gun men just appeared from the trees, fired their guns at one of the cars and looted both the car and the people they had killed.”
Gabriel glanced over at me and said,
“Good job we had puncture”
Surely nothing else could go wrong between here and the airport.
It was June, the rainy season in Nigeria, and as we were closing in on Lagos, dark, heavy clouds loomed up in the sky. The thunderstorms in that part of the world were very spectacular and the continuous display of lightning was totally enthralling. The rain that came with it was spectacular to. With the failure of the air conditioning, the windows misted over rapidly. The windscreen wipers were going at full speed and, even with all the windows down, it was still difficult to get good view ahead. I was getting soaked through and yet Gabriel was still driving at eighty m.p.h. around the holes in the road. All I wanted now was to get to Lagos and off the dual carriageway so that we could experience some calm.
When we did finally leave the highway the scenery became one of poverty. Market stalls lined both sides of the road, selling a large variety of fruit and vegetables and yet surrounded by waste. The traffic slowed and people darted between the vehicles prompting the customary sound of car horns that seemed to fill the air in all built up areas. By now the progress of the traffic had become painfully slow. Eventually we could see why. A river of water cascaded across the road. The traffic was stop-start through the stream of water and I dreaded the point when we would be driving through. In the middle of the stream the dodgy sounding engine stalled. Amazingly Gabriel turned the ignition key and got the car started again. It stalled a second time but he managed to start it again. Suddenly I felt a wet sensation on my feet. As I looked down I was greeted with the sight of water flooding into the foot well. Quickly I raised my feet onto the seat. Then it dawned on me,
“My paperwork and my rucksack are behind my seat”
I grabbed the rucksack and despairingly rummaged through my paperwork for my passport and flight ticket.
Sopping wet.
Fortunately my ticket and passport weren’t seriously damaged and still legible. The rest of the journey to the airport was spent waving my papers in the air in a desperate attempt to dry them out.
What should have been an hour and a half journey took over five hours. Although it was fraught with much anxiety, I can honestly say that there was no point where I doubted my survival. My optimism, self confidence, and belief in God helped me see positively through each incident. There wasn’t a need to panic at any time. Experiences like these, difficult though they were, creates personal growth, making me a stronger person, knowing that I have the self confidence to see me through other obstacles and challenges that life may present.
For someone like me, brought up in a secure environment, experiences like these seem very dramatic. I would imagine that for the average Nigerian this would be commonplace. This provides Nigerian people with a deep hunger to improve their circumstances. There are opportunities for them, and I dream of returning one day to help them create the success that they so crave for. http://www.alleluiasuccessishere.com
Terry Norrington
http://www.whitedovebooks.co.uk/index.htm#terryn1
http://www.getselfconfident.com
http://www.alleluiasuccessishere.com
It took two trips in the end to commission the water treatment equipment which amounted to about fifteen days in all. During that time I can easily say that I had more experiences than in the rest of my life, but that said, I have never regretted making those visits to Nigeria as I have tremendous memories despite quite a few dubious moments.
One of these precarious moments involved the journey home at the end of my second visit. The water treatment equipment that I had been commissioning had been installed at a tobacco plant being constructed for British American Tobacco in Ibadan, approximately ninety minutes drive north-east of Lagos – Lagos being Nigeria’s largest and most populated city. The Lagos to Ibadan Highway was a dual carriageway that consisted of two stretches of tarmac that carved its way through the jungle. There were no road markings and road users drove on any part of the lane they fancied and the usual, almost obligatory driving at eighty m.p.h. was made even more hazardous by the numerous pot-holes in the road.
Gabriel was my driver – a well built Nigerian gentleman who seemed full of self confidence and very at ease with the world; until he got behind the wheel of a car.
The car he chauffeured me around in was a beige coloured Mercedes. The first time I had visited it had been relatively luxurious, but now it seemed to be in need of a good service. The engine sounded very rough, the radio didn’t work and neither did the air conditioning. It didn’t provide me with much optimism.
We left Ibadan with what we thought was plenty of time to spare to travel back to the airport at Lagos. The weather was extremely hot and humid and the non existent air conditioning made for a very uncomfortable journey. There were two sets of tolls between Ibadan and Lagos, the first being five or six miles outside of Ibadan. Just after the first set of booths we were beckoned to pull over at a police check point. There were many of these check points on the roads around the big cities. A policeman, dressed in his burgundy uniform looked at me and asked Gabriel,
“Is he French?”
Although I am not, Gabriels reply was.
“Yes”
“Move on” the policeman ordered and gestured for us to go. Gabriel obligingly drove on.
A few miles further down the road one of the tyres developed a puncture. Gabriel pulled the Mercedes onto the dusty roadside. We both got out of the car and Gabriel proceeded to swap over the wheel with the spare.
“No good” he proclaimed.
“You mean the spare’s got a flat as well?” I asked in amazement.
“Look after these” Gabriel said. I was dumbfounded as he shoved the keys to the car into my hand.
I was totally bemused as Gabriel wheeled the two flat tyres over to an old, beat up, yellow recovery truck parked some fifty yards behind us. I watched as they drove off down the road, leaving me to look after the car. I checked my mobile phone. Surprise, surprise there was no signal available for me to be able to phone anybody. My only choice was to sit and wait, praying for Gabriel’s return.
Sitting in the boot of the car was my suitcase crammed with my clothes, my tool bag and a rucksack storing my paperwork. I couldn’t have cared less about the suitcase and tools but I wanted to protect the paperwork which basically consisted of my flight ticket and my passport. I took the rucksack and positioned it in the foot well behind my seat. Then I locked the doors.
Whilst I was nervously waiting, suddenly from across the other side of the highway came a family of four Nigerian girls, with what I assume to be the mother at the head, going down in age through the daughters, with the youngest at the rear. She looked to be about eight years old. They were all dressed in colourful tops and sarongs and carried baskets on their heads. Patiently they waited for gaps in the fast moving traffic, before making their way across the road and disappearing down a track into the jungle.
Forty minutes later I was absolutely relieved to see Gabriel returning in the yellow recovery truck with one repaired tyre. He quickly fitted this and we sped off to find a ram shackled shed by the side of the road that was equipped with an air compressor. This apparently was the road side tyre repair service. The young man there repaired the second tyre. Now that I realised what they were I noted many of these sheds spread along the highway between Ibadan and Lagos.
“Great” I thought, “now let’s just get to the airport.”
The second set of toll booths were situated half way between Ibadan and Lagos. As we approached these the traffic came to a grinding halt. It took ages but when we finally reached the booths Gabriel asked the attendant why we were held-up.
“Highway robbery. Gun men just appeared from the trees, fired their guns at one of the cars and looted both the car and the people they had killed.”
Gabriel glanced over at me and said,
“Good job we had puncture”
Surely nothing else could go wrong between here and the airport.
It was June, the rainy season in Nigeria, and as we were closing in on Lagos, dark, heavy clouds loomed up in the sky. The thunderstorms in that part of the world were very spectacular and the continuous display of lightning was totally enthralling. The rain that came with it was spectacular to. With the failure of the air conditioning, the windows misted over rapidly. The windscreen wipers were going at full speed and, even with all the windows down, it was still difficult to get good view ahead. I was getting soaked through and yet Gabriel was still driving at eighty m.p.h. around the holes in the road. All I wanted now was to get to Lagos and off the dual carriageway so that we could experience some calm.
When we did finally leave the highway the scenery became one of poverty. Market stalls lined both sides of the road, selling a large variety of fruit and vegetables and yet surrounded by waste. The traffic slowed and people darted between the vehicles prompting the customary sound of car horns that seemed to fill the air in all built up areas. By now the progress of the traffic had become painfully slow. Eventually we could see why. A river of water cascaded across the road. The traffic was stop-start through the stream of water and I dreaded the point when we would be driving through. In the middle of the stream the dodgy sounding engine stalled. Amazingly Gabriel turned the ignition key and got the car started again. It stalled a second time but he managed to start it again. Suddenly I felt a wet sensation on my feet. As I looked down I was greeted with the sight of water flooding into the foot well. Quickly I raised my feet onto the seat. Then it dawned on me,
“My paperwork and my rucksack are behind my seat”
I grabbed the rucksack and despairingly rummaged through my paperwork for my passport and flight ticket.
Sopping wet.
Fortunately my ticket and passport weren’t seriously damaged and still legible. The rest of the journey to the airport was spent waving my papers in the air in a desperate attempt to dry them out.
What should have been an hour and a half journey took over five hours. Although it was fraught with much anxiety, I can honestly say that there was no point where I doubted my survival. My optimism, self confidence, and belief in God helped me see positively through each incident. There wasn’t a need to panic at any time. Experiences like these, difficult though they were, creates personal growth, making me a stronger person, knowing that I have the self confidence to see me through other obstacles and challenges that life may present.
For someone like me, brought up in a secure environment, experiences like these seem very dramatic. I would imagine that for the average Nigerian this would be commonplace. This provides Nigerian people with a deep hunger to improve their circumstances. There are opportunities for them, and I dream of returning one day to help them create the success that they so crave for. http://www.alleluiasuccessishere.com
Terry Norrington
http://www.whitedovebooks.co.uk/index.htm#terryn1
http://www.getselfconfident.com
http://www.alleluiasuccessishere.com
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