friendship

2008-12-23T11:28:00.000-08:00

Spicecomments.com - Merry Christmas Comments

Pull It Back Before It Lands

2008-12-04T10:51:00.000-08:00

Pull It Back Before It Lands

I don't know if you have ever been fly-fishing. I'm no purist, but I
do love to throw a "hair popper" or two. When you find that perfect
hole for a fish, you feel the pressure to make a perfect cast; you
want to gently drop the fly right into that perfect spot without
noise and commotion! You work your line out a time or two, and then
you let it race out toward the target. Sometimes, as your fly nears
its destination, you realize that you've messed up the cast. But
this is fly fishing! With a quick flick of the wrist, the rod
silently snaps the fly back from the surface of the water before it
lands. You make a couple of "false casts," and then gently drop the
fly into your intended destination. No harm done because the bad
cast never landed; the fish wasn't spooked and the perfect spot
wasn't spoiled because of a sloppy mistake!

Ah! If only we could do that with our words!

After an grief-filled morning, I was emotionally spent. I shouldn't
have been surprised that at one crucial point, my words rang out
with a harshness I had not intended. They reflected a smoldering
private anger I had yet to bridle. My words were genuine, but too
biting to be fair; they were the truth, but unwashed by
righteousness or grace. As soon as the sentence was gone from my
lips, I wanted to stop them in mid flight, pull them back, and
re-word the sentence. Unfortunately words aren't delivered via a fly
rod. They cannot be snapped back before landing. We don't get a few
false casts so we deliver them more precisely.

So what do we do with those words that wound, statements that
sizzle, and replies that rip hearts?

Well, of course the best solution is prevention. Unfortunately, many
of us have what my dad called diarrhea of the mouth: we talk way too
much about way too little and cause way too much damage. That's why
James told us, "My dear friends, you should be quick to listen and
slow to speak or to get angry." (James 1:19) Putting the brakes on
and thinking about what we say before we say it is absolutely
crucial to living a Christian life and blessing others.
Unfortunately, this is very hard for some of us to learn to do. It
seems nearly impossible to do when we are mad, tired, frustrated, or
feel like we are unheard and under-appreciated.

So how do we put the brakes on our mouth and slow ourselves down
enough to listen before we speak? Four keys are helpful:

First, we should to plan out words of blessing we want to share with
others. The Holy Spirit told us to plan how we are going to
encourage others BEFORE we go to church. (Hebrews 10:24 "let us
consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds...")
Let's make a plan to go to church to bless. Let's strategize what
needs to be said to people who especially need our encouragement.

Second, we should analyze the need of those with whom we are
speaking, then target our words to bless them and to build them up
based upon their needs (Ephesians 4:29 "Let no evil talk come out of
your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is
need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear.") So
often we slip into speech that draws attention to ourselves, our
needs, our significance and we forget our charge to be redemptive in
every area of our life, including our speech. Let's listen first, so
we can bless when we speak rather than trying to be the center of
attention.

Third, we can read and focus on the blessings in Scripture: as we
read, memorize, and share them, they begin to shape our speech into
a much richer vocabulary of blessing. Blessed speech becomes much
more natural. This focus helps our first speech inclination to bring
God's grace to someone else rather than defending our turf, stating
our position, or returning a sarcastic zinger. In very tough times,
Peter reminded God's people: Don't repay evil for evil. Don't
retaliate when people say unkind things about you. Instead, pay them
back with a blessing. That is what God wants you to do, and he will
bless you for it. (1 Peter 3:9)

Fourth, we must begin each day with prayer, asking God to use us to
be his blessing in the lives of those we will touch that day. We
should ask for help in saying the right things at the right time
with the right attitude. If we have special meetings scheduled, we
can ask for God's grace and help to say things properly. Not all of
our conversations will be easy, pleasant, and non-confrontational.
But we can speak the truth in the love and display courtesy as well
as courage even while being assertive. Paul tells us: "Let your
conversation be gracious and effective so that you will have the
right answer for everyone." (Colossians 4:6) God's Spirit can help
us display holy character in what we say and how we say it.

Since there are no simple ways to snap back our words before they
sloppily hit their target and do lasting damage, we're going to have
to apologize when we misuse our speech. If our focus is upon
blessing others, our good intentions will begin to show in our
lives. When we mess up our speech and wound others, our apologies
will more likely be accepted and appreciated. While we cannot erase
the words, we must ask for the forgiveness of those we wound.
Hopefully over time, our desire to bless will help change the hearts
of those we've hurt and help them understand we want to bless them
with grace.

EXPERIENCE AS A NEWBIE @ THE UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN

2008-09-25T12:45:00.000-07:00

EXPERIENCE AS A NEWBIE @ THE UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN

I was very glad when my admission letter was posted to me. It read thus:| “You have been offered a provisional admission to study Pharmacy in the University of Ibadan.” My parents rejoiced with me and instantly, shopped for necessary materials that I would need for the long first journey out of our cozy home to the ivory tower of learning where I knew no one.
On my first day on the campus of the university, I sauntered in like a coroneted Kabiyesi, a Yoruba King, going to take over the reign of authority in his domain, only to discover that it wasn’t an easy task ruling. My experience, that first day shattered all my romantic notions about an easy life on campus.

The first experience that changed my idea of life on campus was my inability to secure an accommodation that first night. I had to sleep in an open lecture theatre when I could not get anyone to accommodate me for the night. In the morning, I washed my face with the free-flowing water tap in the faculty and behaved as if I enjoyed the night out. Night out indeed!
As if to let me know that I was out in the wild with no one but I to carter for myself and make my decisions, ‘day one’ turned out to be a much rosier day than ‘day two’. I had to get clearance from the Admissions Office, and then proceeded to the Loggings Office to find out which hostel I was posted to. All these involved long queues in the merciless tropical sun with no one caring whether we the Jambites were scotched by the heat or not. I got to the hostel about 3pm and was told that the Hall Warden has closed for the day and that I should come for allocation the following day. At this point, I could no longer bear it. I busted out crying. One of the potters looked at me with disdain and surprise while one of them took me to an inner room, may be it is called the potters changing room and asked why I was crying. I narrated to her my ordeal the previous day. And she felt for me and called one of the stalites, a name for students who are not newbies and asked her to accommodate me for the night. That was how I escaped another night out in a deserted and lonely lecture theatre. Having got accommodation and registered for the courses I had to take, I was expecting to be told where the lecture room for newbies is located I later learned that the university is not same as the secondary school where I came from. In the university, lectures are done in various lecture rooms. No particular room is designated for a given class or level. . I missed some lectures and had to copy notes from my co-students.
Although my experience was very disappointing, as a stranger in a strange environment, it was in the main, full of fun and adventure. Mind you, this was the first time I was alone without my parents and senior ones to take decisions for me. I was on my own. So nice to be my own boss I thought. But it was demanding. That was my campus experience!

laugh it off

2008-09-03T21:16:00.000-07:00

As an over-the-road truck driver I have had the opportunity to visit a lot of different places. Whether it be a roadside rest, truck stop or a customer's loading dock, I have noticed a trend towards good hygiene. The spread of germs has become no laughing matter, with the economy the way it is who can afford to 1) take a day off work to nurse an illness, and 2) to pay the doctor and pharmacist for their cures? I'm sure we all don't need to be reminded to wash our hands after pushing down on that silver handle, but did you know that there is a way to effectively kill germs while running your hands under soapy water?

Singing. Some of the reading material I looked at suggested singing for twenty seconds. Most research points to the song of “Happy Birthday”. When you get to be my age the years go by fast enough, like they're rolling down hill, and celebrating a birthday every time you wash your hands isn't that appealing. One chain restaurant (named after a man famous for his sausage links and patties) has come up with there own alternative song, but making animal noises in a public restroom with or without an elected official hanging out in an adjoining stall can be dangerous.

How bad do you have to sing to kill germs any ways? I'll admit that I cringe in my skin, get light-headed and nauseous from hearing the start of a John Mayer song but it is no way near death threatening. According to a commercial, when a germ is invited into your body they are pretty well ready to accept anything thrown at them except for one particular drug.

To prove how serious bathroom hygiene is getting some states are passing legislation for employees to wash their hands after visiting the restroom. Do these laws pertain to those who are in-between jobs and what can happen to you if you bypass the hand-wetting and singing?

I don't have a problem with washing my hands. It is what happens afterwards that bothers me. For my old-fashioned sensitivities I prefer paper towels to those blow dryers. Those blowers create the illusion of being more sanitary because there is no evidence of your visit. No germ infested paper in a trash bins. But what happens when you stick your hand out the window and turn it into the wind, it rises. So that one tenth of a percent of germs you didn't kill with the warm soapy water and your out-of-key rendition of “Old MacDonald” is still blowing in the wind... waiting to land on the next person who can't hold a tune. And these germs have now built up a resistance to the soap and song routine. No paper towels, I say wipe them on your Levi's... (from ezine.com/comedy)

Sesame oil

2008-08-04T10:36:00.000-07:00

Sesame oil (also known as "gingelly oil" or "til oil") is an edible vegetable oil derived from Sesame seeds.
Sesame Seed Oil has been used as a healing oil for thousands of years. It is naturally antibacterial for common skin pathogens, such as staphylococcus and streptococcus as well as common skin fungi, such as athlete's foot fungus. It is naturally antiviral. It is a natural anti inflammatory agent.

It has been used extensively in India as a healing oil, including in experiments which showed it was useful in unblocking arteries. In recent experiments in Holland by physicians, the oil has been used in the treatment of several chronic disease processes, including hepatitis, diabetes and migraines.

In vitro, sesame seed oil has inhibited the growth of malignant melanoma (a skin cancer): PROSTAGLANDIN LEUKATRINES and ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS 46: 145-150, 1992.

Also in vitro, sesame seed oil has inhibited replication of human colon cancer cells: ANTI CANCER RESEARCH 11: 209-216, 1992.

USES OF SESAME OIL:

Research shows that sesame seed oil is a potent antioxidant. In the tissues beneath the skin, this oil will neutralize oxygen radicals. It penetrates into the skin quickly and enters the blood stream through the capillaries. Molecules of sesame seed oil maintain good cholesterol (HDL) and lower bad cholesterol (LDL).

Sesame seed oil is a cell growth regulator and slows down cell growth and replication.

In both the small intestine and the colon, some cells are nourished by fat instead of sugar. The presence of sesame seed oil can provide those cells with essential nourishment.

As nose drops, sniffed back into the sinuses, sesame seed oil has cured chronic sinusitis.

As a throat gargle, it kills strep and other common cold bacteria.

It helps sufferers of psoriasis and dry skin ailments.

It has been successfully used in the hair of children to kill lice infestations.

It is a useful natural UV protector.

Used after exposure to wind or sun it will calm the burns.

It nourishes and feeds the scalp to control dry scalp dandruff and to kill dandruff causing bacteria.

It protects the skin from the effects of chlorine in swimming pool water.

Used before and after radiation treatments, sesame seed oil helps neutralize the flood of oxygen radicals which such treatment inevitably causes.

On the skin, oil soluble toxins are attracted to sesame seed oil molecules which can then be washed away with hot water and a mild soap.

Internally, the oil molecules attract oil soluble toxins and carry them into the blood stream and then out of the body as waste.

Used as a douche mixed with warm water, the oil controls vaginal yeast infections.

Sesame seed oil absorbs quickly and penetrates through the tissues to the very marrow of the bone. It enters into the blood stream through the capillaries and circulates. The liver does not sweep sesame seed oil molecules from the blood, accepting those molecules as friendly.

Sesame seed oil helps joints keep their flexibility.

It keeps the skin supple and soft.

It heals and protects areas of mild scrapes, cuts and abrasions.

It helps tighten facial skin, particularly around the nose, controlling the usual enlargement of pores as skin ages chronologically.

Teen boys and girls have learned, wrongly, that all oil is bad for their facial skin. Heavy oils and toxic oils and creams are bad for all facial skin. But sesame seed oil is the one oil which is actually good for young skin.

It helps control eruptions and neutralizes the poisons which develop both on the surface and in the pores.
With sesame oil, no cosmetics are needed. The oil will cause young facial skin to have and display natural good health.

Used on baby skin, particularly in the area covered by a diaper, sesame seed oil will protect the tender skin against rash caused by the acidity of body wastes. In the nose and ears, it will protect against common skin pathogens.

For children going to school, who will be in the presence of other children with colds and sniffles, sesame seed oil swabbed in the nose can protect against air borne viruses and bacteria.

When using the oil as a massage oil, stroke the long limbs up and down. Use circular motions over all joints to stimulate the natural energy of those joints.

For hair care:
Applying sesame oil to the hair is said to result in darker hair. It may be used for hair and scalp massage. It is believed to reduce the heat of the body and thus helps in preventing hair loss.

To Reduce Blood pressure:
Sesame oil has a high percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids.

It is suggested that due to the presence of high levels of Polyunsaturated fatty acids in sesame oil, it may help to control blood pressure. It could be used in cooking in place of other edible oils and to help reduce high blood pressure and lower the amount of medication needed to control hypertension.
Sesame oil is unique in that it has one of the highest concentrations of omega-6 fatty acids. At the same time, the oil contains two natural-occurring preservatives, sesamol and sesamin. Therefore, sesame oil is the only oil which has a high percentage of polyunsaturates and also keeps at room temperature. (Comparatively, olive oil also keeps at room temperature, but is predominately composed of the omega 9 monounsaturated oil.)
The effect of the oil on blood pressure may be due to polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), and the compound sesamin – a lignan present in sesame oil. There is evidence suggesting that both compounds reduce blood pressure in hypertensive rats. Sesame lignans also inhibit the synthesis and absorption of cholesterol in these rats.

For Oil Pulling:
Sesame oil is one of the few oils recommended for use in oil pulling(sunflower oil is the other oil recommended).
During your morning bathroom routine simply take a small amount of oil into your mouth and chew it and swish it around while you do other things. The RAW oil will attract and hold bacteria and toxins.
To really clean the mouth and throat membranes, our recommendation is to do this for twenty minutes. Do not swallow this as the mix becomes more and more laden with toxins and pathogens.
The golden oil will turn white. Spit it out into the commode, rinse your mouth with warm salt water and brush as you normally would. If a cold has started, do this several times a day.
Germs will be gone from mouth and throat. Bleeding gums will heal. Teeth will whiten. Tartar will be gone. Breath will be sweet. Colds will diminish or disappear completely.

Adverse effects
Sesame oil is not known to be harmful when taken in recommended dosages, though the long-term effects of taking sesame-derived remedies (in any amount) have not been investigated. Due to lack of sufficient medical study, sesame oil should be used with caution in children, women who are pregnant or breast-feeding, and people with liver or kidney disease.
Because of its laxative effects, sesame oil should not be used by people who have diarrhea.
Oil massage should be avoided immediately after administering enemas, emetics or purgatives, during the first stages of fever or if suffering from indigestion
People who are allergic to Peanuts are likely to be more susceptible to Sesame allergy. (from Julia Leslie)

Cynthia and Isaac

2008-08-02T14:25:00.000-07:00

Today, my nephew, Isaac Ugwumba wedded his beloved Cynthia amidst great celebration. It was a trilling experience watching the young couple dance to the fast African rhythmed music.I am glad I was there. The bride was more beautiful than I thought, elegant, cultured and at home with words. The MC is another thing althogether. He treated us to new and old jokes of the basket mouth and Alibaba stuff. Hi5 to the MC.
I hope you both are not flying to the end of the earth (Australia) right away for you honey moon? We won't mind some more days of jokes, food and gists before we let go. Joking anyway!Happy married life!

Interview

2008-07-31T21:48:00.000-07:00

Today, I have an interview for a full time appointment in my institution. I have waited so long for this day. And you know what? I don't intend losing out for the job is mine. Moreover, today is the first day of August, seven days to my birthday. What better gift can I give to myself, fans, loved ones and wonderful students than to tell them next semester that I have come to stay, for good, no longer to roam!
I sure treasure the feedback I get from my students. One told me yesterday, that he got an A in the course I taught and that the four candidates that made As are all from my tutorial group. I was elated, though I tried to play modest. My oh my! He made my day!
Anyhow, I'll get you posted on the outcome of the inter...
Meanwhile, I say a big thank you to Hoctro's Place for allowing me to use here blog widget! Learning to blog. This is my first blog really!

a beautiful day

2008-07-31T09:12:00.000-07:00

You wake up sometimes and feel so good. It's as if heaven just breathed on you on a new light. Best thing to do is make up your muse notes since you are in the spirit. yea!