All posts in category Inspiring

How to cope with losing your job

I was out of a job for about two weeks last month (lucky me, I hear you say). It was one of the crazier periods in my life (trust me! there has been a lot of crazy so far.)

Boot! And you are out!

So, based on my experience, here are five tips on how to cope when you suddenly lose your job. By the way, I did not cope well at all, so you can learn from my experience on how to do things better.

1. Don’t panic!

Of course, I panicked. I have never really been out of a job and just couldn’t bear the thought of months without steady pay. Jobs are hard to come by and I know people who have been unemployed for years. Oh God, what if that is me, I kept thinking. The problem with panic is that it stops you from thinking straight. Unless you have no talent, educational qualifications, work experience, friends and family or faith, losing your job is not the end of the world.

2. Be positive!

See this as an opportunity to do those things you have been putting off because of work. I always wanted to take courses in event management but because I spent the two weeks wallowing in self-pity, I never got to do that. I also did not brush up on my French, visit my sister in Enugu… or work on this blog. I know a guy who lost his job during the recession in the UK; he used that “break” to travel the world.

3. Try not to remain idle.

The fact that you may not have regular job does not mean you have to stop working. Find things to keep you busy; better for you if they are things that would put money in your pocket. Do not spend your time watching movies or surfing the internet aimlessly. Whatever you do, make sure it is something that adds value to you. Learn a trade, a language, study something! Start your own business!

4. Do not be ashamed to ask for help.

Tell your friends and family that you are unemployed- not so that they can pity you but that they might help you with new prospects. You do not know where help might come from so do not be discouraged when some may not be so kind or forthcoming with their response. Remember, be positive!

5. Have faith.

My personal mantra is “something always comes up” because I have learnt something always does for those who believe. During my days of employment I kept watching “Company Men”. It’s a movie about how three men coped with losing their jobs during the recession. Of course, not all of them survived. Anyway from the movie I drew this other mantra which gave me courage towards the end of those two weeks. Here it is: I will win! Why? Because I have faith, courage and enthusiasm.

May you never lose your source of income!

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by W+G on 17/11/2011  •  Permalink
Posted in Inspiring, My View
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Posted by W+G on 17/11/2011

https://onyim.wordpress.com/2011/11/17/how-to-cope-with-losing-your-job/

Six ways you can help end violence against women and girls

In 2008, the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon launched the UNiTE to End Violence against Women campaign to help “raise public awareness and increase political will and resources for preventing and ending all forms of violence against women and girls in all parts of the world.”

UN Secretary General Ban Kin-Moon

On the website are six ways men and boys can help end violence against women:

  1. Educate yourself about the causes and consequences of violence against women and girls.
  2. Listen to girls and women you know to learn from them and their experiences.
  3. Challenge sexist language and jokes that degrade women and girls.
  4. Learn to recognize and oppose violence and harassment of women and girls in your school, community and family.
  5. Examine how your own attitudes and behavior might contribute to the problem.
  6. Support, financially or otherwise, organizations that work to provide women and girls with alternatives to violence and discontinue support to those institutions that promote
              violence.
 

UNiTE is also holding a competition that urges men and boys to design T-shirts that speaks on this issue. Below is one designed by a Nigerian.

Entry by Chinedu Charles Etuka from Nigeria

Visit UNiTE  website to learn more about the campaign and the competition. Also you can vote for your favorite entries in the T-Shirt design competition .

Click here to vote for Chinedu Charles Etuka’s own if you like it.

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by W+G on 23/09/2011  •  Permalink
Posted in Beautiful, Inspiring
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Posted by W+G on 23/09/2011

https://onyim.wordpress.com/2011/09/23/lets-end-violence-against-women/

American gay officers come out on the internet

As the Americans put the (in)famous Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell  to rest, more gay miltary men are coming out on, where else, the internet.

Here’s a video of one who came out to his dad over the phone. He had been a closeted gay activist on Youtube for a while. So, it made sense to post the video there.

This other dude wrote for TIME magazine as Ofiicer X but only just revealed his identity.

Nigeria love to imitate America but the last thing that our government would do (at least for now) is pass a law that makes homosexuality anything but criminal.

Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell? Here, it is DON’T BE (disgusting)!

The last time anybody came out here, he was given the beating of his life which earned him asylum in Britain. It also led to the bill that officially criminalised homosexuality in Nigeria.

Now let’s not even talk about the Nigerian armed forces…

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by W+G on 22/09/2011  •  Permalink
Posted in Chit-chat, Inspiring, Pix and Vids
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Posted by W+G on 22/09/2011

https://onyim.wordpress.com/2011/09/22/american-gay-officers-come-out-on-the-internet/

See Halle Berry’s banging 45 year-old body.

Hot!

Okay, this a body most women only dream to have at that age.

And no it is not magic or genes. It takes hardwork and sacrifice like every other thing worth having. Lots of exercise and dieting and sometimes even plastic surgery.

So the moral of the story is:

If you do not have a “banging” body like Halle Berry at 45, appreciate the still banging (because it belongs to you exclusively) one you have. and be happy! After all said and done, a beautiful personality/SPIRIT is far better than a beautiful body.

Deuces!

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by W+G on 19/08/2011  •  Permalink
Posted in Beautiful, Inspiring
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Posted by W+G on 19/08/2011

https://onyim.wordpress.com/2011/08/19/see-halle-berrys-banging-45-year-old-body/

74 yr-old grandma is the world oldest female body-builder

Ernestine Shepherd, all musly, cute and looking thirty years younger.

When I am 74 I still want to  be writing and then have a banging body like Grandma’s up there. But of course it takes a lot of work.

“30-pound dynamo wakes up at 3 a.m. every morning, and runs 10 miles a day, before hitting the gym for pushups, pull-ups and a heavy regimen of free weights.”

She also eats healthy.

(On second thoughts, plastic surgery might just be easier but with less graceful results.)

She started major exercise twenty years ago when she and her sister wanted to go for a picnic and couldn’t get into their swimsuits.

Now she needn’t worry about getting into anything but the things that would like to get into her.

That is truly one Hot Mama

See video here.

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by W+G on 01/06/2011  •  Permalink
Posted in Beautiful, Inspiring, Weird
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Posted by W+G on 01/06/2011

https://onyim.wordpress.com/2011/06/01/74-yr-old-grandma-is-the-world-oldest-female-body-builder/

Oprah say bye-bye after 25 years

This picture does not capture the beauty of this lovely dress still...

I have never been a big fan but I had to give it to her final speech “What Oprah Knows for sure.” (video here)

It sounded like what you always hear self-help promoters say anyway and then a bit of church (I kept saying Amen.) Here is a snarky review of it by Time’s James who aptly titles his piece The Gospel according to Oprah.

I was going through a photo profile of her on Yahoo’s OMG! and just thinking “How I hate her style!” but I actually gbaduned the dress she wore on her final show, it was mwah!

There are people who will miss her especially those her favorite celebrities. Not me. I prefer Ellen The Generate as one of my friends calls her.

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by W+G on 26/05/2011  •  Permalink
Posted in Chit-chat, Inspiring
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Posted by W+G on 26/05/2011

https://onyim.wordpress.com/2011/05/26/oprah-say-bye-bye-after-25-years/

What listening to Flavour can do…

Below are some tweets inspired by listening to too much of Flavour Nabania’s Uplifted. ( I had to review it.)

I was in the zone...

Translating them would only ruin the sense so enjoy, if you can.

Thanks KC for inspiring this post.

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by W+G on 23/05/2011  •  Permalink
Posted in Inspiring

Posted by W+G on 23/05/2011

https://onyim.wordpress.com/2011/05/23/what-listening-to-flavour-can-do/

The man without a face

From this to this

Have you heard of the guy who got a face transplant.

For him it is not about beauty but feeling his daughter’s kiss once again.

Wow.

Read here

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by W+G on 17/05/2011  •  Permalink
Posted in Inspiring, Pix and Vids, Weird

Posted by W+G on 17/05/2011

https://onyim.wordpress.com/2011/05/17/the-man-without-a-face/

PROTECT THE CORPERS

I enjoyed my NYSC ( in the best way I could.) I “served my fatherland” during census. I  was also a monitor on Immunization days. I made the most of my posting in Sokoto by staying on the border and visiting Niger. I made friends…

Not so many people have pleasant memories like I have which is why the NYSC scheme needs serious reforms.

I remember the time crisis broke out in Maiduguri over cartoons that were published in Holland, the then Sultan assured corpers of their safety. We were advised by veterans of Northern crisis (the Ibos who live in the area) that we could run to the Immigration and Custom barracks that were in the border town were I served while corpers in the capital could take refuge in the Army barracks.

However, the situation did not deteriorate to that level. Still the assurance of the Sultan was enough to make some of us feel safe.

Unfortunately, not so may corpers were and are this lucky. Corpers have died in Kaduna, Kano, Maiduguri and Bauchi during spontaneous riots. Most time their deaths were filed under “collateral damage” as they were most often not the primary targets and being “government pikin” they seemed untouchable but not this time. Now they are primary targets more like scape goats of some politicians’ demented ambition.

The Future Nigeria and their partners have come up with this initiative based on current events called Protect The Corpers. You can read more about it here.

They need 100,000 signatures for a petition they intend to take to the Federal House of Representatives so that something can be done not just to compensate families for the loss of their loved ones during post-election crisis but also laws would be enacted for a total reform of the entire NYSC scheme.

Please add your name to the already growing list.

Thanks, folks.

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by W+G on 28/04/2011  •  Permalink
Posted in Inspiring, My View
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Posted by W+G on 28/04/2011

https://onyim.wordpress.com/2011/04/28/protect-the-corpers/

Fifty years in Space

Yuri Gagarin, first man in space.

It’s fifty years since the first man went into space (and back) and I am just found out some interesting things about him.

One, not many people remember that his name is Yuri Gagarin.

Two, despite the fact that we had to learn about him for General Knowledge tests in primary school, some young people still do not know his name (or give damn about him).

Three, he started a bizarre tradition of cosmonauts pissing against the tires of the transport van just before they are launched into space. When he did it that first time it was just your usual nature’s call but now other cosmonauts in his wake do it for good luck.

Four, he went to space when he was 27 and died at the age of 34.

Five, he never went back to space because his country feared that he might not be so lucky the second time around and wanted to preserve him as a national treasure.

Six, he was just 5ft 2in; small enough to fit into the pod that took him into history and record books.

Seven, today, April 12th, “space communities” around the world (71 countries including Iran) celebrate as Yuri’s Night in honour of him.

Eight, if you are interested, there is a website where you can discuss him and also buy everything from T-shirts to fake tattoos in honour of him.

 

The world (at least those who care) celebrate YURI GAGARIN. (He was Russian by the way.)

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by W+G on 12/04/2011  •  Permalink
Posted in Inspiring, Weird

Posted by W+G on 12/04/2011

https://onyim.wordpress.com/2011/04/12/fifty-years-in-space/

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