I read about a 16 years old girl who was very vocal about given the girl-child equal opportunity of going to school in her country.

One day, while she was coming back from school, some gunmen's stopped her school bus, asked after her in particular and then shot her in the head and some of her friends too.

She managed to survive that horrendous incident and was back on her feet again through helps from different corners of the world. 

That particular incident never silenced her. Rather, it amplified her voice even more to the extent that today she's one of the world's top most strong advocate for children education and peace. 

Her unrelenting works as an activist earned her a NOBEL PEACE award. The youngest person ever to win such prestigious award.

I'm talking of no other person than Malala Yousafzai. The girl from Pakistan who turned her adversity into triumph.

One thing I've come to realize about is life's setbacks and ugly circumstances are inevitable.

Some are caused by our own undoing, while others are as a result of unforseen causes.

Notwithstanding, these life challenges did not happen to us break us. Of course, they might be duaghting, tedious and even unbearable. But, these things happened to us to MAKE US.

They happened to us to make us tougher and stronger. They happened to us to make us better not bitter. They happened to us to teach us life's hard lessons. They happened to us for a reason.

One of the reasons is that they equip you with the necessary knowledge to help others going through similar situations on how to overcome them based on how you overcame yours.

That is to say, "the methods and how's" you used in overcoming those challenges can be used to help others to also come out of their own predicament.

There are folks whose self esteem were bartered by one form of abuse or the other. They felt so unworthy, restrained and hate for self, but today, they are teaching and helping people to walk in confidence and boldness. Joyce Meyer is a typical example. She was sexually abused by her own biological father, she felt unworthy for many years, today she's a blessing to millions of lives through her ministry.

There are many others like her who turned their adversity into triumph and helping others to triumph too.

So my question to you is;

What is that circumstance that is giving you sleepless nights?

What is that thing that troubles your being?

First of all believe that you'll come out of it 

Maybe God allowed it to equip you to be of help to others going through same.

We humans are interdependent. Your experience could be of great help to those going through tough times in their lives.

Sharing your stories might motivate and inspire someone out there, activating something in their lives that would move them from where they are to where they want to be.

So, when next you're going through any challenges, ask yourself what is it that God wants me to learn through this difficult situation? How can I use its lessons to help others? The answer are right there inside.

Having this kind of mindset will definitely help you see positive things even in the midst of tribulations, challenges and ugly circumstances.

I strongly believe that's what God wants us to see and learn in our trials. Together we can make our world a better place by helping others to come out victorious just as we did.

Circumstances are not curses. They happened to us for a purpose. Both the good, bad, ugly and unpleasant ones. 

So never be shy about telling your stories and experiences you might be helping someone out there on how to turn their adversities into triumph.

Thank you.

MattCares 😊

The only time I could remember being close to someone who took his own life was when I still living in Lagos. It happened in Woleboyle street Ojo LGA where I reside.

That very morning, while we were preparing to go to shop at Alaba International Market we were acquainted by the news of one promising young lad who took his own life by drinking Ota-pia-pia (a local insecticide). Though, he left a written a note before committing suicide.

When heard about it, we were so mad at him simply because the note he had left said something about him not gaining admission after trying for two consecutive times. I was even infuriated the more, because I knew how long I stayed at home before I gained admission. I wish I’d met or knew him personally before the ugly incident. My story might have changed him.

“Why take your own life”, was the question on everyone’s lips. From the look of things, his parents were well to do; they were landlord in Lagos, and had a booming restaurant/pub house. What then could be the problem? I wondered too. 

Back then I saw it as an outright foolishness for anyone to toe that line by taking his own life. I use to think like a typical Nigerian would in such cases, since his family was wealthy there’s no justification whatsoever for him doing such to himself. How shallow my thoughts were. 

However, my perception on such as changed. I’ve come to realize that being wealthy doesn’t solve all your problems, it have limits. I’ve also come to realize that not everyone can bear or endure pain, abuse, rejection, hurt or disappointment for long; not everyone can cope with hardship or uncomfortable situations. To some, suicide is the gateway to end it all. 

Dwelling on any of those problems for longer time may lead to depression, which on its own is a period of unhappiness or low morale which last longer than several weeks and may include ideation of self-inflicted injury or suicide. Depression is one sickness that has become prevalent in recent time. And if care is not taking, it will escalate to an alarming rate. 

One sure way to heal from depression is to reach out to a true friend who has a listening ear, pouring out your heart to him or her will surely help to ease you up. In addition, seeking for medical help is highly recommendable. 

I’m doing this because you matter. Never give in to those voices that keeps telling you, “Jump on that moving train or vehicle”, jump off from that cliff, bridge or building”, “I’m worthless”, “I’m a failure”, “I’m meaningless “, and so on and so forth. Tell those voices to SHUT UP!!! 

Whenever those thoughts springs up start speaking positive affirmations into your life. Their effects are remarkable. Seek medical help or a friend to confide in (I’m always here if you need a friend to talk to). Doing these will gradually make those thoughts of suicide to fade away. 

Life can be so unfair, but it is only when you’re alive that you can solve your problems. Despite how challenging life can be, we have to be resolute to forge ahead no matter what, for it is in overcoming life challenges that makes it interesting.

My dear, there is still more too life. Your life is precious. You worth more! Don’t end it just like that…be it what may it can be resolved. Hold on, pain ends. Time will heal you. In fact, no pain or hurt lasts forever. I know you are tough and you would choose to live. 

Thank you. 

© Etumnu Matthew Chidi

There was this movie I watched. In it, a family was haunted by a stalker. It happened that this stalker was really tormenting each and everyone in this family (the mother, father and their daughter).

What actually caught my attention was when this stalker hacked (He was an IT specialist) into wife's medical report and discovered she went for a cancer test and is expecting her result. This guy called the woman pretending to be a doctor calling from the hospital she did the test and told her that her cancer test came out positive. 

As soon as she heard those words, her countenance changed immediately. The next day she started having symptoms of the illness she diagnosed. Her body began to deteriorate... 

While the family was finding ways to overcome the torments of this stalker, a call from the doctor at the hospital told her the cancer test result she did was out and she was negative, no trace of the element was in her system and nothing was wrong with her.

As she heard that she had a huge sigh of relief and began to feel normal again from that moment. It became obvious to her that the first caller was the stalker.

After seen all these played out I began to ponder why did she had those symptoms of that cancer despite been negative? Why did her body begin to deteriorate? Why did she begin to feel better after the main doctor called?

As I pondered these questions, the only reason why she had those symptoms or later felt better was that her subconscious mind accepted it and she believed it to be true in both cases.

This further buttress the point that OUR BELIEFS on anything will definitely become OUR REALITY.

The question now is, "What are you believing?"

If you believe that you'll never meet the right woman/man for you and get married, unfortunately, you probably won't.

If you believe that you won't be successful in an endeavour you want to embark upon, be rest assured you won't.

If you believe that this sickness will take your life, it will.

If you believe that you'll never get out of debt, you won't!

If you believe that your life will be filled with complaints, lack and miserable, then that's what you'll keep seeing.

There are no two ways about it.

Now you've known this truth: You're going to BECOME what you BELIEVE. Why not use it to your own advantage?

Start believing that you're blessed.

Believe that whatsoever you're going through is only a phase and you'll come out of it.

Believe that your best days are ahead of you.

Believe that you're gifted, talented, healthy, strong, creative, successful, confident, and a blessing to others.

Believe on these things and expect the best and it will definitely be your reality.

One peculiar thing I've come to realize in this life is that the elements of this world will always conspire to bring your most dominant beliefs to pass for you in your life. 

So, it is important you use this power to your advantage.

I do it intentionally after discovered this secret. I wake up and tell myself; It is well with me, man/woman/God will favour me today, I am strong, I am a success, I am a blessing to life and my best days are in front of me. They all turn out to be so for I dwell on these positives and I believe it strongly in my heart to be so for me.

You too can.

Start believing for the best for yourself. 

For you become what you believe.

I leave you with a question: What will you start believing for yourself from now on? 

Drop in comment.

#MattCares