Evans Akpo

Give up thinking that everyone else has it so much easier than you. – When times get really tough, remember this simple truth: Nothing that’s worthwhile is ever easy. And when you’re struggling with something that’s important to you, and you feel like your life isn’t fair, look at all the people around you and realize that every single person you see is struggling with something, and to them, it’s just as hard as what you’re going through.

Give up getting caught up in the negativity surrounding you. – To be positive in negative times is not just foolish optimism. It is based on the fact that human history is a history not only of tragedy, but also of success, sacrifice, courage, kindness, and growth. What we choose to emphasize in this complex history will determine how well we live. If we look only for the worst, it destroys our capacity to do our best work. If we remember those times and places – and there are many – in which people have behaved magnificently, and things have gone well, this gives us the energy to act, and at least the possibility of sending this spinning world in a different direction. And if we do act, in however small a way, we don’t have to sit around and wait for some grandiose and perfect future. The future is an infinite succession of presents, and to live right now as we think we should live, in defiance of all the negativity around us, is in itself an amazing victory.

Give up wanting to be where others are in life. – Stop comparing where you’re at with where everybody else is. It doesn’t move you farther ahead, improve your situation, or help you find happiness. It just fuels feelings of inadequacy and shame, and ultimately keeps you stuck. The truth is, there is no one correct path in life. A path that’s right for someone else won’t necessarily be a path that’s right for you. And that’s OK. Your journey isn’t right or wrong, or good or bad – it’s just different. Your life isn’t meant to look exactly like anyone else’s because you aren’t exactly like anyone else. You’re a person all your own with a unique set of goals, obstacles, dreams, and needs. So stop comparing and start living. You may not always end up where you intend to go, but you will eventually arrive precisely where you need to be. Trust that you are in the right place at the right time, right now. And trust yourself to make the best of it.

Give up wanting to be where others are in life. – Stop comparing where you’re at with where everybody else is. It doesn’t move you farther ahead, improve your situation, or help you find happiness. It just fuels feelings of inadequacy and shame, and ultimately keeps you stuck. The truth is, there is no one correct path in life. A path that’s right for someone else won’t necessarily be a path that’s right for you. And that’s OK. Your journey isn’t right or wrong, or good or bad – it’s just different. Your life isn’t meant to look exactly like anyone else’s because you aren’t exactly like anyone else. You’re a person all your own with a unique set of goals, obstacles, dreams, and needs. So stop comparing and start living. You may not always end up where you intend to go, but you will eventually arrive precisely where you need to be. Trust that you are in the right place at the right time, right now. And trust yourself to make the best of it.

Homing pigeons use atmospheric conditions such as odor and wind to construct the mental “map” they rely on to find their way home. According to a new published study, other research has been performed with the intention of discovering how pigeons, after being transported, can find their way back from distant places they have never visited before.

There is something remarkable about this pigeon that reminds me about the beauty of man. We are far more important than birds, yet we leave our intrinsic values untapped.

When I think about the valuable function of this bird I think about the importance of man. Man has immeasurable gifts and talents that has been left untapped for years. It is time to use your gifts. Do not settle for less. Make a life, not a living.

What is so remarkable about the homing pigeon?

First, when I think about my GPS, the homing pigeon comes to mind. When I think about humans and the purpose for their existence, this same pigeon comes to mind. The GPS redirects after you have lost your way. But the homing pigeon is one bird that can find its way back home.

Second, you can take a homing pigeon out of its roost, put it in a cage, cover the cage and put it in a trunk and travel with it. You could drive 1,000 miles in any direction, open the truck and let the pigeon out and it will find its way to its roost in spite of the distance and the direction.

Finally, this is the only creature on earth that can locate its way, except for human being (Tracy 2010).  The homing pigeon knows instinctively exactly where its home roost is located.

Humans know they are made for something greater than where they are. The only problem is our failure to utilize our gifts and take risk.  Many are so hesitant to set goals, because according to them, it never works for them. I wish they could try one more time and keep trying.  You could achieve greater than what you think. Just believe in yourself.

When you’re holding on to someone who doesn’t want to stay. – There are certain people who aren’t meant to fit into your life no matter how much you want them to.  And the only ones truly worthy of your love are the ones who stand with you through the hard times and laugh with you after the hard times pass.  Maybe a happy ending doesn’t include anyone else right now.  Maybe it’s just you, on your own, picking up the pieces and starting over, freeing yourself for something better in the future.  Maybe the happy ending is simply letting go and taking a bold step forward.

Not all the puzzle pieces of life will seem to fit together at first, but in time you’ll realize they do, perfectly. So thank the things that didn’t work out, because they just made room for the things that will. And thank the ones who walked away from you, because they just made room for the ones who won’t.

No matter how good or bad you have it, wake up each day thankful for your life. Someone somewhere else is desperately fighting for theirs.

And of course, if you’re struggling with any of this, know that you are not alone. Many of us are right there with you, working hard to feel better, think more clearly, and get our lives back on track.

It’s not what you say to everybody else that determines your life – it’s what you whisper to yourself every day that has the greatest power. So don’t look for others to give you permission to be yourself. You don’t need anyone’s validation to be “good enough” or to have a great day today.

Seriously, you can’t base your ideas of success and happiness on other people’s opinions and expectations! Be your own experiment. Be your own work of art. Be a work in progress. And be OK with it. Let people around you see the real, imperfect, quirky, weird, beautiful, magical person YOU are. That is enough. I know we may be broken, but let’s never quit talking positively to ourself.

I guess most people appear unbroken in the presence of wonderful audience. However, let the truth be told – in the silence of our hearts we appear broken in hidden places. However broken you are, one word for you today is: never quit talking down to yourself.

Nothing will bring you down quicker than berating yourself. The mind is a superb instrument if used right, but when used incorrectly, it becomes very destructive. Be aware of your mental self-talk. We all talk silently to ourselves in our heads, but we aren’t always conscious of what we’re saying or how it’s affecting us.

As Henry Ford once stated, “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t, you’re right.” One of the major causes of why we fail is due to self-doubt and negative self-talk. The way to overcome negative thoughts and destructive emotions is to develop opposing, positive emotions that are stronger and more powerful. Listen to your self-talk and replace negative thoughts with positive ones, over time you will change the trajectory of your life.