I wrote this 2 years ago for my mum on mother’s day and since we just celebrated her 50th anniversary I decided to post this here just to honor her. It’s a list of a few of her awesome characteristics that are worth emulating.
Very hardworking
She will be the first to wake up even though she was the last to sleep. Amazingly no matter how tiring her day was , she will stay up just to make sure everyone gets home safely, ( you can see her most of the times battling with sleep on the coach and you can tell how tiring her day was).
She will wake up early to ensure that everyone has something for breakfast before they leave for work or school. She’s so excellent when it comes to that.
She has a lot of energy. My goodness! she can really work for long hours without getting tired, in fact she can do anything and everything she does, she does it so well.
She’s very serious at her job too , very exceptional and highly recommendable. She leaves a good impression with all those whom she’s worked with.
She loves reading and ‘m sure by now she must have read a whole library.
Intelligent
Each time we come across any of her secondary school classmates they always acknowledge how intelligent she used to be back when they were in school.
I remember a time when she had to write an exam in other to get promoted at her office. She’ll wake up very early to study. She always found time to study no matter how busy she got and that challenged and encouraged me a lot.
Loving and caring
Whenever I’m sick or disturbed I can literally see her feeling my pains and I’m assured that I’m not alone.
Once in a while, she will come and offer me breakfast right in my room especially if I’m preparing for exams and buried in my book. (how romantic is that! )
She knows all our favorite dishes and she makes sure that we all get satisfied.
Friendly and jovial
It is very rare to see my mum angry. She’s always happy and its very contagious. It’s true everyone has problems but she knows how to control hers so that we don’t get worried.
She’s very welcoming and she knows how to make a stranger feel at home.
In fact she gets along with every new person she meets, either at the market, church e.t.c
sweet mother
Mama , you are package from God to me. I didn’t fall from the sky, everything I am today is graced to you. You are my role model and each day I dream of becoming more like you. All these I have listed above are just a tip of the iceberg for you are so much more than that. For the love you have shown to us mama, God will reward you and you will reap the fruits of your labor. Some people may say its a mother’s natural love for her children but I know many mothers who are just the opposite of you and I know many children who have been deprived of a mother’s love. That’s why I am much grateful and I count myself very blessed and honored to be your daughter. I cannot even think of life without you. I love you dearly.
A principle is simply a rule or belief governing one’s behavior. Looking at this definition, the first remark I can make is that, principles can be objective as well as subjective. I know that the word principle in itself is a feared word because naturally people don’t want to be controlled by others but fear not, I’m not going to be giving you a long list of rules and regulations at least not today, but it is my wish that after reading this you decide for yourself to set some thinks straight in your life.
One of the reasons why I think people fear principles is that they think living by principles means being bound by someone else or the society in general. On the contrary, to me living a principled life means freeing yourself from someone’s bondage. It’s not just doing what you have been asked to do but doing what you have decided to do and doing it with understanding. There’s a difference between you being asked to do something and you deciding to do it. In essence, living a principled life means
Taking charge of your own life
Finding a gap and filling it
Doing what needs to be done even without being asked
Another reason why I think people fear principles is that they lack motivation.
It takes a lot of discipline and motivation to live by principles. Someone who isn’t determined will find it very hard to make principles and keep them. I’ve met many who are very indifferent about life, they don’t really care about what happens or not. But you can’t be indifferent and expect your life to be different. Being principled is being intentional about everything you do. It’s true there are times when you feel like life doesn’t mean anything and you don’t mean anything too and you can’t find any motivation, remember that someone needs you. There was a point in my life when I felt like life was meant for some particular people and that I meant nothing to the world. In fact, I really couldn’t find my purpose, because I thought it was meant only for the big guys, you know, those guys with extraordinary gifts and talents. To be honest, I think I was being selfish with my way of thinking as in it was all about me, my life, my needs, my purpose, my future etc the moment I stopped focusing on me and started focusing on being a blessing to someone, it’s almost as if a veil was taken off my face and I began to see clearly. So I have come to understand that there’s something I have that someone needs and no matter how small it is, it can’t be neglected. knowing that pushes me to be better. it’s like having in mind that someone’s life depends on you. Please believe me when I say you are so worthy of this life, there’s just so much inside of you and that you need to do that you can’t afford to not be serious with your life. You are the light to this dark world so always seize any opportunity to shine your light.
Now, it’s one thing to have a principle and another to keep it.
The main thing about being principled is to develop your will power. Scientists have stated many ways to do that such as eating right, sleeping right and avoiding stress as they have a positive effect on the part of the brain that controls your will power. But the main thing here is just to be determined. A king will hardly give his word and change his mind and you are a king. You have the ability to be decisive, for it is God who works in you both to will and to do of His good pleasures. Whatever hard decision you’ve made or are yet to make, know that you can keep it if only you set your mind to it. First of all you must have a reason for doing anything. If you want to wake up early, you must have a solid reason if not it’s really going to be hard. Once you know your why and you are determined enough then you’ll have the motivation to do that which you had planned to do.
In our milieu, students always have the tendency of asking this question, “where did my money go?” and when it comes to finances, the problem of money management is almost a no problem. It’s so common that many have considered it to be normal. If you’re looking for a way to get yourself out of the financial mess you are into, a simple budget can be a step to your breakthrough. What is a budget in the first place, a budget is an estimate of income and expenditure for a set period of time. Listed below are some of the reasons why I think you should start budgeting
Importance of budgeting
Many students tend to notice they spend money on petty things so budgeting allows them to adjust spending habits and put money towards meaningful areas.
Plan for the unexpected so that the unexpected will come to be expected.
Sends red lights when your projected budget is more than your income.
Now if those reasons convinced you enough, you should be asking yourself now how you can make a good budget. Following these steps below will set you on a good pace.
*please note that the steps below are addressed mostly to students who receive a regular monthly income or pocket allowance.
5 steps to make an effective budget
For one month keep track of all your expenses: take note of how much cash you had at start of the month (This includes your pocket allowance and tips from relatives, friends ),how much you spent at end of month and how much you have left over.
After the first month take stock of what you spent: write down what you actually spent (expenditure) in details and categorize your expenditure in a way that makes sense to you. Begin with your fixed expenses such as tithes, monthly contributions. Then proceed with variable expenses such as gas, groceries. For example
For a monthly income of 20 000 frs
Tithes 2000
Savings 2000
Gas 6500
Groceries 5000
Transport 2000
Offerings 500
Handouts 500
Set your goals: these could be short term goals like saving for a textbook or long term goals like saving for a future car. Knowing your priorities in life will help you make a better budget. For example it will be easier for you to cut spending if your goal is to pay debts.
Now write down your actual budget: based on your knowledge of your spending history, budget out how much of your income you want to allocate to each category every month.
Adjust your spending habits: looking at your budget, if you notice that you are spending more than you are earning, you might need to consider adjusting your habits. In doing this, focus more on your needs than wants. For example you might want to start cooking rather than eating at restaurants and if you really have to eat out why not go to a cheaper restaurant. The money you spend on internet bundles is not worth it if all you do is flex on social media. You might also decide to look for more ways to earn more maybe a part time job but it all depends on you. You know yourself better, just be honest. To be disciplined is not easy but at the end you’ll be very proud of yourself.
Keep track of your budget over time: it’s important that you review your budget on a regular basis to ensure that you’re on track. The hard part is your expenses may change from month to month for example your gas might get finish making your expenses for that month way more than your expenses during the previous month. But the great part is that, you will be able to keep track of the changes, giving you an accurate idea of where your money is going to.
How to allocate your monthly income
This isn’t a formula but rather a suggestion. Meaning it all depends on you ( i.e. your responsibilities, priorities, etc). The main thing is your budget should reflect your lifestyle. A practical example includes
Tithes 10%
Savings 10-15%
Food, clothing 20%
Transportation 10%
Entertainment 5%
Investment 5%
Contributions 25%
Others 10%
Budgeting for real can be difficult considering it takes a lot of discipline but once you make it a habit, you’ll enjoy it. If you don’t know where your money is going then your money is controlling you. Decide today to take charge of your money, START BUDGETING!
Recent Comments