Treasures of the Mind: Timeless Affirmations, Creeds and Inspirations for a Restless Generation

By Nathan S. Ajoku

FOOD FOR REFLECTION

Life is a constant struggle for all that dwell on earth. The rich has its form of worries -perhaps how to generate more money, while the poor stays weary on how to make ends meet.

It seems as though the more hurdles we cross, the more that awaits us, and no matter how hard we may try, we always fall short of our expectations. What do we do then? Do we fold our tents and call it quits, crumble in the face of adversity or do we hide our face in disgrace hoping that our problems will fade away with time? No, it won't. Only the weak throws in the towel when the going gets rough, but the determined will always find a way to beat life traffics.

"Treasures of the mind is an inspirational guide tailored at helping you the reader deal with life challenges the best you can. This must have 365 daily insightful book is written with you in mind and as you embrace each day unknown with doubts and uncertainty, I hope you will treasure every moment at your disposal to live your life to the fullest and to find meanings in your existence.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Apr 8, 2010
• ISBN: 9781449086800

Nathan S. Ajoku

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Nathan S. Ajoku, a journalism graduate student from the University of North Texas-Denton, was born in Nekede-Owerri in Imo State, Nigeria. He spent his childhood years in the northern part of Nigeria where he obtained his formal education. In 1983, he moved to United States of America to further his studies. His desire to become a writer manifested when he was elected the General Secretary of Ogadinma Age Group. He composed and wrote many religious songs, welcome addresses and short stories for newspapers. He's the founder of Ogadinma Age group: a social group tailored to empowering the youths to help one another. He resides in Little Elm, Texas with his wife Chi-Chi and two lovely children Nathan Jr. and Brittany Ajoku. He's the author of The Sparrow: Poems of Hope and Comfort; Lord It's Up to You and Lost and Found. He enjoys reading and playing tennis.

Book preview

TREASURES

OF

THE MIND

Timeless Affirmations, Creeds and

Inspirations for a Restless

Generation

NATHAN S. AJOKU

Author of Lord It’s Up To You

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AuthorHouse™

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© 2010 Nathan S. Ajoku. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

First published by AuthorHouse 12/14/2010

ISBN: 978-1-4490-8680-0 (e)

ISBN: 978-1-4490-8679-4 (sc)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2010902011

Printed in the United States of America

Bloomington, Indiana

This book is printed on acid-free paper.

Dedicated with an unending love to my mother Mama Janet A. Ajoku, who the Lord called home in February 2010. Thank you mother for everything you taught me, and for the enduring life you lived. Believe me, you fought a good fight and you kept faith in the face of adversity. May God grant you peace, everlasting.

In Memory of my unknown Father Mr. Thomas A. Ajoku, who died when I was just three years old–who as the story narrated worked tirelessly in his farm from sunrise to sunset to sustain his family. Father, I appreciate the life you gave me even though I didn’t have much to offer you in return. But your memory and dedication will always stay with me. And as you have kept your watchful eyes on your children all these years, may God continue to keep your unforgotten soul close to Him forever and ever. I love you endlessly.

Also to all my African Brothers and Sisters at large!

INTRODUCTORY NOTES

I was raised in a culture where as a child you were required to do whatever you’re told without grumbling, complaint or questioning; your opinion as a child was not needed or sought for at any given situation; decisions were made for you, and all your physiological or material needs were met by your parents, guardians or relatives. Respect and obedience was forcefully demanded of you and anything contrary or lack of conformity attracted certain sanctions.

I was raised in a culture where Christianity and traditional religion were strictly woven into the fabric lifestyle of the inhabitants, which made it apparently difficult for one at times to determine which belief supersedes the other. I also grew up in a society where a man’s honor, pride and dignity were measured by his personal achievements, yet the sudden fear of certain retributive measures from our ancestors dominated our daily lives and activities. I grew up in a culture where a man’s destiny, fortune and misfortune rested heavily on his personal relationship with his ancestors. Ours was an environment where water and land were the source of life, and certain animals were treated as sacred entities; a culture where children’s welfare and upbringing were the collective responsibilities of parents, teachers, pastors, elders, relatives and perhaps the entire village.

In light of my heightened efforts to embrace these attributes of my cultural upbringing, I grew up full of questions rather than answers –answers only my years of living and education could perhaps provide. Apparently, those of us who grew up in Africa can concur that in spite of our rich culture which may have given us the unique identity we all brag about, there remains certain attributes of our culture which needed to be discarded or shall we say unfit for our generation. We may at least agree that what worked for our forefathers and foremothers in their generation, may not work for our time of living; hence, there is a need for a change, change only we can bring about.

Nevertheless, while I am not advocating for a complete eradication of our culture as some may infer, yet I strongly believe it is our civic obligation to filter through some of our cultural components to determine what exactly works and what doesn’t for our time of existence. To name but a few; for instance our forefathers married many wives and had many children as a measure of wealth or to support their farming orientations –must we do the same to satisfy our forefather’s expectations? While some of our forefathers or foremothers may have believed in God, some did from time to time seek the advice of native doctors or offer libation to their ancestors for protection, prosperity or for child bearing, must we also follow their path to appease our conscience?

As I grew older and acquired some level of education, I started to reflect on the need to highlight in writing a thoughtful book for those of us who may have been trapped between modernization and our cultural way of life; those whose life and destiny constantly yearns for freedom and the ability to pursue our dreams without the fear of any parental sanctions or cultural interventions.

While Jesus said, Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God may have held water in His time of teaching, it’s imperative in our own generation that we have the freedom likewise to choose what works for us, whom to serve or the path to trudge. Yes, we cannot and must not serve two masters. Regardless of our cultural heritage, family orientations, or our religious differences, we all have one thing in common –we live in a time of great opportunities or an era where we can no doubt rise from nothing to certain height of fame. We have the technology, education, knowledge, and the financial resources to enhance our lives or to make our world a better place to live. Yet the choice is ours.

No longer must we be enslaved by certain cultural sentiments of our fathers which does not equate to our test of time; no longer must we be told that we are no good for anything or that we do not have what it takes to thrive; no longer must we sit by and wait for manna from above or for others to butter our bread; no longer must we be led astray by some enemies of progress or haters, those whose goals are to keep us in bondage or separated through our skin color; no longer must we inherit the enemies of our fathers or to be punished for the sins or mistakes of our fathers or mothers –God forbid!

We all have dreams, hopes and aspirations; we all have brothers and sisters or mentors we can emulate to better our lives. We can become Kings and Queens, champions and presidents as much as we are able and willing to work hard. Let’s make proud our fathers, mothers and those who gave up their rights and precious lives that we may live life freely and abundantly.

In writing this book, I have utilized vernacular in many instances to emphasize my points for those who may share with me some cultural identities. I have also derived most of my quotations from the bible for which I see fit as the most comprehensive book on all subject matters. I have very proudly cited series of African proverbs to substantiate my cultural upbringing and to pay tribute to the land of my birth. While I have fortified my words with biblical quotations or African adages, it’s still up to the reader to deduct what may or may not work for them.

Treasures of the mind is the child of my brain and the labor of a heart that is trapped between cultural sentiments and my age of enlightenment. It’s a daily devotional tool, which starts each day with words of wisdom, hope and encouragement. I have started each blessed day with a new topic to help the reader deal with his or her daily challenges. While some topics may read alike or sound repetitive, I have approached each topic from a different lens. At times, it is not what we say but how we say things that matters most in our every day lives.

I hope this book will be a source of inspiration, encouragement, hope and comfort as we all struggle with our daily challenges –or just trying to find our niche in our unstable world. And as we trudge through the paths of the unknown, let’s remember that life is like a pendulum; it often swings in different directions and yet as candlelight, it could be extinguished at any moment. So, while we complain or grumble at the situations that we find ourselves in, let’s find a way to treasure every moment we have at our disposal for tomorrow may never be ours to brag about.

With Love, Prayers and Comfort

Nathan S. Ajoku

December 2009

O’ Lord of all creation, grant this our one request, help us to build a nation, where no man or woman is oppressed…and to hand on to our children, a banner without stain!

-Nigeria Previous National Anthem

Contents

January 1

January 2

January 3

January 4

January 5

January 6

January 7

January 8

January 9

January 10

January 11

January 12

January 13

January 14

January 15

January 16

January 17

January 18

January 19

January 20

January 21

January 22

January 23

January 24

January 25

January 26

January 27

January 28

January 29

January 30

January 31

February 1

February 2

February 3

February 4

February 5

February 6

February 7

February 8

February 9

February 10

February 11

February 12

February 13

February 14

February 15

February 16

February 17

February 18

February 19

February 20

February 21

February 22

February 23

February 24

February 25

February 26

February 27

February 28

March 1

March 2

March 3

March 4

March 5

March 6

March 7

March 8

March 9

March 10

March 11

March 12

March 13

March 14

March 15

March 16

March 17

March 18

March 19

March 20

March 21

March 22

March 23

March 24

March 25

March 26

March 27

March 28

March 29

March 30

March 31

April 1

April 2

April 3

April 4

April 5

April 6

April 7

April 8

April 9

April 10

April 11

April 12

April 13

April 14

April 15

April 16

April 17

April 18

April 19

April 20

April 21

April 22

April 23

April 24

April 25

April 26

April 27

April 28

April 29

April 30

May 1

May 2

May 3

May 4

May 5

May 6

May 7

May 8

May 9

May 10

May 11

May 12

May 13

May 14

May 15

May 16

May 17

May 18

May 19

May 20

May 21

May 22

May 23

May 24

May 25

May 26

May 27

May 28

May 29

May 30

May 31

June 1

June 2

June 3

June 4

June 5

June 6

June 7

June 8

June 9

June 10

June 11

June 12

June 13

June 14

June 15

June 16

June 17

June 18

June 19

June 20

June 21

June 22

June 23

June 24

June 25

June 26

June 27

June 28

June 29

June 30

July 1

July 2

July 3

July 4

July 5

July 6

July 7

July 8

July 9

July 10

July 11

July 12

July 13

July 14

July 15

July 16

July 17

July 18

July 19

July 20

July 21

July 22

July 23

July 24

July 25

July 26

July 27

July 28

July 29

July 30

July 31

August 1

August 2

August 3

August 4

August 5

August 6

August 7

August 8

August 9

August 10

August 11

August 12

August 13

August 14

August 15

August 16

August 17

August 18

August 19

August 20

August 21

August 22

August 23

August 24

August 25

August 26

August 27

August 28

August 29

August 30

August 31

September 1

September 2

September 3

September 4

September 5

September 6

September 7

September 8

September 9

September 10

September 11

September 12

September 13

September 14

September 15

September 16

September 17

September 18

September 19

September 20

September 21

September 22

September 23

September 24

September 25

September 26

September 27

September 28

September 29

September 30

October 1

October 2

October 3

October 4

October 5

October 6

October 7

October 8

October 9

October 10

October 11

October 12

October 13

October 14

October 15

October 16

October 17

October 18

October 19

October 20

October 21

October 22

October 23

October 24

October 25

October 26

October 27

October 28

October 29

October 30

October 31

November 1

November 2

November 3

November 4

November 5

November 6

November 7

November 8

November 9

November 10

November 11

November 12

November 13

November 14

November 15

November 16

November 17

November 18

November 19

November 20

November 21

November 22

November 23

November 24

November 25

November 26

November 27

November 28

November 29

November 30

December 1

December 2

December 3

December 4

December 5

December 6

December 7

December 8

December 9

December 10

December 11

December 12

December 13

December 14

December 15

December 16

December 17

December 18

December 19

December 20

December 21

December 22

December 23

December 24

December 25

December 26

December 27

December 28

December 29

December 30

December 31

January 1

A DAY OF PRAYER

Pray without ceasing.

-1 Thessalonians 5:17

Our world needs a day of prayer –individually or collectively. Let’s pray for world peace which is threatened by advent of war; let’s pray for understanding which is lacking among our leaders and those in the height of authorities; let’s pray for starvation, famine and draught which besieged most African countries and other nations of the world; let’s pray about AIDS and other debilitating diseases which threatens the human race; let’s pray for our elected leaders and other officials that they may pursue peace instead of war; let’s pray for the homeless, the motherless and the fatherless; let’s pray for the widows and the widowers in our midst; let’s pray for the sick, our elders and those whose daily lives are dependent upon others; let’s pray for our physicians, nurses and others whose jobs are to save lives; let’s pray for our teachers, pastors and our artists; let’s pray for one another. Let’s remember that problems affecting one nation, affects the other directly or indirectly, as such, we all should join our hands, our hearts and our resources in observing a day of prayer for our ever changing and challenging world. This is perhaps the lest we can do.

Food for reflection:

Today, I’ll pray for the sick, the needy and the elderly in my community.

January 2

ASSUMPTIONS

These men are full of new wine.

-Acts 2:13

Assumption is a way of life in our society today. We make assumptions almost on everything relating to our lives or the lives of others. We make assumptions on what others say about us; we make assumptions about our friends as a means of finding information to feed our curiosity or just to tarnish the image of those we may dislike; we make assumptions on our friend’s social, economic or health conditions. The implications of living in an assumptive world, is that at a point we start to validate what we are assuming as truth. When we start believing in our assumptions, the tendency is we start to spread rumors based on what we partake as the truth or we even try to convince others to accept our fallacy. Living in assumption is like living in a world of fantasy, where almost everything we see, or touch is tailored to suit our imaginations. Make no mistake, assumption is dangerous and we must discard the temptation of living our lives on what we assume to be true. What we don’t know, let’s try to learn rather than cooking up stories or starting unwanted rumors to satisfy our imaginations or to tarnish the images of others.

Food for reflection:

Today, I’ll seek information the right way and no longer will I assume what I don’t know.

January 3

TRAVELERS

Those who likes to travel takes great delight in God’s wonderful creation.

-Nathan S. Ajoku

Obviously, we all love our countries, our culture and our way of life. We feel comfortable, safe and sound when we’re in our homeland with friends, relatives and loved ones, as such we become egocentric –thinking no place is better than our sweet homes. Most of us who have lived all our lives in our native land have little or no knowledge of the world of others, except perhaps what we might have read, seen on television or grasped from endless stories. To learn about the world of others, we must develop the appetite and the passion for traveling –not only to explore our world of unknown or to conduct businesses, but to have a good sense of how people of different color, culture and creed live and survive in their vicinities. There are many interesting monumental places in the world which may help change our views, misconceptions and our attitudes toward others; there are likewise some fascinating geographical landscapes, climatic conditions we all need to see to help us appreciate God’s wonderful creation. There are doubtless some interesting people, aborigines –highly crafted and gifted individuals who may help us to rethink our assumptions about other cultures we perhaps take for granted. Let’s make traveling our hobby today –perhaps traveling will enable us to see beyond our misconceptions about the unique lives of others.

Food for reflection:

Today, I’ll make every effort to travel outside my vicinity.

January 4

SHARING & CARING

If thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink.

-Romans 12:20

Some of us are reluctant or stingy when it comes to giving or sharing shall we say our food, money, shelter, feelings or certain information about ourselves. Yes, we may work very hard for our money or possessions and to share it freely at times with others becomes very hard for us to bear. Yes, we may have been betrayed by those we entrusted with certain stories about our lives and to guide against further let downs or humiliations, we decide to keep certain secrets all to ourselves. The fact is we get stronger when we share our experiences and feelings with others; we get stronger when we empower others with the knowledge of what made us successful; we get stronger when we share our failures and mistakes with others; we’re stronger when we share each other’s tears, pain, hurts, joy and accomplishments. Sharing and caring are good attributes of those who want to help others grow and succeed in their dreams and aspirations. So, let’s keep aside our differences and understand that the only way we all can thrive in our demanding world is by sharing and caring.

Food for reflection:

Today, I’ll find a better way of sharing and caring for others.

January 5

EXPECTATIONS

Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received.

-Matthew 10:8

I was the one who paid your school fees

I was the one who helped you to re-establish

I was the one who sheltered you when you were stranded

These are the unkind words we hear each day from those who helped or assisted us during our hard times or low moments in life. We are quick in reminding others of what we did for them and how much we helped them in their times of need. By virtue of our humanity, we’re to assist one another, edify one another, and support one another morally and financially. We are created to depend on each other. Helping our friends, relatives and others when we are opportune should be without grudges or expecting anything in return. Therefore, reminding others of our kindness is a way of letting them know that we expect something in return for our gestures or that they are indebted to us.. Let’s learn how to give freely so we may receive freely God’s unending blessings.

Food for reflection:

Today, I’ll give freely my time to helping the elderly.

January 6

PHILANTHROPISTS

Feed my sheep.

-John 21:16

We are the privileged ones if we can afford three square meals a day or a place to call home; we’re the fortunate ones if we have the liberty to work and earn money to take care of our basic needs; we’re the privileged ones if civility and orders are maintained in our homes, cities and human rights are observed in our countries. Being blessed does not mean we’re better than others. We ought to remember the less fortunate and the children of the impoverished nations of the world. There are countless countries in our world today with unsafe drinking water, land unfit for agriculture or plagued with different kinds of diseases. Must we stand by and watch these countries be decimated by hunger or diseases? Must we fold our hands, keep blind eyes or deaf ears to Africa and other struggling nations of the world? Let’s stop pretending it is not our country or our problems –any problem affecting one nation, affects the other, directly or indirectly. World problems are general malady and individually or collectively, we can help to alleviate human sufferings by pulling together our resources. Let’s show today that we care, after all, we are the philanthropists of this generation.

Food for reflection:

Today, I’ll render help to a child in Africa or other nation

of the world.

January 7

TRAITORS

And Jacob said, sell me this day thy birthright.

-Genesis 25:31

No one likes to deal with someone who is shall we say tricky or someone who is as unstable as water. We often do everything within our power to avoid our cunning friends or others with the habit of displaying two sides of the sword. We’re constantly reminding our children the need to be honest, trustworthy, forthright and dependable. The fact is some of us are manipulative, untrustworthy, selfish and like to capitalize on our friend’s mistakes. We like to exploit others to achieve our desires. At times we make others feel as if we are empathizing or grieving with them, while our motives or intentions are to take advantage of their misfortunes or situations to better ourselves. What a shame. If our intention is to deceive others to advance our course or career, disappointments awaits us at the gate of success.

Food for reflection:

Today, I’ll be a dependable friend.

January 8

RELATIONSHIPS

You scratch my back and I scratch your back

-African proverb

Lasting relationships are built on the principles of give and take. At times we may give more than we may receive and sometimes we may receive more than we may have given –this is a fact of life. Spending much of our time in recounting what we may have given –money, time and energy or our sacrifices in any given relationship is the surest way of making excuses not to be committed in any relationship. Perhaps, we need to audit our relationship today to see where we stand in terms of giving and receiving. When we give, let’s give ungrudgingly and when we receive, let’s show gratitude and appreciation for a good relationship is worth more than silver and gold.

Food for reflection:

Today, I’ll appreciate my relationship regardless if I’m

giving more and receiving less.

January 9

OPPORTUNISTS

The voice is Jacob’s voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau.

-Genesis 27:22

We ought to be our brothers and sister’s keepers. We ought to be looking out for each other’s interest rather than backbiting or taking advantage of each other’s mistakes or weaknesses to foster our own aspirations. Some of us are well-known opportunists because we like to prosper over a friend’s downfall. We like to lie in wait for a friend to slip so we can capitalize; we like to degrade our fellow co-worker before our supervisor so we may gain favor for a raise or for a promotion; we like to paint a team member with a negative brush before our