SOUL TONIC: A Daily Motivational & Inspirational Guide (Vol. 1)

By Sandra Duru

For over 22 years, Dr. Sandra Chidinma Duru has published motivational and inspirational quotes, articles, and journals across several media platforms daily. These unique write-ups and messages that started as just inspirational posts and exhortations on her social media and other digital and print media platforms have since expanded to become r

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mgbeke Media Publishing
• Release date: Nov 26, 2022
• ISBN: 9798986570624

Sandra Duru

Dr. Sandra C. Duru is a street-smart spiritual warrior whose knowledge-of-self game is extra tight. The CEO of MGBEKE LLC, TUFF INCORPORATED, and WENETLY has weathered massive storms of life and had her eyes opened and her heart broken severely many times. However, her mental toughness and strength have remained unshakable through it all.If anyone could make being broken look beautiful, it is her. Her strength keeps her going, and she believes in every inch of this universe. She loves life with all her heart, and it loves her right back. Hence, she's always played an essential role in other people's lives.Dr. Duru is a Life Coach, Successful Business Woman, Entrepreneur, Media & Public Relations Consultant, Education Consultant, Psychologist, Information Strategist, Herbal Medicine Practitioner, and Motivational Speaker. She is also an astutely Creative Writer, Talent Discovery, Development & Management Consultant, and an Infinite Solution Provider to general life issues.She also doubles as a Certified Career Counselor, Certified Democratic Leadership Trainer, Certified Lobbyist & Negotiator, and Life & Business Strategist.Dr. Duru is a lover, a protector; she's courageous and incredibly strong. She has faced more struggles than other people can ever imagine. Having been rejected and disowned at age 15, she grew up without any relatives or family. Her life's journey has been a combination of Joseph's and Job's stories. She's also endured a harrowing experience that could be likened to Potiphar's wife's malicious accusations when she was falsely accused of trafficking her children into the United States of America.As Managing Director, CEO, and owner of Sanchhy Nigeria Limited, Zest Media & Entertainment, and Excellence Cables & Electronics Company, Dr. Duru temporarily lost all these enormous corporations and a lot more within a very short time in 2016. She had to start from scratch in a faraway country with her three children and no one to support or help but God.Such have been her very Joseph-and-Job-like experiences in life, but like them, God has been gracious to her all through. Today, she stands in joyous celebrations and victory over all her past afflictions, and she does so with a massive bag of inspirational stories and experiences to share in her daily Soul Tonics.She is aware that she has no limits. Her growth game is on fleek, and her boundaries keep her in check. This is why she lives in the present moment but has a big vision for her future. She surely knows what it means to have been branded a "big failure," having hit severe rock bottoms in both business and her personal life in the past. Now, Dr. Duru walks around with the moon in her heart and the stars in her eyes. She lives in the deep, and her patience is eternal. She has passed through the furnace, and her scars tell the story. Having dined with the devil, she now rides on the back of angels. She is her storm and the hero of her story.Fondly known as the "Undefeated Village Girl," she speaks in parables and listens with compassion. She feels every energy and understands every vibration. This is why her patience is eternal, and her love is her superpower.

Book preview

"I have always described myself as a peculiar pacesetter who never conforms to the norm.

Those standards widely adopted as norms today were set by a select few who dared to dream and be different, and the whole world now follows in their footsteps.

That is why my story and journey through life, uniquely crafted by God, and all my experiences, pains, bales, trials, and eventual victories all attest to this fact.

I am unique. I believe in originality. I do not know how to fit into the trend, and I never will!

Soul Tonic (Vol. 1) is not your regular, off-the-shelf motivational literature that attempts to encourage people not to quit and give in to depression, yet fails to proffer practical examples and solutions to them which can help them be more and do more with their lives too.

This book not only tells you why you must never give up on yourself, but it also shares real-life experiences and profound wisdom on how to find your way out of any dark corner and how to be the royalty and champion you were created to be!

I promise you it is worth every second of your time and every penny you spend to acquire it, too. Remain blessed always.

Ana eji uche eme ihe! - Wisdom is profitable to direct!"

Sandra Duru.

SOUL TONIC: A Daily Motivational & Inspirational Guide (Vol. 1) by Sandra Duru

Published by Mgbeke Media Publishing

Visit the author's website at www.mgbeke.media

Copyright © 2022 by Sandra Duru

All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission from the author, except as permitted by U.S. copyright laws.

To ask for permission, contact: [e-mail]

Cover by Empress Creations

ISBN

979-8-9865706-0-0 (Paperback)

979-8-9865706-1-7 (Hardback)

979-8-9865706-2-4 (Digital Online)

Printed in the United States of America

First Edition

Disclaimer: As much as this book is an account of actual events and real-life experiences and not a body of fiction, the names of some characters herein have been changed to protect the parties' privacy. Any similarities to unintended parties are coincidental, and the author assumes no liability for allegations of harm therefrom. Moreover, some of the information herein is not to be taken as an attestation of criminal conduct. Hence the author assumes no liability for action taken because of the information herein. The author also assures that, as much as many direct references are made to The Bible and Christian faith, this is in no way an attempt to coerce, force it on, or unsettle anyone or any other religion. Inspiration is everywhere around us in nature, and it thrives when there is a spiritual connection that the author deeply enjoys, hence the frequent reference.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

To God Almighty who took away all my personal, political, and business connections till all that was left were my children, I, and HIM. HE completely detached me from everything I knew and had built so that no one would ever be able to glory over me. HE has planted me in a foreign land though I had to start from scratch after losing all I labored for back home in Nigeria, West-Africa, Africa.

I had to work tirelessly at places like McDonald's, Chipotle Mexican Grills, Yankee Candles, Berry Plastics (Berry Global), Job Corps, Jpolep, Chicopee Provisions, United Personal Services, and even as a Kitchen Assistant/Janitor at one of my children's school. The process was gruesome, but every single second I spent going through it has been worthwhile.

Sometimes, God has to strip you of everything to get you to focus on the direction HE wants for your life. So, this is to all those that fought hard and tried to kill me. For all the politically-motivated attacks aimed at denting my image and reputation. To all the people that wanted to bury me, not knowing that I am a seed whose destiny is to grow, multiply abundantly, and even do them good.

To all the ones that plotted to separate me from my children. To those that planned to have them placed in 3 different foster homes so that I could lose my mind. To all those who divided my hard-earned belongings amongst themselves as though I were already dead and buried and looted Businesses and houses, I am deeply grateful to you all.

If my heart's wounds and the bruises on my soul could show on my skin, no one would recognize me at all. However, all the hate, torture, betrayal, heartache, and pain you gave were the ingredients and fuel I needed to propel myself to my place of rest and increase.

To Honourable Uche Nwosu (Former Chief Of Staff, Imo State, Nigeria, West Africa, Africa). You risked your life, reputation, career, and everything you had to stand by me on numerous occasions in my hours of travail. You told me that: People keep misunderstanding you because you are standing up for yourself in a place where no one believes in you. That is because you are young and a hugely gifted lady. You are not a bad person, but my voice is not enough to stand for you. I believe you, and I know that you're innocent of all the allegations leveled against you. Stop trying to answer or explain yourself to anyone. Let God finish with you. Keep going, and one day your life will speak for itself, and all eyes shall see.

I can never forget how you also stood up for my children and me against incredible odds when we struggled to get by in the harsh cold. It may not have been vast sums of money, but every penny you assisted us with back then was life-saving indeed. You are a brother, a faithful friend in need, and like a father to my children. Suppose any of them becomes a medical doctor and needs to choose between attending to you or their biological father in an emergency; they'll surely pick you over and again. Our connection with you is extraordinary, and you will always be a part of our family.

Honestly, words may never be enough to express my immense appreciation and gratitude to you. May you always find help, and may you and yours never be stranded in life, Amen.

To Keino Henry, the gracious Jamaican man and Uber driver who turned into our family and stood by us despite all the attacks. You became our friend, brother, and family even without knowing anything about us. May God send you people who will be like angels to you, just like you were to us in our time of need; Amen.

It is also quite impossible for me to wrap this up without remembering and thanking these three outstanding attorneys. They stood up for my kids and me in our darkest moments and won all the cases on our behalf despite all the evil plots against me.

To Attorney Sarah Schooley, Attorney Neil Daragh, and Attorney JWD Drake: my kids and I are forever grateful. Thank you very much for everything you did for us!

To my late father, Sir Benedict C. Duru, the memories you created with my children and I will always remain in our hearts. Thank you for all you did for me and all the wisdom you imparted during my time of affliction. The best houses are yet to be built, and the best pieces of jewelry have not been made yet. You don't need any of these things you are fighting over. Just focus on yourself, mental health, and the future. Your mind is your powerhouse. Once you lose that, you can never find a way out of any dire situation. So, protect and maintain your mental toughness always, you said. Oh, I know you must be smiling down from above now, seeing just how much you were right.

To my God-sent angels: Anita, Igwe, and Patrick. You all stood by me through the hell we faced when we had to start over in America. After losing everything back home in Nigeria, West Africa, Africa, you adapted beautifully and were my strength through one of the darkest periods of my life. I drew so much courage from you as you helped me stay afloat mentally, physically, emotionally, and even spiritually!

To Anita, our second mother in the house: You never once acted like a teenager. Constant chants of Aguwayin (The Lioness), one of my chieftaincy titles, never ceased from your lips as a means to lift my spirit whenever you sensed I was feeling down. You have been my father, mother, husband, sister, best friend, companion, rock, and everything to your brothers and me.

You've had to endure many hateful lies and attacks both online and offline, but you never take it to heart. Your calm outlook on everything thrown at us made you such a rock through the storm. Your deep love and value for the family are truly remarkable, and I don't know what I could have done without you. You are far more priceless to me than rubies and pearls.

Thank you all so much for never losing your self-esteem, focus, and strength and for never forgetting whence you came. You are my everything, and I love you dearly. Always, and forever!

FOREWORD

When I first saw very young Sandra C. Duru at the Commonwealth Business Council Meeting (CBC) during the Commonwealth Heads Of Government Meeting (CHOGM) a little over a decade ago, I had a strong feeling that she was one to watch out for.

Standing in for one Ministry from your country is no mean feat at these meetings. So, for a young lady who was not even 30 at the time to confidently stand in for her country and also ace all her presentations, I instantly knew that I wanted to take this fantastic prodigy under my wings and tutelage.

As a renowned, influential, and well-connected business leader, development specialist, social entrepreneur, and policy adviser to over 40 countries for the past 30 years, at the very least, I think I should be able to spot an intellectual gem when I see one. I must admit now that, over the years, though, that young lady I met then has grown to exceed many of my expectations.

It is every father’s joy to see a child grow up and be a blessing to many others and you as well, and over the years, Sandra has been that and much more. I have followed her life’s journey and steady rise ever since that first meeting, and I am more than proud to see how she has overcome so many unbelievable obstacles and battles to get to where she is today.

If there is anyone with a wealth of never-ending motivational, uplifting, challenging, shocking-yet-inspiring real-life experiences, it is Sandra. You cannot heal a pain you have never felt, and you cannot lead people out of a maze if you’ve never gotten out of one before. She has been there and done that. Hence, I confidently say that she is more than qualified to speak as an authority on motivation and inspiration.

Soul Tonic Vol.1 is a book compiled with a great wealth of insight, experience, admonitions, and priceless inspirational and motivational topics. It is compiled in a very unique style and serves as a guide for all in need of profound enlightenment and a soul-refreshing push to be better and do better in their lives daily.

This book has been a long time coming, and I am glad that I was able to contribute in my little way towards actualizing the vision. I assure you that it is most certainly worth the daily read, and it comes highly recommended as well.

Dr. Mohan Kaul

Founder and Chairman Global Equality Alliance

Executive Chairman, Alglotech Ltd. | Global Investment Advisory Ltd. |

Pontaq-UK India Innovation Fund.

Founding Director-General and CEO, Commonwealth Business Council

AUTHOR’S BIO

Dr. Sandra C. Duru is a street-smart spiritual warrior whose knowledge-of-self game is extra tight. The CEO of MGBEKE LLC, TUFF INCORPORATED, and WENETLY has weathered massive storms of life and had her eyes opened and her heart broken severely many times. However, her mental toughness and strength have remained unshakable through it all.

If anyone could make being broken look beautiful, it is her. Her strength keeps her going, and she believes in every inch of this universe. She loves life with all her heart, and it loves her right back. Hence, she's always played an essential role in other people's lives.

Dr. Duru is a Life Coach, Successful Business Woman, Entrepreneur, Media & Public Relations Consultant, Education Consultant, Psychologist, Information Strategist, Herbal Medicine Practitioner, and Motivational Speaker. She is also an astutely Creative Writer, Talent Discovery, Development & Management Consultant, and an Infinite Solution Provider to general life issues.

She also doubles as a Certified Career Counselor, Certified Democratic Leadership Trainer, Certified Lobbyist & Negotiator, and Life & Business Strategist.

Dr. Duru is a lover, a protector; she's courageous and incredibly strong. She has faced more struggles than other people can ever imagine. Having been rejected and disowned at age 15, she grew up without any relatives or family. Her life's journey has been a combination of Joseph's and Job's stories. She's also endured a harrowing experience that could be likened to Potiphar's wife's malicious accusations when she was falsely accused of trafficking her children into the United States of America.

As Managing Director, CEO, and owner of Sanchhy Nigeria Limited, Zest Media & Entertainment, and Excellence Cables & Electronics Company, Dr. Duru temporarily lost all these enormous corporations and a lot more within a very short time in 2016. She had to start from scratch in a faraway country with her three children and no one to support or help but God.

Such have been her very Joseph-and-Job-like experiences in life, but like them, God has been gracious to her all through. Today, she stands in joyous celebrations and victory over all her past afflictions, and she does so with a massive bag of inspirational stories and experiences to share in her daily Soul Tonics.

She is aware that she has no limits. Her growth game is on fleek, and her boundaries keep her in check. This is why she lives in the present moment but has a big vision for her future. She surely knows what it means to have been branded a big failure, having hit severe rock bottoms in both business and her personal life in the past.

Now, Dr. Duru walks around with the moon in her heart and the stars in her eyes. She lives in the deep, and her patience is eternal. She has passed through the furnace, and her scars tell the story. Having dined with the devil, she now rides on the back of angels. She is her storm and the hero of her story.

Fondly known as the Undefeated Village Girl, she speaks in parables and listens with compassion. She feels every energy and understands every vibration. This is why her patience is eternal, and her love is her superpower.

INTRODUCTION

My name is Sandra C. Duru and I have a story to tell. Before I do though, I’d like to ask you a few questions. What would you do if you were thoroughly humiliated, rejected, and abandoned in life? If you had to travel with two children while heavily pregnant and ended up facing deportation to a supposed home that was already looted with almost all your properties sold off, how would you react?

If you were a high-profile business owner, celebrated CEO, and a well-respected personality who suddenly ended up having to work multiple odd jobs in a strange land just so you and your three little children can eat and get by, what would you do in such a situation? A period where all your businesses were ruined, business connections destroyed, and huge debts incurred in your name by the ones you entrusted your life and business to; would you give up and lose your life? Or would you decide to dust yourself off and face life’s challenges head on?

This is a little background of my story, and hint of the storms I’ve faced to get to where I graciously stand today. As a young woman who is proud of her identity, roots, and culture, I have been through a lot. I have been misunderstood, mocked, maltreated, manhandled, and put through hell itself. But, even in my darkest moments, I never compromised on my integrity and beliefs or values.

I have been wounded many times, but I know how to heal myself. I have been pushed down yet I am rising to the top. All the abuse I’ve experienced only helped to make me even stronger. I was betrayed and humiliated by people very close to me, but I never let the pain define who I am.

All through my travails, I never let go of the truth because it is my savior. I remain that strong woman who is not afraid of her truths. This is because one of the greatest lessons I have learned in all these is to never give up! Never compromise on your values, and do not be afraid of your oppressor. You are on a journey to fulfill destiny and this is why some people are desperate to see you fail.

Now, I have not only gained back everything that seemed lost before but God has greatly increased me on all sides too. Just like Joseph and Job, my restoration came in droves of what Satan tried to steal from me. Also, this whole experience has made me a much better and wiser person, and I hope to share some of these nuggets with you in this book.

Let me walk you through the road that I walked through, crawled through, climbed through, jumped through, and eventually pulled through. I rose again from the lowest points of life, and, if I can do it, you can too, and you will! I have honorably graduated from the University of Life and Nature. Yes, I have been nurtured to hear and understand the voice of nature and to serve your soul the best tonic you need to live your purpose in life.

I love to help people. I am an infinite solution provider, and I do it with ease, with my money, time, energy, resources, and everything I have naturally. I go above and beyond for people, and even though I get taken for granted and even repaid with evil many times, nothing can deter me from doing this because I know that it is a core part of my purpose on earth. It is what I live for!

I also love to live a simple, private and purposeful life, and in my local way, too. That's why when I chose Mgbeke as my business and brand name people, many people thought and said I was crazy, but look at me today! The moral: Do you, my dear; the world will adjust! You will be reading about this and so much more in this amazing book I've put together for you.

I love saying the truth undiluted without minding whose ox is gored. I derive pleasure in unfolding the truth, especially the hidden truth that affects all of us as humans. I love solving very serious problems naturally and with ease. I am the Professor of all the people who don't live fake lives, people who appreciate their uniqueness, culture, roots, heritage, and people who are proud of their true identity. I am also the Professor of everyone who is not ashamed of whom they are.

The degree I earned from this University is called Truth undiluted. Follow me as I speak to your conscience and to your soul through this publication. Let's connect to better our lives and apply a natural approach to solving life problems with so much humor. You have come this far. You cannot give up. If I didn't give up, you wouldn't want to give up on yourself and your dreams, now, would you?

Is anything heavy on your mind? Don't let it weigh you down. Whoever you are, whatever you do, and wherever you live, you need someone to share your experiences, ideas, and problems with you. We all need that daily dose of genuine inspiration that can give us the boost we need to take each day on fully.

This and much more, is what the daily Soul Tonics are all about. Obstacles don’t have to stop you in life. If you run into a wall, don’t ever turn around and give up just like that. Instead you should always figure out how to climb it, go through it, walk around it, or even break right through it!

You have a unique destiny and you are on a journey to fulfill it. Give me your hand and let's walk through this process together. Let this breakdown become the source of your breakthrough. I am proud of you for hanging in there for this long, and I know that you can do it. I am committed to touching lives positively and fulfilling dreams by bringing hope, love, stability, and opportunities to individuals and families in need around the world.

This book can also be used to teach and admonish children and young adults that they should never let any adversary drag them down in life. Fight back and never break down in front of those standing against you. But, always remember too that they are not your enemy. It is the spirit in them that they’ve yielded themselves to that constantly seeks to set them at loggerheads with you. So, always stay focused on your journey and goals in life, and never allow your trials to overwhelm you.

You will also learn as we go on this daily journey together that you must never pray for your enemies to die. They are the vessels that God used to push you into your destiny and place of rest. Do not wish them any evil and don’t ever see anyone as your enemy either. God is neither blind nor can HE be mocked. HE will keep the most wicked and unrepentant ones amongst them alive and well so that they can witness your victories and see you thrive in life. Death is a mercy that such people do not deserve to enjoy, so they will surely live to see your glory.

I may not have gotten to my expected destination yet. I may even not get there if it's not the will of God. But, I do firmly believe that I am going through a process to purpose. My pain led me to my power! I turned my trash to treasure, mockery to money, and converted my rejection to more incredible achievements silently! And I am still moving forward to my expected destination.

With time, I will get there, and I will be celebrated while I do my part to make the world a better place for us, our children, and the next generation. Whatever hurdles life throws at you, keep moving forward, and pay no attention to distractions!

This is why it is always my joy to support and celebrate successful people and all the people adding something valuable to the economic, material, intellectual, and moral well-being of our society.

I feel fulfilled supporting, rooting for, encouraging, and celebrating them. It also gives me great joy to know that I am on the right path, even as I patiently wait to continue from wherever they stop in the future as they retire from active services.

I hate to see people fail and I have zero tolerance for injustice, intimidation, laziness, nonsense, manipulation, and stupidity. I love and respect very smart, brave, intelligent, brilliant, calm, dogged, and fearless people. They are an inspiration to us all. Hence we must never let any opportunity to celebrate such people pass without honoring them.

Always remember too that the journey of your life is a process for purpose and you must scale through any obstacle to get there. Iron sharpens iron and you can only be as effective as your knowledge base.

This publication is a series of pure motivational and inspirational nuggets packaged to help you achieve your purpose, even as you evolve into a much better version of you as well.

Shall we begin?

CONTENT

SECTION A: DAILY MOTIVATIONAL & INSPIRATIONAL GUIDE

SECTION B: UNDILUTED TRUTHS WITH PROF. MGBEKE

SECTION C: REMARKS & TESTIMONIALS ABOUT SANDRA DURU

CONCLUSION | PRAYER

APPENDIX

SYNOPSIS

SECTION A:

DAILY MOTIVATIONAL & INSPIRATIONAL GUIDE

DAY 1.

Learn To See Humiliation, Disappointment, And Rejection As Redirection To Greatness – Keep Fighting!

Iam guessing that I’m not the only one who has had to go through many disappointments and rejections and even suffered some humiliations along the way, right? It might even be that you still had to deal with some frustrating disappointments yesterday. But, do you know that success cannot be so tagged without the presence of seeming failure that you overcame?

How do you award someone certification for a course or program if they never went through the rigors of being thoroughly examined on everything they learned therein?

Today, I need you to understand that in your journey to greatness, there will be many setbacks, disappointments, delays, humiliations, rejections, and seeming failures in your path.

As a born-achiever and someone destined to break out of obscurity by achieving greatness, you must start to see these humiliations, pains, disappointments, and rejections as a redirection to your greatness!

When the great inventor Thomas Edison was asked how he felt when he had failed 1,000 times before getting the light bulb invention right, Thomas reportedly replied that he did not fail 1,000 times but only learned 1,000 ways in which that invention would not work.

Do you feel discouraged and downcast when it looks like all your hard work and efforts in life are in vain and would come to nothing? Do you feel like throwing in the towel and cutting your losses after trying to build something for so long, yet it seems to keep crashing?

You are not a weakling for feeling this way, nor are you a failure. You’re only human, after all, and these feelings are born of our natural self-preservatory instincts. However, you should start seeing these setbacks as an opportunity to achieve even greater heights than what you were reaching for before.

There is a lesson in every test and trial that God permits us to go through in life, and it is your responsibility to find and make the most of it.

When I was put through one of the worst disappointments and humiliations of my life after giving my all as a Principal Consultant for the Standards Organization of Nigeria, I did not let it break or deter me. Those that tried desperately to corrupt and taint my legacy but failed came up with bogus and false allegations and had me locked up for a few months, but guess what?

Like Joseph, I became the queen inside that yard. In my short period there, I made so many reforms and impact that the Head of the Nigerian Prisons Service had to personally come down to see that small girl who could do such mighty things even in incarceration!

What the enemies thought would be my downfall and destruction turned out to be a redirection to even more greatness. Shortly after that, the truth was revealed, and I was immediately discharged and acquitted of all charges, and my accusers were all thoroughly dealt with by man and God Himself!

Life will be what you see it as and what you make it to be, my dearest ones! You must learn to see humiliations, disappointments, and rejections as a redirection to your greatness, and everything will always work out for you as you keep fighting on!

May God grant you the staying power and mental toughness you need to hold on through your darkest times…Amen!

Daily Nugget: There is a lesson in every test and trial that God permits us to go through in life, and it is your responsibility to find and make the most of it. – Dr. Sandra C. Duru

DAY 2.

My Pain Led Me To My Power – Where Does Yours Lead?

Ihave a question for you today before I share a personal experience and tell you a few things about me that many people do not know. Pain is said to be a sign that you are still alive. The fact that you feel pain could be a good thing, depending on how you view and use it. So, as I start, I'd like to ask: How do you use and channel your pain?

In my case, I’ve gone through many painful experiences but I’ve been able to use them as stepping stones instead of allowing them become obstacles. I may not have gotten to my expected destination yet, and I may even not get there if it's not the will of God. But, I do firmly believe that I am going through a process to purpose.

My pain led me to my power! I turned my trash into treasure, the mockery into money, and silently converted my rejection into more incredible achievements! And I am still moving forward to my expected destination.

I will get there with time and be celebrated while I do my part to make the world a better place for us, our children, and the next generation. Whatever hurdles life throws at you, keep moving forward, and pay no attention to distractions!

I remember an experience I had when I was a young teenager. Such an experience would fill many people with anger and hate, but it's something that filled me with the drive to keep pushing the way I have done virtually all my life.

I went to my village during the Christmas holidays to spend the festive season with my parents and relatives back home. When it was time to return to Lagos in January, my father did not have the required bus fare and asked that I stay around for two more weeks. Those extra weeks were going to cost me dearly in school, so I declined and asked to see if there was any way I could get back to the city without any further delay.

Providence smiled at us, or so we thought back then. His sibling and my cousins, who lived abroad then, had also come to the village for the festive holidays, and they were heading back to Lagos that same day I needed to leave. I was delighted that I'd be able to get back in time for the academic session in school, but that happiness was short-lived.

After declining to assist me, my uncle and aunt eventually agreed to let me stay in one of the cars in their convoy, very reluctantly. They and my cousins treated me like a piece of garbage, who constantly held up their hands to their noses anytime I spoke around them and repeatedly made fun of me.

Seeing the pain in my eyes, my now late father, Sir B.C Duru, embraced me and said: The destination is what matters, my daughter, not what you go through on the journey. You need to get back to school to continue your education. That is your destination. Keep your eyes on that, my dear, and ignore every other thing along the way, please.

That ride was one of the longest and most unpleasant rides and experiences in my entire existence. I was ignored, treated like a stinking rag, and starved throughout the journey from the village back to Lagos. Even when they stopped over at Ore, in Ondo State, Nigeria, to eat at a restaurant, I was not invited and didn't get any of the many extras they brought back into the car, where they abandoned me as they feasted.

Seeing how I was treated the whole time, their driver felt compassion for me and bought me some groundnut and a bunch of bananas to eat. He also secretly gave me some extra money for transportation when we got to Lagos. This was an act of kindness from a man who understood what it meant to be poor and demeaned, one I would forever remember.

Eventually, we made it into Lagos State, and guess what? I was dumped at the Ojota bus park because they were not going my way. This was still several miles away from where I was heading, but they couldn't be bothered. I was barely 13 years old.

By God's mercies, I eventually made it to the house where I lived with my brothers in the Ladilak, Bariga area of Lagos State back then. When they heard about my ordeal, my eldest brother lifted his eyes towards heaven and wept silently. From my journey back to the city and seeing his tears, that pain triggered something inside me.

I became furious, but not at anyone or anything else other than the lack and poverty we were battling with then. I swore I would conquer and rid my family of it forever, and I channeled all my pain and anger to that cause. My pain led me to my power, and it has been my fuel and drive ever since!

Where does your pain lead you? What does that anger in you make you feel towards others and do? I ensured that I never held a grudge against my relatives for how I was treated, and God has even used me to help them in my little ways in recent times.

I have lived with this experience and used it to shape how I deal with and relate with others. This is why it is always my joy to support and celebrate people, especially those adding something valuable to our society's economic, material, intellectual, and moral well-being. I feel fulfilled supporting, rooting for, praying for, encouraging, and celebrating them. Knowing I am on the right path also brings me great joy.

My experience has also influenced me to love and respect brilliant, brave, intelligent, competent, calm, dogged, and fearless people. I've also grown to love wealthy people who are down-to-earth, caring, kind, compassionate, and also filled with empathy. I firmly believe that such people are an inspiration to us all. Hence we must never let any opportunity to celebrate such people pass without honoring them.

Because of these bitter experiences, I have grown into a natural, strong, brave, and very proud African woman. My culture is my pride, and no amount of western exposure can change me. I am Professor Mgbeke, A.K.A Agadi Ekwen'Ka! – the Evergreen African Queen.

I did not have the background of money and affluence that many others have. Still, I had strong family, moral, and spiritual values inculcated into me from my childhood, making me much richer than any of them could ever be. I held dearly to these values and moved on with my life, and they were also extensively tested when I was much older and had even started climbing the ladder of success over a decade later.

I wanted to be a leader while growing up because I had been poor and needy, and I wanted to be part of leadership to help others who are growing through all the things I had gone through. So I channeled my journey to this cause, and I started to work hard and make moves to get close to these leaders and position myself in places where I would have the power to influence decisions and policies that impact the lives of the poor and voiceless masses.

Having been one of them, too, I deeply understand how it feels to be neglected, voiceless, hungry, humiliated, discriminated against, abandoned, dejected, and without any help or hope but God. This birthed a burning desire in me, and eventually, God started blessing my hard work and diligence. My remarkable skills and talents got me noticed by some top leaders in Nigeria who decided to give a young, unknown, but very intelligent lady an opportunity to make a visible and lasting impact in their administration.

After working and making some notable impacts and strides with this opportunity, I was also noticed by some corrupt leaders in our country that started feeling threatened by my progress and values. These people began reaching out to me with different unscrupulous financial and moral offers and invited me to join their cabal. Truth be told, they have a stronghold over the country and decide what goes and what does not.

However, I would not be caught or found in such evil ideologies and ways, which further made me a threat to them. So, they started seeking other ways to silence me. When they could not achieve their purpose of getting me to dine with them and wreck my honor and credibility, they finally decided that the only option was to ruin my reputation, destroy all my hard work, and eventually kill me. This was all because I dared to stand up to them and refuse their numerous advances.

Please note that these people in almost every section of society would pick on you because of your social status and other reasons they feel they have to hate you. But, through it all, I always remembered my father's words and didn't let them break me. They persecuted me, threatened my life, cooked up fake charges against me, and even got me arrested and imprisoned for a while, but nothing they did could break me. All the pain they thought they were inflicting only made me much stronger and more determined to succeed at my goals!

If they couldn't tarnish my image or reputation with their politically motivated and sponsored articles online, you can survive their malicious attacks, too, no matter where they hurl them at you. Whenever I come across their unknown free promotional articles and the mistakes they made that became a blessing; I thank God for all they did to me.

They called an innocent young woman like me a thief, lesbian, fraudster, drug addict, prostitute, killer, trouble maker, and blackmailer for telling the truth and also published lies against me. But, the true leaders outside my country saw my potential and why they were all out to ruin my life and career.

Their lies became my acceptance in the world, and there is another important lesson we can all gain from it. This lesson is that you must be honest, truthful, consistent, and original in all you do.

You will surely be whatever and whoever you are destined to be. Don't be money conscious. Do not be materialistic. Do not be afraid to say the truth fearlessly and without favor, no matter who is involved.

You are priceless and very important. You are an inestimable jewel to humanity. There's a reason for your existence, so don't ever compromise your values for mere mortals. Keep whatever makes you who you are, and embrace your uniqueness without apologies!

Daily Nuggets: Don't be money conscious. Do not be materialistic. Do not be afraid to say the truth fearlessly and without favor, no matter who is involved! – Dr. Sandra C. Duru.

DAY 3.

Today’s Pain Will Be Tomorrow’s Gain – Don’t Quit On Yourself!

Do you have a pain today that makes you feel like no joy could come from anything else in this world? Some present situations could make us feel this way sometimes, but I need you to understand that what makes tomorrow’s gains a lot sweeter are the pains you have to endure today!

Take this experience, for example; my daughter bought me a pre-Valentine’s Day gift, and I am still so excited about it. Don’t get me wrong; I get a lot of gifts from her, and some pretty expensive ones too.

It is always emotional for me, though, especially when I remember all that we passed through just a few years ago. The full details of my Joseph-Job-like story will be published in due time, but let me share a little part with you now.

Throughout my child-bearing experiences, no one has ever been with me while in labor for any of my children. I would always go into labor, put to bed, and take care of myself without anyone but God. By the time I was to deliver my second and last child, though, God had blessed me with an angel in the person of my daughter.

I remember how she was the only one with me as I went into labor during the birth of my second child. She displayed so much courage, calmness, maturity, and composure that one would almost argue that she wasn’t just eight years and five months old then.

Now, I could have gone through life being bitter at many people, but God’s grace kept me from falling into that error. The truth is that no one owes you anything in life! Allowing bitterness to grow in your heart against anyone will only rob and limit you in life. What the enemy planned to be a pain in my life was used to bring God’s angel to me. Today, she is my best friend, companion, daughter, sister, brother, husband, father, mother, and everything I could have ever wished for. She is one of my most significant gains through it all!

Have you been abandoned and humiliated by the same people who should have been your hope and comfort? Have you found so much pain in things, places, and people you naturally expected joy and happiness from? Blame nobody for your failure or success. You are in this life by yourself, and you must make it work for you no matter the odds you face!

Today’s pain will become tomorrow’s gain and joy if you do not give up on your struggle. Strengthen your mental toughness at all times, and do not allow your present circumstances to overwhelm you. There is yet light at the end of this tunnel for you, so keep pressing on and never relent.

God can bring beauty out of ashes, and HE delights in lifting downtrodden and forsaken people. Your time of lifting will surely come too, but you must remain in line for it.

May God strengthen our weary hearts and grant us the grace to endure to the end. May we all reap significant gains from today’s pains and always have reasons to celebrate…Amen!

Daily Nugget: Strengthen your mental toughness at all times, and do not allow your present circumstances to overwhelm you. There is yet light at the end of this tunnel for you, so keep pressing on and never relent. – Dr. Sandra C. Duru

DAY 4.

Stay Away From The Crowd – Dare To Be Unique!

Have you been told that you’re weird because you have a dream and passion that makes you stay away from the crowd and keep to yourself most times? Does it often seem hard to find someone or people that truly understand the vision you carry and your lofty ideas?

I need you to understand something first before I continue to talk to you today. When you have a dream from God, no one can understand it like you do because it is your dream. The fastest way to kill yourself and your vision is to start sharing or discussing it prematurely.

Remember what Joseph’s brothers said concerning him as they plotted against him? Let us see how his dreams will come to pass when we sell him into slavery, they said. But for God’s Divine plan and graciousness towards Joseph, that would have been the end of him forever.

It is said often that: Any vision that God gives to you for your life should never be a topic for discussion. Stop seeking people’s validation and approval for your dreams in life.

It’s unreasonable. It’s never going to work out. It will require way too much funding even to get started. These and many more negative words are bound to be thrown at you when you start prematurely sharing your dreams with people. Talk to God and look up to HIM alone if you’re hoping to get any help or assistance. What better way to learn how best a product can work if not from the manufacturer? God gave the dream to you and no one else. Learn to cry out to him for whatever you need to achieve your purposes, and HE will always make way for you.

Another truth is that, If you have to accomplish all that God wants you to do and become all HE wants you to become, sometimes you have to be lonely. Don’t get discouraged and allow your courage and determination to drop because you find yourself isolated while pursuing your dreams. Remember that an arrow is always pulled backward before being released at its target? Don’t be afraid of being alone as you build. You are on a path to greatness, and in due time the world will celebrate you too.

One of the biggest things that could hold you back is the crowd you hang around. Nobody was born a failure, but we often fail because we get entangled by the kind of company we keep. To be the very best version of yourself in life, you have to get away from the crowd.

Don’t hang around people fond of judging others or gossiping about others. No one on a path and journey to greatness meddles with such things. God has loaded us with incredible resources to help us achieve our dreams. Do not be tied down by avoidable burdens that such associations bring. Get away from the crowd, continually seek God’s face for HIS favor and guidance, and the sky will only be your launch pad.

May God help us embrace the tough decisions we need to make now so that we might be able to fulfill our purpose here on earth, in the name of Jesus Christ; Amen!

Daily Nugget: Nobody was born a failure, but we often fail because we get entangled by the kind of company we keep. To be the very best version of yourself in life, you have to get away from the crowd. – Dr. Sandra C. Duru

DAY 5.

Never Get Too Relaxed In Your Comfort Zone – Step Out Now!

Another beautiful day is upon us, and it looks like we’re fast running down the clock on another year already. Of course, with every day that passes, a chunk of each year slips away.

So, I’d like to ask you this question: Are you still in the exact position you were by this time last year, or have there been some positive changes and improvements? It’s very easy to relax in a spot for so long, especially when it’s comfortable, and you wouldn’t even realize that you’re not progressing.

With every passing year officially passing behind us, I look back and think about all we’ve been through. Through all the tears, laughs, disappointments, wins, and losses, we can always gladly say that we got through it!

I remember Camylle Appiahene’s testimony, and it makes me smile constantly. She shared that in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, she made one of the most significant decisions of her life!

I left my 9-5 job to pursue my personal goal of being an entrepreneur. I started three businesses in 2021 and kicked myself for not taking this leap a long time ago. One thing I do know is that when something no longer serves you, you must let it go!

I want to challenge you today to step out of your comfort zone because great things never come from there. The cost of being in the same place year after year is very detrimental. You may feel like it’s your comfort zone – that same spot you’ve been at for years now, but you would be shocked at how much better you could do in life with just a little extra push on yourself.

Ease and comfort have always been the enemies of growth and development, whether as individuals or corporate entities. Hence, it would be best if you fought to keep aiming higher anytime you’re in a spot that’s getting too comfortable for you.

Don’t do the usual lazy human thing and sink into the sweet feeling such ease can give you. I know it is so easy to do this, and it is so lovely too, I must admit. Still, you must resist the pull of relative ease and comfort that staying in the same spot offers because no one becomes exceptional by being stagnant!

Today is the first day of the rest of your life. What are you going to do differently?

Daily Nugget: You must resist the pull of relative ease and comfort that staying in the same spot offers because no one becomes exceptional by being stagnant! – Dr. Sandra C. Duru

DAY 6.

Do Not Let Your Mockers Discourage You – Keep Striving!

Many people in life hang around others to monitor their lives and wait for them to fail so they can mock them. Their mockery is intended to discourage and break you, but I would like to ask you a question today, as I share some experiences with you to help you overcome your mockers.

Do you know that what has broken and killed many has also fueled countless dreams? Do you know that what destroyed some has also strengthened many others to unlock the greatness inside of them? So, I dare to tell you today that you can turn that mockery into strength and power, and a ladder to take you to your expected destination to fulfill your destiny!

It doesn’t matter what you’ve been called because you are your authentic self and refuse to compromise your values and standards. Keep being on the right track and never let it bother you. It may take some time, but you will never regret your actions.

The very unique Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO) has a reputation for shaking up the guardians of wealth and power, which has come in handy in her new role. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was called many names before getting to her expected destination in the WTO.

Because of Okonjo-Iweala’s effort to root out corruption during her first stint as Nigeria’s Finance Minister, opponents of her plans nicknamed her Okonjo-Wahala — Okonjo the trouble maker.

The 67-year-old development economist embraces the moniker, and true to form, trouble was what Okonjo-Iweala withstood campaigning for the WTO job. Finding herself on the wrong side of the Trump administration, her expertise in tradenegotiating and vast experience made her the target of a unilateral U.S. veto despite the endorsement of the organization’s selection committee and almost all other member nations.

However, after a tedious verification process, Okonjo-Iweala was selected as the first woman and the first African to lead the WTO in its 25-year history. She is also the first American citizen to hold the organization’s top job.

She is this wonderful, soft, very gentle woman with an authentic approach to problems, but, boy, there is a hard hand and a strong will behind it under that soft glove, the European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde described her in an interview, adding, She will rock the place. And we are seeing all her excellent work from her first day in the office to date.

I hope you have learned how to avoid distractions and the importance of applying wisdom and not allowing negative words to affect your life. Remain focus-driven and pay no attention to distractions and negativity.

Do not ever compromise your values and standards, even when under pressure or huge threats. Turn that name you are mocked with into a brand.

I was called a village local girl – MGBEKE, and today, Mgbeke is a very unique brand. I am the CEO of Mgbeke LLC and an employer of labor in many states and countries. Turn that mockery into strength and power. Turn that name into a successful business, and turn that pain into treasures.

Listen up! When men begin to mock you, rejoice because God is about to make you! The God whom we serve is a God who silences mockers. In Genesis 21:1, God visited Abraham and Sarah with a son called Isaac, which means laughter to silence their mockers.

In the book of 1 Samuel 1:1-28, we see how God silenced the mouth of Peninnah by giving Hannah a son and even five other children (Sons and daughters). We serve a God that knows how to shut the mouth of mockers. I don’t know where or who is mocking you right now, but today God will dumbfound all your mockers with your work (success) results, in Jesus Christ’s Mighty Name, Amen.

Stop crying and start praying! Crying doesn’t solve problems; praying does. Don’t pray and fold your hands waiting for a miracle; work and pray.

I didn’t allow the names that I was called by evil mischief-makers to define me or to make me feel less than who God Almighty has created me to be. Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala didn’t allow the name tags given to her by people who felt threatened by her intelligence and strength to demoralize her.

Rise like Hannah and plead your case before the Lord. Cry to Him with all your heart. Do not let your mockers discourage you; remember, it is not only you that they have mocked, but they’ve also mocked your God.

Remember the story of Hezekiah and King Sennacherib of Assyria? How the king of Assyria mocked the God of Isreal, said a lot of blasphemous words against HIM, and also mocked the Israelites. But what did Hezekiah do? He went to the house of God and presented the letters of blasphemy and mockery from the king of Assyria to God and cried to the Lord in prayers. What happened after then? Our God arose, and through just one angel, over 185,000 soldiers were destroyed overnight, and the king of Assyria was killed the next day by his soldiers. For the complete story, read 2 Kings 18:1-37 and 2 Kings 19:1-37.

Let your success speak for you. Let God Almighty shut up your mockers, and the only way to achieve that is to remain focused, pay no attention to distractions, and ignore your mockers.

Be valuable and not available for everyone or everything that isn’t adding value to your life.

Daily Nuggets: Crying doesn’t solve problems; praying does. Don’t pray and fold your hands waiting for a miracle; work and pray. – Dr. Sandra C. Duru.

DAY 7.

What Is The Ultimate Price For Success And Elevation In Life?

It’s another blessed day, and I’m sure you are glad to be alive and as fired up to achieve your targets and dreams as I am, aren’t you? The question is, are you willing to pay the ultimate price required for you to succeed and be elevated today?

The journey to true greatness and self-actualization in life is not a sprint but a marathon. It is filled with different paths and phases that also come with many experiences and emotions.

Getting to the top of the rung in any sphere and endeavor in life requires a level of sacrifice not asked of everyone or just about anyone. It also requires a price that not everyone in life can pay or even endure with those endowed to pay it either.

What is this ultimate price required for great success and elevation in life? Let’s look at a practical example of someone who knew what it takes and was more than willing to give it to become great in life.

According to Dhar Mann: Sometimes you have to go broke, lose someone you thought you loved, and watch your friend turn to strangers just to get to your destination. Of course, he would certainly know, now, wouldn’t he?

Born to average Indian parents who immigrated to the United States of America, Dhar is presently the CEO of his beauty brand called LiveGlam, and his annual income is estimated at over $20 million. Dhar Mann has grown his beauty brand into a successful subscription service with over 800,000 subscribers across Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. He reportedly has an average view of over 300,000 on his page monthly, with overall views at 6.7 billion.

Was it all rosy and easy for him to achieve all this? No, not at all! Speaking about the price he had to pay to achieve all he’s been able to do so far, Dhar said: I know it’s hard, but at times, elevation requires separation.

Now, you need to ask yourself some honest questions at this point and give them equally real answers as well:

What am I attached to that is slowing me down and halting my progress?

What great life-developing habits have I been able to build and maintain within the last 18 months at the least?

Who are my friends and close associates? What are their goals, dreams, and ambitions in life? What do we have in common? Do we share a common purpose, passion, or vision that tends to greatness in any endeavor? These are but a few of the pertinent questions you must sincerely answer within yourself for you to be able to chart a course out of mediocrity and obscurity for yourself.

The glory and success you seek in life require a sacrifice. The degree to which you want to be established determines what you may have to forego today to receive and enjoy your crown tomorrow. Nothing good in this life ever comes easy. You must brace yourself for today’s severe pains to enjoy tomorrow’s sweet gains.

May God Almighty help us to see and understand our path. May HE grant us the grace and strength to endure through all we need to sacrifice for our destinies to be fulfilled, in the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Daily Nugget: The degree to which you want to be established determines what you may have to forego today so that you may receive and enjoy your crown tomorrow. – Dr. Sandra C. Duru.

DAY 8.

Fear Is The Motivation Of Words Like Can’t And Unrealistic – Resist It!

What are the things make you feel like your dreams and purpose in life are unrealistic, and you can’t achieve them? Do you know that these feelings are products of fear, and you can resist and overcome them? Let me show you how today.

The human psychology and mind is a well of unbelievably vast potential. Sadly, it is estimated that over 90% of humans living will never reach their true potential. Think of this as someone driving a Mercedes McLaren AMG 450 and going at 20 MPH because he doesn’t want to overuse and knock the car’s engine. Pretty sad, isn’t it?

Unfortunately, the lives many of us live and how we make the most of what God has already given to us is even worse than this guy going at snail-speed with a super-fast car. Do you know why many of us continuously limit ourselves and refuse to live instead of just surviving? fear! That’s it…pure, good-old, gut-wrenching fear. And, a very unnecessary one too, I must add.

Why are many people always so quick to give the Oh, but I can’t or the But that’s even so unrealistic excuse when faced with seemingly enormous challenges or unfamiliar obstacles? It is because we react more in fear initially in these