I spent the weekend at home with my parents and i complained bitterly about school work and all the other stresses of life. My father said something that i already knew, but helped me change my perspective on life ... i hope it does the same for you. It is an old proverb of the Igbo people in Nigeria, it says:

Okpa adu erighi eri lee ka onu ndi nwuru anwu
"Those who accummulate wealth without enjoying it should look at the mouth of dead people."

Seems like a strange thing to say, right? But think about it. Many of us live a priviledged life, but hardly do we stop to be thankful for what we have. Time and time again, we complain about trivial things. "my computer crashed", "i dont have money for this or that", "i have too much homework". We let these daily complains constantly plague us. But take a second to consider that millions of children are too poor to go to school or dont even have the choice at all and many of them will never know what a computer is ... those that do, may never even see or use one and they do not even know what money is, in the sense that they are so underpriviledged that such things is a luxury to them.

Like the proverb says, when we have something and do not stop to appreciate it, we should stop and look at those who barely have any at all. It is painful to be blessed with so much and appreciate so little. Take some time today to think about the less fortunate and be grateful for what we have, but dont let it end there ... give a little. Its not enough to simply acknowledge that they exist and not do anything to help them. Do something that will make someone's day, a lot happier. It doesn't instantly mean you have to donate money to feed a child in Africa or sponsor/adopt an orphan, especially if you do not have the means to right now. It is true that they need help, more so than others ... but like they say, Charity begins at home. Find someone near you and invest in their life. Buy someone who usually has no food a lunch. or slip money or a note into their locker if you want to do it anonymously ... it is even as simple as making someone smile.

With every effort, you are brightening their lives and making the experience richer as well.

Cheerios. Till next time ...

Peace and Love,

Onyeka