It's a conscious decision I made
not to imprison myself
In the things beyond my control
Negative emotions will be itching to show
But I allow positive feelings overthrow

When things or people try to litter my day
I literally point them to the trash bin
I guess it's okay to be angry
But more importantly not to sin
Words carry energy, so I censor what I say

Ever since I found a driver in destiny
That's the only vehicle I've been riding in
I ensure comparison never rides with me
'cause jealousy is nothing but an enemy
My own life and path, I want to gain mastery

I am unique and there can never be another me
Losing that uniqueness leads to misery
I'll rather work on being a better me
Persevere
Live life with tenacity

My wiper is always working
Just to keep my visions clear
Like-minded people
Are the only ones I keep near
Regardless where I face, I'm always forward-looking

No matter what comes my way
I won't fold
Even the world's best soccer player
Once missed a goal
Thinking of quitting, that's a NO!

My perception of potentials...

Powers
On
The inside that
Emit greatness when
Not neglected but
Tapped
Into
And
Launched out carefully and
Seriously

Teach my heart to praise You, not only when I want something in return
But just to thank You for the marvelous things You've done

I don't want to make Your presence just an asking place
Instead, I want to seek your face multiple times daily, more than I open my social media pages

I know you are always there to talk
I know you care about me so much
Teach me to love you in return, unconditionally
Because with You, I want to live eternally.

Lead me on the path of my destiny
Teach me to recognize distractions
Keep me in the confines of my own journey
Infuse me with zeal and dedication

Teach me to be grateful for every blessing
Humble me to always show appreciation
Let me be to my world a blessing
Let my story be a source of inspiration

Fill me up with wisdom and empathy
Let my heart overflow with compassion
Make me a person of understanding
May I shine as light in this generation

May I live all my days in safety
May I stand strong in days of persecution
May I run my race and not get weary
May I successfully reach my destination

If you've ever represented your school
in a competition, you'll remember that
Months/weeks/days before the day of contest,
You're subjected to exercises/tasks that
were more rigorous than your peers'
Timed challenges, tougher goals
Sometimes, lesser resources were provided
However, that is not considered torture but training
While your peers were sleeping/playing,
You were going through something "unpleasing"
The good news is, no matter your place in the contest (won a prize or not),
You're potentially better and more experienced than your peers.
You would have learned things your peers didn't know.

Maybe the things you're currently going through
Are preparatory grounds for greater wins that await you ahead
Maybe God has permitted the challenges
to come your way, not as torture but training
And God does know your breaking point,
It's not His desire to watch you break.
Embrace the "unpleasing" tasks today,
Knowing that there is a glorious win ahead.

What could be worse
Than pretending to be changed on the outside
When nothing has really changed on the inside?
WAIT
Maybe it would be way worse
When everyone finds out it's all been pretence!

I'm super rich in love
But I can't afford to hate
I keep my mind open
Yet I protect its peace
I welcome challenges,
'cause I'm aware of its
underlying opportunities
What you see is not all there is,
I've embedded this into my principles
My kindness is sometimes
mistaken for foolishness (no regrets)
I've found gratefulness to be
a boost for happiness
I love the easy life and I'm content,
But I repel slothfulness
God is my foundation,
The solid rock on which I stand
God is my support,
I keep Him always in my thoughts
I believe my destiny lies in my hands
Hence I keep my hands clean
Life is beautiful,
Your perception can change the reality.

How do I handle this pressure
Pressure of secretly competing with my mates
They seem to be growing at faster rates
Never appreciating my current state

In my head, it's all a race
Call me a competition ace
The competition that I never won
Only leaves me worn out

Maybe I know the reason for the pressure
Could I be using the wrong measure

Maybe I've been running another man's race
Maybe I need to live my very best
Maybe that's where I would find my rest
Maybe that's my real quest.

Do you know me
Or it's just what I showed you?

What is your dream?
What is your desire?
What is your passion?
What is your ambition?

What is your gift?
What is your talent?
What is your conviction?
What is your drive?

What is your fear?
What is your opposition?
What is your barrier?
What is your limitation?

What are your answers?

Quitting is...
An important thing to do
And an important thing not to do
You know those things that you ought to quit
And you know those things that you shouldn't quit!

Life's storms would rage
Some situations would roar
But those who put their trust in the Lord
They shall not fail

They might go through some pains
Like challenges and tribulations
But before them, a way would pave
And their mouths will exude songs of jubilation

You might have to take the stairs to the sky
To pluck the star(s) you desire
Instead of waiting for it to fall,
Head up and you can pick and choose.

Yes, it's time for my redemption
Deep down, I can feel the tension
Easier to be stuck to old ways like detention
But I say No, freedom is my intention

I don't need u to approve
Everyday, I wanna improve
Sometimes, I would make a goof
Still, I will stand on my hoof
Till my life is the proof

Then, I will bring some along
Show them how to dance to destiny's song
Together, we build this Universe
To which we all belong.

Life is but a journey
A path to walk within a given time limit
Some call it a marketplace
Where character is the main currency
A place to offer that which you've been gifted with

It's not a race track where you have to be swift
No competition except trying to better your past
Every individual with his/her own lane
Maintaining that lane is the way to be sane

As I walk along this path
I have seen that love is that which beautifies the way
Respect is that which keeps it safe

That which you give, you have even more
What the eyes see, is not all that is
That which you emit, you also attract
Be you because nobody can be you better

Life is like a relay race
To be on earth is to be on the track
It is needful that we all play our part and
run with zeal before we pass the baton.

Our talents and gifts are a blessing
to the world at large,
If we use them right, we help to put
the world in a better place

While you're still here in the earth
Do all you can to make your mark
Positively impact the lives around you
That they might also run with gusto

Collectively, we can improve our world
'cause we are in this race of life together.