Men's Casual

When I hear the phrase “Men’s Casual” the first picture that gets into my head is;

Are you feeling me? Looking good shouldn’t only be a woman’s business, men have got that calling too you know *wink*

Anyways, Men’s Casual means something more than “the looks” to the folks at New Estate Baptist Church. It’s an annual event organized by the MMU to bring men and women together for a time of reflection on what is expected of us as children of God in our revolving/changing times. This year’s theme was 

“Excellence in the Marketplace”.

So a couple of weeks back when I was cornered by some of the organizers of Men’s Casual who told me I was going to be a facilitator in the program.  I never ‘experredit’ (in Pepo’s language). By default, my brain immediately started googling a bright excuse to dodge the responsibility (because to him who much is given, much is expected…) When my brain’s search engine couldn’t find a reason in the human “excuse server”, it waited for me to sleep and then plugged into Higher Realms connections (normal behaviour). And as a result I got a revelation to stop dodging if I must win the “stage fright battle’. So I had to face it! This wasn’t a war between me and what I needed to say, it was a fight between me and public speaking, stage fright and taking opportunities. Equipped with a tip that my role model – Dn Frank Femi Afolabi was going to be one of the facilitators as well, I was encouraged. At least I would have someone to spy on while at it (you can call me copy-copy – issorrite …lol)

The event has come and gone and let’s just say after a sleepless night of preparations, I couldn’t find my way into expressing myself on D-day. I could have bought a chance but common! That would be illegal; going out of the scope of a direct question. So I may want to blame it on the fact that people didn’t ask enough questions to give me this opportunity, or deceive myself with the phrase “I’m a man of few words” but deep within me, I know my attempt wasn’t near the best of me (That awkward feeling you get when you think people think you are overpaid Lol) But I thank God for my friend, blessing and my muse, ‘God’s girl’ who served me some encouraging words that helped me sleep well.

In case you didn't pick up on them yet, there are a few “in between the lines” points in the article.

1.       Take advantage of opportunities. Your brain will always find a perfect excuse to dodge…

2.       Expect no helping hands. You are on your own! Use what you have.

3.       Success can be a subjective term. A lot of it depends on your personal measure of what it is.

4.       Praise young people in any educational scenario for their effort and not their talent.

5.       Embed “the growth mind-set”. Knowledge is a renewable energy; No dulling!

6.       Your mentor doesn’t necessarily have to be somebody very rich, powerful or older than you are.

7.       I just wanted to make it seven. Actually, it’s seven days to Thanksgiving! *smiles sheepishly*

Now it’s a new day! I feel good! But… I still have this load of information about Excellence in the Market place I’m carrying upandan, so I need epp! (In IBK’s language..lol). I’m just gonna shed some weight here (in this link) so anybody in the world can epp me - share your brother’s burden *wink*

I Thank God for this Foresight platform where we can stumble as many times needed, till we can stand and shine and light up the world!

Oje.