Peace Pavilion

Life makes more meaning when we have a strong assurance that we are accepted by the people in our circle.  Even if it is just one person in our lives that makes us feel loved and accepted, it is enough to make the soul healthy. At some points if not always, we will all need someone that can heartily pay attention to us when we talk, understands our deepest sorrow and celebrates even the least of our successes. These are people you can call when you seem to be losing control. Don't get it wrong. It may not be a marital partner and they are not necessarily those who are giants financially but they are those who are rich in love, understanding, attention, empathy and affection. We feel more lively and energetic when we know that other people value the connection we have with them and that they are always there for us irrespective of distance. Having someone to rely on in distress is a deep and liberating relief to the soul.  Loneliness creeps in once that vacuum of attention and ...

Wondering if both terms are not the same? Yes, they are two different things that look alike and depending on individuals, both can have almost similar effects. How do you feel when you have people in your life who you can easily talk to whenever you lose control?  How do you feel when you know that people have you at heart and are really concerned about you? Life will ever remain just an empty space if humans cannot find true meaning in their existence. The essence of life lies not in a person's net-worth or fame but in the deep connection they share with others. In life, it is not what we have that matters but who we have in our lives and how much that connection is cherished and valued.  It is very possible to be financially and materially rich but poor and sick in the soul. Every individual's heart yearns for love and attention and getting this duo is what makes life meaningful. While aloneness is simply the absence of people in our physical environment, loneliness is the ...

"Oh my God! When will this driver and his conductor drive us off from this bus stop? Must they pick all their passengers at this spot? He will surely get passengers at other bus stops" If you are a typical Nigerian and especially a Lagos person, you should be very familiar with the lines up there; passengers' complaints! I wouldn't know if it's the same in other countries but you will bear me witness that being involved in Nigerian commercial transportation can be a tiring and debilitating experience especially in places like Lagos. Our daily efforts are all in a bid to make ends meet. We have a lot to do and time is sure not on our side. Therefore, everybody seems to be in a hurry making it look like the bus drivers and conductors are wasting our time. We have become so used to hastiness that even when we have no urgent appointment, we still rush and put pressure on them! Commercial drivers and conductors are of different types. Some are wicked while some are kin...

Looking for a fast relationship killer? Do not look too far, uncontrolled anger is just a perfect murderer! Anger is one kind of feeling every living creature that has emotion cannot escape. Even animals get angry when they are not pleased with the way they are treated. It is a way of expressing one's grief, frustration or displeasure about something or an act.  Truth be told, there are some situations where moderate anger is just the answer. There are situations where you need to express your displeasure over certain things and take strict actions so that things can take the right shape. An example of such situation is when you are trying to get your team members to rise up to the tasks they have neglected. This is called positive anger and it is such that put things in order. It is usually short-term and it is not destructive but constructive in nature. In this kind of anger, words are carefully chosen and are wisely used.  However, anger becomes a serious issue ...

The tongue is powerful than any other organ of the body. It saves and it kills depending on how you have learnt to control it.  Sometimes we say things that we don't mean in a mean way and usually, what we say is weightier and more destructive than what we do. Words are powerful than actions.  Actions may be forgotten easily but when words make a negative and indelible mark on someone's reputation, it is usually difficult to forget.  Meanwhile, we sometimes end up becoming sorry, feeling sad, guilty, and troubled for the wrong things we have said. That is conscience at work! However, it is always too late to rescue especially when such words have bruised trust.   The success of our interpersonal relationships largely depends on our character and manner of communication (the way we talk). Many homes, friendships and marital relationships today have been messed by the reason of poor communication skills. We get into trouble with other people when we fail to exerci...

Sharon had been anxiously waiting for his uncle who promised to take her abroad once he comes home.  She had boastfully told almost everyone around her that she would be leaving Nigeria. Unfortunately, Sharon's uncle came home with load of excuses as to why he would not be able to take her anymore and that was the beginning of Sharon's depression... Many are the heartaches we give ourselves due to our inability to control our anxiety. To be anxious for success is a good thing but excess of everything is apparently bad. Extreme and uncontrolled anxiety for success may be very destructive to our mental health. It is beautiful to be positively expectant but it is also good to always leave a gap for failure because the unexpected can happen and as a matter of fact, nothing seems to be stable in life.  A sweet relationship today can turn sour tomorrow. That lucrative job you're seeing today may not remain so in subsequent years and the long awaited admission may either come late...

One common error we make and that usually terminates our interest in waiting is comparison. When we compare ourselves to others and use their achievements as a yardstick to measure our own progress, we tend to lose confidence in ourselves and feel that we are not doing well. This feeling usually takes away our happiness and set us on a useless, pointless and unhelpful race. Sadly enough, it increases our worries.  It is good to emulate others and be inspired by their achievements but you know well when you are crossing the line of peace of mind. Be inspired but do not suck life out of yourself to do beyond your capacity. Understand that everybody's timing is different.  Patience is not a single virtue but it's a combination of others such as discipline , humility and kindness .  It is related to discipline in terms of being able to take charge and control your reactions to situations and endure it without complaints; humility in the sense that you must accept that...

You're at the park trying to get a bus? Patience! You need employment? Be patient! You've turned in much efforts into that stuff and you're anxiously waiting for the outcome? Please exercise some patience.  Someone just got you angry and the fire in your eyes can tell that you want to explode with words? Pause and take a deep breath! Patience begets art works. Kudos to all artists around the world! Old Oshodi: Art work by Omoniyi Gabriel Gilbert (OAU graduate) Have you ever sat in front of a mind-blowing art work and wondered where the artist got that kind of patience from? The patience to put tiny paintings together to make a wonderful image? If you haven't, I have and I tell you, each time I have the opportunity to stare at any art work, I bluntly reject the imagination of being an artist and my subconscious mind tells me I can never be one. I won't even think of that! The imagination alone is tiring, not to mention it being a reality. It's obviously not a sma...