If you are like me, how many times have you asked yourself “who am I?” Usually, I ask this question in all honesty and truth of wanting to decipher and know the magic I carry, the mystery I am, and the mastery I can gain.

I also always want to know myself deeply such that no one knows me better than I do. If you happen to know me so well, the things you can capture/discover about me will not be new to me but will only be to encourage and confirm the things I already know about myself.

This act of wanting to know me more actually gives me confidence about where I am in totality: good & bad, beautiful & ugly, nice & not too nice, strengths & weaknesses, and the things I have and I cannot do. It is an act that helped me not only to accept myself for whom I am but also helped me to stop wanting approval, acceptance, or validation from other people.

Getting to know me also shows me how different I am from others and how my life’s experiences and personality are ruefully different.

The total combination of my physical structure, personality, perspectives, education, and experience cannot be found in another person. This understanding of ME and YOU and how uniquely different we are makes me to accept and appreciate myself and each one of us. Remember that no two fingerprints are the same. So no one is like you, YES YOU! You are uniquely different biologically, physically, socially & even spiritually!

Your unique difference has a place of function I need in the scheme of things according to your maker’s (GOD) grand plan. You are not a mistake, neither is it a mistake all the combination, and composition in you. You are the way you are for a reason and a purpose; you are not a waste, don’t ever think of yourself as irrelevant, stupid, foolish, or being incapable to do any outstanding work or lead a meaningful life.

You are someone (not anyone) that is needed, wanted, and very valuable. You matter! You are loved, accepted, and appreciated.

But you must choose today to find out who you are and embrace your superpowers! The truth you must know today is each and every one of us have our areas of strengths and weaknesses, we have our good and bad sides and every one of us is/are work-in-progress. Working towards a better version of yourself is a journey you must be committed to and consistent to be. You will find yourself leveraging on your strengths to do amazing things while working on your weaknesses, they still require some attention to deal with, cut down their power over you until you gain maximum control over it.

Don’t ever think less of yourself or what you are capable of doing, having, or becoming. Now begin to think about who you truly are and what your life is about; the space you are meant to occupy and the space you are made for. You are needed, wanted, and important. Greatness lies inside of you, it is your responsibility to think, discover and embrace, and explore your superpowers.

The truth is we all have got the potential to do amazing things and create the beautiful life we so desire. We already have this ability and power to design our lives but this is determined by your willingness to do the work of thinking, praying, and finding out all the beautiful things you carry right inside of you. Please don’t deny the world your uniqueness, your light too needs to shine, there is no little insignificant light.

Find you! Do you, and Be you, just let your light shine and bring glory to your maker.

My question now is: WHO ARE YOU? And WHAT’S YOUR UNIQUENESS.

Love is all I have,
Atinuke Odjenima
Transformational Growth Catalyst

Look around, it seems everything is kind of out of place. Politically, financially, economically, socially, there are lots of issues in Nigeria that gives us dissatisfaction and make us complain because we all desire a better society. A society where there is law and order, where there is functional, effective systems and structures, where there is good reward for labour, where there is dignity of labour, where your neighbour is your security agent, where basic needs and amenities of life are provided!

We are all used to complaining and nagging. We just like to sit back in one corner of our house and murmur about how terribly bad the political and economical situation are. As if those words will go out to give us change we are yearning for! Talk is too easy and cheap.

Truly, words are powerful, but words alone are not enough. Words need to be backed up with action. No matter how lengthy your commentaries in the dailies are or how fantastic or interesting your blog on the internet is, those words still needs some forms of action, either individually or collectively to make it truly functional and impactful. This piece isn’t another or same way of expressing disappointments or expectations of the Nigerian government. It is a piece that is challenging each and everyone of us to get up to drive all our words in forms of complaining, expectations and stand up for it! Act in it! Act to bring the desirable process for tangible result. You are the change the world is waiting for. That change you wish to see begins with you!

• If I may ask, You want a corrupt free Nation, are you truly transparent and accountable in your family or workplace? Do you give or take bribes and deceive yourself calling it “appreciation”? How honest, trustworthy and reliable are you?

• Are you your neighbour’s keeper? Do you even know who they are or what they do for a living? Or you are also “minding my business”?

• You want to clean environment in Nigeria, do you observe your environmental sanitation exercise both within and outside your house and community? Are you one of those who litters the environment & throw things out through the window of a moving vehicle?

• You want a good, competent and compassionate leader, do you go out to vote?

And if you vote, do you vote only on sentiments of emotion, tribe, relationship or any selfish interest rather than merit, integrity or performance on past and present track records?

• Do you take part is any community service in your area?

• Do you pay your tax just because you are committed to paying your tithes?

Be the change you want to see! It’s easy to point fingers & blame the government, not realising that we also have a role to play as a People, responsible citizens.

The truth is you have to play your own active part well. You have to be an example of a world you love to live in. A country you will want to be proud of. You being the change you seek is nothing but RESPONSIBILITY! To make Nigeria a better place is our sole responsibility! If we all take on to this responsibility individually, together we can make a whole difference. The power to challenge the government is in the people, only if you take on the responsibility of you being an example of a Nation you want to live in. Stop the complaints! And even if you will have to complain or citizens, make sure it is constructive criticism. ACT! Look within you, there I something you can do. First, within yourself then to your family and your immediate community then the nation. The change begins with you! If Nigeria will have to be a better country, then its up to you.

Here’s tips on how you can be the change

Live an exemplary life: live to love. Be good of character, be good to people that you meet in life. Be of help to them in your own little way and encourage them to do others what you have done to them.
Be part of the solution and not the problem, be a law abiding citizen & be patriotic.
Take on to more responsibilities: your responsibilities doesn’t end/stop in your house but in your immediate community. Your immediate community issues should also be your concerns. Because you are not only a member of a family but also of a community. You have a role to play. Contribute, observe and report any issues within the community to the nearest community associations, wards or local government office.

Take the courage to contest for elections at any level or volunteer yourself with non governmental organisations that are into national developmental projects. Just serve Nigeria in any capacity you can afford. Don’t just sit back & do nothing. Be the change you want to see & Model the life that desire to live in.

YOU TAKE THE LEAD WHERE YOU ARE.