I know you’re probably wondering what this is about. Do we even need to talk about it? I mean who makes rest an entire topic? I know it seems absurd but for medical students and medical professionals in general, rest is often ignored and even mocked. It’s treated like a sin if a medical student mentions that they slept during an exam season or even during normal school sessions. What? How dare you? How can you be sleeping when your mates are reading? How can you be attending an owanbe when your mates are reading? How can you go home when your mates are reading? Lol. Who are these mates that are always reading anyway? What do they have to show for it? Even if they have something to show for it, comparison is not an healthy motivation to do anything. We’ve talked about comparison and motivation before now? Check those issues out.
We need to understand that rest is an important part of the work we do. I really like this quote I found on Instagram a while back;
Without rest, a person cannot work; without work the rest does not give any benefit –
Abkhasian Proverb
This really encapsulates the interplay between work and rest. You see, they go hand in hand. You cannot have one optimally without the other. The secret to it is timing. There is a time to these things, there’s a time to work and a time to rest. Be responsible enough to maximize your time and do things at the right time so you don’t eventually put your body and mind under pressure. I know, I know, medical students always say there’s no time. Lol. But we already demystified that myth in the The time issue, you might need to check that out.
If there is anything you should take away from today’s post, it’s that rest is vital to your work and your work is vital to your rest. Do both luxuriously and religiously. Don’t feel less for taking a break and having a good time and when it’s time to work, don’t hesitate to go hard as well. How do they say it? Work hard! Play hard! Well I daresay WORK HARD, REST HARD!
Another thing to note is that God’s doesn’t want us constantly on edge, he wants us relaxed and resting in Him because it proves that we trust Him to bless the work of our hands. It shows that we know that it’s not merely our hardwork and efforts that bring success and progress, rather it is the favour of God on what we do.
My dear friend, if you want to be doctor and happy don’t be afraid to rest when need be.
Having Jibola here share his experience touring the whole of Osun is such a rare privilege for several reasons. Asides the fact that he is one of the biggest supporters of my writing and whatever I put out. He is also such a good friend. He is such a good friend in fact that I didn’t quite feel that we hadn’t met at all in person in all the 5 years that I have known him, until he came around to Osogbo, the same time he went touring the state. We were so excited we forgot to take a selfie. Can you believe that? I am also pleased to inform you that he is a fantastic writer! His writing is seamless and easy and this is such a fine and engaging read. You’ll definitely learn about Osun State too, or is it state of Osun now? I mean I’ve lived here all my life and I didn’t know most of the things Jibola was so kind as to point out in this piece. I enjoyed reading this as I’m certain you will too. Thanks Jibs for your words and willingness to share.
I have been visiting various parts of the State of Osun in the last two decades. Ile – Ife and Osogbo in particular. I never thought about documenting my experience until now. The opportunity to write about the State of Osun came 2020; I recently toured the entire State. Yes! I visited each of the 30 Local Government Areas that make up the State of Osun. I trekked! Not every nook though. For instance, I was on ever street in Iragbiji where Governor Gboyega Oyetola hails from.
I am writing this piece with mixed feelings. I write with the hope that this will plunge me to return back to the art of documenting life. It is more than a year I pulled down my blog and stopped doing one of the things I love doing. I hope your review will be favourable because I am scared I might end up wasting your time. Lol. It’s not that deep. I hope you find my article on the State of Osun worth reading.
The time is 9:20am and I was set to leave Iwo Road Ibadan for the State of Osun. I requested that the driver play KWAM 1 songs: sometimes you really want to feel among and flow with the vibe of the streets. I failed at the quest and it’s okay to embrace your failures. They shouldn’t embarrass you.
Walking through the streets of Osogbo is a thing for me; one that never gets old. Even when I arrived the city tired, touring the city was something I was excited to do. I was off to Isale Osun from Ogo – Oluwa where I was lodged. The goose bumps remain legendary. The unique blend of ancient and modern was not much of a surprise while exploring the streets of Osogbo! The people of Osun call November 27 Bridge constructed by the Rauf Aregbesola administration Ona Baba Ona (literally the king of all roads) I should tell you about my experience in Ogbagba where traders left their goods with stones as a sign of how much it costs. I read about such practices in books and the last time I saw that was in the State of Osun when I was about 5 years old.
The harmattan in the State of Osun had a raging and mercurial presence all through my stay. The mornings were crisp, the afternoons ashen with heat and the nights had me wrapped in duvets from White Plains Hotel. Shinning my skin with Vaseline became imperative every morning while the forgotten bits between my fingers and elbows became a perfect characterization of dull ash. My lips didn’t crack so they did not have to bleed.
Ladies make sure you take your wigs off before this one…lol. My experience passing through Egbedi – Onibueja axis of Osogbo can be likened to when a dust whirlwind is starting in a far distance. Pretty to behold as long as they are far away, and swirl until they coated everything in the colours of an Ibadan roof. The narrative on Iwo – Ejigbo axis was worse. I was referred to as Grandpa when I highlighted at Ejigbo junction. Emi sweet sixteen.
For once, I realised why Osun Gubernatorial elections took its turn. You should be able to entertain people with your skills to pull enough votes to be a runner – up. As for those who stan Davido and members of the Adeleke family, I need your help. Your idol can transform the entire Ede. I mean! It’d shock you to know that only a vehicle can ply the bridge connecting Ede and Osogbo at a time. I was embarrassed because Ede is an ancient town with symbolic meaning to the Yoruba nation. The Ede Zonal Office of the State of Osun Water Corporation is either on your left or right depending on where you are coming from. Ede needs assurance!
The Nigerian Police
My encounter with the Nigerian Police is something else. I didn’t know I look like a Yahoo boy. Please rate my appearance.
My appearance
I was queried and thoroughly searched. When I disappointed the quest of the officer for any implicating material, he did let me be. It is advisable to always move with most relevant IDs. Thankfully I had receipts to my phone and camera on me. We cannot afford to trust these guys I mean. They are not our friends as they say. On the second account, one Iyanu Adeyemi, a fresh student of the Federal University of Technology, Akure who was on his way to complete academic registration was the victim. The Mobile Police Officer who had stopped our vehicle requested that Iyanu transferred NGN 30, 000 of the NGN 50, 000 in his Bank Account. He was driven away when he wasn’t cooperating. We all followed and boom! They collected the cash on him before we could catch up with them in the bush, they took him to. You know the funny thing is passengers kept saying we were delayed because God was preventing an evil occurrence. Okay o! No queries.
Attraction
I had breath-taking views of nature from the bottom of the rock at Otan – Aiyegbaju. I was particular about the location because it’s been 10years I visited home (Isale Odofin). Yes! My mum is a native of Otan – Aiyegbaju and the last time I was home was during Great Grand – Ma’s burial. I noticed the developmental changes in the town. The Palace is wearing a new look.
The Elementary, Middle and High Schools in the State of Osun are a beauty to behold. My forebears told me about Kiriji war. It was a delight seeing where the war began (Ijabe), where the soldiers had to hide (Asa) and the battlefront at Igbajo. I really wondered how our fore fathers covered such distances in the shortest possible time. The Driver was surprised I knew about Kiriji. It was a refreshing time talking about the historical war all the way from Oyan to Ila Orangun. I can only rest my case since everything they say is fair in war.
Food
Osun people prefer home – made food and that is one of the reasons eating out is pretty expensive. Expensive for the socio – economic status of the residents. Chronicles Restaurant, Karaoke & Bar was my plug all through my stay. Lunch was fantastic and the service, even more so. You know how well I rate amazing waiters! Ope, is the reason I made up my mind to keep coming.
The visitor will not abide in a town forever: but the residents are left with no choice. I left the State of Osun on Saturday, January 25, 2020 and I arrived Iwo Road at about 1:10pm. It surprised me; how much I had missed Ibadan itself. It was no coincidence that the Governor, State of Osun, Alh. Gboyega Oyetola and his team arrived Ibadan at the same time as my friends and I. He probably trailed us. Awa legends.
Would you consider living in the State of Osun? I could get you a relatively free space in either Osogbo, Ile – Ife, Ilesha, Ila – Orangun or Oke – Ila. Oh! I forgot to tell you Osun roads are relatively good and power supply is steady. Each trip to the State of Osun has given me incredible memories and this last one gave me one to remember in a unique way for a lifetime.
1Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Ikeji – Arakeji2The Statue of Oduduwa, Ile Ife3Ejigbo, State of Osun4Iwo Town, State of Osun5 St Peter’s Elementary School, Iragbiji6Westland University7Ile Oodua8 Okuku9The Wonder Woman of Ereja Square, Ilesha
10 Ilesha
11 Osun Mall
Localities I ticked off: Aiyedaade Local Government Area: Gbongan, Ode – Omu, Orile Owu Aiyedire Local Government Area: Ile Ogbo, Kuta, Oke Osun, Olupona Atakumosa East, Atakumosa West, Oriade, Obokun, Ilesha East and Ilesha West Local Government Areas: Ilesha, Ereja Square, Ipole, Iwara, Eti – Omi, Ajebamidele, Ifewara, Isaobi, Itagunmodi, Muroko, Ibodi, Okebode, Osu, Ifelodun, Epe, Erin Oke, Erin Ijesa, Erinmo, Iwaraja, Ijebu – Jesa, Rarul, Ijeda, Iloko, Ipetu – Ijesa, Iwoye, Ibokun and Ikeji Arakeji Boluwaduro and Ila Local Government Areas: Eripa, Otan – Aiyegbaju, Igbajo, Iresi, Ila, Ila – Orangun Boripe and Ifelodun Local Government Areas: Aagba, Ada, Iragbiji, Iree, Ekoende, Iba, Ikirun, Obagun Ede South and Ede North Local Government Areas: Oja Timi, Ede, Sekona, Alajue, Oke Gada. Egbedore and Ola – Oluwa Local Government Areas: Ara, Awo, Ido Osun, Ikotun, Iragberi, Iwoye, Ojo, Okinni, Ajagba, Iwo Oke, Asa, Ajagun – Lase, Asamu, Bode Osi, Isero, Ikonifin, Obamoro, Ile Ogo, Ogbaagba, Telemu. Ejigbo Local Government Area: Ejigbo, Ife – Odan and Ilawo Ife Central, Ife East, Ife North and Ife South Local Government Areas: Aba Coker, Oranmiyan, Opa, Okerewe, Moro, Iremo, Ilode, Ilare, Ikoyi, Eleyele , Oke Ogbo, Ifewara, Ipetumodu, Moro, Oyere, Edunabon, Famia, Akinlalu, Ashipa, Abiri, Ifetedo, Kere, Oke – Owena, Olode, Osi, Ara, Aye – Amobo, Mefoworade and Omifunfun Ifedayo Local Government Area: I planned visiting Oke Ila but turned back at Ora. It was an extremely long journey. Irepodun and Orolu Local Government Areas: Erin, Ilobu, Ifon – Osun Irewole Local Government Area: Ikire Isokan Local Government Area: Apomu, Ikoyi Iwo Local Government Area: Oja Oba, Odo Ori, Iwo, Iwo Odidere, Gidigbo, Feesu Odo – Otin Local Government Area: Oyan, Iyeku, Faji, Opete, Ijabe, Ore, Agbeye, Ekosin, Asi, Asaba, Inisa, Okua, Ekusa, Okuku Osogbo and Olorunda Local Government Areas: Dada Estate, Idi Seke, Ita Olokan, Kola Balogun, Fagbewesa, Odiolowo, Ogo – Oluwa , Oke – Oniti, Oke – Fia, Oke – Ayepe, Omo West, Ota Efun, Ring Road, Olonkoro, Dugbe, , Onisekere, Oke – Arugbo, Dada Estate, Oke – Baale, Orita Iso Ewe, Oja Oba, Ona Baba Ona, Ita Olakanye, Ijetu, Oke Ijetu, Olorunsogo, Ilesha Garage, Oloruntedo, Arogundade, Isale Aro, Oke Okanla, Ataoja Palace / Police Station, Oba Ife, Oba Oke, Igbonna, Aiyetoro and Alekuwodo.
CHILL Chill Chill. I didn’t say motivation isnt real, I said it’s a scam.
AS a medical student, I’ve sadly come to accept that the work in front of me won’t magically change and get easier😪. The only thing that can change is me. I can be better. I can get more resources. I can learn to accommodate more knowledge. Heck! One of the characteristics of a living thing is IRRITABILITY. But to get from where I am now to a place where my work is easier for me (even though it’s the same thing it’s always been), I gotta grow. You have to grow.
FOR some people that word right there is a cuss word, like OMG…did he just type grow…in full…with no ***! That’s because growing might seem difficult😣 or inconsequential(like “what it do?”)🤷♂. And I’m talking about “Intentional Personal Development” kind of growth not the physical one or the times you learn stuff accidentally because your village people are praying for you. Growing, Adapting, Changing…those things take time and effort and most people get stuck on, “i don’t feel like doing it”, “I just can’t get motivated to start”, “I’ll start when i feel the vibe”.
I’m not lazy bro…
Or maybe…maybe you do feel the vibe and you start and you know, you’re just enjoying it. But 1 week later(1 week sef is too much) you’re back at, “i cant come and go and kill myself na”, “YOLO ohhh”, “motivation to continue is my only problem now”, “Actually the spirit of God inside of me is telling me that…” Ahhhh! So which spirit told you to start in the first place?
…for real though…
FUN Fact- If you’re always looking for motivation to do something that you know will benefit you or others around you, you’ll either never do it or you’ll do it without conviction and without reward aka you’ll either never start or you’ll start and stop halfway.
…the whole idea of motivation is a trap. Forget motivation. Just Do It. Exercise, study more, dress better, or whatever. Do it without motivation and then guess what. After you start doing the thing, that’s when the motivation comes and makes it easy for you to keep on doing it. Motivation is like love and happiness. It’s a by-product. When you’re actively engaged in doing something, it sneaks up and zaps you when you least expect it. As Harvard psychologist Jerome Bruner says, “You’re more likely to act yourself into feeling than feel yourself into action.” So act!Whatever it is you know you should do, do it.
The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth by John C. Maxwell.
THAT is from the very first chapter of the book
Here’s Why Motivation Alone Won’t Take You Far
Motivation is an EMOTION and emotions come and go.
But that doesn’t mean emotions are bad. Most of the greatest innovators the world has ever seen started whatever they started because they felt the need to solve a problem or had the desire to make money😌. Emotions push us into doing things we might not normally be found doing. That’s where it stops though. It can get you to start but, more often than not, it won’t sustain you through the process
What Takes You Where Motivation Won’t?
Discipline! Straight Up! One of the hacks to intentional growth in John’s book is accountability, but even accountability requires discipline. No matter what you want to do, you’ll need discipline for those times when you just don’t feel like it.
And Yes! The bible backs this up;
Phillipians 2:13 says, “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” So yea, you will get the desire(the feeling) but it won’t stop there, power(strength) is also going to be added by God. Why? To be disciplined!
2 Peter 1v5-8 tells us to add many things to our faith so we have an effective and productive relationship with Christ. Among those things is DISCIPLINE! Straight Up!
Listen! You can be #DoctorandHappy. Just make up your mind now that motivation and or the lack of it won’t be what keeps you from being productive. And yea, I know, the workload can be a real issue but that’s a topic for another day.
I fought writing this because it’s just so cheesy. Like who makes a whole post on stuff they are grateful for? Haha, but I’m working on creating good habits and this kept coming to mind, that usually means the Holy Spirit wants me to do something. It’s so easy to forget the things God does for us anyway, so this is good. Even now, remembering everything that has happened in January is proving a challenge but I know I’ll remember as we go on. Of course, all that God has done cannot be put into writing, but at least here are a few things that are noteworthy. January was tagged in church as our month of greatness and I can say truly that the Lord has made me great! Hallelujah!
I miraculously scored really high in a clinical exam. It was just God’s favour. Everyone in my group can testify to the fact that it wasn’t like I was the most brilliant or most eloquent but the examiner (who is known to be notorious and tough) was just easy on me. I prayed for this favour so I was so excited when it happened how I wanted it. It made me feel specially loved by God and I want you to know that God can do the same for you too.
January started on a really rough note for me health wise. I woke up on new year’s day with a sensation of something in my left eye. It was slightly painful and uncomfortable. I prayed about it and ignored the pain as I usually do when something is wrong with me. But it persisted, at some point it was difficult to keep my eyes open and the eye would tear up spontaneously, not to speak of the redness (not so glaring though) so I told my parents. My dad laid his hand on the eye and prayed for me. The discomfort and pain started subsiding and about two days later my eye was back to normal! Praise God.
Another challenge I had was a nagging constant headache. Wow. That was my first time experiencing something like that. I woke up with the headache and went to bed with it at night. And I dared not raise my voice during the day it would be like my head wanted to explode. I even took painkillers but it didn’t help. I prayed about it and confessed healing as often as I could. I woke up one morning and the pain was gone, I was so excited that I gave the testimony on my WhatsApp status that morning. I’m just so grateful to God for his healing and love.
Provision. I needed this, I needed that and God put it in people’s heart to gift me. Or he made it subsidized such that I could afford it. That’s my wonderful daddy God. He’s the best.
I made money this month. Like I made cool cash. I basically made money out of nothing. That’s God, he gave me ideas and I ran with it. I was afraid at first because I don’t see myself as the business mogul per se but God reassured me that I could do it and as they say, the rest is history. Sometimes I really can’t believe I’m making actual cash from these stuff. Thank you Jesus for the ideas and perfect execution.
Decision making! Whew, I made some serious decisions this month. Some of them were really hard but I’m positive of Gods leading so I’m sure every seemingly hard step will be worth it in the future. Grateful for the grace to yield even when it’s not exactly ease.
I’m so thankful for how this month turned out. I return all the praise and glory to God. I’m definitely off to a good start. February, here I come!
If your January didn’t go according to plan, let these testimonies encourage you and believe God for a better February.
I consider myself a happy person, most of the time. Sometimes joy is something you have to fight for; so many things are grappling for your peace of mind but you just have to say No! I won’t let you take my joy away, I will stay happy and light. They say talk is cheap but my Pastor always says in the Kingdom of God, talk is not cheap. So talk that talk baby! Let those demons hear!
Here are some ways that you can keep your joy and stay 100% happy, all day every day. Even if you stray, you can always call yourself back home.
Do the things you love often.
Find the things that you enjoy. Good things o. I want to trust you enough to assume you know the things that are good for you to indulge in. If you realize you’re happy when you spend time with your family or in church or when you go for walks or when you explore new places or reading good books, volunteering, writing, drawing, painting, babyboy or girl please do it often. Whatever it is, do it. Always go in the direction of joy. Some people know that when they visit some of their friends they leave feeling terrible about themselves, YET these people will still visit those friends often. Why? Why do that to yourself? Free yourself of weights that way you down. Stay light. That brings us to my next point…
Create a relaxing environment for yourself. Surround yourself with people who love you.
I always say that people are the best part of everything. What actually makes the places we go and the things we do what they are are the people involved. Most times, people will determine your state of mind. Don’t get me wrong I’m not saying you should place the responsibility of your joy on people but whether we like it or not people contribute to our happiness. Try to create an atmosphere of peace and love in your relationships. Let go of strive and ill intent. May God help and connect you to the right people in Jesus name.
Fill your heart with goodness.
As you guys know one of my favourite parts of scripture is Proverbs 4:23 where it says guard your heart with all delligence for out of it flows the issues of life. Everything you do is from the things that you’ve allowed into your heart. If you want to stay happy, you must keep guard of your heart. You don’t just let anything or anyone plant evil seeds of negativity in you or wash you down. As they are saying or doing whatever they are doing, you dismantle it in your mind. You don’t accept it and then get home and start dwelling on it, oh no no no. As it goes in one ear (that’s if it even makes it inside at all) it comes out the other. There’s no time to waste time guys. My joy is not on sale to anybody. It is mine. And your joy is yours as well, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
Maintain your true identity in Christ. No matter what!
Listen, the fact is everything I’ve mentioned above would be of little or no use to you if you have no idea who you are in Christ. All those things can be affected based on your mood at any given point in time, that goes to show that everything stems from identity. It stems from who you think you are as a person. You shouldn’t build your joy on what you or any other person thinks of you because you (and every other human being) are not reliable. We are human and sometimes we mess up big time. We get upset with ourselves. We wash ourselves down all by ourselves. Guess what though? God is better than us. His view of us does not change. We are always perfect and good in his eyes because he sees us through what Jesus did on the cross not what we did yesterday or what we are doing today or what we will do tomorrow. Our identity is sealed and permanent in Christ. There was a divine exchange on the cross of Calvary. This gospel never loses value. It says true and it says relevant. Jesus being God, being eternally good, without flaw took on our flawed nature, paid the price for our misgivings with his holy life and rose from the grave so that we might also rise into new life with Him and live as new beings. We are no longer intrinsically flawed mere human beings instead we have been made perfect from the inside out! Woah! Glory to God!
When God looks at you, he see the best person in the world. In his eyes you are flawless. Isn’t that enough reason to be happy? I mean sometimes when I’m sad I just remember everything Jesus did for me on the cross and I recall my true identity. I mean, fam, there’s absolutely no reason in the universe to be sad or burdened when you have the cross in your front veiw. There’s nothing that I want today that God has not already provided for me through Christ. All I have to do is believe and there is no way I can believe and be sad at the same time, no! I know what I have, I know whose I am and I know who I am so joy fills my soul. I pray that in your heart of hearts you also have this realization and soon.
For years now, people have asked me to help with their writing and I have done that most times free of charge. That has given me experience as to what most people struggle with when it comes to writing and how to help them. I have also been writing for over 10 years on and offline. My work has been featured on blogs, websites, magazines, journals and the like. I believe anybody can write and I’m here to show you how.
Here are some things you need to know about this course.
1. It’s a 5 day online course hosted on WhatsApp.
2. The cost is 2,500 naira but if you are amongst the first five to enlist, you have a 20% discount so the course will cost you 2000 naira only! Hurry and apply now.
Update: The discount deal is sold out!
3. A full payment is required to be made before the course begins. Pay to this account;
0056808110, Union bank, OmoobaJesu Adetunji.
4. It is a personalized customized training so I will be answering your questions personally and giving you assignments that will cater to your specific writing needs.
5. You decide when we start, but note that the classes will only take place on working days, so Saturdays and Sundays are excluded.
6. The lessons will be in form of voice notes left for you in the morning with an assignment attached on some days. The voice notes will be 10 minutes long maximum except you have questions that require me answering for lengthy periods of time.
7. Assignments will be expected to be submitted on or before 6pm the same day, if the submission time differs, I’ll let you know.
8. I look forward to doing business with you and helping you on your journey to becoming an excellent writer.
God asked me to do this. I’m always very careful about saying things like that but for this I am sure that he asked me to do it, cause He said it many times to me and they were emphasis on the exact number. When I first heard 40 I thought it was too much but my Spirit did not allow me to reduce it. For me, this year is a year of exams. I have two major professional exams and I know that God wants me to do this for my success and peace of mind but I also know that this is not only for me. God cares about you and your success in exams too. That’s why he persuaded me to put this list together. Note that these verses are not just a read and go list, they are for meditation and meditation is an active process.
meditate /ˈmɛdɪteɪt/ verb
To focus one’s mind for a period of time, in silence or with the aid of chanting, for religious or spiritual purposes or as a method of relaxation.
It is a spiritual exercise, so your mind must be there. Chew the word. And say it out loud. You don’t have to impress anybody, you can mutter it to yourself. As long as you are building up your spirit this way I’m sure a miracle is inevitable. If you want, you can make it a 40 day journey of meditation and when it’s over you begin again till you’re done with your exams. That’s probably what I will do. It is my prayer that by meditating on God’s word and his intention for us, we will come back with testimonies of outstanding success in Jesus name. Amen.
God bless you!
No matter what question the king asked or what problem he raised, these four knew ten times more than any fortuneteller or magician in his whole kingdom.
Daniel 1:20 GNT
Blessed and worthy of praise be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in Christ,
Ephesians 1:3 AMP
The Lord was with Joseph, and he [even though a slave] became a successful and prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master, the Egyptian.
Genesis 39:2 AMP
Pour out all your worries and stress upon him and leave them there , for he always tenderly cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7 TPT
Yes, God is more than ready to overwhelm you with every form of grace, so that you will have more than enough of everything—every moment and in every way. He will make you overflow with abundance in every good thing you do.
2 Corinthians 9:8 TPT
But let all my true friends shout for joy, all those who know and love what I do for you. Let them all say, “The Lord is great, and he delights in the prosperity of his servant.”
Psalms 35:27 TPT
Never doubt God’s mighty power to work in you and accomplish all this. He will achieve infinitely more than your greatest request, your most unbelievable dream, and exceed your wildest imagination! He will outdo them all, for his miraculous power constantly energizes you.
Ephesians 3:20 TPT
For our fathers did not possess the land [of Canaan] by their own sword, Nor did their own arm save them, But Your right hand and Your arm and the light of Your presence, Because You favored and delighted in them.
Psalms 44:3 AMP
Jesus responded, “What appears humanly impossible is more than possible with God. For God can do what man cannot.”
Luke 18:27 TPT
God is my savior; I will trust him and not be afraid. The Lord gives me power and strength; he is my savior.
Isaiah 12:2 GNT
The Lord will bless everything you do.
Deuteronomy 28:6 GNT
Every good gift and every perfect present comes from heaven; it comes down from God, the Creator of the heavenly lights, who does not change or cause darkness by turning.
James 1:17 GNT
But if any of you lack wisdom, you should pray to God, who will give it to you; because God gives generously and graciously to all.
James 1:5 GNT
I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.]
Philippians 4:13 AMP
What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
Romans 8:31 KJV
Let us be bold, then, and say, “The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?”
Hebrews 13:6 GNT
but He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you [My lovingkindness and My mercy are more than enough—always available—regardless of the situation]; for [My] power is being perfected [and is completed and shows itself most effectively] in [your] weakness.” Therefore, I will all the more gladly boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ [may completely enfold me and] may dwell in me.
2 Corinthians 12:9 AMP
but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory [as conquerors] through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:57 AMP
But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us spreads and makes evident everywhere the sweet fragrance of the knowledge of Him.
2 Corinthians 2:14 AMP
Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.
Psalms 68:19 KJV
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord , thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
Jeremiah 29:11 KJV
“Be strong. Take courage. Don’t be intimidated. Don’t give them a second thought because God , your God, is striding ahead of you. He’s right there with you. He won’t let you down; he won’t leave you.”
Deuteronomy 31:6 MSG
As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
Daniel 1:17 KJV
Behold, I am the Lord , the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?
Jeremiah 32:27 KJV
I, your God , have a firm grip on you and I’m not letting go. I’m telling you, ‘Don’t panic. I’m right here to help you.’
Isaiah 41:13 MSG
And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord , which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.
Exodus 14:13 KJV
O Lord our God, let your sweet beauty rest upon us and give us favor. Come work with us, and then our works will endure, and give us success in all we do.
Psalms 90:17 TPT
For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us].
Ephesians 2:10 AMP
I know that I will live to see the Lord ‘s goodness in this present life.
Psalm 27:13 GNT
Trust in the Lord . Have faith, do not despair. Trust in the Lord .
Psalm 27:14 GNT
I have better understanding and deeper insight than all my teachers [because of Your word], For Your testimonies are my meditation.
Psalms 119:99 AMP
Do not be afraid—I am with you! I am your God—let nothing terrify you! I will make you strong and help you; I will protect you and save you.
Isaiah 41:10 GNT
Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord , and whose hope the Lord is.
Jeremiah 17:7 KJV
Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God.
Philippians 4:6 AMP
When you pass through deep waters, I will be with you; your troubles will not overwhelm you. When you pass through fire, you will not be burned; the hard trials that come will not hurt you.
Isaiah 43:2 GNT
The Lord is my best friend and my shepherd. I always have more than enough.
Psalms 23:1 TPT
And my God will liberally supply (fill until full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19 AMP
Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors and gain an overwhelming victory through Him who loved us [so much that He died for us].
Romans 8:37 AMP
We look away from the natural realm and we fasten our gaze onto Jesus who birthed faith within us and who leads us forward into faith’s perfection. His example is this: Because his heart was focused on the joy of knowing that you would be his, he endured the agony of the cross and conquered its humiliation, and now sits exalted at the right hand of the throne of God!
Hebrews 12:2 TPT
Then the Lord your God shall make you abundantly prosperous in everything that you do, in the offspring of your body and in the offspring of your cattle and in the produce of your land; for the Lord will again delight over you for good, just as He delighted over your fathers,
When Medicine clinical rotations started in October 2019, I and everyone in my group resumed in the teaching hospital at Osogbo and expected to spend 3 weeks there before moving on to the hospital at Ogbomosho. Most of us were happy or should I say satisfied with this arrangement so you can imagine our shock (an unpleasant one) when we were told to get out of their hospital and go and resume in ogbomosho 8am the next day. Lol. Of course they didn’t say it like that but they might as well have. It sucked saying the least. What made it suck more was the fact that we were going to spend 9 weeks in ogbomosho. Heart skips multiple beats. To put things in perspective, we don’t have homes in ogbomosho, it’s usually a squatting situation and then ogbomosho is a place where light and water supply is k-legged. It’s a weird place to live, especially when you’ve lived in a place like osogbo.
Spending 9 weeks there felt like we were being sold into slavery. But we got over it and resumed 8 am ish the next day. Lol. Honestly when I think about the things I have done in this medical school ehn, I almost can’t believe it. Some times it feels like a dream.
A lot can be said about the experience, cause trust me, it was something but I’ve decided to put a cap on it by highlighting a few things I learnt. Hope you also pick up a thing or two.
In this life, you must be smart.
The first basic problem was accommodation. Where were we going to stay? Squatting with a friend for 9 weeks might put a strain on the relationship and pressure on the person. And to have to cook and study and live in someone else’s space for almost 3 months wasn’t exactly a very appealing idea. Luckily for us the school released keys to a newly renovated hostel facility in the college. It was way better than we thought it would be, only that there was no light or water. Well there was water, but it was in a storex not too far away from the hostel. So we would need to fetch. Here’s the thing, the first day I and my friend, let’s call her TJ, fetched water with buckets, to put it mildly we almost died. I’m not kidding o. We legit almost lost our lives. First, the distance between the tank and the hostel building was much farther than we thought, especially when you’re carrying weights and then second we were staying on the first floor, carrying buckets filled with water up the stairs was not funny. It was work. Work that could not be combined with being a medical student. Lol. Anyway TJ came up with this bight idea of buying a hose and a huge plastic drum where could store water which we did and that solved most of our water problems. So my dear ladies and gents that’s to tell you that all the difficulty you’re facing could probably be solved with some wisdom and small cash. In this life, strive to be smart. Everything is not power power, you might just find yourself dying for something that is not even worth it.
Good people make everything better.
Nine weeks is a long time right? But you know what? It didn’t really feel long. I was surrounded by love and warmth and laughter every single day. It was major fun. Lol. That’s because of the people I had around me. You know sometimes you might be going through really hard stuff but trust me it won’t feel so hard if you have good people around. Try not to cultivate fake, superficial relationships. Invest in real connections with people. I’d advise that you be a good friend first because like the saying goes, you attract who you are.
A good church, who can find?
Ah, lol. I think I went to a different church every week of those 9 weeks, there was a day I didn’t even go to church at all because I was afraid of being disappointed. That’s no excuse I know, but that was how I felt at the time. I don’t know guys maybe you should educate me? Is it that people just go to church to mark attendance cause the churches I attended ehn, when I left I still felt hungry. I mean sometimes it was better but more often than not, it was not cool. I did not feel fed. Church is suppose to be a place where we recieve a word, direction, peace, strength for the coming week but for most of the churches I went to, especially with the sermon, it was flat. Well thank God for the Holy Spirit, he can minister to you through anything and anyone. So sometimes I got ministered to more by the music than the message. Nothing beats a rich sermon though, my goodness it’s the best part of the service. Maybe because my home church has spoilt me, I actually feel visceral pain when I’m not fed the word well in church. It hurts. It made me appreciate my home church and pastor more. If your church feeds you well, thank God for that and don’t take it for granted. If you don’t even know what it is to be fed right in church, let me know in the comments, I’ll hook you up.
The market can be fun?
Because I was basically staying with a group of girlfriends, we would go to the market every weekend to get stuff. Mostly sundays. Market runs were always fun, stressful too. Many many funny market stories are just coming to mind lol. But it was nice you know? I don’t know how to explain it, it was nice going to the market with friends and contemplating over prices and running into old friends and making new friends and enemies. Haha. The market can be so dramatic. I think most of the time, everyone is acting, ah this price is too high, I don’t have money, this is the only money I have, your goods are not even fresh, when did these things get this expensive. Haha. Oh shut up, you’re just trying to get the best deal. To an extent, I think the whole going to market everytime made me more responsible. At home, I go too but not as often and I usually already have customers and all that so there isn’t much banter or going round the market and finding things and I most certainly do not go every week. But in ogbomosho banter was the order of the day, it was annoying sometimes but also enjoyable.
Fresh bread is the best bread.
If you don’t know, know now; bread is my love language. We basically ate bread everyday. Now that I think about it, that was probably illegal or something. What were we thinking? This one time, we actually went to the bakery to get the bread fresh. We were about four and I think I was going home that weekend so I wanted to get for my family too. So imagine us carrying 6 loaves of hot bread on the street, I and TJ. I’m sure people must have looked at us and wondered, especially when we entered the college, cause we definitely did not look the part of bread vendors. Haha.
Medicine residency is a no no.
Residency in internal medicine is no for me. If it was a maybe before then this posting totally set it in stone and that’s even if I do residency at all. Clinical practice is draining, I mean I am a student and I think this, I don’t know how residents do it. It’s difficult to explain what it is like and even if it is explained, it’s unlikely you’ll get it if you’re not in the system. I just want to say that if you want to study medicine or even do residency be sure that’s where God is leading you. A few months ago I would have said make sure it’s what you want but the truth is we don’t always know what we want and what we want isn’t always what’s best for us. But God is someone we can trust with life decisions like this? So you think it would be good for you, also pray and make sure God is in it. When the going gets tough, the God who called you to it would make it easy for you.
The best teachers are those that teach you above the school stuff.
School stuff is good. It will help you pass your exams but the lessons that last a lifetime are those that have nothing to do with school but everything to do with life. I think our teachers would do better for us and for themselves if they saw us as more than just students but also human beings with cares and desires and hopes. One of our teachers had regular talks about life with us and those little talks made the days easier somehow. It made things a little more bearable and those are even the things I can really remember from all my time in that posting till now. Sometimes we don’t realise that words are seeds and they grow in the hearts of people to bear fruits. We should all endeavour to sow positive seeds.
Sometimes, a girl’s gotta have liver (plus common sense plus the Holy Ghost)
Sometimes I skipped school, and got away with it. To do that you need liver and common sense and the Holy Spirit. Lol. For those that don’t know, liver is a Nigerian slang for courage. There are days when I want to skip school and H.S will tell me no and I won’t have any peace at all until I take my bath and go to school and then something would happen in school that would make me realise why I had to be there. Life is not always white and black. That’s the truth. Someone might read that I skipped school and put their hands on their head that I’m a terrible student but in actual fact it’s not that simple. Medical school is choking to say the least, if you let them they will run you mad and not feel sorry. Throughout 2019 there was no break, to say people were burnt out is an understatement. So sometimes in other to preserve your health and wellbeing, you cut yourself some slack and give yourself a break. The world won’t end. You won’t die. You’ll be just fine. Everybody will be alright. They might not even miss you. And it’s not like you can take these breaks when you begin working, can you? You might as well enjoy whatever season of life you’re in to the fullest. But then like I said liver, common sense and the Holy Ghost are required.
Clinic
It pays to have faith!
Yes! Again and again it pays to have faith. God always comes through. Wow. Where do I even start? And before I start you know people have these tendency of downplaying miracles after they have happened. For example maybe you’re broke and then someone that owes you money suddenly sends money to your account. Most people would just think that’s normal but no! That is a miracle. Why did the person pay you back at the exact time when you needed money? That’s God’s work right there. So also, during these nine weeks I have testimony upon testimony of God’s goodness. Some I had to insist and use my faith actively till I saw a desired result but you know some God just really took care of me. Like the time I forgot my phone in a public bus and the driver brought it back for me, for free? I don’t take God’s mercies for granted. No matter what, always have faith. Always be positive, because you know at the end of the day God will still do it and you’ll na be embarrassed. Be known as the one who never lost hope, who kept on believing so that when it eventually comes through, you can have mouth to advertise God appropriately. It always pays to have faith. Always.
Is Omooba a relationship expert? The answer is a capital NO. But I’ve come to realize it’s not everyone that has common sense when it comes to this topic. And even people that have, sometimes it’s good to get a reminder. It’s a new year, I don’t want you to stay stuck in an unhealthy relationship. Yes, I like you that much. I want you to start the decade on a good note. And don’t worry, you won’t die alone. God has preserved and prepared the best for you.
1. He/She cheats.
It is non negotiable. If they are cheating on you. Abeg. Let him or her go.
2. He/She treats you like crap.
Some of you don’t know how you should be treated so you can’t even tell when someone is rubbishing you. There is a need for mutual respect. He or she just has to respect you. I’d advise that you first of all get an handle on who you are and your worth. Then you would have a standard of how you should be treated. Let me also quickly chip in here that you should not be physically abused by anyone. It is a no-no. It is not acceptable. No amount of apology can fix it. Simply walk away, your future self will thank you for it.
3. You don’t believe the same things.
You know you are a Christian and you’re dating a cultist? What is wrong with you? What exactly do you think will happen eventually. You think he will change, hey, he won’t o. And even if he does, it won’t be because of you. That’s quite a gamble if you ask me. Beside what is it that is even attracting you to someone that doesn’t have Christ in the first place? Look, we need to sit ourselves down and be honest. Are you really who you say you are? If you say you love Jesus, why are you okay with someone that rejects him as a life partner? Why? It doesn’t make sense. And this even goes beyond the usual believer and unbeliever relationship, even in christianity, people have different beliefs and doctrines. You have to agree and it’s not only in the area of spirituality. There has to be some synergy between you two. Some people claim to be christians and are fine with sleeping around and not going to church. What do you believe? You must know what you believe and know why, so that when it is time to choose, you will know what suits you.
4. The person is making you significantly worse.
So quick question, since you’ve been in your relationship can you say you are better? If you know you can’t be trusted with answering. Ask a friend. A friend that you know will tell you the truth. If people have been complaining that you’ve changed negatively since you started hanging around your partner then you have to take a step back and reevaluate. And if need be, please let it go. You won’t die. Let them go.
The end of the relationship is not the end of the world, even though it might feel that way. You have to see that you are investing into your future by saying no to an unhealthy relationship. They will not only waste your time, they will scar you. You don’t need all that. Be wise. Step into this new season with clarity. May the Lord help you.
What do you think? Was this helpful? What are some of your dealbreakers in a relationship?
My birthday is exactly one month away! Super pumped. And I had this bright idea of celebrating by getting 23 of my most wanted books. Let’s call it a book wishlist, shall we? If you feel like being generous or making my day, you can gift me any one or two or three (or twenty) of these. Thanks in advance.
1. A cute pocket sized bible**
I’ve been acquiring a lot of small bags of late and it’s been difficult getting my bible to fit in there when heading to church. I would very much love a small bible.
Something like this would be perfect
2. Don’t say it’s not your country by Nnamdi Oguike.
Been hearing good reviews and it’s been a while I read African fiction.
3. The Four by Scott Galloway.
I think it would be an interesting read.
4. Obliquity by John Kay
5. The Science of getting Rich by Wallace. D. Wattles
6. What we talk about when we talk about God by Rob Bell
7. How the bible actually works by Peter Enns
8. Atomic habits by James Clear**
9. Speak no evil by Uzodinma Iwela
10. Beyond my dreams by Jumoke Adenowo**
11. The Richer Woman by Omilola Oshikoya
12. Digital Wealth by JJ. Omojuwa
13. The Girl Entrepreneurs by Ibukun Awoshika
14. Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari
15. Live the Let Go life by Joseph Prince**
16. 21 lessons for the 21st Century by Yuval Noah Harari
17. Adenike by Adenike Oyetunde
18. Blink by Malcom Gladwell**
If I had to choose, Maclcom Gladwell would definitely be my favourite non-fiction writer of all time.
19. Quiet by Susan Cain
20. This is how we disappear by Titilope Sonuga
21. An Orchestra of Minorities by Chigozie Obioma
22. The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead
23. A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
I have wanted to read this book since like forever
Bonus: A unique durable Journal. Just because I’m a sucker for stationaries. Those who know me know this.** (even got two. Lol.so grateful)
Most of these pictures are courtesy of @chudeity and @ouidabooks on Instagram and a few are from Twitter and Google too.
