My interview with Author Toneal Jackson

Inspirational Talk with Toneal 05/22 by AuthorTJ | Blog Talk Radio#.T8EyRIHtLQI.facebook#.T8EyRIHtLQI.facebook#.T8EyRIHtLQI.facebook

Behind the Facade

Façade is one of the words in the Dictionary that its pronunciation is completely different from the spelling. The first time I came across the word, the pronunciation I assigned to it makes me laugh till date. What I called it reminds me of how one of my former colleagues pronounced cell. As matchless as the word façade is to its meaning, so also are the actions behind it. Ordinarily, façade means the face, front, or outside of a building especially an imposing or decorative one. But implicatively, it means a superficial appearance or illusion. Most often, we, as humans see only from the surface levels; we tend to get so much attracted to things that appear conspicuous without realising that most actions that control our world are behind the façade.

 A couple of years ago, I went to a supermarket with my family to do some shopping. As my wife was busy picking the items, I stood in front of the shop with my little daughter who was then, 2 years old. As we stood, one middle aged man of Eastern European origin walked up to us and started playing with my daughter. As someone who likes children, I do appreciate it when I meet people who do likewise. I began feeling uncomfortable when the play wouldn’t end. When the drama ended, he demanded for some change from me. I said to myself, ‘Aha, I now understand the reason for this elongated and prolonged one man drama’.

 Talking about drama reminds me the first day I took my mum to go visit then, my parent in-laws to be. It was like mama didn’t at first like the idea that her son made a choice that was across an ethnic boundary. So, that day, mama acted a drama. Mama was walking at snail’s speed; when I reduced my speed in order for mama to catch up, mama further reduced her speed in order not to catch up. I was unusually patient with her because I understood the reason behind the show. On our way home, mama suddenly regained her strength. I was smiling in a corner of my mind, and equally angry in the opposite corner; mixed feeling, you would say. My thought was, whether you like it or not, we’re all going to have a new wife in the family. Today, mama and wife are good friends in all honesty.

 In all actions, motives are buried in the remote areas of the bedrock of decisions. To get to these remote areas, we require the skills of remote sensing. Maybe, learning the geology of life assists in discovering and photographing the unreachable parts of a man’s anatomy. In these remote anatomies of man are the motives of man. Motives are the concentrates behind the façade. One of my dictionaries says motive is incentive. I laughed when I read it because it nipped my illustration on the bud. Motive defines a person’s reason behind an action; it determines the goals or objectives of a person’s action. Good or bad, outcomes are products of motives.

 The danger with façade is that it most often hides motives. Façade protects and shields motives until pressure squeezes a person’s true intention out of his hidden fruit. Many times, I have met people who are unusually nice to the extent that if I have to make a quick decision of who the best man or woman on earth is, without doubt, I will pick them. Inasmuch as we don’t get into the building to see what is within, these people appear excellent. But the day the winters and storms of life decide to chase us into their secret apartments, their true motives or incentives, will be exposed.

 As I learn from life’s reality assessments, I am beginning to rise up and wise up. These days, I give everyone I meet 50% pass mark in terms of character and intentions until I get into the building. The building I’m referring to is the heart of man. I have come to understand that in life, everyone has a price. The day you don’t pay what they think you owe them is the same day you see what is inside them. In the building of man are hailstones ready to be cast on those who refuse to bow to the shrine in the temple of man. Each man is a temple and each temple has a shrine. When people call you bad, that bad should be properly defined so that everyone can ascertain if you are truly bad or bad by selfish definitions. We need to appreciate the truth that some people’s definitions of bad are metamorphosis of their self centred imaginations. We must take into cognisance what is behind the façade before making a conclusion on who a person is. The motives of man define him; the motives of man typify his true attitude. The motives of man also determine his definition of other people’s actions and reactions. It is wrong to judge a person by his outward appearance, although sometimes, the outward may suggest to a minimal extent who a person may be. To know an individual, look beyond the façade. Looking beyond the façade may take a while before seeing a person’s true identity, but it’s still better to wait than waste. Never make a conclusion when you haven’t entered the building. Don’t make a decision with the façade, look beyond the façade!

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HOW TO USE FAILURE AS A WINNING STRATEGY 1

10 THINGS TO THINK

1. If you do not think, you cannot unravel the mysteries of divine knowledge; if you do not think, you can’t understand the privileges of uncovering divine information.
2. People who are not up to date get disgraced when opportunities relate.
3. Better prepare when you're in the dark. Light also exposes stupidity.
4. Rigidity never applies common sense in decision making. It sticks to shallow convictions in spite of glaring evidences.
5. For the fact you've not germinated does not mean you've not been planted. Don't look at the grass to determine your season; you are a cedar.
6. Being surrounded by the multitude does not mean you're not lonely. To kill loneliness, pursue a purposeful vision.
7. For the fact it is quiet NOW does not mean you should be silent. Speak to yourself what you would speak to the world when it gets busy.
8. Positioning is the skill to goal scoring. Reposition if you need to. Profiles grow with your goals. Keep scoring!
9. The more you review, the more you perfect. Don't settle at the beginning.
10. If you don't smash the altar of Baal, you cannot erect the one that bails. Baal and bail don't stand together.

10 LIFE PILLS

*Even in ashes, never give up your faith. Your faith will inflame your fame. Fame will grow your brand. Don't be deceived; fame grows brands.

*You cannot obey divine principles and end up a failure. It may be challenging at first; when you hold on to the faith, standing your ground, no man can claim your territory.

*The target of the ruffler is your inward structure. If he can dismantle your inner temple, he will demolish your outward structure. No matter what it takes, let your inside be compact. Never shuffle your inner hierarchy in response to outward anarchy.

*You will always be second best when you borrow a brand name.

*Refresh your breath before you exhale. If you want what you give out to live out; freshen up. Freshness produces the zest for the best.

* For you to have a date with destiny, you must first of all have a date with prayer. Success principles are limited without prayer. Self effort is limited without prayer. Intelligence is limited without prayer. Pray always!

*Be consistent with a disciplined pattern; no alteration, no amendment, no adaptation. Be strict with what you believe; do not deviate from divine truth to please any man. Let them call you a fanatic; it is better. Believe in your dreams, and you shall be fulfilled.

*If you don’t move with urgency, you cannot fulfil the demands of a true talent; procrastination is a thief. If you cannot run immediately with what you have, what you have will run immediately away from you. Delay takes you farther away from your calling.

* Never mess up the great privilege of standing on another man's platform. Platforms are built by blood, not by sweat; the employee sweats, the entrepreneur loses blood.

*Remember that after all the hypes; there is a junction that you will need to walk alone. At this junction, only God is with you. If you cannot stand the loneliness of this junction, you are not ready for the extraordinary!

Inspirational Talk with Toneal 05/22 by AuthorTJ | Blog Talk Radio

Inspirational Talk with Toneal 05/22 by AuthorTJ | Blog Talk Radio

DEFINING ACTION IN CREATIVITY 2

Focus!

You can out grow your weaknesses by developing your strengths. Rather than focus on your faults; concentrate on your goals. (c)K. nkemnacho

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Divine Purpose On More Light Radio ADVERT~0

AWARENESS - from the Book 'Pillars and Precepts of Life'

Awareness is mental and spiritual.  The aspect I am addressing is a mental realisation borne out of God’s wisdom.  This is because a renewal of mind plays a very important part in the success of man.  No matter how spiritual a man is, if there is no mental transformation, he still remains caged under the whims and caprices of his foe; the devil.  Therefore, man has got to be aware, in order to beware, and to also be well.  Awareness captures and retains knowledge.  It is the concern, perception, notification, information, and realisation about a situation, fact or development that spurs you to take action.  Ignorance drains, but awareness grants you the access to understand things.  Awareness is the main weapon that defeats ignorance.

2 Corinthians 2:11 (New International Version)

‘In order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.’

2 Corinthians 2:11 (Amplified Bible)

‘To keep Satan from getting the advantage over us; for we are not ignorant of his wiles and intentions.’

2 Corinthians 2:11 (New Living Translation)

‘So that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes.’

2 Corinthians 2:11 (New King James Version)

‘Lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.’

If you are unaware, you will be outwitted, outsmarted, and taken advantage of.  Unawareness could be spiritual, mental, or even physical.  There are always schemes, intentions, and devices ready to be dished out to those who are unaware.  The person who is unaware is a wanderer.  He’s like a child who has lost his way in the middle of the forest.  Awareness is knowledge.  Awareness is familiarity with your beliefs, goals, future, and purpose.  If you’re not aware of where you are, and where you’re going, people will draw up a plan for you.  Peoples’ plans may not be God’s agenda for you.  Yes, sometimes their schemes may give you some results, but they do not actualise your destiny. It is awareness that will bring you back to your destiny and your purpose.

Luke 15:17-20 (New International Version)

‘When he came to his senses, he said, ‘‘How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.'’ So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.’

Awareness is ‘coming to your senses’. It will instigate you to act and seek restoration. Awareness never dies in pride. It is the power of realisation.  It is the only life questionnaire that results in true self-assessment.  It is honest with you about where you are, where you’re supposed to be, and what you should do in order to get to your desired destination.  Awareness is like a bright light shining in thick darkness.  It makes you humble, and draws compassion, even from those whom you have deeply offended.  It opens the door of acceptability, and gives you favour where you don’t deserve it.  Awareness gives you the belief that if you can realise it, you can do it, and if you can do it, you can achieve it.  It will give you the wisdom to manage opposition.  (Despite the elder brother of the prodigal son feeling disdain, there is no record that he had an issue with him.) Awareness is a life saver that draws the roadmap back to derailed destiny.  It gives you words in season wrapped in the envelope of wisdom.  It quickens your steps, so that you can run back to purpose in a hurry.  It puts the best robe on you and an undeserved ring on your finger.  It celebrates you, when you should be an outcast.  Awareness makes you pause, mutter words of wisdom to yourself, and warns you of the danger ahead if a corrective action is not taken.

Proverbs 1:6 (New King James Version)

‘To understand a proverb and an enigma, the words of the wise and their riddles. ‘

Wisdom is always aware.  It unravels puzzles, and digs into the depths of meaning. 

It is wrong to read information only on the surface and expect to expose its true meaning.  People, who show the attitude of mental laziness, end up being sectioned in the mental institution of mediocrity. Meaning give you insight, insight gives you better awareness. The stronger your awareness, the stronger your wisdom.  You can’t wish away a word, pretending to understand it, or hoping to look it up later.  Awareness acts NOW! You cannot separate a man’s faith from his understanding. His understanding is his awareness, his awareness is his understanding. Foolishness is procrastination. Procrastination promotes delay; it doesn’t want you to dig out the precious treasure of understanding.  Understanding is far more precious than silver and gold, because the one who understands controls treasures.  The wise make decisions that are eternally founded.  The decisions of the unaware are either no decision at all, or they are detrimental. Awareness knows, perceives, and receives the proverbs that control, and direct you towards a positive destiny.

Proverbs 27:23 (God’s Word)

‘Be fully aware of the condition of your flock, and pay close attention to your herds.’

Usually, our definitions are sometimes very narrow.  We put a small door where there should be a wide gate.  When the reality of our mistakes dawns on us, we blame God for not alerting us; meanwhile, we never gave attention to awareness.  In the above passage, our mental picture of ‘condition’ may be narrow, but condition has a wide variation.  Your flock will sometimes take advantage of you, if you do not know the condition they are in.  Your flock are people you manage in whatever capacity you occupy.  Within a flock are people who know what you don’t know, and if you don’t seek to know, leadership will be stripped from off your shoulders before your very eyes.  When the one who gave you the responsibility to lead, realises that there’s someone else in the flock who has the knowledge that you do not have – your end in that position really is nigh.

Partial awareness is biblically unacceptable.  The above passage says, ‘be fully aware …’ If you partially understand a condition, you create room for abolition.  Condition means the state of something with regards to its appearance, quality and working order.  It also means well-being, term of contract, requirements, circumstances, a clause in a will, security by training, and agreement.  If you bungle any of these definitions, or wish it away when you’re in a management position, you should expect a great fall.  I’m not being negative, this is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.  The flock knows its condition.  The flock know the strengths and weaknesses of the condition, and knows how to use them to their advantage.  Be aware.  If you’re not fully aware of the condition, the flock will give you a result that favours them.  Be fully aware!

When you’re fully aware, you can pay close attention.  There is a difference between a flock and a herd.  Flocks are organised, humble and controllable.  Herds aren’t.  In any organisation, you have a mix of both.  With respect to humanity, herds are the people regarded as a mass, acting from contagious impulse, or merely in contempt.  They are also known as ‘the rabble’, which means a disorderly gathering or crowd, a mob, or the lowest class of people.  God save you, if you have a herd and not a flock under your control.  The Bible recommends that you should pay close attention to the herd.  If you don’t, they will topple your leadership.  Paying close attention requires wisdom.  To ‘pay’ means to incur expenses.  Hopefully, your wise approach will convert some members of the herd to being part of the flock.  Your attention must involve a steady application of the mind, care, consideration, noticeability, observation, courtesy, and civility.  It will also need you to be alert.  Attention requires self-discipline, and promptness.  Do not allow carelessness to misguide you.  Awareness will make you diligent, acquainted with facts, and knowledgeable.

Realise

Realise that:

1. You can run the speed you've never run before; you consider it impossible because nothing dreadful has ever chased you

2. You can cover the mileage you've never covered before; you consider it impossible because you haven't seen your future in that destination

3. You can climb the height you've never climbed before; you consider it impossible because you haven't looked up to see yourself at the apex of the pyramid

4. You can dig the depth you've never dug before; you consider it impossible because you never knew there was a treasure there.

Nothing is impossible if you believe.

Writings are Controlled

Every writing is controlled by;

1. Purpose

2. Influence

Purpose comes from within while influence is external. The purpose that comes from within is as a result of

1. Inspiration

2. Expiration

3. Action

4. Reaction

The above four purposes may be positive or negative depending on their applications. If for example, someone insults you, you're tempted to write through the process of reaction rather than inspiration, expiration, or action. Be sensitive never to write because of negative reactions.

There are two sources of influence;

1. God

2. Satan.

Take it or leave it, everything you write is influenced by one of these two sources. Before you write, go through the check points of purpose and influence. What you write may sound good, but the purpose and influence behind it is the spirit behind it. The spirit behind it is the power behind it.

To Succeed

To succeed, you must:

1. Be willing; your will controls your mindset

2. Set unusual targets to achieve what you've never done before

3. Be disciplined and focused; be ready to work in and out of season

4. Be prepared for a fight; there are seen and unseen forces that hate success. You won't observe them until you start doing what you've never done before.

5. Persevere; stay put until something happens.

Tips on Marriages

1. Never ever wish you were married to another person. Stick to what you have; make it beautiful. Where there is peace, someone paid the price.

2. Some marriages have fallen apart because courtship was full of cosmetics. Make-ups don't make marriages; truth does. Open up; tell exactly how things are; don't try to be a star if you're a candle light. It is truth that takes you up; cosmetics bring you down when your secrets are exposed. BE REAL, but be nice! This is my personal experience from my very few years of marriage.

3. King Solomon said you should put a knife to your neck if you're a glutton. You can't be married and be a reckless spender. Only buy what you need not what you want. If some shops are doing sale, ask yourself if you actually need their goods. If you don't, close your eyes and walk pass.

4. Marriages get broken because of two individuals with each having its own personality problem. Two people can only be ONE if each person dies to self. I talk from personal experience in my very few years of marriage.

5. Nobody is born wise; wisdom is learned and cultivated. If your spouse is foolish; he/she can learn wisdom. All you need to do is, create an environment of peace and proper communication. Without that, you can't have a teachable environment.

6.I discovered from my few years of marriage that pure motive, truth, honesty, and willingness to accept positive changes make good marriages. Apart from these, all other things are secondary.