Seasons of Pessimism and Optimism

These states of the mind are perversive amongst Nigerians today, having emerged from the high’s and lo’s of the tribunal rulings both at the state and national levels recently. Indeed, one’s mind remain the last bastion that the law courts cannot rule for or against; at least its independence to an extent is still intact.

In this season, one can decide to be a pessimist or an optimist about the way forward for Nigeria; even both feeling/state of mind can exist depending on the issue and its perspective. Whatever your feelings are, we have got a country to rescue and your fatherland needs you. However, you may choose to feel is your right but you have a duty to transform that feeling into something positive for Nigeria.

Whether you are a pessimist or an optimist, here is a heath check for you:

Characteristics of a Pessimist and an Optimist

“Two men look out through the same bars: One sees the mud, and one sees the stars.”- Frederick Langbridge, A Cluster of Quiet Thoughts

If you’ve placed second in a writing contest, will you jump for joy and push for better results the next time or will you be discouraged and find an excuse not to join again?

In life, you are always filled with choices. You may opt to have a pessimist’s view and live a self-defeated life or you may decide to take the optimist’s route and take a challenging and fulfilling life.

So why nurture an optimist’s point of view? And why now?

Well, optimism has been linked to positive mood and good morale; to academic, athletic, military, occupational and political success; to popularity; to good health and even to long life and freedom from trauma.

On the other hand, the rates of depression and pessimism have never been higher. It affects middle-aged adults the same way it hits younger people. The mean age of onset has gone from 30 to 15. It is no longer a middle-aged housewife’s disorder but also a teenager’s disorder’ as well.

Here’s how optimists are in action and researches that back up why it really pays to be an optimist:

Optimists expect the best

The defining characteristic of pessimists is that they tend to believe bad events, which will last a long time and undermine everything they do, are their own fault.

The truth is optimists are confronted with the same hard knocks of this world. What differs is the way they explain their misfortune—it’s the opposite way. They tend to believe defeat is just a temporary setback, that its causes are confined to this one case.

Optimists tend to focus on and plan for the ‘problem’ at hand. They use ‘positive reinterpretation.’ In other words, they most likely reinterpret a negative experience in a way that helps them learn and grow. Such people are unfazed by bad situation, they perceive it is a challenge and try harder.

They won’t say “things will never get better,” “If I failed once, it will happen again” and “If I experience misfortune in one part of my life, then it will happen in my whole life.”

Positive expectancies of optimists also predict better reactions during transitions to new environments, sudden tragedies and unlikely turn of events. If they fall, they will stand up. They see opportunities instead of obstacles.

People respond positively to optimists

Optimists are proactive and less dependent on others for their happiness. They find no need to control or manipulate people. They usually draw people towards them. Their optimistic view of the world can be contagious and influence those they are with.

Optimism seems a socially desirable trait in all communities. Those who share optimism are generally accepted while those who spread gloom, panic and hysteria are treated unfavorably.

In life, these people often win elections; get voted most congenial and sought for advice.

When the going gets tough, optimists get tougher

Optimists typically maintain higher levels of subjective well-being during times of stress than do people who are less optimistic. In contrast, pessimists are likely to react to stressful events by denying that they exist or by avoiding dealing with problems. Pessimists are more likely to quit trying when difficulties arise.

They persevere. They just don’t give up easily, they are also known for their patience. Inching their way a step closer to that goal or elusive dream.

Optimists are healthier and live longer

Medical research has justified that simple pleasures and a positive outlook can cause a measurable increase in the body’s ability to fight disease.

Optimists’ health is unusually good. They age well, much freer than most people from the usual physical ills of middle age. And they get to outlive those prone to negative thoughts.

So why not be an optimist today? And think positively towards a more fulfilled life.

Why not look forward to success in all your endeavors? Why not be resilient? Like everybody else you are bound to hit lows sometimes but don’t just stay there. Carry yourself out of the mud and improve your chances of getting back on the right track. And why not inspire others to remove their dark-colored glasses and see life in the bright side?

Courtesy: Sulamita Berrezi

It is not just about your life, it is also about the life of Nigeria as a nation with a people. Let us all think positively for a better Nigeria; while looking forward to it success and greatness when this season passes-over.

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SUPER TUESDAY!

Written By: Che Oyinatumba.

Sorry, its not about Barrack Obama, who since after America’s Super Tuesday, has given all blackmen the faith to believe that dreams do come true and a man is judged by the content of his ideas, character and not the colour of his skin. Nigeria’s super Tuesday is on 26th 2008.

On Tuesday Febuary 26th, two great events will take place.One is a microcosim of the macrocosim. Whatever be the out come, it will affect me, if it doesn’t break my heart, it will scratch it and sure must leave an indelible scar.

Within my own little world, the Registrar General of Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has called for a meeting to address the hydra-headed problems confronting CAC. We salute the courage of the RG to dream up this idea. In as much as we have misgivenings about the venue, we encourage all lawyers to attend and bare their minds. Our mis-givings over the venue-Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Center, is hinged on the fact that about a year ago, the CAConline programme was midwifed at this centre and since this premature delivery, the online registration suffered the faith of African child-manultrution and death. Taking us to this centre gives one a feeling of dejavu.

The other event that will take place on Tuesday the 26th of Febuary, is the delivery of the Court Appeal sitting in an electoral capacity over the infamous Iwu doctored April 2007 General (s)Elections in Nigeria. A lot has been said about the outcome and the reaction of President Yar’Adua. While others opine that the president will not seek re-election based on fear of one way ticket to Germany to cure cold; he will not appeal the judgment, this writer is of the opinion that PDP will never allow him. After all the Supreme Court in Amaechi Vs PDP & Others ruled that it is the political party that contests election. So whether Yar’Adua refuses to contest the re-run, PDP will still hoist a candidate from the North-East, where the party has zoned the presidency.

The members of the Yar’Adua is doing well school of thought, believes that if a fresh election is organised, Yar’Adua will win free and fair.This argument is anchored on the fanatical zeal with which Yar’Adua’s administration is dismantling the ‘legacies’ of Obasanjo. According to the radical wing of this school of thought, the tribunal, will rule in favour of Yar’Adua and PDP.I differ with these argument.

Let me take on the radical die hard faithfuls. The lower tribunals have removed five(5) governors, unmarked Mark the Senate president, who are all product of the same election that vomitted Yar’Ardua on us. Doesn’t logic and common sense explain that a paper used to wrap salt, is salty? Weren’t some of the elections discredited by the tribunals done on the same day with Yar’Adua’s? Did INEC change staff to conduct presidential election? Did places where PDP was indicted of rigging, only rigged for the Senator and not the presidential election?

The wise men at the tribunal, should borrow a leaf from their brothers at the lower tribunals, continue to reinforce the new found faith of Nigerians in the judicial system and …(its prejudice to rule for the court). Their fearless ruling will have a ripple effect on other states, whose tribunal is yet to rule.

Yar’Adua’s winning of a bye election(?), is as a result of dearth of viable opposition in Nigeria. In well over 6months into Aso Rock, Yar’Adua has not fulfilled any of his electoral promises. The energy sector has gone from epileptic to comatose. The joy of this administration is “reversalism”, running a relay race backward. I am not holding forth for OBJ, Fani-Kayode, Remi Oyo, Nweke Jr and diminitive El-Rufiai are still alive to defend what their administration did while in government.

For non-developing nation like Nigeria, continuity of governmental policies is the express way out of the woods. These policies may not have been the best, but it behoves on the masses, to prompt their representatives, to repeal this or that. But with the excutive fiat Yar’Adua is turning the apple cart,one can not but smell rat that this administration is waging an economic terrorist attack on a sector of the rich class without the interest of the masses at the base of the ladder. What becomes of the shares of impoverished Nigerians in these companies the government has rolled over? Should Yar’Adua win a re-election, rejoice not O Nigerian, for then will your sorrows multiply.In the sense that the real Musa will emerge without fear of election petition, or the hairy hands from Ota Zoo.

Should Yar’Adua lose, the opposition should make the removal of Iwu as a sina quanon to participating in any bye-election. All the resident commissioners who pertook in the conduct of the ignoble election, should be reliefed of their job.

As a matter of National urgency, they should not take part in Kogi, which is the litmus test.

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9 Down - 91 to GO!: ! FIRST 100 DAYS

The clock started ticking for President Umaru Yar’ Adua a little after mid-day on the 29th of May, 2007; when he was formally inaugurated as the President and C in C of the Armed Forces and Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Beyond our expectations he embarked on foreign trips to ‘ meet and greet’ his brother/sister leaders; the reason for this ritual by our leaders as originated by erstwhile President Obasanjo still baffles most Nigerians as well as our observers. In the opinion of most commentators, the president elect should have occupied himself with the task at hand; consultating stakeholders, marathon meetings, seperating the political wheats from the chaffs, marking out the ‘politigans’ (political hooligans) for rehabilitation as well as thinking through the ‘ Nigerian Project’ and fine-tunning his ‘ master plan’. Read more

Alive and Well!!!

Umaru Musa Yar’Adua the flag bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the upcoming April pools has confirmed in his own words that “he is alive and well” thus bringing to an end the fear that eclisped the nation following rumours of his death that broke early yesterday morning.

Speaking from a Germany hospital where he has been admitted for what aids say was routine check-up, he confirmed in a telephone conversation with the president that he is alive, well and responding to treatment. He also enthused that he will be back this weekend to continue with his campaign. Read more

Voters Registration

The National Assembly is trying to swim in troubled waters as we hear. I hope we are all vigilant and will not allow these crop of (dis) honourable members to scuttle their so called nascent democracy.

Should they make do their threat of passing a ‘vote of no confidence’ on Prof. Iwu; it will lead to his removal as the INEC Chief. This act of legislative rascality needs check-mating; especially when the time left for the up-coming elcetion is too short. Read more

VP Atiku RETURNS!

Vice Presidents Atiku returns to Nigeria after his month long vacation in the United states to face new challenges.

He is hoping to continue his fight to ascend to the highiest office in the land; however, the road-blocks are being mounted on a daily bases to ensure that he never crosses that bridge.

At the moment, we are loosing count of the numerous court cases being brought by him and his camp;and the government on the other hand.We hope to see an end to these soon. Read more

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