Something from the Seminar

It has really been a while I write on this blog for you friends. I guess the book publishing, launching and seminar took a lot of time from me with so many things to do and get done. I can say it's been worth it in every way.

Now the show is over and it's time once again to write and I feel like what more can I say out here but to thank you all for being there with me; those who came to the seminar and those who could not make it.

The seminar and book launch was a swell one I can tell you as you'll find out yourself from the pictures here:
Date: Saturday 12th December 2009
Theme: Financing & Maximizing your Creativity
Time: 10am
Venue: Christ Heritage Church 18, Oyekan-Keye Street, Ajako B/Stop, Shasha, Egbeda, Akowonjo, Agege, Lagos
Fee: Free!!! Free!!! Free!!!

It was a wonderful day and nothing can be said more than the eye can see as Lanre the invited guest speaker gave inspirations to the topic, "financing & Maximizing your Creativity".

Shoyemi Olanrewaju

The host was not left out of the show as everything went so well: He spoke on creativity, writing tips and how to make use of creativity and finance available to all in the industry.

Salau O John

The book was made available to all:

Omokalo Blessing

 And the BDM took her stand to be there in all:

Ogunkoya Ayoku Atinuke

The seminar was a beautiful one being the start off for the great one coming next year. The only burden was that not everyone expected could make it as calls came theough from some of the expected dignitaries that they had other things to attend to and will love to plead their absence, asking for a chance in the next one coming.

Now the time has been, as come and we are looking forward to next year with a great mind and a ready heart to help all in the creative society, becoming a light to shine our light and others as well.

We believe that all things working together will be favorable and we all will be a partaker of the next one as more books will be coming out to help you become what you were destined, ought to be in life and using your natural creativity to be all you want to be.

Just relax and enjoy the next ride for the year coming ahead:

Just relaxing

The Writer, Poet, Speaker and Publisher

What next?:

It’s will be our delight to reach you everytime through this invaluable information blog. Now that you've had a foretaste of what we are and what we intend to do in the industry. TreasuredOne Creative Ideas Int. Nigeria’s publishing, entertainment, business, relationship and leadership training forum will continue to train and lead creative artistes in the industry with the much needed information required to set them to limelight as our motto says, "building leaders of talents."

The next Seminar is coming your way next year and we believe that this time you wouldn't want to miss this as it will hold a major one day learning and training for most with questions and answers to every particular creativity in the industry especially helping to eradicate the burdens in creativity and channeling it to better usage, advantage to the society at large.

All we aim at doing for you are:

1. We want you to become a shining light in your chosen field of endeavor
2. We deeply want to work towards change of status for Nigeria and Nigerian youths.
3. We want to contribute our own quota to National development.
4. To train others to become what they are destined to be in life and creativity.
5. And much more!!!

Our observation is that Nigeria is growing with more young talents in different fields of arts, creativity (musicians, dancers, poets and writers), business and culture of which making it is their only hope of moving forward to help each other out in the industry. Our longing is to be a part of those who will help in bringing a smile to the faces of these young upcoming and aspiring talents with/by any means possible, but through hard work, integrity of minds and trainings that will lead to better use of creativity in life, business, writings and relationship.

We also noticed that, young Nigerians rarely have inspirational mentorship leaders to look up to with problems and rate of unemployment so frightening plus hopes and dreams being dashed in a land flowing with so many creative talents and everything needed to succeed. Should things continue like this? Instead of crying wolf we decided to be part of those who make a change for the best.

Treasured1 Creative Ideas Int. Training Forum is designed to help you make it in that creativity of yours.

Our decision is to continue bringing this training to you annually and to make available leading Nigerian achievers who God will be using to help birth the long awaited change and mentorship our country and creative talents desperately needs to make it in all their endeavors in life.

All we seek of you is your participation, questions and suggestions so as to be of more help to you in the future.

Just a preview of the seminar for you:

-You and your creativity in the industry
-What to do when you have so much talent in you
-Becoming an exceptional Poet
-Writing and marketing your book
-Networking with creative people
-Financing your creativity
-learning how to make money from your passion in life and creativity.
-Q's & A's
-And lots more

Date Saturday 13th February 2010

Theme: Overcoming creativity burdens

Time: 12pm

VENUE: We'll keep you posted

FEE: Maybe Maybe not

Come along with your questions. Invite your friends, colleagues, e.t.c!!!.

For more info: 08028607952, 08060195027

Until next year,

Have a lovely time out there!

See you soon!!!

MADE MY DECISION

The path I tread I chose

The way I go my called

Many may part off my snooze

My days are different god made

I am a man made to stand

Though life teaches many lessons

We are created all to understand

But where are those for one way?

I have made up my mind today

My vision to fulfill no matter what

The wind may stand saying nay

I stand to move and become

Are you a man like me?

See not the wind of life blow

For that future your hands must free

Though everything will shine against

Salau O John©

GET TO KNOW ME

Have you ever heard of him?

A writer, singer, teacher and helper

Laying his heart the world to trim

Though love kills, betray his banner

Have you got to know that reader?

He knows his purpose and vision

But helping hands puts him in commas

Yet for all laid his hearts salvation

He may not be a scribe

But in love his heart is fixed

His life may have tried to describe

A poet, a singer, a researcher; mixed

It is I the awarded poet

I speak of not myself today

But of the tomorrow that I fret

I am I my knowledge to tray

Salau O John©

THE BOOK IS OUT

PRESS RELEASE

Treasured1 Creative Ideas Int. Publishing launches a new book for artistes, business minds and creative talents in the industry.

You Can Make It                              Author: Salau O John
 Motivational                                     ISBN: 978-978-978-088-340-9
Trade Paperback                              No of Pages: 35
Publication 14/12/09                         First Print Run On Demand
A Pocket mini book                          Cover price: N500
Publisher: Treasured1 Creative Ideas Int.

While looking at Vision and career with life’s purpose, “You Can Make It” connects talents with purposeful vision career and mission to become a success in life.

The book will hit book stores nationwide on 14/12/09 and be available for sale at our head office.

“You Can Make It” aim at the edge of our understanding, taking a serious look at the frame work of talented, creative vision, purpose, planning and walking towards a goal in life. It brings out the reason for failure and success with the illumination of false reality that plagues all in searching for a cause to live for.

Thoroughly researched and passionately revealed, the insight in this groundbreaking book opens a new horizon on the inner and outer workings of success in any talent or creativity. With its unique perspective on how to use creativity and talent for success and the good of others, “You Can Make It” brings order to the endless chaos of human talent usage for success, teaching all how to get in touch with their vision and mission in life.

“You Can Make It” has been distilled from five principles:

• Know Yourself - Knowing what you want in life gives you focus to the future.

• Practice - You must find time to do what you can alone in secret to be made a success for life.

• Learn More - Knowledge breeds promotion in all areas of life.

• Move out now - Don’t just sit around and wait for time after all you must have learned, move out there with your talent and help others or give it for others good.

These principles have been featured into five chapters in the book forward by Charles I S Abu Pastor & Author; Calvary Bible Church).

Salau O John is a communicator, poet, writer and speaker. Been writing and teaching on different motivational topics since 1989. A team leader in different entertainment & business positions; an award winning poet with membership in numerous business and entertainment organizations, plus contributions in various poetry circles across the globe, and motivational/training books. Having the habit of writing creative words, poems daily to teach life's living lessons in business, relationship & purposeful living. Currently the MD of Treasured1 Creative Ideas International, a Company devoted to teaching, training & helping young writers, poets, musicians and different talents, (both individuals and companies) become what they are destined to be in life.

For more information you can call the numbers bellow or visit our office:

08028607952, 08060195027, 07064670816, 08096815219

Webpage: http://www.orgsites.com/fl/treasured1/

Beating Business Competition Your Way

If you're looking for ways to shine brighter than your competition you'll realize your choices are few in a very short time.


No matter what your talent is, there's always someone else who can do the same thing. Even if you offer top notch customer service skills, you'll find many other businesses offer the same policies. If you've got a better way to make a product that's in demand, you'll soon find someone else has topped you.

What is the serious entrepreneur to do? Well, I've got good news! I've discovered 3 proven ways you can use to set your product or service above your competition. Just follow these three steps and watch your business grow.

1. Become An Expert
I did business for a short time with a woman who was brilliant but she didn't have good business sense because of her greed. Although we had created a niche business that began great, she destroyed it by offering more and more products and services that we new little about. I left the business because I felt dishonest advertising quality service when we weren't capable of giving it. Not long after I had left, the business closed. I managed to remain friends with her disgruntled customers but her reputation in our area was destroyed.

People want to be associated with and buy from those they believe are the best. When you are perceived to be an expert, you will get people's trust based upon hearsay. Gaining this credibility in your niche or field without a doubt tilts the scales in your favor for success. This is one of the greatest ways to monetize your business while you continue to rise in your field. So don't spread into areas you know little about just to make more money. Remain within your niche as you grow to remain an expert.

2. Build Relationships
Learn as much as you can about your desired audience in order to fulfill their needs and desires. This will cause you to build relationships with your customers or clients in a way that will bond you with them. You won't have to hard sell them anything because you'll have their trust from a reputation that precedes you.

When you genuinely care about your customers or your clients' interests they will appreciate you with their loyalty. This is something that takes time to build, but it's worth every moment. Some of these people will become your friends and some will become as close as family. People love and need the human touch.

3. Innovative Marketing
Market yourself or your product in a way that is completely unique from your competition. Look around at what they're doing and do something different. It's actually easier to do this than it sounds. It just takes a little thought, preparation, trial and error. But no matter what, dare to be different. The best way to do this successfully is to look into other industries and study their successful marketing ideas and techniques. Then work at incorporating them into your industry with your personal touch.

I'm not telling you to copy exactly what others are doing, I'm advising you to learn from the success others have achieved before you and that might be new to your industry. As you organize and learn to apply these innovative marketing steps, they will put you on a new path of clever ways to proclaim your product or services. And as you go beyond the norm, you will certainly stand out as a business leader of great expertise.

TIME & PHASES

A step a day future to born

Though not all can atone the tries

From the mountain top some do borne

But everything in time and phases

Who dare to stand against time?

Same for the world its songs aglow

But the load in light slays prime

And procrastination paves nothing to flow

Everything works in time and phases

But not all can await main thing

Though it’s known the earth doth laces

Who can but note not to bake?

Chance, time and the right day

The world in season inline must bold

Though it seems nothing sold-tray

But only time and phase must hold

Salau O John©

YOU CAN BE GREAT

You are the you to greatness

But stopping to try is limitation

There are stepping stones to greatness

But the fear of failure stands no consolation

Every force a push inclined for

But harder stands no curbing

You are great of God to flow

But your intuitions must wake bringing

Everything you can yourself try

For in creation all things are yours

Though all things physical truly fry

To God first your heart must pour

Salau O John©

I hope and believe you've got something out of this? I was asked to put this up from one of my speaking engagements for anyone seeking a way out in business and I believe I have been able to do a little justice to the question asked by my friend there....

Thanks for the opportunity....

T1

Building Blocks For Self-esteem

When we're hesitant to do something we've never tried before or afraid we're not good enough to be around certain types of people, we are sometimes told by others that we lack self-esteem.

Although it's easy to understand what it is, it's obviously not that easy to achieve because there are literally thousands of books and courses on how to have self-esteem. Many go to therapy for years at a high cost in order to have it even though it sometimes remains forever illusive and distant from their grasp.

It seems to me that it would be easier just to shut the door on our insecurities and reinvent ourselves. This would more than likely make what we want happen rather than waiting for life to happen to us.

This could take a little work, but not much in the scheme of years of therapy or deep study. While we're involved in all this self-improvement stuff life is quickly passing us by.

To avoid wasting time stressing over what can't be changed, here is a practical guide that will help you overcome some of the most common areas where our self-esteem is attacked. Fix these and you'll begin to notice that you like who you are when you look in the mirror every morning.

First, see yourself in control of who you are. This will keep you composed and confident no matter what the challenge. And when you feel a bit more challenged than you can handle, look to God for greater strength. He really wants to help. So we should let Him.

Following some great Biblical advice for wisdom, don't engage in gossip about others. Doing this is cruel and can have serious repercussions, but it will also cause you to think that others are criticizing and judging you. This will keep your self-esteem in low gear.

On the other hand, one of the best ways to have confidence is to stop comparing yourself to others. Start seeing the uniqueness of your character. Make a list of all the great things that make you different in a positive way. Feel good about who you are, it feels good!

Taking on new changes when it's beneficial to your goals or personal situation will also build your confidence to a new level of accomplishment. Change challenges us and tests our flexibility, adaptability and alters the way we think (for the good).

Changes might make life difficult for awhile. They may even cause some stress, but change can help us find ways to improve ourselves. Change will be here forever, so we should always be ready to embrace it when it's beneficial to our well being.

Going with the flow of change will also help you avoid wrapping yourself up with all the negativity in the world. Keep your mind centered upon what you can do to control your life than what appears too difficult to handle.

For instance don't react to all the negative news you read about in the newspaper or see on television. Believe by faith that you are safe, that you have money in difficult financial times, and that you know how to make the best out of the worst situations.

In conclusion self esteem is a choice that brings about self improvement, true assessment, and determination. You can begin putting up the building blocks of self esteem by being positive. Be contented and happy. Be appreciative. Never miss an opportunity to compliment others. A positive way of living will help you build self-esteem every day.

STALLING FOR TIME

So many are called to rush

But haste makes waste in life

And what is rushed into will crush

Understanding must be birthed in discipline

Thinking procure self control for peace

But how many understand these things

Life will call you back without breeze

But you must learn to move learning

Patience calls on the haste makers

For life is but a step a day

How many have died without banners

Thinking swiftness makes the life

Stall for time to make plans

For looking without plan kills future

Run the race in that known

For soon the world will cry sure

Salau O John©

For more info: +2348028607952

treasured100@yahoo.com

DON’T MIND RE-STARTING

Have you run your race falling?

Have you searched for friends in isolation?

And have seen life without oiling?

You can rebuild, restart that journey!

Have you seen the ups and downs?

Have you run your past in fear?

And you feel its late for dawn

You can remake, retake that journey!

Have you lost your visions, missions?

Have you lost your goals, your souls?

And the world betrays your salvation

You can go, back to your journey!

Have you cried your frailties, fights?

Have you failed life, family, and friends?

And you feel no hope harp light

You can go back, start over that journey!

Salau O John©

The Wonderful World of Creativity and faith

Very often we can be bogged down with a problem and really struggle to find a solution. The creative juices fail to flow and we become totally frustrated at our total lack of creativity.

So do we resign ourselves to the fact that we are obviously not the creative sort?

Or can we train ourselves to think with creative spirit?

Firstly let's define creativity. Creativity is the ability to solve problems with new methods to accomplish daily tasks. This can also lead to new insights and visions to help achieve goals and obtain success.

So is creativity inherited?

If we look at children at play we can see tremendous examples of creativity. They can take every day objects and create totally new games to play. The playground is full of wild imagination and creativity.

So where did we loose it all?

Routine
As we have seen, children have an inexhaustible ability for creativity. But as we get older life becomes full of instruction. Restrictions are placed upon us and we lose a lot of the ability to think for ourselves. Creativity flies out of the window. Systems and repetitiveness stifle creativity. Strict time tables, daily routines, working in closed areas and desk jobs all hamper our imaginations.

Free time
It is virtually impossible to avoid all routine but what we do need is to develop some free time. Put aside one day per week where nothing is planned. Just let the day unfold and "go with the flow". Spend time going to places like the seaside or strolling through the woods; places of natural interest with open spaces. At work create a few minutes of free time. There are some people who spend their free time alone and then spend that time thinking of work. They even take that work to bed and dwell on work issues as they fall asleep. These people need to develop free time un-associated with work for the sake of creativity and also for the sake of their sanity.

Left brain – Right brain
Our brains are divided into two hemispheres- the left brain and the right brain. The left side deals with our logical and reasoning thought patterns. Our right side of the brain handles intuition and creativity. Much of our work life today asks us to use logic and reasoning and therefore our right side of the brain becomes somewhat redundant. Ideally we need to exercise both sides of the brain to get the most of our cerebral abilities.

How's best to develop creative thinking?
1. Understand that there is no exact solution to a problem, but there will always be more than one solution to that problem.

2. Don't give in to false beliefs. If we believe there is no solution to our problem then there won't be. Have faith.

3. Never restrict or dismiss thoughts. Two silly thoughts may well lead to a third good thought.

4. Break away from routine when thinking of solutions. This allows for a better flow of creative thoughts.

5. Brainstorm. Ask others. Again two ideas that may seem ridiculous may lead to a third, sensible idea.

6. Take time occasionally to do something not done before.

7. Put aside some time as free time.

8. Spend time with creative people. Creativity is infectious and we may be pleasantly surprised as to how creative we really are when we compare ourselves to these people.

We needn't be restricted to a path of logical thinking. We all have that wonderful ability to be creative. Breaking away from routine and giving ourselves time to think will stimulate creative thinking and then we will find that no problem will ever be without a solution.

How fantastic is that?

JUST A STEP

It’ all just about a step

It looks out of place, difficult

The starting is never obvious

Though the end is known unfretted

But I call a step in seconds

Though not many understands starting

The facts lay in doing something

But only that of passion must reckon

Just a daily dose of movement

Everything starts, ends with strides

Though not everyone hoped in acknowledgement

Yet, the timing must time in steps

Life in fruition must might

But folding hands connotes mistakes

The days must shine even at night

But no step is sighing success today

Salau O John©

FOLLOW YOUR HEART

There are many ways to riches

But in integrity follow your heart

There are many ways in relationships

But follow your heart – holiness part

There are many ways in business

But follow your heart in truth

There are many ways in examination

But in reading rightly follow your heart

There are many Christian religious ways

But in understanding follow your heart

There are many mysteries in life and says

But your hearts in God please follow

There are many difficulties in making it

But your heart in dreams, persistence; follow

Your heart lays the foundation to fit

But many things allowed can deal

Salau O John©

What Do You Do If You’re Stuck On The Wrong Career Path

Many people finally realize they're on the wrong career path or they've reached a dead end in their job at a time when it's not so easy to turn around and begin again. The majority of us didn't understand how to take what we enjoyed as children and turn it into a fulfilling career so we took employment solely to earn a living.


There is certainly wisdom in making a choice to work, and all honest work efforts should be praised, but there comes a point when the heart begins to cry out that it's just not happy through signs of boredom, lack of concentration, and perhaps massive complaining about one's work.

Believe it or not, choosing the right career is not a cerebral decision, it's a matter of the heart. This is why some children can know from almost the time they can speak what they wish to do. For instance, my brother was a late bloomer while I knew my career choice from the time I was in standard four (primary four), though I had my ups and downs.

Children are more in touch with their hearts and this is why they can easily know what they will do with their lives. However, if we don't have someone to guide us into that fulfillment or we don't have strong, determined personalities, we'll disregard what we once enjoyed as childish dreams when we become adults.

When I finally decide to look into myself and work things for the best and figured out my purpose in life, it turned out to be what I loved to do as a child. I loved writing, singing, teaching and art and even got published in magazines and poetry circles newsletters. However, I was consistently told as a child that everything I did had little or no worth. So I lost my dreams and lived with a void for many years.

So if you find yourself dangling on the precipice of boredom with your career or job, it's time to turn back the clocks and examine what you enjoyed to do as a child. First of all, I just want to say that its not positive to blame anyone for keeping you from your dreams, and that includes your parents. In order for career discovery and development to take place you'll need to lovingly forgive and forget everyone who you believe didn't have your best interest at heart when you were a child.

Once that is done, take time to remember all instances in your childhood where you had joy and fulfillment. Ask yourself questions such as what did I enjoy doing at school, in my alone times, or with family and friends?

If the answers aren't forthcoming right away, don't push. Just continue with your current work and do it to the best of your ability. No matter what it is, it's still important work because it holds a function in life. It just isn't your heart's desire. So respect your current work for a feeling of fulfillment and success. These are important character traits you'll need in order to move forward with your life's work.

Once you have the answer you'll know because suddenly you'll feel as if a thousand fireworks have exploded all around you and your heart will be pumping fast with excitement. You'll feel the resurgence of life and at that point you'll be ready for development.

This is the part that's going to take dedication and commitment, but as you gather up all the information you'll need to become the person of your dreams, you'll find the path that will lead you from where you are today to where you belong.

THOUGHT I COULD RUN

I’d thought I could run

But I was burning inside

I had no where to turn

As my days call me back

I thought to forget my true identity

But the clouds won’t let go

Daily I hide away my identity

As all eyes peruse nothing here

The blind is seeing more here

While the dumb speaks of truth

And the lame runs faster; dear

Never knew life has a meaning

This no hiding place bothers

From above the call say see

“All flesh are grass in banters”

But I thought I could run

Salau O John©

YOU’VE GOT TO MOVE

Nothing ever stays the same

As life teaches many lessons

All things go through changes

We are flesh and bones

Nothing ever remain the same

And nothing will forever on earth

The truth must go on and live

Someday we’ll go without breathe

Education truly must go on

Changes must be in perfection

We are born for growth

Life seeks nothing but salvation

As we go on living this reign

Let’s count the changes we’ve plan

As life will call us back again

Even relationships must be built

Salau O John©

JUST FOR TODAY

Nothing can change today again

You only have one life, living

Understanding may not have rain

You need your steps for today

Folding hands connotes failure

And tomorrows regret is reflecting

Life and success must be sure

Though temptations bothers all

You only have today to walk

And tomorrow pays no regret

Opportunities today not luck

Repetition may not shine light

What must be today must be

Though the world says it’s impossible

Only one chance says you’re free

The world waits this alone

Salau O John©

For more info:

Call: +234(0)8028607952 or +234(0)8029195634

or mail: treasured100@yahoo.com, treasured1creativeideas@yahoo.com

If it is not within YOU - Where is LOVE?

This has been an intriguing question for me, and came to me just out of the blue one day. I didn't know why at first, and then I realized. It was because I was searching for love outside of myself in other people, and I had no business doing so before I discovered it within me!


Have you found yourself doing this? Looking to confirm whether or 'how much' the other people in your life love you? Or seeking to attract 'new love' into your life in the form of intimate relationships?

There's nothing wrong about wanting to evaluate our existing relationships with family, friends and partners. And of course it's totally acceptable to want a partner to share your life. So what do these questions mean?

Well, if you do not have it within you to give, you cannot expect it from others!

Have you evaluated your own feelings of love for YOU? There is one sure fire way of understanding whether you love YOU - or not - by taking a look at your lifestyle and at the things you say and do.

Are you happy with you? Do you like or love your own company? Can you be happy just spending the day on your own, with nothing to distract you? This means no tv, no phone calls, no interaction with others at all! Some people have told me they 'hate' to be alone! Gosh, that in itself is a strong statement, without thinking that they could possibly even consider the prospect that they are 'alone!' There are millions of people on the other side of the front door - so why could anyone feel 'alone'?

Perhaps because some people simply shut others out, feeling that they are not lovable, so why bother? Oh, I know what this one feels like - yes, I have felt this way before and so I can identify with those who may feel unloved. Did you know, that this feeling and therefore this action is primarily caused by not looking within to discover where we CAN be loved and lovable?! We all have magnificence and we can all find it.

If you are thinking "How?" right now, then this is the only barrier to you finding all the love you could ever want! I really mean this - it IS there waiting for you to acknowledge it!

The 'HOW?' is simple and yet I know the process is not always easy - the barriers that have been erected, the self-imposed wall around your heart, the low self-esteem that has invaded your body, are all layers of doubt that really do need attention. What action could you begin to take? Just peel those layers off, gently and with patience. They weren't built overnight, so may not fall overnight.

When can you start? RIGHT NOW!

Simply.....Ask yourself these questions, and write down the answers, so you can read them back to yourself.....

What is LOVE?

When in my life have I felt LOVE?

What does LOVE feel like?

What was I doing when I felt LOVE?

For whom have I felt LOVE?

What does LOVE look like?

Where can I find signs of LOVE in my home?

What about my life can I feel GRATEFUL for?

What about my life can I feel HAPPY about?

With the answers to these questions, can you now please look at yourself in the mirror and say;

I know what love feels like and because I have experienced it, I can always remember how I felt when there was love around, and recreate that feeling.

I need never feel alone, because my heart can fill with love each time I put my arms around my body and give myself a hug.

When I love me, my own world is complete, so others are free to join me and share my love.

When my heart fills with love, my whole face changes and attracts even more love - from others.

By being the loving person I know I am, I will attract other loving people into my life.

You can also add anything else you like - just look into the mirror and say loving things to yourself and watch how you grow and glow with happiness. When you concentrate on LOVE and focus your ATTENTION and your words on this feeling, you are 'intent' on building it within you.

Your INTENTION therefore becomes the process you intend to adopt to secure happiness in your life.

I take it that your search for love has been one of your 'ingredients' for having a happy life?!!

Thank you for taking part in your life by DOING this task. It is important to our higher self that we take action when each opportunity arises, and place our attention on growth, if we are to enjoy our journey, and discover our purpose and our passions. There is much to learn and much to experience for a fulfilling life to be ours.

If I haven't covered your challenge here, please do feel free to get in touch or leave a comment below. Whilst I know that the world is in need of more love, I do not know everyone's challenge. If you let me know your own challenge, I will be happy to provide some food for thought.

Love always, and thank you for visiting. Please come back again.

YOU’VE GOT TO RUN

Created alone first to run

Made of one to be different

But many had killed their fun

Waiting for life giving affluence

The battle line is drawn

The enemy stands at bay

Only the exceptional can burn

For idle hearts must be slayed

You are called for a purpose

And the fulfillment calls on you

You are made uniquely to propose

A cause you must run and boast

You’ve got to take that step

Though you see not that victory

Despair not in what’s kept

Making it is daring the odds

Salau O John©

JUST OBEY NOW

You have seen the vision and purpose

But it stands insignificant to sprout

You know the cause and your suppose

But your heart fears jumping out

You have heard the call to go

Yet, finance breaks your heart

You have heeded the little mold

But you call on how possible

Willingness and obedience only you need

But one is missing for fear

And you hoped in procrastination daily

While your day’s runs in tears

Nothing is asked by the giver

But your actions in that call

Looking may betray your banner

But what’s seen changes with time

Salau O John©

Building Our Social Reality

We know that our social reality depends in a great part on the culture that we are born into. When we are older, we then can form our own social theories. Our basic premises start out with the world that we experience around us though.


We develop in the social context that we are born into. Our parents and maybe siblings are our starting point in life. We then meet our relatives. Then maybe our parents’ friends, neighbors, coworkers, acquaintances, etc. We learn our first concepts and skills from our interactions with these people. Later on, our peers at school teach us things, then kids in the neighborhood, older kids, our friends' brothers and sisters, etc.

We just can't learn it all on our own. As we grow, we can do more things for ourselves, but when we're children, we need the guidance of an adult to be able to function optimally through our development. Children use adults as their "home base", a safe place, hopefully, to come back to when interaction with others becomes uncomfortable or too much. Our first interactions are directed by others, and then we internalize what we got out of the experience, to form our own social opinions of people, places and situations.

We get our starting values and strengths from our earliest social interactions. If our parents are social, then we will be too, unless something happens to change that. If they are very active in their culture, then we will be too, unless we adopt other cultural values. The things that we learn affect our values and strengths. The way that we develop affects these, too. The better teachers we have, the more we get out of our learning experience and can experience more and therefore have a wider range of options to choose from on "who" we want to be. Our social interactions in the formative years can be enhanced, or stunted by our teachers as well. As we find interests, we participate more willingly in certain activities, causing us to be social with like-minded peers. We then internalize the activity and the friends who also enjoy it, as something of "ours".

We may face criticism for our likes and dislikes. We may have weaknesses in other's eyes, whether they actually are weaknesses or not. We cannot measure the damage done by un-accepting, critical or mean-spirited family and friends. Rumors may hurt us, even when there is no basis in fact for them. Such activities put upon us by others, come from outside of us, and we have no control over them. They can stunt our social interactions.

If we have been hurt socially, we can change that. We can choose to not judge others by the yardstick of the "means" we grew up with. We can go to places and events where people who may be like-minded gather and find some new friends. If we feel that we are missing a part of our culture that our parents didn't participate in, we can go to cultural centers and events that people from that culture host and find new friends there that can teach us about that aspect of our heritage.

If we sit back and remember our history, we can rebuild our social reality. Remember our beginnings are just that, our starting point in life. If you had wonderful, perfect parents and siblings, then you know that you are blessed already. If not, then you can think back and decide if you can now decipher some of why they were the way that they were. Hindsight usually does bring 20/20 to situations. If all of your relatives love and accepted and were eager to teach you, then again you know how blessed you are! If not, then you can look back again at family dynamics and the like and decide why they acted towards you in the manner that they did. Anyone that your parents exposed you to, who did not have your best interests at heart, well, that is not your fault. As a child you have no control over situations that you are put into, and a child should not be expected to make adult decisions, because they are not yet capable of it!

As a child, if someone made you uncomfortable, you avoided them. Take a clue from your inner child there and don't let any breaking of spirit or social brainwashing put you in social situations that are not for you. If there is a place that you loved, but haven't been to in years, go back there and revisit it if you can. If not, you can use that place as a mental visual of your "safe place" for you to go to in times of stress. If your earliest social companions put you into situations that caused you pain, remember how that felt and the feelings that let you know something was wrong, and respect those feelings, and listen when they come up for you in the future and trust your inner child's intuition. If your values are the same as your parents', they will be pleased! If not, then they probably see it as some kind of lacking in you. If you can at all explain to them why your values are the ones for you and hopefully if you provide reasons and evidence, they will respect that.

Remember what your strengths were growing up, and incorporate them into your life now. They'll definitely be a self-esteem booster. If we function fine socially, then that is great. If not, then maybe is time to step out of your comfort zone and make some new friends. At some point in your childhood, you knew "who" you wanted to be. If you aren't there, then make some changes to spread your wings and grow into that person. Remember, baby steps, unless you're ready for that leap of faith! Unfortunately, there will always be miserable people who want to drag us down to the depths of despair with them. We just have to remember that WE choose our life and only YOU can make it what you want it to be. If you can find supportive soul-friends who will help you build your life, then hold onto them as long as they will let you! If not, then remember that you had the strength to be born and survive. You had the strength to navigate childhood and make it to your teens.

You had the strength to get through your teens alive. You had the strength to go out as an adult and try to make a life for yourself. NO ONE can take that away from you, once you have done it. If your social reality isn't what you would like it to be, then go out and make it what you want for yourself. Do it for that dear child that still lives in your soul, the one that looked up at the moon and stars at night in wonder and thought about what it was going to be like when they "grew up". It takes courage if you've been hurt socially, but I promise, if you can get through and find your soul-friends in this life, it will be SO worth it!

So, keep on searching, keep on moving...

PAY THE PRICE

It’s hard to change for growth

But the price must be paid

It’s hard to be in another’s shoe

But the plan must be laid

Weeping lasts only for a night

The joy arise for you, the morning

The wrong may be the limiting factor

But the price to pay, no mourning

It is the drilling, the sacrifice scared

But the harvest, a time of peace

Though the heart a scare-crow

The fear, future worthy teased

Pay thou the price for change

Even if the world hold you strange

Do those for future growth lay

Though the fear tough the heart away

Salau O John©

DESIRE IT

Have a heart, a mind, a goal

Dream the dream as you go

For your desire a must gotten

And that needed yours so button

Dream that dram to float

And let not the world sail your boat

For the sail sold your desire

And the time tails awaiting your fire

Move with men of your purpose

And live on line in your supposed

For men will babble your suite

And more of you will mail booth

I call to desire your dreams

And what you want to cream

For that planed after you meet

And your desire your caged sweet

Salau O John©

TRANSITION

We all have to experience transitions in our lives. We move to new homes. We move to new schools. We have different things on different days that we have to do. School is a big one for some people. Milestones bring new things that we can do, and therefore new experiences to have. Our lives are full of transitions! Parents may make choices that cause transitions for us. We change roles as we grow, which leads to transitions. Children sometimes will need extra attention and help during a transition time. Successful transitioning can bring us self-confidence. New environments require negotiating the transition. No matter how many suggestions that you get on how to deal with a transition, it will ultimately be your voyage to navigate.


School is usually our first big transition. Events in our lives follow along after that like stones in a stream. Children are not secure enough usually to handle transition well. Separation anxiety is common when they have to go away to school. Parents should be empathetic and let them talk as much as they want to about it. Other people are strange to us, until we get to know them, and can be a source of stress. Nursery school can be a good buffer to get kids ready for "big kid" school. New environments can be scary to us! As children we need our parents' help processing this. Finding support is important to us as adults as well. People with a good support system can handle the transitions in life better. Encouragement from a family member or friend can make all of the difference in whether we succeed or not in a transition.

Learning new skills opens us up to more transitions. In the school of life, we are constantly learning if we are open to it. We are all Earth's children. Our attitude has a lot to do with our success at a transition point. We can choose to be open and learn from our experiences, or close ourselves up and be in a rut forever. During the day, most of us have scheduled time in which to do certain tasks. As parents, we know that our kids have a school schedule, too. Their attitudes about school determine their success, too. Learning is an opportunity that some people won't get. There are still pockets of civilization where not everyone has access to an education.

Transitions will happen, whether we want them to, or not. Our homes may change. Our schools may change. We have new things that we have to do. If we are open to these experiences, we can successfully negotiate transitions. Sometimes, we don't want a particular transition, and if it's within your power to stop something that you don't want to happen, to happen, then by all means do your best to guide your life into a different direction! Sometimes we have no choice in transitions in our life, and then we just need to accept things as they are and make the best of things. It's o.k. to feel a little sad, or lost during a transition, we all feel that sometimes.

If we trust in ourselves, and in our Higher Power, that we are being led into our best life, then we will be. We can keep our minds in the present moment and experience all of our thoughts and feelings during a transition and decide if we wish to still remain on this path. Ultimately, transitions are up to you. You can plug in and become a part of the new situation, you can decide that it's unacceptable and take steps to change it, or you can steer your lifeboat in a different direction in your life-stream while still being a part of the new situation in hopes that something better will come along for you. It's your life and it's your decision on what kind of reality you wish to create.

WHAT YOU ARE

Hated by the world no lie

But here lies who you are

Although loved for what you are not

Try to tray not in another person’s sir

Where lies your footprint

No greatness in idle inhibition

And your power lies not in another’s track

For inhibition stands a limitation

Your own steps only must ply

For the world waits your impression

And that which mars stands only if untried

For your impression lies your promotion

What you are is what you are

Though the world you may hate

But all these the world do fear

And you are what you are only in your impression

Salau O John©

CHILDREN & EDUCATION

The wisdom of wishing education

Wisdom from parents to peer groups

The power of the book for connotation

From teachers to lecturers

The steps are ordered of men and God

The legacy of the mind for money

With a future tame-plan of humans

The old, the young hoped in its honey

But it was a heart of war without sword

The growth do gnaw at heart

Fathers, mothers, the pains do bear

Yet for life the future stands alert

O for the growth, the child no fear

Salau O John©

AN INTRODUCTION TO THE ORGANISATION

Just to let you know about Treasured One Creative Ideas Int.:

THE ORGANIZATION

Treasured1 Creative Ideas International is a Publishing & Entertainment company of young talented individuals with creative ideas, burdened with tackling the challenges faced by people in the publishing and entertainment business environment.

OUR NATURE
We are devoted to building a force to reckon with in the entertainment sector through training in the areas of Music, poetry, book writing, publishing, education, etc.

PUBLISHING
We deal in Publishing of Leadership, Business, school, poetry, motivational books, magazines, greeting cards, designs, editing, proofreading, pagination of books and trainings, etc

THE CREATIVE TRAINING SCHOOL
This is a place where we propose to teach and train you to be successful in the arts and business life, plus managing your finance and career in the entertainment industry.

COUNSELING
We counsel artistes, students and youths on their career, relationship, plus life in general.

CONSULTANCY
We research, teach business organizations, students and youths etc. on the function of music, instruments, arts, writing, business and entertainment industry facts.

GENERAL CONTRACTING
We work with business organizations, publishers, writers, churches and entertainment companies to build studios, libraries, supply equipments that will change the entertainment business, organizations and publishing world.

OUR OBJECTIVE
To work primarily with upcoming and professional artists, writers individually with valuable trainings; solving writing and entertainment issues in various organizations.

OUR DESIRE
To start small but grooming Writers and Artistes to the highest standard in the Creative and Entertainment business World, exceeding international standards and expanding wings into the future.

THE CHALLENGE
Nigeria and Africa as a whole is fast growing with talent in different fields of arts namely: musicians, writers, poets, singers etc. which making it is their only hope of moving forward to help each other out in the industry. Our longing is to be a part of those who will help in bringing a smile to the faces of these young talents with/by any means possible but through hard work, integrity of minds and trainings that will lead to better use of creativity in life, business and writings plus working as one family in business.

OUR VISION
To train an army of purposeful individuals, artistes, poets, writers in creativity & organizations releasing them to productivity; and to help in building leaders of talents.

OUR COMPANY MISSION STATEMENT
To equip creative thinkers and organizations with viable information and education in the areas of artistes, poets, writers training, teaching, managing business and professional entertainment companies.

To build others in life, relationship and purpose; spreading motivational messages through poetry publications, books, music, seminars and other viable means possible.

To provide excellent quality Services to our clients and students with one objective in mind: opening their eyes to quality and professionalism, business understanding, standard School training; while personal vision is geared towards the overall success of all individually.

OUR PUBLISHING MISSION STATEMENT
To help young aspiring writers and talents in creativity, bringing them to limelight through their published works, and be a part of those who help in fulfilling their dreams and purpose.

OUR VALUES
To be productive and effective communicators, giving professional trainings.

COMPANY’S LEADERSHIP PHILOSOPHY
To equip others.

OUR INTENTION
We are starting up with the free seminar to liberate minds in the creative sector, using those who have been in the works and are successful to talk and teach upcoming poets, writers and singers the way up in their career.

Also we are looking at publishing of free books, magazines, fliers, greeting cards on different topics of issues of life and relationship for schools, individuals, organizations to glean wisdom from, or use as a manual for training their workforce and to help the artistes in the industry.

After the above we will be moving forward with the publishing outfit and The Creative Training School for artistes in the entertainment world. As all the training are available for the school to commence.

The company will continue its expansion into the entertainment, writing and publishing world as there are many things waiting to be implemented as it continue to enlarge its wings into the future.

PARTNERS & DONATIONS OR GIFTS
Our partner will get their money’s worth from the company: As their monies or gifts will be used in building the company to a standing position and how it’s being used or spent will be forwarded to the recipients either through e-mail or address given.

All partners are entitled to a meeting from the organization where we can talk and rub minds on the future of the organization and lots more.

OUR STAND
We believe that all and sundry will help, partner with us for the growth, development and expansion of the company’s mandate established for the growth of singers, poets, writers and all artistes in the creative world.

As we seek your partnership and support in bringing to limelight talents who are in dear need of any help that our organization and you can provide; we believe that whatever we do today proves what tomorrow holds for others that are coming behind, and today is that tomorrow we are waiting for. We also understand that these tasks cannot be performed alone; as it is said, “no man is an island”, and “if you see a turtle on a stand, know that it had help getting there”.

Thank you in anticipation of your prompt and understandable response.

Yours in the works,

Salau O John
For: Treasured1 Creative ideas Int.

THE BEGINING

SEE U THERE!!!

Helping Yourself Become Educated

We all get frustrated when things go wrong in our lives. It's how we deal with these instances that are important. Setbacks should be an opportunity to learn something. They sometimes end up just being a chance to throw a fit.


We should look at disappointing circumstances as an opportunity to learn what we could have done better or different, or maybe we learned to not trust a certain person that we did to help us with something. Sometimes we can't control anything in a certain situation and have to learn that we can't control every little thing in the world and have to learn to just say, "Oh, well, I did my best, and I couldn't have done anything better or differently that would have made a difference in the outcome", and just let it go.

Every now and then, things just don't turn out as we'd like them to. It happens to everyone. We all get disappointed now and then, and it's then that we should examine our expectations. Was it our expectations that led us to believe that something was going to be more grand or fun or fruitful than it actually turned out to be? If so, then we set ourselves up for disappointment. Our feelings of frustration are understandable as well as any of anger or disappointment. We are human and that is going to happen. We need to look at each upset and examine whether we are blowing it out of proportion, or maybe if we are diminishing it's importance only to have it come back to haunt us later. We need to learn to take things as they are, not how we want them to be.

Avoid comparing yourself to others. That's the fastest way to beat up on yourself! Everyone has their own unique gifts and talents. We all do not share the same talents. If you compare your weak areas to the strong areas in another person, then you're going to feel inferior. That's how attacks on others start and how we talk ourselves out of developing our own talents, because we'd never be as good as so-and-so.

Some self-help gurus train their followers that life is a competition. That in order to come out on top we have to be ruthless and competitive and shove others out of our way to get what we want. I say, and so have a lot of other spiritual leaders, that is the 100% wrong way to go about life! We are all in this boat together. If we step on everyone on our way up, then we will be lonely at the top. We should look at life as a big cake.

Sure, we could hog it all ourselves, and feel fuller, and waste some of it when it gets stale, but wouldn't it be nicer to invite our fellows in to have a piece and share the goodness of it? I met a man that I had to work with once, who was so competitive that no one wanted to turn their back on him, because they knew as soon as they did, there would be his knife sticking out of it. Maybe he was trained that it was okay to do that to get what he wanted. A lot of people do that. We all know people who behave like they know everything, even though we know they don't.

By monopolizing conversations and trying to tell us things that we already know, or that we know more about than they do, so we know that they are wrong, while they think they are coming off as superior, we can see through all the hot air and know that their superiority is masking their feelings of inferiority. I pity them because until they get enough help to feel secure in their selves, they feel that they have to attack us to feel good. 1 is a lonely number. In a competition in real life, no one wins because someone's going to get hurt and someone's wrong thinking and skewed views of the world may be reinforced if they do "win".

We should be educated as to who our teachers are. Why they believe what they believe. Was it from decades of study, or did a thing happen to them once, and now they base their whole teaching model on one experience? Hurt people teach hurting others. People who have found love for themselves, teach love for others. We should never follow someone blindly. We should research them and read enough of their "doctrine" to get a feel for where they're coming from. We should be concerned with how they fit into our beliefs. We should never change our core person to fit into someone else's mold. We should be our number1 teacher. We will need help in the beginning to find who we are, and what we want out of life, but when we have that knowledge, we can't be led astray so easily.

By educating ourselves on what our motives and expectations are, we can help avoid future disappointments and setting ourselves up for them. By knowing who we are and what we want, we won't compare ourselves to others and we won't feel the need to use others as stepping stones. By listening to our inner voice and the voice that is our guiding compass in this world, we won't be led astray by people who don't really have our best interests at heart, people who may be trying to recreate in your life what went out of control in theirs. By helping your own personal education, your journey will be smoother for us all. When you create your own reality, it also rubs up against others' realities remember. We are all in this together.

ONLY ONE CHANCE
Here lies the hoping cross-road
Only one chance on alive
All must pay the price we hold
Just this jump on alive

Take the horse and run along
Its only now for today
There stands nothing wrong in plunging along
Take the bull by the horn onward you may

It’s your time no tomorrow
Can’t turn the hand of time
So many things you follow but yourself
Can’t live fine without your line

Only one chance for this life
Take it or leave it you may
But the future lies plying to fight
This is your time and days
Salau O John©

MY WORDS
I am but nothing fought
But my words in print did prevailed
I have been counted to be naught
But I sent my words unveiled

I may not make it there
But my words did it without fear
The world boo, bars and mars me
But happy I am in Gods light free

I know that I’ll make it there
If my words could without fear and care
It’s only a matter of time in God’s plan
I was made not only to stare but also to be there

There’s a place made for all men
Through works, words or wisdom in luck
Our ways do differ for growth in many ways
If I can, you can with Gods trust-tuck
Salau O John©

Knowing You've Got "Back-Up" and Hanging in There

We all express ourselves in different ways. Some of us flow like water, while others of us are as reserved as stone. Some of us spout colorful metaphors while others of us speak only what is necessary. Our life flows in the way that we guide it. Like irrigating, we lay the path that our life flows in to a certain extent. Our attitudes and beliefs affect our whole being. If we want our flow to go a certain way, then we have to take steps that will lead it that way. Like the old saying, "the Lord helps those who help themselves". I believe that and I believe that each of us has a wonderful destiny that we are capable of achieving, if we just take the steps needed to get there. I believe that if you meet God/the Universe half way, that God will be there for you. You just have to have faith.

We can sit back and follow the current, as some people advice, and that IS good advice if you want to have less worry and anxiety in your life; but someone put to me, what if the flow takes me to a place that I don't want to go! A place that I find distasteful and just plain wrong for me? I said then, get back in your boat and paddle back out into the stream and follow the next current and see if it is the one that takes you to where you want to go. The river of life is vast and changes like a real one, sometimes choppy, sometimes smooth sailing. People always want the path of least resistance. That's not the way that anything is ever discovered though is it? Only by following each flow that brings knowledge and experience will we learn and grow and find ourselves and where we want to be in life. I'm not talking about sitting around being lazy, just taking what comes your way, although I know of people who have done this and are perfectly happy with their lives believing that God gives them what God wants them to have, so for them that's then true.

Some people are passive about what they do and feel that they are just watching their lives unfold, like a movie. I believe in a more directed flow. I believe that to successfully navigate the river of life, you have to be aware of where you want to go. You have to have the presence of mind to know where to steer to. You have to have the ability to decide what is for you, and what isn't. It takes energy. In return you will be given energy. When you know where you want to be, the flow will become more focused and lead you there. We are at the paddles after all. The water gives us life and is life. The boat is our body. The flow is our life. We can have great, grandiose plans, but maybe that's not what we're here for. Maybe that great Energy that gave us life has other plans for us that our ambitions don't even measure up to. When we can learn to be ourselves and be still and think about what we want and who we are, then that energy will come along and help us to succeed at being ourselves. We can ride the flow of it with the knowledge that now that we know where we are going, the ride will be easier. If we resist it's plans for our own, we will just find frustration and it will keep leading us in whirlpool like circles until we learn what we need to.

The flow was planned before we came here to Earth, I believe. We have a genuine feel for it in the core of our being. We may not remember what was said before we came here, but our soul does. We have always been who we are. We may have gone different ways in times past, but we have always desired to be our best selves. We have always had an inkling of a destination in the back of our minds. Our essence may have changed during times, but we always come back to center if we stop and catch up with ourselves. We can find our goal if we actively seek it. The details matter less than the journey. It's the journey of discovery or rediscovery for most of us. If our plans don't match with who we are on the inside, they will never make us happy. Our process is to discover who we are and who we want to be. The flow of our life can only be successful once we have that rudder in our boat. The energy is our guide. We by ourselves would be nothing. It created us and it loves us.

The flow wants us to be our best selves. We just have to trust that and know that it "has our backs". The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry don't they? The route is the one that leads us home to our destination. No relationship with another person will be as important as the one we have with the Energy that created us. We sometimes set up destructive patterns for ourselves and lead ourselves in cycles of confusion. The flow is showing us that we haven't learned a lesson there that we need to move on. It won't let us go forward until we are ready. Our river flows where it is destined to, but it is also the destiny that we have chosen for ourselves once we know our selves. It's an easy trip when you know where you're headed. Take a breath and push off into your river of life. Find your current and take it in the faith that even if you come to dead ends, you'll eventually end up where you belong.

THE DRAINS OF SUCCESS

This boils the mind daily

Tasking the mind to breed

It’s the thought of working, living gaily

The joy dies out each day

As days are wasted for growth

Running for others to become

The worries bother and loathe

We are trying but this success?

O the pains none understands

Waking up early sleeping late

Time rolling for others stand

Hoping and running for our own

This drain of success is killing

For who is praised for this?

No days to rest in the billings

Another day is calling again today!

Salau O John©

THIS CHOICE BUGS

Sometimes we go through it

Other times we relent in this

Daily our hearts goes to fit

As we make the choice of life

Who knows who understand this?

Whether good or bad tomorrow

Today will speak bad or bliss

As we walk on becoming something

In relationship and life, the choice

What will tomorrow hold for us?

The mind pose that we choose

Though thinking may have died out

In love and business many things

We overlook this and work that

How our lives calls for reigning

These choices will burn maybe tomorrow

Salau O John©