Analyzing Trends

Have you ever seen a tattoo on someone? Or do you have any tattoo on your body as you are reading this? Have you ever asked yourself, what is so trendy about a tattoo? What is so special about making some kind of body marks, drawings and/ or paintings? This writing is about some new trend called tattoo making and ringing body parts. A justified case study on tattoo, nose rings and lips rings may not be easily made in just a simple writing; however, I will try to do justice to this and still make it concise. Just before I continue, let me digress a little by saying that having had a diploma in General Agriculture plus another Bachelor degree in Agricultural Economics; I know to a large extent about branding and the essence of branding. To a large extent, It is solely for identification purpose…Among several other reasons. It is so that the farmers don’t misconstrue or mix up the breeds of flocks, so that they don’t make mistake in overdosing the same animal in the course of administering some form of treatment or the other. Also, it is for the farmer to be able to recognize the particular animal that has been mated on the farm. It is to also distinguish which animal has undergone artificial insemination from the ones that has naturally mated and so on. Right from the olden days up to now, farmers have engaged in branding their livestock so that they won’t get lost, mistakenly mixed up with another farmer’s flock, or get stolen or missing. Cattle are painted in ink. Some livestock and even dogs are hooked with rings in noses, ears, necks, et.al.

Enough on Agrology class! We are analyzing the common trends such as tattoos, nose and lips rings. Somehow it seems to me that we are really in the age of paradox. I mean, an age where what used to be contempt is now being celebrated. Slaves used to be branded with marks and rings in times of old. The slave masters do so in order to prevent their slaves from running away. Masters may design the ring in a way that will make it easy to see each slave from afar such that such slave becomes known, distinguished from the rest of the other slaves on sight. Today, what used to happen to slaves and beasts has become fashionable to man. The trend has begun where men are freely dressing up as slaves and beasts were compelled to appear in times of old. The reverse angle is that animals no longer have branded materials as the case was in times of old. There is no more slave trade yet we have the reminders of these experiences around us today. There is now such thing as Animal rights. So, men and women are now feeling the pains those animals used to feel. The rights of men to live a dignified life are now exchange for animals. Men are now taking on the experience which was once “animalistic”, animal-oriented and slavery oriented. Men and women are now branding their bodies like animals bodies used to be branded. They are now painting their bodies as animals used to be painted, ringing their bodies as slaves and dogs would have been ringed. We are stooping so low all in the name of being trendy through tattoos making and body ringing. What does it really mean to be fashionable? Is it only through tattoo fashion and body ringing that true trends can be quantified?

It’s now becoming “normal” and fashionable to have a ring in the tongue, nose, lips, and so on. There is always a difficulty identifying a man who dressed like a lady with so many rings in his ear, nose, and mouth, all in the name of trend. Those crazy trend pioneers who make people insert pins in the mouth, lips, tongues and some other parts of the body; were not dully informed about what they are doing and so can not inform other concerned people that there could be some dangers of infection or some possibilities of cancerous growth resulting from such holes that were made as a result of rings or tattoo designs. In asking why they do it in the first place. Some do these tattoos because they wanted to gain attention from other people. Attention seeking individuals could have resulted from having been a child without enough care. Such childhood programming arising from abandonment from parents which a child may be trying to reconcile, resolve as adult, could lead to tattoo and ring fashion endpoint. The worst scenario is this, that some folks don’t actually have any reason for painting themselves in tattoos. Some do it in order to blend in, out of peer pressure, and to have a sense of belonging. On the other hand, there are those who do not even know why they are doing what they are doing. I understand that there are new businesses arising from this trend. These businesses are devoted to making these tattoos for those who want to have it on their body. It’s regarded as a fashion business because some people believe that it beautifies them, and if it looks good on others, why not try it on. Hence, there is a need for someone to make it for those who want it on. There are some forms of competitions surrounding it. Somehow, whose tattoo is the best? The most pronounced tattoo? Which is the most complex tattoo? There is a group or the other on social networking websites which has emerged from tattoo fashion and trends.

As more and more people tend to celebrate how much branded they are. What do we see tattoo resulting into? Will more people begin to behave in part as animals? Will there be more slave mentalities? Or men and women would rise up to live a life of decency, moderacy, dignity and integrity? Will men live as men and dress like we want to be addressed? Think on these things.

Social networking site abuse…[Can this be a joke?]

Let me tell you a joke. There is nothing people cannot do to get money in this life. Since, the advent of social networking sites, a lot of sad, lonely and depressed people are finding solace. There is a place [website] to while away time. But is time supposed to be wasted? There are various forms of abuse of time and chance. Some abuses are in guise of pasting indecent pictures, videos, articles, links and more. The abuse is becoming more and more rampant by the day. One of these abuses is in guise of people wanting to create a group or the other for the purpose of just starting one.

Recently, some folks were planning to start a forum on a social networking site like “Facebook”. They thought of what they could call their new group. When they could not arrive at a reasonable conclusion, since it was a purposeless group they resulted to call it anything. At their wits end, they had a funny idea. It was with an ulterior motive of raising funds for personal purpose. So they created their social networking site group. It was such that were on “Facebook”. This group was named: “More money”. Their new group is for those who need some money. I couldn’t stop laughing when I heard their story. “Hurry! Join this new group on “Facebook” for those who want some more money?”

Alas! That is ridiculous! Who doesn’t want money for Christ sake?! And the funniest aspect of it was that if you are interested, all you need do is just click on join this group icon. And then you are a member and you can share the money also. But then, you must invite more people to that group. And then the money will not go round the group members any more since a lot of people are involved. In order to solve the problem; everyone who joined had to pay for membership and registration identity .And then, some money was raised again. And the Admin of the group got “richer”! They duped poor people!

Actually, this sound too exaggerated to be true. The fact is that some groups are not necessary at all on social networking sites. There are some irrelevant causes whose activities don’t transcend the internet. So why waste precious time on such? Here is the moral lesson: Don’t just join groups without participating in it. It’s a waste of time and an abuse of Social networking sites. Don’t start a fabricated fund raising group. You will soon be caught up with! And don’t give your money to causes you are not sure, which you have not thoroughly investigated

Bridging innovation gaps.

In every generation, there are gaps that only innovation, creativity, vision and idea could bridge. Information is one vital tool for bridging gaps. This is the reason for record keeping, documentations, libraries and more. Despite the mammoth files in our offices and homes; we still have innovation gaps in our day.Activation of information is one of the essential keys to bridging those gaps. It is to literally pick up information in abstract forms, interpret it and be able to implement it. Thus the gap is bridged. The road map to develop any society is in activated knowledge. This is one of the primary works of creative change agents. They must become knowledge workers who possess productive capacity, indispensable skills, resourceful spirit and positive attitude that can birth change. An intelligent innovator must posses in his human spirit some potent force that never retreat or surrender to chance. There are innumerable potentials that will never be maximized if deliberate actions are not taken intelligently. He must be awakened to innovation groups and associations. Some other requirements may be to overcome the overwhelming challenges that may threaten vision and innovation. He must never be surmounted by the impossibilities. Then he must be able to refine the innovation, his vision, and make it so indispensable. He must be able to time it, re-brand it in all aspect of  brand packaging.

When combined with direction, clarity, instruction and diligence, change is birthed. The success is evident where character combine with commitment and passion. You will definitely win. It is not too hard to say that, what drives most people today into research of all sorts is not passion but greed. The mad rush for profiteering that result from poverty can only be stopped deliberately…Individuals whose influence may seem weak and unable to affect groups, communities or society; should act now to know the difference.The way to change is embedded in action, seeing possibilities, improvement, sacrificing, serving faithfully in strength of character. All these and more are indispensable  virtues to change and for change agents. It is like a whole bunch of flower in a florist’s hand, like a knitting of threading that will no longer be beautiful to behold when substituted by another piece that is different from its own species.

No society can develop where men fail to harness their potentials, under-employ their creative spirits, ignore their opportunities, and become negligent of their surroundings. This is why we must make every attempt towards change creatively and intelligently. Moreover, there is need for a proper team work, Unity of action, implementation oriented teams, commonality of terms and agreement amongst concerned resourceful groups, as well as a system that works. There is need for an order or hierarchy that will command some respect of its own. Yes! We have been discouraged by the overwhelming situations around. Most people have been discouraged by their environment,  economy, enemies, individual experiences at one time or the other yet we must strive to emerge at the top. We must have all the odds broken down. All the gaps bridged for posterity.

Individual process for innovation actualization

There is an individual course work and progression towards innovation realization. We all have a responsibility in this journey. We need to ask if all around us; we are supporting innovation and innovators. If we embrace noble dreams, visions, and ideas of others irrespective of their brand names.We will be objectively do that.

Needless to add; if we must operate intelligently towards innovation actualization; we must not allow any idea to die in our hand, or in the file somewhere in our desks. Don’t forget that there is power in one man’s decision. And any innovative opportunity buried away in your drawer either consciously or unconsciously is a fight against innovation actualization. The odd may be insignificant today but it poses a very great evil at the next innovation world we are approaching very shortly.

There is an unconscious realization  that innovation decay and idea rut are unrealistic. The quickest way to end  the next age  impending development and advancement is to oppose innovation today. The fact remains that certain innovation in the next age will come with their pedestal firmly braced upon the previous generation and works. They will look like a “new” brand from the old.

Therefore, do not permit any brilliant idea expiration in your hands. Don’t sanction evil reports and then allow good suggestions get ignored in a meeting. Don’t oppose any noble idea or any opportunity for growth just because of ego. Do not attack the reputations of others in order to become popular; do not stop people’s dreams by your own influence. This is the gradual road there- our daily routines, our smallest decisions, our policies and the personal decisions we make.

As much as you can; try to bond with people; bond with change agents, create a community, start a positive epidemics of change, encourage change agents out there. Above all, if you cannot beat them, do not join them. Don’t give up, let up or shut up! Never allow mediocrity reign, do not celebrate corruption, or worship people because of money.

Reframing Yes we can, to Yes we should!

I was in Winnipeg, Manitoba on the night the result of the USA election 2008 was released on air. Although, there was serenity around most parts of Canada; a handful of blacks may be rejoicing in their homes almost quietly. Majority of united state’s citizens were full of excitements and cerebration. The white, blacks and colored and I, watched Senator Mc Cain addressed the crowd about his loss and Barack Obama about his victory. We saw how the president elected; Barack Obama delivered his first speech as the united state president elect in Chicago. We saw the crowd weeping for joy, singing the slogan: “yes we can!”. It was obvious that what we all saw that night was enough to explain what cutting edge innovation is. When we saw an order defied, a barrier broken, a new thing happened. We can not flinch as if it was normal. Who some people are trying to cut in size now is Barack Obama but what could not be resized, disregarded and downplayed was innovation, change and newness that have occurred. It was more than personality issue, racism issue. It was innovation issue.We knew that innovation has been birthed when the same America turned from bias perspective to embrace what came from where they had formerly rejected .If Martin Luther king was to be alive today; he would surely sing a joyous song. That indeed dreams do come through and true.

Doubtless, a new beginning has come for the citizens of the united state and the entire world. And this is the reality of this novelty change that has happened. The fact is that most American have not seen this new beginning as it is. Although, an unexpected record has been made. A world record about racism and prejudice has been broken. History has been made. Yes! The first black president has been elected on 4^th November 2008 in united state of America. And a landmark has been made but what is so significant about this? What was the edge of this innovation? This is significant because it was the first of its kind. A first in his order just as Christ was the only begotten of the Father in Heaven. It became an edge because it has to do with something that has not been but which has connection with the struggles of previous decades. It will forever be spoken of; just as the dream of the Martin Luther King’s, the Mathman Ghandis’s revolution, the Nelson Mandela’s struggle because it was first thought as impossible, unrealistic, unbelievable but it later became a reality.

Although this book is not about racism or Barack Obama; however, it is noteworthy that that event should be seen as innovation that may bring the edge that America seek especially if encouraged at this crucial moment that the economy is facing certain crisis. The fact that Barack Obama made it to the white house is the beginning of creativity test because he will be putting the integrity of his order, genre, to scrutiny. Innovation intelligence is therefore required for a successful tenure in office of the president. It must never be assumed now that he has won that since, he faced rejection before coming into office. He should relax, rest on his laurel and feel that all will be well all through. I am expecting him to brace up for a turbulent tenure at least for the first two years if not for his entire tenure as the president. Why? Because many of the people who never believed in what he saw, may still need to be convinced to change their minds when they see results and proofs. However, it will not stop certain people from trying to stop, frustrate this noble innovation from bringing such results it possess. It is not enough to choose the best of teams together; although it is good. It is important to project through innovative intelligence for innovation to bring positive result that will justify all efforts expended.Every great men of past generation encountered their sheer of rejection first, and then acceptance. Barack Obama may not assume that he is already accepted until he has left office. Your exit is more important than your entry. Who knows if he will be stoned with not a pair of shoes like his predecessor; that he may be stoned with rocks if he should disappoint the people?

Although, most innovation faces rejection, prejudice and more, the innovators who have taken time out to reach out from obscurity, ordinariness and “normal” in this world may be misconstrued and rejected. Every new idea is subjected to test. In their struggle to bring change, they may lose their life just as Jesus Christ was crucified in his mission of reconciling men to God. The subtle truth about innovators that gives them an edge over others was their committed-ness, their bold heart, passion, power of conviction. This is the secret of their success. But much more what made them become extraordinary and great was their focus on their assignment, visions, ideas, service. Sacrifice was in the core of their hearts. Their songs and heart cry was for people, change, creative intelligence and innovation edge.

So, what has an election of a nation got to do with innovation edge? How can a controversial personality be a model for a cutting edge innovator profile? You will ask? The spirit, attitude and resolve with which Barack Obama carried out his cause as the aspirant who won the election was what one could describe as a cutting edge innovation is about. Signs, statistics, history, experience and every indices proved that he would lose but he went on unflinching. That is what it means to live on the precipice of change. To hang on, to stay on the cutting edge of something, an event, a business, is to believe in innovation. That spirit and fervor makes you grab whatever the whole world say you cannot lay hold of. It is to prove the critics wrong. It is to prove a point to yourself first and then show it to others that YES! You can! Obama has proved that that never again will any black man be able to use the color of his skin or the limitations from his environment, as an excuse for mediocrity and complacency. That never again will a man whether white or colored, minority or majority will find an excuse for not moving towards his/her dreams or have an explanation for innovation-decay or idea-rut that happens to people who abandon their dreams. A man has proven that the time has come for all men whether white or black skin to see beyond the melanin pigmentation, to align their mentality with ability to progress and potentials for possibilities. To stand up and be counted for change, and be able to say: Yes we can to all dreams, ideas and visions!

The future campaign should no longer be how we can make our cities cleaner, our environment safer, or how we can care for the destitute on our streets; even though these are laudable causes. Yes! We can create such opportunities and more but we should move to the next level of innovative intelligence where we can change the manner of livelihood, system of governance in every countries of the world. And yes we can! If we would make the move to think creatively out of the box… We can have good schools, infrastructure and more. Yes! Those policies that could bring positive change and global peace should be built implemented. We can have effective police service in all regions of Africa where bribery and corruption has become normal. The slogan should be reframed from “Yes we can!” to “Yes we should!” We should enlighten, orientate, and pay the right, good salaries. Yes we should do all that. We can run great businesses that will inspire change and transform our societies. We should encourage that. We can optimize our potential. And now is the time we should do that.

And here is the edge! And this is the assignment: it is to live to break the barriers! To break those limits, the unbreakables ,the impossibles, to live where most call desert but lie within coast of potentials and opportunities. To walk away from wrong and pursue after right; to walk where the angels fear to thread! Yes, we can! Yes we should! We should achieve these. We should work hard at those ideas, dreams and vision. And Yes! We can live in the afterlife in peace and glory; If we can allow the will of God be done in our cities as it is in the days of heaven.

Edge benefits: taking advantage of an edge.

I was in a certain craft exhibition in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; where I met a wood carver who sculpts with an edge, an advantage which he observes in the woods’ physiology. He works with his chisel in the direction of the wood’s branching as he chisels at it, cutting away unwanted, unnecessary parts. He would rather go with the wood’s smoothness than chisel against it. It’s like conserving your energy rather than fighting with nature. This sculptor told me how he would go around in the woods in search of every fallen log that he can possibly use. He looks for the branching parts of any fallen pine logs. He said “as a wood carver, the wood tells you where it’s growing towards based upon the look and shape of the branch. So you can chisel at it, in that same direction without much stress. What comes out are beautiful carves”. The edge for this wood carver was time minimization, effort maximization, energy consumption and sales.

Edge benefits are the advantages that comes with innovation edge. These benefits are taken only by those who can see and identify them. Taking advantage of things and situations require that you be flexible.It was Art Linkletter who said that “Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out.” Taking advantage of an edge at times is like being a wood carver who look out for the direction of the lines in the heart or pith of the wood. You are flexible enough to flow with and follow the tide rather than go against it. However, you don’t allow the tide, the system to swallow you up in their monotony and with their bureaucracy. This is because, it is difficult at times to beat the records of very old existing system.  However, innovation must be embraced, if change must happen to our advantage. If we understand this; we will quickly time our stay with the old and plan our exit early on before it will be too late to escape. Although, it is in looking back on the past that we understand the future; it is so easy to look back , get stuck in the past and keep talking about the past endlessly. It is so easy to be trapped by the system and the dysfunctional old thinking. But great people mostly talk about now and the future they see. It is your ability to commit to that daily that will determine how strong your edge would be like. Those who will win in the present world system must be ready to look out for real edge and take them. To be relevant, you must be able to provide edge for people and in business. The price for relevance is the ability to provide the irrefutable, practicable answers that has not been but which will be proven resourceful.

Actually you may not fully understand all what it takes to have the edge,or all what it entails to reach your goals. This because it is not that you will always see and identify those edges. However, when you commit to looking out for it and taking it; the pace at each level of the journey will continue to be revealed to you more and more. It may take a lifetime. It may take a decade; but what matter is that are you are sure that you are constantly positioning yourself at the cutting edge for impending changes; such that you can be able to identify it when it comes. It is the change you see ahead; prepare for and position for, that you are able to identify and take advantage of. Therefore you are unconsciously committed, to the level of the change you are prepared for, which you are expecting to see. It is the benefits you have prepared to take that you look for, and then see; sometimes in its exact form and measure, at other times they are in disguised form.

WHY DO WE REALLY NEED TO TAKE OVER A SOCIETY? Part Two

This is how to control an empire without a throne!…The place of power cannot be over-simplified. There are just weak and powerful people ion life. I called the strong powerful because they decide the fate of the weak in the society. One of the fewest keys you can use to influence any people ,culture, race, society is power.To be powerful means different things to different people. The intention of power seekers could be easily changed in the process of searching for power.However, it does not rule out the fact that power has its place in leading, directing and turning a society aright.

In bid to be powerful, most people run towards the polls not knowing that there are some other people who stay behind the scene influencing the decisions of those elected leaders. That in itself is governance from the back doors. The corridors of power is filled with the actual powerful people. It is by being there that you are able to control the kingdom. So, how do you get there? The answer is in taking over the empire indirectly through influence and relevance.Releveance is not a function of impacts made and not positions held,It is by taking over kingdoms that we can control empires without physically sitting upon thrones.This is more than positions.It is beyond politics and elections . It is through influence and impacts that we can convince people and win the masses to our side.By influencing all sectors possible. By reaching out beyond the four walls of the church or any rteligious organizations. By seeing far into the horizons. Predicting the future based on sound research. Considering possibilities that could be that is not yet.

Possessing the mindset of kingdom rulers is one vital requirement for taking over any empire. This is a mindset of service, sacrifice, responsibility , and diligence.It is what the leaders of old possessed. In order to take over empires,kingdoms, territories, businesses, communities or societies. We have to know more than their incubent leaders,C.E.Os,Managers, et.al.If you don’t learn to speak the language they really  understand, you cannot influence people. you need to start speaking in the midst of your enemy, if you want to rule in their midst.To speak at all, you must have done something noteworthy. You must be confident.Information breeds confidence. It is their confusion that will make them call for right and relevant information that you have.It is their being stuck that  will seek for what  you have to offer. It is having the uncommon answers and unique skills that will make them vacate their seats for you.

Have you ever tried to ask yourself who possess the wealth of the public in their private accounts? Are they not those in power? We can get it out of their hands through wisdom,staretegies,diligence and more.  This is a new era! Are you ready? This is the beginning of wealth transfer. Brace up, lace up! Be sure of your self! It is time to lead fromwhere you are.This is power-oriented world. It is a power game!

The 21st century crime!

Its a crazy, so world full of scammers![criminals].It’s so funny and ridiculous that, you may never realize how the epidemics of scamming[crimes] can go beyond what we ever bargained for. It is not even enough to beware and be warned of scammers. It is important not to encourage it. It is necessary we pray against It. It is vital to cast out the spell from people through serious enlightenment. It is very vital to think of the solution to it. There is always an alternative, if only people can think deeply.

Scammers are all over our world today. It’s like everybody is trying to scam everybody else. It is those who are greedy for gains and not contented that falls into their trap. It is those who are shallow and don’t ask questions in details that fall a victim.

I wonder when will scamming ever come to an end? I think it is a question we need to ask daily. We are fragrance and flavor in this world. We are the salt of the earth; we are the light of the world. Let us think about this!

May be the problem has to do with ignorance. May be we need to pass the right information around. The information that will be boldly written that internet crime can reap a nation of her values, dignity, reputation and worth. The unique information that will say that, her valuable worth could be drained. It can lead to gradual loss to all. It can lead us back into slavery and primitiveness. It can lead to an unexpected national bankruptcy which we may never foresee. It can be a two edged sword in guise! It is a gradual theft that will later lead to an unconscious robbing of an entire nation; which you can never imagine. You may never believe it if you are told that this crime will someday lead to some part of the population refusing to work and embrace the dignity of labor. Then, there will be a great intellectual loss. There will be a gradual lowering of the people that falls within the work-force in the nation. We will keep increasing in population but fewer people will be doing the work to serve others. A slower production in the industrial sector will arise. It will lead to scarcity and poverty. As a result , those who  were working but having no result as compared to those who are scammers will become frustrated. They will feel cheated; they will feel their efforts are not appreciated. Then, the race will no longer be to celebrate those things that really matter most. Rather, the mundane, obscene, vulgarity and more. The beauty of life will be lost. Then the fight for such things like ethics, character ,dignity of labor, morality, right customs, excellence, moral standards, values, respects and more; will all be lost.

The 21st century crime is cheap-wealth hunting…not only is the robber a person unknown but he is also untaught. That is to say that, in robbing others, he was never well informed that himself is being robbed! His act of robbing through the internet is devaluing himself indirectly. People need to be taught, enlightened and thoroughly informed that there is nothing like a free meal in this life. Everything has its own consequence and rewards. There is a law of the harvest; a law of consequence and repercussions. And this is where you and I need to wake up. We cannot leave this to an agency or a non-profit organization to handle single-handedly. All hands must be on deck. We must never celebrate a fraudulent rich individual in our community and society at large. We must stop to give them an audience everywhere we see them.