Le Dynamique Professeur

Picture this...

I had the opportunity of meeting a young man today in my office. My supervisor introduced him to me. The young Chinese man needed help with his English language in making an application to the ethics committee. Knowing I am a PhD student, he believed I would be able to help him with his grammar. He was so willing to pay. The truth is, I need money too. As I began to discuss with him, even though I am sure he could afford any amount I charge him on proofreading his documents, I told him not to worry that I'd do it for free. On his way out of my office, I saw the joy all over him as he beamed with endless smiles. I was moved to write this post.

I have recently come to discover that while it may cost to love, it costs much more to hate. Love is sweet, hate is dreadful. When you hate someone, you don't have peace within yourself. When you are in the position to help someone and you refused not to, in the end, you are doing yourself harm because your mind would not be at peace. It is actually in helping others that we have peace. The world would become a better place if everyone lends a caring hand. The truth, like John C. Maxwell said, "people do not care how much you know until they know how much you care". When you care for someone, you are actually doing yourself a lot of good because you'd leave the person a happier person than you met them.

I love the words of Maya Angelou when she said, "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. There is only one way to make people feel good, it's by showing you care. It's by loving them. In your office, at school, within your neighbourhood, stop hating on people. Start giving a caring hand. Hating on people won't do you any good; it'd likely you to slow you down on your own journey. Remember, a helping hand is a circle... It'd always come back to you.

- Le Dynamique Professeur

What comes to mind when you are asked to ‘up’ your game? I know it sure sound like one of those motivational titles of mine. Well, let’s say you are right. This time it’s neither about your past, nor the future but about how you live your life right now. When I say ‘up your game’, I am talking about winding up the volume of your optimism; yes, you are allowed to also call it enthusiasm.

We all know the usual saying about the optimist and the pessimist. The optimist sees opportunity in every challenge while the pessimist sees only difficulties. That’s why they say, the optimist sees a cup half filled with water and says, “The cup is half full” while his pessimist counterpart says, “the cup is half empty”. Now you get my drift right? Am I talking about you or someone you know very well?

I am here to talk to people who are always bored. People who are always emotional about issues of their life that you’d hardly hear them talk with optimism. All you hear them say are stuffs like, “why is life offering me bitter leaves this much?” “Why is everything this cloudy?” Even at the job they've just started, you’d hear them complaining almost immediately. If you have such friends on facebook and twitter, they are not hard to notice. Their status updates or tweets are always filled with words that depict sorrow, sadness, depression, pity and the likes. Perhaps I am even talking to you.

Listen, if life is always offering you bitter leaf, you can still choose to always smile. Yes, I am talking about you choosing to be optimistic about life no matter how things look like in your life. See, people that would help you, do not necessarily have to see you in a pitiful state to help you. They necessarily do not have to see you depressed to lend their hands. Choose to always be happy. Choose to always be optimistic about your life. No matter what you are going through, smile through it. Weeping only endures for the night. UP YOUR GAME, my friend.

- Le Dynamique Professeur

On this date, year 2007, this blog was created in Singapore. Read the first post here.

While this is not my first blog, its been the most prominent ever since I started here. This blog came to be as a result of finding a platform to express the positive thoughts that run through my veins from time to time. I was and still convinced I was born for a purpose; a reason; to be an encourager and motivator in my generation. My desire was to start in my own little way; thus giving birth to Le Dynamique Professeur.

Le Dynamique Professeur is what I love being called as its a composition of what I am (dynamic) and who I want to be (professor). Since the first post, I have had times when I felt like quitting the blog. My academics had its own demands, life commitments sometimes makes it look impossible to move on but here am I celebrating the third anniversary of the blog. I am excited! Today, I can confidently say, "This is me, and this is what I was born to be."

This blog has won only one award in its entire span, but the award, to the glory of God, couldn't have been more appropriate - The Most Inspiring Blog (Nigerian Blog Awards 2010). It gives me joy because it depicts exactly the purpose of this blog. It's purpose is simple - to Inspire, Encourage and Motivate!

First, to God Almighty for his grace, mercy and constant inspiration. It amazes me too. 

To my sweetheart, Blessing Agbaje, who never fails to believe in me and encourage me on this path, I am deeply indebted. To my parents, the first committed followers and readers of this blog, for their perpetual shower of love, faith and hope in this work, I am grateful. To my fellow bloggers, facebook fans and friends, twitter family, I can't thank you enough. To the 2000 monthly visitors of this blog from over 100 countries, you guys are just wonderful. Thanks for always encouraging me and always standing by me.

Keep Reading... I love you ALL!

Countless number of times, I've heard people say "all you need is to be at the right place at the right time and that's it!". But I question, is that all one must ensure? In this post, I argue that it is not enough to just be at the right place at the right time. Several people have found themselves at the right place and at the right time, yet still miss the opportunity that's there for them. Yes, I agree that it is good to be at the right place at the right time but it is not enough. My Dad has a favorite prayer in the late 1990s. He often say, "Lord, let us be at the right place at the right time, with the right things, with the right people, saying and doing the right things". Like in the words of John Mason, "opportunities are constantly either coming to us or by us" but what makes us seize moments, I believe are composed of a few more things that complements being at the right place, at the right time.

"There are many people who are at the right place at the right time but don't know it" - Ellen Metcalf

It is significant to know it and be sure you are at the right place. I recently went to Osun State in Nigeria on a speaking engagement. When I got to the gate of the venue, a man approached me to ask who I was looking for. I mentioned the name of the event organiser and because he did not know the name of the person, he simply replied, "this is not the place". Because I was sure, I took out my phone to call the person and while making the phone call, someone else came to attend to me and took me to where I was going. Just imagine if I was not sure that was the right place...

Many people miss their moment because they were not ready. They were not equipped enough for the opportunity. They were rather caught flat toed. One of the things that comes to mind when I watch shows like Xfactor and American idol is, "is this person ready for this moment; this moment that could define his/her life and destiny?" Many people's life regrets come from them caught unprepared. If you are called upon right now to tell a waiting audience in 5 minutes how valuable you are; are you prepared? Now that the opportunity seem 'not here', what are you doing to get yourself equipped for that moment? In the words of John Burrough, "you are always nearer than you think. Do not despise you own place and hour"

It's your moment, the world is awaiting your manifestation. It's your opportunity, take it. You're sure you are at the right place; you are equipped, you've waited all your life for the opportunity; its not for a give away; its for the taking. Speak when you should speak. Act when you should. Introduce yourself to that VIP. Take that picture now or you may never get the opportunity again. Send that email. Make that call. 

Now you see why I said it is not enough to just be at the right place at the right time? I hope you've picked up a thing or two. Thanks for reading :)