A good first step towards greater understanding

A good first step towards greater understanding _ Queen Elizabeth II

Queen Elizabeth II. True Leadership,...

This is a continuation of my initial post The Queen’s Goodwill Message and I. #1.

I guess you can call this #2.

The Queen’s goodwill message had plenty of good in it I must admit.

So here is another one.

“Even with the most deeply held differences, treating the other person with respect and as a fellow human being is always a good first step towards greater understanding.”_ Queen Elizabeth II

Do have a fantastic day.

Design, Art direction, Post
By Philip Abang

The Queen’s Goodwill Message and I

The Queen's Goodwill Message and I. #1

Queen Elizabeth II. True Leadership,,,.png

“Some cultures believe a long life brings wisdom. I’d like to think so. Perhaps, part of that wisdom is to recognise some of life’s baffling paradoxes, such as, the way human beings have a huge propensity for good and yet a capacity for evil. Even the power of faith which frequently inspires great generosity and self sacrifice can fall victim to tribalism. But through the many changes
I have seen over the years, faith, family and friendship have been not only a constant for me, but a source of personal comfort and reassurance.” _Queen Elizabeth II

I have always found the Queen’s speech very interesting every time I have tuned in (if you reside in the UK). Her Christmas Goodwill Message was no exception.

There is always words of wisdom and she comes across as a genuinely kind, caring and loving person in my eyes, I’d like to think. However, I can very much guarantee that some people may view her differently and the fact that a book can’t be judged by it’s cover alone.

Nonetheless, whenever I am tuned in, listening or reading a material, I am always looking to see or hear what good I can get (gain) from it. Being a person that loves quotes and words so much, I extract bits that not only affects me in a way (positive), but bits that may appeal to others as well.

One of the things I try to spread across whatever platform I’m at or my life in general is positivity and finding a unique approach to problem solving.

Life is full of ups and downs. Life can play cruel jokes and hand you a bad deal. But we all have a choice to look at life in a particular way. Are you a glass half empty or glass half full kind of person? If the latter is the case then you are half way to solving life’s funny puzzles.

We dwell so much on the negatives forgetting the things that mould and shape us. Family, friendship and close ones help shape our being. Most of what we strive for in life in many a case is to look after those around us and to do good. Except you are of a different mindset.

The holiday season brings friends and loved ones together. If our focus can be zoomed in on the things that the Queen has eluded to which is FAITH, FAMILY and FRIENDSHIP to bring personal comfort and reassurance, tell me what better way to go.

Have a blessed weekend.

Design, Art direction, Post
By Philip Abang

Success and True Leadership

Success and True Leadership _ Queen Elizabeth II

Queen Elizabeth II. WORKING TOGETHER.“I know of no single formula for success. But over the years I have observed that some attributes of leadership are universal and are often about finding ways of encouraging people to combine their efforts, their talents, their insights, their enthusiasm and their inspiration to work together.” _Queen Elizabeth II

Design, Art direction, Post
By Philip Abang

You’re never too old to set another goal

You're never too old to set another goal

You're never too old to set another goal,,.png

“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” _C.S. Lewis

Design, Art direction, Post
By Philip Abang

Time is here until the world ends

Time is here until the world ends

Time is here until the world ends...

It is a mistake to think time is going. Time is not going. Time is here until the world ends. It is you that is going. You don’t waste time. Time is infinite. You waste yourself. You are finite. It is you that grows old and die, time doesn’t. So make better use of it. And one of the worst things to do with time is comparing yourself to others. A cow eats grass and gets fat but if dog eats grass, it will die. Never compare yourself with others, run your race. What works for one person may be that which will kill you. Focus on the gifts and talents God gave you and don’t be envious of the blessings He gave others. If a rose smells better than tomatoes, It doesn’t mean the rose can make a better stew. Don’t try to compare yourself to others. You also have your own strength, look for it and build on it. All animals that exist, were in Noah’s ark. A snail is one of those animals. If God could wait long enough for snails to enter Noah’s ark; His door of grace won’t close till you reach your expected position in life. Never look down on yourself, keep looking up. Remember that Broken crayons still colour. Keep on pushing, you never can tell how close you are to your goal.
_Anonymous

I was sent this powerful message via my WhatsApp chat. It was a forwarded text so I couldn’t place the source that have written it. I have chosen to use ‘Anonymous’ to credit the author and I hope the real author can find this so I can give whomever their deserved accolade.

This is such a powerful message. How we spend our time is crucial. Life’s projects and goals need extensive time management. I find myself tuning in weekly to Chris Croft’s Success Habits weekly and Dave Crenshaw’s Time Management weekly courses, both on Lynda.com/LinkedInlearning in order to master how to manage my time.

I do struggle with time especially when prioritizing on things essential and least essential. Numerous time I look back and think “what did I really do with my time today?” — ‘day’s gone, and I’ve accomplished nada!’ Time seem to go by so quickly, or so it seems.

Like the author has eluded to, it’s terrible practice comparing oneself to others. We each have our unique gifts and talents, and we run our individual race. “Comparison is the thief of joy” says Theodore Roosevelt.

Comparison leads to pain and misery. Making optimal usage of time in our hands leads to a much fulfilled life I would say.

Let’s make the most of our time. Come on now, we can all do this!

Design, Art direction, Post
By Philip Abang
Credit: Anonymous

The shackles of human expression

The shackles of human expression

The shackles of human expression.png

If common sense tells us now that living with passion is the key to leading a successful life, why are so many of us still miserable? Why do we still struggle to live out loud as inventors and pioneers of our creative process? Why do hierarchies, racism and hate even still exist? — What I discovered on my journey is what I now believe to be ‘the shackles of human expression’. For as long as we continue to define ourselves as nouns, — race, nationality, gender, age, religion, career specialization, social statues, — we will never live to our fullest potential.

_Deji Akingbaje.
Be the Verb, Not the Noun

This quote says a lot in my humble opinion, period!

Design, Art direction, Post
By Philip Abang

 

Let’s all create

Dear ZedTears, Let's all create

Let's all create.png

“You should bring something into the world that wasn’t in the world before. It doesn’t matter what that is. It doesn’t matter if it’s a table or a film or gardening—everyone should create. You should do something, then sit back and say ‘I did that.'” _Ricky Gervais

Design, Art direction, Post
By Philip Abang

Art #2. Into The Unknown

Art #2. Into The Unknown [Artwork]

Philip Abang. “To me art is an adventure into an unknown world, which can be explored only by those willing to take the risks.” _Mark Rothko

“To me art is an adventure into an unknown world, which can be explored only by those willing to take the risks.” _Mark Rothko

Philip Abang. “To me art is an adventure into an unknown world, which can be explored only by those willing to take the risks.” _Mark Rothko

Mark Rothko’s quote inspired my initial post ‘Art‘ and also this artwork. I created this artwork ‘Into The Unknown’ as an abstract representation of the conscious, subconscious, and the unconscious mind. The eye denoting the conscious, the subconscious represented by the abstract layers and patterns of type and forms floating in space and the unconscious are the ‘blacks’ found in every existing space.

There is a complexity about the subconscious and the unconscious mind, and human behaviour is influenced by the abstract nature of this complexity. The floating layers of information in the subconscious are a culmination of things seen, heard or experienced. In the unconscious mind lays a deep tunnel of things the conscious mind cannot conceive or comprehend. In it lays a wealth of uncharted knowledge, strength, weaknesses, potential, goals, wisdom, vulnerability, power, you name it.

Like Mark Rothko’s quote, exploring that space of our subconscious and our unconscious mind can help unravel our inner stardom and realizing our full potential. Being the hero of our story lay in how deep we are willing to dive, how deep we are willing to look from within to make our story a best seller.

Lest I forget, I created this artwork exploring with torn pieces of papers, sketch and ‘scanography’. I tried something different and the result is this digital collage. Let’s take an adventure into the unknown (our inner self) and see how we become a beautiful piece of art.

Philip Abang. “To me art is an adventure into an unknown world, which can be explored only by those willing to take the risks.” _Mark Rothko

Design, Art/Creative direction, Post
By Philip Abang