TJ, Author at 1Africa | Page 7 of 18

Become A Better Public Speaker

Art
Culture

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June 12, 2015

We all have our fears, don’t we? Some of us are afraid of heights, others fear being in closed spaces all alone and a few of us are terrified of being in the dark. Among the many fears that plague many of us as we get older, the fear of getting up in front of people and speaking confidently is a major one. There are tonnes of sites and resources offering tips on how to overcome the fear but, in this specific article, we want to look at some points to guide you and help you become a better public speaker.

The following list of pointers from The Art of Manliness is a superb find. It takes its ideas from the brilliant politician and orator, Winston Churchill, and we hope it will be helpful to you as you improve yourself:

1. Write our what you want to say. Much as it’s great to be able to speak without looking like you’re reading, it’s also wise to have the back up of written notes, in case things go wrong or you get distracted.

2. Craft your speech with great care. Don’t be afraid to write and re-write and re-write and re-write and… (you get the picture).

3. Choose the right words. Read widely and widen your vocabulary. This will help in having a broad choice of words to choose from specific to each speech you need to deliver.

4. Infuse your speech with a compelling and musical rhythm. The way you sound when you speak creates a certain effect on your audience.

5. Build your argument towards an inescapable conclusion. The way you end your speech matters. Do it powerfully!

6. Use rich imagery and analogy. Paint beautiful, lasting pictures in the minds of your listeners.

7. Give voice to people’s latent sentiments and ideals. If you are able to speak for people and not just to them, you will win the audience’s hearts.

8. Be sincere. Feel what you are saying and don’t just talk about it.

If you’d like to check out the full article from The Art of Manliness, click here.

Show Me The Money!

TJ

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June 12, 2015

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Movie buffs all over the world should be familiar with one of the most widely-quoted and famous scenes in film culture – the “show me the money” scene from Jerry Maguire. The movie earned various nominations and nods at festivals and award ceremonies around the world, not least of all an Oscar win for Cuba Gooding Jr’s portrayal of sports star Rod Tidwell. The “show me the money” scene, as a powerful performance piece, has stuck around as a huge part of the film’s legacy. For those not familiar with the scene, we have it for you here sans f-bombs and other profanities:

What’s most interesting about this scene, apart from the crazy and acclaimed performances from Gooding and Tom Cruise, is the deeper meaning of the words themselves – show me the money. It speaks of a situation where things are more than just about talk and need to become seen in action. That’s a challenge for all of us.

Many people are very good at talking big and making grand statements and very poor when it comes to walking the talk. We’ve all heard the saying “actions speak louder than words”. There are few truths as deep as that. Even when it comes to our success in relationships, studies, business or any other area of life, we often fail, not because of adversities or conditions outside of ourselves, but because we are not able to deliver on the words we have spoken. In other words, we are guilty of breaking our promises to ourselves and of speaking out certain things before being sure that we will be able to see things through to the end. If we’re to be truly honest with ourselves, we need to talk less and do more.

We recently posted an article on the greatest man in history and, I believe, one of the things that made him so is his ability to keep his word and show us the money. He had evidence to back up every one of his claims and when he opened his mouth to say something, you could bet your last dollar on it. It is quite possible to connect with that saviour of humanity today and allow him to influence us too. As he shapes our thinking, we too can become people of our word and not just empty vessels making a lot of noise. If you want to know more, click on the banner below and watch the video that follows.

Before You Buy A House

Lifestyle

TJ

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June 11, 2015

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As we all grow older, we start to think about some major things we want to achieve as part of our journey. There’s no doubt that one thing that most young people have as a dream is the purchase of their first property. Whether it’s a tiny apartment or a four-bedroom house with double garage, the joy of owning one’s own ‘crib’ can be quite a thrill. As with anything in life though, there are always risks to be aware of and factors to consider. Courtesy of Lifehacker‘s Melanie Pinola, here are a few things to think about before you buy a house.

It’s impossible to be too prepared when buying a home—probably the biggest purchase you’ll ever make. If you’re thinking of becoming a new homebuyer, make sure you’ve got the following ten tips in the bag.

10. Decide Whether Buying a Home Is Worth It

Although it’s more than just a matter of dollars and cents, right now, in most major cities, buying a home is 35% cheaper than renting. There’s no right or wrong answer for everyone, though—home buying comes with a number of benefits (and headaches), but so does renting—so you’ll have to weigh the pros and cons for yourself.

9. Know How the Home Buying Process Works

When you’re sure you’re ready to buy a home, the first thing you’ll need to do is learn everything you can about the process. There’s a lot to know, but our start-to-finish guide on the subject will walk you through the basics. There are some things that you might not know: don’t think of your home as an investment, don’t buy if you won’t stay put, don’t always trust a buyer’s agent, and don’t get emotionally tied up in the process (be prepared to walk away).

8. Beware of Fixer-Uppers

A fixer-upper house lets you buy a home in a neighborhood you might not otherwise be able to afford—if you’re willing to invest in renovations, whether DIY or leaving to the professionals. These are risky purchases, however, since you don’t want to end up with a money pit. Among the biggest money pit areas: the basement and foundation. Try getting an inspection after it rains, too. Every home buyer should get a good inspection and be prepared with the responsibilities of working on the house (it doesn’t end!), but when buying a fixer-upper, these are particularly important.

7. Learn More About a Prospective Home You Want to Buy

When you’ve found a home you’re interested in, you’ll want to learn as much as possible about it before putting in a deposit. Ask your agent how long the property has been on the market —if it’s been on the market for months with no offers, it could be overpriced or it could be a slow market. Also ask for copies of utility, insurance, and tax bills so you truly understand how much the home will cost. Look up the sales history of a home to find out how much it was previously purchased for and how long previous owners stayed in the property. These can offer some clues on the property’s history, but keep in mind that sometimes homes are sold at reduced prices for other reasons than low value.

Also, don’t just think of individual properties—neighborhood matters a great deal as well, if not more than the house itself. You can research neighborhoods from the comfort of your current pad. Be sure to look up school quality ratings, too, as they’re often an indicator of the quality of the neighborhood.

6. Juggle Difficult Buying Situations

Buying and selling a home at the same time can be tricky. You have two options: focus on selling first or on buying first. If you’re self-employed, qualifying for a mortgage requires more work than if you’re an employee. Make sure you have your paperwork in order.

5. Save Up for That Down Payment

Although it’s possible to buy a home without a down payment, you’ll get a better rate, smaller mortgage payments, and be able to qualify for more loans if you can put 20% down. Start saving for the down payment as soon as you are thinking about buying a home. And don’t forget you’ll have hefty closing costs to save up for and cover as well.

4. Get Your Credit and Finances in Order

In addition to saving for the down payment, getting your finances in shape will make it easier to qualify for a mortgage and get the lowest rates. The basics: keep paying your bills on time (especially your rent), check and monitor your credit, and don’t make any major purchases or credit mistakes. If the monthly cost of home ownership is going to be greater than what you’re paying now in rent, try living on a new homeowner budget to make sure you can afford it.

3. Look Out for Deal Breakers

In addition to having your own “must have and want” checklist when buying a home, put these six potential deal-breakers on your need-to-know list: a roof that needs replacing, a home in a high-risk flood zone, issues with sewer lines and other plumbing, restrictive local zoning rules for home improvements, an electrical system that needs updating. While walking through the home, look past attractive finishes like high-end counter tops and look for signs of possible big problems, things like cracks in the foundation or water stains on the ceilings or walls.

2. Buy Less House Than You Can Afford

Many online calculators tell you how much you can afford, based on your current income and debts. It’s best if you can aim for a house even less than what the calculators tell you so you don’t end up house poor.

1. Take Your Time

When you’re looking for a new home to buy, it can feel like you’re pressed to make an offer on any home you’re interested in right now. Relax and take your time shopping around for this major move until you find the home that you’ll love living in for years to come. Shop around for mortgages too, as well as homeowners insurance. When you’ve found the home of your dreams, but it’s already under contract, you can still make a backup offer on that home.

Tips that apply to the US context have been edited out but, for the original article, click here.

Who Is The Greatest Man In History?

TJ

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June 11, 2015

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With Father’s Day approaching on the 21st of June, it might be that a few of us are reflecting on our relationships with our own fathers and, if you’re a man reading this, possibly thinking about what kind of a father you want to be. Being a man has its fair share of joys and pleasures, that’s for sure, but it can also be downright challenging. The expectations and pressures can be endless and overwhelming. Mind you, that’s not taking away from the challenges women face. As we mentioned in a recent post, the concept of manhood and what it stands for appears to be under threat in our contemporary society in a way that is unprecedented. So, where do little boys get their inspiration from nowadays? What is the ‘new and updated’ definition of a man?

When all is said and done, what is a great man and who is the greatest man in history? There really are more than a million ways to tackle this question because we classify our personal heroes based upon our own worldviews. The debate could take forever. But perhaps it’s worth taking some time to pause and reflect about one man in particular. His name just doesn’t seem to go away and it might be worth asking ourselves why that is.

The spirit of this man is still alive to this day and, what’s best about it, he invites everyone who wants to be like him to believe and he will take care of the rest. If you’re a man and have been wondering where all the role models have gone, why look any further?

If you have questions about Jesus and other matters of faith, click on the banner below and watch the video that follows.

What Not To Miss This June

Culture

TJ

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June 10, 2015

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If you’re the creative kind, or just a lover of arts, movies, books and fun, you may not want this exciting list of Hollywood’s best and more to pass you by. Courtesy of fastcocreate.com , we bring you a list of some daylight-stealing movies, books, and albums etc, for your June entertainment:

Movies

Entourage: The Movie, opened June 3rd. Will Vinnie Chase finally get his Oscar? Did Lloyd ever sue Ari? Does Turtle still smoke pot now that he lost a bunch of weight? Is that how he lost all that weight? Some of these questions, and more, will be answered when HBO’s Hollywood fantasy series stretches to feature length.

Spy, opened June 5th. Paul Feig has scored major hits with his first two directorial efforts, Bridesmaids and The Heat, both featuring his apparent muse, Melissa McCarthy. Now Feig and McCarthy both return in this espionage romp, also written by Feig. Has it finally been long enough since Austin Powers and Johnny English that we can have a new goofy spy movie? Time will tell.

Jurassic World, opens June 12th. Chris Pratt guarded the galaxy last year, but does he also have what it takes to spare Earth from descending back into dinosaur times? For Earth’s sake, I sure hope so!

Love and Mercy, opened June 5th. John Cusack and Paul Dano portray Beach Boy and Charles Manson associate Brian Wilson at different points in the musician’s life, both of which are melodic yet unstable.

Dope, opens June 19th. It’s a tale as old as time: Boy meets girl, boy tries to get into college, boy ends up starting a Silk Road Lite-type situation when he gets in over his head in the drug game. This is what coming-of-age movies are like in this age.

Max, opens June 26th. Some soldiers come back from war and never feel the same and apparently that is also true of canine soldiers like the Afghanistan veteran at the center of Max.

Albums

Riff Raff – The Peach Panther/ The Purple Panther, out on June 1st. The Tommy Wiseau of rappers (Is he really any good? Who even knows?) drops two albums on the same day, neither of which makes any sense, regardless of how hard you bump them.

Jason Derulo – Everything is 4, out on June 2nd. What does a post-meme Jason Derulo album sound like? has the autotuned singer been able to resist singing his own name?

Hudson Mohawke – Lantern, out on June 16th. The Kanye-endorsed Scottish electro producer, also one-half of TNGHT, follows up a string of EPs with this hotly anticipated album filled with his signature stylistic collage.

Books

Judy Blume – out on June 2nd. Your favorite author from childhood is now poised to become one of your favorite authors in adulthood, with this grown up novel that spans three generations of a family.

Judd Apatow – Sick In The Head, out on June 16th. Before he became the most prominent voice in cinematic comedy over the last decade, a young Judd Apatow interviewed his comedy heroes passing through his hometown of Syosset, Long Island. Now, he’s combined those with more recent conversations for this dissection of what funny is and what it does.

For the full creative guide as compiled by fastcocreate.com , please click here.

How To Prove The Haters Wrong

TJ

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June 10, 2015

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When it comes to coming up with catchy little words and phrases that spread like wildfire and capture the heart of the culture, nobody does it quite like the Americans do it. More specifically, there’s no arguing that hip hop culture has been central to shaping global pop culture for years now. From words like ‘paper’, ‘word’ and ‘fresh’ to greeting phrases like ‘what the deal’ and ‘what’s good’, it was all hip hop.

Among my favorite terms is one that seems to have stood the test of time for over a decade. It was, in a sense, always an English word but hip hop gave it new ‘street cred’. I’m talking about the word ‘hater’. In a nutshell, a hater is someone who can’t stand the success of another. What makes a hater special or different when compared to any other adversary? Well, unlike others who may keep their disdain and disapproval deep inside, haters make it openly known and demonstrate actively how much they’re opposed to your success. This opposition can manifest itself very clearly through hurtful words, backbiting, cold and calculated put-downs, slander, sabotage and more. The worst haters are probably those who smile in your face then hiss about you when you leave.

So, what’s the wisdom on how to prove haters wrong? The following is a short but useful list to consider putting into action:

1. Don’t. What do we mean when we say ‘don’t’? Simple. Don’t focus on proving haters wrong. Rather, focus on being true to your purpose and fulfilling your life’s calling. Trying to prove people wrong all the time is a tiring, worthless waste of time.

2. Come to terms with the fact that you can’t please everyone. In reality, we all have different tastes, sensitivities and (dis)likes. Sometimes, people seem to hate on you because they can’t understand you. That’s OK though.

3. Don’t stoop to the level of the hater brigade. Earlier, we talked about all the things haters will do to put others down. When hurt by the actions and words of haters, the tendency is to try and play the same game. It’s not worth it. Mark Twain is quoted as having said, “Never argue with a fool. Onlookers may not be able to tell the difference”. Smart words.

4. Learn from it. This is not always an easy one but, if we think the right way, there are many things we could learn whenever we are on the receiving end of stings from others. Sometimes, the person we’re dealing with, if we peel away at it, may just be misguided or actually have some real guidance for us. There is no experience from which we can’t learn something.

5. Be convinced that you are here for a purpose. This is quite possibly the most important point. Our ability to ignore the evil that others do to us comes when we know for sure that we are here for a reason. When we know that, it won’t be easy to shake us.

Who gives meaning to your life and shows you your reason to exist? At 1Africa, we believe that purpose is found in connecting with a loving God. You can connect with him too. If you’d like to know more, click on the banner below.

Jurassic World

Culture
Film

TJ

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June 9, 2015

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The movie that most have been waiting for is finally here this week. After spending an eternity in what film experts call “development hell”, where the project just doesn’t seem to want to get made, Jurassic World is coming to town. Now, we know that, right about now, it’s not words that matter. Pictures do the talking. So, without further ado, courtesy of Universal Pictures, here’s an extended first look at the movie.

Jurassic World comes out worldwide on June 12.

Why Does Christianity Have So Many Rules?

TJ

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June 9, 2015

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Why Does Christianity Have So Many Rules?

It wouldn’t be a shameful thing to admit that, sometimes, the many rules that govern religion and faith can be quite frustrating. In fact, I’ve heard a number of people say that the thing that puts them off about church is the many rules and guidelines that make up Christianity. I had a friend long ago and his whole approach to life was “I do what I want to do”. It was the very same guy who always came to us to bail him out of whatever deep hole he’d managed to dig himself into. So, while he was doing what he wanted to do, we were having to pay the price for his actions.

While it may be true that Christianity has a whole lot of do’s and dont’s, the reality is that many of us – by sheer nature – want to experience the benefits of certain lifestyles but not put in the work that is required to get to that point. We want the end results without the process. This is both hypocritical and counterproductive. When we look at the Bible, there are hundreds – if not thousands – of promises made by God. If we look carefully though, many of those promises are made with a condition of some sort. The conditions usually centre around obedience and the love of God. Take this short passage, for example:

“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” (John 15:7)

Most people want the promise, the second part of the passage, but do not want to do the obeying part where obedience and prayer is required. You can take apart any number of the promises in the Good Book and you will generally find the same story applying.

So, why does Christianity have so many rules then? Well, tell me of a working, successful institution, nation or family that doesn’t have them? Rules are there for a number of reasons but the reason we usually don’t think about is this: rules are actually there to make us better people. Where rules are fair and set up in a loving way, we are the beneficiaries. It’s not for anyone else’s benefit. Even then, it’s not about the rules themselves but about the relationship that comes from getting closer to God and understanding his motives.

Ultimately, all is driven by God’s love for us, but that love cannot be imposed. It’s a decision we all have to make individually. If you’d like to know more about God and faith, click on the banner below.

The Women’s World Cup

TJ

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June 8, 2015

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If you’re a fan of sport in general, and women’s sport in particular, you will know that the FIFA Women’s World Cup is here! Just in case you’re clueless about what’s going on though, we’ve decided to help you out, courtesy of a handy beginner’s guide to the tournament from www.fusion.net.

What it is, and what has changed

Women’s World Cup number seven kicks off Saturday night [6 June] when the home team, Canada, welcomes former superpower China, who hosted the first tournament back in 1991. Back then, the viability of a women’s world championship was still an unknown, which is part of the reason why the competition was called the M&M’s Cup. The U.S. would go on to win, and come four years later, when the competition moved to Sweden, the tournament took on its real name: the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

In 1999, when the tournament moved to the U.S., the field expanded to 16 teams, a size the competition maintained until this year. Now 24 teams representing all six FIFA confederations make for the biggest and longest World Cup yet, one that serves as a middle ground between the modest, smaller fields of years’ past and the 32-team field that seems inevitable. Given the growth of the women’s game, it’s not difficult to see that full field taking place by 2023.

That growth, however, has become the underpublicized change to this year’s tournament. The bigger one: Turf. Thanks in large part to the fact that no nation other than Canada completed the bidding process (as well as a number of other factors, like venue availability, preference of the organizers, or potentially more callus reasons), the 2015 World Cup will be the first senior-level international tournament played entirely on artificial surfaces. Late last year, well after the venues had been announced, a group of famous players tried to change that, but their fight never came close to succeeding in court.

But beyond turf and tournament size, this tournament’s biggest difference is the depth and quality of the field. In previous years, a women’s soccer world divided between well-supported superpowers and growing programs gave us three, maybe four contenders and little else. Now there’s a connected hierarchy, one where the big, successful teams aren’t playing in another world.

There are a few weak teams (Thailand and Ecuador), and if you’re catching a group stage game between a tournament favorite and one that barely qualified, there’s a 50-50 chance you won’t see a competitive game. But it wasn’t so long ago that most of the competitive games were confined to the final eight. Now, as more programs have developed depth and identities, the Women’s World Cup has a parity that’s starting to resemble its better known sibling.

When (and where) does it start

The first game kicks off on Saturday in Edmonton, Alberta. In the 10 days that follow, six groups of four teams will play mini-round robin tournaments to determine the teams that reach the Round of 16. From there, it’s knockout play, with the final game taking place on July 5 in Vancouver.

Who’s in, who’s out

The same favorites that drew attention four years ago, Germany and the U.S., are in focus again this summer, only this time, France is also stealing headline space, considered a favorite on the back of an impressive victory earlier this year in Germany.

Those teams, along with fellow seeds Canada, Japan and Brazil, are spread out among the tournament’s six groups.

Group A

Canada, China, Netherlands, New Zealand
Start: June 6
Favorites to advance: Canada and the Netherlands, though this is the tournament’s most competitive group, one-to-four. Third place will almost certainly advance to the knockout round.

Group B

Germany, Ivory Coast, Norway, Thailand
Start: June 7
Favorites: Germany and Norway, with expected lopsided goal differences meaning neither of the other two are likely to advance.

Group C

Cameroon, Ecuador, Japan, Switzerland
Start: June 8
Favorites: Japan, Switzerland, with Cameroon a long shot to advance.

Group D

Australia, Nigeria, Sweden, United States
Start: June 8
Favorites: The U.S., then Sweden, with Australia likely to reach the knockout round.

Group E

Brazil, Costa Rica, South Korea, Spain
Start: June 9
Favorites: Brazil and Spain, with South Korea a strong bet to play a fourth game.

Group F

Colombia, England, France, Mexico
Start: June 9
Favorites: France, then England, with Mexico likely to go through if it can beat Colombia.

For the full beginner’s guide and other guides to the Women’s World Cup, click here.

Can A Non Christian Go To Church?

TJ

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June 8, 2015

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When I mention the word ‘church’, what comes to your mind? As you sit reading this now, you may be someone who is very actively involved in a church somewhere. If not that, you may be someone who used to be part of a church but were deeply hurt or disappointed by something said or done within its walls, so you decided to leave and never come back. Maybe the word ‘church’ is one you’ve come across here and there but only mentioned in circles very different from the ones you belong to. You see it as some kind of exclusive word for religious people and you may even ask yourself the question: can a non Christian go to church?

The church is quite possibly one of the most misunderstood institutions on earth. Not in the sense that one might think – some kind of ‘victim’ sense where everyone on the outside misjudges what may be going on within it. Yes, it’s true that that may be the case, but what’s actually more tragic is that even those on the inside of the church ‘system’ keep being a part of something they themselves don’t fully understand. This short, simple video helps some way in clearing up some misconceptions:

The church, when it started after Christ, was a place where people who had just learnt about him could come together as a community and then share the miracle of his life and the principles he taught with others. To be quite blunt, it was designed for non Christians. It is not a place for the so-called ‘holy and perfect’ people to sit together and condemn those on the outside. It is a place of relationship, healing, restoration and transformation.

You can never know the power of the church, as an institution or community, without connecting personally with the one who is the reason for its birth. This is a decision that only you can make for yourself because it is a matter of faith, especially in the core message of the death and resurrection of Jesus.

If you would like to know more about God and faith, please click on the banner below.