It's a World Suicide Prevention Dav #WorldSuicidePreventionDay

To someone going through any difficult moment right now,

#WorldSuicidePreventionDay

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Photos: Ichoose Life Africa (ICL), Launches Steve Na Caro Education Campaign

I Choose Life Africa Launches ' Keep Stevo Na Caro In School'

Stevo an Caro are archetypes representing the needy girls & Boys in secondary schools in Kenya. 

Caro says 'We live in a single room. My mum earns 3,500 per month from her sukuma wiki business. I have never met my dad; he left when i was very young. 

My classmate Stevo and I are always chased home because of fees arrears but our teacher says if we stayed in school uninterrupted we would perfom much better. We have big dreams. I want to be a journalis.

Stevo wants to be a banker.' ------------ There is a way we can Keep Stevo & Caro in school for them to achieve their dreams!! 

How to Donate Towards Caro na Stevo Campaign:

1. Go to M-PESA
2. Select Paybill/Payment Service
3. Enter the Business Number: 995350
4. Enter Account Number: 6443250211
5. Enter the Amount (at least Kshs 10)
6. Enter your PIN Number

Join ICLby becoming a Stevo na Caro Champion today!!

5 Simple Ways To Improve Your Intelligence

By Correspondent:
 
1. Minimize Television Watching – This is a hard sell. People love vegetating in front of the television, myself included more often than I’d like. The problem is watching television doesn’t use your mental capacity OR allow it to recharge. It’s like having the energy sapped out of a muscle without the health benefits of exercise.

Don’t you feel drained after a couple hours of TV? Your eyes are sore and tired from being focused on the light box for so long. You don’t even have the energy to read a book.

When you feel like relaxing, try reading a book instead. If you’re too tired, listen to some music. When you’re with your friends or family, leave the tube off and have a conversation. All of these things use your mind more than television and allow you to relax.

2. Exercise

I used to think that I’d learn more by not exercising and using the time to read a book instead. But I realized that time spent exercising always leads to greater learning because it improves productivity during the time afterwards. Using your body clears your head and creates a wave of energy. Afterwards, you feel invigorated and can concentrate more easily.

3. Read Challenging Books

Many people like to read popular suspense fiction, but generally these books aren’t mentally stimulating. If you want to improve your thinking and writing ability you should read books that make you focus. Reading a classic novel can change your view of the world and will make you think in more precise, elegant English. Don’t be afraid to look up a word if you don’t know it, and don’t be afraid of dense passages. Take your time, re-read when necessary, and you’ll soon grow accustomed to the author’s style.

Once you get used to reading challenging books, I think you’ll find that you aren’t tempted to go back to page-turners. The challenge of learning new ideas is far more exciting than any tacky suspense-thriller.

4. Early to Bed, Early to Rise

Nothing makes it harder to concentrate than sleep deprivation. You’ll be most rejuvenated if you go to bed early and don’t sleep more than 8 hours. If you stay up late and compensate by sleeping late, you’ll wake up lethargic and have trouble focusing. In my experience the early morning hours are the most tranquil and productive. Waking up early gives you more productive hours and maximizes your mental acuity all day.

If you have the opportunity, take 10-20 minute naps when you are hit with a wave of drowsiness. Anything longer will make you lethargic, but a short nap will refresh you.

5. Take Time to Reflect

Often our lives get so hectic that we become overwhelmed without even realizing it. It becomes difficult to concentrate because nagging thoughts keep interrupting. Spending some time alone in reflection gives you a chance organize your thoughts and prioritize your responsibilities. Afterwards, you’ll have a better understanding of what’s important and what isn’t. The unimportant stuff won’t bother you anymore and your mind will feel less encumbered.

I’m not saying you need to sit on the floor cross-legged and chant ‘ommm’. Anything that allows a bit of prolonged solitude will do. One of my personal favorites is taking a solitary walk. Someone famous said, “All the best ideas occur while walking.” I think he was on to something. Experiment to find the activity that works best for you.

Thinking of Committing Suicide? --- Go Through This Checklist

Life is not always rosy. Sometimes it throws a little punch on our tracks. However, some people quickly get up, dust themselves and move on. While to others, the same punches may appear to be a permanent blow, degenerating to a sudden end of their lives.

We all encounter disappointments. But some people end up living a life of misery and with no meaning  after such disappointments. They aimlessly wonder the path of life blind-folded by life’s obstacles. Sometimes our wheels of life require a little re-alignment and activation to continue moving on in the right direction. 

When life seems to have lost its true meaning, and perhaps the next available option is to avoid living it; through committing suicide, then that is the time to go through the below suicide checklist..

•     The first person to commit suicide in the Bible was Judas. He had to do this because he had betrayed and handed over Jesus to be killed. Have you betrayed Jesus to warrant committing suicide?

•     Remember the proverbial ‘Time heals all wounds’.  No matter how hurting it seems and feels, give it some time. Your wound will definitely heal; with time. 
•     Face your fears. Committing suicide brands you cowardice. Do not be afraid to confront issues in your life. Face them head on and if necessary, learn the relevant lessons from each issue. 
•     Live your life. Forget what other people might be thinking about you. This is your life and all that you do in it is your responsibility. Everyone is not always perfect, and so do you. 
•     Joy always come in the morning’, but you must first pass through fire to experience the joy. Exercise patience and perseverance and remember that Gold is refined through fire. 
•     Be realistic. Don’t close your eyes to the temporary emotions. Yes, cry over it if it is really painful . However, learn and plan to move on quickly; no matter how dark everything seems. 
•     Did you give it your all? If yes, then don’t worry. You will always live to fight for another day. Sometimes what we desire or rather want might not be the best thing for our system or lives. 
•     As a Christian, God never gives us challenges that we cannot overcome. He will never give you a challenge beyond your measure. Sometimes God allows us to pass through certain painful events in order to bring us back in harmony with him. 
•     Committing suicide leaves issues unresolved. It is like literally running away from a responsibility the world has bestowed upon you.  
•    ‘Things are never as bad as they seem’….Robin Sharma. Things that cause us lots of pain, heartaches or even sorrows are the same ones that prepare us for success in life. 
•     Some people claim that there is further Biblical evidence of a respectable person; named Samson, who opted to commit suicide after betrayal by his lovely wife; Delilah. However, the same Bible records that at the time of his death, Samson killed more Philistines than he had killed during his lifetime. His death therefore had a purpose and plan from God.  
•     God has not and will never give up on you. Life is a journey of struggles; with ups and downs. Sometimes you are happy and other times you are sad. You must keep on keeping on. Quitters never win. 
•     All human life’s are interconnected. We all depend on each other. Ending your life means leaving a million lives hanging without support. Ending your life means ending other million lives silently. 
•     What will you ever tell God on the Judgement day? That you mortgaged your mind and allowed anger and darkness to prevail upon you? That you had though that life had lost its real meaning?...think beyond such lame excuses. 
•     Have you considered about those who genuinely love you? Your family, friends and relatives? No matter what, there are people who will never abandon you. Their love for you cannot be traded for anything. Don’t disappoint them. They will always stand by you. 
•    ‘A problem shared is half solved’…Anonymous. Did you share your problem and no one came to your rescue?  Did you really share your problem through all available options? 
•     Do you trust in God? With a stone and a sling David killed the mighty Goliath. This happened because he had faith and trust in God. With such faith and trust in God, you can equally overcome your Goliath. 
•     Life goes on. The beautiful ones are not yet born and therefore the best in life exists in the next day. Fight to experience that best day that exists in tomorrow.

Think beyond suicide and go the extra mile. The world will always be packed with both seen and unseen turbulence. Be courageous, persistence and focused. 

Life is not a desert for you to wonder in any direction. Be decisive, set your goals and begin your journey. With prayers and trust in God, you will achieve your dreams. A void the rope. Enjoy life