My Green 2013 And Better Beginnings A Book by Ifeoma Akobi (Iddiva)

MY GREEN 2013 And Better Beginnings By Ifeoma Akobi (Iddiva)

MY GREEN 2013 The Fourth Collection of 13 Lush & Inspiring Notes From a Series of 52 Notes in 4 Collections By Ifeoma Akobi (Iddiva) Published by Iddiva Impressions An Iddiva Company iddivapress@live.com VOLUME 4 All rights reserved in accordance with international copyright laws. Reproduction in any form without the permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited. Ifeoma Akobi reserves the moral right to be identified as the author of this work. 2013 Ifeoma C. Akobi Dedication in short verse This book is lovingly dedicated to all my readers. God bless you all, abundantly!

CONTENTS 1-When I survey 2-Are You Losing Steam? 3-Secrets of Success: The Sling 4-Secrets of Success: Green Coaching 5-Autumn Child 6-Voices Inside 7-The Myth, the Mistake and the Mystery 8-21 Days of Grace 9-No Choice, No Contest 10-The Court of Popular Opinion 11-This Earth I & II 12-Drink Green 13-Experience Empowerment What Next? Other Books by Ifeoma Akobi About the Author

1 WHEN I SURVEY As I stand and survey the landscape of the past months, I can truly say without a doubt that I am grateful. I have written four books in the My Green 2013 series. I have positively impacted the lives of several people. I have achieved some major milestones and personal goals. I have learnt new things and visited new places. I have made new friends. I have grown in several ways and I am grateful for all the blessings that keep coming my way each day. I can look at the terrain of the past and celebrate God who has been with me, guided me and helped me thus far. I write from my heart; from a place of joy and deep gratitude. And as the year winds to an end I look forward to even greater things in the present and near future. Moreover, I celebrate you, my dear reader for making this journey with me and for sharing in the success of My Green 2013. This is the fourth book in the series and I encourage you to get them all and make them a part of your life. Because after all is said and done it is the knowledge you have and apply that will make the difference. They are all available on Amazon or via email from iddivapress@live.com. Do drink deeply of each book in the series and develop your dreams beyond the negatives you see; like a photographer using an analogue camera would. It is my pleasure to wish you an enjoyable read. Happy Green 2013 and a toast to Better Beginnings!

Ifeoma Akobi (Iddiva)

2 ARE YOU LOSING STEAM? A lot of the people I know take individual or family vacations in summer. A vacation provides an opportunity to rest, relax, refresh and enjoy some much needed recreation. Now that the summer months are over and most of us are back, I have started seeing some symptoms of what I call end of year blues. It is a phenomenon that makes me wonder. Why take time out to rest then return with less vigor? Or focus all your energies on the next year and let the rest of the year slide? I think it is one of those weird things about life but the great news is regardless of how things look or how you feel, the year is not over until it is. There is still some Green remaining in your 2013 So I will cheerfully declare that this is the time to approach all you do with a last lap mentality. I have never seen an athlete slow down towards the end of a race; instead they gather all their energies and strength to blaze past the finish line. This is how we should be in fall and winter. Let me be an evergreen source of inspiration to you through the changing seasons. It is not over until it is, and every end can inspire a better beginning. Keep shining in your Green 2013 and beyond, Ifeoma Akobi (Iddiva)

3 SECRETS OF SUCCESS: The Sling As someone with a penchant for productivity and prosperity I am often on the lookout for ideas and concepts that can enhance peoples lives. My thoughts were recently drawn to thoughts on Davids sling. As I reread the full story in 1 Samuel 17, I noticed how he used it with a smooth stone and audacious faith to bring Goliath down. Beyond the slings function, a thought on its form or structure also caught my attention. If I held the elastic parts of the sling and stretched it sideways it would go as far as my own arms could reach. Now what would happen if I held one end and asked a friend to pull the other end? The sling would stretch even farther; maybe 2 or 3 times more than it stretched when I pulled it on my own. I quickly realized that there is so much more that we can accomplish when we partner together. Let us go further together. There is power behind team work and prosperity in unity. Therefore it is with great pleasure that I invite you to partner with me in pulling the sling of your success. Let me help in your preparation and process for greater success. Lets make the rest of the year a period to remember. Let us pull your sling to greater things. I will share more thoughts in my next note. Make it Your Green 2013, Ifeoma Akobi (Iddiva)

4 SECRETS OF SUCCESS: Green Coaching In my previous note, I used an analogy to explain how you can achieve so much more when you partner with my company. Let me take it a step further. When I started writing the Green 2013 series I wanted to pass across a message. It was and still is a message of hope, a message of growth, a message of love and a message of change. Many people bought the books and responded positively to its message but I still felt that something was missing. So I included thoughts on My Green 2013 in my Twitter feed and Facebook page. These were fresh thoughts that were inspired as I went through the year. However, the nagging feeling that something missing did not leave. I discovered that it was not enough to appreciate a good idea; one had to be accountable to a process and follow through. It was not enough to try, one had to trust. I noticed that care, clarity and commitment were essential to success in this journey. I also noticed that quite a number of coaching programs fell into a recognizable copy and paste syndrome. My hunger and thirst for something different led me to a place of purpose and eternal significance. And it was in this place of clarity and contentment that I was inspired to share more of the bounty God has given me with you.

I invite you to register with Green Coaching (its free) and learn, work and have fun with our amazing modules. Get started by sending an email to iassociates@live.com with Green Coaching as the subject. Walk on with me; the best is yet to be. Happy Green 2013, Ifeoma Akobi (Iddiva)

5 AUTUMN CHILD I can smell autumn in the air and it has a scent unlike any other time of the year. The air is crisp and pungent with the aroma of leaves. It is a time to dream and a time to think. Beyond the freshness of spring and the playfulness of summer, the fall season comes with its own unique sweetness and essence. I particularly love autumn. What is there not to love about the finery of fall? From the fragrances of falling leaves and all kinds of herbs in the air to warm afternoons, cool nights, carpets of crunchy leaves, clear skies, brilliant stars, the autumn glow of gold, bright yellow, bronze, purple, red, orange and some green, as well as elegant fall fashion, luscious lotions, the scent of pressed flowers, the season of harvest, the Red Beach in China and of course, my birthday In the words of Albert Camus, Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower. And in my own words, autumn is natures final fiesta, a burst of blazing glory and beautys grand finale. And in case you are wondering if autumn is really that awesome, my answer is a big YES! I am a child of autumn. And every fall I am reborn. Happy Green 2013, Ifeoma Akobi (Iddiva)

6 VOICES INSIDE There are two sides to every coin and there are at least two sides to every endeavor in life. These opposing perspectives confront each other constantly. They shape our experiences, opinions, ideas and mindsets. They are very different voices. Some examples are the voices of caution and adventure, risk and reason, faith and fear, hope and despair, success and failure, pleasure and pain, and joy and sorrow. These voices are significant and cannot be ignored. They must be accepted or rejected per time and there is no neutral ground. The good news is you can choose which voice to listen to per time. The best way to judge which voice to listen to is to use what I call the Empowerment Test. It begins with a simple question. Does this feeling, thought, perception, opinion etc strengthen the best in you or does it weaken you? Understanding the effect of a voice can give you an idea of its source. If it strengthens you then it is positive and if it weakens you then it is negative. It is as simple as that. No grey areas. It therefore follows that to be a victor in life one must make a conscious effort to listen to the positive voice. I go into deeper detail on this subject in my Green Coaching Manuals which are available via iassociates@live.com. Walk on with me, the best is unfolding Happy Green 2013 and beyond! Ifeoma Akobi (Iddiva)

7 THE MYTH, THE MISTAKE AND THE MYSTERY Marriage is a beautiful institution and beautiful things are maintained with precision The Marriage Mail When people think of marriage different things come to mind. Some think it is a necessary evil while others think it is mandatory for everybody. I have seen marriage bring out a plethora of good, bad and ugly qualities and attitudes in people. I have seen marriages that seemed made in heaven crash on earth while unions that looked like they were headed for failure survived the storms. What makes marriage work? Is it a game of chance or is it backed by rules? Who are the custodians of marriage wisdom? Is it a panel of experts or elders or your emotions? How can you tell if it is love? Should you marry for love? What about money? More importantly what about purpose? These are issues I deal with in an EBook titled The Marriage Mail: Tales of Myth, Mistake and Mystery. It is set for release in 2014 so check my diary for updates or send an email to iddivapress@live.com for more information. But you know I will not leave you without a juicy tidbit. You can find it in the book of beginnings better known as Genesis. Read chapters 1 and 2 to get information on the origin and concept of marriage and expect more in my book. Heres to a Happy Green 2013 and Better Beginnings,

Cheers! Ifeoma Akobi (Iddiva)

8 21 DAYS OF GRACE I did something special in August this year. Partly because I think August is a special month but more importantly because I felt stirred in my spirit to do so. I think August is special. Not only does it follow the midsummer months it also heralds the ember months of September, October (the VERY unique one), November and December. August to me is a month for creativity, new ideas, and unveiling of more purpose and power. It is also the eighth month and in Biblical arithmetic the number 8 signifies new creation. I decided to do a 21 day fast in August. The purpose of this fast was to invest more time in praising and worshipping God and also to establish Gods purpose for my life. Each day I broke fast at a particular time and prayed and worshipped. I took notes of what God taught me through the Bible and impressions He placed in my heart. It was tough sometimes because aside the physical denial I also had other issues to contend with but I decided to adopt Pauls None of these things move me attitude (Acts 20:24). I am so thankful to God for grace that kept me all the way. It was worth every minute! I experienced Gods presence, protection and providence in the most amazing ways. In the days, months and years (yes!) to come I will be sharing some of the things I have learned through my books, blogs, manuals, courses and music. Today I will leave you with a thought about September and its Sisters.

I believe that this is a season of harvest. It is a season of reaping, birthing and expression. In My Green 2013: The Third Season (i.e. Book 3) I included a poem called Song of the Standing Sheaves. September was a month for the sheaves to ripen and harvest began. In the month of October we will process our sheaves, gather the grain and have a harvest party! November will be a time to rest and December will meet us refreshed, renewed and ready for the next year. Beautiful people, it is time for us to manifest the present purpose for our lives. It is time for us to birth the next dimension through faith in the Word and prayer. It is against this backdrop of beautiful expectation that I welcome you to press in and enjoy all the love, favor and joy in this last quarter and transit successfully to 2014. Things will only get better for the believer. Do you believe? Happy Green 2013, Ifeoma Akobi (Iddiva)

9 NO CHOICE, NO CONTEST I recently saw a show where the topic revolved around attitudes and beliefs about money. I heard a number of statements most of which were hardly new. Here are a few examples: Money is not everything Money cannot buy happiness Money is the root of all evil I watched a bit as various individuals stated their views and I could see the intensity and sincerity with which each person defended their position. As I pulled out my laptop to put down some of my thoughts on the Empowerment Experience (more on this in a latter chapter) I was struck by a thought of how restricted our individual and societal perception can be on subjects like this. My take on this subject is that money is money, happiness is happiness, love is love and people are people. And we can choose to have one or more or all of the above. I personally do not see why anyone should have to choose between having money and being happy. I have never heard of happiness for sale or auction anywhere. Neither the presence nor absence of money guarantees happiness.

In addition I sometimes do not get the debate between marrying for love and marrying for money. Why not marry for purpose instead? Marriage should primarily be about being with someone with whom you can fulfill your divine destiny and the purpose for which God placed you on this earth. Of course the person should be attractive and responsible but looks and money (or the absence of it) do not guarantee a happy home. I write more on this subject in The Marriage Mail coming out next year. Lastly, I am yet to read the passage in the Bible that says that money is the root of all evil. We can have all we want. We can have what we want. That is the plain truth. That is why Jesus came. Let me take a verse from John 10:10, I added the words in brackets for explanatory purposes.

The thief does not come except to steal, to kill and to destroy; I have come that they (you and I) may have life and have it more abundantly (or in its fullest).
Our only limit is the will of God and His will for us is always perfect. Cheers to your love, happiness, health and wealth Happy Green 2013, 2014 and beyond, Ifeoma Akobi (Iddiva)

10 THE COURT OF POPULAR OPINION They are trail blazers. They are pacesetters. They are difference makers. They are seekers. They are visionary. Most of all they are believers. This post is for them and people who want to be like them. It is not easy to strike out alone or in the company of a few people. Our natural instinct is inclined towards following the crowd or flowing with popular opinion. It takes courage, faith, patience, persistence and strength to go into the beyond. It requires desire and passion for a visionary to keep believing even when you cannot see. At the initial stages failure, doubts and scorn may be the reward of your efforts but these bitter fruits have a way of distilling into the sweet juice of success if you remain committed to purpose. The court of popular opinion may mount the most convincing evidence against you. They might giggle or guffaw from their spectator seats. It is nothing new. In studying the lives of great men and women we see that each of them went through opposition before getting to positions of wealth, influence or power. I encourage you to pass through your process. I encourage you to maintain your call in the face of distractions from the court of popular opinion. After all you are the judge, your word is law, and the Greater one (God) lives in you. And please, if you are not sure of what role God has and/or should have in your life do contact me via themaven@live.com.

Life is a journey With twists and turns, rules and clues Let God be your guide Your life, your way, your truth

Happy Green 2013 and beyond, Ifeoma Akobi (Iddiva)

11 THIS EARTH I VOICE OF NATURE The earth quakes The seas roar The volcanoes erupt The skies thunder. A link in the cycle of life Or a fit of rebellious strife, Inevitable actions of Mother Nature Or angry outbursts of disrupted composure, The balance of the earth shape shifting As impatient man continues plundering Created resources to satisfy endless cravings Eventually leaving her bare and barren? The mountains crumble

The ice melts The waters rise The forests shrink The winds howl Chance happenings in existence Or developments cure, curse and consequence

II OF A THOUSAND Now the rain is over We can come out of our nests We dislike the lightning and thunder Yet desire the sweetness and scent Of a thousand flowers blooming in the breeze Of a thousand fruits ripening in the trees

We cannot have one without the other

Pressure then pleasure, the race before the prize Destiny determines the destination The mystery of life in transition Of a thousand hopes and a thousand dreams Of a thousand things in creative harmony. -Ifeoma Akobi

12 DRINK GREEN Green smoothies are the rage today. And I am not surprised. It is only natural that blending vegetables would be the in thing once fruit smoothies became commonplace. Green smoothies are made by blending green raw leafy vegetables with fruit (optional), water and ice. Some of the vegetables that can be blended include spinach, broccoli, celery, parsley or any other locally available leafy green vegetable of your choice. It is really up to you. Green smoothies unlike fruits are not naturally sweet and people take to them in different ways. They can be mixed with fruit to improve nutrition and taste or you could just add some honey. Some of the fruits that you can mix with your smoothies include oranges, apples, mangoes and bananas. You can also get adventurous and mix in other fruits you like. A good mix would be 50% fruit and 50% vegetables or 60% fruit and 40% vegetables, and it is ok to experiment until you find a nutritious flavor that works for you. Remember to wash your vegetables properly (preferably with some salt) before blending. Blanching (soaking veggies in hot water) is not necessary as the heat destroys the vitamins you need. Enjoy your veggies and have fun with your green smoothies! Happy Green 2013 and heres to better beginnings, Ifeoma Akobi (Iddiva)

13 EXPERIENCE EMPOWERMENT! This note might be the longest so far and I think that is cool in view of the fact that it is the last note in this collection but hey, I run ahead of myself Let me share some thoughts: The harvest is always greater than the seed. The size of the tree is not dependent on the size of the seed. You cannot predict the size of a tree based on the size of a seed. You can count the number of seeds in a fruit but you cannot count the number of fruits in a seed. I am emphasizing these points because most of the frustration many people experience with wealth creation is due to frustration with their seed, talents or resources. It reminds me of the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30 (Read it!) The first thing that strikes me in this parable is that the gift of talents is not equal. The talents were proportioned fairly but not given equally. Each person had equal opportunity to multiply their seed and each servant was commended based on his own effort. This eliminates the sense of competition, inferiority and envy so prevalent in our world today. Let this truth sink into your spirit: in the grand scheme of things you will not be evaluated based on how well you outperformed or outsmarted others.

You will be solely evaluated on how well you multiplied what you were given (and how much you gave out of what you had multiplied). How do you measure success? Are you running a race for which you were never equipped? Are you heading to the top of the wrong ladder? Have you found your purpose? Are you trying to keep up with people that you should be leading? Why are you here on earth? Do you measure your success as a marathon runner by a sprinters speed? What are you about? What are you fighting for? In the scheme of things your resourcefulness should far outweigh your resources. Lets look at Matthew 25:14-30 in more detail. God represented by the king gives differing amounts of talents or gifts or resources to his servants (us). The giving of gifts was according to ability or capacity not quantity. This is evident by the statements of praise that the servants with five talents and two talents both got. They got equal praise. This shows that God is into proportions. It is not about how much you have but about how well you use what you have. The servant that had one talent buried it. He did not trade with it and multiply it like the others did. I am sure that he would received the same words of praise if he had traded the one he had been given and brought back two talents to the Master. It is also interesting to me to note that the first reference to being multitalented is mentioned here. So it is clear that having many talents is not a bad thing. I say this because many people suppress certain gifts they have out of fear of looking like Jacks of all trades and masters of none. This story on talents really helped me to better appreciate and seek ways to

trade my talents. Do not feel overwhelmed if everything seems out of place. With God you can get direction and wisdom on how to best use your talents. And if you are a one talent person then pursue it with passion. Do not bury it or feel intimidated by those who have more. Remember, it is not about what you have but about what you do with what you have that counts. So as the year concludes let us take stock of how well we have served with the talents we have and endeavor to do better. Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year and Here is a toast to Better Beginnings and an Amazing 2014! Remember that you can get the other 3 books in the collection at Amazon or via iddivapress@live.com. On a final note I am compiling notes from all the My Green 2013 books so you can have it in one volume as a collectors item and give copies to family and friends as a gift. You can also use quotes in your blog, article or book under the provisions in the copyright laws. Thank you for being part of My Green 2013 and I look forward to an Amazing 2014 with you Go wow the world; in fact go beyond the world! See you in 2014! I Love You, Ifeoma Akobi (Iddiva)

WHAT NEXT? First we begin the Experience Empowerment in October. It is about matching funds with a group of aspiring entrepreneurs and helping them succeed. To be a part of this (donor or beneficiary) or to get more information, please send an email to iassociates@live.com I mentioned at least 2 soon to be published books in my previous posts. Did you note them? So 2013 was My Green 2013, what do you think 2014 will be?

OTHER BOOKS BY IFEOMA AKOBI My Green 2013- The First Notes My Green 2013- The Second Notes My Green 2013- The Third Season

COMING SOON Wealth Begins with You! Scent of Water Musings of a Maven- Diary of a Divine Diva

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Ifeoma Akobi (Iddiva) is the maven and owner at Iddiva Group. She is a beautiful, stylish woman of industrious spirit, intelligent mind and incredible heart. She is a pharmacist by training and a poet by talent. She is a professional and creative business woman with interests in wealth creation, health, beauty and wellness products and services. She is also a business consultant, published author, speaker and singer-songwriter. She possesses a great work ethic, a delightful sense of humor and a rich store of wit. She is passionate about life, economic empowerment, and building healthy families and societies.

Get more information on her resources, events, training and speaking schedule as well as information on Iddiva Group from iassociates@live.com

Connect through Facebook: www.facebook.com/ifeoma.divinediva Twitter: @IfeomaAkobi Email: themaven@live.com

Published by Iddiva Impressions An Iddiva Company