Blog - Zamai Banje

I previously published an article: The Best Investments To Do Right Now In Your 20s and 30s. The post highlighted relationships as one of the most valuable investments you can do right now. (Please read it now and continue this post when you’re done)

To understand this better, here is a little backstory. I used to believe individual strength was the most important virtue to succeed. I had this warped mentality. As long as I constantly honed my talent, nothing else mattered.

My dear, I was wrong. Extremely wrong. Relationships are very important. Building healthy, positive and beneficial relationships is key in climbing the ladder of success as a modern millennial.

People own companies and build businesses. Technologies are developed by people. People share knowledge and teach skills.
The closer you get the right people, the faster and better your chances of building a wealthy future.
Zamai Banje – the best investments to do right now in your Twenties and thirties

After reading this article, you will learn tips on building beneficial and influential relationships. Investing in people always brings exponential returns in the long term. Here are the tips:

1. BE SINCERE AND GENUINE

Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love
ROMANS 12:9-10 NKJV

When it comes to building relationships, don’t fake it. Be honest. Love from your inner being. Show care from the innermost parts of your heart. This is true sincerity.

2. BE LOYAL

Loyalty is a valuable currency when investing in people. Be a good friend. Treat the most important people in your life as family. Be devoted to them.

3. PUT THEM FIRST

…in honour giving preference to one another
romans 12:10b NKJV

If you want someone to be a significant part of your life, put their priorities first. Make them feel honoured always. Give them more respect than you give yourself.

Laugh with them on their joyous moments. Weep with them on terrible days. Don’t get jealous of another person’s victories. Celebrate with them. Learn to recognize people’s needs as your own.

4. BE HOSPITABLE

…distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.
Romans 12:13 NKJV

Always look for ways to meet the needs of others. Be a person of value. Be kind. Always feel free to share your energy, expertise and experience with people who need your help. This creates an abundant mindset for you. A person with abundance never lacks.

5. DON’T RETURN EVIL WITH EVIL

Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
ROMANS 12: 17-18 NKJV

Yeah. This sounds difficult especially in this era that glorifies paybacks and clap backs, but it’s best to never return evil for evil. Two wrongs don’t make a right. In contrast, return evil with good.

There is beauty in everyone. Seek this beauty and complement their strengths rather than downplaying their weaknesses.

Don’t insist on getting even. Be the odd one. Be kind and friendly.

6. BE OPEN-MINDED

Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.
ROMANS 12: 16 NKJV

Be fair and open-minded when communicating with people. This allows you make good judgement of people’s character and competence. Do not ever feel superior to others either because of your rank, race or gender.

This also feels counterintuitive but be willing to be friends with people who don’t look important to others. This world is a small place and you never know what could happen in the days to come.

Yeah. That’s it. These tips look simple. However, they are very powerful. I am already utilizing most of the tips (especially number two) and they have worked wonders.

What about you? Which tip will you work on today?

Salt and Light: When your Purpose meets Brilliance

By Zamai

On August 13, 2020

In Personal development, Spirituality

Have you ever read a specific verse in the Bible from a different version and had a profound perspective? This is how I felt after reading Matthew 5:13-16 from the Message. After reading these verses and sharing my thoughts, I sincerely hope it gives clarity and understanding in whatever you do. Read closely because it is also the sole reason on why you and I are here on Earth:

Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.
Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill.
MATTHEW 5:13-16 MSG

Salt of the Earth: Be Valuable

In those days, salt was so valuable and useful that it was used as money. Today, America’s sea salt company identified over 14,000 uses of salt. It’s obvious that to live a healthy life, salt must be part of your daily diet. This is how you should be. Be the salt of the earth. Be extremely important in offering value. Here is how to be the salt of the earth:

Salt and Light: When your purpose meets brilliance — Photo by Jason Tuinstra on Unsplash

Be Salt. Preserve the peace in your environment and those around you. Try to be peaceful with all men (at least from your end).
Be Salt. Listen critically and cleanse the impurities. Dissociate from bad people and remove corrupt communication. Do what is right at all times.
Be Salt. Add ‘taste’ and ‘spice’ to the lives of others. Bring the individuality and uniqueness of your mentors, peers and juniors. Be a beacon of positivity and wisdom.
Be Salt. Know your origin. Just as how salts originate from the ocean, know you come from a place of abundance. You are limitless and vast. You are from a source of never-ending wisdom, strength and creativity. Knowing your self-identity also boosts your self-worth.

You are the salt of the Earth. Don’t forget this.

Light of the World: Be Visible

The Sun. The Moon. Electric bulb. Candle. These are symbols of life, tranquillity, innovation and restoration respectively. All because they produce light.

Salt and Light: Where your purpose meets brilliance — Photo by Dyu – Ha on Unsplash

This is who you are. The light of the world. You are never meant to be hidden. People need you to survive. Embrace this philosophy wherever you go. Here is how to be the light of the world:

Be Light. Give life. Let your attitude, actions and words always spread positivity and joy. People should feel energized, encouraged and elated when they see and hear you.
Be Light. Be visible. Share your story. Share your talents in whatever you can. You cannot be hidden. You are meant for the top. Strive with excellence and the urge to learn. Be spectacular in your doings. Always show up strong.
Be Light. Illuminate. Enlighten people around you with your exposure, experience and expertise. Don’t be a lonely light in the midst of darkness because it will eventually consume you. Light others up literally. Always seek ways to bring out the potential in others.
Be Light. Innovate. For instance, the Sun, fire and lighting powered by electricity give us energy, the power to stay active at night and improves our lives at a faster pace. This is how you ought to be. Stay active. Come up with new ideas. Improve constantly. This is the only way you can shine brighter.

FINAL WORDS

I know life is not perfect and throw bad situations at you. There are certain times when you might feel useless, unimportant or confused on what to do with your day or life in general. Or when waves of loneliness or darkness consume your thoughts which in turn affect your attitude and actions.

Please stay strong in those moments. Stay in constant contact with the Creator. Seek advice from positive friends. And one thing is certain.

Never lose sight of who you are. You are Salt and Light.

Faith for the Modern Millenial – Read This For Strength

By Zamai

On August 8, 2020

In Personal development, Spirituality

FAITH. How best can you describe this intangible force with tangible words? I have slightly discussed the theory of faith in a previous post. The good news is we all exhibit faith at every point of our lives. It is that gut feeling and confidence you have in something or someone. It is the belief that something will come to pass at its own time. Strong rooted faith is really indescribable and cannot be fully expressed. But here is a perfect definition of faith:

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
HEBREWS 11:1 NKJV

A similar concept would be defining faith as ‘receipts’ for life purchases. It is what you hold on to before the ‘package’ arrives. If you have ordered a product online, you must know this feeling. When you purchase a product online, you get a confirmation order or receipt that your package is on its way. Most times, you must have inserted your card details and pay even though you have not physically seen your item.

This belief comes from trust in that system. You strongly believe the person at the other end would fulfil his other part of the deal. Your faith in life should be strong and more unwavering than this system. You should wake up and do your work, knowing your ‘package’ (your goals, desires and aspirations) will finally be delivered to you at its time.

However, there are times when your faith wavers. Especially those days when the ‘package’ takes longer periods to land for you. At those moments, it seems delay is gradually turning to denial. Don’t worry. I have got you covered. Here are some tips to stay true to the end:

Faith for the Modern Millennial — Photo by Zac Durant on Unsplash

KNOW YOUR ULTIMATE SOURCE OF FAITH

Yeah. Having faith in temporal things simply leads to constant faltering belief. These temporal things include: your goals, money, health, career, medicine and even your innate wisdom. Having faith in these things is fine. You need to have conviction in them to thrive and become your highest self (being successful in all aspects of your life). However, there should be a central anchor of faith on which your other convictions rely on.

That anchor is God through his Son, Jesus Christ. Yes dear, he is your rock on which you should firmly build your house on. He is the ‘delivery guy’ who always delivers at the appointed time. Learn to trust in Him.

IDENTIFY YOUR MAJOR SOURCES OF DISTRACTION

There’s a reason we must specifically identify major sources of distractions. This is because the only way you avoid all interferences today is to live in a cave disconnected from people, the internet and the entire world. (Even the wandering mind can still be a distraction at this point).

So here is what you can do. Take your time to identify the major activities that distracts you and causes your faith to waver on certain days. Then unplug them. Or readjust them in a way that boosts your faith and resolve.

For instance, in the past few months, I discovered a major source of my distractions. Social media. I was always online. And it began to affect my mental health and outlook towards life: Unhealthy Twitter trends and threads (it’s shocking how some people are ready to ruin others in the name of banter and grammar correction).

This app is too sensitive for me. You could say I love my life and suicidal people would get offended.
TWEET FROM @qgatss (chivo) –

The seemingly endless Instagram feed. Overwhelming information on Facebook (I was in so many knowledge-sharing groups and communities. I forgot to share my own knowledge or apply most of them I learnt on a daily basis)

Yeah. Those were my major sources of distractions. Here is what I did:

I started slowly by setting countdown timers on my dominant social media apps (for example Twitter – 1 hour, Instagram – 30 minutes, Facebook – 30 minutes, WhatsApp – 1 hour 30 minutes) Once the allotted time elapsed, the specific app shuts down for the rest of the day. Achieve this strategy through ‘Digital well-being and parental control’ on Android OS. P.S: I must admit I removed the timers on some days, but the discipline got stronger as the weeks went by.
I eventually uninstalled the apps. It felt unnatural at that time. But I did it at the end.
After setting up a plan on how to manage my social media, I re-installed Instagram and created a new account (which you can FOLLOW HERE). With this new page, I was now deliberate with whom I follow and the content I create and consume. The plan is to replicate this tactic with other social media platforms.

In sum, everyone has a way of managing their major distractions. Just make sure you do what suits you. Identify. Then unplug.

STRIVE TO BECOME THE MEN OF OLD

This sounds very strange, right? Advising you to be like ancient men when there are so many successful people to emulate today sounds absurd. Yet, what you learn from the people of old are their core values, principles and astounding faith. In this context, the people of old are the successful individuals mentioned in Hebrews 11:4-35.

The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd.
HEBREWS 11:2 MSG

To imitate them, through your faith:

Pursue excellence like Abel
Stand apart like Enoch
Prepare ahead like Noah
Believe till the end like Abraham and Sarah
Understand the power of your words like Isaac, Jacob and Joseph
Sacrifice every other thing for the right reason like Moses
Seek peace like Rahab

Yeah. This is the end. Do all the above and experience stronger bouts of faith as modern millennials. Cheers.

Zamai Banje

Knowledge For The Modern Millennial

Invest in Relationships the Right Way: Read this Now!!!