always think big

How to Think Big

Many people are enamored by big ideas, but it's really difficult for most people or teams to let their minds go free and go large. It's not surprising. People are so often focused on the day-to-day small stuff that they struggle with thinking in an expansive manner.

To think big, you must first understand the cause and benefits of thinking small.  Companies, teams and individual achievers are sharply focused on getting things done. They're not all good at it, but generally most everyone strives for efficiency. This approach is very effective for problem solving, which drives most leaders daily. It's the approach most often taught, encouraged and used by managers and employees alike. But this determined focus on completion often limits the ultimate scope of the results.

When posed with an issue, the general problem-solving approach looks something like this:

[Solution + Resolution = Completion] leading to Limitation

Example: Team A has a customer service issue. Everyone brainstorms on ways to solve the problem based upon current practices and behaviors. Ultimately a small adjustment is made which brings the problem back to a tolerable level or removes it completely. They strive to get a viable answer as quick as possible so they can check it off their list and move on. No one bothers to think beyond the scope of the problem. They just go back to their day-to-day activities as quickly as possible. This increases efficiency, but leaves a lot of powerful ideas undiscovered.

Here is an alternative big-idea approach:

[Knowledge + Exploration = Understanding] leading to Expansion

Example: Team B is faced with the same customer service issue. This time they are instructed to forget about the issue itself. They go through a multistage exploratory process.

1. First they're each instructed to meet in a week with a detailed deconstruction of their complete, current, customer service process in hand.
2. They share the information at the meeting and are each now told to come back a week later with detailed information on how other competitors manage their process. They are also told to explore books and articles on customer service.
3. In the next meeting, all relevant information is shared. They compare and contrast the company's process with that of their competitors. They share ideas garnered from thought-leaders. They are then split into three groups and tasked to brainstorm and create the ideal customer service process using the best of all the information they found. They are asked to present their approach the following week.
4. The different presentations are reviewed, considered and discussed by all with the most innovative ideas combined, improved and applied accordingly.

Team B's results resolve multiple issues in the process and ultimately result in innovation that gives them strategic advantage. The team members are now smarter about their industry, their company, their customers and their competitors. They'll naturally feel encouraged to expand their resources further and search for new ideas that will drive the company forward.

Granted the big idea approach is more involved. It takes more time and effort, but the results are worth managing everyone's impatience. Integrating this expansive approach in your group culture will surface big ideas regularly, giving you competitive advantage over other teams still focused on the small stuff.

Individuals, teams, and companies alike can all benefit from these expansion-oriented thinking tips:

1. Create Specified Time for Thinking

Problem solvers will try and get done and get out. Set aside 90 minutes, two hours or even a day to tackle a problem and then use the entire time. Don't head for the door after the first good idea. Let things percolate. There may be bigger and better ideas to come.

2. Encourage Outside Learning

The more information in the room, the broader the brainstorm. Give team members time and resources to grow, learn, and explore. Learn facilitation techniques that will surface more participation from everyone. Or hire in a professional facilitator who can expand everyone's thinking and teach facilitation at the same time.

3. Reward Expansive Results

Track the results of all progress made from expansive thinking sessions. Reward the teams and celebrate the accomplishments. Emphasize the process and how it helped make everyone's life better. A culture that rewards big ideas will attract and maintain more expansive thinkers.

Obviously there is a time and place for problem solving efficiency. You can't use an expansive thinking approach for every little decision or you'll never get things done. But the regularity and pervasiveness of expansive thinking will actually solve problems you haven't yet identified, bringing greater efficiency, and giving you more time to execute really big ideas.

Why people fail to achieve their goals to success.

Most people claim to understand the importance of goal setting in order to attain a better life, but in fact, approximately 80 percent of people never set goals for themselves. This is especially prevalent among people who are not involved in some sort of business or entrepreneurial endeavor that promotes goal setting.

Even more surprising, of the 20 percent of the population that does set goals, roughly 70 percent fail to achieve the goals they have set for themselves. And when you take into consideration the fact that many of these goal-setting people strive for easily attainable, small goals, it’s a wonder that anyone accomplishes anything remarkable at all in business and in life.

When it comes to goals, there are two categories: “be” goals and “do” goals. In other words, who do you want to be or what do you want to achieve? Within each category, there are four areas of goals: wealth, health, relationships and self-fulfillment. So any goal you set for yourself will fall into one of these areas. When a business professional sets a goal, it tends to be either a wealth goal or a relationship goal. However, achievement involves all four areas, and success means finding balance in the four areas. In order to live a successful life, you need both “being” and “doing” goals in each of the four areas.

But before you rush out and set goals at random, you need to know what traps to avoid. What follows are the top 10 reasons why people fail at achieving their goals. Avoid these roadblocks and goal attainment will be yours.

1) Fear of success and/or failure.

Some people are afraid they will fail or, even worse, that they may actually succeed. As such, they don’t even bother trying to attain a goal. Such people lack belief in themselves and in their potential. In their mind, if they fail, everyone will think negatively of them. And if they succeed, people will be envious and think negatively of them. So it becomes a lose-lose situation no matter how they look at it. But realize that you can achieve anything you set your mind to. Believe in yourself and your abilities and others will, too.

2) Lack of understanding about the goal-setting process.

Many people mistakenly believe that goal setting simply means putting a goal on paper, setting a date for completion, marking off checkpoints as they occur and then starting all over again. Such a mentality hinders people from success, because a goal isn’t a one-time thing that you eventually scratch off a list. Setting a goal is really about changing yourself for the long-term. Goals aren’t short-term, quick-fix things; they are fixed and immovable destinations that show the world who you want to become or what you want to achieve.

3) Lack of commitment to the goal.

Even though people state they want to achieve a certain goal, in truth, they’re really not committed to it. Because of this lack of commitment, they don’t give the act of goal attainment their full effort. And as with anything in life, if you don’t give it your all, you receive mediocre results. Commitment is crucial for attaining any goal.

4) Inactivity.

After setting a goal, writing down dates and setting checkpoints, some people stop. They never actually take that first step needed to progress toward their goal. But realize if you don’t get started, you can’t go anywhere. Without action, nothing happens. So if you’ve created a goal list and now wonder why none of your goals are transpiring, ask yourself what action steps you’ve taken to achieve your goals. If you haven’t taken any action, now is the time to start.

5) Analysis paralysis.

Many people let questions and doubts paralyze them. They believe they can’t start on a goal until they have all the answers to every “what if” scenario. However, no matter how long and hard you prepare, you will never have all the answers to the questions you ask. Additionally, most people make their decisions and/or answer their questions based on where they are right now, rather than on where they want to go or who they want to become. Always base your decisions and answer your questions with a view to the future, not a view to current situations. Your situation will change because of the decisions you make today and will dictate the success of your journey. So, move forward toward your goal knowing that you’ll never have all the answers.

6) Lack of a real destination.

People often begin setting goals without a solid destination of who they want to become or what they ultimately want to achieve. But if you don’t have a destination in mind, then you’ll never know which road to take to get where you want to go. Your destination needs to be clear – something you can visualize and describe to others. Without such a clear view of what you want in life, you’ll be forever changing course and falling short of your potential.

7.) Failing to plan.

While many people understand the formula of goal setting, they don’t have a plan for goal attainment that’s personalized to them and their experiences. In other words, they neglect the gifts they possess which can help them attain the goal, as well as the people they know who may be able to help them. We each bring so many unique talents and attributes to the table, and we know a multitude of people who can help us in some way. Be mindful of these advantages during your planning process and use the resources you have available to you.

8) Having too many goals.

Some people have too many goals and not enough focus. It’s like they’re standing in front of a dart board with three targets in mind. Hitting just one target is difficult enough; hitting three targets simultaneously with one dart is impossible. Therefore, determine the one goal you are focused on and move forward with that one goal only. Eliminate other goals that are secondary. This is not to say that you should never have more than one goal. Rather, you need to realize that you have only so much time and energy. Therefore, choose the goal that will give you the highest ROE (return on effort) and focus on that one goal first. Once complete, you can then focus on other goals in sequence.

9) Feeling unworthy of the end result.

Some people really don’t believe they’re worthy of attaining the goal. As such, they self-sabotage themselves. Perhaps they suddenly walk away from the key contact who will help them with their goal, or they neglect to do a critical activity that will enable them to achieve their goal. People who feel unworthy usually lack self-confidence, and confidence is the keystone to goal attainment.

10) Lack of motivation to change.

Finally, many people are simply satisfied with what they have and where they are in life. As such, they don’t explore what else is available or what greater things they could achieve. Research tells us that there are only two motivating factors that cause people to change: pain and pleasure. And even if someone is feeling pain in a situation, that pain may not be great enough, or he or she is simultaneously receiving ample pleasure, so the person doesn’t strive for more. Change and goal attainment only happen when you’re ready to break the status quo and truly want something better in life.

Conclusion

Goal achievement doesn’t have to be an elusive target. You really can be whom you want and do what you want. By balancing your goals into the four categories mentioned and avoiding the mistakes that hinder people’s results, you can achieve any goal you set for yourself and reach new levels of personal and professional success.

About the author:

Douglas Vermeeren is an international speaker and best-selling author on goal setting and human performance. His most recent book, “Amazing Success,” combines more than 400 interviews with top achievers and highlights the attributes and similar patterns they followed to achievement.

do this 10 things every day to improve your life.

1) Get out in nature

You probably seriously underestimate how important this is. (Actually, there’s research that says you do.) Being in nature reduces stress, makes you more creative, improves your memory and may even make you a better person.

2) Exercise

We all know how important this is, but few people do it consistently. Other than health benefits too numerous to mention, exercise makes you smarter,happier, improves sleep, increases libido and makes you feel better about your body. A Harvard study that has tracked a group of men for more than 70 years identified it as one of the secrets to a good life.

3) Spend time with friends and family

Harvard happiness expert Daniel Gilbert identified this as one of the biggest sources of happiness in our lives. Relationships are worth more than you think (approximately an extra $131,232 a year.) Not feeling socially connected can make you stupider and kill you. Loneliness can lead to heart attack, stroke and diabetes. The longest lived people on the planet all place a strong emphasis on social engagement and good relationships are more important to a long life than even exercise. Friends are key to improving your life. Share good news and enthusiatically respond when others share good news with you to improve your relationships. Want to instantly be happier? Do something kind for them.

4) Express gratitude

It will make you happier.

It will improve your relationships.

It can make you a better person.

It can make life better for everyone around you.

5) Meditate

Meditation can increase happiness, meaning in life, social support and attention span while reducing anger, anxiety, depression and fatigue. Along similar lines, prayer can make you feel better — even if you’re not religious.

6) Get enough sleep

You can’t cheat yourself on sleep and not have it affect you. Being tired actually makes it harder to be happy. Lack of sleep = more likely to get sick. “Sleeping on it” does improve decision making. Lack of sleep can make you more likely to behave unethically. There is such a thing as beauty sleep.

Naps are great too. Naps increase alertness and performance on the job,enhance learning ability and purge negative emotions while enhancing positive ones. Here’s how to improve your naps.

7) Challenge yourself

Learning another language can keep your mind sharp. Music lessons increase intelligence. Challenging your beliefs strengthens your mind. Increasing willpower just takes a little effort each day and it’s more responsible for your success than IQ. Not getting an education or taking advantage of opportunities are two of the things people look back on their lives and regret the most.

8) Laugh

People who use humor to cope with stress have better immune systems, reduced risk of heart attack and stroke, experience less pain during dental work and live longer. Laughter should be like a daily vitamin. Just reminiscing about funny moments can improve your relationship. Humor has many benefits.

9) Touch someone

Touching can reduce stress, improve team performance, and help you be persuasive. Hugs make you happier. Sex may help to reduce heart diseases.
10) Be optimistic.

mafanikio kwanza.

Njia Sita za Kupata Mafanikio

MTU anafanikiwa kikweli kwa kupata njia bora kabisa ya maisha ambayo inatokana na kufuata viwango vya Mungu na kuishi kupatana na kusudi la Mungu kwa wanadamu. Biblia inasema kwamba mtu anayeishi maisha ya aina hiyo “atakuwa kama mti uliopandwa kando ya vijito vya maji, ambao hutoa matunda yake katika majira yake na ambao majani yake hayanyauki, na kila jambo analofanya litafanikiwa.”—Zaburi 1:3.
Naam, ingawa sisi si wakamilifu na tunafanya makosa, tunaweza kufanikiwa maishani! Je, hilo linakuvutia? Ikiwa ndivyo, basi kanuni sita zinazofuata za Biblia zinaweza kukusaidia ufikie lengo hilo na hivyo kuthibitisha waziwazi kwamba kwa kweli mafundisho ya Biblia ni hekima inayotoka kwa Mungu.—Yakobo 3:17.
1 Uwe na Maoni Yanayofaa Kuhusu Pesa
“Kupenda pesa ni chanzo cha mambo mabaya ya namna zote, na kwa kujitahidi kufikia upendo huo wengine . . . wamejichoma wenyewe kila mahali kwa maumivu mengi.” (1 Timotheo 6:10) Ona kwamba tatizo si pesa, kwa kuwa sisi sote tunahitaji pesa ili kujitunza na kutunza familia zetu. Tatizo ni kupenda pesa. Kwa kweli, upendo huo hufanya pesa ziwe bwana, au mungu.
Kama tulivyoona katika makala ya kwanza ya mfululizo huu, watu ambao hukimbizana na utajiri ili wapate mafanikio, kwa kweli wanafuatilia upepo. Mbali na kutamaushwa wanapatwa na maumivu mengi. Kwa mfano, katika jitihada zao za kutafuta mali nyingi, mara nyingi watu hupuuza uhusiano wao wa familia na marafiki. Wengine hukosa usingizi, si kwa sababu ya kazi tu, bali pia kwa sababu ya wasiwasi. “Usingizi wa kibarua ni mtamu, awe ameshiba au amekula kidogo tu. Lakini usingizi wa tajiri ni wa wasiwasi daima, maana ziada ya mali yake humsumbua usiku kucha,” inasema Mhubiri 5:12.—Biblia Habari Njema.
Zaidi ya kuwa bwana mkatili, pesa ni bwana mdanganyifu pia. Yesu Kristo alizungumza kuhusu “nguvu za udanganyifu za utajiri.” (Marko 4:19) Hilo linamaanisha kwamba utajiri humwahidi mtu kwamba utampa furaha, lakini haufanyi hivyo. Badala yake unamfanya mtu atamani utajiri zaidi. “Anayependa fedha hatatosheka na fedha,” inasema Mhubiri 5:10.
Kwa ufupi, mtu anayependa pesa anajiumiza tu. Anavunjika moyo, anakatishwa tamaa, au hata kujihusisha katika uhalifu. (Methali 28:20) Ukarimu, kuwa tayari kusamehe, usafi wa maadili, upendo, na uhusiano mzuri pamoja na Mungu, ni mambo yanayoleta furaha na mafanikio.
2 Sitawisha Roho ya Ukarimu
“Kuna furaha zaidi katika kutoa kuliko ilivyo katika kupokea.” (Matendo 20:35) Ingawa kuwapa watu vitu mara kwa mara kunaweza kumfanya mtu awe na furaha ya muda, roho ya ukarimu inaweza kumfanya awe na furaha ya kudumu. Ni kweli kwamba kuna njia mbalimbali za kuonyesha ukarimu. Mojawapo ya njia bora na inayothaminiwa sana ni kutenga wakati ili kuwa pamoja na watu na kufanya mambo nao.
Baada ya kupitia uchunguzi mwingi kuhusu furaha, afya, na kutokuwa na ubinafsi, mchunguzi Stephen G. Post alisema kwamba kutokuwa na ubinafsi na kuwasaidia wengine kunahusianishwa na maisha marefu, afya nzuri kimwili na kiakili, kutia ndani kupunguza kushuka moyo.
Isitoshe, watu wanaowapa watu vitu kwa ukawaida hawapungukiwi na chochote maishani kwa sababu tu ya kuwa wakarimu. Methali 11:25 inasema hivi: “Mtu mkarimu atafanikishwa, amnyweshaye mwingine maji naye atanyweshwa.” (BHN) Kupatana na maneno hayo, watu ambao ni wakarimu kutoka moyoni, ambao hawawapi watu vitu wakitarajia kulipwa, wanathaminiwa na kupendwa na Mungu.—Waebrania 13:16.
3 Samehe kwa Hiari
“Endeleeni . . . kusameheana kwa hiari ikiwa yeyote ana sababu ya kulalamika juu ya mwingine. Kama vile Yehova alivyowasamehe ninyi kwa hiari, nanyi fanyeni vivyo hivyo pia.” (Wakolosai 3:13) Siku hizi, watu hawako tayari kusamehe; wao hulipiza kisasi badala ya kuonyesha rehema. Matokeo ni nini? Wanapotukanwa wanatukana, nao hulipiza jeuri kwa jeuri.
Mambo hayaishii hapo tu. Ripoti moja katika gazeti The Gazette la Montreal, Kanada inasema kwamba “katika uchunguzi uliofanyiwa watu zaidi ya 4,600 wenye umri ya kati ya miaka 18 hadi 30,” wachunguzi “waligundua kwamba uhasama, kukata tamaa, na kutokuwa na fadhili” hufanya mapafu yawe mabovu. Kwa kweli, mambo hayo yanaweza kufanya mapafu ya mtu kuwa mabovu zaidi kuliko ya mvutaji wa sigara! Bila shaka, kusamehe hakufanyi iwe rahisi kushughulika na wengine tu bali pia kunafaidi afya yetu!
Unawezaje kusamehe zaidi? Anza kwa kujichunguza kwa unyoofu. Je, nyakati nyingine huwakasirishi watu? Unafurahi wanapokusamehe? Kwa hiyo, mbona usiwaonyeshe wengine rehema? (Mathayo 18:21-35) Pia ni muhimu kujizuia. “Hesabu moja hadi kumi” au tafuta wakati ili utulize hasira. Tambua kwamba kujizuia si udhaifu. “Asiye mwepesi wa hasira ni bora kuliko mwanamume mwenye nguvu,” inasema Methali 16:32. Maneno “ni bora kuliko mwanamume mwenye nguvu” yanaonyesha mtu amefanikiwa kikweli, sivyo?
4 Ishi Kulingana na Viwango vya Mungu
“Amri ya Yehova ni safi, huyafanya macho yang’ae.” (Zaburi 19:8) Kwa ufupi, viwango vya Mungu vinatufaidi, kimwili, kiakili, na kihisia. Vinatulinda dhidi ya mazoea yenye kudhuru kama vile, kutumia dawa za kulevya, kulewa, ukosefu wa maadili, na kutazama ponografia (picha au habari za ngono). (2 Wakorintho 7:1; Wakolosai 3:5) Huenda mazoea hayo yakatokeza madhara mabaya kama vile uhalifu, umaskini, kutoaminiana, kuvunjika kwa familia, matatizo ya kiakili na kihisia, magonjwa, na kifo cha mapema.
Kwa upande mwingine, wale wanaoishi kulingana na viwango vya Mungu wanakuwa na mahusiano mazuri, pia wanajiheshimu, na kuwa na amani ya akili. Katika Isaya 48:17, 18, Mungu anasema kwamba yeye ndiye “anayekufundisha ili ujifaidi mwenyewe, Yeye anayekufanya uende katika njia unayopaswa kutembea ndani yake.” Kisha anaongeza hivi: “Laiti ungesikiliza amri zangu! Ndipo amani yako ingekuwa kama mto, na uadilifu wako kama mawimbi ya bahari.” Ndiyo, Muumba wetu anatutakia maisha bora zaidi. Anataka ‘tuende katika njia’ ya mafanikio ya kweli.
5 Onyesha Upendo Usio na Ubinafsi
“Upendo hujenga.” (1 Wakorintho 8:1) Je, unaweza kuwazia maisha yasiyo na upendo? Yangekuwa maisha yasiyo na maana kama nini! “Ikiwa . . . sina upendo [kwa wengine], mimi si kitu. . . . Sipati faida hata kidogo,” akaandika Paulo, mtume Mkristo aliyeongozwa na roho ya Mungu.—1 Wakorintho 13:2, 3.
Upendo unaotajwa hapa si ule wa kimahaba ambao una mahali pake panapofaa. Badala yake ni upendo unaodumu ambao unaongozwa na kanuni za Mungu.* (Mathayo 22:37-39) Isitoshe, mtu haonyeshwi tu upendo huo bali anauonyesha kwa matendo. Paulo aliendelea kusema kwamba upendo huo ni wenye subira na pia fadhili. Hauna wivu, haujigambi, au kujivuna. Hutafuta faida za wengine, na hauchokozeki kwa urahisi bali ni wenye kusamehe. Upendo kama huo hujenga. Pia, unatusaidia tuwe na uhusiano mzuri na wengine hasa washiriki wa familia.—1 Wakorintho 13:4-8.
Kwa wazazi, upendo unamaanisha kuwa na hisia nyororo kuwaelekea watoto wao na kuwapa mwongozo ulio wazi unaotegemea Biblia kuhusu maadili na tabia nyingine. Watoto wanaolelewa katika mazingira kama hayo hujihisi salama, wanapendwa, na kuthaminiwa wakiwa sehemu ya familia iliyo imara.—Waefeso 5:33–6:4; Wakolosai 3:20.
Jack, anayeishi Marekani, ni kijana aliyelelewa katika familia iliyofuata kanuni za Biblia. Baada ya kuondoka nyumbani, Jack aliwaandikia wazazi wake barua. Sehemu ya barua hiyo ilisema hivi: “Jambo moja ambalo nimejitahidi kufanya ni kufuata agizo [la Biblia] linalosema: ‘Mheshimu baba yako na mama yako . . . ili mambo yakuendee vema.’ (Kumbukumbu la Torati 5:16) Mambo yameniendea vema. Na sasa ninathamini kwamba imekuwa hivyo kwa sababu mlijitahidi kunilea kwa upendo. Asanteni sana kwa kunitegemeza na kwa jitihada zenu nyingi za kunilea.” Kama wewe ni mzazi, ungehisije kama ungepokea barua kama hiyo? Je, hungejawa na shangwe moyoni?
Pia, upendo unaotegemea kanuni ‘unashangilia pamoja na kweli,’ yaani, kweli kumhusu Mungu inayopatikana katika Biblia. (1 Wakorintho 13:6; Yohana 17:17) Ili kufafanua, fikiria mfano huu: Wenzi walio na matatizo katika ndoa yao wanaamua kusoma pamoja maneno ya Yesu yanayopatikana kwenye Marko 10:9: “Kwa hiyo kile ambacho Mungu ameunganisha [katika ndoa] mtu yeyote asikitenganishe.” Sasa, lazima wajichunguze mioyo yao. Je, kweli ‘wanashangilia pamoja na kweli za Biblia’? Je, wataiona na kuitendea ndoa kama kitu kitakatifu, kama vile Mungu anavyoiona? Je, wako tayari kujitahidi kutatua matatizo yao kwa upendo? Kwa kufanya hivyo wanaweza kufanya ndoa yao ifanikiwe, na wanaweza kushangilia matokeo mazuri ya jitihada zao.
6 Tambua Uhitaji Wako wa Kiroho
“Wenye furaha ni wale wanaotambua uhitaji wao wa kiroho.” (Mathayo 5:3) Tofauti na wanyama, wanadamu wana uwezo wa kuthamini mambo ya kiroho. Kwa sababu hiyo, sisi hujiuliza maswali kama haya, Ni nini kusudi la uhai? Je, kuna Muumba? Ni nini hutupata tunapokufa? Wakati ujao utakuwaje?
Ulimwenguni pote, mamilioni ya watu wanyoofu wametambua kwamba Biblia inajibu maswali hayo. Kwa mfano, swali la mwisho linahusiana na kusudi la Mungu kwa wanadamu. Kusudi hilo ni nini? Ni kwamba dunia iwe paradiso inayokaliwa na watu wanaompenda Mungu na viwango vyake. Zaburi 37:29 inasema: “Waadilifu wenyewe wataimiliki dunia, nao watakaa milele juu yake.”
Ni wazi kwamba Muumba wetu anataka tufanikiwe kwa muda mrefu zaidi kuliko miaka 70 au 80 tu. Anataka tufanikiwe milele! Kwa hiyo, sasa ndio wakati wako wa kujifunza kuhusu Muumba wako. Yesu alisema: “Uzima wa milele ndio huu, waendelee kupata ujuzi juu yako wewe, Mungu wa pekee wa kweli, na juu ya yule uliyemtuma, Yesu Kristo.” (Yohana 17:3) Unapoendelea kupata ujuzi huo na kuutumia maishani, utagundua kwamba “baraka ya Yehova . . . ndiyo hutajirisha, naye haongezi maumivu pamoja nayo.”—Methali 10:22.
[Maelezo ya Chini]
Karibu kila mahali ambapo neno “upendo” linatumiwa katika Maandiko ya Kigiriki ya Kikristo au “Agano Jipya” linatafsiriwa kutoka kwa neno la Kigiriki a·ga′pe. A·ga′pe ni upendo wa maadili unaochochewa na kanuni, wajibu, au kutaka kufanya jambo unalopaswa kufanya. Hata hivyo, a·ga′pe si upendo usio na hisia bali unaweza kuwa wenye kina na mchangamfu.—1 Petro 1:22.
[Sanduku katika ukurasa wa 7]
MAMBO ZAIDI YANAYOLETA MAFANIKIO
▪ Mwogope Mungu kwa njia inayofaa. “Kumwogopa Yehova ndio mwanzo wa hekima.”—Methali 9:10.
▪ Chagua marafiki kwa hekima. “Anayetembea na watu wenye hekima atakuwa na hekima, lakini anayeshirikiana na wajinga atapatwa na mabaya.”—Methali 13:20.
▪ Epuka kunywa au kula kupita kiasi. “Mlevi na mlafi watakuwa maskini.”—Methali 23:21.
▪ Usilipize kisasi. “Msimlipe yeyote uovu kwa uovu.”—Waroma 12:17.
▪ Fanya kazi kwa bidii. “Ikiwa yeyote hataki kufanya kazi, basi na asile chakula.”—2 Wathesalonike 3:10.
▪ Fuata ile Kanuni Bora. “Mambo yote mnayotaka watu wawatendee ninyi, lazima mwatendee wao pia vivyo hivyo.”—Mathayo 7:12.
▪ Dhibiti ulimi wako. “Yeye ambaye anapenda uzima na kuona siku zilizo njema, na auzuie ulimi wake kutokana na yaliyo mabaya.”—1 Petro 3:10.
[Sanduku/Picha katika ukurasa wa 8]
UPENDO NI DAWA NZURI
  Dean Ornish, ambaye ni daktari na pia mwandishi anaandika hivi: “Upendo na mahusiano ya karibu ni sababu kuu zinazoweza kutufanya tuwe wagonjwa au tuwe wenye afya, tuhuzunike au tuwe wenye furaha, tuteseke au tupone. Ikiwa dawa mpya ingekuwa na matokeo kama hayo, karibu kila daktari nchini angeipendekeza kwa wagonjwa wake. Ingekuwa kinyume cha sheria za kitiba kukataa kumwandikia mgonjwa dawa hiyo.”
[Sanduku/Picha katika ukurasa wa 9]
ALIYEKATA TAMAA AFANIKIWA
  Vita vilipoanza katika nchi yake, Milanko, anayeishi huko Balkani, alijiunga na jeshi. Kwa sababu ya ujasiri wake, alipewa jina la utani Rambo ambalo ni jina la shujaa katika sinema moja ya jeuri. Hata hivyo, baada ya muda Milanko alikatishwa tamaa na ufisadi na unafiki alioona jeshini. Anaandika hivi: “Kwa sababu hiyo nilijihusisha na mambo mengi maovu kama vile kutumia vileo, sigara, dawa za kulevya, kucheza kamari, na ukosefu wa maadili. Maisha yangu yalikuwa mabaya na sikujua jinsi ya kuyaboresha.”
  Katika kipindi hicho cha msukosuko maishani mwake, Milanko alianza kusoma Biblia. Baadaye, alipokuwa akimtembelea mtu wa ukoo, aliona gazeti Mnara wa Mlinzi linalochapishwa na Mashahidi wa Yehova. Alifurahia mambo aliyosoma na muda si muda akaanza kujifunza Biblia na Mashahidi. Kweli za Biblia zilimfanya awe na furaha na mafanikio ya kweli. Anasema hivi: “Zilinipa nguvu mpya, niliacha matendo yangu yote maovu, nikawa mtu mpya, na nikabatizwa kama Shahidi wa Yehova. Watu walionijua zamani hawaniiti Rambo tena, bali Sungura, jina langu la utotoni kwa sababu ya upole wangu.”h

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