Sunday, October 05, 2025

DO SOCIAL CONNECTIONS ALWAYS MEAN SOCIAL GATHERINGS?

 

 


It is widely accepted that, as people grow older, maintaining social connections plays a vital role in happiness and wellbeing. But what exactly does “social connection” mean, and does it always require active participation in large social gatherings?

 

For many, the image of connection conjures up groups of friends or acquaintances eating, drinking, and chatting for hours. Such activities can indeed bring joy and a sense of belonging. Yet, for others, especially those with more introverted temperaments, these gatherings can feel draining rather than energizing. This raises an important question: can social connection take other forms?

 

The answer is yes. Social connection is not limited to physical presence in group settings. Basically, it is about meaningful bonds, trust, and the assurance that one is not alone in the world. Connection may be nurtured through deep relationships with family and friends, participation in spiritual or faith-based activities, involvement in purposeful work, or even through creative expression that touches and engages others.

 

Personality differences matter. Extroverts may thrive on long hours of group interaction, while introverts often find fulfillment in quieter, more purposeful exchanges. What is essential is not the form, but the function: having supportive relationships, remaining open to contact, and staying engaged in meaningful activities.

 

In this sense, the call to maintain social connections in later life is best understood not as a mandate to join every gathering, but as an invitation to ensure one’s life is not lived in isolation. Whether through a few trusted friendships, shared worship, mentorship, or purposeful creative work, individuals can cultivate connection in ways that align with their own nature.

 

Ultimately, happiness in later years is not about copying the social patterns of others. It is about finding the rhythm of interaction whether frequent or occasional, lively or quiet, that nourishes one’s sense of belonging and joy.

 

 

 

 

 

WHEN BLESSINGS COME DISGUISED

 

 

 

Sometimes life feels like it’s playing tricks on us. Just when everything seems to be moving smoothly, something unexpected happens; a delay, a disappointment, a door slammed shut. Most people call this a setback or reversal of fortune. But look closely, and you’ll notice something profound: there are no real setbacks, only secret instructions.

What seems like a roadblock is often a rerouting. A “No” may simply be life’s way of saying, “Not this direction.” When we react with frustration or self-pity, we miss the message. But with spiritual understanding, everything changes.

Every challenge arrives with purpose. It is either training you, building strength, clarity, or discipline you didn’t know you needed, or helping you quietly settle old imbalances that must be cleared before new blessings can arrive. In both cases, you are being moved forward, not backward, provided you meet the moment with the right inner posture.

That inner posture is what I call good volition: the sincere will to always do only what is good, stay upright, act rightly, and keep moving forward with dignity. This is not passive positivity; it is spiritual force. It attracts help. It dissolves burdens faster than fear or complaint ever could. With the right intention, obstacles stop being walls and start becoming stepping stones. What once felt like misfortune slowly reveals itself as quiet advancement.

So the next time life seems to be working against you, smile even if slightly. It may be working for you in disguise. After all, the strongest catapult must first be pulled backward before it launches forward with force.

If life is pulling you back at present, don’t panic. Steady yourself. Hold your ground. It may not be rejection, it may just be preparation.

You’re probably about to fly.

Stay positive, do good always!

Friday, October 03, 2025

LESSONS, NOT LOADS

 


Fridays often arrive with mixed feelings. Some people breathe relief, others feel weighed down by unfinished tasks, unanswered emails, or goals that still seem far away. The week leaves its marks, and many of us drag those burdens into the weekend without even noticing.

But what if we chose differently? What if, instead of carrying the weight of disappointments, delays, and worries, we carried only the lessons?

Think about it: a traveler who insists on packing stones in their bag will struggle to walk far. Yet when the same traveler picks up only essentials: water, bread, and hope, the journey becomes lighter, freer, and more joyful. Life works the same way.

Every week brings us both challenges and gifts. The gift lies in learning from the challenges without clinging to their heaviness. That’s how we carry light.

So as you step into this weekend, pause for a moment:

What do I need to leave behind? (Maybe guilt, frustration, or comparison.)

What do I want to carry with me? (Maybe gratitude, clarity, or renewed energy.)

The choice is always ours. Let’s walk into tomorrow not bent under burdens, but lifted by light.

Choose clarity. Choose joy.

Love always!

Friday, September 26, 2025

ANGER

 


Do you still flare up and throw caution to the wind simply because someone wronged you? Must another person’s foolishness drag you down to the same level provoking you to shout, speak rashly, or pour out venom? In truth, such outbursts are not marks of strength but signs of weakness. True power, and indeed true humility, are revealed in calmness under fire.


As children we were wisely asked: “If someone told you to put your fingers in the fire, would you?” Of course not. The pain and damage would be yours, not theirs. Yet anger works the same way. When we let another person’s actions provoke us into rage, we burn ourselves first. Their misconduct becomes our excuse for self-destruction. But wisdom whispers otherwise: another person’s bad behavior is never a license for us to lose our dignity.


Calling a fool a “bloody fool” does not make him more foolish. It simply exposes how much maturity and discipline we ourselves still lack. A sharp tongue may feel satisfying in the moment, but its wounds often cut deeper than intended, damaging relationships, reputations, and even our inner peace.


Ralph Waldo Emerson puts it plainly: “For every minute you are angry, you lose sixty seconds of happiness.” Anger robs us of joy, clouds our judgment, and blinds us to nobler paths. It narrows our vision until all we see is offense, while the broader opportunities for wisdom, peace, and growth slip past unnoticed.


Harmony alone furthers us. To choose calmness in the heat of provocation is not weakness, it is mastery. Let us therefore resolve to embrace refinement, to cultivate patience, and to walk in that noble simplicity which shines in the naturalness of perpetual self-control.


Tuesday, September 23, 2025

FROM 1 TO 400: WITH GRATITUDE, THE JOURNEY OF SPIRITUAL ACTIVISM CONTINUES

 

 

Crossing the 400-post milestone is more than a number; it is a milestone in a journey. When I began this blog in June 2007, my only compass was a simple conviction: that words, when offered sincerely, can inspire, uplift, and illuminate.

Eighteen years later, what began as a quiet act of sharing has grown into a treasury of over 400 reflections spanning spirituality, personal growth, social harmony, and the search for meaning in everyday life. Each post has been a stone laid on the path of discovery, not just for me, but for every reader who has walked alongside through reflections, and silent nods of resonance.

This blog, Spiritual Activism … sharing experiences, has become a space where faith meets thought, where questions lead to deeper seeking, and where experiences, personal or collective are transformed into insight. Whether I write about the Last Words of the Saviour on the Cross, the challenges of modern living, or the timeless call for peace, my aim has always been to guide hearts toward the path of Truth.

Milestones matter as they remind us of the distance traveled and the possibilities ahead. 400 posts are not just words on a page; they are seeds sown, and I believe their fruits will continue to blossom in ways I may never fully see.

To every reader, silent or vocal, occasional or consistent: thank you. Your presence is the wind in the sails of this journey. May the next 400 posts deepen our shared exploration and bring us all closer to the joy of living in truth, purity and love.

Here’s to words that heal, thoughts that awaken, and connections that endure.

With gratitude,


Ṣọlá Adeyegbe

INTUITION AND THE INNER VOICE

 


Many people ask: Is intuition the same as the inner voice? Or, is intuition simply part of it?

The truth is, yes, intuition is the inner voice. It is that quiet whisper of the spirit within us, speaking with clarity beyond thought or emotion. Unlike feelings, which rise and fall with moods, or the intellect, which reasons and calculates, intuition is a deeper inner knowing, inner sensing. It comes from the spirit, untouched by space and time, steady and sure.

Think about the first impression you have when meeting someone. Before words are spoken, before appearances are fully judged, something inside you already responds, sometimes a gentle caution, other times an immediate sense of closeness. That’s intuition. Yet how often do we ignore it, convincing ourselves with arguments or emotions, only to later discover that our first inner sensing was right?

The confusion arises because we often mistake feelings for intuition. Feelings are rooted in the body, shaped by instincts, and coloured by thoughts and imagination. They shift easily, changing with moods and circumstances, and can mislead us. Intuition, by contrast, is steady and unmistakable. It comes in a flash, often as a picture or a quiet certainty with no long reasoning, no back-and-forth arguments. It simply speaks, clear and direct.While imagination stirs only our own emotions, intuition carries a living power. It can reach others, awaken them, and shine with conviction.

The real tragedy is not that intuition fails us, but that we fail to hear it. When we exalt the intellect above all else, or let emotions cloud our judgment, we build walls that muffle the inner voice. But that voice never disappears. It remains pure, waiting for us to turn down the noise, lift the veil, and listen.

So the task is not to “develop” intuition as it is always ready to guide us in the right direction. Our task is to free ourselves from the dominance of restless intellectual selfish thoughts and fleeting feelings. With an honest will to live truthfully and to seek what is good, the spark within us flares into flame. And when it does, the inner voice becomes not only a guide, but a light on the path of life.

Friday, September 19, 2025

POLYGAMY BEYOND THE SIN DEBATE

 


Polygamy isn’t just about sin or no sin, it’s about the lives it shapes, the hearts it strains, and the justice it questions. Behind the debates are real families, real emotions, and real struggles that go far beyond a yes-or-no verdict. What if the real question isn’t “Is it a sin?” but “Does it nurture peace, justice, and love?”

Beyond Sin Labels

Different faiths and cultures view polygamy differently. Some permit it, some frown on it. But beyond doctrine lies the lived reality: how it affects men, women, and children on a daily basis.

The Real Issues

1. Emotional Well-being – Rivalry and jealousy often surface in polygamous homes. Women may accept it outwardly but struggle inwardly with sharing one man.

2. Physical Hygiene – Multiple partners require greater responsibility in health and intimacy.

3. Financial Strain – Supporting several families or family members fairly is a challenge; inequality breeds resentment.

4. Parenting Challenges – Children may face neglect or favoritism, which affects their confidence and family bonds.

5. Power and Gender Dynamics – Polygamy often reflects male privilege, where women’s autonomy is limited.

The Case Supporters Make

Proponents argue that polygamy can provide social security in societies where women outnumber men, offering companionship and stability. They also point to cultural traditions or scriptural examples as justification.

An Evolving Humanity

Yet humanity evolves. What was permissible in ages past may no longer fit today. As societies grow in education, justice, and spiritual awareness, relationships are increasingly measured not by tradition but by whether they foster peace, chastity, fairness, and true love.

Looking Within

The real question, then, is not whether polygamy is a sin, but whether it leads us closer to spiritual wholeness. Does it build peace? Does it honor justice? Does it uplift love? Each of us must look within and follow the path that aligns with our deepest spiritual growth.