On The Path Of Winners By Bayo Ogunmupe Make Double Win Your Obsession

On The Path Of Winners

By Bayo Ogunmupe

Make Double Win Your Obsession

ORDINARY thinking makes people believe they could get something for nothing. That mindset permeates the Nigerian social milieu. They believe they have to drive sharp bargains in order to make profit. They base this on the premise that someone must lose before another can win. But the service based mindset, those obsessed with winning fairly, which is creativity driven, compels them to give to everyone more than they take from them. Unless you are obsessed with dispensing justice in that manner, any success you may have would be short-lived.

  Those who serve humanity in this manner are rewarded with continuous divine beneficence, which in the long run surpasses the cash value you give out. But also, you receive divine favour for which is immeasurable. If you ever wonder why Wal-Mart is the largest retail company in the world, this is the reason. Wal-Mart ensures that its suppliers provide the company with products at low prices, which they pass along to their customers. Instead of maximizing their profit, they decided to gain an uninterrupted patronage from them over a life time – a reward which far exceeds any short-term profit. That is the way of the double winner.

  Until you get to the point where serving others becomes your trademark, you remain with the mediocres rather than the winners. “But love your enemies, and do good, and lend hoping for nothing again, and your reward shall be great,” Luke 6:34, Jesus said. Being obsessed with goodness in this manner is the real essence of living. With this attitude, you will attain riches far beyond your wildest dreams. This mindset brings you a harvest of happiness, affection and love.

  However, the foregoing affirms that where there is no service, there cannot be a reward. The key to success therefore, is to make service your obsession. Begin by giving to others without expecting anything in return, and keep your good deeds to yourself without broadcasting them. Create a burning desire to help others regardless of what you have been through in your struggle for success. This will serve you such that it will become a legacy of your name and reputation long after you have departed this world.

  You can achieve any thing you want in life. All you need is desire which is proof that you have within you the power to win. Desire is a force for good. So resolve from now to live a life of service. All you need is to make whatever you are doing a pleasant experience. This will enable you find the way to your desired vocation. Seize whatever you are doing now as an opportunity to grow. Regard whatever situation you are in as being beneficial to your goals. Never think negatively for whatever positivity you shared with others grows and that which you withhold diminishes. Never let any disaster quell your desire to help others.

  The pursuit of excellence is infinitely greater than making a living. Wealth is more than money. Abundance is found in living a full, happy life. Money is just an icing on your pyramid of wealth. Learn to live a life of purpose by following these rules. One, do your best to never violate your honour by lying or cheating. These vices will confront you later in life. Two, keep clean in thought and body through clean habits, clean speech and associating with clean people. Three, stand up for the rights of others against evil influence. Be inspired by winners and muster courage to walk where angels fear to tread.

  Four, work faithfully and make the best of your opportunity. Save money to pay your bills at the same time, be generous to the needy. Five, be a friend to all and a brother to every living soul. Six, be prepared to know dangers, avoiding negligence and accepting your life’s responsibilities. Seven, be polite, humble and protective to the weak and helpless. Eight, smile while you can, do your work promptly, not shirking your duties. Nine, be loyal to all whom your loyalty is due, be loyal to members of your family, the firm for which you work, and your country.

  Ten, respect all duly constituted authorities and obey all that which does not violate your moral code. Eleven, do your duty to God and your country, help others at all times, keep yourself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight. It is apt to ask when is time to stop giving and serving. The answer is just keep giving till Jehovah stops giving you. That was the way firefighters, the police and emergency workers acted on 11 September 2001 in the United States. That is the barometer for truly serving. Finally, learn as if knowledge alone could secure your abundance.

  Our champion today is John Marshall, the fourth Chief Justice of the United States and the founder of the American system of Constitutional Law, including the doctrine of judicial review. Marshall’s first great case in more than 30 years of service was Marbury versus Madison (1803) which established the Supreme Court’s right to state and expound constitutional law. His most important decision in exercising this authority was in McCullock versus Maryland (1819), which upheld the authority of Parliament to create the Bank of the United States.

  During his tenure, Marshall participated in more than a thousand decisions, writing 519 of them personally. John Marshall was the eldest of 15 children of Thomas Marshall and Mary Keith Marshall. He was raised in Fauquier county in Virginia where he later lived among extensive properties his father acquired. He was self educated with occasional instruction afforded by a visiting clergyman who lived with his father for a year.

  In 1775, Marshall as lieutenant joined his father in the Virginia regiment, which enabled him to participate in the U.S. war of Independence. He joined the Continental Army in 1776, serving under George Washington for three years. Marshall’s career in the law dates from 1780 when he was licensed to practise law. He was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in 1782 and 1784. He was married to Mary Ambler in 1783. It was through his effort as delegate that caused Virginia to ratify the Federal Constitution. He became leader of the Federalists in the Virginia House of Delegates.

  Marshall declined an appointment to replace Justice James Wilson at the Supreme Court in order to run for the House of Representatives. He was elected in 1799 as a Federalist. However Marshall became the secretary of state in 1800. When the chief justice resigned later that year, and John Adams was defeated for Presidential re-election, Adams nominated Marshall to the senate as chief justice. The last Federalist senate confirmed Marshall in 1801.

  As chief justice, Marshall provided qualities that were admirably suitable for the growth of a powerful arm of government. Before Marshall, it was the custom of the Supreme Court as in England for each justice to deliver an opinion. However, at Marshall’s instance, this practice changed. Thereafter, there was only one single opinion from the Supreme Court. The new practice contributed to making the court a more effective institution. And when opinions were cast in Marshall’s clear and compelling statement the growth of the court’s authority was assured.

  Marshall lived a life of contentment. His wife bore him 10 children, four of whom died in childhood. He enjoyed the companionship of fellow lights but died suddenly a few years after his wife in 1835 at the age of 80.