* Why is it important to improve yourself? By Titus Maduwa

 Sometimes, when all our doubts, fears and insecurities wrap ourselves up, we always come up with the idea of “I wish I was somebody else.”  More often than not, we think and believe that someone or rather, most people are better than us.- when in reality, the fact is, most people are more scared than us.

You spot a totally eye-catching girl sitting by herself at a party, casually sipping on a glass of Asti Spumanti. You think to yourself, “she looks so perfectly calm and confident.” But if you could read thru her transparent mind, you would see a bunch of clouds of thoughts and you might just be amazed that she’s thinking “are people talking about why I am seated here alone?... Why don’t guys find me attractive? …I don’t like my ankles, they look too skinny… I wish I was as intelligent as my best friend.”

We look at a young business entrepreneur and say “Wooh… what else could he ask for?” He stares at himself at the mirror and murmur to himself, “I hate my big eyes… I wonder why my friends won’t talk to me… I hope mom and dad would still work things out.” 

Isn’t it funny? We look at other people, envy them for looking so outrageously perfect and wish we could trade places with them, while they look at us and thinks of the same thing. We are insecure of other people who themselves are insecure of us. We suffer from low self-esteem, lack of self-confidence and lose hope in self improvement because we are enveloped in quiet desperation.

Sometimes, you notice that you have an irritating habit like biting off your finger nails, having a foul mouth, and you – of all people, is the last to know.

I have a friend who never gets tired of talking. And in most conversations, she is the only one who seems to be interested in the things she has to say. So all of our other friends tend to avoid the circles whenever she’s  around, and she doesn’t notices how badly she became socially handicapped – gradually affecting the people in her environment.

One key to self improvement is to LISTEN and TALK to a trusted friend. Find someone who you find comfort in opening up with even the most gentle topics you want to discuss. Ask questions like “do you think I am ill-mannered?”,  “Do I always sound so argumentative?”,  “Do I talk too loud?”,  “Does my breath smell?”,  “Do I ever bore you when were together?”.  In this way, the other person will obviously know that you are interested in the process of self improvement. Lend her your ears for comments and criticisms and don’t give her answers like “Don’t exaggerate! That’s just the way I am!”  Open up your mind and heart as well. And in return, you may want to help your friend with constructive criticism that will also help her improve her self.

One of Whitney Houston’s songs says “Learning to love yourself is the greatest love of all.” True enough. In order to love others, you must love yourself too. Remember, you cannot give what you do not have.

Before telling other people some ways on how to improve themselves, let them see that you yourself is a representation and a product of self improvement. Self improvement makes us better people, we then inspire other people, and then the rest of the world will follow.

Stop thinking of yourselves as second-rate beings. Forget the repetitive thought of “If only I was richer… if only I was thinner” and so on.  Accepting your true self is the first step to self improvement. We need to stop comparing ourselves to others only to find out at the end that we’ve got  10 more reasons to envy them.

We all have our insecurities. Nobody is perfect. We always wish we had better things, better features, better body parts, etc. But life need not to be perfect for people to be happy about themselves.Self improvement and loving yourself is not a matter of shouting to the whole world that you are perfect and you are the best. It’s the virtue of acceptance and contentment. When we begin to improve ourselves, we then begin to feel contented and happy.

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# 1 International Author Titus Maduwa

* How to Spot A Fake Diamond By Titus Maduwa

In this world of advanced technology, it is almost impossible to simply look at a 
diamond and determine whether it is real or not – especially if you don’t know much about diamonds. There are some steps that you can take to avoid buying a fake diamond, however.

First, only deal with reputable jewelers, and when you find a reputable jeweler, stick with them. Avoid buying diamonds or other jewelry from jewelers that you have never dealt with before in the past. Ask to see the certificate for the stone. If no certificate exists, walk away. 

Look at the setting that the stone is in. Fake diamonds, such as zirconias, are usually set in low-quality metals. Take a close look at the stone. Fake diamonds are not durable – 
natural diamonds, on the other hand, are the most durable stone on the planet. Look for scratches or nicks. 

After purchasing a diamond, take it to another jeweler for appraisal. In fact, take it to two or three other jewelers for an appraisal to make sure that the appraisals are all fairly close. If you find that you have purchased a 
fake diamond, you may be accused of making a switch when you return to the store of your purchase; therefore, it is important to have a certificate for the diamond. No two stones are alike. 

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# 1 International Author Titus Maduwa

Stay True to Yourself

It is hard to stay true to yourself if you have not figured out who you are, what you want from life, and how to get everything that, according to you, would make you whole. While in this situation, people tend to live in the past, and dwell on bad memories, because they feel they can identify more with the person they used to be, than who they can be. Others tend to live their lives based on how they think others want them to live. Living life like this is not very satisfying.

You are not what people say you are, what you own, or what you were in the past. What defines you each and every day are the choices you make, and what you think about each day. Thinking positive thoughts on an everyday basis, and making choices that will make you happy, will go a long way in making you feel fulfilled. You will be able to shine bright instead of walking in other people's shadows. It is always better to fail in an attempt to do things you like, than stay unhappy doing what you think everyone else want you to do.
Decide today that you are going to choose yourself first, before anyone else. Be daring enough to choose without worrying about things going wrong, or people thinking less of you. Decide on what you want to be, and follow that decision with actions.
If you have been doing a job for years, and you do not really like it, but you have to keep at it to please a friend, or your parents, how about quitting, and following a career path you actually like.
They say, we only live once, so don't make the mistake of living someone else's life, because sooner or later you might come to regret it. Make the decision today, to follow your own dream, and live the life that really matters, your own. You have been given the gift of life, and all the tools you need to become the best you, you can be. Stay true to yourself!

 Happiness is the key to a fulfilling and satisfying life. Being cheerful is an awesome feeling, and very fulfilling, but to experience ultimate satisfaction, you need to make your cheerfulness contagious.
Life does not always serve us roses. Sometimes the best we get from life are bitter lemons. However, a cheerful person should go along with the saying, "When life offers you lemons, make lemonade."
This lemonade is best when shared with others. Just like the majestic sun, that brightens every object it shines upon, so can your happiness brighten any dark heart around you.

Cheerfulness is universal and non-partial. No matter how hard life has hit someone, a smile cannot fail to put life into a broken and emotionally dead heart. A lot of people around you believe that there is no time to be happy in this "problem-filled serious world".

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