7 Tips to Make Sure You Actually Keep Your New Year's Resolution This Time.

Setting New Year's resolutions is fun. Keeping them is hard.

As a therapist , I've observed what helps make resolutions stick.

I've seen countless people succeed at losing weight, getting out of debt, improving their health, and increasing their grades. I've also witnessed many people give up on their goals .

In fact, a study conducted by researchers at the University of Scranton found that 23% of people quit working on their resolution just two weeks into the new year . And only 19% of resolution setters stuck to their goals over the long haul.

So what's the difference between those individuals who abandon their goals and those who achieve them?

Here are seven things that will help your resolution stick this year.

1. Create a measurable goal.

Don't bother creating a vague resolution like, "I want to get healthier," or "I want to be happier." Some days you'll feel as though you're reaching your goals, but other days you won't--and an intangible, vague goal will cause you to feel lost.

💋. Create measurable goals like, "I want to go to the gym three nights per week," or "I want to see my friends twice a month." Then, you'll have a clear target to aim for.

2. Identify clear action steps.

You can't lose weight or get out of debt without actions steps that will help you get there. Create a plan that includes objectives that will create change.

Whether you are going to eat a salad for lunch every day or you're going to stop eating out until you've paid off your credit card bill, commit to taking action that will help you get closer to your goal.

3. Set yourself up for success.

It's easy to feel motivated early on in the process. But after a week or two, your motivation will naturally wane.

💋. To prepare yourself for that dip in motivation, set yourself up for success well in advance. Make bad habits inconvenient and good habits convenient.

Store the cookies in a hard to reach place. Keep your workout gear packed and ready to go. You'll be more likely to do things that feel easy, even when your motivation declines.

4. Plan for obstacles.

There will always be temptations and obstacles that could easily derail you from your resolution. It may be an invitation to dinner that could blow your budget--or your diet. Or it may come in the form of a special project at work that leaves you with fewer hours to devote to your goals.

Think about the obstacles you're likely to encounter in the first weeks after establishing your resolution. Consider how you'll navigate these challenges, and develop a plan.

Planning ahead for the probable challenges can help you feel equipped to handle the unexpected obstacles that crop up along the way as well.

5. Start when you're ready.

There's no need to launch your resolution on January 1st. In fact, starting on January 1st might put you at a disadvantage.

💋. Start working on your goal when you're ready. That's not to say you need to wait until you feel fully confident before starting (that may never happen). But make sure you're committed to the goal, and you've thought through what you'll need to do and how you're going to do it.

Whether that means you start on January 3rd or you wait until mid-Spring, don't create a resolution just because you feel pressured to do so in January.

6. Track your progress.

You need to know if you're headed in the right direction. So it's important to find a way to track your progress.

Use an app or a calendar to check off the days you work on your goal. Or create a chart, spreadsheet, or graph that helps you visualize your progress.

When you're able to see how you're doing and the steps you're taking, it can remind you how far you've come. Reviewing your effort can also help you stay on course when it feels as though you're not making any headway (which is common).

Keep in mind that progress doesn't always come in a straight line. Sometimes, things get a little worse before they get better--but this doesn't mean you should give up.

7. Learn from your mistakes.

Mistakes are part of the process. But too often people think one mistake means they're destined to fail.

When you make a mistake--like you skip the gym for a week, or you make a ridiculous impulse purchase you can't return--learn from your misstep.

💋. In fact, one study showed that people who were successful in maintaining their resolutions tended to slip up at least 14 times. The vast majority of these successful individuals said they'd found ways to turn their mistakes into opportunities to grow stronger and become better.

Commit to Making This Your Year for Lasting Change

If you've struggled to keep your resolutions in the past, don't lose hope. With a little extra planning, you can change your habits--and ultimately change your life. Commit to making this year the year that your resolution is going to stick.

Treat your infections locally.

Items needed:

Ginger, Garlic,Clove, Lime, Aidan, Negro pepper.

PREPARATION:

Rinse, dice and boil all the items with clean water.

Women looking to conceive should use during their period.

Men should add Tumeric.

Sieve before drinking.

Warming is allowed.

Drink quarter of a glass morning and night for 5 days.

NOTE : NOT FOR PREGNANT WOMEN.

Quantity of items should be your choice. Check the pictures here for a guide.

Aidan fruit,

In Yoruba is Aridan.

The Twi name in Ghana is Prekese.

In Igbo it's called Oshosho or Osakirisa.

Negro pepper is also known as

Uda in the Igbo language.

Eeru Alamo in the Yoruba language .

Chimba in the Hausa language.

How African Male Slaves Were Raped By Slave Owners And Dealers – A Bitter History

The topic of rape of the enslaved African men is one that the African-Diaspora community, and Africans back home, might shy away from. This is because it can hurt male pride. But the truth is that it must be discussed, for closure sake, and for history sake.

There are lots of dark stories about the 400 years of slavery, and beyond. Many of these dark tales are told with a little ease, but others are told with great difficulty. We at Liberty Writers Africa strongly feel that thousands more of such stories and accounts died with their victims. But for those who lived to tell their sad realities, we applaud their courage and will do our part in telling the stories, with a heavy heart.

If there is one tool that was more brutal than whips and guns, during slavery, it was RAPE. Vicious and animalistic rape of African slaves in America, the Caribbean, and other parts of the world where African slaves were sold to. The rape of women and girls by their slave masters and merchants, on ships and plantations, have been told in great length.

But the degrading rape of African slave men has not fully been accounted for. This was mostly because men did not get pregnant and give birth to bi-racial kids as proof. Also, men were shy to speak of their experiences, so their tales were hidden in the dark corners of their memories.

It is recorded that the raping of the men, was very popular in the Southern parts of America and Cuba. It was a huge part of the slave system and culture by the Spanish enslavers.

Many of these men were raped on ships when they were transported and also at secret farms. There were also season plantations for homosexual slave owners which were very popular and common in the Caribbean. On many occasions, the slave men would resist and fight, but they get killed. Well, some men would rather die than get sodomized.

Because of the great physique, strength, and stamina, many African slave men were forced by the slavers wives to sleep with them when their masters were away. The rape of enslaved African men was a well-known secret for many years during the slave trade days. Below we will outline some of the unpopular sexual exploitations of the men during slavery.

BUCK BREAKING

This act of “Buck breaking” or “Bot bursting” involves, white slave owners and merchants raping a male slave in front of the public or entire plantation to embarrass him and cause him to feel less of a man. This heinous act became popular when there were increased cases of slave rebellion.

The men would first be stripped naked and whipped in the presence of a crowd, and after that, raped by the slave owners or merchants as a warning to other slaves. The targets were mainly the brave men, who were leaders in the plantations.

To make matters more gruesome and unbearable, the slave owners make the African slave men with families to have sex with each other in front of their families. Or they were raped in the presence of their sons. Many of the men killed themselves or ran away after this.

Buck breaking started from ships and continued in plantations. It was a way of stripping the male slaves of their pride and power to protect their families. And it was also a way for slave owners to show dominance.Enslaved Man Flogged in Front of His Wife and Others. 

BREEDING FARMS

The breeding farms were a way for slave owners to replenish their Negro workforce, due to the abolishment of slavery and reduction of slaves coming from Africa. May slaves became confident and rebelled against their owners. Many of them escaped.

This caused damage to the slave trade and plantation owners did not have enough human labor to meet the market demands for their produce. So, they invented the breeding farms that exploited the sexuality of the African slave men.

At the breeding farms, the strong and healthy enslaved African men were forcefully made to sleep with enslaved African women to get them pregnant. The men could lay with six women in a day just to increase the probability of the women getting pregnant.

The slave owners did not care if the women were mothers or sisters to the men. They just mated them. This was the origin of the word “Mother fucker.” Many of the men died on the breeding farms due to sexual exhaustion.

CASTRATION AND GENITAL MUTILATION

The castration of African male slaves served as both a way of punishment and a form of emasculation. Many times, the ego, pride, and strength of a dominant African male slave became a threat to the slave owners, so he had to be wounded emotionally, physically and mentally.

When an enslaved man was found married or having an affair with a female slave that was desired by the slave owner or merchant, his sex organ was mutilated or castrated. Other times the enslaved man was caught with his master’s wife or daughter who forced him to have sex with her.

Enslaved African men who were often the leaders of a rebel group of African slaves on a plantation or ship were castrated and called women to show the white slave master’s dominance.

The perverted sexual fantasies of the slave masters were so outrageous that they would use African slaves to any length to achieve them. Sexual entertainment was very popular among many white elites, wealthy merchants and aristocrats.

They used enslaved African men as a form of sexual entertainment. They were made to line up naked for their sexual organs to be scrutinized and mocked. On some occasions, they were made to dance or forcefully have sex with an enslaved virgin girl, for entertainment.

CONCLUSION 

The historical accounts of this evil against the negro man remains a dark stain on their roles as fathers, brothers, and protectors of their women and children.

Because most of the men were emasculated and later sold (separated) from their wives and children, a vacuum was created in the family structure of the African-American and African-Diaspora.

Women learned to fend for themselves and their children without the help of men. Children grew up without a father figure, and this greatly affected how they saw life and how they reacted to issues.

There is no amount of apology or sympathy that would rewind the hands of time and undo this evil. So, this article is not trying to gain sympathy or apologies. This article simply contributes to the tank of knowledge on the dark experiences of slavery. It is meant to teach and also help in finding solutions to the many issues that plague the African-Diaspora community today. 

secret on how to get a big hips within one week!

Maybe you wish to have a big killer butty and hips but you dont know how to go about it. having a plastic surgery sometimes can be scary because it is not every body that have the boldness and finance to undergo a plastic surgery.

Gone are the days when you have to hit the gym to work your self out. this thing is not easily mehn! but with this common commodities we find in our home, you can have that your big butty and hips within a month. yes you heard me well. a month or less. 

all what you need are. 

preparation. 

ingredient needed. 

1 coconut

1 carrot

1egg

1 avocado

how to prepare it. 

step 1: peel the back of your egg and avocado

step 2: cut all your ingredient to a smaller size,avocado,egg,carrot,coconut

step 3: put all the ingredient inside a blender and blend it very well. 

step 4; pour it into a bowl and add suger inside it. 

step 5: mix the mixture together very well

your ingredient is ready for use. apply it to your buttock and hip twice a week. 

Eat These 12 Foods To Boost Your Sex Life But Avoid Alcohol

Sex, for most people, is a touchy subject. Even though it’s the most natural thing and the sole reason were all alive.

Despite shying away from the topic, everyone desires great sex as it improves your mood and forms deeper bonds between you and your partner.

There are many ways to improve your sex life including medication, therapy, and surgery.

“Any healthy food is good for sex,” said Sexologist, Dr Vijay Singhal, as he explains the concept of foods for sex and how they can improve the libido.

“One must note that alcohol is bad for a healthy sex life - it increases the desire but decreases the performance.”

Here we’ll talk about foods that have what it takes you give that extra boost you need.

Walnuts

Walnuts improve the quality of sperm. It is known to improve the shape, movement and vitality of the sperm. Include walnuts in your diet to improve fertility.

Garlic

Garlic before a date sounds like a bad idea. The pungent herb is a natural blood thinner often used to prevent high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and heart disease.

The anticoagulant properties help ensure plenty of blood flow to your nether regions. You and your partner can both benefit from a healthy dose of garlic before an amorous evening. If you’re both eating it, nobody will mind the strong breath.

Strawberries and raspberries

The seeds of these fruits are loaded with zinc which is essential for sex for both, men and women. If women have high levels of zinc their bodies find it easier to prepare for sex. In men, zinc controls the testosterone level which is responsible for producing sperm. It is important that men load up on zinc as their zinc levels reduces during intercourse.

Avocados

Folic acid and vitamin B6 are both necessary for a healthy sex drive. Folic acid pumps the body with energy, while vitamin B6 stabilises the hormones.

Watermelon

Watermelon improves your erection and increases your libido. They also contain citrulline which releases amino acids and arginine in the body. Arginine is responsible for vascular health.

Almonds

Almonds contain arginine which improves circulation and relaxes blood vessels. This amino acid found in almonds helps you maintain an erection.

Chocolate

Dark chocolate releases serotonin and endorphins that improves your mood. It doesn’t improve libido but you will not be a grouch.

Eggs

Consume eggs for healthy erection. Eggs contain amino acid L-arginine that can improve erectile dysfunction.

Peaches

Vitamin C present in peaches improves sperm count and the quality of the sperm. Peaches contain high levels of vitamin C that is great for reducing infertility.

Coffee

Coffee is a stimulant, hence spikes your sex drive. Coffee can stimulate the brain to heighten arousal.

Steak

Steak is a great ingredient to boost your sex drive–it contains zinc, vitamin B, iron and protein. These compounds are essential for both men and women as they help improve the libido.

9 ways to escape poverty if you were born in a poor family, be the first to overcome poverty in 2020

Poverty is a choice and prosperity is a choice, you have the right to be rich and you have the right to be poor. Every man was born with the potential to be rich, no matter where he come from or how he was born.Poverty is not the lack of money in the pocket, but lack of idea in the brain.

No man was born rich neither born poor, we were all born naked and ignorant, but we are here to determine what to become.

 The great Bill Gates was not born with a dollar, but he decided to make dollars and he made it. Poverty is the state of the mind, the most poorest man on earth is not a man without money, but a man without idea on how to make money.

If you can decide today to make money and become rich, there are nine steps you can follow to achieve your financial goal, rich people don't have two heads or four eyes, they have what you have and you have what they have, you can decide how much you want to earn, how much you want to save and how much you want to invest, look at the nine steps to follow.

1.You must believe that you deserve to be rich.

2.You must believe that you have what it takes to be.

3.You must believe that it is your responsibility to become rich

4.Spend less than you earn

5.Save 20% of your earning

6.Invest your earning

7.Read books on business and financial

8.Associate with rich people

9.Take courses on entrepreneurship and investment

Facts You Don’t Know About December 26 and Real Reason Why It Is Referred To As Boxing Day

Ever wondered what Boxing Day is, what it means, and where this unusual name comes from? You may find the answers interesting.

Well, Boxing Day according to arguments come thick and fast as to why, and we hope you find the answers below interesting.

But firstly, it has nothing to do with the sport of boxing.

Boxing Day is a national Bank Holiday in late December, a day to spend with family and friends and to eat up all the leftovers of Christmas Day. The origins of the day, however, are steeped in history and tradition.

Why Is It Called Boxing Day?

Arguments abound on the origins of the name Boxing Day. All the answers below are valid, so maybe it is one, or even all of them.

The name is a reference to holiday gifts. 

A ‘Christmas Box’ in Britain is a name for a Christmas present. Boxing Day was traditionally a day off for servants and the day when they received a ‘Christmas Box’ from the master. The servants would also go home on Boxing Day to give ‘Christmas Boxes’ to their families.

The name is a reference to charity drives. A box to collect money for the poor traditionally and placed in Churches on Christmas day and opened the next day - Boxing Day.

The name refers to a nautical tradition. Great sailing ships when setting sail would have a sealed box containing money on board for good luck.Was the voyage a success, the box was given to a priest, opened at Christmas and the contents then given to the poor.

When is Boxing Day?

Boxing Day is the 26th December and is a national holiday in the UK and Ireland.

Activities on Boxing Day. 

Boxing Day is a time to spend with family or friends, usually those not seen on Christmas Day itself.In recent times, the day has become synonymous with many sports. Horse racing is particularly popular with meets all over the country. Many top football teams also play on Boxing Day.

Boxing Day is also a time when the British show their eccentricity by taking part in all kinds of silly activities. These include bizarre traditions including swimming the icy cold English Channel, fun runs, and charity events.

How to Break a Bad Habit and Replace It With a Good One

Bad habits interrupt your life and prevent you from accomplishing your goals. They jeopardize your health — both mentally and physically. And they waste your time and energy.

So why do we still do them? And most importantly, is there anything you can do about it?

I've previously written about the science of how habits start , so now let's focus on the practice of making changes in the real world. How can you delete your bad behaviors and stick to good ones instead?

I certainly don't have all of the answers, but keep reading and I'll share what I've learned about how to break a bad habit.

What causes bad habits?

Most of your bad habits are caused by two things…

Stress and boredom.

Most of the time, bad habits are simply a way of dealing with stress and boredom. Everything from biting your nails to overspending on a shopping spree to drinking every weekend to wasting time on the internet can be a simple response to stress and boredom.

But it doesn't have to be that way. You can teach yourself new and healthy ways to deal with stress and boredom, which you can then substitute in place of your bad habits.Of course, sometimes the stress or boredom that is on the surface is actually caused by deeper issues. These issues can be tough to think about, but if you're serious about making changes then you have to be honest with yourself.

Are there certain beliefs or reasons that are behind the bad habits? Is there something deeper — a fear, an event, or a limiting belief — that is causing you to hold on to something that is bad for you?

Recognizing the causes of your bad habits is crucial to overcoming them.

You don't eliminate a bad habit, you replace it.

All of the habits that you have right now — good or bad — are in your life for a reason. In some way, these behaviors provide a benefit to you, even if they are bad for you in other ways.

Sometimes the benefit is biological like it is with smoking or drugs. Sometimes it's emotional like it is when you stay in a relationship that is bad for you. And in many cases, your bad habit is a simple way to cope with stress.For example, biting your nails, pulling your hair, tapping your foot, or clenching your jaw.

These “benefits” or reasons extend to smaller bad habits as well.

For example, opening your email inbox as soon as you turn on your computer might make you feel connected. At the same time looking at all of those emails destroys your productivity, divides your attention, and overwhelms you with stress. But, it prevents you from feeling like you're “missing out” … and so you do it again.

Because bad habits provide some type of benefit in your life, it's very difficult to simply eliminate them. (This is why simplistic advice like “just stop doing it” rarely works.)

Instead, you need to replace a bad habit with a new habit that provides a similar benefit.

💋. For example, if you smoke when you get stressed, then it's a bad plan to “just stop smoking” when that happens. Instead, you should come up with a different way to deal with stress and insert that new behavior instead of having a cigarette.

In other words, bad habits address certain needs in your life. And for that reason, it's better to replace your bad habits with a healthier behavior that addresses that same need.If you expect yourself to simply cut out bad habits without replacing them, then you'll have certain needs that will be unmet and it's going to be hard to stick to a routine of “just don't do it” for very long.

How to break a bad habit

Here are some additional ideas for breaking your bad habits and thinking about the process in a new way.

Choose a substitute for your bad habit. You need to have a plan ahead of time for how you will respond when you face the stress or boredom that prompts your bad habit. What are you going to do when you get the urge to smoke? (Example: breathing exercises instead.) 

What are you going to do when Facebook is calling to you to procrastinate? (Example: write one sentence for work.) Whatever it is and whatever you're dealing with, you need to have a plan for what you will do instead of your bad habit.

Cut out as many triggers as possible. If you smoke when you drink, then don’t go to the bar. If you eat cookies when they are in the house, then throw them all away. If the first thing you do when you sit on the couch is pick up the TV remote, then hide the remote in a closet in a different room. Make it easier on yourself to break bad habits by avoiding the things that cause them.

Right now, your environment makes your bad habit easier and good habits harder. Change your environment and you can change the outcome.

Join forces with somebody. How often do you try to diet in private? Or maybe you “quit smoking” … but you kept it to yourself? (That way no one will see you fail, right?)

Instead, pair up with someone and quit together. The two of you can hold each other accountable and celebrate your victories together. Knowing that someone else expects you to be better is a powerful motivator.

💋. Surround yourself with people who live the way you want to live. You don't need to ditch your old friends, but don't underestimate the power of finding some new ones.

💋. Visualize yourself succeeding. See yourself throwing away the cigarettes or buying healthy food or waking up early. Whatever the bad habit is that you are looking to break, visualize yourself crushing it, smiling, and enjoying your success. See yourself building a new identity .

💋.  You don't need to be someone else, you just need to return to the old you. So often we think that to break bad habits, we need to become an entirely new person. The truth is that you already have it in you to be someone without your bad habits. In fact, it's very unlikely that you had these bad habits all of your life. You don't need to quit smoking, you just need to return to being a non–smoker.You don't need to transform into a healthy person, you just need to return to being healthy.

Even if it was years ago, you have already lived without this bad habit, which means you can most definitely do it again.

Use the word “but” to overcome negative self–talk.One thing about battling bad habits is that it's easy to judge yourself for not acting better. Every time you slip up or make a mistake, it's easy to tell yourself how much you suck.

Whenever that happens, finish the sentence with “but”…

“I’m fat and out of shape, but I could be in shape a few months from now.”

“I’m stupid and nobody respects me, but I'm working to develop a valuable skill.”

“I'm a failure, but everybody fails sometimes.”

Plan for failure. We all slip up every now and then.

Welcome to the club.”

So rather than beating yourself up over a mistake, plan for it. We all get off track, what separates top acting mers from everyone else is that they get back on track very quickly.For a handful of strategies that can help you bounce back when you make a mistake, read this article .

Where to go from here

If you're looking for the first step to breaking bad habits, I'd suggest starting with awareness.

It's easy to get caught up in how you feel about your bad habits. You can make yourself feel guilty or spend your time dreaming about how you wish things were … but these thoughts take you away from what's actually happening.

Instead, it's awareness that will show you how to actually make change.

💋. When does your bad habit actually happen?

How many times do you do it each day?

Where are you?

Who are you with?

💋. What triggers the behavior and causes it to start?

Simply tracking these issues will make you more aware of the behavior and give you dozens of ideas for stopping it.

Here's a simple way to start: just track how many times per day your bad habit happens. Put a piece of paper in your pocket and a pen.Each time your bad habit happens, mark it down on your paper. At the end of the day, count up all of the tally marks and see what your total is.

In the beginning your goal isn't to judge yourself or feel guilty about doing something unhealthy or unproductive. 

💋. The only goal is to be aware of when it happens and how often it happens.Wrap your head around the problem by being aware of it.Then, you can start to implement the ideas in this article and break your bad habit.

Breaking bad habits takes time and effort, but mostly it takes perseverance. Most people who end up breaking bad habits try and fail multiple times before they make it work. You might not have success right away, but that doesn't mean you can't have it at all.

One simple step to kill gonorrhea in 30minute

Well, anyone who is sexually active can get gonorrhea. Gonorrhea can cause very serious complications when not treated, but can be cured with the right medication, You can get gonorrhea by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has gonorrhea.Some men with gonorrhea may have no symptoms at all. However, men who do have symptoms, question :

A burning sensation when urinating;

A white, yellow, or green discharge from the penis;

💋. Painful or swollen testicles (although this is less common).

Most women with gonorrhea do not have any symptoms. Even when a woman has symptoms, they are often mild and can be mistaken for a bladder or vaginal infection. 

Symptoms in women can include:

Painful or burning sensation when urinating;

Increased vaginal discharge;

Vaginal bleeding between periods.

Cure

Gonorrhea can be cure with this simple medications.

. Ampiclox bicham

. amoxicillin tablet

. alcohol

Uses

Get alcohol 50cl mix three tablets of ampiclox and three tablet of amoxicillin together by puting the tablets inside alcohol bottle, mix it together and drink. In the next 30minute you will not remember if you ever had gonorrhea before, this mixture will flush it all out.

Note:this formula is very active in all cases of gonorrhea. 

Kindly drop you question and make your comment. 

That teeth can be whitish again see how

a mild abrasive that can help scrub away surface stains on teeth.

Additionally, baking soda creates an alkaline environment in your mouth, which prevents bacteria from growing ( 9 ).

This is not a remedy that will whiten your teeth overnight, but you should notice a difference in the appearance of your teeth over time.

Science has not yet proven that brushing with plain baking soda will whiten your teeth, but several studies show that toothpaste containing baking soda has a significant whitening effect.

One study found that toothpastes containing baking soda were significantly more effective at removing yellow stains from teeth than standard toothpastes without baking soda. The higher the concentration of baking soda, the greater the effect ( 10 ).

Furthermore, a review of five studies found that toothpastes containing baking soda removed plaque from teeth more effectively than non-baking soda toothpastes ( 11 ).

To use this remedy, mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda with 2 teaspoons of water and brush your teeth with the paste. You can do this a few times per week.

You can buy baking soda at a grocery store or find it online .

SUMMARY

Brushing with a paste made with baking soda and water can reduce bacteria in your mouth and buff away surface stains.

Natural Family Planning Methods for Married Couples.

GOD is supreme and has established immutable laws to rule the earth. One such law guides night and day. Another law governs the relationship of a man and a woman; if a healthy man meets with a healthy woman under the right condition, at the right time, ceteris paribus,pregnancy results.

This positive law of GOD is a source of worry for most married couples. Typically, every couple needs to space their children and also stop after a specific number. If there is no way around the law of GOD that guides pregnancy, it means that couples can only enjoy sexual intimacy for the sake of procreation.

The aim of GOD for in marriage is beyond the idea of procreation. It exists for the companionship and intimacy of the married couple. In his ingenuity, man has searched for and found diverse ways to make couples enjoy intercourse, whether for the fun of it or for the sake of procreation.

 Most of the solutions have scientific backing, and they are used to alter the natural circle of the woman. Some religious organizations frown at the use of chemical-based hormone altering family planning methods. Couples who practice such religion have to evolve ways to space their children, thereby achieving the goals of family planning without subjecting themselves to the use of drugs.

This piece will attempt to chronicle some natural ways of avoiding pregnancy.To safely use these methods, you and your husband have to be on the same page to study your body to understand the naturally occurring signs and symptoms of the fertile and infertile phases of your menstrual cycle.

1. The calendar method.

The calendar is one of the perfect creation of the Almighty GOD. The calendar represents the cycle of life that GOD has set in motion. It is immutable, as no power can ever alter this cycle. The night turns to day, and the day turns to night. Man has captured the perfect cycle in making the clock. Tik Tok , ticks the clock in a cycle, forever.

GOD programmed the woman's body with a clock that regulates her reproductive cycle. This way GOD left the woman with some latitude to decide when or not to have children. The calendar regulates the woman's menstrual cycle. For many women, the menstrual cycle is fairly regular; as such, they can calculate their fertility and safe periods. Women menstural cycle is a perfect natural family planning method that is advisable only for women with a regular cycle lasting 26 to 32 days. If you have an irregular cycle, then this method may not work for you. This method requires close monitoring of your menstrual cycle, particularly the first day of bleeding. It will help prevent pregnancy by determining the fertile and infertile days.

From day 1 of your period to day seven, as well as day 20 till the first day of the next menstrual period, are considered safe periods. Usually, the pregnancy rate is rare within this period, and many couples have successfully utilized this method of natural birth control. From day 8 to day 19, the chance of pregnancy is high. In keeping your calendar, mark the 1st day of your period down till the 7th day and use that period to groove all you want with your husband. Staying action from day 8 to day 19 will keep you safe or pregnant if that is what you want. Resume the bedroom rendezvous from 20th till day one, and you will be safe.

2. The basal body temperature method .

Basal Body Temperature (BBT) is the temperature of the body at rest. BBT natural fertility method monitors the lowest body temperature at rest. The theory behind this method is that a woman's body temperature would drop to its lowest before ovulation and increase once the process ends.

Therefore, to avoid pregnancy, women should not have intercourse the day her body temperature dips till five days after the temperature rises again. The drop would be minimal, usually less than 1-degree F, so it is vital to use a special thermometer that is highly accurate and sensitive to track the BBT at a specific time every morning when you wake up. Record your body temperature in a chart and monitor it.

3. The Cervical Mucus Method.

The cervical mucus method is another perfect choice as this will help determine the fertile days and the infertile days for intercourse. You can check the cervical mucus by touching the opening of your vagina with the use of a tissue or your two fingers. If the mucus is slippery, stretchy, and clear white, you are fertile, but if the cervical mucus is sticky, it means that you just finished your menstrual cycle, and you are safe to have intercourse. Besides, if the cervical mucus is sticky and gluey, not stretchable, then you are not yet ready to ovulate, and you are not yet fertile. You can safely have sexual activity during this time.Checking cervical mucus after intercourse is not right. Also, keep in mind that some medications affect the appearance and characteristics of the cervical mucus.

4. Lactational Amenorrhea Method .

Breastfeeding is an effective contraceptive method six months after giving birth. Usually, menstruation will not return within the first six months after delivery, provided that you feed your baby every 4 hours during the day and every 6 hours during the night. The lactational amenorrhea method is known to be 98% effective but it is not a safe method if the baby is on mixed feeding and when the baby is over six months old.The hormone responsible for breast milk formation is also responsible for fertility.The hormone has no ability to multitasking, so once it is actively producing milk for the baby, it is unable to answer the fertility call in the mother's body.

5. Withdrawal method.

The withdrawal method can be safely used by a couple who have both the discipline and good body coordination. It is one of the methods of natural family planning least recommended because studies have shown that the method is not 100% guaranteed to prevent pregnancy.

In the withdrawal method, during sexual intercourse, the man withdraws just before ejaculating. The disadvantage of this method is the possibility of pre-ejaculatory sperm that could have entered inside the woman before the he pulled out.

6. Abstinence is another method.

Semen must enter inside the woman before she can get pregnant. To avoid pregnancy naturally through abstinence means that you must not allow your husband to penetrate you at all. The couple must, therefore, find other means of deriving mutual sexual satisfaction. Avoid everything outside the normal. It is very difficult for most people to practice, especially those whose sexual drive is high.

Women Will Start Falling For You If You Have Any Of These Skills.

Most men at first find it difficult to understand what women want from them. This in numerous relationships has lead to disinterest, conflicts and separation. Most women prefer men who have different skills that make a well rounded personality. 

Below are the skills men should be knowing to impress women;

1. Grooming

Most women go for men who have a great sense of dressing. Even though most men ignore this, women are always keen in any man's dressing code once he pursues her. It does not matter whether you can't afford expensive clothes but observing personal hygiene and keeping yourself neat gives you a presentable appearance.

2. Cooking Skill

It is a joy of every woman who finds herself in the arms of a man who knows to cook even the basic meals. Such women are aware that he can cook for her when she is sick or tired and will be treated to a delicious meal once she visits him.

3.Fixing Things In the House

Familiarizing yourself with how to fix several household items can really impress a woman you are pursuing. Some of these can be repairing any plumbing issues, electricity connection, the microwave, fridge among other items. Never shy from lending a hand to fix anything in her house, this can earn you points.

4. Playing a Musical Instrument

Being in a position to play a certain musical instrument can be a plus to the vibes you tell your girlfriend. She will always enjoy when you play it and most are the cases she will think you are entertaining her.

5 Ways To Spend Wisely These Christmas And New Year

Christmas is here again. It will happen in less than one week. It is always a season of joy and celebration, especially for Christians.

Even non- Christians too celebrate it since it falls towards the end of the year. A lot of economic activities happen during this yuletide.

Individuals and families shop for a lot of things they will need for Christmas and New year celebrations. For those that will travel, they already have a budget on how much they will spend to and fro. In all, expenses during this yuletide are outrageous hence, you need to spend wisely so that you won’t run out of cash in January.

In this article, you will learn some basic simple tips that will help you spend wisely this season.

Mange What You Have

There are a lot of things you have in your home that are still good you can make do with instead of going for new things.

Even if they are not in order, you can fix them with small amount of money and save the cost of buying new ones just because it is Christmas and you feel that everything has to be new and sparkling.

Do Things Yourself

Sometimes I see people pay for chicken to be slaughtered for them. Some women even pay for others to do a mini Christmas interior decoration for them.

These are things as a woman or even a man you can use your initiative and creativity to do. Yes it is good to hire an expert, but what if you have a small amount, it will make sense to do it yourself and save that money for other pressing needs.

Resist Impulse Purchase

Sometimes you enter a store to shop for a particular item, you get attracted to other items which you never had in mind or had budget for.

You are always tempted to purchase it. That’s impulse buying. You never planned for it. Stick to your budget. You can always get it anytime you are ready for it. Good things don’t finish at Christmas. They are always there even after Christmas.

Compare Prices

During Christmas and New Year celebrations,

small businesses deliberately hike the price of their products and services because they know that the demand will be high and people won’t have option than to buy. Don’t fall into that trap.

Those business owners have studied you as a customer and know how your purchasing behavior is like. Ensure you compare prices to determine the best price for such quality of commodity. Purchase from the store that offers a reasonable price at same quality you want.

Don’t Impress Others

Many people will purchase things they don’t need this season because they want to impress others. They want to portray an image they are not just to belong to the class of happening people in town.

This is popular amongst people who will travel to their various destinations where people have not seen them for a while. Manage your finance wisely. Doing things to impress people will make you go broke in January. The economy is always rough then as people have spent much on celebration. Remember, house rent, office rent, school fees of your children and other compulsory expenses awaits you next year.

Signs, you're a Lazy Person. Many are Victims of Number

1. Too Much Sleep: If you're someone who suspends important activities within active hours of the day, just to catch some sleep, or, you just sleep too much. Some persons sleep while others are doing their morning chores, preparing and heading for their work places, school, etc

2. Overfeeding: Lazy people are more concerned about how, where and when to meticulously fill their stomach that to feed their brains, or their bank account.

3. Overspending: If you actually worked for the money, you will be able to spend it courteously.

4. Procrastination: This is one of the greatest quality of every Lazy person. They prefer to do it later. And you know what, procrastination is not just a theif of time, it's a destiny killer.

Be wise. Wake up from your slumber, work and grow. Thanks for Reading. Kindly share your comments and recommendation for further improvement or promotion of this article.

Proverbs From The Streets Of Warri.

Make una use am dey spice una weekend. Na straight from the streets of Warri…053, area!!!

Dem nor dey tell small pikin make e nor grow big teeth but na to still grow big lips to take cover dem.

Man wey nor get money to buy drink for beer parlour dey quick contribute for other people matter.

Man wey dem give change over for shop no dey waka small small dey go house.

Pikin wey say na agbada em want take start guy go talk wetin e go wear when em old.

Snake wey say na tortoise back e wan bite get enough money to see dentist.

No matter how yansh make yanga reach, legs go still first am enter house.

Olosho die, private part rest.

The food nor sweet, the food nor sweet, nor be for Ukwuani weed.

Na say goat know say the waka waka for life plenty make am wear em own shoes come earth.

If money nor reach to take marry dem go use am play love.

Say blind man no fit see the sun no come mean say the sun no dey exist.

Dem say beauty is in the eyes of the beholder no mean say we go toast babe wey resemble monkey wey lick lime.

Na man wey no get power dey run go house go pull shirt when dem find em trouble for field.

Na too much groundnut oil make puff-puff shine pass buns.

Small pikin wey dey ask e papa every time why e no build house, e go soon reach em turn

Top 8 Ways To get Rid of Mouth Odour (A Must Read).

There's nothing more humiliating than having a bad breathe and it's even more humiliating not knowing you have it. Bad breathe causes social discomfort, it leaves you with only one option in a social gathering; keeping shut because you wouldn't want to be disgraced when you open up your mouth to talk. Mouth odour is usually socially awkward to single and young people as they try to mingle with the opposite sex and most people see it as a big turn off

Terrible breath commonly starts in the mouth, where microbes are ever present. At the point when you eat, bits of nourishment get trapped in your teeth. dental cavities, gum disease, poor oral hygiene, coated tongue (a white or yellow coating on the tongue, usually due to inflammation) are among the most common.

 Microscopic organisms develop on these bits of nourishment, releasing foul-smelling compounds.

Let's know how to get rid of this bad breathe that has been dealing with our social esteem. 

1. Drink a lot of water and gargle cool water around in your mouth. This is particularly useful to refresh "morning breath."

2. Brush after each meal, ideally two times every day.

3. Change your toothbrush every 2 or 3 months.

4. Schedule dental exams and cleanings.. 

5. Pineapple juice. 

Pineapple juice is the quickest and most effective treatment for bad breath. A simple glass of organic pineapple juice after every meal, or chew on a pineapple slice for one to two minutes. It’s also important to remember to rinse your mouth of the sugars in fruit and fruit juice afterward.

6. Yogurt

Yogurt contains healthy bacteria called lactobacillus. These healthy bacteria can help combat bad bacteria in various parts of your body, like your gut.

7. Attempt a 30-second mouthwash wash that is without alcohol. Blend some water in with a teaspoon of baking soda (which changes the pH level and battles scent in the mouth) and a couple of drops of antimicrobial peppermint essential oil. Try not to swallow it!. 

8. Avoid foods that sour your breath.

Onions and garlic are big offenders. But brushing after you eat them doesn't help.

In as much these tips are essential to having a good breathe and getting rid of that awful smell which has made you socially inferior it's important to note that these tips are to be diligently followed for effective outcome to help get your boff. 

the juice.

8 Simple and Effective Home Remedies for Dry and Cracked Heels.

.. Our feet don’t have oil glands so when cold season comes, our overlooked skin there suffers. It comes upon all of us at some point – unsightly dry and cracked heels that ruin our looks and our moods.

Not only do dry, cracked heels feel like an alien landscape, they can itch terribly at times, causing no end to our discomfort.

. Dry and barren.

Source: 

Fortunately, there won’t be any need to buy expensive salves and lotions. All you require may already be in your pantry. These eight simple and effective home remedies are surprisingly inexpensive and easy to apply:

#1. Lemon juice.

Source: 

Soak your dry footsies in lemon juice for 10 minutes and rub down with a pumice stone or loofah. Lemon juice acid is effective in softening dry skin for exfoliation.

#2. Olive oil

Source: 

Dry, cracked heels need moisture pronto, and olive oil can work wonders. For a spa experience, add a few drops of your favorite essential oils and rub the mixture in.

#3. Vaseline

Source: 

Petroleum jelly is thick and moisturizing enough to soothe the toughest of dry, cracked skin. For best results, wear socks after rubbing your heels in Vaseline just before going to bed. You’ll wake up with softer, smoother feet in the morning.

#4. Sugar

Source 

Sugar scrubs are all the rage these days. Pair a tablespoon of granulated brown sugar with a couple of drops of olive oil for a 10 to 15-minute exfoliating scrub. You’ll end up with soft, smooth heels for your effort.

#5. Honey

Honey’s natural enzymes work to heal cracked heels and seal in the moisture. Soak your feet in a mixture of warm water and honey for 10 to 15 minutes and you’ll immediately feel the soothing difference.

#6. Milk

Source: 

Milk is rich in Vitamin A and many other nutrients that contribute to healthy, glowing skin. Its lactic acid content is also effective in sloughing off dead skin cells. Soak dry feet in a bath of 1 cup of milk in 7 cups of warm water to promote the growth of softer new skin.

#7. Sesame oil

Source:

With its Vitamin E content, plus three exfoliating acids and anti-bacterial properties, a sesame oil rub each night after soaking feet in warm water will rid you of dry, cracked heels.

#8. Turmeric. 

Source: Vkool

As long as you’re okay with turning your feet bright yellow, turmeric has a near miracle effect in ridding you of dry, cracked skin caused by athlete’s foot. Three tablespoons of turmeric powder rubbed in with a few drops of coconut oil will do the trick. Wash off after 30 minutes with mild soap and warm water, and you’re good to go.

New star and planet names revealed.

Centuries from now, flying to Beirut could land you in a very different destination than the middle eastern city you're probably thinking of. On Tuesday, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) announced the new names of 112 pairs of stars and their exoplanets, including HD 192263 b, a gas giant planet 64 light years away newly renamed after the Lebanese capital.

The IAU coordinated efforts by 112 nations around the world to come up with new names for a star that can be easily seen with the naked eye or a small telescope from that country and a planet known to orbit the star. Hundreds of thousands of proposed names were submitted and a committee in each country came up with a shortlist of names that were then voted on by the public there.Over 4,000 exoplanets have been discovered in the past 30 years, with most simply assigned a catalog identifier more like a telephone number than a memorable name. 

Most of the star-planet pairs in this batch are relatively close to Earth, cosmically speaking, but the majority of planets are gas giants and unlikely to be habitable. Nonetheless, the new names will make future star maps of our corner of the Milky Way a bit more colorful.

For example, the star HD 16175 is now named coffee. Or rather, it's named Buna, which is the Ethiopian word for coffee, and the gigantic planet orbiting it is now Abol, which must be pretty energetic with so much caffeine involved -- its name refers to the first three rounds of coffee in a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony.

Scientists find a place on Earth where there is no life

Living beings, especially microorganisms, have a surprising ability to adapt to the most extreme environments on Earth, but there are still places where they cannot live. European researchers have confirmed the absence of microbial life in hot, saline, hyperacid ponds in the Dallol geothermal field in Ethiopia.

The infernal landscape of Dallol, located in the Ethiopian depression of Danakil, extends over a volcanic crater full of salt, where toxic gases emanate and water boils in the midst of intense hydrothermal activity. It is one of the most torrid environments on Earth. There, daily temperatures in winter can exceed 45 degrees Celsius and there are abundant hypersaline and hyperacid pools with pH values that are even negative.

A recent study, published this year, reports that certain microorganisms can develop in this multi-extreme environment (simultaneously very hot, saline and acid), which has led its authors to present this place as an example of the limits that life can support, and even to propose it as a terrestrial analogue of early Mars.

However, a French-Spanish team of scientists led by biologist Purificación Lopez Garcia of the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) has now published an article in Nature Ecology & Evolution that concludes otherwise. 

According to these researchers, there is no life in Dallol's multi-extreme ponds.

"After analyzing many more samples than in previous works, with adequate controls so as not to contaminate them and a well-calibrated methodology, we have verified that there's no

microbial life in these salty, hot and hyperacid pools or in the adjacent magnesium-rich brine lakes," says López García.

"What does exist is a great diversity of halophilic archaea (a type of primitive salt-loving microorganism) in the desert and the saline canyons around the hydrothermal site, but neither is found in the hyperacid and hypersaline pools themselves, nor in the so-called Black and Yellow lakes of Dallol, where magnesium abounds. And all this despite the fact that microbial dispersion in this area, due to the wind and to human visitors, is intense."

This is confirmed by the results of all the various methods used by the team, including the massive sequencing of genetic markers to detect and classify microorganisms, microbial culture attempts, fluorescent flow cytometry to identify

individual cells , chemical analysis of brines and scanning electron microscopy combined with X-ray spectroscopy.

López García alerts that some silica-rich Dallol mineral precipitates may look like microbial cells under a microscope, so what is seen must be analyzed well: "In other studies, apart from the possible contamination of samples with archaea from adjacent lands, these mineral particles may have been interpreted as fossilized cells, when in reality they form spontaneously in the brines even though there is no life."

According to the authors, this work "helps to circumscribe the limits of habitability and demands caution when interpreting morphological biosignatures on Earth and beyond," that is, one should not rely on the apparently cellular or "biological" aspect of a structure, because it could have an abiotic origin.

"In addition, our study presents evidence that there are places on the Earth's surface, such as the Dallol pools, which are sterile even though they contain liquid water," stresses Lopez Garcia. This means that the presence of liquid water on a planet, which is often used as a habitability criterion, does not directly imply that it has life.In this case, the researchers have found two physical-chemical barriers that prevent the presence of living organisms in ponds: the abundance of chaotropic magnesium salts (an agent that breaks hydrogen bridges and denatures biomolecules) and the simultaneous confluence of hypersaline, hyperacid and high-temperature conditions.

"We would not expect to find life forms in similar environments on other planets, at least not based on a biochemistry similar to terrestrial biochemistry," points out Lopez Garcia, who insists on the need to have multiple indications, to analyze all types of alternatives and to be very prudent with interpretations before reaching any conclusions in astrobiology.

Both the French-Spanish group, in which researchers from the Geological and Mining Institute of Spain and the Autonomous University of Madrid participate, and other international teams continue to investigate the extreme environment of Dallol, where completely sterile pools could alternate with others with slightly better biophysical conditions that allow the presence of archaea and other extremophilic microorganisms. In any case, this is an exceptional environment to continue studying the limits of life.

7 Profitable Handwork You Can Learn and Become a Millionaire.

Top Seven Profitable Handwork for Nigerians to Learn in 2019.

1. Graphic Design

This is one of the most profitable services both on and off the net. A nice and creative graphic designer earn very decent amount from his work, and you can be paid in Dollars if you work on the Internet too.Almost every organization, churches, businesses etc., now need the service of a graphics designer, and this is a work you can learn in a very little space of time and earn decent money from it, only if you place close attention at learning it.

2. Fashion

Fashion Design is one of the best handwork to learn. This handwork has been around for a long time and it is so amazing how people keep evolving around it, with different people adding their own unique twist to the trade.

Fashion design happens to be very wide with diverse types of creativity, so it would be advice to learn it step by step, to give the best knowledge of qualities people are looking for.

Some people make thousands of Naira monthly just by designing a style that appeal to their customers satisfaction.

3. Hair Dressing And Makeup

Hair Dressers and Makeup artists are now making a huge amount of money each day. Making it easier for women to be admiring at all time, is the easiest way you can make your own money, whether you are a man or woman, all it takes is your passion.

If you love it as a job all you have to do is learn for some months and have a company of yours in the nearest future.

4. Hair Barbing

This is an industry that really works out very well because 95% of people will cut their hair in at least the end of every two weeks. Learning how to Barb hair will only take a month, if only you are diligent and consistent in your work.

5. Photography

One of the easiest ways to make money is with camera. People always need the services of a photographer to keep the memories of special events.

They always want to package special events in their life in a photograph.

Photography is not just taking pictures; it goes beyond taking peoples pictures. It is also an act of capturing some special moment; therefore it is expensive!

Many people see photography as an ordinary kind of Job, but it’s surprising now that photography is what makes alot of individual a multi-millionaire just for taking pictures.

6. Phone Repair

Mobile phone is probably part of the most used thing in any part of the world. Every mobile phone will one day develop a problem, so for you to solve the problem you need a good phone repairer which can help you recover your phone back.

7. Baking

We cannot do without food, that’s why anything food is indispensable. The important thing about starting this kind of business if building your customer base. You can do this through friends, social media, etc. You can even setup an online store where people can come and order cakes and have them delivered to their doorsteps. It’s all about coming up with ideas that can boost your business.

8 Set of people you should run from this December; number 1 and four are very dangerous.

Relationship among humans must have a particular impact and the impact will determine if the relationship will continue or not. Moreover, there are different set of people that are involved in the way humans relate among themselves. By extension, no human can stand alone, we need eachother to survive. But in the process of relationship, there are set of people that you should run away from in order to safe yourself from unnecessary mess. This article focus on the set of people you should run from this December.

1 THOSE WHO SPREAD NEGATIVITY: These People can kill your vibes, when their negativity is too much. They spread negativity in all ramification, they don't see any good thing. If there is too much negativity in your life, you may find it difficult to move forward.

2 THOSE WHO CRITICIZE YOU ALL THE TIME : Humans are subject of criticism and appreciation, but too much of criticism kill alot of things in man. Those who criticize you all the time will not allow you to know the right thing, as their criticism can influence you to loose courage in yourself. Run from this set of people.

3-THOSE WHO WASTE YOUR TIME: In anything that a man will do in life, time is very precious and no excuse for not using it well. You must run from those who waste your time because they will not allow you to move forward and plan the next thing on time.

4-THOSE WHO JEALOUS : Jealousy can make man to do alot of crazy things. When you find yourself among jealous People, it is better you run because your success may not last and they may pull you down anytime soon. Being among jealous people is like living among foxes, they can devour anytime soon.

5-THOSE WHO PLAY VICTIM : These People have nothing to offer, rather they would dwell in irrelevant things to defend there action and inaction. These set of people won't accept blame, rather they will make you feel as if you are the source of their problem.

6-THOSE WHO DON'T CARE: Caring is beyond calling and visitation. If someone cannot help you to plan good thing , then be watchful.

7- THOSE WHO ARE SELF-CENTERED: These People are useless, no matter how you help them, they will never remember you when they make it, all they do is to get everything to themselves risking others interest.

8- THOSE WHO KEEP DISAPPOINTING YOU:

These people are players, they will keep on using you to meet their needs, hence promising you that they will make it up to you but end up disappointing you at the end

The Hidden Meaning of Christmas

In a few days from now, it will be Christmas. For those who don’t know, Christmas is the annual Christian festival held in commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Christmas, meaning ‘Christ’s Mass,’ I.e the Mass celebrating the birth of Christ (the cynosure of Christianity), remains the most celebrated period ornamented with pomp and pageantry among Christians.

For a very long time, the verity of Jesus’ existence has remained in question among custodians of history, scholars, and some curious students of theology and experts in the same field. However, assuming his existence was, in fact, true — for the sake of this argument — the Bible which provides the lead account on his life fails to establish a nexus between the 25th of the month of Yellow Narcissus and his parturition.

The parturition of Jesus, according to the accounts in the Bible, did not occur in the month of December; — as far as the geographical indications which replaced actual date and time in the Bible goes. On the night of Jesus’ parturition, according to Luke in the Bible, there were “shepherds staying in the field nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep.” Hence, one could draw an analogy centred on the average weather condition in Bethlehem, and infer that if Jesus had been born in December, the "shepherds" would likely not be out at night tending their flock because it would be too cold to do so. 

We are, therefore, left with the question: When was Jesus born? But this isn’t our focus today, so let’s move on and leave the topic for another day.Since we have established through Biblically drawn circumstances that it is unlikely for Jesus to be born in December

 — still assuming his reputed existence in Christian folklore is not false — we are then left with the question of how Christians came to accept December 25 as Christmas Day. Again, there is not a slight indication that December 25 was Biblically decreed or even observed to become an annual Christian liturgy as it is today. Interestingly, a microscopic exploration of the past has revealed that Christmas is of Roman origin.

Britannica explains that the term Yule, which is now the archaic term for Christmas, may have derived from the Germanic jōl or the Anglo-Saxon geōl, which referred to the feast of the winter solstice. 

The winter solstice, according to a spiritual signification by Forever Conscious , "[c]elebrates the longest hours of darkness or the rebirth of the sun and is believed to hold [a] powerful energy for regeneration, renewal and self-reflection.” The account went further to explain that “In Pagan times the winter solstice was referred to as Yule and was a celebration of the Goddess (Moon) energy. It was believed that on this day, the moon would give birth to the sun."

Worthy of note also, is the fact that December, in Ancient Rome, used to be the umbrella month for observing one of the four Agonia (an archaic religious observance in honour of various deities). It was also the umbrella month for celebrating multiple Roman Festivals including but not limited to Consualia, Saturnalia, Divalia, Larentalia and Sol Invictus (the sun god also known as “Unconquered Sun”).

 It was the Sol Invictus festival that Romanians held on December 25 until around 350A.D. when Pope Julius 1 declared December 25 as Jesus’ birthday. Sequel to this declaration, an annual ritual was born and the ritual has endured till this day in Christianity.

From this background, one need not dally to state that Christmas is essentially of 'pagan' origin.

5 Countries Where Christmas is banned

Here are the five countries that currently ban the celebrations of Christmas

1. Somalia

Somalia is a country in East Africa that has been at war for over one decade. It has a population of over 15 million people. According to the Pew Research Centre, 99.8 percent of Somalia's population is Muslim and the majority of them belong to the Sunni branch of Islam. In 2015, Somalia’s government banned all forms of Christmas celebrations with security agencies mandated to arrest anyone or gathering celebrating the Christian festival. The BBC reported Mohammed Kheyro, a top official of Somalia’s Justice and Religious Affairs Ministry as saying,  "having Muslims celebrate Christmas in Somalia is not the right thing, such things are akin to the abandonment."

2. Brunei

Brunei is officially known as the Nation of Brunei, the Abode of Peace, and located in the Island of Borneo in Southeast Asia. The population of Brunei is about 500,000 and about 75 percent of them being Muslims. Islam is the official religion of Brunei, even though the country has a large population of Christian and Buddhist minorities.

In 2014, the Sultan of Brunei bans the celebrations of Christmas on the Island. The Independent, a UK newspaper, reported the incident thus: ‘’ Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, who has ruled the former British colony for nearly 50 years, introduced the ban on Christmas in 2014, the same year Brunei adopted a stricter penal code, based on Islamic sharia and including punishments such as stoning and amputation. The Christmas ban is justified under the new laws - the punishment for celebrating Christmas is a fine of $20,000 or up to five years in prison or both.’’

3. North Korea

North Korea is a reclusive country in East Asia with a population of about 25 million people. The country has been led by the family of its founder, Kim Il-sung since it was founded in 1945. North Korea is a socialist state and officially atheistic. According to Religious Intelligence, 64.3% of the population are irreligious, 16% practice Korean shamanism, 13.5% practice Chondoism, 4.5% are Buddhist, and 1.7% are Christian.

Although all forms of religious celebrations are banned in the hermit country since 1948, in 2017 the current leader of the country Kim Jong-un intensified the ban. 

This is how epress.co.uk described it: ‘’The North Korean constitution technically does allow freedom of religion to all its citizens, but anyone found taking part in festive ceremonies risks being thrown in jail, or worse. 

Last year, Kim Jong-un banned Christmas altogether, instead of demanding that all citizens should pay tribute to his grandmother on December 24 - her date of birth.This year he has upped the ante by also prohibiting any "gatherings that involve alcohol and singing."

4. Saudi Arabia

In Saudi Arabia, the practice of any other religion aside to Islam is banned. So it is no surprise that the country which is led like a monarchy will not tolerate Christmas celebrations. According to a report in metro.co.uk, ‘’In 2015 the government re-iterated their anti-Christmas stance in state media newspaper Arab News when it came to light that government hospitals allowed non-Muslim employees to celebrate Christmas within its compound. ‘Sheikh Mohammed Al-Oraifi, a Saudi scholar, said Muslims are not allowed to greet non-Muslims on their religious occasions like Christmas,’ they wrote, and quoting the scholar directly: ‘If they celebrate the birth of God’s son and you greet them…it means you endorse their faith.’’

. 

5. Tajikistan

Tajikistan is a landlocked country in Central Asia of about nine million people. About 96 percent of the population is Muslim who practices the Sunni variant of Islam. In 2015, the country banned the celebrations of Christmas. According to the UK Guardian, ‘’ a decree by the education ministry prohibits “the use of fireworks, festive meals, gift-giving and raising money” over New Year as well as “the installation of a Christmas tree either living (felled wood) or artificial” in schools and universities.’’