Olympics, more than just Games

 I first became captivated by the Olympics when I heard of Michael Phelps and his dynamic swimming abilities. Later hearing of Simone Biles unparalleled perfromance at the 2016 Olympics, I developed a love for the sport of Gymnastics.

This year's Olympics was filled with breathtaking moments, record-breaking feats, and heartwarming displays of affection that were more addictive than any telenovela. The Swedish-American pole vaulter, Duplantis, swiftly embracing his girlfriend after shattering the world record was pure fantasy. Similarly, the icy-sweet viral moment between Tara Davis-Woodhall and her husband after her gold medal win in long jump was a heartwarming picture of love and support. They hugged each other almost bruising their lungs in the tightest of embraces.

I was enthralled by the display of athletic prowess exhibited by Gaby Thomas, the Harvard graduate and reigning Olympic 200-meter champion. Her recent interview revealed the potency of positive thinking and visualization, through which she manifested her championship status even before stepping onto the starting block. Ultimately, it is about giving one's best effort. I believe she is a role model for countless young girls due to her significant impact beyond the sporting arena, particularly in the realm of global health.

The striking lesson I have learned from the Olympics over the years is to compete only with oneself. Rather than comparing yourself to others, set and achieve your own goals while striving to surpass your previous achievements. For instance, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has broken her own 400-meter hurdles world record an astonishing six times, with the current record standing at 50.37 seconds. In 2009, Usain Bolt shattered his own 100-meter record, setting a new benchmark of 9.58 seconds, a feat that remains unmatched.

I conclude with the words of Michael Phelps: "If you want to be the best, you have to do things that other people aren't willing to do."

IDEAS ARE CURRENCY

“What is the most resilient parasite?Bacteria? A virus? An intestinal worm? An idea. Resilient. . . highly contagious. Once an idea has taken hold of the brain it’s almost impossible to eradicate. An idea that is fully formed — fully understood — that sticks; right in there somewhere” 

 - Leonardo DiCaprio in Inception (2010)

Ideas pop up in our brains every day and some have a wonder to them that can set a series of far-reaching success. And can change EVERYTHING. That's why you have to turn your ideas real. It is easy to assume that you need extreme preparation and connections to make it work, but sometimes you just have to take the first step and that could be wildly exhilarating! 

 

 As you are manifesting your ideas in to reality and monetising them, you got to protect yourself from cancerous thieves ready to kick you in the balls. Because an idea is not enough. This brings me to the concept of intellectual property. An intellectual property in its purest form is an idea. Through patents, trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets we protect our ideas. 

 

Apple, Google and Microsoft thrive not just on their physical products but on the innovative ideas that propel their development. Bill Gates has built an empire by creating patents on software. In so doing became a billionaire and one of the richest men in the world. Patents are essentially grants that enable the inventor to maintain monopoly on the use and development of an invention for a limited time. Ideally within that time, you should have made money off it, whether through licensing or selling it out to companies or building your own company. 

 

The Starbucks Frappuccino, KFC and Krispy Kreme recipes and formulations remain as trade secrets. Companies use trade secrets to protect their intellectual assets such as recipe, manufacturing process or technology. Far apart from patents, they are supposed to be undisclosed and not go into the public domain. In this way, competitors in the marketplace don't gain access to the formula. And if someone happens leak your trade secret, you can sue for misappropriation provided a non-disclosure agreement was signed beforehand. 

 

 It was in 2017 that Kylie Minogue put Kylie Jenner through the grinder by preventing her from trademarking their shared first name “Kylie” for her then-soon-to-launched beauty brand. The well-known fact is that trademarks give one the exclusive rights to use a word, logo or phrase in a particular country and industry (niche). Hence, if Kylie had been successful with trademarking the name, no one else could use the brand identity without facing the legal battle of infringement. 

 

 Copyrights, on the other hand, are meant to give protection over creative works such as books, movies, music and characters (among others). Unlike trademarks, copyrights don't have to be registered. For example, if you sample a hit song, you have to give a big portion of the track to the original copyright holders, songwriters and producers of the song. This merit of compensation is typically referred to as Royalty. 

 

During the press run for Creed III, the ninth film in the Rocky franchise, I heard of the poignant rift between Sylvester Stallone and Irwin Winkler. Apparently, Stallone had ignorantly and naively sold the rights to the Film because he was a struggling actor at that time and had no idea how potentially massive it was going to be. So before signing any agreement or contract, thoroughly read through and red line it, before signing away your life, image...and rights. 

 

 The real currency is your ideas, so protect them! 

 

Image Source: Freepik 

 

#Food4thought #Idea #Currency

BREASTFEEDING: AN UNSUNG MIRACLE

The whitish creamish substance scribbled all over her T-Shirt. Just when she thought she had cleaned all of it up, a droplet oozed out and moved a mini-micro millimeter in the wrong direction. She mentally sighed and finally decided to wear a new top all together. As a lactating mother, she always had to be prepared for those instances when her breast milk leak, soaking her dress. Thanks to her padded bra and her pump, those instances were becoming rarer and rarer. However, that didn't stop her from deciding to breastfeed her son till he was 2 years 6 months. After all, the World Health Organization advises that we breastfeed even after baby turns one year.

I totally concur with this recommendation because breastfeeding has so many numerous benefits that can be stretched from the earth to the sky. For instance, breast milk contains omega-3 and omega- 6 fatty acids (PUFAs) which are of critical importance for the development of the brain and nervous system. Breast milk also protect the baby from illness as it contains antibodies and other active substances. It is in this light that I do make it a point to make sure my patients are taught how to properly breastfeed their babies before they are finally discharged. What we don't want to see is a mother coming again with a jaundiced baby. God in his infinite wisdom created the sincerest and purest form of equity that lies in breastfeeding. Women no matter their race or socio-economic status have the most natural means to provide essential nutrients to their babies through breastfeeding. Truth be told, a good maternity bra that offers comfort, support and convenience, makes all the differences. Imagine it being so comfy that you can sleep in or even swim in it in peace and quiet. Finding such a comfortable bra can sometimes be daunting. And that’s why Rihanna deserves all the flowers for creating one that is just right.

Although the world breastfeeding week was celebrated during the first week in August, its message is timeless, "Let's make breastfeeding and work, work!" To be honest, we cannot talk about breastfeeding without talking about the duration of Maternity leave. Sometimes, it is considered a frivolous amusement, rather than a serious call to action. That is the main reason we should applaud countries that make paid maternity leave a priority. Breastfeeding without doubt is a wonder and a truly Unsung Miracle.

HEALTH, SACRIFICES AND WHAT NOT

While watching Inventing Anna, I realised that Money, Power, Image & Love are what tend to motivate people. Nevertheless, you are not going to enjoy these if you are not healthy. Rightly said, "health is wealth." One that is usually not appreciated until it's no more. 

DISEASE OUTBREAK RESPONSE

Got in Satan's halitosis with no escape, earnestly struggling for air. That is how it felt trying to dissect this medical mystery. 

After a beautiful wedding ceremony Mr. X began to feel an unexplained eeriness, his temperature rose gradually till he was boiling hot and his bowel began spewing out his contents with the rapidity of a tornado. 

His whole world suddenly changed. Instead of enjoying his honeymoon, he was stuck in the four coroners of the hospital with IV medications connected to his veins. 

From then on, things went from bad to worse. The very next day, Mr. X had reddened eyes, and on auscultation a diastolic murmur was heard. His Bps were dropping every second, necessitating his being on dobutamine Infusion for days. Clearly, It was not just a simple case of enteric fever. There were more questions than answers. 

A diagnosis of viral hemorrhagic fever was being contemplated, mainly Marburg virus, which has recently been confirmed in Ghana. It was a Herculean task trying to get his sample to the accredited facility for the proper analysis. Although, in this case, it turned out not to be Marburg, it showed the gaps in our healthcare. 

 

Somehow, there was a solution to it all. An echo was done revealed that he had viral myopericarditis. A deeper dive into the history revealed that he was diagnosed with Covid-19 2 months ago, and he was having post covid complications. 

Covid-19 has showed more than ever the grueling impact of a pandemic and the essence of having a robust disease out break response. Undeniably, its roar and subsequent backfired triumph led to better advances in public health. 

Our disease outbreak response should be nothing but top-notch. With the advent of Digital Disease Detection (DDD), sequencing of viral genome and rapid diagnostic tests, we should be singing a different a tale. 

On 23rd July 2022, Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, PhD, declared the current monkeypox outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). This is a step in the right direction, giving that it too so long before Sars- Cov 2 was declared a public health emergency.

Knowledge is power, so be aware and stay safe!

LIVING A SOFT LIFE

Happy? We are mostly never taught how to be happy. Someway somehow we either figure it on our own or lash onto someone for it. Some say being happy is akin to living a soft life. When I first heard of the term soft life, I immediately thought of ease and comfort. But it is more than that. It is about living a balanced life that brings you happiness. More importantly, it is about maturity. 

First, living a soft life involves molding yourself into a person who is able to accept things for what they are and not stress over them. Like it is famously said, "this too shall pass." It is also a gentle reminder of the 4A's of stress management: avoid, alter, adapt or accept. 

Looking, praying and wanting can seem daunting if not sprinkled with the medicine called Laughter. Trying to laugh in the pain can break and melt problems away. Unwrap the tortuous whirlwind of thoughts and just laugh. Often times, over thinking and analysing can turn the most innocuous thing into a mountain. 

One way or another you have to cut out toxic people out of your life or manoeuvre your way around them so as to have as little interaction with them as possible. These are people who make feel unhappy, insecure and unwanted. Be choosy of those you put in your inner circle. Everybody isn't your friend. 

In a recent episode of the Kardashians, Kendall Jenner was struggling to cut a cucumber and we saw how quickly Kris Jenner called for their personal chef. Sometimes, you just have to make things easy for yourself. Ask for help, call for support, don't try shouldering all the burden. More often than not, you don't enjoy your life because you tend to do everything yourself. 

Make time to unwind and relax. A little party here and there, a little break here and there..., a little nap here and there. And travel whenever you get the chance. Traveling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.” – Ibn Battut

Glam up and show out. Dressing up can be therapeutic. Feeling good is looking good.

Having a soft life is about having the "can't be bothered mindset". This is where you don't let things get to you. You don't let your emotions control you, and really really don't care what people think about you.

Cheers to living a soft life! 

Xx, 

Liz. 

7 LESSONS FROM THE ULTIMATE CULT CLASSIC DIRTY DANCING

I was randomly searching for a dance movie when I chanced upon Dirty Dancing, like a rare mystic cosmic findings. Primarily, it is a coming of age movie that revolves around Baby who goes on vacation with her family at a resort and ends up falling in love with the dance instructor there. The editing, cinematography, sound and everything about the movie was pure excellence. I particularly love the Oscar winning song (I've had) Time of my Life used for the phenomenal choreography at the end. It is awesome how it briefly touched on classicism, prejudice and injustice. 

Tell the truth

I am of the view that if Jonny hadn't taken responsibility for Penny's pregnancy, he would have had a better start with Jake Houseman. In essence, don't blatantly shoulder another's burden when you aren't sure that they would do the same for you. 

Belive in yourself

You can do anything you put your mind to. Believing in yourself has to be innate and organic. Baby showed that trait the moment she committed to leaning the Mambo. 

Be helpful

Who would have known that helping to with watermelon was going to open up a whole new world for Baby. Who would have known the volunteering to cover up for Penny would lead to her learning some intricate dance moves. 

Be brave and prepared

The film depicted the injustice to entertainers- where they are forced to stick to a particular formula because that has always been what worked. For Johnny, even though he was fired, he was brave enough to step on the stage to deliver the final dance he always did. Oo, the Johnny came prepared to slay. Even though, babay didn't have the heads up about Johnny's storming in, she was dressed to perfection. 

Speak up

Stand up for yourself and for others. Like Frances Houseman aka Baby said, "Nobody puts Baby in a corner”. She was so willing to speak up in defense of Johnny as an alibi knowing the possible consequences. 

Practice makes perfect

In the beginning, baby was such a terrible dance but after 3 weeks of constant practice, she nailed the mambo in 3 weeks and gave us the climatic lift. 

Be humble

It was so bold of Mr Houseman to admit his wrong into he end. Like they say, pride goes before a fall.

Still smiling in the dream world...