Edwin Ogie Library is a dynamic platform for education, focused on fostering mindful communication and building positive relationships by eliminating linguistic errors. Our mission is to enhance connections through thoughtful language, emotional regulation, and self-awareness, providing educational resources that inspire personal growth. We aim to promote well-being, peace, and meaningful connections, offering a space for individuals committed to refining their communication skills.
Understanding Human Behaviour Without Spoken Words — Edwin Ogie Library Understanding Human Behaviour Without Spoken Words Nonverbal Communication as a core human skill — simple, practical, and classroom-friendly. Chapter Objectives Introduction Meaning & Scope Major Channels Interpreting Behaviour Culture & Ethics Practical Applications Case Illustrations Reflection & Practice Summary & Terms By Edwin Ogie Library — clear, usable lessons for students and teachers. Chapter Objectives At the end of this chapter, the reader should be able to: Clearly define nonverbal communication and explain its role in human interaction. Identify and interpret major forms of nonverbal behaviour with accuracy. Analyse behaviour using clusters of cues rather than isolated signals. Apply nonverbal awareness eff...
A faith-inspired reflection and practical guide — a story of letting go, the spiritual work of forgiveness, and simple steps readers can use to begin healing.
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Read the story — when bitterness met a Sunday prayer
A personal account from Benin City
In Ugbowo, a quiet neighbourhood of Benin City, Rose had carried a wound for three years. Her older brother had taken money meant for her school fees and disappeared into the city’s crowded markets. She had watched doors close — scholarships denied, visits withered, and every university form returned unopened. Bitterness settled in like a second skin.
Each Sunday she sat at the back of her church and prayed, but something in her prayers hardened: they tasted like accusations. “God, make them pay,” she prayed. The prayers kept her angry and kept the past alive. Late one evening, after an argument with her mother about “letting go”, she walked alone to the small river near her street and sat in the dark watching mosquitoes dance over the water.
It was there she met Pastor Igbinedion, returning from an outreach. He didn’t offer quick platitudes. He told one small story: about a farmer who refused to clear thornbush for years because someone had stolen his plough. The field became useless under the thorns; the thief had long left. “Rose,” the pastor said quietly, “sometimes holding on to who hurt you is the real theft.”
That night she prayed differently. Not “let them pay”, but “send me a way to heal.” She began with a small practice: writing a one-sentence account of the hurt each day, then writing one sentence about what she wanted instead (a job, peace, a repaired family). The act of naming, then naming a hope, loosened the weight. Months later she met her brother at a market stall; he asked for forgiveness; she accepted it but did not forget. The healing took time — apologies, practical restitution and many quiet steps — but the anger no longer steered her life. She found a job as a data clerk and began night classes. The life she built afterward was not owed to the past; it was made by letting the past stop defining every day.
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What forgiveness is — and what it is not
Clarifying common misconceptions
Forgiveness is often misunderstood. It is not denying the harm, excusing abuse, or pretending wounds didn’t happen. Forgiveness is an internal decision — to stop allowing the past to determine your present emotional state and future choices.
Not forgetting: remembering is part of learning; forgiveness does not erase memory.
Not immediate: healing often takes time and sometimes professional support.
Not always reconciliation: you can forgive without restoring closeness, especially where safety is at risk.
“Forgiveness is the act of refusing to let another person’s sin determine your worth or future.”
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Faith perspective — why many religions value forgiveness
Spiritual reasons and practical peace
Forgiveness is central to many spiritual traditions because it frees the forgiver from a bondage of bitterness. In Christian teaching, for instance, forgiveness is both a moral act and a path to inner peace — it does not negate justice, but it refuses to be imprisoned by injury. Other faiths hold similar values: letting go as a way to restore balance and compassion.
Practical steps to begin forgiving (a 7-step approach)
Daily practices you can try
Own your pain: write down the hurt in one honest sentence — naming calms the limbic surge.
Set boundaries: identify whether safe reconciliation is possible; if not, forgiveness can still be an inner act without contact.
Pray / reflect with intention: use short, repeated prayers or meditative phrases asking for healing (e.g., “Help me to heal, one day at a time”).
Choose one small act of release: write a letter you don’t send; burn the anger symbolically; or do a service act in your community.
Seek accountability: tell a trusted friend or mentor your intention and ask for gentle check-ins.
Practice compassion for self: forgive yourself for holding on too long — self-forgiveness matters.
Use faith resources: read short daily devotions or guided reflections. If helpful, work with a pastor, counsellor or spiritual director.
Tools that help: journaling apps, short audio prayers, and breathwork. For ideas to structure reflections or devotionals, see Google AI (use responsibly as a drafting tool for prayers or meditation prompts).
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Benefits — what forgiveness frees you to do
Health, clarity and restored energy
Mental clarity: less rumination and better concentration for study or work.
Health gains: reduced stress and better sleep (research links exist between forgiveness and lower blood pressure).
Restored relationships: where safe and appropriate, genuine reconciliation can rebuild trust.
Renewed energy: emotional energy returns to creation and service rather than staying trapped in resentment.
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When to seek professional help
Guidance for trauma & ongoing harm
Forgiveness is not a replacement for therapy where there is trauma, abuse, or ongoing danger. Seek professional counselling if memories feel overwhelming, if you have symptoms of PTSD, or if anger leads to behaviours that harm you or others. Local faith leaders, mental health professionals and NGOs can help — if you are unsure, ask a trusted mentor to help locate support.
If you’d like a printable reflection pack (7 daily prompts + short prayers), email send us an email with subject Forgiveness Pack.
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Closing reflection & moral
A final thought
Forgiveness is not a single heroic act but a slow daily practice. It is often messy and incomplete — that is still progress. When you choose to stop letting the hurt run your life, you recover months, years and energy to invest in your dreams and relationships. That recovery is not surrender; it is a courageous reclaiming of your future.
Moral:“Forgiveness is not weakness — it’s strength in peace.”
FORGIVENESS THE SECRET TO A SUCCESSFUL RELATIONSHIP Forgiveness is a critical aspect of human relationships, particularly in marriage. Treating others with mercy and leniency requires you to overlook misunderstandings and the wrongs they have done to you. The capacity to forgive is a fundamental virtue that is the linchpin of safeguarding relationships and leading a flourishing life. Lack of forgiveness causes lots of damage to marriages, and it is often the root cause of divorce in our society. It is, therefore, vital to understand that forgiveness is the key to a lasting, successful, and fulfilling marriage. Before embarking on the journey of marriage, individuals should take responsibility and learn to know themselves deeply. It is essential to realize that marriage is not a walk in the park. It requires perseverance, tenacity, and a loving spirit from the partners involved. When hurt arises, forgiveness is an indispensable tool that partners must employ to calm their difference...
Mastering the Art of Present Steps for Future Triumphs" In the pursuit of victory, every step forward is pivotal. It's essential to navigate your present position with care, for it is the springboard to your future achievements. How you handle your current endeavors directly impacts the path to your next conquests. Attempting to bypass or disregard your present circumstances can undermine your success in the steps that follow. In the realm of business, strategic maneuvering is essential to attaining your desired goals. Step into Consciousness: Harnessing Experience for Future Benefits Experience serves as our greatest teacher, guiding us towards tomorrow's rewards. Often, we fall into the trap of assuming the world revolves around us, treating our current situations with indifference and overlooking their implications for future outcomes. It's crucial to be mindful of how we approach our present steps, recognizing their significance in shaping tomorrow's victories....
EO Navigating Life’s Complexities Through Self-Consciousness A practical, story-driven guide to building mental resilience, clarity and better relationships in daily life. Expand all Collapse all Print Download .doc Introduction What is Self-Consciousness? Why it Matters The Nigerian Context Stories in Action Root Causes Upbringing & Environment Strategies to Grow Applications Exercises & Plans Scripts & Conversation Frames Resources Conclusion Introduction In a world of constant noise, stress, and social pressure, developing self-consciousness — the steady ability to notice yourself and choose — is essential. This post explains what it is, why it matters (especially in Nigeria), and how to build it with concrete stories...
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