GREAT ADVICE FOR LIFE (DESIDERATA)

“Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

Max Ehrmann, "Desiderata"

PROUD MUM: GENEVIEVE FINALLY UNVEILS HER DAUGHTER, EBUKA NNAJI [PHOTOS]

SEXTING SCANDAL: TEACHER ARRESTED FOR SENDING HER NUDE PICTURE TO HER 17-YEAR-OLD STUDENT

NEWPORT NEWS CITY JAIL

Cara Alexander, 27, of Newport News, Va., is accused of sending nude pictures of herself to a former student’s cellphone. The student also claims they had a relationship. She has been in jail since Friday.

A 27-year-old high school teacher in Virginia was busted for sexting a former student after his parents found nude pics of her on his cellphone, police said.

Cara Alexander, an English teacher at Woodside High School in Newport News, was arrested Friday and charged with several offenses, including contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

The 17-year-old student told his parents that he was also in a relationship with Alexander, a full-time ninth-grade teacher at the school since 2010, reported ABC affiliate WVEC-TV.

While the teen was previously under Alexander’s watch, he currently attends a different school, a Newport News Public Schools spokeswoman told The Virginian-Pilot.

Officials didn’t immediately say how long Alexander had allegedly been sexting the teen, although they don’t believe they engaged in any inappropriate activity on school grounds.

WVEC.COM

Woodside High School in Newport News, Va., where an English teacher was arrested Friday for several counts related to delinquency of a minor.

The district plans to ask the state to revoke Alexander’s teaching license.

Some of the parents of Alexander’s students, meanwhile, said they’re stunned by the allegations.

Parent Anthony Bailey said his son recalled Alexander as “a very nice teacher and … he had a good time in her class.”

“It is disappointing,” Bailey added.

Alexander remained in Newport News City Jail on Sunday with no bond set.

ENJOYING YOUR LIFE

Sometimes we just need to cry;

We just need to let for a little while;

Most of our days are spent being strong, being in charge, taking care of others;

But if we don't STOP for a while and allow ourselves' to feel;

Then we will become numb to our own selves';

So remember to take care of you;

And if crying is what you need to do;

Allow yourself to shed tears of healing;

For crying is one of the most therapeutic tools there are;

And it's one we need to practice on a regular basis;

Just because you cry doesn't mean you are weak;

It's how we were created;

It's a form of release;

So make sure you are taking care of you first;

For taking care of others is not possible;

Unless first you take care of yourself.

PRIVATE JET OWNERS IN NIGERIA TO PAY LUXURY TAX

The Federal Government is planning to impose a form of luxury tax on owners and operators of private jets in the country, top officials of the Ministry of Aviation have confirmed.

The plan, currently being fine-tuned by the Aviation Reform Committee, which is also looking into certain areas of the aviation sector, will be perfected very soon.

According to the top government officials close to the move, the plan to impose the luxury tax will be preceded by the new general aviation policy, which is currently being drafted by the government.

Ahead of the release of the general aviation policy, the Aviation ministry has reviewed the 2006 Civil Aviation Act, which will lead to the promulgation of a new Act.

It was learnt that the ministry was planning to send the draft Civil Aviation Bill to the National Assembly.

However, the ministry is currently taking the draft bill to some stakeholders for their input and comments.

In the proposed general aviation policy, the government is also planning to stop private jet owners from making use of the Air Operators Certificate. An AOC is a permit that allows aircraft owners and operators to do commercial flights.

Government, it was gathered, reasoned that since private jets owners did not operate commercial flights, it was needless to continue to require them to possess the AOC.

However, sources close to the situation said the proposal to exempt the private jet owners from possessing the AOC before they could be permitted to fly under the policy would be followed up with the introduction of the luxury tax.

A source privy to the plan explained that the luxury tax on all private jet owners. “is patterned after what is in operation in Brazil and most European countries.”

The source said, “You know the government is exempting private jet owners from possessing AOC in the proposed general aviation policy that will be unveiled very soon. As soon as this is implemented, the government will start asking all private jets to pay the luxury tax.”

The official added, “The idea is that since chartered aircraft operators and regular commercial airlines are already paying ticket sales tax and passenger service tax to the government, private jet owners should also pay a form of tax, which most countries of the world called luxury tax. The plan to exempt private jet owners from possessing an AOC before they can fly is just part of the whole policy proposal.

“All these foreign private jets coming into the country must either come under an AOC and be mandated to pay ticket sales charge and passenger service charge, or you stay under private category and pay luxury tax. Once you are flying within the country for some time, you must fall in one of the categories.”

When contacted, the Special Assistant (Media) to the Minister of Aviation, Mr. Joe Obi, said there was the need to wait for the government to unveil the new general aviation policy.

In a text message response sent to our correspondent, Obi said, “Let’s wait for the new policy to be released first.”

If the government implements the luxury tax policy, popular business moguls, bank executives and religious leaders who own private jets will be mandated to pay the tax.

They are the President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; Chairman, Globacom, Dr. Mike Adenuga; Chairman, Zenon Oil, Mr. Femi Otedola; General Overseer, Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye; and General Overseer, Living Faith World Outreach, Bishop David Oyedepo.

The government had suspended the importation of private jets for some months now, owing to the new general aviation policy being put together by the Aviation ministry.

Top ministry officials said the new policy had been completed, except for some legal details relating to the Civil Aviation Act, 2006.

Private jet ownership in Nigeria grew by 650 per cent from 20 in 2007 to over 150 jets in 2012.

Some wealthy Nigerians had acquired at least 130 private jets with a sum of N1.02tn ($6.5bn) in the last five years, it was gathered.

Some stakeholders, however, reasoned that the new general aviation policy was part of government’s plans to grow Nigeria’s private jet sector, apart from building more private jet terminals at various airports across the country.

YOU THINKING OF RETIRING EARLY AND STILL FINANCIALLY COMFORTABLE??? TIPS

Many of us want to retire early. That early retirement age might be 35, 40, or 50, but the idea is to retire sometime before the age of 65 and start enjoying life — before age and infirmity catch up with you.

The reality, though, is that the dream of early retirement will remain a dream unless you take action.

Here are 5 steps to take that will help you reach your goals of early retirement:•

Make early retirement a priority

 You say you want to retire early, but have you made the necessary commitment? Look at the way you use your financial resources. What do your actions say about your financial priorities? If you really want to retire early, you have to make it a priority — and you’ll have to make tradeoffs.

 That means that you have to give up less important things in the present in order to achieve your long-term priority of early retirement.•

Be Realistic in your expectations

 Next, you need to look at your financial situation realistically. If you’re 35, have no savings plan, and $10,000 in your retirement account, you’re going to have to make some very big changes in order to retire by age 50. Look at realistic investment returns (not the 10% predictions that many tout for stocks), and plan for conservative returns. Any plans you make must be based in reality.•

Create a plan

 Armed with the willingness to commit and realistic expectations, it’s time to create a plan. Your early retirement plan should help you save enough money each month to reach your retirement goals. This means that you have to consider cutting your expenses, and changing what you do with your money, in order to meet the requirements of your plan. And don’t forget about having an investment strategy, as well. Investing is the only way to build up enough wealth to retire early and comfortably.•

Make your plan work

 You need to put effort into making your plan work. This might mean cutting unnecessary expenses from your budget. It might mean spending less and hoarding your money until you reach your goals. It’s true: trying to retire early can mean sacrifice now.Another way to make your plan work is to increase the amount of money you make. If you know you won’t make your goal of early retirement in 20 years and you just can’t cut it anymore, try to earn more money. Improve your marketability so that you qualify for a pay raise.

Start a side hustle.

 Look for ways to increase your income so that you can put more money towards making your early retirement plan work.•

Don’t forget diversity

 Don’t forget diversity as you invest and adhere to your plan. You need the right asset allocation to see retirement portfolio success. It can also help to build diverse sources of income that can help you weather various storms before and during the retirement years. With the right income sources and asset allocation, you can get through setbacks without putting your early retirement goal at risk.