Clicking into my phone this morning one hour after waking up, in line with my new practice to reduce screen time and protect my headspace as I prepared to launch into the day, I was greeted with multiple posters and salutations from different quarters/people commemorating "INTERNATIONAL MEN'S DAY" 2023.
Although the thought of men being celebrated felt good at first glance, I could have sworn that it was a prank. International men's day? What is this all about? I whispered to myself. Then I did a little search and only this morning did I realise that, International Men's Day is observed annually on November 19th to focus on men's health, promote gender equality, and celebrate the positive contributions men make to society. It provides an opportunity to address issues such as men's mental health, toxic masculinity, and the challenges faced by men in various areas of life. This year the central theme is "ZERO MALE SUICIDE", as illustrated in one of the official International men's day home page poster below.
If I had my way I would focus on celebrating the positive contributions men make to society all day, everyday, alongside our women-folk. From the relentless hard work to ensure a baseline level of comfort and safety on the nuclear family front, to various amazing contributions in different quarters, including professionally and otherwise, at different levels. It is however pertinent to recognise the fact that, of the approximately 700,000 people who die due to suicide every year, men are more likely to make a large percentage of this sad statistic, with rates quoted to be three times higher compared to women. If you ask for my opinion I'll say it doesn't do the world any good if the reverse was the case, as every single case of suicide is one too many. The theme today however got me reflecting on the various challenges that men could possibly encounter in their journey through life and I stumbled on the below statistics poster that made the rounds 5 years ago.
Although the practice of comparing male to female outcomes (and coming up with indices like the ones noted above) might be an age long phenomenon, I will urge readers to keep an open mind and take a more positive/holistic approach to these and related issues. International men's day should be a day to reflect on how to contribute our quotas both individually, as men living by example, and as a group, to not only appreciate the flavour men should ideally bring to everywhere we find ourselves but to also work on reducing the statistics to zero percent (0 %) for every single challenge. It would have been amazing if we could all possess magic wands 💫 to wave at these issues and make them go away. Unfortunately even against all odds, as the case may be in several regions of the world we live in today, we all have to persistently make concerted efforts to pull our weights and tackle the challenges one day at a time, until we can pat our chests to say that we have made significant progress and beyond. For those who are struggling with any form of anxiety and depression, the major precursor to suicide, please seek professional help as soon as possible and do not leave your family in the dark or put them through a lifetime of emotional pain, as Lori Prichard described in the TEDx Ogden YouTube footage below.
What I learned from my husband's suicide | Lori Prichard | TEDx Ogden
With a smashing victory at the last US Open Tennis Grand Slam and other prior victories in smaller opens, 19-year old Coco Gauff currently sits at number 3 in the Tennis women's world ranking but the big question on the minds of many fans and Tennis enthusiasts like myself would be, is Coco the new face of women's tennis dominance? Is she going to climb to number 1 and stay there for several years to come like we experienced with the likes of Serena Williams and a few others before her?
In my opinion, she appears calm, cool headed and ready for this. I won't underrate the stiff European competition though. We are here for the battle and keen to see how things pan out in the next few slams. What are your thoughts?
It is no longer breaking news that Edson Arantes do Nascimento aka Pele the football/soccer god breathed his last on the 29th day of December, 2022. Although he retired from playing football in 1977 before some of us were born, I can remember vividly how the first player I associated with the wonderful game was Pele and to show my last respect, I am writing this tribute to the Legend himself. After all, what would the Sports Health Column of a Blog be without acknowledging the amazing contribution of this Maestro to the wonderful game of football?
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Oh great Pele, with a reported 1,283 goals in 1,363 games for country and club sides, and amongst other trophies, 3 FIFA World cups to crown it all, you signed your signature on the memory plates of those who were opportune to watch you live; changed the destiny of Samba forever and whispered your name into the ears of unborn foetuses even before they were birthed and eventually grew to love the game.
You manifested your own manual for the number 10 position; redefined the meaning of dribbling during the wonderful game of football and took style on the field of play to a stratospherically different level. If anyone was going to live their dreams until they became reality on the football pitch and beyond, then it had to be started by you, the one and only Pele!!!
Complications relating to progression ofcolon (large bowel) cancer might have resulted in your physical body going the way of all the earth but as long as football/soccer continues to exist, the potency of your legacy will increasingly grow stronger and your name mentioned by many generations to come, of lovers of the great sport ⚽!!! Rest in strength Legend.
Compliments of the season from myself and the rest of the team to “DR KEVWE’S BLOG” readers and “DR KEVWE TV” watchers all around the world. We’ve not been consistent with blogging or Vlogging but some of you have continued to peep back in to encourage /motivate us. Whilst 2022 came with various challenges, one of which was ‘creators block’ for me, there were also wonderful and encouraging aspects to the year. As the activities of the year quickly grind to an end, holding unto the positives and running with the energy into 2023 is a no brainer. We are wishing everyone a happy & prosperous new year in advance.
As the world bids farewell to Queen Elizabeth II in the greatest state funeral of modern times, the solemnity on the streets of the United Kingdom today is unquestionably palpable. 99% of Non-essential Service Providers have shut their doors to pay their last respects to the Queen and the atmosphere at my current location is just mind-blowing, even as Windsor where the state funeral is being held is over 2 hours away. Classical example of a Queen loved by her people to the moon and back, if you ask me.
Source: justjared.com
96 years of a life well lived with over 70 years of a reign that stood the test of time and gained the admiration of many across the length and breath of the globe. Queen Elizabeth II was one of a kind and her devotion to the service of her people will remain as a shining light for exemplary leadership for many many years to come. Adieu great Lilibet
On the 8th of September 2022, I was at work when the news of the death of Queen Elizabeth II sent shock waves across the world. At the ripe age of 96 and after over 70 years of serving your people diligently, you peacefully slept on, for others to continue with the greatness of the legacy that you built over the decades of your existence. The classical example of a life lived to the fullest.
Source: bbc.com
I didn't have the opportunity to meet the Queen in person but one way or the other, she had been introduced to us and remained a constant there after, in all our lives. From the South South Rainforest regions of West Africa, myself and other kids sang and danced to the nursery rhyme that verbally illustrated a "cat going to London to visit the Queen". Social Studies then introduced Colonialism to us and from my understanding via the history books, you inherited a Kingdom whose major international business for many years was Global Trade, exploration and territory acquisition. Some still associate your memory with this business but those who followed your modern reign closely can confirm that, you have a heart of gold filled with nothing but love and kindness through and through. I watched part of the message you gave on your first visit to Dublin and you clearly reflected on how many things could have been approached and done differently, if the hand of time were to be turned back.
Credit: Mr Kevin P.Burke and the Burke Children Private Collection - via The Economist
The Queen was the embodiment of true service to her people and the commonwealth. Behind all the earthly power and glory, there was a beautiful, compassionate, caring and God fearing woman/mother/grandmother/great grandmother. The current testimonials say it all and it's obviously as clear as day light that, in our life time, there will never be another Queen to take your place in our hearts. Rest in strength great one.
IWD Zoom background via internationalwomensday.com
Today, Tuesday 8th of March, is International Women's Day 2022 and this year the theme is "BREAK THE BIAS" but amidst all the campaigning and events across the world, the silent question begging for a genuine answer is, can we break the bias? If you were a male or female recruiter mandated to get Experts behind the computers in the office depicted above, will you employ 3 women and 3 men accordingly?
Will your choices be free of: bias, stereotypes and discrimination?
Will your choices be: diverse, equitable and inclusive?
Can we break the bias? My personal answer is, YES WE CAN #BreakTheBias and here is how:
If you were born of a woman; have a sister or a daughter, then best time to act is now!
This has nothing to do with who is the head of the family or not!
Yes we all have to help forge a gender equal world; everything will be much better, wouldn't it?
Collectively we can all #BreakTheBias !!! I hope women all around the world have had a meaningful day's celebration and still doing so. Our heart break for innocent women and children in Ukraine right now. All we can do for you is pray that things get back to normal for you and your husbands, fathers and brothers. Hopefully, some day, we will raise our heads in confidence and say, we all played our roles to #BreakTheBias.
In the last several months I've been putting in an effort to improve my YouTube Channel, DR KEVWE'S TV, so when I learnt that the Canon EOS M50 Mark II Mirrorless digital camera was a Video Bloggers/Vloggers delight, I took the plunge and the footage below is an unboxing video I did, to show my subscribers, family /friends and now you, distinguished DKB(Dr Kevwe's Blog) Readers, some of the features of the digital hardware. You can also find details about the specifications below the video.
