EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE
"Let us have a world of ordinary people, living life the way God wants us to...."
The lyrics of this song really got to me, not only because of the melody it was accompanied by but also because of the writer and singer, a gentleman called Cobhams Asoquo. You most probably haven't heard this name before, but I believe there are a few lessons we could learn from his life and character.
Mr. Asoquo is not your ordinary singer. He was born blind and has never had the privilege of seeing the world through open eyes. Listening to him speak on a programme on radio however, he seemed to me to be more grateful for life than most people are these days. He lives life to the fullest, taking risks and even getting married not too long ago..to a lady with perfect eyesight.
As I said earlier, you most probably haven't heard anything about this man prior to this. Which leads me to ask..How many people will hear your name in their lifetime? You are unique in your own way, but the reality is that your name may most probably never be on a billboard or on television. Yet still what impact are you making? From this man's life story, I learn that it is not about the number of people who mention your name, but rather about how deeply the marks of your life will be etched into the hearts of those you encounter, whether it is just one or two people.
Even with our eyesight, how many times have we not made excuses for our failures and shortcomings? No one is really responsible for our mistakes but ourselves. Instead of blaming others when we fail, or wallowing in self - pity waiting for someone to sympathise with us or pick us up, we need to shake off the dust and get back up again. The scratches you may have received could become a thing of beauty based on your attitude. Tough times should harness our creativity. Our country is a typical example. In these difficult times, what can we do differently to ease the burden on us and move this nation forward? I am sure you have beautiful ideas waiting to be born!
Cobhams' story also reminds me to appreciate the gift of life, no matter the circumstances. No matter where you find yourself, including Ghana, there is a purpose for which you are here and there is so much to be grateful for. If not for anything, we live in a peaceful country full of God's blessings, no matter how blind we may be to them at times.
Where there is life, there is certainly hope.
Is there a Cobhams in your life? Encourage that person and learn from him or her. It is high time we stopped 'waiting' for people to die before we let them know just how important or good they are. On that note, you are important and this nation needs you. There will never be another you reading this. Do not wait till you feel "extraordinary" before rising up to make a change in your little corner.
So "Let us have a world of ordinary people, living life the way God wants us to; and if we have a world of ordinary people, extraordinary things will happen to me and you. "
http://www.loudtronix.me/converting.php?v=jFld1qBYdcY&fmt=mp3
Please follow this link, and click 'High' to download 'Ordinary People' by Cobhams Asoquo. I hope you will be inspired.
Thursday 24 September 2015
Sunday 13 September 2015
WHERE IS THE POWER?
WHERE IS THE POWER?
Over the weekend, and on more than one occasion, some traffic lights at major roads have been off, leading to peril and confusion at various intersections. The only thread of sanity that seems to keep everything together whenever this happens is common sense on the part of drivers and the selflessness of hawkers turned traffic wardens. I wonder how a country like Ghana with almost sixty years of independence could have something as important in our road safety as traffic lights not functioning when it should. I guess you and I know the answer...Our very frustrating power situation popularly referred to as "DUMSOR".
How exactly did we get here? Why should any country face such a situation where we have to plan when to do basic things such as iron, leave work in time to get home before 6pm to 'put things in order' (thereby affecting productivity at work in the long run), or charge our phones and laptops to avoid being unable to prepare adequately for that upcoming class test? It is mostly due to myopia and poor maintenance culture not only on the part of our leaders, but on our part as well.
This power situation has brought out the best players of the blame game, with one faction blaming the other for a situation that could easily have been avoided. Truth be told however, this problem did not begin today. A relay race is being run where a baton of poor leadership and lack of foresight as well as apathy is being passed on from one administration and generation to another.
It may be that too many people are complaining about this power situation, but to every cloud there is a silver lining. We could learn a few great lessons from this unfortunate situation.
Even though we may not have much say in how our nation's electricity is being regulated at the moment, we have a say in the power situation in our own lives.
How brightly is the light of your life shining wherever you go? Do you only shine when others are watching you, only to shed off the light when you are in your own dark corner? You have the power to choose whether your life exudes "DUM" or "SOR". Who do you blame for your own shortcomings and failures? You never know when the light of someone's perusal will shine in your life and find you out in the darkness like some of our judges have learnt the hard way.
Ghana's power situation may not be stable right now but your character can and must be. Like Tigo's promotional slogan goes ("YENSOR NKOAA"), let it also be said of our lives that "with this girl, boy, man, woman, it is YENSOR NKOAA.
THE POWER LIES IN YOU.
SHINE IN SOMEONE'S LIFE TODAY.
Over the weekend, and on more than one occasion, some traffic lights at major roads have been off, leading to peril and confusion at various intersections. The only thread of sanity that seems to keep everything together whenever this happens is common sense on the part of drivers and the selflessness of hawkers turned traffic wardens. I wonder how a country like Ghana with almost sixty years of independence could have something as important in our road safety as traffic lights not functioning when it should. I guess you and I know the answer...Our very frustrating power situation popularly referred to as "DUMSOR".
How exactly did we get here? Why should any country face such a situation where we have to plan when to do basic things such as iron, leave work in time to get home before 6pm to 'put things in order' (thereby affecting productivity at work in the long run), or charge our phones and laptops to avoid being unable to prepare adequately for that upcoming class test? It is mostly due to myopia and poor maintenance culture not only on the part of our leaders, but on our part as well.
This power situation has brought out the best players of the blame game, with one faction blaming the other for a situation that could easily have been avoided. Truth be told however, this problem did not begin today. A relay race is being run where a baton of poor leadership and lack of foresight as well as apathy is being passed on from one administration and generation to another.
It may be that too many people are complaining about this power situation, but to every cloud there is a silver lining. We could learn a few great lessons from this unfortunate situation.
Even though we may not have much say in how our nation's electricity is being regulated at the moment, we have a say in the power situation in our own lives.
How brightly is the light of your life shining wherever you go? Do you only shine when others are watching you, only to shed off the light when you are in your own dark corner? You have the power to choose whether your life exudes "DUM" or "SOR". Who do you blame for your own shortcomings and failures? You never know when the light of someone's perusal will shine in your life and find you out in the darkness like some of our judges have learnt the hard way.
Ghana's power situation may not be stable right now but your character can and must be. Like Tigo's promotional slogan goes ("YENSOR NKOAA"), let it also be said of our lives that "with this girl, boy, man, woman, it is YENSOR NKOAA.
THE POWER LIES IN YOU.
SHINE IN SOMEONE'S LIFE TODAY.
Monday 7 September 2015
BLACK, WHITE...OR GREY?
BLACK, WHITE...OR GREY?
Nana sings, Kwesi dances and Yaw does both, but are any one of them better than the other?
At church on Sunday, my spirit was lifted as I listened to the wonderful blend of voices from the Ghana Police Church Youth Choir. Individual efforts and voices came together into perfect harmony. Imagine if one member decided to stand at the left wing of the church whilst another stood at the right side, with yet a few standing at the top corner of the church's staircase and the rest standing at the church's entrance. Even though they may have still had a common purpose, the church would have been filled with dissonance that afternoon.
What exactly am I driving at? UNITY and PURPOSE.
If the way I go about things differs from that of my fellow Ghanaian, it does not call for enmity or envy but rather a conscientious effort to let my contributions blend with that of my counterpart.
It is often said that "You are either black or white." Well today, I propose to you a different color...GREY. Why not let my traits (BLACK) blend with yours (WHITE) to give us a new shade of GREY, not only to develop ourselves but our nation?
Speaking of black and white...Has anyone heard of zebra crossings? Please, to all those who have vehicles...motors, cars, trucks, bikes...let us be kind enough to stop when we see a pedestrian making an attempt to cross the road at a zebra crossing. It is actually required of us and it does not hurt to show a little kindness.
Back to our different colors...
Before I conclude, we may all belong to different factions as elections draw nearer. Why not allow ourselves to be vessels of peace by overlooking our political affiliation when it comes to everyday decisions like hiring someone to fill a job position or even being on good terms with someone? Our nation is far more important than party colors!
To conclude, our currency (though not so stable right now)serves as an interesting reminder to me of how different things can complement each other. Our money consists of notes and coins. Even among them, there are variations...red coins, silver coins, blue, green, red and brown notes. Even though they differ in value they are all important in their own way when we need to purchase items or transact business....yes, even the one pesewa coin.
You are unique, no matter which note or coin you are. So stand up and be counted.
Whether you are BLACK or WHITE, let us come together and make GREY stand out.
Nana sings, Kwesi dances and Yaw does both, but are any one of them better than the other?
At church on Sunday, my spirit was lifted as I listened to the wonderful blend of voices from the Ghana Police Church Youth Choir. Individual efforts and voices came together into perfect harmony. Imagine if one member decided to stand at the left wing of the church whilst another stood at the right side, with yet a few standing at the top corner of the church's staircase and the rest standing at the church's entrance. Even though they may have still had a common purpose, the church would have been filled with dissonance that afternoon.
What exactly am I driving at? UNITY and PURPOSE.
If the way I go about things differs from that of my fellow Ghanaian, it does not call for enmity or envy but rather a conscientious effort to let my contributions blend with that of my counterpart.
It is often said that "You are either black or white." Well today, I propose to you a different color...GREY. Why not let my traits (BLACK) blend with yours (WHITE) to give us a new shade of GREY, not only to develop ourselves but our nation?
Speaking of black and white...Has anyone heard of zebra crossings? Please, to all those who have vehicles...motors, cars, trucks, bikes...let us be kind enough to stop when we see a pedestrian making an attempt to cross the road at a zebra crossing. It is actually required of us and it does not hurt to show a little kindness.
Back to our different colors...
Before I conclude, we may all belong to different factions as elections draw nearer. Why not allow ourselves to be vessels of peace by overlooking our political affiliation when it comes to everyday decisions like hiring someone to fill a job position or even being on good terms with someone? Our nation is far more important than party colors!
To conclude, our currency (though not so stable right now)serves as an interesting reminder to me of how different things can complement each other. Our money consists of notes and coins. Even among them, there are variations...red coins, silver coins, blue, green, red and brown notes. Even though they differ in value they are all important in their own way when we need to purchase items or transact business....yes, even the one pesewa coin.
You are unique, no matter which note or coin you are. So stand up and be counted.
Whether you are BLACK or WHITE, let us come together and make GREY stand out.
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