THE JOURNEY
How time flies....
So soon(or so it seems) the year has come to an end. Just like every journey, there have been ups and downs, and different stops along the way. The year could be viewed as a long road trip, where there have and often will be :
POTHOLES.
Characteristic of some of our roads, we most of the time do not get to wherever we are going without falling into at least one or two potholes, some huge, some small. What potholes did we fall into along the way? Just as cars do not stay in potholes for long, so can we also get back up no matter the mistake. The journey to greatness is more often than not a bumpy ride. Our strength arises from how well we deal with whatever shocks come from the fall.
It is always interesting for me when I see a driver try his utmost best to 'dodge' a pothole. Some end up even getting into others' lanes. Nevertheless, the pothole is avoided. We can also sometimes learn from others experiences and avoid making some mistakes as well. Experience is not always the best teacher. Sometimes it is much safer to keep our eyes open and learn from others.
SPEED RUMPS.
Imagine a hot red sports car zooming by whilst you are in traffic. The car catches everyone's attention because of its speed and sound. The driver seems to be on a roll!.. Until the speed rump appears. The driver definitely has to slow down, at least if he wants to avoid damaging his car.
Sometimes, we just need to slow down. The road may not necessarily create much room for breaks, so we have to create those breaks ourselves if we do not want to break down. Slowing down has a way of helping us refuel and continue our journey. If you have noticed, when someone who was so good at his job falls sick or dies, he or she is usually replaced in no time. Our lives are important and we must not kill ourselves over jobs and occupations that have a quick way of replacing us when we are gone. We need to take time, rest and appreciate those speed rumps.
BRIDGES.
We are almost at our destination... Then this big river appears. The only way we can cross it is if there is a bridge in place. A solid one at that.
At times, people seem far away from us either by physical distance or some emotional distance we may have created ourselves. Even as the year draws to a close, how many bridges have we built to reach out to others? Unlike the physical bridges, we do not need too many materials in building our bridges. It could be just a phone call, or an "I am sorry", or even just a last minute visit to the person you've procrastinated on visiting for a while.
Maintenance culture is really important not just for our country, but for our own lives. It is not too late to repair any damaged bridges in our lives.
TOLL BOOTHS.
No doubt, these booths have a way of creating a little traffic wherever they are situated. Nevertheless, they are important as the dues we pay go into the maintenance of our roads (hopefully).
We also need to stop and pay our due. This year, who has really contributed to your life? Who needs to be appreciated? A "thank you for everything" will definitely go a long way to make someone smile and feel special.
CHANGING THE STATUS QUO with you has been a great ride so far with the necessary stops. Thank you for being with me through the POTHOLES and SPEED RUMPS. For all those with whom I have built BRIDGES throughout the year, I just want to stop at the TOLL BOOTH and pay my due :THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING. This blog would definitely have not been the same without you.
Whether you make new year resolutions or not, 2016 is going to be full of great opportunities. I know with people like you, we can only move forward to CHANGE THE STATUS QUO.
OUR GHANA is much more beautiful with people like you who aspire to BUILD THAT DREAM, whether we are BLACK, WHITE OR GREY. We can now confidently answer the question: "WHERE IS THE POWER?", since we are EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE with BLESSED MEMORIES. Surely, if we have THE RIGHT HEART, we will certainly make it TO THE FINISH LINE, if only we VACATE THE COMFORT ZONE to DEFY THE ODDS. LET'S continue to DRIVE together. We may see MASQUERADERS along the way, but they make THE JOURNEY even more colourful.
Believe in who you are.
Don't forget to give thanks to our number one STATUS QUO CHANGER, GOD.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Wednesday 30 December 2015
Friday 18 December 2015
MASQUERADER
MASQUERADER
That was about the only thing I dreaded when the Christmas season came around... The sound of whistles accompanied with the rhythmic chant "Masquerader! Masquerader!" As a child, I really wondered what this scary looking mask had to do with Christmas. The only thing it seemed to succeed in doing was making a little girl run and hide behind her parents or any corner close by.
As I grew up, "Masquerader" became less and less intimidating to me. The knowledge that often comes with growing up made me realise that the masqueraders were actually human beings hiding behind some colorful costume to entertain and also make a little cash. My apprehension towards them eventually vanished. They actually became more of a hilarious sight to me.
Seeing a few of them recently in traffic brought some memories to mind as well as one or two lessons.
Memories. They were important then and are important now. No matter how life may have turned out, almost everyone's childhood is characterised by one good memory or another. Growing up may have made those pictures fade, but it's great to pick those pictures up once in a while. Memories bring another word to mind :FAMILIARITY. Just like I became familiar with the once scary masqueraders.
Over time, I've wondered whether familiarity is really a good thing or a bad thing. No doubt, when I'm familiar with someone, I know what they like and don't like, so I know the right way to relate with them....but on the flipside, familiarity has a way of making us take people for granted unconsciously, either because we have known the person for a long time or because we expect the person to know that we love them and we also expect them to always be around. Familiarity needs a great balance between knowing and making the effort to keep things 'fresh and alive'. Someone said, "Everything is valuable only at two times :Before getting it and after losing it.." May this saying not be true in our lives. May things be most valuable to us when we have them NOW.
Masqueraders also have a funny way of bringing two other things to mind : "FACING MY FEARS " and." HIDING BEHIND A FACADE. "
AS time goes on, the things we were once so afraid of are not so scary once we get the courage to face them. At times, the only way we can overcome that fear is by facing it head on and nipping the myth around it in the bud. How will you know how much potential you have until you overcome the status quo in that area of your life? The first few tries may be disappointing, but it gets better with time. Until we stand up and face our fears, the whole world will pass us by as we cower in fear towards that seemingly formidable thing.
In facing our fears, we do not need to lose our identity. Facing our fears by no means implies that we need to impress people, like choosing a "difficult" course so that people will "respect" you. Like the Masquerader, we may sometimes unconsciously hide behind some identity just to 'stand out' or fit in. As I was growing, I realised that many people keep up appearances because of the environment they find themselves in. For example, peer pressure could lead to something like: "Everyone is 'rich'... I must show that me too "I have some". But why do we need to prove ourselves? If we are truly content, we won't feel the need to compete with others, and even if we do feel that urge, we can overcome it.
In hiding behind the facade, we end up losing who we truly are, and when we finally take the masks off, we do not recognise who we are anymore. It is never too late though. No matter how thick the makeup may be, it can always be wiped off, leaving the same familiar face with which we can start afresh..
I just want to brush over the three lessons my MASQUERADERS have taught me:
-Cherish memories and make familiarity an enjoyable thing.
-Face your fears.. That scary thing isn't as formidable as it initially seems.
-Be yourself. No matter how much you may try to follow the status quo, your self will catch up with you some time.
CHRISTmas is here once again. No doubt, we will see more masqueraders,(even though it seems their numbers have reduced drastically). Let us embrace who we are as Ghanaians and be welcoming to others. Above all, let us not forget the true Reason for the season, JESUS CHRIST!
That was about the only thing I dreaded when the Christmas season came around... The sound of whistles accompanied with the rhythmic chant "Masquerader! Masquerader!" As a child, I really wondered what this scary looking mask had to do with Christmas. The only thing it seemed to succeed in doing was making a little girl run and hide behind her parents or any corner close by.
As I grew up, "Masquerader" became less and less intimidating to me. The knowledge that often comes with growing up made me realise that the masqueraders were actually human beings hiding behind some colorful costume to entertain and also make a little cash. My apprehension towards them eventually vanished. They actually became more of a hilarious sight to me.
Seeing a few of them recently in traffic brought some memories to mind as well as one or two lessons.
Memories. They were important then and are important now. No matter how life may have turned out, almost everyone's childhood is characterised by one good memory or another. Growing up may have made those pictures fade, but it's great to pick those pictures up once in a while. Memories bring another word to mind :FAMILIARITY. Just like I became familiar with the once scary masqueraders.
Over time, I've wondered whether familiarity is really a good thing or a bad thing. No doubt, when I'm familiar with someone, I know what they like and don't like, so I know the right way to relate with them....but on the flipside, familiarity has a way of making us take people for granted unconsciously, either because we have known the person for a long time or because we expect the person to know that we love them and we also expect them to always be around. Familiarity needs a great balance between knowing and making the effort to keep things 'fresh and alive'. Someone said, "Everything is valuable only at two times :Before getting it and after losing it.." May this saying not be true in our lives. May things be most valuable to us when we have them NOW.
Masqueraders also have a funny way of bringing two other things to mind : "FACING MY FEARS " and." HIDING BEHIND A FACADE. "
AS time goes on, the things we were once so afraid of are not so scary once we get the courage to face them. At times, the only way we can overcome that fear is by facing it head on and nipping the myth around it in the bud. How will you know how much potential you have until you overcome the status quo in that area of your life? The first few tries may be disappointing, but it gets better with time. Until we stand up and face our fears, the whole world will pass us by as we cower in fear towards that seemingly formidable thing.
In facing our fears, we do not need to lose our identity. Facing our fears by no means implies that we need to impress people, like choosing a "difficult" course so that people will "respect" you. Like the Masquerader, we may sometimes unconsciously hide behind some identity just to 'stand out' or fit in. As I was growing, I realised that many people keep up appearances because of the environment they find themselves in. For example, peer pressure could lead to something like: "Everyone is 'rich'... I must show that me too "I have some". But why do we need to prove ourselves? If we are truly content, we won't feel the need to compete with others, and even if we do feel that urge, we can overcome it.
In hiding behind the facade, we end up losing who we truly are, and when we finally take the masks off, we do not recognise who we are anymore. It is never too late though. No matter how thick the makeup may be, it can always be wiped off, leaving the same familiar face with which we can start afresh..
I just want to brush over the three lessons my MASQUERADERS have taught me:
-Cherish memories and make familiarity an enjoyable thing.
-Face your fears.. That scary thing isn't as formidable as it initially seems.
-Be yourself. No matter how much you may try to follow the status quo, your self will catch up with you some time.
CHRISTmas is here once again. No doubt, we will see more masqueraders,(even though it seems their numbers have reduced drastically). Let us embrace who we are as Ghanaians and be welcoming to others. Above all, let us not forget the true Reason for the season, JESUS CHRIST!
Saturday 12 December 2015
LET'S DRIVE
LET'S DRIVE
I wanted to get my driver's license renewed so made my way towards the only place where that could be done...the Drivers' Vehicle and Licensing Authority (DVLA). Since I was not sure who exactly to go to, I entered one of the offices upon my arrival, contemplating whether to make an enquiry from one of the employees. I stopped short however when I realised the atmosphere I had walked into...One of tempers flying. Some men in apparent irritation, were yelling at the attendants for their poor service, slowness and seeming partiality. Now I was definitely reluctant to walk up to any of the attendants before the men added me to their targets of fury.
I observed, waiting to see how the employees will respond. To my dismay, they responded with equally loud voices and rude tones, unconsciously passing up the opportunity for peace to prevail..It was almost as if they were rather doing the men a favour by rendering service to them.
I hurriedly made enquiries and left the room to start the renewal process. When I got out, the loud blaring of a car horn 'welcomed' me, no doubt an impatient driver who wanted a pedestrian to get out of the way. Again, a harsh response followed..Instead of the pedestrian getting out of the way quietly, he had to have his share of the anger pie before giving way to the already irate driver.
This whole atmosphere brought a question to mind: "Why are Ghanaians so angry these days? "
"A gentle answer quietens anger, but a harsh one stirs it up.." - Proverbs 15:1
Perhaps if the employees had responded softly or kindly to the angry men, the men would not have continued in their tirade. Even if they did continue, the atmosphere would not have been half as tense or unattractive.
Or let us consider the driver and pedestrian..If the pedestrian had quietly gotten out of the way, would the driver have had cause to get even more irritated? Or maybe if the driver had been patient in tooting his horn, the pedestrian would not have seen the need to be rude in the first place.
But is politeness circumstantial? Do we really have to choose who to be polite to and when to be polite? Everyone deserves respect...or at least to be spoken to nicely. Should everyone make a conscious effort to be nice (not fake or hypocritical if I might add) Ghana would be much easier to live in considering the tough conditions we mostly face now. Surely, if no one is looking down on anyone, no one will feel threatened to make a point.
Before I go on though, Ghana is not growing any younger..We need better systems in place place. After I finished the renewal process, I was told the renewal stickers were finished so I should have a piece of paper instead as proof of my renewal and report a few weeks later. I was a bit shocked..Shortage of stickers??
Anyway, I would like us to view Ghana as a vehicle. The most basic parts of a vehicle are at least the tyres, engine, brakes, gears, head and tail lights, windscreen, just to mention a few. What if one or two of the car parts refuse to function? The car will no doubt be in poor shape. So it is with Ghana. If we refuse to do our best or what is required of us, Ghana will eventually grind to a halt.
Of course, no car can move without a driver. At the moment, Ghana's driver is our government. I have come to learn that putting aside partisan views is the oil Ghana's engine needs in order to keep functioning. Instead of murmuring against our leaders, the least we could do is to pray for them, irrespective of the party we belong to. Little by little we will get to our desired destination even though we do need a whole lot of acceleration.
I decided to board the Ghana bus a while back. Care to join?
I wanted to get my driver's license renewed so made my way towards the only place where that could be done...the Drivers' Vehicle and Licensing Authority (DVLA). Since I was not sure who exactly to go to, I entered one of the offices upon my arrival, contemplating whether to make an enquiry from one of the employees. I stopped short however when I realised the atmosphere I had walked into...One of tempers flying. Some men in apparent irritation, were yelling at the attendants for their poor service, slowness and seeming partiality. Now I was definitely reluctant to walk up to any of the attendants before the men added me to their targets of fury.
I observed, waiting to see how the employees will respond. To my dismay, they responded with equally loud voices and rude tones, unconsciously passing up the opportunity for peace to prevail..It was almost as if they were rather doing the men a favour by rendering service to them.
I hurriedly made enquiries and left the room to start the renewal process. When I got out, the loud blaring of a car horn 'welcomed' me, no doubt an impatient driver who wanted a pedestrian to get out of the way. Again, a harsh response followed..Instead of the pedestrian getting out of the way quietly, he had to have his share of the anger pie before giving way to the already irate driver.
This whole atmosphere brought a question to mind: "Why are Ghanaians so angry these days? "
"A gentle answer quietens anger, but a harsh one stirs it up.." - Proverbs 15:1
Perhaps if the employees had responded softly or kindly to the angry men, the men would not have continued in their tirade. Even if they did continue, the atmosphere would not have been half as tense or unattractive.
Or let us consider the driver and pedestrian..If the pedestrian had quietly gotten out of the way, would the driver have had cause to get even more irritated? Or maybe if the driver had been patient in tooting his horn, the pedestrian would not have seen the need to be rude in the first place.
But is politeness circumstantial? Do we really have to choose who to be polite to and when to be polite? Everyone deserves respect...or at least to be spoken to nicely. Should everyone make a conscious effort to be nice (not fake or hypocritical if I might add) Ghana would be much easier to live in considering the tough conditions we mostly face now. Surely, if no one is looking down on anyone, no one will feel threatened to make a point.
Before I go on though, Ghana is not growing any younger..We need better systems in place place. After I finished the renewal process, I was told the renewal stickers were finished so I should have a piece of paper instead as proof of my renewal and report a few weeks later. I was a bit shocked..Shortage of stickers??
Anyway, I would like us to view Ghana as a vehicle. The most basic parts of a vehicle are at least the tyres, engine, brakes, gears, head and tail lights, windscreen, just to mention a few. What if one or two of the car parts refuse to function? The car will no doubt be in poor shape. So it is with Ghana. If we refuse to do our best or what is required of us, Ghana will eventually grind to a halt.
Of course, no car can move without a driver. At the moment, Ghana's driver is our government. I have come to learn that putting aside partisan views is the oil Ghana's engine needs in order to keep functioning. Instead of murmuring against our leaders, the least we could do is to pray for them, irrespective of the party we belong to. Little by little we will get to our desired destination even though we do need a whole lot of acceleration.
I decided to board the Ghana bus a while back. Care to join?
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