The Bumpy Ride.
A young man rode by on his bicycle, which was quite an ordinary scene. What caught my attention however was the little boy tucked comfortably in between the bike rider and the bike's steer. Instead of allowing fear to make him uncomfortable because the road was quite bumpy, the little boy held on to the steer in confidence, trusting that his companion will take him safely to his destination without any interruption.
Still being in the classroom of life, I learnt quite a few things from that brief moment, including trust, hope and the bumpy ride we constantly face, called life.
In these times, it is quite difficult to trust anyone, since taking that risk could lead to betrayal, heartache and even deceit. Somehow, seeing that little boy brought some questions to me that I would also like to ask you :
How far are we willing to go in our trust for others?
Just how much can others trust us?
I am not referring to the kind of trust where we virtually 'place our whole hearts in the hands of another person', but rather the kind of trust that enables us not to take every burden unto ourselves, but also to share with a privileged few. It could be the burden of responsibility, worry or of any kind. A decision to bear every responsibility on our shoulders without seeing the good in others enough to delegate a few things to them, is in effect a decision to wear ourselves out in the shortest possible time.
No matter how cold the world may become, there are always people around us who are willing to help, even if it is just one person. It is up to us to identify them and make the most of our time with them.
We need to also be the kind of people others could depend on even when they are on the verge of giving up or seem to have run out of options.
How broad enough is your shoulder for someone else to lean on?
Life has a way of teaching us that in spite of the bumpy ride, there is a ray of sunshine called hope.
The journey to our pinnacle of greatness will not always be a smooth one, but there is potential beauty in every situation as well as an opportunity to be refined and to grow stronger. No doubt, as the little boy's bike ride got more bumpy, he clutched the steer harder and leaned closer to his companion.
Whatever 'bumps' we encounter along the way are just a reminder to hold on tightly to our hope and to our desire to be the best we can be. We at times need to be pushed harder to realise just how much we need to hold on and not give up. It is also an opportunity to lean even closer to those we are privileged to have in our lives, as well as to God.
In sharing this bike ride with the little boy, there was no doubt an opportunity to create another memory, for both the bike rider and the little boy. Most probably, there was no other transportation alternative, but in our limitations, there is not only an opportunity to grow in the character of contentment, but also to build great memories with the little we have. There are many opportunities to create memories with not just our families, friends and loved ones, but also even those we may not have a personal relationship with, by reaching out to them through a visit, constant encouragement or an act of kindness.
Whether it is a bicycle or any other form of transport, the ride may not always be smooth (literally and figuratively), but it will eventually lead to a great destination.
I would like to leave you with a gift right after Fathers' Day. His Name is Jesus, and He promises to be with you during the bumpy ride, every step of the way.
Do not forget to show appreciation to whoever has put effort into your life, and who has decided to stick with you throughout the bumpy ride!
Sunday, 19 June 2016
Saturday, 28 May 2016
REFLECTIONS THROUGH THE RAIN.
Reflections through the rain.
As a country, we have been blessed by a wonderful gift called Water. This water forms our lakes, streams and sea, and is used in our every day activities like washing our clothes, irrigation, cooking and most importantly drinking to sustain life. Water is meant to be one of the most embraced natural phenomena, but what happens when this once 'friendly' gift becomes lethal when the rains hit once again?
As a nation, we learnt our lesson the hard way last year when the rains wreaked massive havoc in various locations. Lessons when learnt, need to be applied as a result. As I passed through some streets this week, one question kept running through my mind :
"Will we be really prepared if another barrage of storms hits us again when we least expect it? "
This of course led me to think of another activity we need to constantly engage in as progressive human beings and lovers of our country :
PREPARATION.
Is preparation a collective effort, or it begins with us on an individual basis?
It is often said that time lost cannot be regained, and time waits for no man. The only power we therefore have over time is how effectively and wisely we use it.
At this point, I would like us to take a look at an everyday but often overlooked creature, THE ANT.
As a nation, we learnt our lesson the hard way last year when the rains wreaked massive havoc in various locations. Lessons when learnt, need to be applied as a result. As I passed through some streets this week, one question kept running through my mind :
"Will we be really prepared if another barrage of storms hits us again when we least expect it? "
This of course led me to think of another activity we need to constantly engage in as progressive human beings and lovers of our country :
PREPARATION.
Is preparation a collective effort, or it begins with us on an individual basis?
It is often said that time lost cannot be regained, and time waits for no man. The only power we therefore have over time is how effectively and wisely we use it.
At this point, I would like us to take a look at an everyday but often overlooked creature, THE ANT.
The ant is one of the tiniest creatures we could ever come across, and to me, one of the most irritating. In spite of their size however, they always manage to make their presence felt. How pronounced is your presence wherever you find yourself, especially since you have an advantage over the ant in terms of size?
A close look at these creatures will reveal a sense of purpose that seems quite audacious considering how intrusive ants are viewed to be. The ant however always seems to know what it is about, going as far as to help itself to some crumbs or other pieces from our leftover meals. In the face of life's harsh circumstances (including rain), will we still do what we have to do, or we will come up with excuses like "It is too wet a day to go to church", "I can't walk through this rain to work" or "I am just not able to do this"?
The ant, as diminutive as it is in size, carries on in boldness. What excuse then do we have?
Ants do not usually operate alone, but work with their fellow counterparts. This further reduces their risk of being completely eliminated and helps them in achieving their agenda faster than if they had taken up the task alone. How willing are we to allow others to help us without feeling threatened? The only way Ghana can move forward is when we see one another as teammates and not opponents, no matter the ethnic or political divide. This can be put to good use even in this rainy season. Instead of perhaps waiting for someone in authority to come and put measures in place to curb any potential floods, we could take up the task ourselves by doing the seemingly mundane things like disposing of rubbish properly and keeping our gutters as free as possible so we do not have a spillover at the least downpour. This takes a collective effort but first begins with an individual decision to be an integral tool in the development of our homes, societies and the nation at large.
One great characteristic of the ant is its preparation BEFORE time. Ants never wait till the rainy season or winter before they store up food for hard times. They literally 'make hay whilst the sun shines', an activity that could really carry Ghana high on our shoulders if we make the most of our circumstances.
How far do we see into the future? How ready are we in the face of unexpected situations?
Well, as unwelcome as the ant is:
"Go to the ant...consider her ways, and be wise : which having no guide, overseer or ruler, provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.. " - Proverbs 6:6-8 (KJV)
We are no doubt in a season of rain once again. The only difference however is how proactive we decide to be in situations that virtually seem hopeless. The rain may not only be literal, but could be any uncomfortable situation in our lives. Ours is to be prepared, press on and look out for the beauty of God's finishing touch in every situation. The sun will definitely come out again.
Who knows? Just like the ant, someone may just be watching you closely to learn a few lessons from you too!
*source of pictures : www.pinterest.com
Monday, 25 April 2016
THE LONG HAUL
The Long Haul.
I heard quite an interesting song this past week which had a catchy phrase... 'small, small' being constantly repeated. It got me thinking about just how willing we truly are in this day and age to start great things from scratch. Our time is witnessing a fast movement in every way, from fast food to fast cars to fast developing buildings...you name it...so fast that we hardly find time to just pause and reflect on what truly matters anymore.
Let's meet four people :
Kwesi and Adjoa, and Osei and Naana.
Kwesi is a driven guy, passionate about the next thing he can do to make his world a better place. Though he has a treasure of ideas within him, he does not have much in terms of possessions...at least, not yet. He feels he is barely even noticed wherever he goes. However, his friend Adjoa constantly pushes him to press on and not give up, and to believe in himself with a view of what he could achieve in the future. This constant push drives Kwesi to start small, with just some confidence and encouragement to work with.
Fast forward seven years later... Adjoa becomes Kwesi's wife, and they are living quite comfortably with both of them excelling in their businesses and giving back to society. Kwesi always makes it a point to remind Adjoa of how much he appreciates her, no matter how 'bigger and better' they get.
Osei has it all... Whatever any 'normal' girl could want a guy to have, just direct her to Osei and she will be mesmerised. However, Osei faces one problem...how will he know whether the people who come into his life are genuine or just want a piece of his cake? He finds out when he meets an acquaintance, Naana, who later becomes a close friend.
Naana feels life should always be at a quick pace, and there is no need to struggle for anything. Whereas Osei feels she is genuine, Naana has one agenda in mind...to eventually become part owner of all that Osei has.
Her dream eventually becomes a reality, as four years down the line, she and Osei get married. Not long after however, the dream boat sinks as Osei goes bankrupt. He is at least comforted because he knows he has Naana by his side, but comes home after a few weeks of his predicament to meet his wife gone...to 'seek greener pastures.' Osei eventually regains everything he lost, but is more careful with whom he allows into his inner circle...and Naana is left to regret her hasty decision.
This story may not be real, but it does pose a number of questions I would like us to think about today...
"What do we truly look out for in people? "
The saying 'not all that glitters is gold' gets more real everyday. There is more to people than just what they have or the name they are addressed by. What truly matters at the end of the day is what they have when all else fades; a genuine character that stays solid through the furnace of life's situations.
"How long are we willing to wait to be the next big thing? '"
Comparing ourselves to others could either be helpful or detrimental, depending on our perspective.
Someone's success may just be a lesson or stepping stone for you to the next stage of your life, and not necessarily a call to compete. Everyone's race is definitely different. What may take one person five years to do may take another two years to do, but what matters at the end of the day is the quality of our works and not who won the race first.
"How much are we willing to pour into people's lives, so their gifts and talents could also overflow into the lives of others and their society? "
Do we find our boost in belittling others or by looking out for the good in them and letting them know how special they are?
I have come to learn that encouragement can be likened to water... Constant encouragement poured into someone's life is like water being poured into a vessel... No matter how long it takes to fill it, it will eventually get full. The greatest part of it all is that you will eventually drink from the same vessel you filled someday, if not sooner, later.
How can we talk about patience and sacrifice without remembering our beloved country Ghana?
Ghana is like soil...and the seeds are in our hands. How carefully we plant these seeds into this soil will determine the quality of plants that will eventually spring up.
Do we take the time to build our nation in every way we can think of, no matter how small it may seem? How long are we willing to wait to see our nation shine its brightest?
"SMALL SMALL"...
One simple word stated twice, but full of lessons.
The greatest buildings started with just a few materials like cement, water and stone. All these materials on their own look drab, but when mixed together, make a strong foundation on which great edifices are built.
You could be sitting by the next president, CEO, game changer, generational thinker... You name it.
Do not despise little beginnings... Your 'SMALL' could eventually become a great thing that could shock Ghana and the world!
I heard quite an interesting song this past week which had a catchy phrase... 'small, small' being constantly repeated. It got me thinking about just how willing we truly are in this day and age to start great things from scratch. Our time is witnessing a fast movement in every way, from fast food to fast cars to fast developing buildings...you name it...so fast that we hardly find time to just pause and reflect on what truly matters anymore.
Let's meet four people :
Kwesi and Adjoa, and Osei and Naana.
Kwesi is a driven guy, passionate about the next thing he can do to make his world a better place. Though he has a treasure of ideas within him, he does not have much in terms of possessions...at least, not yet. He feels he is barely even noticed wherever he goes. However, his friend Adjoa constantly pushes him to press on and not give up, and to believe in himself with a view of what he could achieve in the future. This constant push drives Kwesi to start small, with just some confidence and encouragement to work with.
Fast forward seven years later... Adjoa becomes Kwesi's wife, and they are living quite comfortably with both of them excelling in their businesses and giving back to society. Kwesi always makes it a point to remind Adjoa of how much he appreciates her, no matter how 'bigger and better' they get.
Osei has it all... Whatever any 'normal' girl could want a guy to have, just direct her to Osei and she will be mesmerised. However, Osei faces one problem...how will he know whether the people who come into his life are genuine or just want a piece of his cake? He finds out when he meets an acquaintance, Naana, who later becomes a close friend.
Naana feels life should always be at a quick pace, and there is no need to struggle for anything. Whereas Osei feels she is genuine, Naana has one agenda in mind...to eventually become part owner of all that Osei has.
Her dream eventually becomes a reality, as four years down the line, she and Osei get married. Not long after however, the dream boat sinks as Osei goes bankrupt. He is at least comforted because he knows he has Naana by his side, but comes home after a few weeks of his predicament to meet his wife gone...to 'seek greener pastures.' Osei eventually regains everything he lost, but is more careful with whom he allows into his inner circle...and Naana is left to regret her hasty decision.
This story may not be real, but it does pose a number of questions I would like us to think about today...
"What do we truly look out for in people? "
The saying 'not all that glitters is gold' gets more real everyday. There is more to people than just what they have or the name they are addressed by. What truly matters at the end of the day is what they have when all else fades; a genuine character that stays solid through the furnace of life's situations.
"How long are we willing to wait to be the next big thing? '"
Comparing ourselves to others could either be helpful or detrimental, depending on our perspective.
Someone's success may just be a lesson or stepping stone for you to the next stage of your life, and not necessarily a call to compete. Everyone's race is definitely different. What may take one person five years to do may take another two years to do, but what matters at the end of the day is the quality of our works and not who won the race first.
"How much are we willing to pour into people's lives, so their gifts and talents could also overflow into the lives of others and their society? "
Do we find our boost in belittling others or by looking out for the good in them and letting them know how special they are?
I have come to learn that encouragement can be likened to water... Constant encouragement poured into someone's life is like water being poured into a vessel... No matter how long it takes to fill it, it will eventually get full. The greatest part of it all is that you will eventually drink from the same vessel you filled someday, if not sooner, later.
How can we talk about patience and sacrifice without remembering our beloved country Ghana?
Ghana is like soil...and the seeds are in our hands. How carefully we plant these seeds into this soil will determine the quality of plants that will eventually spring up.
Do we take the time to build our nation in every way we can think of, no matter how small it may seem? How long are we willing to wait to see our nation shine its brightest?
"SMALL SMALL"...
One simple word stated twice, but full of lessons.
The greatest buildings started with just a few materials like cement, water and stone. All these materials on their own look drab, but when mixed together, make a strong foundation on which great edifices are built.
You could be sitting by the next president, CEO, game changer, generational thinker... You name it.
Do not despise little beginnings... Your 'SMALL' could eventually become a great thing that could shock Ghana and the world!
Friday, 1 April 2016
BEYOND THE SHINE.
BEYOND THE SHINE.
"Please bear with me, I would like to pass by someone's place to drop something off... ", a taxi driver, whom I later found out was called Emmanuel, said to me in one of our local languages, Twi.
I wondered what it was that could not possibly wait till after he took me to my destination.
" A lady I picked earlier this week left her phone in the car", he continued..."and I keep going there to see if she is around, but she hasn't been..."
I was quite surprised. I seemed to have forgotten that such people still existed. Even if they did, they were quite few, and I felt so privileged to meet this man. His act brought a few questions to mind and taught me some lessons I would like to share with you today. Before we proceed however, I'd like you to ask yourself this question :
Beneath your outward appearance, what true treasure lies within?
My taxi driver friend had a way of reminding me of the power of honesty even when no one is watching or there is no likelihood of being rewarded. His act may have seemed 'little', but it went a long way to have an impact on me. Which brings me to my next question...
What image has your life imprinted on others' hearts and minds? Or better still, what impression will someone leave with when they spend just a few minutes with you?
I have learnt not too look down on others and not to quickly jump to conclusions about people, especially based on their outward appearance. When was the last time you chose to be nice to someone based on the way they were dressed or how affluent they looked?
Appearances are and can be deceptive and that is why we need to make it a point to look BEYOND THE SHINE to what truly lies within; a character that refuses to be bent by time and conditions. We need to take the time to know people for who they are and what they have been through.
No doubt, it may seem as if I concluded hastily about my taxi driver friend based on just one act of his... but isn't that how life is? Like it is often said, 'A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step..'
The story of your life being written by someone begins with the first step they see you take towards them and others. This could either be good or bad, depending on which path of life you decide to choose. Your actions always speak volumes about you.
If you were to do the right thing over and over again without being acknowledged, will you finally throw in the towel?
I believe Ghana has more people like Uncle Emmanuel hidden in different corners of the country. What makes the difference is whether they will continue to walk in that stead no matter the conditions...whether the light of recognition will some day shine on them or not. With or without a pat on the back, we at least owe it to our nation to do what is right and be one another's keeper. Right will always be right even when the world disagrees. We are even more privileged because there is a manual available to us; the Bible, which constantly reminds us not to conform to the standards of this world. The world's standards always change, but we can decide to be that constant factor that never changes no matter what.
So, the next time we meet, what will I see beyond your shine? What will others be able to say about you after a brief encounter? How will the story of your life be summed up by others?
You have the great privilege of being the light this world needs to see. Ghana will be even brighter if we all work towards being much more than what is seen on the outside.
Work on the treasure that is BEYOND THE SHINE.
A life is waiting to be impacted by no one else but YOU.
"Please bear with me, I would like to pass by someone's place to drop something off... ", a taxi driver, whom I later found out was called Emmanuel, said to me in one of our local languages, Twi.
I wondered what it was that could not possibly wait till after he took me to my destination.
" A lady I picked earlier this week left her phone in the car", he continued..."and I keep going there to see if she is around, but she hasn't been..."
I was quite surprised. I seemed to have forgotten that such people still existed. Even if they did, they were quite few, and I felt so privileged to meet this man. His act brought a few questions to mind and taught me some lessons I would like to share with you today. Before we proceed however, I'd like you to ask yourself this question :
Beneath your outward appearance, what true treasure lies within?
My taxi driver friend had a way of reminding me of the power of honesty even when no one is watching or there is no likelihood of being rewarded. His act may have seemed 'little', but it went a long way to have an impact on me. Which brings me to my next question...
What image has your life imprinted on others' hearts and minds? Or better still, what impression will someone leave with when they spend just a few minutes with you?
I have learnt not too look down on others and not to quickly jump to conclusions about people, especially based on their outward appearance. When was the last time you chose to be nice to someone based on the way they were dressed or how affluent they looked?
Appearances are and can be deceptive and that is why we need to make it a point to look BEYOND THE SHINE to what truly lies within; a character that refuses to be bent by time and conditions. We need to take the time to know people for who they are and what they have been through.
No doubt, it may seem as if I concluded hastily about my taxi driver friend based on just one act of his... but isn't that how life is? Like it is often said, 'A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step..'
The story of your life being written by someone begins with the first step they see you take towards them and others. This could either be good or bad, depending on which path of life you decide to choose. Your actions always speak volumes about you.
If you were to do the right thing over and over again without being acknowledged, will you finally throw in the towel?
I believe Ghana has more people like Uncle Emmanuel hidden in different corners of the country. What makes the difference is whether they will continue to walk in that stead no matter the conditions...whether the light of recognition will some day shine on them or not. With or without a pat on the back, we at least owe it to our nation to do what is right and be one another's keeper. Right will always be right even when the world disagrees. We are even more privileged because there is a manual available to us; the Bible, which constantly reminds us not to conform to the standards of this world. The world's standards always change, but we can decide to be that constant factor that never changes no matter what.
So, the next time we meet, what will I see beyond your shine? What will others be able to say about you after a brief encounter? How will the story of your life be summed up by others?
You have the great privilege of being the light this world needs to see. Ghana will be even brighter if we all work towards being much more than what is seen on the outside.
Work on the treasure that is BEYOND THE SHINE.
A life is waiting to be impacted by no one else but YOU.
Friday, 11 March 2016
CREATE YOUR WORLD.
Create Your World.
"Make sure you bring your laptop to class tomorrow... "
Somehow, I never wanted to hear those words because I had a laptop that I had started to compare to a desktop computer, since I could only use it for at most, an hour, before having to plug it into a power source. This increasingly became cumbersome especially in the time of 'dumsor' (which I hope is genuinely over for good!) and made taking the laptop to class a whole task on its own. My frustration caused me to forget how 'faithful' it had been to me through my class assignments and other important tasks, till I actually started to treat it like the desktop I was unknowingly trying to force it to be.
Imagine my dismay when one day, immediately after an accidental disconnection, the laptop went off completely in the middle of its use. Somehow, I knew it was a combination of fact and words. Fact was that the laptop was quite old and would have eventually needed to be changed, but words were "My laptop is 'condemned' ", a confession that eventually became a reality.
What am I driving at?
This laptop may not have been an animate object, but it taught me quite a few lessons.
How we view people and situations in our minds, could eventually reflect in how we treat them or react to them. How often do we write people off because of one or two mistakes they have made? How often do we callously utter a discouraging word before we realise the gravity of our thoughtlessness?
My faithful laptop had a way of reminding me that we need to be constantly appreciative and not take the seemingly little things for granted. We need to appreciate others, no matter how small whatever they may have done for us is. Appreciation does not only have to be felt, but also expressed...you never know when someone just needs to hear it.
Faithful L, as I eventually decided to call the laptop, also had a way of reminding me of the importance of every moment we have. 'L' finally gained its status of being 'condemned' when I least expected it. No doubt, if I had treated it better, it would have lasted longer. We do not need to wait for people to walk out of our lives before we realise how important they are to us. Every moment with the special people in our lives is a precious opportunity to make life (both ours and theirs) count...and everyone is special in their own way.
At this juncture, I just want you to take a moment to reflect... What were the last words you said prior to this? Were they positive or negative? Did they build someone up or tear them down? Did they take you one step closer to a brighter future or indirectly stole something good from your days ahead?
I came across some stories of a few people who made it despite the discouragement they faced....
*Colonel Sanders
Founder of the famous KFC. He started at the age of 65! In trying to build his business, he was rejected 1009 times! He still pressed on despite the discouraging feedback.
Words have a great effect, which means, if you do not have anyone to speak positively into your life, take up the task YOURSELF and CREATE YOUR own WORLD.
*Stephen King
A famous book writer, his first book was rejected 30 times. He eventually gave up and threw his work into the trash. He just needed an encouraging word, and he found that in his wife, who retrieved the book from the trash and encouraged him to submit it again. That encouragement opened the door to many more books, and today, he has sold more than 30 million books!
Why don't you also be that encouraging voice in someone's life today?
*
This space has been left blank, to be filled by your name someday. Your name could also be someday etched in the sands of time, if only you choose to CREATE YOUR WORLD with positive words and overcome whatever challenges you face.
Ghana is waiting for you.
It's amazing how something as trivial and mundane as an old laptop could teach me these important lessons. What lessons are out there waiting to catch your attention? We do not only learn for ourselves, but also to share with others. More than once, I have been humbled by the store of knowledge that those around us in our everyday lives have in them, just waiting to be shared. The only key to unlocking such wealth is TO ASK.
Changing the Status Quo can never be half of what it is without you, the reader. The power however, does not lie only in reading, but spreading the word to others. A word could revive someone, teach another and yet correct another. That is how powerful our words can be. No doubt, my laptop experienced the power of my words firsthand! The world is waiting to be changed by your words. You could start with an encouraging word to someone or even by sharing this post with others!
CREATE YOUR WORLD TODAY!
Recommended books on the power of our words.
*The Books of Proverbs and James (found in the greatest book ever written, The Bible.)
*'Claim Your Inheritance' by Richard Roberts
*'The Game of Life (and how to play it)' by Florence Scovel Shinn.
If you were to think in a second, of three people who have impacted your life greatly by their words, who would they be?
Appreciate them today.
"Make sure you bring your laptop to class tomorrow... "
Somehow, I never wanted to hear those words because I had a laptop that I had started to compare to a desktop computer, since I could only use it for at most, an hour, before having to plug it into a power source. This increasingly became cumbersome especially in the time of 'dumsor' (which I hope is genuinely over for good!) and made taking the laptop to class a whole task on its own. My frustration caused me to forget how 'faithful' it had been to me through my class assignments and other important tasks, till I actually started to treat it like the desktop I was unknowingly trying to force it to be.
Imagine my dismay when one day, immediately after an accidental disconnection, the laptop went off completely in the middle of its use. Somehow, I knew it was a combination of fact and words. Fact was that the laptop was quite old and would have eventually needed to be changed, but words were "My laptop is 'condemned' ", a confession that eventually became a reality.
What am I driving at?
This laptop may not have been an animate object, but it taught me quite a few lessons.
How we view people and situations in our minds, could eventually reflect in how we treat them or react to them. How often do we write people off because of one or two mistakes they have made? How often do we callously utter a discouraging word before we realise the gravity of our thoughtlessness?
My faithful laptop had a way of reminding me that we need to be constantly appreciative and not take the seemingly little things for granted. We need to appreciate others, no matter how small whatever they may have done for us is. Appreciation does not only have to be felt, but also expressed...you never know when someone just needs to hear it.
Faithful L, as I eventually decided to call the laptop, also had a way of reminding me of the importance of every moment we have. 'L' finally gained its status of being 'condemned' when I least expected it. No doubt, if I had treated it better, it would have lasted longer. We do not need to wait for people to walk out of our lives before we realise how important they are to us. Every moment with the special people in our lives is a precious opportunity to make life (both ours and theirs) count...and everyone is special in their own way.
At this juncture, I just want you to take a moment to reflect... What were the last words you said prior to this? Were they positive or negative? Did they build someone up or tear them down? Did they take you one step closer to a brighter future or indirectly stole something good from your days ahead?
I came across some stories of a few people who made it despite the discouragement they faced....
*Colonel Sanders
Founder of the famous KFC. He started at the age of 65! In trying to build his business, he was rejected 1009 times! He still pressed on despite the discouraging feedback.
Words have a great effect, which means, if you do not have anyone to speak positively into your life, take up the task YOURSELF and CREATE YOUR own WORLD.
*Stephen King
A famous book writer, his first book was rejected 30 times. He eventually gave up and threw his work into the trash. He just needed an encouraging word, and he found that in his wife, who retrieved the book from the trash and encouraged him to submit it again. That encouragement opened the door to many more books, and today, he has sold more than 30 million books!
Why don't you also be that encouraging voice in someone's life today?
*
This space has been left blank, to be filled by your name someday. Your name could also be someday etched in the sands of time, if only you choose to CREATE YOUR WORLD with positive words and overcome whatever challenges you face.
Ghana is waiting for you.
It's amazing how something as trivial and mundane as an old laptop could teach me these important lessons. What lessons are out there waiting to catch your attention? We do not only learn for ourselves, but also to share with others. More than once, I have been humbled by the store of knowledge that those around us in our everyday lives have in them, just waiting to be shared. The only key to unlocking such wealth is TO ASK.
Changing the Status Quo can never be half of what it is without you, the reader. The power however, does not lie only in reading, but spreading the word to others. A word could revive someone, teach another and yet correct another. That is how powerful our words can be. No doubt, my laptop experienced the power of my words firsthand! The world is waiting to be changed by your words. You could start with an encouraging word to someone or even by sharing this post with others!
CREATE YOUR WORLD TODAY!
Recommended books on the power of our words.
*The Books of Proverbs and James (found in the greatest book ever written, The Bible.)
*'Claim Your Inheritance' by Richard Roberts
*'The Game of Life (and how to play it)' by Florence Scovel Shinn.
If you were to think in a second, of three people who have impacted your life greatly by their words, who would they be?
Appreciate them today.
CREATE YOUR WORLD.
Create Your World.
"Make sure you bring your laptop to class tomorrow... "
Somehow, I never wanted to hear those words because I had a laptop that I had started to compare to a desktop computer since I could only use it for at most, an hour, before having to plug it into a power source. This increasingly became cumbersome especially in the time of 'dumsor' (which I hope is genuinely over for good!) and made taking the laptop to class a whole task on its own. My frustration caused me to forget how 'faithful' it had been to me through my class assignments and other important tasks, till I actually started to treat it like the desktop I was unknowingly trying to force it to be.
Imagine my dismay when one day, immediately after an accidental disconnection, the laptop went off completely in the middle of its use. Somehow, I knew it was a combination of fact and words. Fact was that the laptop was quite old and would have eventually needed to be changed, but words were "My laptop is 'condemned' ", a confession that eventually became a reality.
What am I driving at?
This laptop may not have been an animate object, but it taught me quite a few lessons.
How we view people and situations in our minds, could eventually reflect in how we treat them or react to them. How often do we write people off because of one or two mistakes they have made? How often do we callously utter a discouraging word before we realise the gravity of our thoughtlessness?
My faithful laptop had a way of reminding me that we need to be constantly appreciative and not take the seemingly little things for granted. We need to appreciate others, no matter how small whatever they may have done for us is. Appreciation does not only have to be felt, but also expressed...you never know when someone just needs to hear it.
Faithful L, as I eventually decided to call the laptop, also had a way of reminding me of the importance of every moment we have. 'L' finally gained its status of being 'condemned' when I least expected it. No doubt, if I had treated it better, it would have lasted longer. We do not need to wait for people to walk out of our lives before we realise how important they are to us. Every moment with the special people in our lives is a precious opportunity to make life (both ours and theirs) count...and everyone is special in their own way.
At this juncture, I just want you to take a moment to reflect... What were the last words you said prior to this? Were they positive or negative? Did they build someone up or tear them down? Did they take you once step closer to a brighter future or indirectly stole something good from your days ahead?
I came across some stories of a few people who made it despite the discouragement they faced....
*Colonel Sanders
Founder of the famous KFC. He started at the age of 65! In trying to build his business, he was rejected 1009 times! He still pressed on despite the discouraging feedback.
Words have a great effect, which means, if you do not have anyone to speak positively into your life, take up the task YOURSELF and CREATE YOUR own WORLD.
*Stephen King
A famous book writer, his first book was rejected 30 times. He eventually gave up and threw his work into the trash. He just needed an encouraging word, and He found that in his wife, who retrieved the book from the trash and encouraged him to submit it again. That encouragement opened the door to many more books, and today, he has sold more than 30 million books!
Why don't you also be that encouraging voice in someone's life today?
*
This space has been left blank, to be filled by your name someday. Your name could also be someday etched in the sands of time, if only you choose to CREATE YOUR WORLD with positive words and overcome whatever challenges you face.
Ghana is waiting for you.
It's amazing how something as trivial and mundane as an old laptop could teach me these important lessons. What lessons are out there waiting to catch your attention? We do not only learn for ourselves, but also to share with others. More than once, I have been humbled by the store of knowledge that those around us in our everyday lives have in them, just waiting to share. The only key to unlocking such wealth is TO ASK.
Changing the Status Quo can never be half of what it is without you, the reader. The power however, does not lie only in reading, but spreading the word to others. A word could revive someone, teach another and yet correct another. That is how powerful our words can be. No doubt, my laptop experienced the power of my words firsthand! The world is waiting to be changed by your words. You could start with an encouraging word to someone or even by sharing this post with others!
CREATE YOUR WORLD TODAY!
Recommended books on the power of our words.
*The Books of Proverbs and James (found in the greatest book ever written, The Bible.)
*'Claim Your Inheritance' by Richard Roberts
*'The Game of Life (and how to play it)' by Florence Scovel Shinn.
If you were to think in a second, of three people who have impacted your life greatly by their words, who would they be?
Appreciate them today.
"Make sure you bring your laptop to class tomorrow... "
Somehow, I never wanted to hear those words because I had a laptop that I had started to compare to a desktop computer since I could only use it for at most, an hour, before having to plug it into a power source. This increasingly became cumbersome especially in the time of 'dumsor' (which I hope is genuinely over for good!) and made taking the laptop to class a whole task on its own. My frustration caused me to forget how 'faithful' it had been to me through my class assignments and other important tasks, till I actually started to treat it like the desktop I was unknowingly trying to force it to be.
Imagine my dismay when one day, immediately after an accidental disconnection, the laptop went off completely in the middle of its use. Somehow, I knew it was a combination of fact and words. Fact was that the laptop was quite old and would have eventually needed to be changed, but words were "My laptop is 'condemned' ", a confession that eventually became a reality.
What am I driving at?
This laptop may not have been an animate object, but it taught me quite a few lessons.
How we view people and situations in our minds, could eventually reflect in how we treat them or react to them. How often do we write people off because of one or two mistakes they have made? How often do we callously utter a discouraging word before we realise the gravity of our thoughtlessness?
My faithful laptop had a way of reminding me that we need to be constantly appreciative and not take the seemingly little things for granted. We need to appreciate others, no matter how small whatever they may have done for us is. Appreciation does not only have to be felt, but also expressed...you never know when someone just needs to hear it.
Faithful L, as I eventually decided to call the laptop, also had a way of reminding me of the importance of every moment we have. 'L' finally gained its status of being 'condemned' when I least expected it. No doubt, if I had treated it better, it would have lasted longer. We do not need to wait for people to walk out of our lives before we realise how important they are to us. Every moment with the special people in our lives is a precious opportunity to make life (both ours and theirs) count...and everyone is special in their own way.
At this juncture, I just want you to take a moment to reflect... What were the last words you said prior to this? Were they positive or negative? Did they build someone up or tear them down? Did they take you once step closer to a brighter future or indirectly stole something good from your days ahead?
I came across some stories of a few people who made it despite the discouragement they faced....
*Colonel Sanders
Founder of the famous KFC. He started at the age of 65! In trying to build his business, he was rejected 1009 times! He still pressed on despite the discouraging feedback.
Words have a great effect, which means, if you do not have anyone to speak positively into your life, take up the task YOURSELF and CREATE YOUR own WORLD.
*Stephen King
A famous book writer, his first book was rejected 30 times. He eventually gave up and threw his work into the trash. He just needed an encouraging word, and He found that in his wife, who retrieved the book from the trash and encouraged him to submit it again. That encouragement opened the door to many more books, and today, he has sold more than 30 million books!
Why don't you also be that encouraging voice in someone's life today?
*
This space has been left blank, to be filled by your name someday. Your name could also be someday etched in the sands of time, if only you choose to CREATE YOUR WORLD with positive words and overcome whatever challenges you face.
Ghana is waiting for you.
It's amazing how something as trivial and mundane as an old laptop could teach me these important lessons. What lessons are out there waiting to catch your attention? We do not only learn for ourselves, but also to share with others. More than once, I have been humbled by the store of knowledge that those around us in our everyday lives have in them, just waiting to share. The only key to unlocking such wealth is TO ASK.
Changing the Status Quo can never be half of what it is without you, the reader. The power however, does not lie only in reading, but spreading the word to others. A word could revive someone, teach another and yet correct another. That is how powerful our words can be. No doubt, my laptop experienced the power of my words firsthand! The world is waiting to be changed by your words. You could start with an encouraging word to someone or even by sharing this post with others!
CREATE YOUR WORLD TODAY!
Recommended books on the power of our words.
*The Books of Proverbs and James (found in the greatest book ever written, The Bible.)
*'Claim Your Inheritance' by Richard Roberts
*'The Game of Life (and how to play it)' by Florence Scovel Shinn.
If you were to think in a second, of three people who have impacted your life greatly by their words, who would they be?
Appreciate them today.
Sunday, 6 March 2016
STAR OF THE WEST.
Star of the West.
"Ghana is 50..Congratulations! Ghana is 50, let's all celebrate.. "
This song was composed nine years ago to mark the golden jubilee of our beloved country; a time that witnessed quite a number of festivities, adverts and even some renovation of the Black Star Square.
'This day must be really special', the whole atmosphere caused me to think. But nine years on from that day, do we as a nation really have much to sing about?
In spite of the various challenges we may have faced as a country, this Independence Day should be extra special to us because it presents us with an opportunity, especially the youth, to reflect on how far we have come as a nation and what difference our presence in this country could and should make.
Ghana is sometimes referred to as the Black Star of Africa. This star, like every other star, is meant to illuminate whichever space it finds itself in, and in effect make a difference. How have we shined as a nation amidst not just our neighbouring countries, but Africa and the world as a whole? How have we as individuals made an effort, be it singular or collective, to make our country shine?
Scientifically, a star is said to be made up of a number of gases, mainly hydrogen and helium. Today, and every other day, I would like us to view ourselves as an important constituent that blends with other constituents to make up a bright star. The land is ours and can only shine if we do our part. We need to be the light this nation needs to see.
I would like to make a brief comparison between Ghana and two other countries, namely Singapore and Malaysia.
Singapore, like Ghana, was once a British Colony and gained independence in 1965. One unique feature of Singapore is its location and size. It is a small island, but has managed to rub shoulders with great nations. One lesson I have learnt from this country is that size does not need to determine our rate of success. We do not always need to be surrounded by successful people or nations before we feel the urge to make the most of what we have.
Singapore has used its human capital over the years to its advantage by depending heavily on the size of their population to build a commercial hub that is still vibrant today. The nation boasts of amazing infrastructure and great sanitary conditions.
Malaysia, also a former British colony like us, gained independence in the same year we did... 1957. Being the 44th most populous nation in the world, Malaysia has used its diversity to its advantage, becoming one of the best economies in Asia, and is still growing. Unlike Singapore and more like us, Malaysia is blessed with abundant natural resources and has capitalised on this as well to achieve great development.
What makes these two countries, and others, so different from Ghana? Nothing really. We have virtually the same opportunities they do and Ghana boasts of a population far greater than quite a number of countries, a fact we can use to our advantage. Ghana can be even greater because above all, she has you and me. It is up to us to make the difference.
As a nation, we have quite a lot to be proud of despite our challenges, including our constant peace and our diversity; traits we need to hold on to in our quest to develop, irrespective of our political affiliation or ethnic group.
Ghana is hopeful that with us, more 'birthdays' will witness greater strides in development. We are the only ones who can make the Star of West Africa and beyond, shine again. It is only by our initiative that the word INDEPENDENCE can become truly meaningful to us. Then the star against the backdrop of red, gold and green will truly stand out.
The Star of West Africa can only shine with YOU. The time to shine is NOW.
Happy Independence Day!
OPINION:
Do you think our annual March Past is still a necessary way to commemorate our Independence Day, or it could be improved?
"Ghana is 50..Congratulations! Ghana is 50, let's all celebrate.. "
This song was composed nine years ago to mark the golden jubilee of our beloved country; a time that witnessed quite a number of festivities, adverts and even some renovation of the Black Star Square.
'This day must be really special', the whole atmosphere caused me to think. But nine years on from that day, do we as a nation really have much to sing about?
In spite of the various challenges we may have faced as a country, this Independence Day should be extra special to us because it presents us with an opportunity, especially the youth, to reflect on how far we have come as a nation and what difference our presence in this country could and should make.
Ghana is sometimes referred to as the Black Star of Africa. This star, like every other star, is meant to illuminate whichever space it finds itself in, and in effect make a difference. How have we shined as a nation amidst not just our neighbouring countries, but Africa and the world as a whole? How have we as individuals made an effort, be it singular or collective, to make our country shine?
Scientifically, a star is said to be made up of a number of gases, mainly hydrogen and helium. Today, and every other day, I would like us to view ourselves as an important constituent that blends with other constituents to make up a bright star. The land is ours and can only shine if we do our part. We need to be the light this nation needs to see.
I would like to make a brief comparison between Ghana and two other countries, namely Singapore and Malaysia.
Singapore, like Ghana, was once a British Colony and gained independence in 1965. One unique feature of Singapore is its location and size. It is a small island, but has managed to rub shoulders with great nations. One lesson I have learnt from this country is that size does not need to determine our rate of success. We do not always need to be surrounded by successful people or nations before we feel the urge to make the most of what we have.
Singapore has used its human capital over the years to its advantage by depending heavily on the size of their population to build a commercial hub that is still vibrant today. The nation boasts of amazing infrastructure and great sanitary conditions.
Malaysia, also a former British colony like us, gained independence in the same year we did... 1957. Being the 44th most populous nation in the world, Malaysia has used its diversity to its advantage, becoming one of the best economies in Asia, and is still growing. Unlike Singapore and more like us, Malaysia is blessed with abundant natural resources and has capitalised on this as well to achieve great development.
What makes these two countries, and others, so different from Ghana? Nothing really. We have virtually the same opportunities they do and Ghana boasts of a population far greater than quite a number of countries, a fact we can use to our advantage. Ghana can be even greater because above all, she has you and me. It is up to us to make the difference.
As a nation, we have quite a lot to be proud of despite our challenges, including our constant peace and our diversity; traits we need to hold on to in our quest to develop, irrespective of our political affiliation or ethnic group.
Ghana is hopeful that with us, more 'birthdays' will witness greater strides in development. We are the only ones who can make the Star of West Africa and beyond, shine again. It is only by our initiative that the word INDEPENDENCE can become truly meaningful to us. Then the star against the backdrop of red, gold and green will truly stand out.
The Star of West Africa can only shine with YOU. The time to shine is NOW.
Happy Independence Day!
OPINION:
Do you think our annual March Past is still a necessary way to commemorate our Independence Day, or it could be improved?
Your opinions are always welcome. Changing the status quo is always ready to learn from you.
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