Showing posts with label Inspiration. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Inspiration. Show all posts

Friday, 23 December 2016

Retroxpressions > A catapult

Retrospection is always a good thing. At whichever point in time but most especially in anticipation of new things…like a new year, new opportunities, new chances to be better. 


"Today, commit to be tolerant of your fellow human being and intolerant to hatred. The violence starts small, with hating your neighbour because of their tribe, gender, values, religion, resources…stereotypes that blur and become deadly justifications for eliminating them. Then it spins out of control and leads to horrific suffering in Syria, South Sudan, Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya…" 
- Peupe -

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; 
indeed, it's the only thing that ever has" 
- Margaret Mead -

“The day will come when history will speak. 
But it will not be the history which will be taught in Brussels, Paris, Washington 
or the United Nations…Africa will write its own history 
and in both north and south it will be a history of glory and dignity” 
- Patrice Lumumba - 

"If we stand tall it is because we stand proud on the shoulders of our ancestors"
- African Proverb -

"A man who calls his kinsmen to a feast does not do so to redeem them from starving. They all have food in their own houses. When we gather together in the moonlight village ground, it is not because of the moon. Every man can see it in his own compound. We come together because it is good for kinsmen to do so. Let us find  time to come together physically and enjoy the power of togetherness. Let's smile not because we don't have problems but because we are stronger than the problems" 
- Chinua Achebe -

Monday, 22 February 2016

Comandante!


I've met some people along my life who've left a lasting impression. They've inspired me in the fine way they take on situations and they've made me laugh through their witty observations of life. Most importantly, they mastered early on the importance of taking charge of their own personal lives in order to succeed.

Now success is relative, it is not limited to always winning in the external things. The greatest battle is in conquering the weak and faulty parts of us that make us less human. Unfortunately, this critical aspect of success is misunderstood a lot today, especially by extremists.

The success of being human is thankfully not tied to the material resources at one's disposal. It begins with a mindset. An attitude that dares to still embrace humanity even when the rest of the world mocks you. It is the courage to live right even when the world is primarily one big billboard that screams: "The end justifies the means!" "Grab what you can for yourself!" "Be bigoted!" "Kindness has no place in the modern rat race!" "Destroy!" "Gain the world!"…and forever lose yourself. 

Don't be deceived. The world is hurting. You can feel the pain that Warsan Shire speaks of:


A hurting world is made up of broken people. People who have given up hope and decided to match despair for despair and cruelty for cruelty. Quite the blind and toothless world…

The blueprint for taking charge of one's life is looking inwards in order to rise above all these gravely misleading voices. When you understand yourself, with all your flaws, then you become comfortable in your skin, then you are able to see the world with the scales fallen from your eyes, then you are able to be human…giving fully your authentic contribution.

Tuesday, 23 September 2014

The human battle

Inspiration to re-think one's existence and one's purpose can come from different sources. I'm a big believer in finding joy in small things but i also occasionally seek something bigger, something greater. Sitting in listening to Wole Soyinka give his tribute to Wangari Maathai and delivering his challenge to us, i returned to that well where my spirit was invigorated.

In a world where we seem to be caught up in more suffering than celebration of life, in spaces where we no longer feel so safe, in wondering about what we can do to make it right...the words of Wole Soyinka couldn't be a more powerful reminder: "Perhaps it is high time we declare ourselves fundamentalists of human liberty!"

Get Wole Soyinka's full lecture "Parables from Wangari Maathai’s Trees" here.

Photo Credit: Anyu