Some days ago, at a re-fueling stop at a gas station, I went in to buy a drink and some snacks at the tuck shop. At the checkout, the lady attendant summarily gave me a bill which I suspected was inflated. That was the 3rd time such was happening to me at that same station. I paid what was tagged on the products, and walked away.
I thought to myself, if I made a scene out of that issue, she would lose her job, and I am certain her excuse would be, "its because the leaders are stealing too".
I feel ashamed when I hear intelligent people say "if politicians offer you money for your votes, take it - its your money anyway, then vote as you wish". Indeed. Taking blood money, and then voting righteously - arrant non-sense.
I also feel ashamed...
-When I see a man, or lady, obviously educated, who flout traffic laws but has the effrontery to criticise bullion vans for doing the same
-When I see parents who pay to alter their children's academic scores complaining about politicians rigging.
-When I see citizens who privately hate people of other tribes espousing national unity.
-When I see religious leaders talk about peace, then send people out to kill.
-When I hear religious leaders preaching love then expelling members from their congregation.
-When I hear intellectuals sanctimoniously attacking political leaders but themselves afraid to step to the political plate.
-When I see many people who can't lead a group of three castigating the leaders of other organisations.
-When I see people talking about politicians stealing from government, but themselves not paying their taxes and bills, a form of stealing.
-When I see people immigrating from the country and castigating those remaining for the failures of the nation.
-When I know many critics and political activists will gladly accept political appointments from those that they criticise.
-When I know of many "encouragers" who push you into leadership positions in the hope you fail at it.
-When I know of many who will gladly "support" every "great initiative", but not with their funds.
-When I know of many who praise in public but criticise in private.
-When I know of many who slam the corrupt leaders, but take contracts from them anyway.
-When I know of many who are agitating that "govt is not paying salaries", and their own staff go for months without salaries.
-When I know of many democratic proponents whose children, wife (wives), staff, etc don't have have a say in their spheres of influence.
-When I know of those who call civil servants corrupt, except their brother who works in the custom.
...And so on...
There are many inconvenient truths...and we are all responsible for these abberations.
The failure of the State is the collective failure of each individual in it.
Let the transformation begin with each of us...brick-by-brick
MAN OF CONTRASTS... An Alpha Male In Pursuit Of Truth, and Fulfillment...
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Co-dependence: The root of political gangsterism
For about 10 years now, I have been actively involved in social intercession for the Nigerian state. And when certain issues continue to emerge about the behaviorism patterns of our rulers and political office holders, and a certain perpetual destructive mindset of partisan politicians, I, like everyone, else sought an answer.
Adepts of psychology, sociology and and other behavioural sciences have continued to pour forth reasons for the unchanging negative mindsets that ordinarily good people exhibit once they get involved in the political process. But in recent times, because of my direct involvement in the study of the political process, machinery, motivations, and attitudes of many people drawn to partisan politics, from the THMP meetings, I see a pattern, one that was established decades ago to explain certain pathological disorders in many otherwise good people. It is called "Co-dependence Syndrome".
To butress, let me quote directly from Wikipedia, on this issue.
"Codependence is described as a disease that originates in dysfunctional families where children learn to overcompensate for their parents' disorders and develop an excessive sensitivity to others' needs... This is sometimes described in terms like "enmeshment" or "blurred ego boundaries." Adult children of dysfunctional families often suffer from a sense of confusion and deprivation that has continued into their adult life — a feeling of "not knowing what normal is" — that has become an anguished desire to recover something emotionally missing in their upbringing."
I like to make reference to that critical statement...'a feeling of not knowing what normal is'. This simple statement, qualifies the average political godfather, godson or gladiator in the African setting, and many in other "civilised" nations as well. The article concludes thus:...
"Codependence has been suggested as an underlying disease pervasive in all forms of addiction."
Compulsive stealing, or kleptomaniacy, is a form of addiction, and so is violent tendencies, abuse, alcoholism, etc. The article says these addictions are rooted in "blurred ego" (confusion about self, needs, life purpose, etc), and "enmeshments" (dual personalities - one person at home, another with friends, another with professional colleagues, etc).
It therefore helps us to explain the feeling of an ambitious politician needing a godfather, as a replacement of the absent (whether physically or emotionally or financially) father. It helps us to explain how such a person becomes enmeshed in the political process to the extreme and then develops a blurred ego, and soon loses the ability to discern what is normal to everyone else.
Many people in political leadership, unfortunately, exhibit co-dependence symptons, such as grandstanding, lying, being cruel and kind at the same time, seeking approval of some while damning others, inability to make permanent commitments (cross-carpeting), abuse or misuse of whatever is entrusted to them, inability to trust others, etc.
Another symptom is inability to resolve conflicts, due to a "head in the sand" attitude (everything is alright), which explains why political conflicts go on for ever.
Unfortunately for society, the politically ambitious or performer who suffers from this syndrome tends to be attracted to others who suffer similarly, and have the inability to keep away from abnormal relationships and circumstances. Hence, when a political movement is formed or headed by a person with such a "blurred ego", who does not know what is normal, then they will attract like minded people to their cause. And when they get to power...well, you can imagine the rest for yourself.
Therefore, in this season, lets not be carried away by famous personalities, or enticing words. Lets carefully discern the psyche of each person seeking our votes...and lets watch for such tendencies within ourselves too.
God bless you, and God bless Nigeria.
Adepts of psychology, sociology and and other behavioural sciences have continued to pour forth reasons for the unchanging negative mindsets that ordinarily good people exhibit once they get involved in the political process. But in recent times, because of my direct involvement in the study of the political process, machinery, motivations, and attitudes of many people drawn to partisan politics, from the THMP meetings, I see a pattern, one that was established decades ago to explain certain pathological disorders in many otherwise good people. It is called "Co-dependence Syndrome".
To butress, let me quote directly from Wikipedia, on this issue.
"Codependence is described as a disease that originates in dysfunctional families where children learn to overcompensate for their parents' disorders and develop an excessive sensitivity to others' needs... This is sometimes described in terms like "enmeshment" or "blurred ego boundaries." Adult children of dysfunctional families often suffer from a sense of confusion and deprivation that has continued into their adult life — a feeling of "not knowing what normal is" — that has become an anguished desire to recover something emotionally missing in their upbringing."
I like to make reference to that critical statement...'a feeling of not knowing what normal is'. This simple statement, qualifies the average political godfather, godson or gladiator in the African setting, and many in other "civilised" nations as well. The article concludes thus:...
"Codependence has been suggested as an underlying disease pervasive in all forms of addiction."
Compulsive stealing, or kleptomaniacy, is a form of addiction, and so is violent tendencies, abuse, alcoholism, etc. The article says these addictions are rooted in "blurred ego" (confusion about self, needs, life purpose, etc), and "enmeshments" (dual personalities - one person at home, another with friends, another with professional colleagues, etc).
It therefore helps us to explain the feeling of an ambitious politician needing a godfather, as a replacement of the absent (whether physically or emotionally or financially) father. It helps us to explain how such a person becomes enmeshed in the political process to the extreme and then develops a blurred ego, and soon loses the ability to discern what is normal to everyone else.
Many people in political leadership, unfortunately, exhibit co-dependence symptons, such as grandstanding, lying, being cruel and kind at the same time, seeking approval of some while damning others, inability to make permanent commitments (cross-carpeting), abuse or misuse of whatever is entrusted to them, inability to trust others, etc.
Another symptom is inability to resolve conflicts, due to a "head in the sand" attitude (everything is alright), which explains why political conflicts go on for ever.
Unfortunately for society, the politically ambitious or performer who suffers from this syndrome tends to be attracted to others who suffer similarly, and have the inability to keep away from abnormal relationships and circumstances. Hence, when a political movement is formed or headed by a person with such a "blurred ego", who does not know what is normal, then they will attract like minded people to their cause. And when they get to power...well, you can imagine the rest for yourself.
Therefore, in this season, lets not be carried away by famous personalities, or enticing words. Lets carefully discern the psyche of each person seeking our votes...and lets watch for such tendencies within ourselves too.
God bless you, and God bless Nigeria.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
NIGERIA: The Mind Of God
(I write as inspired by the Holy Spirit.)
Our societies need urgent genetic renewal. Evil tendencies is so rife now that even Churches are closing down because of the onslaught of false brethren.
Our society utterly rejects God, and godly leadership, so we keep getting the "Philistines" as a form of punishment. We pray, but not for or in righteousness, but that our bellies be full, and our ambitions be met. So, I hear Him say, as in the Book of Judges, the people will suffer judgement if they continue in their apostasy and false worship. God has withheld His anointed leaders until the people cry and groan in true repentance. Any leader going out before this set time goes in his power and will fail. Such have offered a "strange" sacrifice before the Holy God. The people must first turn from wickedness before He will allow the righteous to rule. God will not be mocked.
The Church has failed in letting people know the mind of God. Instead, we have taught personal empowerment, and Christians have grown to think selfishly, evidenced in rivalry, envying, and power/struggles, intellectualism, boastfulness and pride.
God is not pleased with us. And we should be careful not to "ask for a king", and reluctantly get a Saul who will fail. Rather, let God call and anoint David of His own will, and Goliath in Nigeria will tumble under His judgement.
Let the set men prepare "in the secret place" of the most high, for I have seen the "Prince of Nigeria", and only those who have been given the power over his "head" shall overcome. Hear Him, only those with the "weapons" of heavenly warfare shall overcome.
The Lord has rejected the proud, yes he has rejected them, and also those who have not given glory to his name in the great congregation, but taken the "chariots" of their own power. They will fail, and may expire, if they continue in their folly.
God has power over the nations, He made them, He will lift up as he wills, and will also make many to fall, even the anointed. Let all men humble themselves before His glory. The just shall rule.
Let the wise hear and obey.
Jesus is Lord.
Our societies need urgent genetic renewal. Evil tendencies is so rife now that even Churches are closing down because of the onslaught of false brethren.
Our society utterly rejects God, and godly leadership, so we keep getting the "Philistines" as a form of punishment. We pray, but not for or in righteousness, but that our bellies be full, and our ambitions be met. So, I hear Him say, as in the Book of Judges, the people will suffer judgement if they continue in their apostasy and false worship. God has withheld His anointed leaders until the people cry and groan in true repentance. Any leader going out before this set time goes in his power and will fail. Such have offered a "strange" sacrifice before the Holy God. The people must first turn from wickedness before He will allow the righteous to rule. God will not be mocked.
The Church has failed in letting people know the mind of God. Instead, we have taught personal empowerment, and Christians have grown to think selfishly, evidenced in rivalry, envying, and power/struggles, intellectualism, boastfulness and pride.
God is not pleased with us. And we should be careful not to "ask for a king", and reluctantly get a Saul who will fail. Rather, let God call and anoint David of His own will, and Goliath in Nigeria will tumble under His judgement.
Let the set men prepare "in the secret place" of the most high, for I have seen the "Prince of Nigeria", and only those who have been given the power over his "head" shall overcome. Hear Him, only those with the "weapons" of heavenly warfare shall overcome.
The Lord has rejected the proud, yes he has rejected them, and also those who have not given glory to his name in the great congregation, but taken the "chariots" of their own power. They will fail, and may expire, if they continue in their folly.
God has power over the nations, He made them, He will lift up as he wills, and will also make many to fall, even the anointed. Let all men humble themselves before His glory. The just shall rule.
Let the wise hear and obey.
Jesus is Lord.
Friday, July 2, 2010
THE ENTREPRENEUR AS AN AGENT OF CHANGE Share
This is summary of my presentation at the SIM ENTREPRENEURIAL FOUNDATION Stakeholders Forum held in Lagos, 30th June 2010.
THE ENTREPRENEUR'S PROFILE
FACT: In the U.S, a few decades ago, 90% of new entrepreneurs were either Engineers or people without university degrees, and this explains the rapid industrialisation of that economy. In Nigeria, 90% of start ups were either without university degrees or studied non technical subjects, leading to our trading economy.
Characteristics of Entrepreneurs:
- They fix problems rather than ponder over them.
- Academically, they score 'A's in subjects that are important to their careers and 'D's in others, showing a remarkable mindset that focuses on the majors, ignoring minors completely.
- They have naturally high energy levels, and are always thinking, or on the go.
- They like control over their destinies and are not often suitable employees in the traditional company.
- They are usually disciplined planners, communicate their vision well and also delegate well.
- They are extremely goal directed.
- They ignore opinions and criticisms that are not aligned with their vision.
- They have low tolerance for failure, in themselves or subordinates.
- They love challenges and dislike routine.
- They are driven, not by money in itself, but as a means to fulfill their vision.
The Entrepreneur's Team:
-FACT; 60% of your potential success depends on your founding management team. So, don't put your brother, wife, husband, if they are not qualified for the roles.
AXIOM 1: 1st rate men hire first rate men. 2nd rate men hire 3rd rate men. 3rd rate men hire 80% of your staff, and they will hire 4th rate men.
AXIOM 2: Engineers tend to hire engineers. Accountants tend to hire accountants, optimists tend to hire optimists, etc. Bring together people with complimentary, not duplicative talents, disciplines and personalities.
AXIOM 3: The Colonial British believed that "familiarity breeds contempt', and stressed that you cannot receive both respect and friendship from the same person at the same time. "stiff upper lip" was the order of the day. And they soon lost the Empire. make certain that you management team have mutual respect and likeness for each other. Don't build a management heirachy that opposes this.
AXIOM 4: When your business is small, you are the sole visionary and everyone else is subordinate. As your organisation grows, your management team should become your co-visionaries and leadership team.
In summary, not everyone is cut out to be an entrepreneur. It is a leadership function. Pareto has already surmised that 80& of people are quite happy to be led. However, 90% of the gross domestic product (GDP) is created by the informal sector, the small businesses and entrepreneurs. A nation becomes rich by the sum total of its rich, tax paying employers.
Government may make policies, but its entrepreneurs that create wealth.
THE ENTREPRENEUR'S PROFILE
FACT: In the U.S, a few decades ago, 90% of new entrepreneurs were either Engineers or people without university degrees, and this explains the rapid industrialisation of that economy. In Nigeria, 90% of start ups were either without university degrees or studied non technical subjects, leading to our trading economy.
Characteristics of Entrepreneurs:
- They fix problems rather than ponder over them.
- Academically, they score 'A's in subjects that are important to their careers and 'D's in others, showing a remarkable mindset that focuses on the majors, ignoring minors completely.
- They have naturally high energy levels, and are always thinking, or on the go.
- They like control over their destinies and are not often suitable employees in the traditional company.
- They are usually disciplined planners, communicate their vision well and also delegate well.
- They are extremely goal directed.
- They ignore opinions and criticisms that are not aligned with their vision.
- They have low tolerance for failure, in themselves or subordinates.
- They love challenges and dislike routine.
- They are driven, not by money in itself, but as a means to fulfill their vision.
The Entrepreneur's Team:
-FACT; 60% of your potential success depends on your founding management team. So, don't put your brother, wife, husband, if they are not qualified for the roles.
AXIOM 1: 1st rate men hire first rate men. 2nd rate men hire 3rd rate men. 3rd rate men hire 80% of your staff, and they will hire 4th rate men.
AXIOM 2: Engineers tend to hire engineers. Accountants tend to hire accountants, optimists tend to hire optimists, etc. Bring together people with complimentary, not duplicative talents, disciplines and personalities.
AXIOM 3: The Colonial British believed that "familiarity breeds contempt', and stressed that you cannot receive both respect and friendship from the same person at the same time. "stiff upper lip" was the order of the day. And they soon lost the Empire. make certain that you management team have mutual respect and likeness for each other. Don't build a management heirachy that opposes this.
AXIOM 4: When your business is small, you are the sole visionary and everyone else is subordinate. As your organisation grows, your management team should become your co-visionaries and leadership team.
In summary, not everyone is cut out to be an entrepreneur. It is a leadership function. Pareto has already surmised that 80& of people are quite happy to be led. However, 90% of the gross domestic product (GDP) is created by the informal sector, the small businesses and entrepreneurs. A nation becomes rich by the sum total of its rich, tax paying employers.
Government may make policies, but its entrepreneurs that create wealth.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Something Inside So Strong
(Dedicated To Louise Mackall & Kemi Kassim)
I was on the boat, in the rapids...the waterfalls just ahead of me.
How did I get here? Oh...camping on my wedding anniversary.
I had stopped struggling with the thrashing waves, as the canoe hit at the jagged rocks.
My breathe begun to flow in resonance with the symphonies of heaven.
I saw, in my minds eye, the flowing whites of the hosts of heaven
And the awesome wings of mighty angels on paradise' door
It was all in a blink...but I was prepared to say to the Lord
'Good evening Father'...
This was not the promise I had picked...we, had picked.
Oooooh! The death pangs subsided in a second...
Babyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!! I screamed.
Where is my beloved? He had fallen overboard.
The canoe was just moments away from toppling over...Victoria Falls.
I screamed again...frantically looking for a miraculous island on the rapids...that I may jump.
My strength failed, so did my sight...all mist, and fog, and thundering sounds abounding.
Every rock that hit the canoe sent searing pain into my guts.
My tears mixed with the salty, mad, rushing water.
I prepared for the final descent.
Suddenly...the boat came to a jolting halt...and I went headfirst into the rapids.
My spirit was floating above...but my body was suspended upon the waters.
The spirit and the body crashed back into each other...and I took in water.
Then there was silence...in the midst of the storm.
Sleep sweet sleep...
In my Saviour's arms ?
"Honey"...I felt a strong arm softly caressing my face. This is heaven?
I opened my eyes...my temporary myopia receding.
"Babyyyyyyyy" I screamed, yet again...........................................
I was alive...in the arms of my beloved.
He went overboard, but hung onto the boat, like a leech.
My beloved had scars, and bruises and cuts all over his frame...
But he looked just like an angel to me.
He had toppled the boat over at the last moment, with all his strength.
And grabbed my inflatable with one hand, the other hanging on to a overhanging branch.
I lost consciousness again...blissfully.
It was days....
I was healed...and back home.
My beloved stood above the bed as I awoke again...smiling.
I smiled weakly, but warmly...reaching to him, my Alpha Male.
He scooped me up from bed...planting kisses all over my face.
Making me fuzzy all over...
Then I asked him...
"Why did you risk your life to save mine?"
He looked lovingly, with his piercing eyes, at mine, gently smiling...
"All I can say, Honey, is...Something Inside So Strong"...
And he gathered me up again, like a little baby...
And I wept...
(c) George Honey Ashiru
Month of Adam
Ultimate Love Foundation
I was on the boat, in the rapids...the waterfalls just ahead of me.
How did I get here? Oh...camping on my wedding anniversary.
I had stopped struggling with the thrashing waves, as the canoe hit at the jagged rocks.
My breathe begun to flow in resonance with the symphonies of heaven.
I saw, in my minds eye, the flowing whites of the hosts of heaven
And the awesome wings of mighty angels on paradise' door
It was all in a blink...but I was prepared to say to the Lord
'Good evening Father'...
This was not the promise I had picked...we, had picked.
Oooooh! The death pangs subsided in a second...
Babyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!! I screamed.
Where is my beloved? He had fallen overboard.
The canoe was just moments away from toppling over...Victoria Falls.
I screamed again...frantically looking for a miraculous island on the rapids...that I may jump.
My strength failed, so did my sight...all mist, and fog, and thundering sounds abounding.
Every rock that hit the canoe sent searing pain into my guts.
My tears mixed with the salty, mad, rushing water.
I prepared for the final descent.
Suddenly...the boat came to a jolting halt...and I went headfirst into the rapids.
My spirit was floating above...but my body was suspended upon the waters.
The spirit and the body crashed back into each other...and I took in water.
Then there was silence...in the midst of the storm.
Sleep sweet sleep...
In my Saviour's arms ?
"Honey"...I felt a strong arm softly caressing my face. This is heaven?
I opened my eyes...my temporary myopia receding.
"Babyyyyyyyy" I screamed, yet again...........................................
I was alive...in the arms of my beloved.
He went overboard, but hung onto the boat, like a leech.
My beloved had scars, and bruises and cuts all over his frame...
But he looked just like an angel to me.
He had toppled the boat over at the last moment, with all his strength.
And grabbed my inflatable with one hand, the other hanging on to a overhanging branch.
I lost consciousness again...blissfully.
It was days....
I was healed...and back home.
My beloved stood above the bed as I awoke again...smiling.
I smiled weakly, but warmly...reaching to him, my Alpha Male.
He scooped me up from bed...planting kisses all over my face.
Making me fuzzy all over...
Then I asked him...
"Why did you risk your life to save mine?"
He looked lovingly, with his piercing eyes, at mine, gently smiling...
"All I can say, Honey, is...Something Inside So Strong"...
And he gathered me up again, like a little baby...
And I wept...
(c) George Honey Ashiru
Month of Adam
Ultimate Love Foundation
Monday, May 24, 2010
REFLECTIONS, ON BEAUTY, ON LOVE.
As I wake up to the cries of the cock crowing, signaling the emergence of the dawn of the New Year. The brilliance of the early morning sun filtered by the translucent blinds across my window, induce soothing warmth on my drowsy eyes. The sweet songs of the African sparrows as they glide effortlessly over the tall palm trees, their beautiful foliage a testimony of God's creative energy...I said, "Thank You Jesus".
In a flash, I remembered my childhood, my first teddy bear, the love of my family, and the reason for my being - a fragment of my God. I was inspired, to write and to keep writing like Habakkuk, like Daniel, keep writing, about life, about beautiful things, about beautiful people, and beautiful times...and say, "Thank you Jesus".
This beauty, the beauty in nature, out of which we are carved. Nature does not make all men great, nor all great men happy. But nature does show by her constant devotion to our needs that mankind is the purpose of her being, the reason for her existence.
I reflect this beauty, as all men can. A quality to be beheld, and not calibrated or rationed. It is freely given by grace. It is a reflection of the greatness of nature and the love of the creator that such a panorama of multifarious things on earth were inserted for our pleasure. It is thus natural that we reflect this beauty in our own existence. It is this which the soul perceives and desires to exhibit...the physical image of an invincible God.
The ability to exhibit these beautiful qualities lies within that powerful energy called "Love". A man's love blooms fully in the warmth of admiration and clamps shut in the coldness of rejection. A beautiful thing, like sweet pink babies, continually deserves love. When we congregate and sing out praises to the most high and we offer ourselves for selfless service to mankind, we offer the Ultimate Love, ‘Agape’. Our beauty must lie, not in our protoplasmic facade, but the ability to become the embodiment of all positive qualities, promoting harmony among men and peace throughout the world.
We are born into this world and something within us thirsts after its likeness, as the infant thirsts after milk from its' mother's bosom. We crave to be a miniature of everything excellent and lovely, so that we become one with God - who is within us. We reflect our basic instincts for purity, goodness and compassion. Our heart's poetry traces a path in the universe in search of the Ultimate Love; to which we earnestly refer all our well being - attempting in all our actions to resemble the supreme entity. This is the point that we are driven, the factual cul-de-sac, as we pray and search for the meaning of life, we find, that the ultimate is LOVE.
I found that love deep inside of me, on reflection upon God. I found similar creative energies, the ability to express thoughts with brilliant clarity, to reproduce nature on canvas, in sweet melodies of musical renditions, in verses of sweet poetry - a renaissance man. I am easily lifted by the sounds of cooing babies and giggling children, knowing that I had a definable part in their existence. I derive pleasure in watching their physical features develop more and more, forming as it grows, a remarkable likeness to my own - and I thank God for giving me the power to love in those children, what I desire most in myself - inner beauty.
We must realise now more than ever, that beauty resides, not on the fold of our skin or the structure of our physiological density, but in the power of God's love that so effervesces from deep within us, bubbling over into the life of others. And, as for pain and sorrow, they only teach us how to live, how to love and how to forgive, and keep giving, giving...
Such is the Ultimate Love...
George Honey Ashiru
2009
In a flash, I remembered my childhood, my first teddy bear, the love of my family, and the reason for my being - a fragment of my God. I was inspired, to write and to keep writing like Habakkuk, like Daniel, keep writing, about life, about beautiful things, about beautiful people, and beautiful times...and say, "Thank you Jesus".
This beauty, the beauty in nature, out of which we are carved. Nature does not make all men great, nor all great men happy. But nature does show by her constant devotion to our needs that mankind is the purpose of her being, the reason for her existence.
I reflect this beauty, as all men can. A quality to be beheld, and not calibrated or rationed. It is freely given by grace. It is a reflection of the greatness of nature and the love of the creator that such a panorama of multifarious things on earth were inserted for our pleasure. It is thus natural that we reflect this beauty in our own existence. It is this which the soul perceives and desires to exhibit...the physical image of an invincible God.
The ability to exhibit these beautiful qualities lies within that powerful energy called "Love". A man's love blooms fully in the warmth of admiration and clamps shut in the coldness of rejection. A beautiful thing, like sweet pink babies, continually deserves love. When we congregate and sing out praises to the most high and we offer ourselves for selfless service to mankind, we offer the Ultimate Love, ‘Agape’. Our beauty must lie, not in our protoplasmic facade, but the ability to become the embodiment of all positive qualities, promoting harmony among men and peace throughout the world.
We are born into this world and something within us thirsts after its likeness, as the infant thirsts after milk from its' mother's bosom. We crave to be a miniature of everything excellent and lovely, so that we become one with God - who is within us. We reflect our basic instincts for purity, goodness and compassion. Our heart's poetry traces a path in the universe in search of the Ultimate Love; to which we earnestly refer all our well being - attempting in all our actions to resemble the supreme entity. This is the point that we are driven, the factual cul-de-sac, as we pray and search for the meaning of life, we find, that the ultimate is LOVE.
I found that love deep inside of me, on reflection upon God. I found similar creative energies, the ability to express thoughts with brilliant clarity, to reproduce nature on canvas, in sweet melodies of musical renditions, in verses of sweet poetry - a renaissance man. I am easily lifted by the sounds of cooing babies and giggling children, knowing that I had a definable part in their existence. I derive pleasure in watching their physical features develop more and more, forming as it grows, a remarkable likeness to my own - and I thank God for giving me the power to love in those children, what I desire most in myself - inner beauty.
We must realise now more than ever, that beauty resides, not on the fold of our skin or the structure of our physiological density, but in the power of God's love that so effervesces from deep within us, bubbling over into the life of others. And, as for pain and sorrow, they only teach us how to live, how to love and how to forgive, and keep giving, giving...
Such is the Ultimate Love...
George Honey Ashiru
2009
I HAVE A DREAM TOO
VISION, VALUES & PURPOSE – MY STAND.
I have a dream; in this quest I crave for an inspired idea which would advance the world into a golden age. An idea as unmistakable to the fool as to the adept, to the pessimist as to the revolutionary, as a hurricane or a volcanic eruption.
Youthfulness entrains with it certain virtues; an innocence of heart and a capacity for selfless love. Therefore, we ought to portray ourselves in the daily subsequence of mutual existence as capable of the values of innocence and grand affection. We ought to revolt against the power of the glittering but illusory world of mundane accomplishments.
In this age of sophistry and the enslavement to subliminal messaging, where values are suggested by the power of an enslaving media, we should shield the young and protect ourselves from the temptation to false assumptions and negative aspirations which the rapacious wits of most men of means make us all impervious to.
In this day and age, when the collapse of beliefs of every kind has such an overpowering effect on people’s lives, where many are forced to their knees, losing their pride and human dignity. And others are driven as a last resort into some bleak world of illusions – drugs, violence, depravity; we must stand firm and remain untouched and uncontaminated.
People live selfish lives, conditioned by the false pretensions of their religions or myopic misrepresentations of God’s programme for mankind. Our part in the evolution of man, like a tiny droplet of water it may be, must begin within us and evolve to the world around us, and not the other way round. We must be constant in giving of ourselves, unswerving, unimaginably faithful. The equipoise between the “I” and the “Others” earnestly maintained – a tribute to the power of Love.
Our fate is inextricably entwined with that of the entire world. Our destiny linked with that of our community, our nation, and we should ask, “What can I do?” The development of our body, soul and spirit must surely prepare us for changing the world around us. Bringing joy with each smile, faith with each prayer, peace with each word and hope with our outstretched hands…The attainment and maintenance of these values is the entity of the whole.
George Honey Ashiru
Jan. 2009.
I have a dream; in this quest I crave for an inspired idea which would advance the world into a golden age. An idea as unmistakable to the fool as to the adept, to the pessimist as to the revolutionary, as a hurricane or a volcanic eruption.
Youthfulness entrains with it certain virtues; an innocence of heart and a capacity for selfless love. Therefore, we ought to portray ourselves in the daily subsequence of mutual existence as capable of the values of innocence and grand affection. We ought to revolt against the power of the glittering but illusory world of mundane accomplishments.
In this age of sophistry and the enslavement to subliminal messaging, where values are suggested by the power of an enslaving media, we should shield the young and protect ourselves from the temptation to false assumptions and negative aspirations which the rapacious wits of most men of means make us all impervious to.
In this day and age, when the collapse of beliefs of every kind has such an overpowering effect on people’s lives, where many are forced to their knees, losing their pride and human dignity. And others are driven as a last resort into some bleak world of illusions – drugs, violence, depravity; we must stand firm and remain untouched and uncontaminated.
People live selfish lives, conditioned by the false pretensions of their religions or myopic misrepresentations of God’s programme for mankind. Our part in the evolution of man, like a tiny droplet of water it may be, must begin within us and evolve to the world around us, and not the other way round. We must be constant in giving of ourselves, unswerving, unimaginably faithful. The equipoise between the “I” and the “Others” earnestly maintained – a tribute to the power of Love.
Our fate is inextricably entwined with that of the entire world. Our destiny linked with that of our community, our nation, and we should ask, “What can I do?” The development of our body, soul and spirit must surely prepare us for changing the world around us. Bringing joy with each smile, faith with each prayer, peace with each word and hope with our outstretched hands…The attainment and maintenance of these values is the entity of the whole.
George Honey Ashiru
Jan. 2009.
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