A true selfless act always sparks another – without fail ~ Klaus
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Category: quotes
Nature loves the courageous. Dream the impossible and the world will not grind you under; it will lift you.
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Quote on Compassion
There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it – Edith Wharton
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When I got enough confidence, the stage was gone. When I was sure of losing, I won. When I needed people the most, they left me. When I learnt to dry my tears, I found a shoulder to cry on. When I mastered the skill of hating, someone started loving me to the core of the heart and while waiting for light for hours when I felt asleep, the sun came out – Sophia Loren.
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The oak fought the wind and was broken; the willow bent when it must and survived.
– Robert Jordan, The Fires of Heaven
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A fundamental concern for others in our individual and community lives would go a long way in making the world the better place we so passionately dreamt of – Nelson Mandela
Everyone has got a role to play in our society. Even the smallest can contribute to positive change. Often, people think that responsibility is only a leadership process; consequently, it is the leaders’ duty. I think otherwise. I believe that responsibility goes beyond being led. It’s a commitment to seeing things done right. A changed person who looks beyond the mirror called self seeks to make a difference in his community while transforming himself to be the good he seeks in others.
Suppose we could look beyond ourselves, imagine what the world could look like. Let’s be the change we seek. Let’s be the book that millions of children and youth read. Let our lives preach responsibility and love because everyone has got a role to play. If not at present, ultimately in the future.
This responsible change we seek begins with us. It’s in our hands to make our communities and the world a better place.
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Learning from mistakes together is how a family works.
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Happiness is contagious; spread it.
It is a direction and not a place. Spread it as you go. 🙂
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Muse: Be Kind
Is it not said that sweet fragrances cling to the palms of those who distribute roses? Be Kind.
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Quotes on Fear
Fear has a large shadow, but he himself is small. Ruth Gendler.
FEAR is False Expression Appearing Real.
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Life is a circle, and stories take us all around it.
© Oke Iroegbu
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Always remember that we are considered human when we show kindness to all that Providence placed under our care, and when we love others as we are born compassionate beings.
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Let’s think and act differently everyday. Let’s spread some love.
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There’s no mountain too great
Hear these words and have faith
-Diana Ross
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Whoever likes war is not in his right senses and is a lunatic. We must ensure there is no war again.
– Sir Joseph Hammond, Ghanaian World War Two Veteran
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A tree is straightened while it is still young – Proverb from Burundi.
Meaning:
I chose to take this proverb in its literal form because it’s pretty evident that a fully grown tree can’t be transplanted or manipulated in any way. What I mean is that it’s not stressful to try to make a sapling grow straight. ‘To straighten’ means ‘to correct’ when we apply this proverb in real life. For instance, I do go to the garden to check and support fresh yam tendrils with sticks. This is to help them grow straight. It will be much challenging to attempt when they are matured and stiff.
It’s easy to correct something while it’s still fresh and tender. A metaphoric expression related to the proverb is ‘to nip in the bud’ which means to halt something at an early stage. The difference is that while our adage concentrates on correcting, the metaphoric expression talks about stopping or ending at the earliest moment.
This proverb can also translate to:
1. A person (a child) can be corrected while he/she is tender.
2. A thing (a mistake, action, etc.) can be fixed at the early stages.
What is your take on this?
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Racism
It costs absolutely nothing to be kind
Live and Let Live
An Igbo (African) proverb goes thus: Let the Eagle perch, let the Kite (bird) perch also. Any that forbids the other from perching let his wings break!
We say that as prayers in West Africa because it’s a reminder and belief that all men are born equal and so must have equal rights and privileges and (I add) should be free from ALL prejudice and discrimination. When I talk about men, women and children’s rights are included. All men are equal and everybody should have the opportunity to be their best selves. In summary the above idea is founded on the African concept of live and let live.
Racism
Consider racism as a weed. It’s existence can suffocate other useful plants in the garden. Racism is worse than cancer. When it attacks, it destroys the human soul. It’s like locust infestation which leaves behind destruction.
Racism is an evil root that is no good to anyone. If it stays unchallenged it may grow deeper and can alter a society’s sense of reasoning.
Pumpkins begat pumpkins. Not only that, little pumpkins will learn to be one either by association or emulation. Children are easily influenced with what they are taught or perceive.
We can never foretell the full extent or form racism can take or assume. For instance consider Hitler’s hatred for Jews and the consequences that followed.
Humanity will die when good people look away from racist acts and words.
Truth and Love
Good news is that many people are joining the fight against all manner of racism and oppression. That’s a good thing to be thankful for. At least there’s some good out there.
Truth is a bitter pill when swallowed. But it can set the world free! When we truly understand that we are one people and that we are equal before the law and society then a bulk of the problem is solved.
While we talk about the truth we must know that love is key to our fight against racism. Racism can be stopped when we let true love reign. Love suppresses discrimination and prejudices. It stops mistrust and fear. It’s the foundation of all human values.
With truth and love we can lay a greater future for our children and their children. Live and let others live.
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I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear. Nelson Mandela
At a time colonial forces and indigenous South Africans fought over land rights and freedoms, a courageous man spoke up for his people. He was imprisoned for decades but that didn’t deter him. His resilience contributed to a free South Africa. We call him Madiba.
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Muse: The Happy Wind
Poem: The Happy Wind
Greet the happy wind,
Tell him when I waved
My fingers got him bursted
When morning dew is upon the tree line
The sky is sometimes blue and grass is green
Far up the blue horizon the sun shine
Birds sing from the trees all morning
Yet the happy wind: timid and soft will bring
Her entourage to fly on their backs and wings
I open my curtains and window to feel and behold
The beautiful sight of trees, grass and happy wind
A perfect picture never to be imagined
Explaining the painting
This is the first in my paint-writing attempt. I like to paint and then write about the inspiration behind it. I’ve several imperfect drawings and paintings scattered here and there. Some are on the internet, some in the drawer, some under piles of books and others lost.
This is a painting of three palm trees under the hot sun, cloudy skies and strong wind. It may look like grasses on vases but on closer observation will reveal that it’s a view of the horizon. Initially I thought of featuring the Iroko as its greatness will play a better role on the little poem above. But the Iroko is perceived as a great tree and the king of trees in West Africa and it’s not common to see one. Three Iroko trees standing together will even be a bit of stretched imagination.
The bulk of work fell on determining the best layout for the skies. I’m sure no one can define perfectly any natural colour and infact those of the cloud. It will take more than human ingenuity or imagination to achieve that. So no painting can illustrate natural things exactly. Painters just assume. It might be sunny and the clouds blue, it might be rainy and it won’t. I made the passing clouds look like the skies by mixing two blue-based hues. But this is my own version of what the clouds look like.
What do you think? I’ll be doing more painting this weekend. It’s a beautiful morning here. Have a great weekend. ❤️💚
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You’re going to go through tough times – that’s life. But I say, ‘Nothing happens to you, it happens for you.’ Joel Osteen.
A difficult time can be more readily endured if we retain the conviction that our existence holds a purpose. John Maxwell.
I love the light for it shows me the way to go, but I love the darkness more for it shows me the stars. Og Mandino.
We can’t speak about resilience without speaking about hope. Hope is the bedrock of resilience. Reeta Roy
You can stay fours days without food, but the minute you lose hope, you’re dead! Eliud Kipchoge
Always remember that when battles are like a flood there is a standard, a red line it cannot cross. We gain strength by overcoming obstacles.
Ever had to give up? Remember why you started at first. That purpose is the reason why you must persist. Have a great day.
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Be nice to everyone. You never know who your in-laws are going to be.
We won’t know who can be of help tomorrow. Compassion and kindness are great virtues. It can open greater doors!
Ponder on this and have a goodnight. 💕
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Of all the magic in the world, none is more powerful than love.
…And that’s if we accept that any other thing qualify as magic.
Love is a driving force. It can change things; perceptions and imaginations. Great achievements are accomplished through it. Great writers wrote about it. It’s something beautiful to love. Imagine what the world will look like when we love genuinely. Show love today.
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1. Nothing makes life sweeter than making people happy.
2. The people you help today become your soldiers in the battle of life tomorrow.
3. To invest in properties is good, but to invest in people is far better.
4. To make money, make people.
5. Your greatest trophies are the tears you wipe away from people’s faces not the things you acquire.
6. Your greatest achievement should be raising achievers.
7. People will defend, stand by you & honour you when they realise you value them.
8. Don’t let other people’s ungratefulness stop you from making others great.
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Quotes on Unity
When spiders unite they can tie down a lion – Ethiopian Proverb.
None of us is as smart as all of us – Ken Blanchard.
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Four Quotes on Humility
Perfection is impossible without humility. Why should I strive for perfection, if I am already good enough? Leo Tolstoy.
Success is a lousy teacher. It seduces smart people into thinking they can’t lose. Bill Gates.
True humility does not know that it is humble. If it did, it would be proud from the contemplation of so fine a virtue. Martin Luther.
I have three precious things which I hold fast and prize. The first is gentleness; the second is frugality; the third is humility, which keeps me from putting myself before others. Be gentle and you can be bold; be frugal and you can be liberal; avoid putting yourself before others and you can become a leader among men. Lao Tzu.
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Quote: Dream big
You’ll never know… Just dream. Dream big.
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I will tell you a rhyme of the shepherdess who loved her sheep,
She lives in the country and could sing her community to sleep
Twinkle went stars nested far up the pregnant black sky,
When black clouds float, the gathering rain storm sigh,
“It will rain, but it might wait a little,” the young shepherdess prayed
She saw the stars disappear from the midst of black clouds
So quickly she led her tired sheep through the barn door
“Up you go, up you go, quickly climb up the dry hay, up you go”
She took the lamb up the higher stairs where a big lamp hung
The little ones nuzzle, when the shepherdess struck up a song
The country was not so far away, everyone could hear her sing,
And how she sang heartily, that the hamlet relaxed with the eerie wind
Suddenly a stronger wind blew and gave the little community a cold push
“Ah, it’s perfectly monstrous weather,” she said when it gave another swoosh
“I must retire before the storm catch me here,” the shepherdess exclaimed
“But tell me what you will like to see in your beautiful dreams,” she asked
And so because they won’t speak or maybe know nothing to say
They only looked on, blinked sheepishly, then maaa-aa away
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Quote: Compassion & Confidence
