The Beautiful Destinations

Hello, welcome once again to Gifted Mind. It's really a pleasure having you, my wonderful readers following me. As you wait for a conclusion to the Encounter, which I promise to conclude very soon, I want to bring you something inspiring which a friend shared with me, and I thought it's worth sharing with you. After all, my reader deserve quality content from me.

She chanced on this wonderful picture with the inscription, "Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations", and she was so inspired that she decided to share this piece with me. I hope that you will feel inspired and excited.

Life has a way of serving up a variety of situations. Some are good, some are bad, and some are bitter. Things aren't always good and things aren't always bad either. Still some things get even more worse than bad, and those things are the things that leave us with a bitter taste, a residue of undeserved or unfair pain.

You get defeated only when you give up. The bad experience include times when you have a lot of situations that seems like ending it all. But you have to keep on keeping on, and everything you need will come to you at the perfect time.

 Believing in yourself is the first secret of success. It is said that, " it may be stormy but it will not rain forever." The stormy situations may be our story- the disgrace, the shame, pain, trials, labour and misery for now, but you must understand that the pains make you stronger, and the tears you share makes you even brave. Therefore, thank the problems for making a better person out of you. Successful people view all the experiences - the good, the bad, and the ugly through the lens of purpose.
It is said that "if you don't quit, and you don't cheat, and you don't run home when troubles arrive, you can only win"- Shelley Long.

Always remember that your present situation is not your final destination. The best is yet to come. When life puts you in tough situations, don't say "why me?". Instead, say "try me", because "difficult roads lead to beautiful destinations 

 

The Encounter

Sometimes, we run away from things as a way of protecting ourselves from having to deal with them. This suddenly dawned on me the day I met Jenny.

Talking about Jenny, she epitomizes the word friendship. She's the kind of girl who, even when you forget about your own existence, she is conscious of your existence.

It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon in Cape Coast, on the outskirts of the university campus. I had come to the beach to relax and to reflect on a very tiring week.

I love music. You know, I believe that God in his infinite wisdom created music, and music is all around us. It's one place I've always found solace whenever I'm troubled. Of course, I had my favourite playlist on my phone with me that afternoon.

I sat under one of the numerous coconut trees along the beach and started to listen to my favourite genre of music (country music).

Whilst listening to the music and observing the vastness of the sea, and watching the waves roll up and down and then wondering about the greatness of God for this wonderful creation, I noticed a girl at the far right. She was about forty yards from where I was sitting.

 There was something unusual about her. "What could a girl so neatly dressed possibly be doing sitting in the bush?" I asked myself. Of course, I couldn't have known. For one thing, she was sitting far away from where I was, so I couldn't have asked why she was sitting in the bush. Besides, you can't just walk to a stranger and ask what she was doing sitting in the bush.

I kept watching her and wondering what in God's name she was doing there. Suddenly, she stood up and started to walk towards the water. "What is this girl up to?" Could it be that she wants to swim or she's just taking a walk? Eventually, she entered the water. And as she move further and further into the water, I was engulf with anxiety. Perhaps, having been an avid watcher of crime stories and drama, I noticed that her demeanor was consistent with that of a person who is likely to be suicidal, as usually described by psycho-analyst in such crime stories.

At that instance, all sort of thoughts joggled my mind. I still don't know how I got into the water. All I remembered was that I was in the water. Standing ten yards from her, "hey girl!" I shouted. "What a heck do you think you are doing?" I asked. "What do you care?" she replied. "Oh, no, I'm not about to commit suicide, if that's what you're worried about." "Oh yeah, so what are you up to," I asked with interest. For a while, I stood there and still looking at her. And as she turned her back and noticed me still standing behind her, she asked, "you aren't gonna leave me alone, are you?" "No, not until you get out of the water," I replied with a smile.

A few minutes passed before she finally agreed to come out of the water with me. At that very moment I realized the sort of person I was dealing with. I was so much astound with her responsiveness thereof, and though I was a stranger, she was virtually calm and receptive. My surprise was that, usually, in such situations, the average girl would have snubbed you and perhaps asked you to mind your own business. Jenny was different. As we walked back to the shore, we introduced ourselves. "It's Jenny, I mean my name is Jenny," she said. "What are you called?" she asked with a smile. Without any hesitation, I told her my name.

At the shore, we had a very meaningful conversation. It was, in fact, one of the most in-depth conversations I've had in a long time. We talked about a lot of stuff - about family, friendship, everything relationship, about education, life after school and about our plans for the future.

"So what are you doing here alone at the beach?" she asked. "You know, it's been a very tiring week and so I just came here to clear my head until I noticed something ominous about you, and that's when I decided to be nosy," I replied. "Maybe, you were being nosy, but am sure you were just genuinely concerned, and I'm glad you did. Besides, I really enjoyed talking to you," she said.

Jenny was a final year Economics student. She came to the beach that day because she needed an atmosphere that is peaceful, an environment that is friendly and conducive enough so that she could do a much deeper thinking.

Jenny's boyfriend dumped her after almost three years together, and barely four months after the demise of her mother. She was devastated, having lost the two most important people in her life. The passion with which she spoke about her ex-boyfriend tells how much she loved him. I could only imagine the pain she was going through. Her ability to keep a cool head and think of a better way out of the enormous challenge, demonstrated her maturity and strength. Having been in her presence for just a few hours, I could tell that she's really a genuine and honest person.

I took a look at my wrist watch and it was half past five. "No way," I shouted. "Is anything the matter?" she asked. "We've been talking for over four hours and it seems like just four minutes," I replied. Jenny noticed that I would want to leave any moment so she said to me, "don't go yet, let's talk some more."

Soon, it was exactly sunset. Jenny got up, and then she asked me to come with her. "Where are we going?" I asked, in a low toned voice. "Trust me," she whispered.

She brought me to this side of the beach where this lover's bench was located. The view of the setting sun was amazing. "Isn't this an amazing view to behold?" she asked. "I know right!" I replied. "I use to come here with him every Friday and Saturday around this time." "Who?" I asked. "My ex-boyfriend," she said in reply. While admiring the beauty of the setting sun, Jenny said something which really struck me. "Do you know something?" she asked. "No, unless you tell me," I replied. "My mother once told me something which I never understood until now." "And what might that be?" I asked. "She told me Life will not always be beautiful, it may get ugly. The storms of life may come. They always do. But even in those storms, in the loneliest of all, one thing is sure, you're really never alone." "How did she know that there will come such a time like this in my life?" she asked. "Your guess is as good as mine. I really have no idea how they do it. All I know is that, they always do," I said to her in reply.  There's one thing I can tell you for sure though, that we have something very powerful within us. That inherent thing called instinct; mothers especially don't play with it. So, I guess instinct and personal experience would be the best explanation. "May be you're right," she said in response. Before we could noticed, it was a quarter to eight and we both agreed it was late and the need to part ways.

Unconditional

At last I made time to watch the movie "Unconditional". This movie was recommended to me back in college by my friend. She gave me the notion that it is one of the most inspiring movies she has ever watched, and that it is a must-watch movie, but it took me some time before I finally decided to watch it. Throughout the duration of the movie, the feeling was overwhelmingly sensational. And to think that this was inspired by the true life story of Joe Bradford, was for me, the icing on the cake.

                                                                                  right: Joe Bradford

This movie talk about a wonderful energetic black boy and a white girl whose path crossed at a very tender age. They were destined to become each others keeper, but life presented each of them with their share of challenges. As time passed, they grew up and they grew apart. It would be many years before they are united again.

For the girl, life is to be so beautiful, so full of magic and possibilities. She would sit for hours drawing and dreaming up of crazy stories to tell her friends.

She thought her stories would inspire the world, and make it a better place somehow. She was such a dreamer. And for a while, it seemed like all her dreams were coming true. Her husband was her world, the man of her dreams. But her dreams was quickly shattered. The killer didn't just take her husband's life. He took her's too. She soon lost her hope and will to go on. She use to dream of telling stories, but she never thought this is what would become of her own story. What use to be a hopeful little girl, became a woman with a dead soul, full of despair.
       
All young Joe wanted to do is to become a warrior and save the world. Even at that young age, he knew he was one of a kind.
For any child, to grow up without your father is an enormous challenge. That was the story of Joe, but he  found solace in the company of his grandma and new found friend, Sam.
Joe went to college and even finished top of his class in computer engineering, and had a job lined up for him in one of the famous tech companies, IBM. But before he could even graduate, Joe was handed eight years prison sentence.

It was in prison that Joe had the most powerful realization of his life. Soon enough, Joe was given forty days and forty nights in solitary confinement. In his loneliness, in the darkest place of all, Joe found God. He felt God's love in his life. His destiny, which is to be a warrior and help save the world was redefined. Joe found a purpose to live for. He started to share that love which God has give to him with the kids.

This movie really made me cry. It is such a masterpiece and it made me to deeply  reflect on God's love, friendship, and family.
A few things I have picked up from this inspirational movie;

Indeed love is the most powerful thing on earth that can do amazing things. There's truly enough love to go around if only we can begin to share.   

Secondly, we all struggle to find the right path to take in life. It is not always easy to know what that is or where it would lead us. In the end, it is the people in our lives that provide us with the right balance to help us make it through.

That the future will reach each of us in different ways. sometimes it will take your breath away. Sometimes it may be different from the version you have planned.
But through it all, it is our faith in God that open the door for God's power to work in our lives.

Tribute to a Loved One

You loved with deep colour;
With passion and with ardour;
Your love that's about real love;
When it pained today;
It was a bit more than usual.

Love that's about real love;
I don't know what has happened;
I just know;
That it's a bit more than usual;
Your love is about real love.

I wonder if it happened the same to you;
And say it happened to me more;
But the smile in your eyes tells me you care;
What we share is filled with fun and spontaneity;
That your love is real and beautiful.

As if my sleep has broken for the first time;
And I've seen the morning rubbing my eyes;
Though I keep light, but your love shone more;
Keeping brightness in me like the moon above;
Your love is about real deep love.

I don't know why;
But the fear of losing you became greater;
Which is more than just love, that kind of love;
Love with deep colour, with passion and with ardour;
Love that's about real love is my "Tribute to You".

Found Grace in Your Love

The earth, the sky, they exist because our love exists;
Night turns to day for our love's sake;
It's raining happiness;
All my dreams fulfilled because our love exists;
You're my everything.

Don't ever leave me;
Bring peace to my heart;
And bless me with your grace;
O, God! Am grateful to you;
That my love has come before me.

I bow to you in reverence;
I'll lose myself in your arms;
You 're my sunshine;
You're my shade;
My destiny.

Am scared no more;
I know you're with me;
All your sorrow, they're mine;
All your joy, they're mine;
You're my love.

Don't ever leave me;
Gratify my heart ;
And bless me with your grace;
For I have found grace in lour love.

Everyon's Spellbound

Those looks, the complexion;
The attitude;
You're a real beauty;
Everyone's spellbound.

You added the zest to life;
You added the glow to light;
It's a new ambience;
A new breeze blowing.

You're new, so is your attitude;
Your tresses, your picking eyes;
They are so amazing;
You're everyone's spellbound.

You wear the stars around your neck;
And the moon on your forehead;
You wish to dwell, the entire ocean in your eyes;
I wonder why the heart desires you.

Some think am crazy;
I don't care;
All I know;
The heart searches for a way.

You gave colour to life;
You gave energy to life;
You gave enthusiasm;
Everyone's spellbound.

Finding Hope Again

She was lost slipping on the tears she shed;
Her faith consumed by darkness;
Besieged in pain by the injury that bled;
And a resolution to make herself callous.

The river in her had gone dry;
Her feelings no longer moved;
She has lost all motivation and desire to cry;
And her voice was no longer heard.

Hesitation devoured her;
Magniloquence devoured her;
Then hope embraced her;
And now she has found peace.

Always questioning the light at the end;
When she was passing through a long dark cave;
And as the dark was growing, she wondered if this was her end.
But not was the spark that embraces something called hope.

She escaped the darkness with a rope of life;
And she found renewed hope and the will to go on;
Then she heard again those very same pieces of music;
The ones that blessed with poetic view.

Her heart was whole again as things were once again how they were;
And the sun shines brightly whilst the breeze is blowing;
An ambiance so pure like the angels in serenade;
And until death, the thought of reaping what was once sowed gave her hope again.

My Crazy Heart

Oh, my heart;
It keeps sighing;
Broken promises linger in my mind;
But all it ever wanted;
To fufill your heart desire.

Your memories makes it restless;
My heart doesn't listen to me;
There's sweet intoxication;
Everything seem a blur;
My heart doesn't know a thing.

It belonged to me but now a stranger's;
Just don't understand;
Sometimes, it's silent; other times, it sings aloud;
It sings of your praise;
Are you real or are you just an illusion?

You dwell in me;
In my heart, like life;
Just like raindrop in the desert;
like a story;
That conveys from the heart.

When it sees you;
It runs after you with me;
It's obsessed with you;
You're it's peace;

You should know that it's crazy about you.

Though unexpected are the melodies that come;
When  the heart goes crazy;
But I wish the memories never come crushing;
Like the waves in the ocean;
Because like the eclipse, the darkness come.

The Memories Unforgotten

I've thought of you;
A day before yesterday;
A day before today;
And I'll think of you;
A day after today.

I think of you;
In my loneliness;
In my silence;
I speak of you;
I speak of your name.

All I have left;
They're memories of you;
Like a picture in it's frame;
Memories that live on;
They're memories I want to keep forever.

Your memories;
They're my safe heaven;
My sanctuary from the harsh truth;
Thank God for the memories;
The memories unforgotten.

The Mystery

It's a mystery why we fall in love. It's a mystery how it happens. It's a mystery when it comes. It's a mystery why some love grow and it's a mystery why some love fail. You can analyse this mystery and look for reasons and causes ,but you can never do any more that takes the life out of the experience.

Just as life itself is more than the sum of bones and the muscles and electrical impulse in the body, love is more than the sum of interest and the the attraction that two people share. And just as life itself is a gift that comes and go in it's own time, so too the coming of love must be taken as an unfathomable gift that can't be question in it's own way. Hopefully, at least once in your life, the gift of love will come to you in full flower. Take hold of it and celebrate it in all inexpressible beauty.

This is the dream we all share. More often, it comes and take hold of you, celebrate you for a brief moment then move on. When this happen to young people, they too try to grasp it and hold it to themselves refusing to that it is a gift and just as freely, can move away. When their love falls apart or the person they love feels the spirit of love is leaving, they try desperately to reclaim the love that is lost rather than accepting it for what it is and move on. They want answers to questions they've already got answers to. They want to know what is wrong with them that makes the other person no longer love them, and/or try to get the situation change, thinking that if something is done differently, love will bloom again. They blame their circumstances. They try anything to give meaning to what has happened. But there is no meaning beyond the love itself, and until they accept it's own mysterious ways, they live in a sea of misery. You need to know this about love and accept it. Accept what it brings with kindness.

If you find yourself in love with someone who doesn't love you, be gentle with yourself. There's nothing wrong with you. Love just didn't choose to live in the other person's heart. If you find out that someone is in love with you, know that love has come to call at your door. But don't unnecessarily accept when you know you can't give it back. Don't take advantage, don't cause pain. How you deal with love is how you deal with yourself.
All our hearts feel the same pain and joy even if our lives  and ways are different.

If you fall in love with someone and he/she fall in love with you, and love chose to leave, do not put blame, just let it go. There's a reason and there's a meaning. You'll know in time. Remember, you don't choose love, love chooses .All you can really do is to accept it when it comes and reach out and give it away, give it back to the person who brought it alive in you. Give it to the world around you, in any way you can.

Situations where many lovers go wrong is that, having been so long without love, they understand love only as a need. They see their heart as an empty place that will be filled with love, and begins to see love as something that flows to them rather than from them. They ceased to be someone who generates love, instead, becomes someone who seeks love. They forget that the secrete of love is that, it can only be made to grow by giving it away .
Remember this and keep it to your heart; the gift of love has it's own season and reason for coming, you can't bribe it or force it into staying. You can only embrace it when it arrives and give it out when it comes to you. But if it chooses to leave from your heart or the heart of your lover, there's nothing you can do, and there nothing you should do. Love always has been and will always be a mystery. Be glad that it came to live  for a moment in your life. If you can keep your heart open, it will come again.

The Ghanaian Edge

  Ghana's economy, business organizations and society, I believe, are confronted with a challenge quite imposing and perhaps unique. It is unique not because this is the first time we're confronted with such a situation, but the dimension it has taken, looking back on our past experiences.
In these days of Ghana's currency imbroglios, economic uncertainty and strident politics, understanding of the need to champion self development must be put forth as not merely a useful goal but the imperative of the day. There's the need for our consciousness to be awoken.
Day-in day-out, public servants and students should endeavour to advance it. State men and women and our diplomats must demonstrate it. Captains of industries and commerce should embrace it, as the framework of our self-interest. Journalists should labour diligently to expand it and inform it. Professors and technocrats in academia should stand up to this challenge
Perhaps, it's worth asking: "where have the dreams and prodigious efforts of Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah so far left us?"

  Almost fifty years or so ago, Ghana was in the same boat as South Korea, Singapore and Malaysia.
But half a century down the line, Ghana is about twenty times behind the likes of Malaysia and Singapore on the economic and social development radar.
The question one could ask is, what is it that went wrong for Ghana? What is it that propelled the Malaysians, Singaporeans, Koreans and even the Chinese to transform their economies into world class economies that they are today? For all these countries, one thing remained common, the people. A very important aspect of what contributed to the success of these countries, especially Japan, is the people - not as members of this or that group (be it political, ethical or religious), but as individuals and as society, and their understanding of the need to champion self-development.
  It is said that "if three persons are marooned on a desert island: two men and a woman. If the men are Italians, what happen is that they fight for the honour of the lady's hand. If they are both Frenchmen, then they join forces to try and talk the lady into an agreement. But if the two men are Japanese, they wait on Tokyo for instruction." Ask yourself, what would they do if they are Ghanaians.
  All over the world, countries that are serious about development and transformation have philosophies. You can talk about the Germans, Japanese, Chinese and so on, but what is our own philosophy?

I Want You Back

Seeing you last night;
The memories came back in my head;
It then occurred to me;
Now that you are with me;
I realized I've made a mistake;
Sorry for the mistake I've made.

I thought that I needed to take a break;
And I just let things fall apart;
But seeing you  again;
I realized how much I needed you;
Please come back;
Because it's never the same without you.

I've got to get you back now;
Because I needed you here today;
This time I'll give you my all;
I'll give it all;
Give me one more chance;
This time I'll be a man.

I've gone round the places;
But none I've seen come close to you;
I've always thought of you;
How different things would have been;
I've always prayed for you;
I've prayed for your return.

I go to the bar every night;
Looking to have a good time;
But each time, I go back empty handed;
And am still alone in my mind;
What will it take to have you back;
Come with me tonight.

Now that I know;
What can I do to make it right;
Because I want you by my side;
This time I'll give you my all;
I'll give it all;
Give me one more chance;
This time I'll be your man. 

My Motherland

For generations
My forefathers have called you home
There were times you made me cry
And there were times you made me laugh.

It has not always been smooth
We've had our ups and downs
But one lesson you've taught us
Throw not our hands in despair.

Having been taken for granted
There's often reason for drama and chaos
It's had to believe
That you're the land of the unforgotten heroes.

When it comes to football
You're a real treasure island
Above all things
The beautiful game unites us.

Though i want to depart
Whenever I rise
You remind me of hope
It's clear we belong together.

There's no place I'd rather be
No matter where I go
One thing remains true
You'll always be my home.

Wherever I go
Prints of you shall I leave behind
Bestowed with strength and understanding
I've embraced every challenge.

You told me of courage and hope
I belong to you
And you belong to me
You're my home; my motherland.