Believing is seeing

Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” John 11:40 (NIV)

Tuesday, June 25, 2019

Transform your world, start with yourself

Transform your world, start with yourself

By Jean Ricot Dormeus

We often strive to transform and improve our circumstances, our world. We proceed by applying external factors. We move objects by using force, we drive a car by bringing to bear a set of techniques and when we want others to behave in a determined way, we ask, teach, direct or even dictate. To our surprise, many times those around us do not respond as expected. So we wonder.

"We reap what we sow" is a principle that predominates in life. Usually, we receive kindness from being kind, we get heard from listening, and we lead by understanding and following. Desires matter, but may not suffice to produce the results we are after.

Our world reflects our mindset, knowledge level and expectations. Can a teacher with low expectations for her students stoke passion in them and extract brilliance from them? Not so sure. What if we consider ignorance as bliss and use it to better our societies? Well, chaos would ensue. What about negativity as a strategy to reach our goals? This strategy may be a recipe for failure.

No matter how we look at it, transformation starts with ourselves. The more we improve our skills and broaden our understanding, the more we contribute to change and better our world. The more productive relationships we build, the more harmonious become our families and communities.

We gain in developing awareness that we hold the key to achieving transformation goals. If we choose to work on ourselves, we will be surprised how people around us mirror what they see in us.

Do you want a more peaceful and prosperous world? Start practicing peace and pursuing prosperity today.

Jean Ricot Dormeus

If this blog post resonates with you, share it with your network.

Check out my book "Land of Dormant Dreams - A Walk into the Future" for more tips on developing self and nation.

Sunday, June 16, 2019

Keeping calm matters

Keeping calm matters

By Jean Ricot Dormeus

Calm and gentleness carry power. The victory of the sun over the wind to get a man remove his coat in Aesop's fable brings this point home.

Often it feels counterintuitive to keep our calm in the face of major challenges, anger or insults. Many people respond in kind and oppose frustration or more anger to anger, offense to insult, and panic to honor or life threatening situations. They mistakenly equate to a show of force their responses to undesirable stimuli.

Keeping calm goes a long way. Intrinsic strength and control come out. Confidence is projected. And emerge conditions conducive to good relationships and desired results. In the end, we are better equipped to deal with difficult people or crises.

Staying calm allows us to protect our long-term interests against short-term satisfaction. The star of the future twinkles brighter to our eyes when we keep our emotional storms out of the way. Thus we are able to remain positive and marshal focus and energy to stick to hope.

Maturity and leadership sound hollow without composure. Others will pick up quickly your state of insecurity and show less inclination to trust and follow. All bark and no bite may not stave off the prowling wolf of low morale or lack of purpose. Right perception, knowing what to do and how to do it is the remedy to many vexing issues.

Keeping calm facilitates professional development, helps maintain good health and boosts productivity. However, it may not come naturally. The fruit of keeping calm results from watering the roots of good habits, reflection and understanding. Composure is worth your investment in terms of time and effort, because keeping calm matters.

Jean Ricot Dormeus

If this blog post resonates with you, share it with your network.

Check out my book "Land of Dormant Dreams - A Walk into the Future" for more tips on developing self and nation.

Sunday, June 9, 2019

Sharpen your dialogue skills

Sharpen your dialogue skills

By Jean Ricot Dormeus


Dialogue shapes the human experience. We grow and thrive using dialogue. We express our needs, wants and expectations through dialogue. And there is no way around dialogue to negotiate and convince, to maintain or restore peace, and to heal ailing relationships. However, how effectively do we use this vital tool to craft better families, businesses and communities?

Effective dialogue entails an interest in communicating and understanding. It takes trust, respect and active listening. When these features come short, static noise and self focus step in, resulting in cacophony and confusion over simple issues. Therefore, we gain in nurturing and refining such features to capture the minds and hearts of our interlocutors and secure desired results.

Dialogue brings together at least two persons, a speaker and a hearer for a give and take exercise based on a common language. Its attendant synergy helped found nations, advance science, and create businesses. Where the pedals of individual efforts failed, the engine of dialogue and togetherness have prevailed.

Conflict prevention and resolution use the vehicle of dialogue to reach the destination of peace and harmony. Not only in the family and among groupings within the nation, but also among nations.

Estranged partners, friends and even foes sit at the table of dialogue to generate hope for change based on an agreed upon solution. They keep working together as long as they head towards common interests and show respect and sensitivity to each other.

Invest some time in improving the way you relate to people. No matter how smart, strong or committed you are, your progress in life may be limited without sharpened dialogue skills.

Jean Ricot Dormeus

If this blog post resonates with you, share it with your network.

Check out my book "Land of Dormant Dreams - A Walk into the Future" for more tips on developing self and nation.


Sunday, June 2, 2019

The art of expressing satisfaction

The art of expressing satisfaction

By Jean Ricot Dormeus

I enjoy listening to good speeches and I have had a chance to deliver well received remarks. Like most speakers, I express satisfaction as I engage my audience. This technique works like lather on the beard before shaving. It prepares, smooths out and facilitates interactions.

An effective first impression helps to get our message across. Expressing satisfaction supports a good impression for two reasons. First, by virtue of the principle of consistency, we keep taking pleasure in the process. Secondly, our interlocutors reciprocate to us and tend to become more attentive and receptive.

In challenging circumstances, we have to find the silver lining to dark clouds. It would be counterproductive to let negative emotions roam free, even for the sake of honesty and genuineness.

Take satisfaction in half full glasses. This approach trains your mind to focus on what is good. It nurtures hope and boosts positive energy. It sustains good mood and promotes a relaxing and healthy ambiance.

Further, expressing satisfaction points to refinement in manners and respect for the efforts of others. You end up effecting change in a smooth and effective way. Whatever you are satisfied with keeps expanding until it takes prominence. At the same time, whatever you starve of attention shrinks.

A flight that goes through much turbulence, but lands safely is ultimately a good experience. It offers you an opportunity to recognize the ability of the pilot and the crew. Focusing on the rough patch would leave a bitter taste that may linger for a long while.

With all its benefits, expressing satisfaction is an art worthy of cultivating, isn't?

Jean Ricot Dormeus

If you enjoy this blog post, share it with your network.

Check out my book "Land of Dormant Dreams - A Walk into the Future" for more tips on developing self and nation.