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)

Friday, October 25, 2019

Struggle your way to success

Struggle your way to success

By Jean Ricot Dormeus


I have always enjoyed the story of the boy who meant to help a butterfly come out of its cocoon without the painful struggle it was going through. With scissors he snipped the cocoon to a larger hole allowing the butterfly to emerge quickly. To the boy’s disappointment, the butterfly could not fly as it displayed a swollen body and shriveled wings. He learned later that the struggle of the butterfly to come out of the cocoon channels the body fluid into the wings to strengthen them. There is no flying without struggle.

Our bent to shun pain often leads us to cut short our struggle by giving up or blaming others. Doing so interferes with the process of developing wisdom, experience and success. Because greatness matures in the crucible of our struggles, many people settle for average results and a life in their comfort zone. However, enduring the pain of our struggle and reaching out higher bring in the long run endless benefits to ourselves, our loved ones and humanity. 

We cannot know what will happen in 10 or 20 years. However, we can set our vision, develop requisite skills and persistently go through our ups and downs. Businesspeople often learn as they go, adjust and work under pressure. Overnight success takes many years of preparation and failure.

Abraham Lincoln exemplifies the value of struggle. He was defeated again and again until he became President of the US in 1860. He faced the civil war with no guarantee of winning. He signed the Emancipation Proclamation amid much controversy. All this struggle made him a legendary US President. He who much struggles is equipped to soar to high places.

Currently struggling? Perhaps you are growing wings that will fly you to success.

Jean Ricot Dormeus


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

Friday, October 18, 2019

Let education grow on you

Let education grow on you

By Jean Ricot Dormeus

The saga of Malala Yousafzai has inspired millions around the world to advance their education and made her the youngest Nobel Peace Prize laureate. She bravely faced the obscurantism of extremists in Pakistan, got shot on her head for promoting education for girls and had to migrate to the UK for  her life. Because ruthless people and groups have always used ignorance to consolidate their power and dominance, we must be willing to make the utmost sacrifice to get educated. Education guarantees our freedom and blazes a path to success.

Education rises us over the limitations of nature. We read books, fly airplanes and play music because we mostly belong to the spiritual realm. And the real difference between human beings is the development level of their minds. It is not surprising that families in which at least one of the members holds a university degree are more likely to overcome poverty. Education elevates us closer to the image of God.

It is ironic that most people are yet to grasp the value of reading, writing and counting. This situation affects even those whose forefathers were severely punished if they tried to learn. It takes determination to move from our comfort zone, to ingrain the habit of studying and to internalize new skills. When we taste the satisfaction of knowledge, there is no turning back. No one can improve their education and remain in the same situation.

Check what happens to illiterate people. How can you reach your potential if you refuse to read and are like those who cannot read? How can you find effective solutions to your finance, family or job problems without knowledge? Improve your life, let education grow on you.

Jean Ricot Dormeus

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

Friday, October 11, 2019

Reap the benefits of equality

By Jean Ricot Dormeus


Sally used to work as a domestic worker with a well-off family in a rural area. Aida, the mistress of the property always treated her with respect saying often: “we all share the same human nature, but just play different roles in society”. Then one day, misfortune swooped on the Aida’s family causing her two children to move in with relatives after her husband suddenly passed away. Aida ended up moving in Sally’s apartment in the city where she took a job. This reversal of fortune signals the importance of treating everyone on an equal footing regardless of our position.

Free and thriving societies appreciate the value of equality. When we level the ground in our families, schools, courts, public offices, businesses, we create the conditions for the full expression of genius, talents and individual efforts. A leadership gifted woman in a male controlled country would have no opportunity to uplift her community. A well educated immigrant would have little chance to serve successfully in a xenophobic society.

Liberty, fraternity and justice lie on the bedrock of equality. Equality promotes learning, sustains growth, and supports private initiatives. It is in our best interest to treat others as equals although our good breaks may lead us to think otherwise. Our good attitude will pay off, especially if we get the short end of the stick at some point. 

When Bernard became CEO of his company, his friend Jake told him: “You must be better than the others to reach the pinnacle”. However, he retorted: “Actually, I got there because people way better than me supported me”. Sage Solomon said, “The race is not always to the swift nor the battle to the strong”. If we uphold equality, we will reap its benefits.

Jean Ricot Dormeus

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

Friday, October 4, 2019

Carry beauty with you

Carry beauty with you

By Jean Ricot Dormeus


Danish poet Hans Christian Anderson wrote a memorable piece about beauty and transformation, “the ugly duckling”. The little bird was born in a barnyard and suffered contempt, verbal and physical abuse from the others because of her appearance. She had to live a lonely life fleeing from one place to another until the day came when she joined a flock of swans and realized she was one of them with the same beauty. This story speaks to billions around the world who cannot see their own beauty and are subject to mockery and disdain from others. 

Every human being shares in God’s glory, because we are all made in his image. No physical distortion or damage can destroy this glorious signature. However, our beauty may be overshadowed by an undesirable inner life marked by evil thoughts and emotions. When we start seeing beauty in everyone, we end up developing awareness of our own.

Culture assigns degrees of attractiveness to different physical features. These standards usually do not stand the vagaries of life and the patina of time. The gold standard of beauty is a good spirit. Only a good spirit elevates us to appreciate our neighbor, a melodious piece of music, or a great painting. While visible beauty withers, inner beauty remains forever.

Genuine beauty lies in our hearts and minds and reflects in our attitude. A character imbued with love, grace, peace and diligence will always be beautiful. We seek to express our beauty with garments, ornaments and fragrance. We naturally project beauty through our character. Emerson got it right: “Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us, or we find it not.”

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.