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)

Saturday, June 6, 2020

Keeping calm gives us an edge

Keeping calm gives us an edge

By Jean Ricot Dormeus


The sea has always fascinated my wife. She enjoys the beach by a clear day as she likes to float on the light blue water. Also she made sure to experience a cruise to engage with the immensity of the ocean and the inspiration of smooth sailing. She also says that the sea sustains life and generates wealth, in terms of natural resources and trade facilitation.

I can't agree more with her feelings about the sea. In fact in fair weather the sea is calming and offers much enjoyment. However, when a storm arises or an earthquake shakes the sea bed, the sea becomes a raging destructive force. Its waves can wreak havoc on the dry land, especially in the case of a tsunami.

In many ways we are like the sea. When everything goes our way, we tend to display a positive attitude, we remain calm and contribute to improve our social environment. Also we set up goals and dreams, we delight in our activities and our health benefits as we take in little stress or pressure. Life is indeed beautiful.

However, when a life storm arises or when we become restless for any reason, we may send off waves of negative emotions, a corrosive attitude and even destructive actions. Those waves may affect our well-being and everyone around us.

Fortunately, we possess an ability that slips the sea, we can choose to keep calm in the storm. We don't have to fly off the handle or give anyone a piece of our mind or engage in wickedness. As we keep calm, we keep control. So doing, we place ourselves in a better position to figure out the problems without causing harm. Keeping calm gives us an edge.

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.

Saturday, May 30, 2020

Look for the silver lining in every crisis

Look for the silver lining in every crisis

By Jean Ricot Dormeus

Johnny traveled to a crisis torn and violent country for business and also to spend time with family and friends. He planned to stay for two weeks. On Johnny's first weekend he visited a church not far from the place where he was staying with his mother.  During the night of that visit he heard four gunshots in front of his gate. He remained recoiled on his bed, his heart pounding while praying.

The following morning, Johnny heard that bandits invaded the church and shot the caretaker. He cut short his stay and expressed gratitude for his life. The incident traumatized him, but was able to close a business deal and started to take his spiritual life more seriously.

Crises make us or break us. Often they come with a silver lining or a blessing in disguise. They urge us to take immediate measures to stop ongoing occurrences, to adopt preventive strategies and make us stronger. Failing to do so may result in irreparable consequences.

From his experience, Johnny became aware of his weaknesses and his vulnerability in specific circumstances. He developed the habit of scanning his environment for lurking risks and dangers. He said, "I cannot know the future, but I can do my best to avoid being reckless or negligent by doing due diligence".

Taking time to know about people in our lives, our workplaces or places where we go can save us from horrible crisis experiences. 

Crises may offer us a springboard for growth by forcing us to reevaluate our lifestyle, our goals and our raison d'être. Otherwise we take many things for granted and stay clear of endeavoring to reach our potential. 

Like Johnny, let's learn from what happened to us, especially our moments of crisis. There is a silver lining to every difficult situation.

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.

Saturday, May 2, 2020

Take control over the unexpected in your life

Take control over the unexpected in your life

By Jean Ricot Dormeus

I was heading out to play tennis properly garbed, with two racquets sticking out of my backpack. I locked the door knob from the inside and pulled my apartment door shut. I greeted the security guard and a neighbor on my way to the car. When I reached the driver's door, I realized that I had left the key to the car and the house inside.

As I had no access, my mind raced all over the place. I thought that my day plan was ruined. And on a Sunday early morning, no locksmith would be available. I grew anxious not knowing what to do. Suddenly, my neighbor who had gone out on a bike came back to me and said, "I have just found out that a locksmith was living around the corner and he was willing to come over and help.

In a matter of minutes, the locksmith arrived. He checked the lock and asked if I had a credit card or something of sorts. I gave him a card. He introduced it into the groove between the frame and the door and in a few seconds got the door open. I was able to go play tennis grateful and amazed.

Often, life presents us with unexpected events and challenges with no solution in sight. In those moments, our anxiety may have the best of us. Keeping calm and positive turns out to be the best way to handle tricky situations. Not only our resourcefulness may kick in faster, but also we are more likely to get help around us.

In times of crisis or dysfunctions, being mindful will prevent us from doubling down on our woes by getting angry  or overwhelmed. Let's take control over the unexpected in our lives. After all, most of them are unavoidable and they may be for the better. 

Jean Ricot Dormeus

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

Sunday, April 26, 2020

Remember what matters

Remember what matters
By Jean Ricot Dormeus

In his seminal novel "Masters of the Dew" (Gouverneurs de la Rosée in French), Jacques Roumain poignantly described the devastating effects of hatred and revenge rooted in the past. Manuel, the messenger of reconciliation, lost his life in the process. Fortunately, Annaïse kept the flame alive and led the villagers to the salvific source that would transform life in the village.

Many families and societies experience the drama against which Roumain would have warned us. A simple argument can degenerate over generations engendering hostile attitudes and a miserable community. Some people often point to past evils. Without knowing it, they inject a slow psychological poison in the veins and arteries of society.

We certainly have a duty to remember. We must know our past, because it is a driver of our identity. However we must choose the lens through which we view past experiences. Further, we should not focus our attention backwards given we will live in the future.

The principles of understanding, love and harmony should always guide our look at the past. We have to choose what to remember,  how to remember it and avoid repeating past mistakes. In any event, it is worth it to dwell on our dreams and aspirations rather than yesteryear events and negative emotions.

Coby never even greeted his aunt Claudia, because of enmity between his mom and her. When he turned 17, he started to reflect on this situation. Following a sermon, he decided to mend fences and bring the family together. Six months later, Coby's mom and Claudia started a fresh relationship and even shared food. Coby told me, "you don't have to be a prisoner of the past".

Duty to remember? Definitely. However, we must remember what matters and know why it matters.

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, April 17, 2020

Emancipate from past shackles

Emancipate from past shackles

By Jean Ricot Dormeus


From the time I knew my grandmother, she never ate sweet potatoes. Touching it or using it for a dish? No way. I became curious about her block, because to my knowledge there was no history of allergy to sweet potatoes in the family. My grandma told me that she had made the decision to stop eating the tuber out of disappointment following an argument with my grandfather. She took her decision so seriously that she stuck to it even after the passing of her life partner.

This story speaks to past shackles that still bind so many people. Knowing our past and where we come from may throw a bridge and chart a course to our future. However, falling in excessive admiration of or tying a negative anchor to the past may stifle our relationships, our dreams and even our desire to learn. We mainly need to take lessons from our experiences to improve our social skills and chances of success.

Are you among those who renege on love or friendship because of a bitter fallout? Do you feel a block to reading because a teacher said you didn't measure up? Or do you refrain from taking business or training initiatives because of past failures? 

If you relate to one of these categories, think again. When I consider the successes I have had in my life, they have come after zillion failures. Some of my trusted friends emerge from situations that could have inspired bitterness and grudge to many people.

Therefore, let's turn our past into a fertile ground where germinate and burst out the seedlings of the trees that will bring cooling shade and bear fruits for better life. Let's emancipate from the shackles of the past.

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.

Saturday, April 11, 2020

Commit to the truth

Commit to the truth

By Jean Ricot Dormeus


Former President of France Jacques Chirac once said, "Electoral promises engage those who receive them." He was referring to political discourse crafted to win an election without considering the likelihood of delivery. In fact, many candidates running for office feed their audience on what is likely to get them approval or popularity. Such an approach caters for convenience or expediency and not for the truth.

Expediency may get you what you want, but your success may fade away quickly for lack of foundation. Utterances that only have the appearance of truth often have the same fate as the seed in rocky ground. The seed fallen in rocky ground immediately springs up because it has no depth of soil. The sunlight will scorch it fast since it has no root.

Whoever wants to build for the future and reach sustainable success must consider the facts, the evidence and the truth. The director of a state agency wrote in his CV that he holds three masters and two PhDs. When journalists dug out and uncovered the truth, he had to resign in shame. The desire to reach the top ought not cloud the need to build trust and character.

Also it matters to believe what is true. Accepting fake news or false teachings leads to counterproductive behaviors. In 1912, Robert Scott and his team perished on their way back from the South Pole because, among other things, they wrongly believed that ponies and motor sledges could adapt to polar conditions.  

Seek and commit to the truth. The compass of the truth always points to the right direction. The light of the truth shines on our paths so that we make the right choices.

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.


Saturday, April 4, 2020

Uphold human dignity

Uphold human dignity
By Jean Ricot Dormeus

When the coronavirus plague hit China, many people started stigmatizing Chinese and other Asians. World leaders had to remind their fellow citizens that the issue was with the disease and not with the individuals. The virus has now caused a pandemic that places rich and poor, big and small on the same vulnerability boat. 

Countries from all continents are reeling from this scourge. We have come to realize that another man's wound can become ours. Therefore, we need to promote and defend human dignity at all costs.

Human dignity finds a solid foundation in the golden rule that Jesus enunciated at the beginning of his ministry: "Do to others as you would like them do to you". You experience the value of the golden rule when you get the short end of the stick. Imagine you are in the shoes of an unappreciated domestic worker, a person with disability or an undocumented immigrant. In such a situation wouldn't you want everyone to show respect for your dignity? Of course.

Further, your attitude towards others may determine the direction of your life. Look down on someone and down the road it reflects on you. Your thoughts, your feelings and your vision will struggle down a slippery slope. Uplift someone and you automatically elevate yourself. Your mind, your heart and your conscience will more likely go up the ladder to social harmony and better life.

In other words we affirm our dignity by supporting the dignity and self-esteem of others. For your own sake, uphold human dignity and serve other people well,  by treating them with respect, kindness and understanding.

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.

Saturday, March 21, 2020

Set up and maintain your environment

Set up and maintain your environment

By Jean Ricot Dormeus


A flying fish or a bird diving in the sea reminds us of our limitations and our dependence on our environment. Neither can the fish live in air nor the bird under the water for long. Their distinctive nature determines their adaptation to the ecosystem. 

Further even the ideal environment type requires maintaining. Birds flee from smoke filled air and fish die in water contaminated by mining wastes. The over 7 billion people on earth, we are no exception. Despite our ability to adjust even to some extremes, we need to set up and maintain our environment for sustainability, growth and success.

In a way, we make our environment and our environment makes us. Deforested countries experience more extreme temperatures and flooding than greener ones. The lack of trees degrades biodiversity pushing out some species to greener pasture. A messy environment tends to take our mood, interpersonal relationships and even our security to negative territory.  A clean and tidy ambiance enhances our lives.

Thoughtful actions carry far reaching consequences on our environment. Think of climate change or global warming and the value of planting trees or the use of biodegradable containers will jump to consciousness. You hardly see a well-off neighborhood dirty. Perhaps tidiness contributes to prosperity. Or a prince’s mansion going to the dogs. Perhaps proper care leads to royalty. 

If your life is less than satisfying, check your surroundings, among other things. They may hold the secret to major changes. Set up and maintain your environment to transform your life.

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.

Saturday, February 8, 2020

Adopt the fair treatment principle

Adopt the fair treatment principle
By Jean Ricot Dormeus


Two years ago, New York City Council and the NYC Commission on Human Rights launched an inclusivity and non discrimation campaign. This initiative followed  a 60 per cent increase in overall reports of discrimination, with complaints involving a person’s race, religion, national origin and immigration status reaching a shocking 30 per cent. Mayor De Blasio had to take a stand for diversity in the city.

In too many instances, social status, affinities, skin color and preferences determine the type of treatment people give to others. Someone with a mindset of superiority usually lavishes smiles and greetings on those of her kinship while running roughshod over the others. This attitude acts out of fear or favor. As a consequence, tensions form in society and abuse proliferates. A stand for indiscriminate fairness helps to remedy such a social pathology.

Great leaders such as Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King and Mahatma Gandhi showed universal respect. They knew that not only society would benefit from the application of this principle but also they would gain moral uplifting. In fact, they were able to elevate themselves to the status of universal figures because they were even-handed.

Universal fair treatment contributes to a social environment conducive to the fulfillment of men, women and children, in particular the most vulnerable ones. Everyone is more likely to thrive when they know they are only judged by their skills and the content of their character.

As a consequence, peace and social harmony gain ground. Minorities, at-risk groups and differently abled segments can aspire to the loftiest achievements and realize their full potential.

Make the fair treatment principle an essential arrow in your quiver.

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, January 31, 2020

Live happy

Live happy

By Jean Ricot Dormeus

John Lennon has inspired countless people with the right understanding of happiness in life. So goes his story: “When I was 5 years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down 'happy'. They told me I didn't understand the assignment, and I told them they didn't understand life.”

Do you spend much time pursuing happiness through impressive achievements or acceptance from others? Well, stop looking for your glasses while you have them on. Enduring happiness comes from the inside and you always have a good reason to be happy. 

When was the last time you counted your blessings and expressed gratitude? When was the last time you refused to dwell on the loss of your roof to the storm and helped the neighbor who lost a limb or a loved one in the same storm?

Happiness doesn't lend itself to conquer. Like your shadow, the more you pursue it, the faster it runs. Happiness surrenders when you embrace it with both arms, knowing that everything you need will come in due course. Just plant your seeds and maintain your garden until the harvest season.

As for others, accept them without expecting anything from them in return. Give them a disinterested smile or loaf of bread, you will every so often receive a smile back or an uplifting thank you. Giving is its own reward. Happiness originates in you, the more you make others happy, the happier you become.

Live happy, because displaying the right attitude intensifies and communicates happiness. 

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.