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)

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.