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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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

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Let the leaven of passion raise the dough of your projects

Let the leaven of passion raise the dough of your projects

By Jean Ricot Dormeus

Passion worked miracles in the life of a woman born into poverty to a teenage mother in a segregated ethnic group. Obviously, the deck was stacked against her and she seemed destined to a destitute life. However, her passion for helping people through communication and motivation made her the richest African-American of the 20th century and the US first black multi-billionaire. Oprah Winfrey embodies the transformational power of passion.

Oprah says, “You've got to follow your passion. You've got to figure out what it is you love--who you really are. And have the courage to do that.”

Passion frees knowledge and technique of their bounds. You may rack up all the other ingredients for a great life, but only the leaven of passion will raise the dough of your existence and your pursuits. So many people know what to do and how to do it, but do nothing or just enough to preserve their situation. Passion finds the requisite hot air or gas to float the balloon of your goals and dreams. Passion empowers you to beat the sun in the morning, overcome the pain of persistent hard work and conquer the fear of others, the unknown and tomorrow.

Passion breeds credibility. The level of energy you invest in your project and the sacrifice you enthusiastically accept send a strong signal about you. Everybody perceives that you mean business and you are not ready to accept anything less than success. Then you win a followership that will catapult your influence, your sales, and your march toward the top.

Passion will bounce you back like the reed and generate such resilience that no storm can keep you in a hole, no mountain rise too high to climb and no bridge spread too long to build. Make passion the leaven of you assignments, it will raise the dough of your achievements.

Jean Ricot Dormeus

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Cherish you ability to wonder

By Jean Ricot Dormeus

A radio talk show out of Guyana, the only English speaking country in South America, has caught the attention of thousands of listeners over the years mainly by means of the title of the program, “Have you ever wondered?”. The host dons a booming voice and, in an effort to educate and entertain,  shares relevant information on an array of topics. The question, “Have you ever wondered?”, turns our attention to many facets of life that we often take at face value without trying to understand.

A decreasing ability to wonder often points to getting old. My friend Gisele says that her son Al wants to know everything inside a toy. He would take it apart, study and touch the pieces and put it back together. Gisele attributes to Al’s curiosity and sense of wonder his great ability to absorb and process information. In general, adults baulk at this kind exploratory process because it is messy. They have stored a wealth of information, beliefs and habits they hold on to and would not dare to challenge.

Likewise, maturing people tend to form opinions about everything even without proper knowledge. They often mistakenly proceed by assimilation treating an issue new to them the same way they would something they already know. I am amazed to see many laymen analyze issues such as global warming, health epidemics or the traffic on the road and offer solutions off the top of their heads. Sometimes, they are even more confident than the experts.

What if you nurture your ability to wonder, question more often and seek to understand more deeply? Your curiosity would create more opportunities for personal growth, bring effective solutions to the challenges of your communities and spur innovation in numerous fields. Wouldn’t it? So cherish your ability to wonder.

Jean Ricot Dormeus

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Get the most of your solitude

Get the most of your solitude

By Jean Ricot Dormeus

One of the greatest artists of the 20th century, Spanish painter Pablo Picasso, distinguished himself by his technical mastery and his creativity. His universal influence flows from art pieces such as Guernica and the cubism movement. Picasso associated his outstanding achievements with solitude by saying, “Without great solitude, no serious work is possible”. 

Like a seed germinates isolated in the soil, great successes incubate in creative solitude. Like Picasso, you can lay a rock solid foundation for your life if you use your solitude to study, practice or master a skill and to envision how best your future can turn.

Almost everyone has private moments. Countless bodies shun these solitude periods. However, numerous souls, including great visionaries and world innovators, embrace them as a godsend. Well used solitude helps to refresh and re-energize your brain. You process knowledge more efficiently, especially after learning or working in a group setting. Filter solitude of its boredom shade or its scary shadow and you get an excellent fertilizer of ideas and generator of expertise.

Use your precious time of solitude to develop yourself and prepare for challenges ahead. Plan some bold initiative. See how you can encourage and assist someone. Solitude helps you to channel the water of your thoughts to irrigate the valley of your responsibilities at work, at home and in your community. 

How long should you engage in solitude? It depends on your circumstances; preferably in moderation. Most importantly, altruism should remain at the center of your engagement, because you improve yourself to serve others better and make a difference around you. This approach will cause you to make the most of your solitude.

Jean Ricot Dormeus

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Keep your goals in sight

Keep your goals in sight

By Jean Ricot Dormeus

Italian football manager Paolo Di Canio once pointed out, “It’s just a couple of posts and a crossbar, but for a footballer, it’s paradise”. All the beauty and excitement of the football game sums up in getting the ball pass the goal line. Goals make champions of good teams such as Brazil and award players such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi or Neymar with golden ball trophies. Like sports, every activity or initiative in life, consciously or not, aims at the finish line, a reward or a feeling. Knowing the goal and its value in advance helps in getting organized, staying motivated and focused.

How would you identify success without a goal? Or are you in the business of aiming at nothing lest you get disappointed? The best secret to achieving anything important in life hides in designing a goal before you start implementing your project. Not only a goal equips you with landmarks or progress markers, but also it mobilizes your energy and brainpower in the pursuit of your journey. 

The hare lost sight of the goal and spent time relaxing and savoring overconfidence. The turtle kept moving slowing but consistently toward the goal. Guess who won? When you lose sight of the goal, your talents, your comparative advantages and your self-confidence get wasted. Consequently, you may still believe you are winning when in reality the race award ceremony is already done.

Setting goals takes early thinking and preparation. If you let your impulsivity loose and have no goal in sight, you run the risk of engaging in conflicting projects, thus neutralizing your efforts. Therefore, you must know why you do what you do. This simple notion spells control over your life and maximizes your chances of success. Keep your goals in sight.

Jean Ricot Dormeus

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Ensure proper healing

Ensure proper healing

By Jean Ricot Dormeus

Several decades ago, my dad was surprised to see a stubborn wound on his right leg. In the beginning, he attributed it to his farming activities and expected it to heal soonest. However, the injury played the yo-yo with him for a long while. At some point, He made up his mind to get rid of the intermittent wound and sought treatment. He got properly diagnosed and the injury finally healed following assiduous efforts and adequate remedy. Can healing take place as a matter of course? Not as often as you would wish.

Most disruptions of the body and the mind, breaches in relationships or career failures require a conscious decision to start healing. If you value the philosophy “ignore it and it will go away”, then you are in for a brutal awakening. Your disturbance will either deteriorate or come and go until you invest some thought and effort into it. When nature does not work its miracles in time, it’s time to take healing seriously.

Usually, you discern an alert to your life disruptions through pain, discomfort or embarrassment. An unattended alert from the cause leads to the worsening of the effect. Even when you deal timely with the alert, healing may be slow in showing up. So goes the saying “trouble comes riding a horse and leaves walking”. The sooner you address your issues, the less delayed are your desired results.

Paying timely attention takes you halfway through. You need effective diagnosis, remedy and procedure to get through. In many cases, seeking professional advice will form the backbone of your healing strategy. In all cases, educating yourself about your issues will enhance your sense of control and keep you on the right path.

Noticing abnormalities in your life? Ensure proper healing soonest.

Jean Ricot Dormeus

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Look beyond your loss

Look beyond your loss

By Jean Ricot Dormeus

A few months ago, while enjoying a breezy Sunday morning, I played one tennis set with an opponent known for his consistency. I lost the first game for no apparent reason. The loss disturbed me and kept me thinking as the set progressed. While I lingered in this frame of mind, my opponent took advantage and was leading 4 games to one at some point. Then I decided to let go of my losses, regain my focus, and guess what? I captured 5 games in a row to win the set. 

We all face situations of loss at some point in our life. Are you bogged down in a loss rut? Stop wasting precious energy and time. Your loss is likely to consume your attention and become a source of distraction in your life. Your capacity to deliver great results might diminish as you experience fear, sadness or anger. The time you take to perform simple tasks may extend and you risk to engage in self-doubt. Lingering on your loss works as a trap.

Prompt recovery from losses offers a bridge to experience, growth and resilience. All the more reason to look beyond the somber occurrences. Sunlight comes after the darkness of the night, fair weather after the storm and Sunday resurrection after Friday crucifixion. This life cycle offers hope and empowers you to press on toward your dreams and goals.

No matter how good you are in life or in our field, you will incur loss. Likewise, no matter how devastating your losses, you can bounce back as long as you embrace hope. Instead of dwelling on yesterday’s loss, focus on today’s opportunities and tomorrow's promise. This change in focus opens up the way to success and great achievements. Therefore, look promptly beyond your loss.

Jean Ricot Dormeus

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Make pain work for you

Make pain work for you

By Jean Ricot Dormeus

The story of Ashlyn Blocker of California points to the value of pain in our lives. One day, 13 year old Ashlyn who could not feel pain dipped her right hand into a boiling pot of ramen noodles to retrieve a spoon. She got burned without feeling anything. Her mother had to take care of the burn on the hand of the happy child and to remain vigilant to prevent further occurrences. Some pain would have helped Ashlyn to prevent cuts, burns and other injuries. 

Pain protects us as a good ally, setting off an alarm to withdraw from danger or rectify a harmful situation. The noise of a fire alarm may be annoying, but it helps us to take measures to prevent a fire.

Pain also performs the function of progress indicator. When we begin exercising for a marathon, we run out of breath quickly. We build resistance to the pain by taking some extra steps despite our discomfort. The same goes for the habit of reading. In short, the longer it takes to feel unbearable pain when we practice a skill, the more advanced we have become in our field. 

Unnecessary pain should be avoided though. Masochism or gratification from pain elevates no one to heroism. If a social environment becomes irremediably toxic to the point of inducing continuing useless suffering, then the time has come to consider your options and sign up for better company or network. Likewise, you benefit from the habit of not inflicting pain on other people.

Understanding pain is crucial to managing it. Are you trying to shun pain at all costs? Then how will you reach the top of the ladder or the summit of the mountain? Make pain work for you.

Jean Ricot Dormeus

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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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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.

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.