3 Tips You Need To Know As A Young Woman.

Few days ago, I was with a colleague worker on the field checking up on some clients. It was a sunny morning between the hours of 10 to 11GMT, people were busily following up on their daily routines and others were trooping to their work places.

We meet a client (an accountant) at the car park of their premises, he was talking on phone. As we stood observing him to finish with the call, so we could begin with our mission at their edifice - this man who was in a well ironed pink shirt with a pink tie which had blue spots was holding a book.

I exhibited a gesture to have a glance at the book of which he easily gave out whilst on the phone. The book was entitled ‘What Makes Great men Great’ written by a coauthor of ‘Think and Grow Rich’ the black choice.

After his conversation on the phone, we exchanged pleasantries and talked at length about the relevance of books. I could tell he was happy with the subject matter and he expounded some worthwhile knowledge he had about books.

Some profound statements he made after we took seats at his office were, “books are the only things he does not budget before he buys and that, if he wants to communicate with the great leaders in the past and present, he does that through reading”.

We had a wonderful talk, discussed business matters and we left for our other duties. There were other interesting learning experiences we encountered in the course of executing our duties.

Later in the day, we came to relax at our usual spot to take a drink and discuss what transpired in the course of carrying out our duties. As I sipped on my drink, I remembered the incident with the accountant at his office. I busted out with a question to my colleague, what she had learnt today?

She snapped! What have I leaned today? Nothing of course!

My eyes widened whilst I gazed at her surprisingly. I said to myself, “maybe due to the work through the day, she might be tired and find it difficult to reminisce”.

I then helped by given a glimpse into the office of the accountant and suddenly she busted out “aahh”.

As we tend to grow and improve upon ourselves, I see women to be important and precious companions to men. Almost everyman will love a woman who speaks gracefully, be a supportive backbone, a woman with a teachable attitude (Always willing to learn), a cheerful, hardworking and prudent woman to chat this arduous life. I humbly suggest these 3 tips to every woman who desires to be in this ilk.

“If a dove associates with crows, its colour remain white but its heart grows black” - Proverb

ENGAGE IN MEANINGFUL DISCOURSES; this speaks of your associates, the people you spend most of your time with. It may be your boyfriend or other girlfriends, ask yourself if the discussions and issues you debate or employ among yourselves add value and help you to improve upon yourself to be a better person (have a change in attitude).

Let’s remember that, what we discuss and talk about most tends to have a deep influence on our minds and of which reflects in the states of our lives. Our minds are influenced by what we listen to, what we see and the way we feel. You will bear with me that; as you associate with the rich, you will grow rich and vice versa. Therefore, the situation and state we are in now are as a result of what these had on our minds.

Therefore, as you desire to have a responsible husband and live a wonderful life, be with people who share meaningful discourses and these will have effect on your mind and it will reflect in your life so as you desire.

MAKE TIME TO REFLECT; every day in and out, life provides us with worthwhile learning opportunities which appear to us in different shapes and forms. It will require us to mull over these lessons and understand their worthy wisdom, knowledge and experience they connotes.

In our quest to improve upon ourselves and our lives, life presents to us with these lessons to help us learn some virtues and morals such as: self confidence, persistence, courage, positive mentality etc. - to refine us. 

These morals and virtues will neither be taught in our schools nor in the universities.

Then the onus lies on us to take up the challenge and reflect on our daily encounters to figure out these moments and re-think their reason and purpose for happening. See the positive side of every incident and be empowered by it manifestation.

MAKE USE OF IT; I have seen some young women who made mistakes, although humans are bond to make mistakes but these women don’t learn from their mistakes but repeat them and continue to leave a mediocre life. I then ask myself why? Is it that they don’t realize it or they just don’t learn from their previous mistakes?

“We should regret our mistakes and learn from them, but never carry them forward into the future with us.” ― L.M. Montgomery

I will edge young women to make critical use of these learning opportunities; learning from yours and others mistakes, making time with elderly people and you will be amazed at the enlightenment that will be shared with you. You will acquire knowledge that might have taken you years to gain in a matter of minutes.

What is the essence if you have knowledge, experience, wisdom and you don’t make use of them? Let’s make it a habit to engage in meaningful discourses, reflect and ponder about situations, challenges and circumstances that come our way by seeing the positive side of every situation and make use of the latent learning opportunities that unfold during our daily lives - for as we apply these; they enhance our growth, maturity, refinement and our quest towards perfection for a better and richer life.

A million thanks for your time shared with me and I believe it will worth it as you practice what you have read here! Cheers and let’s keep in touch.

He Was Declared DEAD Prior To His Actual Death; President Of The Republic Of Ghana.

I had returned from a wonderful learning working hours to the office, where a friend who had his workplace near the headquarters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC, the ruling party) in Accra, phoned me that the President of the country is dead.

With extreme astonishment, I exhibited my skeptical attitude towards the information from my friend. I then told her, she was not lying but I would like to enquire from other sources to confirm.

Immediately, I run to the washroom. After urinating and I was about to wash my hands, I heard my phone vibrating and it was my elder sister Sharon calling. I picked it and in a hesitant voice, she told me that, “the President was dead and I should be careful on my way back home”.

I rushed to the common room to inform my colleagues about the confirmation from my sister. Immediately, another colleague called her dad and it was confirmed again.

Instantly, the mood of my colleagues and mine were changed.

The radio was switched on and all we heard was the presenter reiterating the sadden death of H.E. the President of Ghana, John Evans Atta Mills (1944-2012).

The late President celebrated his birthday 3days ago (21/07/12), returned from a medical check-up 2 weeks ago, 5 months to elections for him to complete his first term of office and the inevitable death angel came knocking on his door today, 24^th July, 2012 around 14 – 15 hours GMT at the 37 Military HospitaloHosH.

The late H.E. President J. E. Atta Mills was defeated two consecutive times in his quest of becoming the 3^rd President of the 4^th republic, but won on the third account and was sworn into office on 7^th January, 2009.

He was a professor of law, a lecturer for 25 years, a sportsman, a tax expert, a scholar, a peace ambassador and a true leader, who had the welfare and concerns of his citizens at heart.

The country is really left in state of anguish and mourning for a big tree has indeed fallen. Every citizen is sympathizing and you could read from every citizen’s mood that, when the leader of a nation and an institution is absent, it leaves the followers disheartened, perplexed and uncomforted.

This is a gargantuan and unprecedented loss to the nation of Ghana. It’s historic in Ghana’s history for a sitting President to depart from the land of the living.

It is also sad and pathetic to hear some citizens making partisan remarks concerning the death of the president. He was even pronounced dead prior to his actual death, this was when he went out on a routine check up in the United States about 2 weeks ago. This man has received a whole lot of accusations, nonconstructive criticisms, mockery and negative pronouncements from the citizenry and other astute personalities in the country.

No matter which kind of person you are on this land called earth, you will not live forever, so let’s always appreciate the fact that it not by our might but the grace. This is indeed a blow to me at this time of my life. We pray that may his soul find a peaceful rest.

And to we Ghanaians, this wake up call, for the sense of nationalism and patriotism to rain in our hearts and sink into our souls. Lets now think GHANA FIRST and any other thing last.

I take this opportunity to extend my deepest condolences to the family of the late H.E. John Evans Fiifi Atta Mills. We share the grief with you, our mother of the nation, Ernestina Naadu Mills. Be consoled and be strong, we can’t understand, for there is a divine interpretation. DAMARIFA DUE Atta Mills!!

 May bless the newly sworn in President H.E John Mahama May God bless mother Ghana. Amen!

Thank you!

How Do You Give A Handshake? Do You Know What It Can Mean?

Sometime in my final days in the university, I was fascinated by the wisdom expounded by a speaker who was a lecturer back then at a church gathering. I felt intrigued to get closer to this adroit man and express a word of appreciation for the knowledge he shared with us.  I forced my way through the crowd and finally entered the zone of this gray-haired man. He was attentively addressing some concerns from other participants, so I waited for a moment.  As he finished with them, I went closer with a smile and my hand stretched. Immediately he reciprocated with a smile and held my palm with a firm grip (not crushing). I told him, “I was thrilled by his message and that I’ve leant a lot from it.”

The crux of this moment that I want to emphasize is that, I had a pre-knowledge about handshake depicting your personality through a non-verbal communication pdf book I read. So this lecturer replicating this gesture confirmed it in my thoughts and upon subsequent meetings with other business associates intensified the belief for this truism in this approach.

Handshaking has been with us since time in memorial. Handshaking exhibited that am not armed or with no weapon. Handshake can also express trust, honesty and a symbol of peace. Handshake in other parts of the world signifies sealing of a business deal. Nowadays it is done upon a first meeting and a departure.

The dead fish is a type of handshake, where one of the people’s hands is cold or dank. This makes the handshaking uninviting and speaks of a weak character to the one with the soft and placid gesture.

The glove or politicians handshake is often exhibited by politicians. The initiator covers the others hand with his other hand during the handshake. This demonstrates trust and honesty, exhibited to a newly met person speaks otherwise.

The cover hand also from the initiator signifies the level or intensity of sincerity and trust when placed at the elbow or at the shoulder level of the other person. This is perfect when the people are close relatives or friends.

The knuckle grinder is when the initiator is crushing your hand; it’s normally from people with aggressive character.

The finger-tip grip is when the initiator doesn’t get the full arm or palm but the thrust falls on the finger tips of the receiver. This speaks of lack of confidence in the initiator himself.

Handshake sends a distinct message from both parties. Handshake shows your character or personality and that ladies are not an exception. The best is to thrust your palm interlock with the person’s hand and offer a firm grip but not crushing. It will worth it if you can practice with a friend and listen to his/her comment. Let your handshake speak for you because actions speak louder than words.

Many thanks for your time and until we meet again here; keep winning. 

5 REASONS TO AVOID OR STOP SMOKING MARIJUANA OR CANNABIS.

Marijuana, a versatile plant which has been with us since time in memorial and has also served many useful purposes like for medicinal functions; it fiber is used to make ropes, sacks and other useful materials.

 There are myths about the smoking of this plant “marijuana” or cannabis and some of these are; can help a student to study well, to open the mind of the smoker to be wise, to harden or make the smoker bold or courageous and when smoked, can send you to another state or world. I can say point blank that there is no truism in the above and any others that you might have heard.

As this stimulant drug has some good attributes, it also has some serious demerits. In my part of the world, I have seen and known that, many of the youth have fallen into the ill-usage of this plant. There is even an adage that goes “too much of everything is bad”.

What disheartens me the most is that, these people are between the ages of 15-28 and there is no doubt that these are the future leaders of our countries - who have acquainted themselves with this dream killer. It will interest you to know that, these youth who engage in the ill-usage and abuse of this stimulant are talented and gifted people. If they are able to stop this addiction, they unfold into astounding personalities in their communities and the world at large.

In my part of the world, the first thing that will be associated with a marijuana smoker is that he/she is going to get mad or the person is worthless or aimless. I personally do not side with this belief but since the majority of the people had believed and said it with their powerful mouths, as well as, expecting it to be so and some smokers have reflected in that light, it tends to be something else-of which will have a deeper meaning.

These are what I have experienced and observed about marijuana and I would like share to with you my reader.

• Lost of help; as we all grow, at times before we can stand on our feet, it will take the support from our parents and other relatives. But as soon as our parents and our relatives got to know that one has started smoking, they tend to lose hope and begin to perceive that this person is going to be a worthless and aimless being in the society. Who does not require or deserve any good thing or support. As a result of this, the smoker now has to find other ways and means to make ends meet. This makes him now join other smokers in the same ilk to indulge in social vices to make a living.
•  Tagged as a black sheep; when a person starts to smoke, definitely his attitude begins to change. There is a proverb that, “birds of the same feathers, fly together”, he now begins to move with other smokers and all they do is to go to the “Ghetto” (Where smokers meet to shares ideas and smoke the herb). Since this drug is illegal, the police also come in to arrest them because of the social vices some of them are engaged in. Which at times is pathetic and humiliating as to the way they are treated when caught – this attracts attention from the community to the smoker and this brings disgrace in the highest order to the smoker himself and the family he represents, making him been tagged as a black sheep in the community. 
•  The Spirit of fear; Since they are aware of the bad act they are engaged in, they are full of fear whenever they are in the ghetto or wherever they find themselves smoking. After they have even finished, some even are engulfed in fear and that makes them not to even come closer to other people, so they are mainly found in their own corner or with their counterparts. Mostly, they also don’t want others to know about this humiliating act they have entangled their self with, so then, I ask you my reader, and what state are they in? The Holy book says, “He did not give us the spirit of fear but of love and of sound mind”.
•   Respiratory and other forms of sickness; aside these physical faults smoking marijuana or cannabis causes serious respiratory problems to the smoker. The chronic usage can even cause cancer. This stimulant also dehydrates the smoker and he grows thin and never gets a fresh skin.
•    Loss of focus; I witnessed some smokers who had wonderful ideas to progress their life but as at now, they are as what they were last five years. Some have even upgraded to to the abuse of cocaine and their future and their lives are in a mess. What are you using your precious talent for? What are you going to be remembered for?

You are in this world for a particular and peculiar purpose-don’t allow yourself to be blinded and lured into a state of regret and misery. You have a critical role to play in someone’s life and the development of your family, your country and the world at large. “When an alligator comes out of the pond to tell you that the crocodile is dead, you don’t doubt it” – African Proverb

Until when are you still going to be a slave to this dream killer? Rise up and Wise up!!! Cheers and let’s keep in touch.

The First Achievement; Lead By Patrick Adjei Nketia

The leadership of the National Service Personnel Association (NASPA, Sefwi Wiawso) was poised to leave an indelible mark during their term of office. After putting together their plan of action for the year, they hit the running with the implementation of various projects and programs.

The first task on the bill was for them to organize a Career Guidance Seminar, with rationale that, it was to serve as a platform for the Senior High School Students (S.H.S) to know how they could fine-tune their minds and activities towards realizing a formidable foundation for their career.

This challenge exposed them to many other learning opportunities (problems) and how they could resolve conflicts, deal with grievances, improve upon their attitudes and how they could conduct themselves as budding professional leaders.

Some of his executives had leadership experience whilst others did not. Patrick kept an open mind to adapt to the new personalities he is to work with. Patrick had excellent human and interpersonal relations skills, which was coupled with some knowledge from a book entitled, “How to win friends and influence people by Dale Carnegie”.

The implementation of this program was not new to him, however, he was in an absolutely new environment and needed some assistance as to the right people to offer them the support to make things happen.

Fortunately, out of the five executives, three were from the town. God been so good, they were able to locate some philanthropists, whom they distributed their sponsorship letters and were gladly granted.

Almost everything was set to go for the program dubbed “NASPA CAREER GUIDANCE SEMINAR” to happen on the 28^th January, 2012 at the auditorium of Sefwi Wiawso Senior High Sch(SEWASS). However, there was one hurdle to be jumped. Patrick and his crew had done all the donkeywork but were left with a chairman for the program. All proposed chairpersons had turned their invitation down due to their attendance to other equally important duties on the said date.

Two days to the program, Patrick had a flash in his mind to call upon a man he met couple of weeks ago at a ceremony organized by the district assembly to congratulate some beneficiaries from a government initiative.

This man was attracted to Patrick by a book he was reading, ‘Giant Steps by Anthony Robbins’, from that time they had tried to acquaint themselves to each other marvelously. Patrick was amazed by the incident that brought them to know each other but latterly realized that everything in this life happens for a reason or a purpose.

This man was suave and affable, he was about to hit his fifties. As Patrick informed him about the event and the proposition, he gladly agreed and required a formal letter to that effect. Patrick didn’t hesitate but smartly drafted the letter and presented it to him in his office, where they both talked at length. The man admired Patrick for his leadership expertise and his passion for community service.

The day before the program, Patrick and some of his executives went to the venue and made the necessary preparations to pave way for the event.

On the actual date of the program, Patrick dressed exquisitely in his suit and rushed to the venue to see how the other executives were doing with the final preparations for the commencement of the program.

It was not long ago, when one of the selected schools reported. They were welcomed and ushered in, other dignitaries and the keynote speakers trooped in shortly. A few minutes later, the host school joined their other counterparts to fill the auditorium.

The opening prayer was said and the program begun. The keynote speakers were adept and the chairman iced it with his wonderful, sensational choice of words that brought the whole auditorium into a state of riant.

There were over 500 participants and after the program, the comments and the questions posed by some of the participants signified that the program really served its purpose.

Patrick and his executives were commended tremendously for the wonderful efforts in bringing the event to fruition. They were also edged to extend it to the other schools that were not able to attend by the chairman and other teachers who were present at the event.

Patrick sat on a bench under a tree after the program and said to himself, “at the end of the day, success is helping to better someone’s life.”

Why A Child Asks Questions; You Need To Know.

“The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing. One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery every day. Never lose a holy curiosity.”- Albert Einstein

Couple of weeks ago, I observed a woman, who was dressed in an African print and might be in her fifties. She was with her three year old daughter at a bus station where I was waiting to board a bus. As I sat beside them on a pew, the woman was rubbing a cream from a paste-like tube on the bare chest and stomach of her child.

What caught my attention was, after a chewing stick vendor came and spoke with the child. She also interacted with the woman for some seconds. This little girl kept talking whilst her mother smeared the cream on her tummy. I could hear her little voice sounding but could not understand what this little angel was articulating.

I stopped to take a glance at this little angel and her mother. To my amazement, this little angel was asking her mother questions about virtually anything that caught her attention and her mother took time to explain things to her as she gradually kept smearing the cream on the little soul.

I kept a smiling face as I observed the little angel even asking about when her mother was going to buy a new cream as she could see the pomade was getting finished. I am saying, some children even ask, “what makes rice sweet and if a man had a pot belly, if he was pregnant?”

A willing and ready soul to learn seeks answers through questioning. The likes of Plato, Socrates and others were used to the asking of questions to find revealing answers to some mind boggling issues about the world.

Anthony Robbins says, “thinking is nothing but a state of questioning and answering in the mind”. Have you ever made a point to ask yourself a question about, why an unfortunate situation you experienced happened? What was the benefit you derived from that humiliating moment of your life?

Have you asked yourself what is good about your partner? In a relationship, most of us at times ask negative questions about some incidents and we get negative answers which makes us think that, we are not with the right partner and nothing good will come out of the relationship.

However, if we could make few minutes and ask ourselves positive questions like, ‘what does this unfortunate situation teaches me, what I can do to help my partner so that we can go far with this relationship?

My reader, what I am saying is true. Whatever it may be, if you could ask and seek the positive side of every encounter, you will not be perplexed but you will be filled with an intrinsic joy to learn something positive from a regretful moment and the unsound times in your relationships.

If you are willing to learn, be inquisitive as a child and you will always be on a swinging wheel and life will become an unending study of joy and pleasure.

Thanks for your time and keep up living with a positive mental attitude. Have a good one and cheers.

WHY I WAIT

He stood there akimbo

With a pale face and an opened mouth

She also looked heavily disturbed

After talking raspingly on the phone

They crossed their hands in a moody stare

As some waited patiently in the queue

Others thought wrongly to bypass others

Passengers feeling agitated and extremely bored

At the sight of long human train queues

But they take their turns to create peace

Everywhere there are queues

Everywhere others bypass wrongly

This triggers the instincts

What might be the course?

My attitude tells it all

You can be right or wrong

They feel reluctant issuing the tickets

They shout on the passengers

They whisper, a token for a better seat

Passengers become angrily angry

When the queue is not respected

Their irretrievable time spent unvalued

Their dignity dampened by their own men

Respect the queue

By PATRICK ADJEI NKETIA

24^TH December,2011

The author is a passionate poet with an outstanding poetry recital enthusiasm. Contact him to add a sparkling touch of poetry recital or a designed poem to your birthdays, get-togethers, and other events.

Email-poetinsmile@gmail.com

Add an icy poem front for a remarkable and a memorable event.