Conversation grants mankind a free platform to express ourselves away from the glare of the stage, curiosity of detractors and the scrutiny of an X Factor-like judging panel. The warm and relaxed nature, the sharing with people we deem close to us, and the cosiness of banter with companions and comrades we believe to be non-judgmental about our way of life, however, reveal thoughts and, sometimes, opinions we may have sought to conceal. We emote fresh breezes and thunderous storms within us that we, perhaps, did not know were even there.
Chatting with a few of my proteges and compatriots in West Africa, Europe and North America over the last month has waved rather curious circumstances to my attention and if I may say so myself, utter bemusement and befuddlement alike.
We really do not know people much till we have walked a considerable distance in their shoes, lived all four seasons in their huts or igloos and confronted the demons on their minds and in their hearts. Barring these, the only way to get to truly know another is to listen attentively to their words. Even those chats and banter that linger on about nothing say something about us; they provide a peek into the things we admire and those we frown upon. They give the observant navigator a glimpse of the tip of the iceberg. The hearts of men are in their words.
It has been estimated that from the first 'good morning' to the last 'good night,' the average person engages in 30 conversations a day; some of you average more than that, some of you, less. Statisticians have estimated that each of us will spend 13 years of our life talking, and every day, our words could write a book of 50-60 pages. In a year, if we are just average, we could author 264 books of over 200 pages, just with our words. You can do more than that if you can speak in excess of 300 words per minute, as some of us are able to do, or if you talk incessantly at any speed- http://www.gty.org.uk/resources/Sermons/2294
Exposing the Truth About Men's Hearts
As we converse freely with family, friends and likeable foes we praise the things we love and condemn the things we hate. And yes we make numerous excuses and give endless explanations.
"Oh, get over it" they say, am I am the only human who has made this error or committed a crime?" Many today comfort themselves with the excuse that numerous adults before them were not so upright nor bright. "We can't fail" they say "If The Charles Ponzis and Bernie Madoffs of this world live far more glamourous lives than the multitudes of dedicated and honest workers ever will." "Show me the respectable people who put in the effort everyday for the greater good of society and tell me if they have a better life than the drug dealers and reality tv actors"."I wont do too badly" said one. "After all an entire first world nation continually elected Berlusconi to lead them in spite of his proven despicable manner with girls fit to be his grand-children" "He killed so many but Idi Amin was President with whom the international community happily did business for years in full knowledge of crimes against his own people, and "To be honest, I see nothing wrong with using what I have got to get what I need. I have bills to pay and somebody wants to pay them" "Why work when I have a product that people want to pay for?" (simultaneously waving her hand from bust to bosom) The banter continues..... "As sure as there is night and day, I will bribe voters so I can get elected, because if I don;t some corrupt person will win and decide for us all" To which I reply but arent you corrupting the process by bribing the voters yourself whilst calling your competitors corrupt?
"As for me I give all my problems to God, He is my refuge and fortress. But whoever wants to mess with me beware, cuz, I will f--k you up so bad even your great grandchildren will walk with sore a--es" My response of Vengeance is the Lord's was quickly met with "But Big Brother, you know God is a very busy man. By the time he gets to that s--ker, he may have forgotten the excessive force required". "What is the use of an education and career when the Kardashians can buy more stuff than a qualified nurse or school teacher" chipped in another. I could tell that the use of the old wise saying "In all thy getting, get understanding" would do little good to this voracious video vixen.
It is easy in the exuberance of youth to proclaim that "There is hope for everyone whether you do right or wrong. I give in to my temptations and I go with the flow. When I am ready, I can change" Now that one sounds like the beginning of one headed for dropping out of school or work. Many who end up in and out of drug rehabilitation, alcoholics anonymous and prison may have started by saying "Just this once" and continued by lying to themselves "For sure, this is the last time" the beleaguered shrink notes.
Word to the wise from KKD:
Work on the hopes and aspirations of your youth. Bask in the sunshine and joy it brings. Savour the beauty that comes with being young and strong. And each day as you seek your treasure and your pleasure, remember to do things in fair measure. Treasure the power and beauty of your youth. Hold it dear and use it wisely. Like an unprotected egg, if it falls and breaks, its contents are not longer valuable when spilled in the dirt.
The only permanent thing in life is CHANGE, that is other than the Word of God. The green will ripen, the pale will darken, the erect will droop, the upright will stoop, the fast will slow down, the ripe will fall down, the village will become a town, the leader may become a clown and even beauty may become ugly. Some will age beautifully and gracefully like fine wine. Some will get better and wiser with time but nothing...., nothing stays the same forever. BEAUTY IS A VIRTUE & YOUTH IS A RARE BLESSING that many do not value till they have made choices to render themselves prematurely 'unpretty', old and cold.
Live your youth so you may speak about it with honour and pride. No matter how rich or famous you may become, you can never buy back your youth.
-Kwasi Kyei Darkwah, MA, AVP (Lond)
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