tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21199880558580031382024-03-13T03:06:32.039-07:00DDDela`s Musings+233 504433578
Daniel Dela Dunoohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04572039713921417899noreply@blogger.comBlogger72125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119988055858003138.post-10598336112757379562023-12-22T05:51:00.000-08:002023-12-23T09:20:22.300-08:00A Concise and Fascinating Historical Overview of Christmas<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5FLw_9DDbQRXGczVlgT0od0CS1OR7_YUXjJKd0N-V4UKe7K-PJ4qUzGRMl_9RZ8FfIF6AhDjKyU9EwHyqXNPp4wqvn3gLA2KCbAap8Dm8vAT6lQAo7nHQYN_Cq1EAsk9f9T4N2WV_GMmBNVviGei3YsZQ4-u_ww36U4WJwI1WtHIdMePkijkraCp3Uao/s2560/20191213_075648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5FLw_9DDbQRXGczVlgT0od0CS1OR7_YUXjJKd0N-V4UKe7K-PJ4qUzGRMl_9RZ8FfIF6AhDjKyU9EwHyqXNPp4wqvn3gLA2KCbAap8Dm8vAT6lQAo7nHQYN_Cq1EAsk9f9T4N2WV_GMmBNVviGei3YsZQ4-u_ww36U4WJwI1WtHIdMePkijkraCp3Uao/w192-h320/20191213_075648.jpg" width="192" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 327.75pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Christmas is by far the most popular and most widely celebrated
festival in the 21st century. It is a Christian festival commemorating the
birth of Jesus Christ. The word Christmas is a derivative of the old English
words <i>Cristes maesse </i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">- </span>“Christ’s
Mass”. The present spelling of Christmas probably came into use circa the 16th
century.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">The celebration of Christmas on December 25th
annually is traceable to approximately the 3<sup>rd</sup> century. It is
however unknown exactly when the celebration of Christmas began. Reasons for
establishing December 25th as Christmas is fairly obscure but it is held by
some church historians that the birth of Christ as “Light of the world” was
made akin to the rebirth of the sun to make Christianity more
meaningful to pagan converts.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Christendom
does not claim that Jesus Christ was born on December 25th. The exact date of
Christ’s birth is unknown. In the scheme of things, this is inconsequential. Pastor
Rick Warren, famed author of ‘The Purpose-Driven Life” asserts: “</span><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">We need to celebrate this Christmas. Jesus’
birth was – and is – good news of great joy.” </span><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">In the
solemn words of the venerable pastor and Calvinistic theologian, Dr. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">R. C. Sproul: “I can’t think of anything more
pleasing to Christ than the church celebrating His birth every year”.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">While Christmas is widely celebrated on
December 25<sup>th</sup>, some Orthodox Christians in countries such as
Ethiopia, Egypt, and Russia celebrate Christmas on the 6th and 7th of January,
annually – approximately two weeks apart. The evident disparities in the dates
for the commemoration of the birth of Christ is largely a consequence of the
use of separate calendars by Catholic and Orthodox Christians.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">In 1582, Pope Gregory XII introduced what is
commonly termed the Gregorian calendar. This calendar constitutes the world’s
most widely used calendar, and the one that most Christians across the globe (Protestants
and Catholics alike) use in their celebration of Christmas on December 25th.
Some Orthodox Christians however, use the Julian calendar. This has been so for
centuries. The Gregorian calendar is 13 whole days behind the Julian calendar,
hence the disparities in the dates for Christmas festivities.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">From Rome, Christmas spread to other churches
of the West and East, the last to adopt it being the church of Jerusalem during
the Bishopric of Juvenal - from 424 to 458AD. Admittedly, down through the
centuries, a minority in Christendom have shunned Christmas, notable amongst
them being the Puritans (16<sup>th</sup> and 17<sup>th</sup> centuries).</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">During the 16th-century Protestant
Reformation, the significant majority of Protestants commemorated the birth of
Christ annually. The 16th-century preacher and professor of theology,
Martin Luther - widely acknowledged as the most influential reformer, loved
Christmas in earnest. Annually, he celebrated Christmas with his family,
friends, and congregants, and is credited with composing (and singing) some
Christmas hymns, which are sung in many churches, even in contemporary times.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">John Calvin, widely considered the second most
influential reformer, was not averse to the celebration of Christmas, and
permitted his followers to celebrate Christmas, even though he was not dogmatic
about it. Bruce Gordon, a professor of Ecclesiastical History notes, “Calvin’s
attachment to Christmas ran deeper than mere preservation of tradition.... Some
of Calvin’s most moving words from the pulpit flowed from his preaching at
Christmas”.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">In the 18<sup>th</sup> century, notable
preachers and leading revivalists of that era such as George Whitefield, John
Wesley, and his brother Charles Wesley celebrated Christmas with their followers.
Charles Wesley composed some Christmas hymns found in Methodist hymnbooks and
sung in many churches across the globe.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">In contemporary times, more than a billion
Christians across the globe still celebrate Christmas. In celebrating
Christmas, amidst the merry-making, pastor, prolific author, and theologian, Dr.
John MacArthur Jr. admonishes, “We should be focused on the Christ of the
Christmas and giving all diligence to remembering the real reason for the
season.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Best-selling author and
clergyman, Dr. Norman Vincent Peale adds, “I truly believe that if we keep
telling the Christmas story, singing the Christmas songs, and living the
Christmas spirit, we can bring joy and happiness and peace to this world.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 327.75pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium; line-height: 150%;">Written by Daniel Dela Dunoo<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 327.75pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium; line-height: 150%;">(Theologian
/ Author)<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 327.75pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Email:
danieldeladunoo@gmail.com</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p>Daniel Dela Dunoohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04572039713921417899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119988055858003138.post-32784386133642224602023-10-05T17:17:00.003-07:002023-10-05T17:17:43.321-07:00Ghana’s Next President Unveiled: Prophetic Insights into Ghana’s 2024 Presidential Polls<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixoNeB28Vn1X7sGYScnP1vacgQlarczwYvqeBgl-B9DuPL00I9nwwPuxxIhJQyCECRHYs-fq7c87gYFYFvlBakMzs48YsZnay8xbY60T4faKdiF6ywNDHnzJLsekxwZIOTRn9nSKKaQhHldUuvNBkA5qi_9HIs_KyilhHHebX1nwGUJDKVhzO9JDuqMlQ/s995/Cover-New%20Ebook%20Promo-Ghana's%20Next%20President.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="559" data-original-width="995" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixoNeB28Vn1X7sGYScnP1vacgQlarczwYvqeBgl-B9DuPL00I9nwwPuxxIhJQyCECRHYs-fq7c87gYFYFvlBakMzs48YsZnay8xbY60T4faKdiF6ywNDHnzJLsekxwZIOTRn9nSKKaQhHldUuvNBkA5qi_9HIs_KyilhHHebX1nwGUJDKVhzO9JDuqMlQ/w640-h360/Cover-New%20Ebook%20Promo-Ghana's%20Next%20President.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Excerpts of the Introduction to the
eBook<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Surely the Lord God does nothing
without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets.”</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> – Amos 3:7<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ghana’s 2024 presidential polls
promises to be an eventful and keenly contested one. With the ruling party
(NPP) seeking to ‘break the 8’, and the main opposition party working
assiduously towards a major comeback after being out of power for close to 8 years
(2 election cycles), the stakes are clearly high. And the electoral contest is
fast heating up. Multiple polls have been conducted, and educated guesses made
on the possible outcome of the 2024 presidential polls. These have tended to
produce varying outcomes, even though for the most part, the pendulum appears
to swing towards a particular outcome. This is however not the focus of this
book. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This eBook looks at the outcome of
Ghana’s 2024 presidential polls primarily from the prophetic angle. Scores of
prophets in Ghana (in particular), and abroad have prophesied about the outcome
of Ghana’s 2024 presidential polls. Despite the lack of unanimity, the
overwhelming majority of publicly delivered and recorded prophecies (mostly by
notable prophets) in relation to the 2024 polls point towards one particularly
direction – the victory of a particular presidential candidate (and a
particular political party). <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As a Christian and a theologian, I
earnestly believe the prophetic ministry is Scriptural and remains relevant
today. And I am persuaded that God is interested in who becomes Ghana’s next
president. God knows the future (omniscience), and has an agenda for this
nation – an agenda for good and not for evil. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In this eBook, I present what I
whole-heartedly believe to be genuine prophetic insights into the outcome of
the 2024 presidential polls (the unveiling of Ghana’s next president), and what
God intends to do for Ghana through Ghana’s next president. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This work is in two primary parts.
Part 1 presents an-easy-to-understand theological discourse on the prophetic
ministry, essentially making a case for the relevance of the prophetic ministry
in contemporary times. Part 2 is the crux of this work, and encompasses
transcripts (and in some instances translations – in text format) of prophecies
delivered by more than 20 acclaimed prophets. The relevant video references to
these prophecies are provided. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This eBook promises to be
fascinating, revealing, and instructive. Grab a copy to discover who will
become Ghana’s next president, and what God plans to accomplish for the good of
the nation through him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Download this
eBook (FREE DOWNLOAD): <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1460435"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1460435</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>Daniel Dela Dunoohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04572039713921417899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119988055858003138.post-58893318801463068882023-07-16T23:32:00.002-07:002023-07-16T23:32:24.058-07:00Highlights of My 10-Year Career Journey <div><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">This short video highlights my 10-year (2013-2023) career journey... A themed approach is adopted.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: black;"><br /></span></div><span style="background-color: black;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/4EgJhDqGHYs" style="background-image: url(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/4EgJhDqGHYs/hqdefault.jpg);" width="480"></iframe></span>Daniel Dela Dunoohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04572039713921417899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119988055858003138.post-15937905871796100012023-07-16T21:49:00.001-07:002023-07-16T21:49:24.839-07:00Daily Affirmations to Attract Financial Increase<div><span style="background-color: black; font-family: arial;"><span style="color: white; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Words have creative ability. Said overtime, they metamorphose from intangibles to tangibles." </span><span style="color: white; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">This video takes you on a journey of attracting wealth and financial increase through daily money affirmations.</span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: black; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><span style="background-color: black; font-family: arial;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://youtube.com/embed/genBXRzER84" style="background-image: url(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/genBXRzER84/hqdefault.jpg);" width="480"></iframe></span>Daniel Dela Dunoohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04572039713921417899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119988055858003138.post-73969038740088168442023-07-01T10:32:00.000-07:002023-07-01T10:32:09.180-07:00 Why You Should Have a ‘Side Business’<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTPsUK5x-Owz8P5T3oYWo4gH9T5ewjZLtXEIVFQPlv-7_cOonBlro75SqZqfma60WIZYHsaAYC6cq-c5TD-9uYQQsJBln8iGw3LiUynke7Y9fke7y5zcxw4s43aaJq-D2ciB-N4k9sEfcsmWYPuc-FSD9vE-gbznbxMYxIXf7afxfiVFCA8m3q0uLYono/s300/side-business.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="202" data-original-width="300" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTPsUK5x-Owz8P5T3oYWo4gH9T5ewjZLtXEIVFQPlv-7_cOonBlro75SqZqfma60WIZYHsaAYC6cq-c5TD-9uYQQsJBln8iGw3LiUynke7Y9fke7y5zcxw4s43aaJq-D2ciB-N4k9sEfcsmWYPuc-FSD9vE-gbznbxMYxIXf7afxfiVFCA8m3q0uLYono/w400-h269/side-business.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 327.75pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Often,
the term ‘side business’ is used in reference to any activity that generates
income for an individual other than his or her regular full time job. So for
instance, you work as a banker full time. However, aside your full time job,
you MC (master of ceremony) events such as entertainment shows on weekends.
Being an MC is your side business.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 327.75pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Years
gone by, having a side business was perhaps not as common and as compelling as
it is today. A growing number of professionals are venturing into multiple
income generating activities, and there are clear reasons why this is
increasingly becoming the norm. This article highlights three cardinal drivers
of this trend, but more importantly, why you should have a side business
irrespective of your profession.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 327.75pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Supplement regular salary, and for investment purposes</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 327.75pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The
first reason often alluded to for having a side business is that, it creates
multiple streams of income, which then lessens the financial pressures
associated with holding onto one job. With a thriving side business, there is
little need to wait impatiently and anxiously for a salary at the end of the
month, amidst a multiplicity of needs requiring urgent attention. With a
worsening economy, characterized in part by rising prices of goods and services,
your salary may routinely be exhausted long before the month ends, bringing
untold pressure, including high indebtedness. Under such circumstances, the
thought of channeling some funds into ‘passive’ investments, or even into
savings becomes a non-starter and a no-brainer. Your pre-occupation becomes
meeting present needs. Amidst these glaring and gloomy realities, it is only
prudent that you have a side business to ‘cushion you’ somehow.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 327.75pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Create wealth<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 327.75pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The
second reason often given for having a side business or creating multiple
streams of income is somewhat linked to the first, but is quite distinct, in
that, it is far reaching in its goals and outcomes. Some financial experts and
wealthy folks hold the view that it is often impracticable for anyone to become
wealthy as an employee, without creating/having multiple streams of income. Therefore,
for many, they create multiple side businesses to enhance their chances of
becoming wealthy. Quite evidently, many of the world’s rich folks have multiple
streams of income or side businesses, and that speaks volumes.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 327.75pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Safety
net in the event of a job loss<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 327.75pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Yet
another reason why you should have a side business as an employee is that, it
would provide for you a safety net or as it were, a sustainable means of income
in the event of a job loss. A job loss can occur irrespective of your
competences and sterling work outcomes. Think of the job losses that occasioned
the banking sector clean-up exercise in Ghana, and the many companies that have
either closed down or retrenched the vast majority of their staffs owing
largely to financial difficulties. To suffer an abrupt job loss in an economy
such as ours, amidst intense competition on the job market can be depressing,
especially if you have dependents. However, if you had a side business prior to
the job loss, the side business can then seamlessly become your main job, – a
viable income generating activity to meet your personal needs and that of your
family/dependents. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 327.75pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">I remember years
ago, barely three months to my wedding, the approximately 40-year old organization
I worked with, and where I held a promising job, retrenched its entire staff,
as a precursor to folding up. My promising job as the substantive editor of an
educational publishing company was gone. With a wedding ceremony a few months
ahead, I knew I was in for a rough ride, and that troubled me greatly. My
wife-to-be was equally troubled. But I had a side business, which I had thought
so less of. It however proved to be a lifeline. It helped provide what was
necessary for the wedding ceremony, and provided for the home as well. It
actually kept the home running for approximately three years – during which
period we had were blessed with two children. I shudder to think what would
have been our fate, without this one-time side business.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 327.75pt;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Written
by Daniel Dela Dunoo<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 327.75pt;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">(Freelance
writer, published author)<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 327.75pt;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Email:
danieldeladunoo@gmail.com<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>Daniel Dela Dunoohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04572039713921417899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119988055858003138.post-89924258390708358652023-05-30T09:43:00.002-07:002023-05-30T09:52:35.058-07:00How I Secured Three Dream Jobs in One Year<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiBrd3lrS1l9meRbo3vjvxe4rvEn5fDfAY0v_Qx_gpGgla7Wynz1bJT-lIe1qwi5tkf-7UX598d_bMtPFdvlNWsTu59Q4Df-sxKfKC-InfLgbCKOGIVph-i9V_uKNyOZJBghdqOFa_yP93Uo1MG9icMB4HNydJ2XkUNMcALirPWJKsQgSS7V7COyGV/s1280/DDDela-Office.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="345" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiBrd3lrS1l9meRbo3vjvxe4rvEn5fDfAY0v_Qx_gpGgla7Wynz1bJT-lIe1qwi5tkf-7UX598d_bMtPFdvlNWsTu59Q4Df-sxKfKC-InfLgbCKOGIVph-i9V_uKNyOZJBghdqOFa_yP93Uo1MG9icMB4HNydJ2XkUNMcALirPWJKsQgSS7V7COyGV/w614-h345/DDDela-Office.jpg" width="614" /></span></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">Years
ago, following my graduation from the university, and while on a desperate job-hunting
spree, I found myself at internet cafes often, conducting internet searches for
job vacancies on multiple online ‘jobs search portals’, and submitting job
applications. In the process, I submitted literally over a thousand
applications online. Consequent to these applications, a couple of text
messages and calls came through inviting me for job interviews. In almost all
these instances, the calls and text messages came from recruitment agencies, and
in 9 out of 10 cases, it was a requirement for applicants to part away with a
specified amount of money they characteristically called processing fee. During
that period, I secured two low paying jobs but had to tender my resignations
shortly thereafter.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">I
got frustrated with my fruitless and yet frequent interface with recruitment
agencies, and with the fact that my numerous job applications via online portals
did not yield the desired results. I eventually ditched this approach to job-hunting.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Through
my struggles, and while I was at my widths end, I devised strategies I consider
out-of-the-box job-hunting strategies. Through consistent deployment of those
strategies, I secured two better paying full time jobs and one part time job –
jobs I consider my dream jobs. In this post, I will share with you how I
successfully secured these jobs. Perhaps, this may make a world of difference
in your job-hunting drive.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Targeted volunteerism<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">I
recommend targeted volunteerism. Find a way to volunteer your services in the
area of your preferred career path. It would give you relevant work experience,
coupled with helping you hone your skills and building worthwhile professional relationships
that could potentially open employment opportunities for you.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">While
I was seeking to secure a full-time employment as either a staff writer or an editor,
I set out to write articles, poems and short stories for numerous
organizations, on my own volition for the most part. My writings were not for a
fee. I simply wrote them and submitted them via email, after finding their
contacts online. I was seeking the exposure, in hopes that my works will get
noticed, which could then open job opportunities for me. There were also instances
where I was contacted via email by some organizations to write for their
platforms, since they had chanced upon some of my works and were impressed by
my writing style. They always however fell short of promising me a pay-check or
offering me employment, as it were. I was however glad that I could volunteer
my services, since I had an end game in mind. These led to my works being
featured in numerous newspaper publications, magazines and websites. Such
publications served as proof of relevant work experience, providing readily
accessible samples, which was also served as proof of my writing
skill-sets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Over
the course of time, a business-focused website I had been writing for needed to
fill a job vacancy – a website administrator cum content executive (these roles
were largely writing-related), since the substantive employee had tended his
resignation. I was called and invited for an interview. I successfully sailed
through the interview, landing the job – A job I had not applied for, and one
that paid me far better than the jobs I had previously secured. In less than
two months after assuming the new role, I secured another job – one that
portended greater prospects. This brings me to the second proven strategy.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Targeted
unsolicited job applications<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">While the norm generally is to
submit applications when news of a job vacancy hits, I had decided to submit
targeted unsolicited job applications. How did I do this? Well, let’s go down
memory lane. Approximately eight months before securing the job of a website
administrator, I had searched online for the names and email addresses of as
many publishing companies I could find in Ghana.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt;">After a thorough search, I found the
email addresses of more than 30 publishing companies. I drafted an application
letter that projected in particular the skills I had acquired writing (on a
voluntary basis) for other organizations, and some work I had done editing the
manuscripts of a couple of individuals as a freelance editor. My application
was especially for the role of either a writer or an editor. I attached my CV
and submitted my applications via email to the more than 30 publishing
companies.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Within the space of one month, I
received responses from 3 publishing companies, expressing the desire to meet
up with me. I got in touch with contact persons in two of these companies. I
was invited to their offices for interviews. I made sure I carried along with
me my portfolio – a collection of some of my works featured in magazines and
newspaper publications, and these were used to demonstrate my writing
capabilities (and by extension, capacity to edit). Both interviews were
successful. Only that the first publishing company wanted me to work with them
as a writer on contract (project-by-project basis). Of course, I accepted the
offer. The second company – comparatively larger and more reputable wanted me
to work with them full time as a book editor. This was after I had undergone
two interview sessions and a trial (practical test of my editing capabilities).
However, before my appointment as a full time editor, I was allowed to work
with the company as a freelancer for a couple of months. I put up my best,
meeting deadlines and delivering excellence. In less than 4 months, my freelance/part-time
worker status was commuted to full time - I received my appointment letter as a
full-time editor for the educational publishing company. This was without a
doubt a dream-come-true-experience for me. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">The strategies I have relayed in this
post evidently worked for me. They may work for you too. They have perhaps
brought to your attention what you may have to do differently, going forward,
in your quest to realize your dream job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><i><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Written by Daniel Dela Dunoo </span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Email: </span></i><a href="mailto:danieldeladunoo@gmail.com"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span color="windowtext" face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">danieldeladunoo@gmail.com</span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Blog:
https://danieldeladunoo.blogspot.com</span></i><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: arial; mso-spacerun: yes;"><i>Youtube: Daniel Dela Dunoo</i></span></span></p>Daniel Dela Dunoohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04572039713921417899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119988055858003138.post-65898405779893897982023-05-01T06:55:00.001-07:002023-05-01T06:55:51.085-07:00What ‘Uncle Arthur’s BEDTIME Stories’ Did for Me (True Story)<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipe1xSSF4dKdL8wtTxCiZJF1UEqSqOjcoOOeOeHqZYc8_-KKc1j-e4cXKnWnNPZNzf3dJso0YE61faRfTMYO9yugNUjNDDDskzprQxUeq2kF1QGiCM_aVYra8sFGKrhhSHaoF8WtoL2M-zbWwsA9QCi1v_I4WiVTNK3IMZ9m0cgdrJjO7rSsLjJlax/s2954/75441E72-8FFA-4F1C-8149-792E0C4123B3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2954" data-original-width="2216" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipe1xSSF4dKdL8wtTxCiZJF1UEqSqOjcoOOeOeHqZYc8_-KKc1j-e4cXKnWnNPZNzf3dJso0YE61faRfTMYO9yugNUjNDDDskzprQxUeq2kF1QGiCM_aVYra8sFGKrhhSHaoF8WtoL2M-zbWwsA9QCi1v_I4WiVTNK3IMZ9m0cgdrJjO7rSsLjJlax/s320/75441E72-8FFA-4F1C-8149-792E0C4123B3.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">How it all Began</span></b></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">In
my formative years, I harboured an intense yearning for the acquisition of
knowledge, especially of godly knowledge. I often found myself combing through
my mum’s large pool of books for Christian literature that tickled my fancy as
a kid. On this particular day, I chanced upon my mum’s collection of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Books-Arthur-S-Maxwell/s?rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3AArthur+S.+Maxwell" target="_blank">‘Uncle
Arthur’s BEDTIME Stories'</a> (about 8 volumes in all). Suffice it to state that <a href="http://danieldeladunoo.blogspot.com/2017/05/mums-unparalleled-influence-on-my-faith.html" target="_blank">my mum</a> had lots of Christian literature in her library, and while I took an interest
in scores of them, ‘Uncle Arthur’s BEDTIME Stories’ left the most indelible
imprint and lasting impression on my young mind.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHRyQ3-xgdErWSYlWWuXskNYfCtZ8W5ROWJv4JxI4aVYz80iMo6C01NDRmZ75ROpOgIQkZQE4yz3OOgcFQJqST5TDZn32G3AO8ld4o-n3MKeU_R9zJ2OSiHHFSjdki1EpujmyxzF7U5dKpcYv8ZnDfz9aqzcQeMz4_A3Lg4zDZiCuKDag3z-ahnFHo/s1996/91CDtgV3DJL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1996" data-original-width="1462" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHRyQ3-xgdErWSYlWWuXskNYfCtZ8W5ROWJv4JxI4aVYz80iMo6C01NDRmZ75ROpOgIQkZQE4yz3OOgcFQJqST5TDZn32G3AO8ld4o-n3MKeU_R9zJ2OSiHHFSjdki1EpujmyxzF7U5dKpcYv8ZnDfz9aqzcQeMz4_A3Lg4zDZiCuKDag3z-ahnFHo/s320/91CDtgV3DJL.jpg" width="234" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Uncle Arthur & His Bedtime
Stories <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_S._Maxwell#External_links" target="_blank">ArthurS. Maxwell (1896-1970)</a>, fondly called Uncle Arthur was the prolific author of ‘Uncle
Arthur’s BEDTIME Stories’ and until his passing, had written more than forty
volumes. Each volume encompassed a collection of true-life stories of faith, admirable
courage, and godly family values among others. Virtually every story was relatable
– especially to kids and the family setting. These were often short stories,
written in a simple, interesting, engaging, and easily comprehensive style.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">More than a Decade Later<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Many
years later, as a young adult, I once again spotted a few of the volumes I had
read as a teenager (of course, they were not in the best of conditions, but
were readable) while combing through my mum’s assortment of books packed into
a box. I found myself reading several of these stories once again, some of
which brought back fond memories and reminded me of some lessons and values I
had been exposed to as a kid.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Back to my Teens & the
Values Imbibed</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">As
a kid, while I read scores of books, I would say without a shred of doubt that
aside from the Bible and my daily devotional (‘Daily Power’), which I read daily, no
other book impacted me as much as <a href="https://adventistbookcenter.com/authors/arthur-s-maxwell" target="_blank">‘Uncle Arthur’s BEDTIME Stories’</a>. Aside from enriching my vocabulary and perhaps my writing skills, they had a strong
influence on my moral values and Christian faith. Two key values I imbibed (of
course, there are several others) through reading these stories readily come to
mind. They relate to exercising one’s faith through prayer and demonstrating genuine
love for others by coming to their aid in their hour of need. In respect of the
former, many of the stories I read were about little kids (and their families)
who prayed about some of the mundane things in their lives and often received timely
answers to those prayers. These inspired me greatly to pray about some of the
little things in my life, believing that God will answer my prayers. More often
than not, my prayers were answered.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The Story About ‘The Boy with
a Bag’</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">I
also remember reading the story “The Boy with a Bag”, the first story in
volume 43 of ‘bedtime stories’. This was a story about a decently dressed young
boy who appeared to be mission-driven. He carried with him a bag that contained
several items that could be of help to people in varied situations. The items
included but were not limited to shoe laces, pair of socks, a map of London, a lollipop, a bottle of aspirin, safety pins, and a box of band-aids. As he walked along the street, as and when he
saw a need that could be met with any of the items in his bag, he approached courteously
and offered a helping hand. On this particular day, he came across a crying
child and her mother. He offered to help by giving a lollipop to the child. The
crying soon ceased. The young boy then offered a book to the mother of the
children. As the young boy walked further, he met several other persons needing
his help. Each time, he readily went to their aid and did so cheerfully and
courteously. This story impressed me greatly. It soon became my favourite story
amongst all the stories I read from multiple volumes of ‘Uncle Arthur’s BEDTIME
Stories’. This perhaps explains why I have never forgotten that story, even after
so many years.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The Impact<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Shortly after reading the story
about the ‘the boy with a bag’, I set out to model my life after his, within my
own settings. I remember that I would often get extra items I often needed for
school in my school bag. For instance, I would keep at least two pens, pencils, and other items in my bag, including needle and thread among others, on purpose.
The idea was to keep myself prepared to be of help to schoolmates or other
persons I had contact with on a day-to-day basis, including strangers. I went
to such extents in my bid to emulate the shining example of the young boy in
the story I read. Over time, lending a helping hand to the ‘needy’ in my sphere of
contact came naturally to me – it became a habit, and I have enjoyed doing so
for many years.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Written by Daniel Dela Dunoo <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>Daniel Dela Dunoohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04572039713921417899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119988055858003138.post-50018257673817161592022-01-06T19:03:00.005-08:002022-01-08T08:45:16.762-08:00To Abort or Not to Abort - The Dilemma of a New Couple (True Story)<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjGt47I2p1uWhAtyO9-oT3Ba6L23cdYQym9nfYdDdZyXHDsrdru66XUSMA8kOTUJypXxT9CvvtKQ1s48CQQHJISdcqJwUTYTcLPeHji-2SfShFHGJnqXIKw8wTSHUXZzwmVE9Vz_lkGogPRyFfxq8vk86U2T5QeoMwnOFGsW9MlIrPG6TNzkrYL7cma=s1080" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="clear: left; color: black; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mum and daughter moments" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="810" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjGt47I2p1uWhAtyO9-oT3Ba6L23cdYQym9nfYdDdZyXHDsrdru66XUSMA8kOTUJypXxT9CvvtKQ1s48CQQHJISdcqJwUTYTcLPeHji-2SfShFHGJnqXIKw8wTSHUXZzwmVE9Vz_lkGogPRyFfxq8vk86U2T5QeoMwnOFGsW9MlIrPG6TNzkrYL7cma=w240-h320" title="To abort or not to abort" width="240" /></span></a></div><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">The
Unexpected ‘Bombshell’</span></b><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 327.75pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“I
have both good news and bad news for you - which do you want to hear first,”
the stenographer quizzed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 327.75pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“I
am pregnant and I have fibroids. I know,” my wife retorted, chuckling for a split
second. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 327.75pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Multiple tests in other health facilities had confirmed this to be the
case. However, my wife was unprepared for what the stenographer in this
facility had to say about the matter.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 327.75pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yes. On a serious note, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">the baby in your womb cannot survive, </b>since you have <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">multiple and large-sized fibroids in and
around your womb. </b>An overwhelmingly large section of your womb houses the
fibroids. The foetus is very tiny and occupies only a small section of your
womb. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">I advise that you consult with the
doctor to schedule for an abortion, and for the washing/flushing of your womb,</b>
to prepare your womb for your next pregnancy….”<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b>the stenographer opined.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 327.75pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">My
wife was startled and speechless. She walked out of the scan room heartbroken
and utterly confused by what the stenographer had told her. Abortion? </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 327.75pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">We had
gotten married barely two months prior - She was 34 and I was 36. In view of
the age bracket we found ourselves in, we had thought it prudent to begin
making babies at the earliest possible time, following our marriage. Therefore,
when my wife complained of feverishness and body aches among other on-and-off
symptoms spanning days, we decided to visit a nearby pharmacy for a rapid urinary
pregnancy test. In about five or so minutes, the test result came back
positive. Our excitement knew no bounds. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 327.75pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">A
few days later, we visited a government hospital in an adjoining community to
undertake yet another pregnancy test. On this occasion also, the test result
came back positive. A month later, my wife attended antennal, and was required
to do a scan. It was on this occasion the conversation between my wife and the
stenographer ensued, as concisely narrated above. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 327.75pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">That
very day, my wife was scheduled to consult with a gynaecologist (routine
consultation), following the scan. This was where she found some comfort in the
words of the doctor, assuring her that since she had gotten pregnant in spite
of the fibroids, she could keep the pregnancy. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 327.75pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Everything generally went
on quite well in the ensuing months, until my wife’s fifth month of pregnancy,
by which time both the baby and the fibroids had experienced significant
growth. Unknown to us, we were in for a bumpy ride. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 327.75pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">The
Road Less Travelled</span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 327.75pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">One
particular night, my wife complained of excruciating pain in her abdomen that
made walking shear drudgery – standing upright was impossible. She took some
painkillers as first resort, but the pain did not abate – it grew in intensity.
Early the following morning, we made our way to a specialist hospital. She was
hospitalized. The specialist doctors in this facility who attended to her
(three doctors in all) explained to us what the underlying cause of the
excruciating pain was – the tension and increased heaviness in the abdomen
area, because of the growing baby and fibroids. Several scans revealed that the
fibroids had grown so large that they had covered the entrance to my wife’s
womb. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The doctors expressed surprise as
to how she was even able to pick seed in the first place since the entrance to
her womb appeared impenetrable. </b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 327.75pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">That
aside, the doctors resorted to more potent pain-relieving treatments (dealing
with the side effects) to keep the pain under manageable levels. She was given
multiple injections, drips and oral medication, and was eventually discharged
from the hospital a couple days later. The attending doctors had advised that
she sticks to the medication, have continued bed rest at home, and desist from
engaging in any kind of work – acting otherwise could spell doom for both
mother and unborn baby.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 327.75pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Much
to our consternation, by the following day of her discharge, the severe
abdominal pain had returned. She had to be hospitalized one more time at the
same specialist hospital for days, and made to undergo similar medical care,
with some variations. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">It was during this
period, one of the doctors (a Cuban-trained specialist doctor) suggested the
termination of the pregnancy, entirely for medical reasons, after conducting
additional tests.</b> Alternatively, he suggested that we manage the pain until
the six to seventh month of pregnancy, when a caesarean session could be done
to remove the baby, and then later the fibroids. In the latter instance, the
baby would be prematurely born, and as such will have to be cared for in an
incubator until possibly the ninth month. Again, frequent hospitalized will
become a common feature of this option. Tough decisions had to be taken – My
wife and I were inclined to go for the second option – keep the baby until the
seventh month, amidst the hospitalizations and incubation, with its associated
cost and risk factors.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 327.75pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">In
the adjoining ward to that of my wife, a woman lay in bed who had undergone a
similar ordeal, but had unfortunately lost her pregnancy in the process. She
was scheduled to undergo myomectomy in that health facility. That was
unsettling and emotionally draining for my wife. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 327.75pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Additionally,
a close male relation visited my wife while on admission. He visited in the
company of his wife. In his quest to provide some comfort to my wife and I, he <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">intimated that we psyche ourselves for
whatever outcome, even if it meant losing the baby, and that such an unpleasant
outcome may even auger well for the both of us since it would prevent the birth
of a possibly sickly or physically challenged baby. </b>They meant well but
that certainly did not go down well with us – we only pretended it did, until
they had exited the ward. We very much wanted to keep the baby. We were set in
our <a href="https://www.focusonthefamily.com/pro-life/" target="_blank">pro-life</a> values and in our trust in God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 327.75pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Alas,
she was discharged for a second time, even though she was not completely
relieved yet. She was to return for review the following week, but that was not
to be. We considered it appropriate to consult with yet another specialist
doctor in another private health facility. We headed for this hospital as well.
She was hospitalized for a couple of days. The gynaecologist and owner of the
facility (one with over thirty years of specialist experience) conducted the
scan himself. The scan showed that in spite of the presence of large and multiple
fibroids, the baby was fine. He considered this a medical miracle. He advised
that we keep the baby, and that we manage the pain through bed rest and
medication. While at this health facility, my wife was given multiple
injections, drips and oral medications. She was discharged on her fourth day on
admission. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 327.75pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Owing
to the medications provided, the pain became manageable for the subsequent
months, aside the intermittent sharp pains, restlessness and loss of sleep. During
this period, my wife had to be hospitalized one more time in another health
facility but for a separate but related condition. That was for a night. She
pulled through. By this time, she had been under the care of four different
hospitals. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 327.75pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Eventually,
we secured my wife’s transfer to yet another health facility (Nsawam Government
Hospital) because of a specialist doctor there (This facility was located beyond
the town and region in which we resided). We had to commute there regularly. We
had heard of Dr. Awuku’s medical exploits and wealth of experience garnered
handling cases of this kind. He was the head of the gynaecology unit/department
of that hospital, and showed genuine care for his patients. The Nsawam Government
Hospital was where my wife underwent her remaining monthly antennal care. All
went well under the expert guidance of Dr. Awuku until my wife’s blood level
became a cause for serious concern – the fibroids were doing her in. Varied medications
and herbs intended to boost her blood level appreciably, failed to yield the
desired outcomes. Time was of the essence. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 327.75pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 327.75pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Dr. Awuku however, <b>scheduled the mid-9th month </b>of my wife’s
pregnancy to carry out a double procedure – caesarean session (for the delivery
of the baby) and myomectomy (the removal of fibroids). His concern however
remained my wife’s blood level – it was woefully below the required level for
medical procedures such as the ones she was scheduled to undergo. Approximately
two weeks to the scheduled date for the procedures, I had to escort my wife to
the hospital every other day (for five days) so that she could be given a
special kind of drip that was supposed to boost her blood level. That
ultimately worked. </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi7zA2_PxQQ180i_yFdWtHgyXeMexBHAD9X2O1xlA3N5Hdr-tEyFyYWSYbq623evKjSzNRq1kHhezVr6_UYAZJlHCizDZ5ho3XWvzvCoYjIZGE6M4jpeb4fcywk7ER6i1vp0w7Qxv1CHP0HSNqvQwpOw225RtJ_z3dIrGPJDsyPSgJpvxoSBmcyushE=s1080" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="810" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi7zA2_PxQQ180i_yFdWtHgyXeMexBHAD9X2O1xlA3N5Hdr-tEyFyYWSYbq623evKjSzNRq1kHhezVr6_UYAZJlHCizDZ5ho3XWvzvCoYjIZGE6M4jpeb4fcywk7ER6i1vp0w7Qxv1CHP0HSNqvQwpOw225RtJ_z3dIrGPJDsyPSgJpvxoSBmcyushE=s320" width="240" /></span></a></div><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 327.75pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">The
Sound of Victory</span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 327.75pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">A
day before the scheduled medical procedures, my wife was admitted at the
maternity ward of the hospital. The following day, the specialist doctor surprisingly
made it to the theatre on time. We had been told he had some engagements and
would probably not be available for the procedures that day. Soon, a perfectly
healthy and normal baby girl, with striking semblance to her dad (&
grandfather) was delivered via caesarean session. News of her delivery
gladdened my heart. The next hour or two were difficult moments nonetheless. My
wife underwent the second procedure (myomectomy) shortly after she was
delivered of the baby. It was not until about three to four hours later that I
could set my eyes on both my wife and our baby girl - my wife was transferred
from the theatre’s waiting room to the maternity ward together with our baby,
in the company of some nurses. These nurses were exceptionally committed to
their work, and that showed in their work ethic. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 327.75pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">My
wife was discharged three days later. Her recuperation had its own bumpy ride
but she successfully recovered under three months. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 327.75pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> <b><i>Afterthought 1:</i></b> In the twist and
turns, through thick and thin, we witnessed a Divine Hand working behind the
scenes, making all things beautiful in His Time. We owe God a billion thanks.
We owe family members and friends who stood with us in prayer our heart-felt
gratitude. Of course, we had also remained steadfast in prayer throughout the
trying moments. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 327.75pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Afterthought
2:</span></i></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> During my wife’s ordeal, it was as though God was
assuring and re-assuring us that everything will be all right. Multiple scans
could not show the identity of our unborn baby, owing to its posture in the
womb, coupled with the presence of the fibroids. Yet, even before my wife
delivered, she had dreamt on two occasions of having given birth to a <b><i>good-looking
baby girl.</i></b> One of her junior sisters had also dreamt she had given
birth to a <b><i>beautiful baby girl</i></b>. Barely a week to the scheduled date for
the double procedure, my elder sister also dreamt of a safe procedure and the
delivery of a<b> <i> healthy-looking baby girl</i></b>. The news of these separate dreams had reached us
before my wife’s delivery. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 327.75pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Lo
and behold, a beautiful and flawless baby girl was born, to our pleasant
surprise and to the glory of God.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 327.75pt; text-align: justify;"><b><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Written by Daniel Dela
Dunoo (husband to the woman whose ordeal was chronicled)<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 327.75pt; text-align: justify;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 327.75pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Email: </span></i></b><a href="mailto:danieldeladunoo@gmail.com"><b><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">danieldeladunoo@gmail.com</span></i></b></a></span><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 327.75pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Blog: http://theroyalwordsmithgh.wordpress.com</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></p>Daniel Dela Dunoohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04572039713921417899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119988055858003138.post-28756517317057708002021-12-23T21:42:00.002-08:002021-12-23T21:42:24.717-08:00A Cause to Rejoice<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhpaZ4BGA26zlv_nT8VG2yMQLvHD-X3ny_9e0Hov36gLfY_ZdAsyVwv-Hkl-o8SxSgymMvOcOMvtpwjEnwzwOYftSQM354yXr1FnB3wHLiQlAsTMCw9quYr9gRIAsVRMo4luCzPsl5BDsEJKW5G1iLiLUiU61cWyRNG07pngP-Q1qv2oct-o5ik7CN3=s480" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhpaZ4BGA26zlv_nT8VG2yMQLvHD-X3ny_9e0Hov36gLfY_ZdAsyVwv-Hkl-o8SxSgymMvOcOMvtpwjEnwzwOYftSQM354yXr1FnB3wHLiQlAsTMCw9quYr9gRIAsVRMo4luCzPsl5BDsEJKW5G1iLiLUiU61cWyRNG07pngP-Q1qv2oct-o5ik7CN3=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Is there not a cause?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">A cause to rejoice?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">My candid view<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Mincing no words<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">There certainly is a cause<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">A cause to rejoice<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Especially for the millions
who have welcomed the STAR<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Welcomed who?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The Star of stars<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Jesus, the Christ<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Magnificently virgin born <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">In a commonplace<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">In Bethlehem<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Begotten, not created.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Eternal Word putting on flesh<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Stepping into time & space<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Came that whosoever is willing<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Will make room in their hearts
for him<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Newness of life to receive<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Is there not a cause?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">A cause to rejoice? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">There undoubtedly is<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">A blessed & memorable
season such as this<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Celebrating the STAR<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">His glorious & unparalleled
entry into this world of doom and gloom<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Brightening wherever room is
made for him<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">With life, love, hope, joy &
peace<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Merry Christmas, everyone!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>Daniel Dela Dunoohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04572039713921417899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119988055858003138.post-10482448972887315982020-04-19T00:09:00.000-07:002020-04-19T00:30:01.864-07:00In Loving Memory of A Close Buddy: Emmanuel Wedam<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgax4Eqmif5lnU7gCmc9uFjXinDX0ay-KaMj7l4Cg7r_huFpgZeiUev6ovTaKbmR10LnBJOuCeq6FRM6ki4Mx45gAvXzjmUDA0-NVwCU-TBPPbGwNhSfE9V9MSP5f4oDCLxeGLcwnVyxHs/s1600/Capture.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="483" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgax4Eqmif5lnU7gCmc9uFjXinDX0ay-KaMj7l4Cg7r_huFpgZeiUev6ovTaKbmR10LnBJOuCeq6FRM6ki4Mx45gAvXzjmUDA0-NVwCU-TBPPbGwNhSfE9V9MSP5f4oDCLxeGLcwnVyxHs/s320/Capture.PNG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
Photo: <a href="https://uds.edu.gh/faculty-of-integrated-development-studies/">Emmanuel Wedam</a> (B.A., MSc.)</div>
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<i><span style="background: white; border: 1pt none; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; padding: 0in;">“Not how long,
but how well you have lived is the main thing.”</span><span style="background: white; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"> -Lucius Annaeus<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Emma, only a couple of days
prior, I sent you a whatsApp message, awaiting a reply. Unknown to me, you were
battling for your dear life - at the brink of exiting this life. The reality of
your eventual exit dawned on me when my mum placed a call to me a couple of
hours ago, bearing the heart-breaking news of your sudden demise in a hospice.<br />
<br />
Even though we rarely met in our later years due to work
schedules, our friendship remained true. There was so much to talk about and to
reminisce whenever we met; our coincidental meet up a few months ago on the
Legon campus (where you were continuing your PHD studies) wasn`t an exception.
This was unfortunately going to be the very last time our paths will cross.</div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin: 3.75pt 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: justify;">It saddens my heart that my childhood
friend, close buddy, former classmate, former evangelism team member, former
fellow SU, brigade and YPG member, fellow church member, a rising scholar and
one I can truly call a brother would exit this life at such a young age. I
however find some consolation in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.`s apt statement:
“It does not matter how long you live, but how well you live it.” Your life was
well lived, and that I can attest to.</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="text-align: justify;"> </span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.75pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Till we meet again, Rest Well, <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Emmanuel_Wedam">Emmanuel_Wedam</a><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>(Lecturer - University for Development
Studies, Wa Campus)<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.75pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b>Research article by Emmanuel Wedam:</b> <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/2158244017699528">The Central Medical Store Fire Disaster: A Test for Institutional Compliance in Disaster Prevention in Ghana</a><br />
<br />
<b>Other research article [titles]:</b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Akrofi,
M. M., Avogo, F. A. and <b>Wedam, E.</b> (2019). Sustainable urban
development and the challenge of unauthorized buildings: assessing demographic
drivers in peri-urban areas of Ghana. <i>Journal of Housing and the Built
Environment</i>, 34(2), 571-598.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Avogo.,
F., <b>Wedam, E. </b>and Elvis Attakora-Ameingapong (2018).
Development Control in Ghana: Experiences from a Low-Income Neighbourhood. <i>Journal
of Geography and Rural Development, </i>KNUST.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Safoa
Odame, F. and <b>Wedam. E.</b> (2018). Youth Outmigration from
Male-female Dynamics. NOVA Publications.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Daniel Dela Dunoohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04572039713921417899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119988055858003138.post-54513931144400068962019-11-28T23:59:00.000-08:002019-12-19T23:21:49.143-08:00Free Ebook Download: "A Case for Christmas"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBHy6a2aFfgzHmOoII7ZUmoKTZr8W9oUb655AL4VGVWnT3aWMYot41wBTL33PA1nFdK62WjFv-nqGHWp-9OFiUynJj8BgiYNxQ53k21xDighH6Yho_MsDXblacbqClDdT10uxDHXyRIs8/s1600/CHRISTMAS+PIC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1162" data-original-width="1600" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBHy6a2aFfgzHmOoII7ZUmoKTZr8W9oUb655AL4VGVWnT3aWMYot41wBTL33PA1nFdK62WjFv-nqGHWp-9OFiUynJj8BgiYNxQ53k21xDighH6Yho_MsDXblacbqClDdT10uxDHXyRIs8/s400/CHRISTMAS+PIC.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.4px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><i><b>"I found this book to be very inspirational. I appreciated its concise manner in presenting the essence of Christmas, along with compelling facts substantiating the authenticity of Jesus as the Christ, God bless the author." - Fias Alex (From Canada)</b></i></span></span></span><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></span></span>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>My GIFT to you </b><b>this Christmas season</b> is an e-book I personally wrote for the season, titled '<a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/598750" style="background: none; text-decoration: none;"><b>A Case for Christmas'.</b></a><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> This piece of work essentially presents a concise, logical, coherent and Bible-based defense of the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ... </span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">It also contains other interesting features, notably a collection of original Christmas-related poems and scores of Christmas-centered quotes from accomplished personalities from varied backgrounds among others. It makes an interesting reading. <b>Download your free copy</b> (pdf, epub, mobi (kindle) etc.) today by following this link:<b> <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/598750">A Case for Christmas</a> </b></span></span></span><br />
<br />
Y<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ou are free to share your downloaded copy with your friends and loved ones this Christmas season. Enjoy.</span></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span>
<span style="color: orange; font-family: "arial";"><b>Have a Truly Blessed & Merry Christmas!!!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><b></b><span style="color: orange;"></span><br /></span></span><br />
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>PS: Check out the following exciting and informative sites dedicated to everything Christmas:<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.whychristmas.com/">https://www.whychristmas.com/</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com/">https://www.hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com/</a>Daniel Dela Dunoohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04572039713921417899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119988055858003138.post-4606792421442791042019-06-07T05:44:00.001-07:002019-06-27T01:45:09.451-07:00Highly Recommended: "The Power of Positive Words"<br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "quot"; font-size: 16px;"><b style="font-weight: 700;">"Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing" -Benjamin Franklin (Inventor, Author, Publisher, Diplomat)</b></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;">In his seminal book, “The secret kingdom”, world-renowned Christian pastor, author, and televangelist Pat Robertson makes a strong case for the use of positive words when he notes: “Through our words, we translate the will of God in the invisible kingdom to the visible situation that confronts us. We speak to storms, and they cease…. The simple truth is that God`s word, spoken into a situation, will perform his purpose… When you confess blessing, favor, victory, and success, those things will come to you.”</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;">Sadly, however, it appears the concept of words and their far-reaching impact as revealed in parts of Scripture have largely been ignored in many pulpits and as such scores of believers know next to nothing about the power inherent in the ‘spoken word’. Hence the recklessness with which many communicate and the dire consequences of doing same becoming their lot. Expressions of negativity, hopelessness and the spewing of ‘unprintable words’ on the airwaves, in homes, schools and workplaces amongst others are increasingly becoming commonplace among the youth and in the Ghanaian society at large. It is therefore refreshing and heart-warming to know that Alex Dankwa addresses this issue head-on in his <b>newly released book </b>of immense value – <b>“The power of positive words”.</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;">Alex Dankwa, author of <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/AlexDankwa" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-origin: padding-box; background-position-x: 0%; background-position-y: 0%; background-size: auto;"><span style="color: #0c85b3; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;">"Missives to My Daughter"</span></a> is an entrepreneur, conference speaker and minister of the Gospel. He holds a Bsc. Admin. (Accounting option) from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and is currently pursuing a professional course in Project Management. He is a Project Director for Compassion International assisted-project Child and Youth Development Centre. He has over six years’ experience in Child and Youth Development. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;">I</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;">n his book "The Power of Positive Words" which hit the market recently, Alex makes an incisive, logical and coherent case for the efficacy of words and how such a tool of phenomenal influence can be harnessed for good. He masterfully weaves a somewhat air-tight presentation together, drawing heavily from both the Biblical text (quoting widely from the Holy Writ) and practical life experiences. A good case in point is his enlightening and revealing narration of how a couple of words spoken to him several years ago forever altered the course of his life – a life that was once headed for the ditch. This essentially comprises the first chapter of this inspiring piece. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;">In the remaining chapters which basically includes titles such as, “Words are powerful”, “words don`t die”, “creating your world with words”, “keep your vows” and “men who achieved success with words”, the author projects the immeasurable value of words, particularly for the believer and repeatedly admonishes believers to consistently choose to employ positive words, shunning evil communication. Even more importantly, Dankwa presents practical and down to earth suggestions that will make the reader better placed to make optimal use of positive words - making the Holy Scriptures the raw material with which positive words are formed and released to effect positive outcomes in lives and communities.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;">"The Power of Positive Words" is worth your read. It promises to impart such a wealth of knowledge and ideas that are both Biblically and practically sound and would make a world of difference in your life, and in the kind of future you create for yourself and for those in your sphere of contact.</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial";"><i><b>This book is highly recommended. A must-have!</b></i></span><br />
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<i><b><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">-Article co-authored b</span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">y Rev. Nelson Agbove & Daniel Dela Dunoo</span></span></span></b></i><br />
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<span style="background-color: blue;"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Paperbacks are available. Kindly call +233 (0) 249201988 to place your order.</b></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Check out Alex`s website: </span></i></b><i style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="https://alex-dankwa.business.site/" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-color: transparent; background-image: none; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto; text-decoration: none;"><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "quot";">https://alex-dankwa.business.site/</span></span></a> </span></i></span></span></span></div>
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<b style="font-weight: 700;"><i style="font-weight: 700;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "quot"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></span></i></b></div>
</span></span></span> <b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Daniel Dela Dunoohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04572039713921417899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119988055858003138.post-19900272408852260422019-06-03T02:27:00.003-07:002019-06-27T01:47:44.993-07:00Endorsement: “Turning Your Dreams into Reality”<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">Alex Dankwa, author of "Missives to My Daughter", "The Power of Positive Words" and the soon to be released “Turning your Dreams into Reality” is an entrepreneur, conference speaker and minister of the Gospel. He holds a Bsc. Admin. (Accounting option) from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and is currently pursuing a professional course in Project Management. He is a Project Director for Compassion International assisted-project Child and Youth Development Centre. He has over six years’ experience in Child and Youth Development.</span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">As earlier suggested, prolific author, Alex Dankwa is set to release yet another inspiring, insightful and instructive piece on the important subject of how to turn your long-cherished dream into a present reality. In his usual practical and down-to-earth writing style, he deals masterfully with the concept of dreams, expounding on how to discover God-given dreams, dreaming more and adding to the dream. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">Alex also discusses the issue of sharing your dreams, anchoring same on the Biblical story of Joseph, with a particular focus on the dreams Joseph had and how he went about the matter of sharing those dreams with his family. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">In this riveting book, Alex also brings to the fore the fact that dreams do not just happen but must necessarily undergo certain processes. He strongly posits that the realization of dreams is for appointed times and seasons, and usually require incubation, patience, and persistence among other virtues.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">Alex also tactfully deals with the subject of Joseph`s dream helpers and how dream helpers play critical roles in the pursuit and realization of dreams. He intersperses his discussions at various levels with relevant Biblical quotations, coupled with real-life stories of how certain persons worked towards realizing their dreams. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">This soon to be published book concludes with an enlightening presentation on the ten characteristics of dreamers. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">I find “Turning your Dreams into Reality” coherent, practical, fast-paced, theologically sound, and an exciting read. It evidently contains nuggets of wisdom and a heavy dose of inspiration that will most certainly make a world of difference in your life.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;">I highly recommend this masterpiece for all and sundry. </span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">By Daniel Dela Dunoo </span></i></b></div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Daniel Dela Dunoohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04572039713921417899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119988055858003138.post-8945254764588166132019-02-25T08:34:00.001-08:002019-03-28T08:06:43.936-07:00Thinking Outside the Box: The Inspiring Story of Bright and Obed<i></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5cnCjjtyazt3ZY0umptopyqwW_E6dxKtfTQEbIcemOkkZzNwewr7lEHvHCuKJG39ivge1xqLmWaBQ_91pI3EID7Z5Sm0p-_yzsOC0Xe0a8xnoC6dGiDMb9O0ARhoR6_GC4tstlDxoE4s/s1600/main-article-iamge-project-main.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="1268" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5cnCjjtyazt3ZY0umptopyqwW_E6dxKtfTQEbIcemOkkZzNwewr7lEHvHCuKJG39ivge1xqLmWaBQ_91pI3EID7Z5Sm0p-_yzsOC0Xe0a8xnoC6dGiDMb9O0ARhoR6_GC4tstlDxoE4s/s400/main-article-iamge-project-main.png" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">Photo: Bright Abiah and Obed Asamoah</span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">Ghana, one of the most notable countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, has nonetheless grappled with its alarming rates of graduate unemployment for decades; a phenomenon that has seen the vast numbers of graduates from the nation`s tertiary institutions exceed by far, available decent job opportunities on the job market. Government after government has attempted to do its bit in helping minimize, if not totally eradicate this stark and glaring reality. The fact still remains, however, that none of the measures deployed by these governments have yielded the desired outcomes, with literally thousands of the nation`s human capital jobless and thus unproductive.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">It</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"> is instructive to note that it has been widely conceded that one of the sure routes to gainful employment is self-employment or entrepreneurship, as it were. This route has however been the road less traveled by the teaming youth of this country. Relatively fewer persons travel this route while in school. Yet, it remains a prudent route by far; the few daring and visionary students, who set sails into the world of entrepreneurship, have time and again largely demonstrated that in spite of some monumental difficulties, it remains not only a prudent option but also a viable one indeed.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">Joining the league of students in Ghana in particularly and the world in general, who have dared to think outside the box, breaking the status quo to create viable business entities for themselves and their communities, are three unassuming youngsters, Bright Abiah, Obed Asamoah, and Ebenezer Amewor, students of the University of Ghana, with the Department of Agriculture. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">In an era especially in Ghana where very few students venture into business and run businesses alongside their studies, these students are breaking the glass ceiling and defying the odds. In an age where in spite of the scarcity of decent jobs, many graduates tend to chase after non-existing white collar jobs, these young fellows spotted a viable agro-business opportunity and latched onto it; wasting no time to set sails, little capital notwithstanding.</span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">Photo: Samdel Gardens </span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">Samdel Gardens, home of organic foods was born and is currently operated by the ‘incredible trio’, Obed, Bright and Ebenezer. Their incredible ability to spot a need and to commit to providing a workable solution is worthy of note. Samdel Gardens at present produces and serves oysters and mushrooms to primarily students and lecturers within the University of Ghana community and also inhabitants within the East Legon catchment area. Bright, the team leader once posited: “It is our objective to build a strong and vibrant economy through a revolutionary’s agriculture which would not only contribute to food security and health benefits but also serve as a major tool of employment for the teeming youths in Ghana and beyond”.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">Photo: Mushrooms produced by Samdel Gardens</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Having chalked a modicum of success, Obed and Bright are not resting on their ores; they are stretching their vision; a vision of increased capacity and output. According to Obed, Farm manager of Samdel Gardens, they plan on expanding their production capacity to 10 tons of fresh mushrooms daily, 5 tons of dried mushrooms weekly and 10 tons of canned mushrooms to serve both the local and international market in the next 5 years. He further stated: “We would also venture into manure processing from by-products from our mushroom farm; produce about 20 tons of processed snails for the international and local markets; produce fresh vegetables for export as well as other agricultural ventures.” This is obviously daring. They are however poised to make this a reality some day. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">A fine blend of the sterling leadership qualities of Bright and Obed, notably vision, pragmatism, initiative, drive, passion, teamwork, and diligence have resulted in a thriving agro-business, as they have managed to maintain a good balance between studies and their ever-expanding business, going beyond theory (learned in class) into practice, with remarkable success. It should thus not come as a surprise that these visionaries are contesting for the presidency of the International Association of Students in Agricultural & Related Sciences, University of Ghana (IAAS UG). </span><br />
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<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;">It was the enigmatic Dr. Kwame Nkrumah who once opined: “revolutions are brought by men, men who think as men of action and act as men of thought.” In these young men, I see persons with convictions and ambitions intrinsically linked to the world of Agriculture that are nothing short of revolutionary in nature. They are not only men of action but are also men of thought, and this is evidenced by their entrepreneurial accomplishments among others. </span><br />
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<span style="background: white; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I<span style="color: black;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span>t was William Shakespeare, the celebrated English poet, playwright and actor who remarked: “Some are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them.”<span style="margin: 0px;"> It can be said and rightly so, that Obed and Bright were neither born great nor beneficiaries of some sort of greatness being thrust upon them; they actually achieved greatness, and this is only the beginning. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><i><b>PS: Obed and Bright can be reached via the following emails (dgeniusbrightgmail.com / oamanu@st.ug.edu.com)</b></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><i><b>Written by Daniel Dela Dunoo</b></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><i><b>(Writer, Editor, Blogger & founder of Topnotch Writing Solutions)</b></i></span></span><br />
<b><i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial";">Email: dudelda3@yahoo.com</span></i></b></div>
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Daniel Dela Dunoohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04572039713921417899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119988055858003138.post-49889254687215910292019-01-22T02:46:00.002-08:002019-06-13T02:07:13.626-07:00That Dream is Within Reach<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaUXtB2OFyCmp1kU9FTPphs89she1B1Z9VhxyZqt04GwePUuFEYVU2cy5YJrate-5TiV3iUtMAhKU0Qg16VEiF-ebzoMaljy3ZgzOlWfvYqNq31C232kHV4fwFRCMo1rztsFSpZ0infnE/s1600/imgonline-com-ua-Lightening-dbXJQMt6nj.v4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaUXtB2OFyCmp1kU9FTPphs89she1B1Z9VhxyZqt04GwePUuFEYVU2cy5YJrate-5TiV3iUtMAhKU0Qg16VEiF-ebzoMaljy3ZgzOlWfvYqNq31C232kHV4fwFRCMo1rztsFSpZ0infnE/s320/imgonline-com-ua-Lightening-dbXJQMt6nj.v4.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Photo: Daniel Dela Dunoo</span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was Walt Disney, the notable American entrepreneur, animator, voice actor and film producer who once opined, “if you can dream it, you can achieve it.” Such a thought emanating from a man of his stature ought not to be taken lightly, bearing in mind the fact that in spite of his humble beginnings, he chalked the levels of success associated with his name, even after his demise.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black;">t is my humble view that that noble dream of yours is within reach. I have personally found Walt Disney`s assertion to be true in my career pursuits. A couple of months ago, I secured my first full-time job as a writer with a business consulting firm, in charge of a business website and subsequently my first full-time job as the editor for an educational publishing company. Now, these are dreams come through. Why so? </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I am both a polytechnic and a university graduate whose majors were nowhere near Literature, English, Publishing, Editing or Writing. However, after I completed my first degree in Theology a couple of years ago, I resolved to pursue a writing career. My dream was to either land a full-time writing job or a full-time editing job. Some of my close associates thought it was too far a stretch.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Suffice to state, I have been a voracious reader from when I was a teenager and have from time to time penned down my thoughts. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Well, in the pursuit of my dream, I started out as a freelance writer and editor. I consumed a significant amount of high-value content on freelance writing and editing via online sources. I also established my presence online, mostly writing articles and blog posts for websites and blogs for free in my bid to gain some exposure. I spent several hours a day behind the computer screens, putting in so much time and work to advance my freelance writing and editing career. I also became a regular contributor to a couple of magazines and newspapers and became a member of quite a few writing associations. In the course of time, I was also contracted time and again to edit a variety of manuscripts. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Gradually but surely, I began to earn some income from my labors. While at it, I had my gaze fixed on my dream. The reality was that freelancing was a means to an end – full-time employment as a writer and editor. I worked as a freelancer for well over four years, yet all attempts at realizing my dream yielded no positive results. Interview after interview and yet full-time employment eluded me. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What freelancing gave me was a hands-on experience. What I read, I applied, thus building not only my brand but also my knowledge-base and competence. I also had a lot to show for my efforts, by way of samples of some of my works that had been published online, in newspapers and in magazines. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The dream that once eluded me came chasing after me in my fifth year of freelancing. Two full-time appointments landed on my lapse; less than two months into accepting the first offer, the second offer came along such that at one point, I held two full-time jobs (writer & editor) until I had to let go of the former. Now, here was a dream come through; what I dreamt about, I achieved and so can you, if you set your mind to it and refuse to throw in the towel, come what may. It may not come easy and it may delay but it surely can be realized. That dream of yours is within reach, without a doubt. Go ahead and give it your best shot. </span></span></div>
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<i><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">PS: As a Christian, I hold a firm belief in the God-factor. His grace makes the impossible possible.</span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Written by Daniel Dela Dunoo</span></span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(Writer, editor, blogger & founder of Topnotch Writing Solutions)</span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Email: dudelda3@yahoo.com</span></span></i></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><span style="background-color: white;"></span>Daniel Dela Dunoohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04572039713921417899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119988055858003138.post-20168445393121838732018-07-16T01:40:00.000-07:002018-07-23T15:21:03.119-07:00Great Presentations Worth Your Listen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hello cherished reader. Delighted you stopped by. I am excited to introduce to you my YouTube Channel. This YouTube channel is an extension of my writing/blogging career with the ultimate goal of reaching a lot more people - people who may not have the time to read relevant content but can afford to listen to same while they work behind their desks, drive in traffic or are even engaged in their daily routines such as exercising sessions.<br />
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In the pursuit of this quest, I have worked tirelessly to put together video/audio presentations from edited versions of some of my written works that are sure to brighten your day. These have been carefully selected with you in mind; bringing you relevant insights and inspiring contents to help catapult you into your most cherished dreams and aspirations.<br />
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You are invited to visit my YouTube Channel to listen, download or share these high value contents with your contacts; they will perhaps make a world of difference in your life and that of many others.<br />
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Below are samples of these YouTube videos/audios on my channel:<br />
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Topic: Six Things Every University Student in Ghana Should Do<br />
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Topic: Thriving in the Midst of Adversity<br />
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Topic: The CEO of You Inc.<br />
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Topic: Continues Learning; a prerequisite for getting ahead in your career<br />
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Topic: The 3Ps for Success<br />
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Topic: My Poems; My Musings<br />
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Topic: Dare to be "an Esther"<br />
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Topic: Jesus Christ; Fact or Fiction<br />
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaHP7vlxRZiKvleEq9nqwDQ">Visit my YouTube Channel for a lot more of these inspiring and incisive presentations</a><br />
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I am delighted dropped. Your visit is truly appreciated.<br />
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Have a lovely day!!!<br />
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Daniel Dela DunooDaniel Dela Dunoohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04572039713921417899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119988055858003138.post-21656098292938451212018-07-04T02:42:00.001-07:002019-06-24T03:28:52.185-07:00Nuggets of Wisdom <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background: #fcfcfc; color: black; font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">This audio edition has been prepared for your listening pleasure. It includes over 400 incisive quotes on a variety of themes and by some of the most erudite minds in the history of humankind, interspersed with brief introductory remarks from the author. The quotes have been broadly categorized into 19 chapters (and themes), yet they touch on a wider variety of issues including excellence, success, leadership, goals, diligence and many more.</span><b><u><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="background: #fcfcfc; font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: black;">PS: Visit <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaHP7vlxRZiKvleEq9nqwDQ">my Youtube Channel</a> to download this audio e-book for free: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iR7JCo51baI&t=46s">Nuggets of Wisdom (Audio)</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Below is a sample of the text version of what is contained in the audio presentation above:</span><br />
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<b><u><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Top 40 Diligence Quotes That Will Inspire You To Reach For Your Goals</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Diligence is a critical ingredient for lasting success in virtually every facet of human endeavour. That said, there are those who will prefer to cut corners to attain certain supposed laurels and some who may want the good things of life on a silver platter, and may actually realize such aspirations though this rarely happens. My point is this: Your most cherished dreams, goals or aspirations will only see the light of day on the backdrop of diligent pursuit of same. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">I have put together inspiring diligent quotes from some of the world`s incisive minds. They make an interesting read, but much more than that, these quotes will inspire you to reach for your goals with singleness of purpose and relentless assiduousness.</span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black;"><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></strong><!--[endif]-->“Striving for success without hard work is like trying to harvest where you haven`t planted” –<i>David Bly</i></span><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span></strong></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black;">2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]--> “All roads that lead to success have to pass through hard work boulevard at some point” <b>-</b><i>Eric Thomas</i></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black;"><i>3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></i><!--[endif]-->“Winners embrace hard work. They love the discipline of it, the trade-off they're making to win. Losers, on the other hand, see it as punishment. And that's the difference” -<i>Lou Holtz</i></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black;"><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">4.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></strong><!--[endif]-->“Nothing worth having comes easy” -<i>Theodore Roosevelt</i></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black;">5.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->“The three great essentials to achieve anything worthwhile are, first, hard work; second, stick-to-itiveness; third, common sense” –<i>Thomas Alva Edison</i></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black;">6.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->“There are no shortcuts to any place worth going” –<i>Beverly Sills</i></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black;">7.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->“Opportunities are usually disguised as hard work, so most people, so most people don`t recognize them” –<i>Ann Landers</i></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black;">8.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]--> “Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle” -<i>Abraham Lincoln</i></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black;">9.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->“Performance-wise, you really need to be down in the trenches; you need to do the hard work, for a lot of reasons: To build yourself as a performer, to get a sense of the audience, to work hard and to wonder, ‘Do I really want to do this?’” -<i>Joan Jett</i></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black;">10.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]--> “I learned the value of hard work by working hard” -<i>Margaret Mead</i></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black;">11.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]--> “Always make a total effort, even when the odds are against you”<strong> </strong>–<i>Arnold Palmer</i></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black;">12.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->“Nobody ever drowned in his own sweat” <strong> </strong>-<i>Ann Landers</i></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black;"><i>13.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></i><!--[endif]-->“The road to success is not easy to navigate, but with hard work, drive and passion, it's possible to achieve the American dream” -<i>Tommy Hilfiger</i></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black;">14.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->“I do not know anyone who has got to the top without hard work. That is the recipe. It will not always get you to the top, but should get you pretty near” -<i>Margaret Thatcher</i></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black;">15.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->“There is no substitute for hard work, 23 or 24 hours a day. And there is no substitute for patience and acceptance” -<i>Cesar Chavez</i></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black;"><strong><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">16.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></i></strong><!--[endif]-->“The fight is won or lost far away from witnesses - behind the lines, in the gym, and out there on the road, long before I dance under those lights” -<i>Muhammad Ali<strong><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span></strong></i></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black;"><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">17.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></strong><!--[endif]-->“The dictionary is the only place that success comes before work. work is the key to success, and hard work can help you accomplish anything”<b> -</b><i>Vince Lombardi</i></span><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span></strong></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black;">18.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->“Diligence is the mother of good fortune, and idleness, its opposite, never brought a man to the goal of any of his best wishes” -<i>Samuel Johnson</i> </span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black;">19.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->“The expectations of life depend upon diligence; the mechanic that would perfect his work must first sharpen his tools” -<i>Menander of Athens</i> </span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black;">20.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->“He who labors diligently need never despair; for all things are accomplished by diligence and labor” -<i>Benjamin Franklin</i> </span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black;">21.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->“Talent is cheaper than table salt. What separates the talented individual from the successful one is a lot of hard work” -<i>Stephen King</i></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black;"><i>22.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></i><!--[endif]-->“Dig until you hit rock. Then take out that jackhammer and go a little deeper” –<i>Allison Brennan</i></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black;">23.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->“My philosophy is that not only are you responsible for your life, but doing the best at this moment puts you in the best place for the next moment” –<i>Oprah Winfrey</i></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black;">24.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->“The separation of talent and skill is one of the largest misconceptions in modern society. Talent is something you are born with, but skill can only be attained through Hours and Hours of hard work perfecting your talent as a craft. Which is why Talent will fail you without skill” –<i>Will Smith</i></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black;"><i>25.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></i><!--[endif]-->“What we hope ever to do with ease, we must learn first to do with diligence” –<i>Samuel Johnson</i></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black;"><i>26.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></i><!--[endif]-->“Genius is 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration” –<i>Thomas Alva Edison</i></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black;">27.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->“I think the thing about that was I was always willing to work; I was not the fastest or biggest player but I was determined to be the best football player I could be on the football field and I think I was able to accomplish that through hard work” -<i>Jerry Rice</i></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black;">28.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->“There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure” -<i>Colin Powell</i></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black;">29.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->“The price of success is hard work, dedication to the job at hand, and the determination that whether we win or lose, we have applied the best of ourselves to the task at hand” -<i>Vince Lombardi</i></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black;">30.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->“The leading rule for the lawyer, as for the man of every other calling, is diligence. Leave nothing for to-morrow which can be done to-day” -<i>Abraham Lincoln</i></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black;">31.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->“Few things are impossible to diligence and skill. Great works are performed not by strength, but perseverance” -<i>Samuel Johnson</i></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black;"><i>32.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></i><!--[endif]-->“A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich” –<i>Proverbs 10:4</i></span><i></i></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black;">33.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->I know you've heard it a thousand times before. But it's true--hard work pays off. If you want to be good, you have to practice, practice, practice. If you don't love something, then don't do it” -<i>Ray Bradbury</i></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black;">34.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->“I think that my biggest attribute to any success that I have had is hard work. There really is no substitute for working hard” -<i>Maria Bartiromo</i></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black;">35.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->“If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven played music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well” -<i>Martin Luther King, Jr.</i></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black;">36.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->“Education, actual learning--it is hard work. It's very personal. Your parents don't teach you anything. Your teachers don't teach you anything. The government doesn't teach you anything. You read it. You don't understand it; you read it again. You break a pencil and read it again” -<i>Dean Kamen</i></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black;">37.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->“If people knew how hard I worked to achieve my mastery, it wouldn't seem so wonderful after all” –<i>Michelangelo</i></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black;"><i>38.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></i><!--[endif]-->“Go to the ant, O Sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest” –<i>Proverbs 6:6-8</i></span><i></i></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black;">39.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->“Everybody wants to be famous, but nobody wants to do the work. I live by that. You grind hard so you can play hard. At the end of the day, you put all the work in, and eventually it'll pay off. It could be in a year, it could be in 30 years. Eventually, your hard work will pay off” -<i>Kevin Hart</i></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black;"><strong><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">40.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></i></strong><!--[endif]--> “Without labor nothing prospers” –<i>Sophocles</i></span><strong><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span></i></strong></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: black;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Compiled by Daniel Dela Dunoo<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Email: </span></i></b><a href="mailto:dudelda3@yahoo.com"><b><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">dudelda3@yahoo.com</span></i></b></a><b><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> / </span></i></b><a href="mailto:danieldeladunoo@gmail.com"><b><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">danieldeladunoo@gmail.com</span></i></b></a><b><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Blog: http://danieldeladunoo.blogspot.com<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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Daniel Dela Dunoohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04572039713921417899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119988055858003138.post-61747822210213668602018-06-14T18:16:00.000-07:002019-12-19T23:28:33.579-08:00FREE Ebook Download: “My Poems; My Musings”<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">Hello there!!! So glad you dropped by. <b>I have a gift for you</b>; it is my latest collection of poems titled, <b><span style="background: white; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/739355"><span style="text-decoration: none;">My Poems; My Musings</span></a>. </span></b></span></span><b><span style="background: white;"></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Matthew Arnold once opined: “poetry is simply the most beautiful, impressive, and widely effective mode of saying things, and hence its importance.” I tend to agree with him.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> “My Poems; My Musings” is a collection of inspiring and incisive poems I personally wrote over the course of approximately three years. These poems were carefully selected from a large collection my works because in my estimation they represent some of my best works of poetry. They touch on a wide variety of topics. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It is also my considered view that these poems, influenced for the most part by my personal experience and observations will speak to your heart and mind in a relatable fashion. I offer this ebook for FREE as my way of saying, THANK YOU for your visit.</span></div>
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<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To download a FREE copy of my most recent ebook in any format of your choice (PDF, EPUB, Word, Mobi, etc.). Kindly click on the link below: </span></div>
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<b><span style="background: white; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/739355">My Poems; My Musings</a> (Ebook)</span></span></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="background: white; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">Also available for FREE download is the video/audio version: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWMNSlFiDso">My Poems; My Musings (Video/audio version)</a></span></span></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Once again, your visit is appreciated.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><i><b>Daniel Dela Dunoo</b></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><b>Author, “My Poems; My Musings"</b></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><b><i>Email: <a href="mailto:dudelda3@yahoo.com">dudelda3@yahoo.com</a></i></b></span></span>Daniel Dela Dunoohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04572039713921417899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119988055858003138.post-981846006806674092018-06-11T07:48:00.002-07:002019-01-22T06:29:48.552-08:00On Matters of Leadership: The Biblical Example of Daniel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Our
world today is bedevilled with a myriad of challenges. Critical to finding
viable solutions to these drawbacks is the issue of leadership at all levels.
Leadership is </span>integral<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> to turning around the
fortunes of any given community. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%;">Africa`s
problems (and much of the world`s problems) have largely been an issue of the
quality of leadership it has had. Indeed our world is </span><span style="font-size: 15.3333px; line-height: 30.6667px;">plagued</span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%;"> with what i term ‘crises
of leadership’. In the past week a major scandal rocked the <a href="https://www.ghanafa.org/">Ghana Football Association (GFA)</a> leding to full scale investigations and the resignation of the widely known president of the Association, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kwesi_Nyantakyi">Kwesi Nyantakyi</a> who apparently doubles as the 1st vice president for <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CAF">Confederation of African Football (CAF)</a>. This followed the latest investigative work of <a href="http://anasaremeyawanas.org/bio/">Anas Aremeyaw Anas</a>, the famed Ghanaian <a href="http://www.journalismdegree.com/investigative-journalist/">investigative journalist</a>, uncovering widespread financial </span><span style="font-size: 15.3333px; line-height: 30.6667px;">malfeasance</span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%;">, bribery and corruption involving many football administrators, referees and many at management levels of GFA. This is just one of the many scandals that have made headlines in Ghana and across the globe. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%;">The reality is that, our world is in dire need of leaders who are men and women of
integrity, and whose priority is to better the lot of their followers. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Our case
study for today`s post is a Biblical character who goes by the name <a href="https://overviewbible.com/prophet-daniel-facts/">Daniel</a>. We
will also briefly touch on the leadership example of <a href="https://catalystleader.com/read/8-key-leadership-qualities-of-joseph">Joseph</a>.</span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%;">An exceptional public official</span></i></b></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The
story is told of Daniel, a young Jewish boy of royal descent who was taken
captive to Babylon together with his town folks. By a twist of circumstances
this young boy was recruited and trained to serve in the palace of the Emperor
of the most powerful nation in the then known world - Babylon.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Monumental
challenges notwithstanding, he discharged his duties creditably to such an
extent that he was given some promotions and retained in public service under
the reign of two Babylonian kings and two Medo-Persian kings (two empires)
spanning approximately seventy years. His story is a remarkable one and can be
read in its entirety in the book of Daniel which happens to be one of the books
of the Bible.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">In my
estimation Daniel`s life as a public official in a foreign land serves as a
blue-print of what it means to be an exceptional public official. I seek to
glean from this enigmatic administrator / advisor values and lessons that when
imbibed by public officials will do the nations of the world a great deal of
good and will enhance their effectiveness as facilitators and accelerators of
national development.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%;">Loyalty at its best</span></i></b></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">As
earlier noted, Daniel served under several governments. Indeed, he served in a
nation that was responsible for the annilation of his beloved country - Judah.
That notwithstanding, he maintained his allegiance to these governments and
worked for the common good as long as he was not required to compromise his
moral and spiritual values. This ought to be the attitude of public officials
irrespective of the government they are called or required to serve under.
Their priority ought to be loyalty to the State and they must seek the common
good of the citizenry irrespective of their political, religious and tribal
affiliations. The good of the nation ought to be the public official`s priority
and not the parochial interests of “political partisanship”.</span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%;">Integrity at its best</span></i></b></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Daniel
was exceptional, in that, he was not only loyal and diligent in the discharge
of his duties but was also a man of integrity; a public service holder in a
pagan nation who maintained his integrity throughout his career which lasted
for several decades. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: black;">At one
point, his colleague administrators became jealous of his accomplishments. They
sought to have cause to implicate him and so intigated the initiation of
investigations into Daniel`s dealings as a public official. Their labours met
with disappointment since they could find no single act of either corruption or
negligence on Daniel`s part. Obviously, his life of integrity paid off in the
long run <b>(Daniel 6:1-28).</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">An
exceptionl public official abhors corruption and discharged his duties so
meticulously to such an extent that he or she can never be faulted for either
corruption or negligence. It is my
candid opinion that the nations of the world will do very well if corruption
and negligence are reduced considerably, if not curtailed entirely. No one will
have cause to charge any government official with the crime of causing financial
loss to the State or looting the national coffers.</span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%;">Sound spirituality at its best </span></i></b></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Occasionally,
Daniel came face to face with death and encountered monumental challenges. His
habitual recourse was to spend some time in prayer. No wonder he always came up
tops. He always found a way around his challenges. The exceptional public
official, when in a dilemma or a crises season, even after seeking counsel from
others, makes time to seek God`s face for his grace and guidance. Great leaders
such as Abraham Lincoln made time to commune with God during crucial moments in
their political careers.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%;">A notable solution provider</span></i></b></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">An
exceptional public official is a problem solver and not a complainer. Daniel
was such an individual. Where his compatriots failed, he seemed to always come
up with a viable solution. Indeed public officials are either appointed or
elected to help find lasting solutions to the problems that latch themselves
around the nation; finding solutions to the myriad of challenges facing the
nation with the goal to accelerating national development must be every public
official`s priority. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: black;">The
story is also told of Joseph, a Jewish slave who was appointed prime minister
of Egypt, only subject to the king. He ably discharged his duties that impacted
the nation of Egypt postively; he proffered a viable agricultural solution that
sustained Egypt and many other nations throughout a period of world-wide famine that lasted for
seven long years <b>(Genesis 41:42).</b></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">At this
point, I will highly recommend the book of Daniel (especially the first six
chapters) to every public official. Reading this portion of Scripture will
challenge you to stand out rather than blend in; you will be propelled to exude
nothing short of excellence, loyalty and integrity in your field of endeavor.
Dare to be an exceptional leader. Yes, you can!</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">PS: Thanks for dropping by. If you
had a good read, kindly share this post with your contacts. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Daniel Dela Dunoo</span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Email: dudelda3@yahoo.com</span></div>
Daniel Dela Dunoohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04572039713921417899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119988055858003138.post-16066403243057880012018-04-24T02:32:00.000-07:002019-03-28T07:57:29.006-07:00Unleashing the Force of Self-Discipline TO BECOME…<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">(Image source: chrisc.com)</span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"></span></i><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">I</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">n reading the lives of great men, I found that the first victory they won was over themselves, self-discipline with all of them came first.” -Harry S. Truman</span></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Have you ever wondered how come some persons you once considered mediocre, have chalked phenomenal laurels in life and in their chosen careers? </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Do you sometimes wonder why some people who were not so talented have made remarkable strides far ahead of some naturally talented folks? </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Do you on occasion wonder why some people only went up to come down; why they were once making the name and the fame, and living the big life BUT suddenly everything came crashing down? </span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Well, more often than not, the lack of self-discipline has been an underlining factor. But none of these ought to be your story. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><strong>You Can</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">There is a latent power in you, longing for full expression. The power TO BECOME, is perhaps in a comatose state at the moment. This, however, should NOT be the end of the narrative. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">You can be BIGGER and BETTER…</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">You can accomplish FAR MORE than you have ever dreamed possible….</span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">There is so much MORE you can accomplish if you can leverage on your capacity for self-discipline in your personal life, relationship, career and the society to which you belong. Read on to find out how.</span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Activation of Self-discipline </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Harvey Mackay noted and rightly so: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“It doesn’t matter whether you are pursuing success in business, sports, the arts, or life in general: The bridge between wishing and accomplishing is discipline.” </i></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Mastery in virtually every field of work is at least in part attributable to self-discipline. It is without a doubt one of the major traits of great achievers irrespective of the field of endeavor. Some top achievers have been known to stick to certain daily routines that the average person will never be willing to subject him or herself to. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Think of the disciplined and ambitious athlete who has his sights set on winning a Gold medal in the Olympic games and is up from a cozy bed at 3:00 am every single day (come rain or shine) to run long distances and engage in other rigorous exercises. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Think of the disciplined student who aims at graduating from college with first class honors and consequently applies herself to the discipline of rigorous study. Students such as these, push themselves really hard to make the grades. </span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Think of the business executive who disciplines herself to put in considerable effort and time to ensure that work is completed with a touch of excellence and always within schedule.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Think of the average music talent who yearns for mastery in his craft. He works really hard, putting in his very best effort; rehearsals heaped upon rehearsals; voice training upon voice training… Inconveniencing himself if need be. Over time it should not come as a surprise should such an average talent becomes a world-class musician with global acclaim. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">It was H. Jackson Brown, Jr. who once opined: </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Talent without discipline is like an octopus on roller skates. There's plenty of movement, but you never know if it's going to be forward, backward, or sideways.”</span></i></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">In the words of Joseph Addison: </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Self-discipline is that which, next to virtue, truly and essentially raises one man above another.</span></i><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">” </span></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now that you know what you know, what are you going to do about it? Looks like I have an idea of what ought to be done; <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">activate</b> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">the force of self-discipline</b> TO BECOME and TO ACHIEVE all that had once seemed a mirage. Set your gaze on that which you want TO BECOME. Put in the time and the effort in your quest to come up tops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> <b>Best wishes on your journey TO BECOME….!!!</b></span></i></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><b></b><br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">Written by Daniel Dela Dunoo</span></span></span></i></div>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">(Writer, blogger, editor, and founder of Topnotch Writing Solutions)</span></i><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Email: dudelda3@yahoo.com</span></i><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Blogs: http://twritingsolutions.wordpress.com / http://theroyalwordsmithgh.wordpress.com</span></i>Daniel Dela Dunoohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04572039713921417899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119988055858003138.post-68697578610302829972018-03-23T01:56:00.002-07:002019-03-28T07:36:00.656-07:00Easter Celebrations in Ghana: An Overview<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlrPk1Unm5gEvSlkv8qmkiiIYIgfoN1d4D0mqDPXMlZqwLAxFhUBfERd7efK-8mAEcxeuxPchEoASJCXmvDQbbB9MFtOky1lSIhhyphenhyphen6bl2cHyDgwvZXTsSDDvDnMc813OOXvS242hWK91U/s1600/Easter+in+Ghana2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlrPk1Unm5gEvSlkv8qmkiiIYIgfoN1d4D0mqDPXMlZqwLAxFhUBfERd7efK-8mAEcxeuxPchEoASJCXmvDQbbB9MFtOky1lSIhhyphenhyphen6bl2cHyDgwvZXTsSDDvDnMc813OOXvS242hWK91U/s400/Easter+in+Ghana2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Easter is closely associated with Easter eggs and Easter bunnies in some cultures, especially in the West. Mention Easter in Ghana and some think of the ‘paragliding festival.’ This subject will be discussed in the latter part of this write-up. One may ask, what then is Easter? Basically, Easter is a Christian festival held annually by most Christians across the globe to commemorate the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.</span><span style="color: #191919; font-family: "helvetica" , "sans-serif";"> </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">In the Church`s calendar, Easter is preceded by “Lent” (40 days fasting period - an imitation of Jesus` 40 days fast) and “Palm Sunday” (commemoration of the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem). </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Admittedly, the word "Easter" does not appear in the Bible and no early church celebrations of Christ's resurrection are mentioned in Scripture. However, this does not by any means negate its celebration. Easter, like Christmas, is a tradition that developed later in church history (prior to the 3<sup>rd</sup> century)</span><span style="color: #191919; font-family: "helvetica" , "sans-serif";">.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, unlike Christmas, there is no specific date for the celebration of Easter; it usually <span style="color: #191919;">falls anywhere between March 22 and April 25 every year.</span> It is typically celebrated over a four day period, beginning from the Friday (Christened “Good Friday”) through to Monday (“Easter Monday”, “Picnic Day”, “St. Stephen`s Day” as is variedly christened by different Christian bodies). Some omit the Monday and round up their Easter celebrations on Sunday (Christened “Easter Sunday” or “Resurrection Sunday). </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Both Easter Friday and Easter Monday are statutory public holidays in Ghana as is the case in many countries. The celebration of Easter in Ghana is characterized by a variety of activities and events (a mix of the solemn and the joyous, the sacred and the mundane) and I will do well to touch on as many as possible.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Religious services and rituals</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Religious services and ceremonies are a common feature (and perhaps the most predominant feature) in the celebration of Easter in Ghana. Mainline churches in Ghana usually have church services on Easter Friday and on Easter Sunday with some variations. Aside the two services, the Presbyterian Church of Ghana for instance, usually holds a church service cum gospel outreach early Monday morning prior to having a get-together (“Picnic”) - A day referred to as St. Stephen`s Day in the church`s calendar. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Plays are acted by children in some churches and songs sung about the death and subsequent resurrection of Christ. In some Christian circles, church members wear black attire for church service on Good Friday and are dressed in white on Easter Sunday; the black is symbolic of mourning the vicarious death of Christ while the white is symbolic of the victory Christ won over death – his enigmatic resurrection. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Many Charismatic churches hold Easter Conventions and Retreats which are essentially prolonged church services and prayer meetings. Some congregants typically travel long distances to such conventions and stay at convention grounds for much of the day. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Another common feature in the religious landscape is the organization of religious camping events. These camps are usually organized for children and the youth. One that stands out for me is the annual “Easter House Party” (A youth camp) organized by Scripture Union - a Para-Church group because of my close association with such camps while in my teens. These camping events are replete with religious exercises such as Bible Studies, Daily Devotions, Sermons, Prayer, Singing and also, some fun stuff such as engaging in a variety of games/physical exercising routines, socialization and many more.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Paragliding Festival</b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Another significant feature of Easter festivities in Ghana is the paragliding festival held annually at Kwahu in the Eastern region of Ghana. Many Ghanaians and foreigners alike travel from far and near to participate in this festival of spectacular aerial fun, ceremony, and music.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During this paragliding festival, tandem paraglider pilots congregate from many parts of the world to fly local Ghanaian spectators and foreign visitors. The festival is open to solo pilots as well. Traders at Kwahu cash in on the festivities to rake in lots of profits. Suffice to state that there are usually lots to eat and drink, that is if one has the funds. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One would say this is typically Easter, for some Ghanaians and foreigners alike.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Entertainment / Merrymaking</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Closely related to the paragliding festival is the entertainment and merry-making associated with the celebration of Easter in Ghana; it is no doubt a fun activity but I decided to look at it separately from other entertainment programmes organized during the Easter season. Entertainment programmes are all too common, especially on Easter Monday. One would easily find notices and advertisements about Beach parties, Music concerts, Drama shows, and many such activities. In more recent times, Uncle Ebo Whyte plays and other plays are staged in theatres and are highly patronized by both the young and the old. Truth be told, Easter can really be a great period for relaxation and wholesome fun with family and friends if one has the funds, as it were.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">And yes, there is “the picnic.” Picnics in this context refer to get-togethers organized by individual churches and groups of churches on Easter Monday. These are usually great fun times; eating, drinking, games, and socialization are common features of Easter picnics.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">Acts of generosity <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">Somewhat akin to the father (God) giving his son for the salvation of humankind because of his love for humanity (the Easter narrative), there is also the sharing of goodies with family, friends and neighbors. Annually, during this period some individuals, corporate institutions and churches organize parties for the underprivileged and vulnerable; donations are given to orphan homes; gifts are given to orphans, widows and prison inmates. The mentally retarded are not left out of the celebrations as some receive food and drinks from some members of the community and charity organizations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">This has fundamentally been an attempt on my part to give an overview of how Easter is celebrated in Ghana. Trust me, it is by no means exhaustive but it sure paints a picture of celebrating Easter the Ghanaian way. Less I forget, let one and all endeavor to make this years` Easter celebrations a pleasantly memorable one and do well to keep in mind the true essence of the season.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Written by Daniel Dela Dunoo</span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">(Writer, Editor, Blogger & founder of Topnotch Writing Solutions)</span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Email: </span></i><a href="mailto:dudelda3@yahoo.com"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">dudelda3@yahoo.com</span></i></a></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span></i></b></span></span></div>
Daniel Dela Dunoohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04572039713921417899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119988055858003138.post-73972069862305629892018-03-05T23:45:00.001-08:002019-03-28T07:42:17.166-07:00The Making Of A Good Writer: My Story<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio9vzju1tQR6Nqew08-m3KCWc7A4JBPAvGDEDv6pe7uwfA62i2sv6yRnCdJMxcvCsncGXQZ5wgWue2KztFj_Zy5YllHdQLudqIm4sB1jiS3_B357o9lGbJ_AUmlQZj3hifMc1hGJyadOI/s1600/Dan-Interview+pics+6.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="565" data-original-width="683" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio9vzju1tQR6Nqew08-m3KCWc7A4JBPAvGDEDv6pe7uwfA62i2sv6yRnCdJMxcvCsncGXQZ5wgWue2KztFj_Zy5YllHdQLudqIm4sB1jiS3_B357o9lGbJ_AUmlQZj3hifMc1hGJyadOI/s320/Dan-Interview+pics+6.PNG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><i>Photo: Daniel Dela Dunoo</i></span><u><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"></span></u></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">I am obviously not in the league of towering literary figures such as <a href="https://www.biography.com/people/william-shakespeare-9480323">William Shakespeare</a>, <a href="https://www.stephenking.com/">Stephen King</a>, <a href="https://www.jkrowling.com/">J. K. Rowling</a>, <a href="http://www.jgrisham.com/">John Grisham</a>, and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jane-Austen">Jane Austen</a> among others; I am neither a <a href="https://www.biography.com/people/chinua-achebe-20617665">Chinua Achebe</a> nor an </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><cite class="_Rm"><a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ama-Ata-Aidoo">Ama Ata Aidoo</a></cite>. The <a href="https://www.allbookstores.com/Peggy-Oppong/author">Peggy Oppongs</a>, the <a href="http://lawrencedarmani.com/Biography">Lawrence Darmanis</a>, and the <a href="https://www.chimamanda.com/">Chimamanda Ngozi Adichies</a> are way ahead of me. However, I have a story to tell; a story about humble beginnings and a rewarding journey. Peradventure, some reader may find some encouragement to persist in the pursuit of a career path that may seem far-fetched.</span></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">My story</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">I did not major in courses such as Communications, Literature, English, Publishing, and Journalism among others. My majors at the University and at the Polytechnic a couple of years back did not point to a writing career; admittedly I started doing some bits and pieces of writing in my early teens (and continued all through school – both academic writing and doing some personal writing stuff) but it never crossed my mind that I will ever pursue a career in writing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Suffice to state that some of the world`s great writers have diverse educational backgrounds that aren`t related to literature. A few phenomenal Ghanaian writers who come to mind are the engineer-trained <a href="http://nanadamoah.com/">Nana Awere Damoah</a>, the Statistics-trained <a href="http://www.rovermanproductions.com/about-us.php">James Ebo Whyte</a> (Uncle Ebo Whyte), the Physics-trained <a href="http://www.oneghanaonevoice.com/2013/06/author-profile-martin-egblewogbe.html">Martin Egblewogbe</a> and the Chemistry-trained<a href="https://www.zoominfo.com/p/Kobina-Ansah/-1322267349"> Kobina Ansah</a> </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><cite class="_Rm"></cite>among others. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">I am a practicing writer, though marketer-trained and theology-trained. My pursuit of a writing career began in earnest shortly after graduating from the university a couple of years back with absolutely no contacts and connections in the literary/publishing space. As a practicing writer, I have made some modest strides in the literary world; my articles, short stories, and poems have been widely published on websites, blogs, magazines, newspaper publications, and newsletters not only in Ghana but also in other nations such as Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa and the United States of America. I have had the privilege of being the <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/danieldeladunoo">author</a> of seven (7) self-published <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/danieldeladunoo">e-books</a>. I have also written large volumes as a ghostwriter and have edited a wide variety of manuscripts. Surprised? Well, there is a secret; better still, there is an open secret; one that many good writers are fully abreast with and consistently leverage on. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Stephen King, a multiple award-winning and best-selling novelist put it this way: “If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot.” </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Ray Bradbury, a novelist, essayist, playwright, screenwriter, and poet focused on the ‘writing a lot’ part when he noted: “Any man who keeps working is not a failure. He may not be a great writer but if he applies the old-fashioned virtue of hard, constant labor, he’ll eventually make some kind of a career for himself.” These are great points to soberly ponder upon and to actualize if you are desirous of making a name for yourself in the literary world.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Now, before I could do a good job at writing and writing a lot (‘putting in the old-fashioned virtue of hard, constant labour”), I needed to learn how to read. Once this hurdle was scaled, I needed to develop a sound reading habit. I will share</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> a brief personal story of the route that has brought me this far, tracing my humble beginnings. </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">I am fully persuaded my modest achievements thus far in the literary world would have merely been a fairy tale of proportions akin to “lady bird stories” had it not been for the pivotal role reading plays in my life. </span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">When it all began</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">It was not until I got to primary five (As early as primary one, some of my mates could read) I learnt to read through the ‘iron-fisted’ tutelage of an elder brother. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Prior to overcoming this hurdle, I was one of the worst performing pupils in my class. My examinations scores and terminal reports were a disaster. I remember that occasionally, during class reading sessions, especially when our teacher was absent but had pre-informed the class captain to lead the class through reading in turns our English Comprehension test book, I will move from my seat to either a back seat or behind the class. This was quite embarrassing, to say the least.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Things however began to take a turn for the good shortly after I learnt to read in class five. This was in part because I developed a love for books. I read voraciously, spending a significant chunk of my spare moments reading “bedtime stories”, “ladybird stories” and several other books, including “Arabian night”. I also made time to read my school books.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">In the course of time, I observed a radical change in my academic performance. For sure I was not one of the top ten pupils in my class of about fifty pupils. I was certainly not trailing behind either. I had shot up from being a below average student to being an average student and inching closer towards the above average circle which I eventually attained when I enrolled in the Senior Secondary school.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">As a ‘reading addict’, I came across numerous unfamiliar words. I frequently consulted my dictionary in such circumstances. This helped broaden my vocabulary since I was learning new words by the day. This had a direct and considerable influence on my written and oral communication. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">As the years went by, I added to my reading list motivational books and faith-based literature (Christian literature to be precise). These influenced my values and character profoundly; many valuable lessons were learnt and imbibed which till this day holds true in my life. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">If there is a single habit that contributed significantly in piloting me through many years of schooling, I will dare say it was my reading habit. I read voraciously whiles a student in two tertiary institutions and that paid off well; it made a huge difference in my academic performance and ensured that I graduated with distinctions.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The writer`s habit</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">As an adult, and more so as a writer, I haven`t dropped the habit of reading; I simply cannot do without it. A brilliant mind was noted, “the day you stop learning, you start dying.” I still love to read good, motivational and educative books. I read virtually every day and this in part makes available some raw materials with which to create literary works that are worth reading. It was Benjamin Franklin who opined, “Either do something worth writing about or write something worth reading.” I have chosen to do both, but primarily the latter (and reading will of necessity feature prominently). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Written by Daniel Dela Dunoo</span></i></b></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">(Writer, Editor, Blogger & founder of Topnotch Writing Solutions)</span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Email: danieldeladunoo@gmail.com</span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Blog: </span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">http://theroyalwordsmithgh.wordpress.com </span></i></b></span></span></div>
Daniel Dela Dunoohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04572039713921417899noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119988055858003138.post-57470710852134623972018-02-28T13:45:00.002-08:002019-03-28T08:12:05.231-07:00Indispensable Life Lessons From The Animal Kingdom: The Case of Female Worker Ants<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjLb_NTdbvSPvUi5k7VzGhXFpFQzQr_7hbrHk4NtZ5pRvXaOASgYJGW98lwOo8qny2FSHtfE1mzR5YKvJtOPj0uoZh2uU8gYuz_CNhHST27V8KCJ0tQaNfiagLPuyjLgV3evMKkuc3nEE/s1600/red_wood_ant_busy_workers_221832.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="266" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjLb_NTdbvSPvUi5k7VzGhXFpFQzQr_7hbrHk4NtZ5pRvXaOASgYJGW98lwOo8qny2FSHtfE1mzR5YKvJtOPj0uoZh2uU8gYuz_CNhHST27V8KCJ0tQaNfiagLPuyjLgV3evMKkuc3nEE/s400/red_wood_ant_busy_workers_221832.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The notion that humans can learn a thing or two from the animal kingdom may seem far-fetched to some. For others, however, this notion is right on point. I am glad to be numbered among the latter. In this blog post, I will share with you three essential life lessons I have learned from the work ethic of female worker ants. Let`s get right into the discussion, commencing with some background information about ants generally and eventually zeroing in on female worker ants.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Ants – A brief background</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Ants live in well-structured communities typically referred to as colonies and comprise somewhere around 11, 000 species. Ant colonies are varied in size; some may number in the millions while some may comprise only a couple of members. Members of an ant colony usually fall into categories (castes), each with a different role. There are three main castes, namely queens, males and female worker ants. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The queens are responsible for mating to produce fertilized eggs which hatch to produce more ants. On the other hand, the class of ants commonly called males is noted for playing no social role other than mating. They die shortly after mating.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Female worker ants form the majority of colony members and do not have wings. They perform much of the work within every given colony. This includes searching for food, nursing young ants and defending the colony against ants from other colonies. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am quite certain at this point that the picture I have been trying to paint so far is beginning to take shape; you are beginning to get the drift. Do fasten your seat belt as we zoom into the discussion proper. Below are a couple of lessons we can glean and imbibe from the work ethic of female workers ants:</span></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Say ‘NO’ to procrastination </span></b></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Female worker ants have the proclivity for gathering and storing food during specific seasons; seasons that are most appropriate for them to discharge this responsibility. They attend to their task as and when the season is due rather than talk themselves out of work when work ought to be done. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Procrastination has been known to be a major challenge for many. Many have the tendency to procrastinate until such realize that they have to race against time in order to complete certain time-bound tasks such as meeting projects deadlines.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christopher Parker once noted: “Procrastination is like the credit card. It`s a lot of fun until you get the bill.” The English Poet, Edward Young is said to have made this famous statement: “Procrastination is the thief of time.” The venerated Benjamin Franklin gives a piece of apt advice: “Never leave that till tomorrow that which you can do today.” </span></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Hard work pays</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Female worker ants are diligent. They can easily be spotted gathering food particles and other tiny edibles. On occasion, they may be sighted diligently working as a team to carry huge loads of food particles and the like. By their hard work, they are able to store food for the present and for future use. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The value of hard work cannot be overemphasized. Laziness is detrimental to your progress in life and career. “There is no substitute for hard work”, quipped the notable prolific inventor and entrepreneur, Thomas Alva Edison. Ebenezer Acheampong, a Ghanaian motivational speaker states: “it is the diligent hand and head alone that makes success. Every student should read a lot, think a lot and work a lot.” </span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Self-discipline engenders progress</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The female worker ant is essentially self-disciplined. In spite of the fact that ants do not have rulers as it were, to order them around, they intuitively and habitually perform their functions as and when they are due. The female worker ant, saddled with the arduous task of prospecting for food, gathering them and storing them for the common good, goes about its duties diligently and in due session. It ‘‘makes hay while the sun shines.’’ They are essentially self-disciplined.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Self-discipline connotes the ability and commitment to do what is necessary or sensible without needing to be coerced or urged by another. It is a non-negotiable prerequisite for chalking feats of monumental proportions. Many of the world`s greats in whatever field of endeavor had to commit to a disciplined pursuit of their dreams and aspirations. It was the famed author and motivational speaker, Zig Ziglar who once noted, “Real freedom comes only when discipline becomes a way of life.” Do what ought to be done exactly when it ought to be done, regardless of the prevailing odds.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>Work when you ought to work, even when you don`t feel like it. This will without a doubt engender the progress you so desire. All things being equal, any human who is self-disciplined will go places.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Just a quick reminder: You can chalk great successes in whatever sphere of life or work you might be engaged with if you will take to heart these valuable life lessons scraped together from the work ethic of female worker ants and allow same to influence your personal work ethic. </span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Written by Daniel Dela Dunoo</span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Writer, blogger, editor & founder of Topnotch Writing Solutions)</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">Email: dudelda3@yahoo.com</span></i></b></div>
Daniel Dela Dunoohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04572039713921417899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119988055858003138.post-89276809111451930592018-01-31T10:44:00.003-08:002022-01-06T19:37:35.427-08:00Five Keys To Actualize Your Dreams This Year<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh70mJ--DPOWT7SfWD9sFsSuHGyJ-lCOdna5DQiJralFV9bRWj0Ih_nH-L7qWOV-CrG7gQNQ2RFz7RKI-s2NLz-dV47vADpAGAkiW0j74ZLgks6ghyMR0ab83FMR4Je15ADrTI5VPgwglfKIzJFTtJaXbxpbo7PANvci2qdTEUxtOhZ-Axz6ZEjnc7c=s677" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="677" height="355" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh70mJ--DPOWT7SfWD9sFsSuHGyJ-lCOdna5DQiJralFV9bRWj0Ih_nH-L7qWOV-CrG7gQNQ2RFz7RKI-s2NLz-dV47vADpAGAkiW0j74ZLgks6ghyMR0ab83FMR4Je15ADrTI5VPgwglfKIzJFTtJaXbxpbo7PANvci2qdTEUxtOhZ-Axz6ZEjnc7c=w400-h355" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: black;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></i></span></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: black;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“</span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span color="windowtext" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-underline: none;">If you can dream it, you can do it.</span></i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">” - <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Walt Disney</span></span></i></span></span></b></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">The first month of 2018 will in the next couple of hours give way to February. Sadly, however, rather than look at the approaching month with optimism,<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"> </span>some persons have consigned themselves to fate. Why so? I have discovered that the more one`s hopes and expectations are dashed (and essentially never seeing the light of day) and the longer it takes, it has a way of crippling that individual`s sense of passion, drive, creativity, and optimism. </span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">As a matter of fact, some persons simply throw their hands in despair, with the refrain, ‘whatever will be, will be’. Such a depressing state is usually born out of the fact that in spite of investing so much time, effort and sometimes money in the pursuit of one dream or the other, there is virtually nothing of substance to show for all the work; they never seem to realize their dreams. It is as though chasing the wind – being on a wild goose chase, as it were. The first week of 2018 was no different; 2017 wasn’t either. The last couple of years wasn`t any better. Why bother anymore and why bother anyway? They quiz. But that should not be the end of the narrative.</span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">You may find yourself in a similar situation – more or less. Giving up isn`t an option and no matter the countless times you might have suffered disappointments and setbacks, you can make it – you sure can make it; Your dreams can and will see the light of day. The choice is yours to make. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the light of this reality, I will share with you some thoughts I truly believe will make a world of difference in your life and circumstances this year. </span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Dream yet again and dare to dream big dreams. There is absolutely no law against dreaming big and you wouldn`t incur any cost too. Quite refreshing, isn’t it? The world`s numerous and mind-boggling inventions were once dreams – dreams that eventually saw the light of day, though some<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>, in time past were considered to be practically impossible, even by experts. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">As I write about dreaming big, the lyrics of Ryan Shupe`s song comes to mind: ‘When you dream, dream big, as big as the ocean. When you dream, it might come through, when you dream, dream big…’ I have found encouragement from the lyrics of this inspiring song time and again. Langston Hughes opined: </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“hold fast to dreams for if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly.”</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> Hughes words are very instructive. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">By all means, keep your dream alive. Fashion your dreams into time-bound goals, with well thought-through plans towards actualizing these goals. Inherent in that dream of yours is a propelling force that should be capitalized upon to push you closer to its realization.</span></span></span></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Start small</span></b></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Some dreams have crashed even before they could take flight. Why so? Because, the dream carriers short themselves in the foot; they envisaged that once they had their eyes set on the ball of big dreams, it was perfectly okay, and perhaps more desirable to commence the pursuit of such dreams in a big way. Some contracted huge loans to start businesses only to run at a loss while entangled by neck-breaking indebtedness. </span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Are you considering starting a business? Be smart about it; start small and grow gradually from that lowly estate. Do not despise small beginnings. Successful global brands such as Microsoft, Apple, Facebook, Alibaba, and several others started small and grew with time. Many of such businesses and brands were begun in garages, bedrooms, hostels and the like. What precisely am I driving at? Start where you are and with what you have.</span></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Work hard</span></b></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">How much value have you placed on that dream or ambition you have carried for quite a while now? How much of your sleep and time are you willing to sacrifice to see your dream come to pass? Your answers to these questions should imprint in your heart and mind a wholehearted commitment to realizing your dreams. You simply cannot fold your arms and keep wishing. That will do you no good. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Eric Thomas was right when he stated: “All roads that lead to success have to pass through hard work Boulevard at some point.” Similarly Thomas Edison, the notable inventor opined: “there is no substitute for hard work.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: black;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Get right on to work and give it your best shot. By all means, you will need to put in the work if you truly desire a-dream-come-through experience. It is the student who dreams of graduating with first class and is minded to put in the work who eventually experiences a-dream-come-through, all things being equal. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Stay focused</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">While in hot pursuit of your dreams, you will be buffeted by a multiplicity of distractions. However, your ability to maintain focus on your dreams, distractions notwithstanding will take you much closer to realizing your dreams. Your focus will drive you to put in the work, channeling your efforts and mental prowess towards the attainment of your dreams.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> Bruce Lee once noted: “The successful warrior is an average man, with laser-like focus.”<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i></b></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This year, determine that you will not get distracted from your course; determine to maintain a laser focus on your dreams. It sure will make a world of difference.</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span></i></b></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: black;">Keep going forward</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a></span></b></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">That dream is within reach. Keep pushing, the odds notwithstanding. When you fall seven times, rise up eight times – When you fail or make a mistake, however seemingly disastrous that may be, don’t you dare give up; get right back up. Learn from your shortfalls and keep moving. Your persistence will eventually win the day. The adage, ‘winners never quit, and quitters never win’ holds true. </span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Also true is a well thought-through observation from B. C. Forbes when he stated: “History has demonstrated that the most notable winners usually encountered heartbreaking obstacles before they triumphed. They won because they refused to become discouraged by their defeat.”</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"></span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">I have in time past watched the likes of John Cena and Roman Reigns – top WWE stars get knocked down on countless occasions, and sometimes receive merciless beatings in the hands of some of the toughest of opponents. What is remarkable however is that usually, that isn`t the end of the story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These incredible wrestlers get knocked down several times but they stagger right back to their feet and fight their hearts out. </span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">And in most cases than not, they eventually overpower their opponents, winning their matches. Their kind of tenacity is what wins the day. And so my friend, trust me, your dreams are within reach but you`ve got to keep moving, no matter how much life gives you beating. Dig you heels right in and keep moving until that long held dream sees the light of day. Yes, you can. You surely can.</span></div>
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<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Written by Daniel Dela Dunoo</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">(Writer, Blogger, Editor & founder of Topnotch Writing Solutions)</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: "arial";">Email: dudelda3@yahoo.com</span></i></b></div>
Daniel Dela Dunoohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04572039713921417899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119988055858003138.post-35855394756610252032017-12-10T16:18:00.000-08:002019-03-28T08:24:43.230-07:00The Birth of Christ is Worth Celebrating<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“We need to celebrate this Christmas. Jesus’ birth was – and is – good news of great joy” -Rick Warren (Pastor/Bible teacher/Best-selling author).</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%;">Christmas is derived from the old English words <i>Cristes maesse, </i>“Christ`s Mass”. Christmas is a Christian festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. Present spelling of Christmas probably came into use around the 16</span><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 200%;">th </span><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%;">century.</span><b><i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span></i></b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%;">It is arguably the most popular and most widely celebrated festival in the 21</span><span style="font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 200%;">st </span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%;">century. Though celebrated by a large segment of Christendom, it has been bastardized by a minority within the Christian fold and outside Christian circles. Chief among the most vociferous critics of Christmas is the religious group called the <a href="http://www.truthnet.org/Christianity/Cults/Jehovahwitness6/">Jehovah`s Witnesses</a>. Their antagonistic views regarding the celebration of Christmas will be considered since to a very large extent, their views represent that of many other religious critics. I will attempt to address these criticisms in a concise, logical and coherent manner and seek to protect the worth of celebrating the enigmatic birth of the savior of the world – Jesus Christ. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%;">Refuting the assertions of critics</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%;">The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society make the assertions below concerning the celebration of Christmas. “Since the date of Christmas is of pagan origin, it should not seem strange that the customs of Christmas are also of pagan origin: There is no escaping it: Christmas is of pagan origin: how much more important it is for true Christians today to shun a celebration that was never authorized by God, that stems from pagan Babylon, and that falsely bears the name of Christ” (“Truth that leads to eternal life”, p. 149). Similar views have been expressed by a couple of religious organizations such as many (if not all) <a href="http://www.faithdefenders.com/Articles/Cult-and-Occult/Cambellism-and-the-Church-of-Christ.aspx">'Churches of Christ'</a> (Herein referring to the denomination). Indeed I have received a couple of emails from some preachers belonging to these organizations raising similar arguments against the celebration of Christmas. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>At face value, the assertions of critics alluded to sounds logical and true to the Scriptures. No wonder it is paraded on the airwaves, online, via the print media and on street corners as the gospel truth. The question I pose is, are these assertions by critics consistent with the facts of history, with sound logic and with Scripture? I will take each line of argument and refute same.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Critics assert that <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i>“Christmas celebration was not authorized by Christ and thus must not be celebrated by Christians.”</i></b></span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%;">Admittedly nowhere in Scripture does Christ instruct his followers to celebrate his birth. However, this does not necessarily make such a celebration wrong or forbidden and I will prove this shortly. For those who at one point or the other chose to specially honor a parent, teacher or mentor, permit me to pose this question: did you do so because such an important person in your life instructed you to do so? In honoring such a person, which will you consider as more honoring: by choice and personal/communal initiative or by demand and compulsion? What much of the Christian community has done is opt for the former; set aside a day to specially honor Christ by choice and ‘communal’ initiative. It was the distinguished Christian Theologian, Dr. C. R. Sproul who once noted: </span><span style="color: #141823; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">“I can’t think of anything more pleasing to Christ than the church celebrating His birthday every year.” </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It is also important to note that nowhere in Scripture does Christ instruct his followers to publish magazines, act plays, organize conventions at specific times, use hymn books, appoint regular pioneers and auxiliary pioneers, keep record of every single minute spent in field service and many other activities some critics such as Jehovah`s Witnesses are involved in. Yet these are done with pride and gusto. These activities are never considered to be wrong or of pagan origin even though Christ never expressly authorized their practice.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>One would argue that even though the activities I have itemized where neither instructed nor practiced by Christ, they are initiatives by some of his followers driven by Christ`s command to make disciples of all nations. I agree. Similarly, I will argue that the celebration of the birth of Christ is a Christ-honouring initiative by the church, where there is a focus on Christ and his mission. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">Indeed, various activities are undertaken during the Christmas season which are consistent with Christ`s instruction to make disciples and several other Scriptural imperatives; Singing/worship (Psalm 150:1-2; Matthew 26:30), prayer (Ephesians 6:8), public/private reading and meditation on the Scriptures (Psalm 1:2-3; ), preaching/teaching (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts1:8)), giving/helping others (Galatians 6:10; Proverbs 3:27) and many other activities churches engage in during the celebration of Christmas are Scriptural. As a matter of fact, even feasting is consistent with Scripture. Indeed many festivals the Israelites commemorated included both sacred rites and feasting (2 Chronicles 30; Esther 9:20-32).</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>There is absolutely no text in the Bible that forbids the celebration of Christmas. Absolutely none! What is an undeniable fact is that the birth of Christ – the savior of the world is a Biblical fact (Luke 2:1-21). Why on earth would any well-meaning Christian condemn another who chooses to commemorate what is without a doubt a Biblical fact? Very puzzling indeed! My contention is that an act is not wrong merely because Christ never expressly authorized it. It is wrong when it contradicts the clear instruction of Scripture and when it militates against the spiritual wellness of the practitioner. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">Suffice to state that many benefits of the celebration of Christmas over the years cannot be quantified. Many who have celebrated Christmas the right way (avoided acts that are inconsistent with the tenets of the Christian faith) over the centuries have reaped benefits of significant proportions. For instance, speaking of the notable reformer (the most outstanding figure in the 16th-century<sup></sup> protestant reformation), theologian and professor – Martin Luther, Paul L. Maier wrote: “Martin Luther loved Christmas. The joy he derived from the festival each year not only overflowed in his composition of such familiar carols as “From Heaven Above to Earth I Come”, but also recharged his spirit for the many struggles in his continually challenged life.”</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Christmas is of pagan origin. The date of Christmas is of pagan origin. It should therefore not seem strange that customs of Christmas are also of pagan origin”</span></i></b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%;">critics have said. Well, if the celebration of Christmas on the 25th of December annually implies its pagan origin, what will be said of the annual celebration of Christmas on the 6th of January by the Armenian Church for several centuries now? It is important to emphasize that no individual or group of persons has bonafide ownership of a particular day or date. What you choose to do today is by no means intrinsically linked to what I choose to do the same day.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Consider this analogy: Five years ago, while residing in a rural community whose inhabitants were largely traditionalists, a few Christian friends of mine and I were expected to join in the celebration of their annual festival in honor of their gods for rains and a good harvest season. My friends and I decided that rather than participate in a supposedly pagan festival, we will spend the day in honor of our God for his provisions. We followed through with our decision and found it to be exceptionally rewarding. We, therefore, resolved to stick to this practice every year. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Interestingly, through our missionary efforts in the village, a significantly large segment of the inhabitants were converted to Christianity including their chief and his elders. Two years down the line a large segment of the community discarded the celebration of their annual pagan festival and adopted the practice my friend and I commenced some years back. Our practice became the norm and the officially acceptable festival of the community; a festival in honor of our God and not the gods of the land. What is ethically wrong with the festival my friends and I successfully introduced to the village folks? Does the fact that our festival dislodged the pagan festival of the community make our festival less Christian and of pagan origin? Does this suggest that our festival falsely bears the name of God? Absolutely not! In a similar vein, the fact that pagans of Rome already observed 25th of December annually as the feast of Saturn celebrating the birth of the sun does not make Christmas (the celebration of the birth of Christ) pagan and of pagan origin. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Also, worth noting is that, contrary to the claims of critics, the fact that some customs of pagan origin are prevalent in the celebration of Christmas does not necessarily mean Christmas is pagan or of pagan origin. In this day and age, conspiracy theories abound about all kinds of issues including Christmas; they remain conspiracy theories and not proven facts. According to Encyclopaedia Americana, customs of all lands have been added through the centuries. Various customs were later additions, some of which were intended to make the celebration more acceptable and meaningful to people of divergent ethnic groups. No wonder some scholars believe that the birth of Christ as the light of the world was made analogous to the rebirth of the sun in order to make Christianity more meaningful to pagan converts. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Dr. John MacArthur, Bible scholar, pastor, and a prolific author introduces another leg of the discussion when he emphatically states: “There is no connection between the worship of idols and the use of Christmas trees. We should not be anxious about baseless arguments against Christmas decorations. Rather, we should be focused on the Christ of the Christmas and giving all diligence to remembering the real reason for the season.”</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Admittedly, in our world today, the celebration of Christmas has been associated with some abuses in certain circles. This is awful and repugnant and is incompatible with the tenets of the Christian faith. The abuse of a thing, however, does not make the thing wrong. When the purpose of a thing is either unknown or neglected, abuse is inevitable. The fact that there have been some excesses in some quarters in the celebration of Christmas does not in any way indicate the pagan origins of Christmas nor does it conclusively show that the “baby be thrown away with the dirty bath water”. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></i></b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Critics have also stated that<i> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“Christ was not born on the 25th of December. Why celebrate his birth on that day every year?” </b></i></span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%;">Well, Christendom does not claim Jesus Christ was born on the 25th of December. Many Bible Scholars admit that it is not probable and feasible that Christ was born on this date bearing in mind the weather patterns in Israel around this season. Indeed there is no documentation of the exact date of Christ`s birth. However, the 25th of December was merely set aside over 1500 years ago by some Christians to remember and honor the birth of Christ. This is nothing strange; it isn`t wrong either. In our cultural settings, many of us know at least one parent or grandparent whose exact birthday isn`t known and yet a particular date is chosen and sometimes celebrated as his or her birthday.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">It is my conviction that critics have the right to choose not to participate in the celebration of Christmas since it is a matter of choice but they err when they shout their condemnation of the celebration of Christmas ‘from the rooftops’. Such must take a cue from the principle underlining the Scriptural admonishing in Romans 14:1-6. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%;">A Christ-centered Christmas</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">While religious critics persist in their ruthless condemnation of much of Christendom for our celebration of Christ, there are those (secularists) who are spearheading an agenda to dislodge the Christ from Christmas, and so especially in the Western world, it is increasingly becoming politically correct not to mention CHRISTmas;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘happy holidays’ and perhaps ‘Merry Xmas’ is increasingly becoming the norm. There is a seemingly dominant focus on business (the commercialization of Christmas), on ‘Santa Claus’, ‘the rain deer’ and wild entertainment and so on to the neglect of the real reason for the season. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">This well-meaning Christians must resist. Let`s keep Christ in Christmas. Dr. David Jeremiah stated thus: “All the Christmas presents in the world are worth nothing without the presence of Christ. It was Thomas S. Monson who once noted: “finding the real joy in Christmas comes not in the hurrying and the scurrying to get more done, nor is it found in the purchasing of gifts. We find real joy when we make the Savior the focus of the season.” </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Jesus Christ is the reason for the season. It is a season for remembering his first advent. As a consequence, Christ must remain central in our celebrations.”</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Christ is and must remain the reason for the season. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is his legendary birth we celebrate. “For to us a child is born, to us, a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6, NIV). Such glorious news!!!</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paradoxically, we are the reason for the season. This is because Christ was born for our sake. We are the reason he came. The world-renowned evangelist, Billy Graham was right when he stated: “The very purpose of Christ`s coming into the world was that he might offer up His life as a sacrifice for the sins of men. He came to die. This is the heart of Christmas.” The birth of the Christ was a necessary route to his death and resurrection; that which secured our redemption and salvation.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Amidst the cheers and laughter, the joys and merrymaking, the words of Vance Havner should ring a bell: </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Christmas is based on an exchange of gifts, the gift of God to man – His unspeakable gift of his son, and the gift of man to God – when we present our bodies a living sacrifice.” As John R. Rice rightly observed: “You can never truly enjoy Christmas until you can look up into the Father`s face and tell him you have received his Christmas gift.” The Christmas gift herein is in reference to Jesus Christ. We must make room in our hearts for our blessed savior. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing should be done that contravenes the tenets of the Christian faith. Make this season count for something good, and in a Christ-honoring way. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Look out for creative and wholesome ways to make this Christmas season a pleasantly memorable one. Be a blessing to someone; put a smile on someone`s face. Above all else, never lose focus on our blessed savior.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a> </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The extraordinary birth of the savior of the world (Jesus Christ) is worth celebrating (worth remembering and honoring). Let no one convince you otherwise. Celebrate it with pride and gusto. Celebrate it with meaning. Merry Christmas!!!</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white;">Additional Christmas resources:</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-stories/birth-of-jesus.html">The birth of Jesus</a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCxV9CbC180">Glad tidings of great joy</a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://www.biblestudytools.com/topical-verses/christmas-bible-verses/">Inspiring Christmas Bible Verses</a> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">For kids - <a href="https://www.whychristmas.com/story/birth.shtml">The Birth of Jesus - The History of the Christmas Story</a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zl2HVhwqnMs">The Christmas story</a> </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">This article was written by Daniel Dela Dunoo</span></span></span></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%;">(Writer/Blogger/Theologian) </span></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%;">Email: dudelda3@yahoo.com</span></i></b></span></div>
Daniel Dela Dunoohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04572039713921417899noreply@blogger.com0