Circumspecte

“Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough.” Oprah Winfrey  said that. She should know, she kept a gratitude journal for sixteen years ! So here's the deal: as part of Circumspecte's " Behind the Seens " project we're inviting you to keep a "Gratitude Journal" this year - beginning Monday February 3 ! Why participate? Well, I don't know about you, but we seem to always be in a state of wanting. I definitely have moments where I finally have something I'd wished or prayed for moments ago...and yet I'm off chasing down another "want" or "need" without appreciating that which I do have. If Oprah's theory is right, you'll see more goodness in your life. If it's wrong, you'll still get to learn something about yourself and life. If you're like a writer like myself - or want to develop your...

Source: Komla Dumor's Facebook Page "There's so much more to tell about Africa than the usual stories about war, famine and disease." Komla Dumor. Son, husband, father, Ghana's "Boss Player", Africa's storyteller, BBC World News broadcaster, inspiration - courage personified. If anyone had told me that Komla Dumor's Black Star would burst out into eternity on January 18, 2014, I would have called them a liar and then some. His 41 years of life might seem "short" to many of us, but from all indications, this amazing soul found it more than enough for doing what he set out to do: to be a journalist of the highest order and to contribute towards telling Africa's stories. His awards, accolades and  accomplishments  are well recorded - perhaps more so after his untimely demise yesterday from a cardiac arrest in London - and numerous people are sharing their condolences and tributes on social media with variations of the hash...

This morning, while doing my daily inspiration rounds, I felt an urge to dig back into the archives of this blog and read something from a younger me. I do that sometimes. It's not just fascinating, but also inspiring to see the growth in one's life. Also if I'm lucky enough,  younger Jemi might just have some sense or two to teach me. Anyway, I dug all the way back and that's when I realized: October 13, 2012 was Circumspect's 5th Anniversary! Wow. Not because I actually didn't realize it at the time, but because it's been FIVE years since my first post . Half a decade! People often ask why and how I started this blog. Like most other things, I didn't have a grand plan. I just wanted to share my love for writing . It wasn't to educate, teach, learn from, interact with, or even inspire others, nor was it to put myself out there and maybe garner some opportunities. No, the initial intention behind Circumspect was to share passion . But it did beco...

Khalil Gibran is one of my favorite poets/writers. I believe his piece "The New Frontier" rings true for Ghana, L'Afrique today. Changes in [ ] are mine: The New Frontier There are in [Ghana/Africa] today two challenging ideas: old and new. The old ideas will vanish because they are weak and exhausted. There is in [Ghana/Africa] an awakening that defies slumber. This awakening will conquer because the sun is its leader and the dawn is its army. In the fields of [Gha na/Africa], which have been a large burial ground, stand the youth of Spring calling the occupants of the sepulchers to rise and march toward the new frontiers. When the Spring sings its hymns the dead of the [harmattan] rise, shed their shrouds and march forward. There is on the horizon of [Ghana/Africa] a new awakening; it is growing and expanding; it is reaching and engulfing all sensitive, intelligent souls; it is penetrating and gaining all the sympathy of noble hearts. [Ghana/Africa] tod...

"Some [wo]men see things as they are and ask why. Others dream things that never were and ask why not." - Robert Kennedy No longer at ease. With the can nots, the should nots, the do nots, the try nots... I'd rather stick with the why nots. At least those birth  some  answers to this knot-filled life. He can not make it with that idea. It's stupid. Why not? You should not have your natural curls out. Why not? Do not ask so many questions. Why not? Try not to draw attention to yourself. For heaven's sake... WHY Ever Not? They can not be serious, music/art will get them no where. Why not? It's one (wo)man for him(her)self. We should not expect anything from our country. Why not? This is how it's always been done. It's tradition . Do not even think of proposing another way. Why not? Try not to be so ambitious. You are a woman after all. *Blank Stare* WHY EVER Not? ...

Ciao people! I'm blogging all the way from Bologna, Italy! Beautiful city, interesting experiences so far. This blog was written a couple of days ago and didn't get posted because I got quite self-conscious about what it was about (definitely NOT my grandest moment). But after some thought I decided to post it. I feel it's important to acknowledge both struggles and triumphs, especially if growth is the bottom line objective, and particularly since life does throw us a curve ball from time to time. Alors...I'd say enjoy...but given the subject matter, maybe "I hope this speaks to you in some way" is more appropriate? Here goes.. --   Unplanned "It isn't what you did in the past that will affect the present. It's what you do in the present that will redeem the past and thereby change the future." - Aleph (Paulo Coelho) Le Due Torri - Symbol of Bologna It’s been a week and a day since I arrived in Bologna land, which coincident...