Circumspecte

Photo Source Everyone around her seemed to have that one person to love. Each lonely soul she had previously found solace in had eventually been joined by that stunning other they had been patiently waiting for all morning. And yet she was still alone at her table, typing away empty words on her machine which looked like it would also leave her in three seconds. She looked around one last time, her eyes silently begging for a lonely friend, someone who looked as empty as she felt. Someone who would make her feel the soothing comfort of lonely company. None. Every customer at this restaurant had someone to lean on, someone’s hand to brush against during flirty laughter, or someone’s eyes to gaze into as a whispered lover’s intense conversation lost the two in a world of their own. Rolling her eyes she dove back into her work and lost herself in the black words she was typing. Suddenly she felt a presence. An intent gaze had fallen upon her and stayed there. She felt her b...

Source "Excuse me, do you mind if I share this table with you? All the others are taken." You look up and see the woman of your dreams. In live color. In the flesh. "Of course, you may have that seat. Nice to meet you, my name is..." She mentions your name before you can even finish. "Wow, you know my name? Have we met before?" She smiles. "Many times. But I don't think we've been introduced properly." She introduces herself.  "It's a pleasure to meet you, Revelle", you respond. "Would you like something to drink?" "That would be lovely," she answers, a shy smile on her face. The waiter brings over a bottle of mineral water and you both watch the bubbles gleam in the light. Source "If you don't mind my asking, what brings you here?" "I'm waiting for someone," Revelle responds. "A long lost friend" "Ah...

It's day three of the year 2012. Already! First off, I wish each and every one of you a great year ahead. May you have enough of everything you need to achieve your biggest dream and highest potential, and may you never want for the love, support, strength and confidence to get to where you want to be. Second, Youssou Ndour - world renowned Senegalese musician - just announced his candidature for Senegal's presidential election on February 26, 2012! I'll admit, the first person I thought of when I read the news was Wyclef Jean who put in a similar bid for Haiti's presidential seat in 2010. But let's not dwell on that. It's a new year and if the recent past has been any indication, it's that anything is possible. Besides, unlike Jean who didn't even meet the constitutional requirement of having lived in the country for at least five years, Ndour has been very visible on the local scene - mainly through his music - and is also a UN goodwill ambassado...

The thing about embarking on a new experience - travel, project, idea, decision, dream, opportunity - is that you always uncover yourself anew. -- "Why don't you write anymore?" That's the question that sent me running back here. The number of false-start posts I've had in the last two months are shameful to say the least You either go all in or it's nothing at all. So what keeps stopping me? Sense of duty Of what I should be doing (studying, reading, problem solving), and when I should be doing it (NOW!). Ironically, that's also what keeps me from starting. Anything. When did the notion of putting thoughts out there seem so scary? The moment certainty walked out the door Of who I am/should be and exactly what I am/should be up to. We all - or I do - like to put things out there that We are - I am - sure about Nobody wants to be accused of plagiarizing, heresay or concocting pure nonsense Unless you're just in the business of plagiariz...

"When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you achieve it." - The Alchemist (Paulo Coelho) Finally, after numerous allusions on this site, I get to introduce you to a project I've been personally involved in since returning home to Ghana. As you know, our dear continent (Africa) has undergone many challenges over the years, some of which seem to get worse by the minute. In the midst of all of that however, there has always been the resilience and sheer force of the African spirit that refuses to buckle under all the pressure. Many times I've listened to friends, colleagues, coworkers, family, acquaintainces and even strangers talk about how they would rather NOT be doing what they are doing (I believe the term used is 'day job') and would rather be pursuing something else entirely (their passion/dream). Why DON'T they? Family pressure, financial contraints, fear, unpreparedness, insecurity, time, age, lack of motivation, doubt; the li...

Why have you deserted me? You mean why have you deserted you? No, I mean you abandoning me. I didn't. You did. Why does this conversation sound so familiar? Because we've had it many times before. (See here) Honestly, I've lost count how many. So you see, you keep deserting me. Where'd you pick up such a nasty habit? Where'd you learn to lie? And now she calls me a liar. Great. Well, what would you call trading in your own essence, dreams, beliefs, [insert whatever else], for an impression of who or what you should be? Acting? No, I got it: impressionism? Very funny. I'm not laughing. Okay, so maybe I took a slight detour on the road to...wait, where was I heading again? I see we might have a slight case of amnesia as well. Very funny. I'm not laughing either. Well at least we agree on something. Yeah, so back to the question. Why have you deserted me? I'm right here aren't I? Yes. But only because I asked. Exactly. I ne...

Sometimes all it takes for you to affirm who you are, is to see a glimpse of yourself in someone else. Two weekends ago I had exactly that opportunity when my friend Arame and I spent the afternoon interacting with some writers, poets and painters at the beautiful Goree Island- including Goree Institute cofounder, distinguished writer, painter and South African poet Breyten Breytenbach , renowned Tunisian painter Emna Zghal , acclaimed NYU professor, author of "Joe the Engineer", and poet Chuck Wachtel, Coordinating Editor of the Piroque Institute and Imagine Africa Cultural Fellow Adam Weidwitsch , as well as up and coming Senegalese poet and author of " Les Raisins du Baobab " Ibrahima Amadou Niang. During our time there we discussed a lot of things - the act of writing, the different styles and forms, how to draw inspiration, what it means to be a writer, the question of who forms/tells history, the act of documentation and preservation of art and history, etc. I...

If only for the euphoria of picking myself up. Of putting back the pieces and dusting off the past. If only for the chance of the faintest sliver of hope in the darkest of hours. To be able to say, "That was then. This is now." For just the weightless air in my lungs, I'd risk a million falls. For looking back and seeing growth littered all over my path. For the opportunity to triumphantly declare, "I have overcome." To wake up one day and know without a doubt: everything's gonna be just fine. Or wiping that final tear and staring challenge defiantly in the face For naught more than the beat of my heart, I'd risk a million falls. For that larger than life experience. Of stepping outside my mind; observing from the universe's eye. Of watching as the pieces fall effortlessly into place. To welcome myself into the silent recesses of my soul. For the dawn of understanding about my vulnerability and insignificance, I'd risk a million...

"Although the world is full of suffering, it is full also of the overcoming of it" - Helen Keller -- Dear "Discouraged One", Life is hard. There's no two ways about that. Sometimes it gets better, other times, it gets worse. And in those one in a million times, it makes you feel like you'll never make it out alive or the same. And you usually don't. Instead, you come out stronger, with a couple more lessons under your belt, and most importantly, with the feeling of being achingly alive, instead of simply existing. Everyone goes through their trials and tribulations in life, but the key difference between those who overcome and those who crumble under the weight of problems is summed up in two simple words: personal effort . Ever encountered that one individual who seems to have their life all figured out? Who always has the best opportunities, the coolest friends, the brightest smile? That one person who you are convinced was born with a silver s...