As each one of us sing a hymn of praise to Our Ever-living God for seeing us through the hustle, the struggles and the countless storms in life, letting us see a new year, it calls for a sober reflection and introspection, evaluation and assessment, diagnosis and prognosis to ascertain what we have been able to achieve by God’s grace in every aspect of our lives; know where we fell short; what actually orchestrated that to strategize, adjust and formulate practical methods to forge ahead.
The Analytic Philosopher, Soren Kierkegaard, says that every human being is always faced with the challenge of answering the essential question of the existence of his life if he truly wants to grow where he has come from, where he is now, and where he is heading in life.
And in wanting to know where he originates from, it points to the Primordial being who moulded and fashioned his very existence and gave him or her a mission here on earth.
Some call him the Unprecedented Precedence: he who precedes all things, but nothing precedes him.
Some call him the Unmoved Mover: he who causes all things and organisms to evolve and make locomotion, but remains the fulcrum of all the movements, and nothing seems to move him. Others still call him the Nous, the Absolute, and some others, “Otweaduampon Nyame” (the Dependable God).
But back to the question of Kierkegaard, knowing where you and I have come from and the one who created you and me, the next essential question is, where are we?: Are we fully aware of our current position, stage, and place in life, and are we content with it, or like Oliver Twist, are we insatiable and desire further advancement and, if you like, enhancement?
The answer to this simply posed but profound philosophical question is found when we know where we are going! Where do we want to reach in life, to know how to get there?
It is in the light of this that, as I would like to reflect with you on some five areas or principles in life to give special and adequate attention as a youth:
DISCOVER YOUR TRUE SELF:
Socrates, the philosopher, says: “Man know thy self” and “an unexamined life is not worth living”. As a new year begins, there is a need to know the kind of person you are: are you quick-tempered, extremely patient, with self-control and balance? Are you an introvert or an extrovert?
Using the Johary Window, how do you see yourself?; how do others see you that is unknown to you?, what is your dark spot: how you are that you and others don’t even know about you?
Am I able to socialize in smaller or bigger groups or in smaller or medium groups? Once you know the answer, make every possible effort to find out the cause of that character trait. Is it your nature or were you nurtured that way?
MAXIMIZE YOUR STRENGTH
Once you find the answer to who you are, it will be a pointer to know what you are good at: your strengths and weaknesses. And that would inform you where to channel your energy, time, and resources.
Are you a good Speaker or writer? Are you the caring and compassionate type? That would help you discover the kind of profession or business you can go into.
One cannot be a caring and serviceable person and want to be a soldier or a strict person, but want to be a nurse. It is like putting a square peg in a round hole!
KNOW YOUR DEFECTS AND WORK ON THEM
In order to build a very good personality and package oneself well, as one spends adequate and quality time in building his or her talent, there is a need to also work on the human defects. The defect could be anger, self-centeredness, jealousy, procrastination, laziness, shyness, unforgiveness, being judgmental, alcoholism, womanizing, greed, powerdrunkiness, etc…
It is unfortunate how most often some of these defects can derail and stagnate or even truncate one’s growth in profession, business, and human relationships. One needs to find out how it started, how often it shows its ugly head, the various circumstances under which it shows up its ugly head, and consciously deduce practical ways to deal with them. It could be avoiding the occasion of anger, overlooking hurts, and addressing issues not instantly but at the right time with true Christian love.
HAVE TIME FOR YOUR MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL HEALTH
Unfortunately, a lot of us Africans do not take the issue of mental and emotional health seriously as we should.
However, as humans, from time to time, there is a need to see a psychologist, a psychiatrist, or even mature, trusted friends and relatives to help us get over our inner pains, hurt, and heal our psychological scars through expert therapy, words of encouragement through Counselling, and other spiritual support from time to time.
If you are a Catholic, Spiritual Direction and Confession could be more than helpful to help you empty yourself and be empowered and renewed for growth.
HAVE TIME FOR RECREATION AND VACATION
Sometimes, it is very important to dedicate certain days and times for recreation and some relaxation, where one can recreate with the family, working group, or Church group in order to exercise the body for good blood circulation and for the heart to work well as one burns off some fat. It could be a daily brisk walk to burn off some calories and rest too to regain some lost energy and synergy.
Having relaxed, taken a good rest, and exercised well continuously, one returns to work with a new enthusiasm and happiness, and that increases productivity and smoothens human interactions and relationships.
CONCLUSION
I personally think these five solid areas of study could be more than helpful when taken seriously as a youth in order to be productive and proactive in achieving great success and climb the ladder of great achievers as a Ghanaian youth.
In all you’re getting, don’t forget to pray and live a decent life, choose your friends wisely, and never keep grudges. Forgive easily and always learn from the experiences of your mistakes.
God richly bless you all.
Happy New Year in advance to you all
By Rev. Fr Albert Kyei Danso
Chaplain, Holy Family Ghanaian Catholic Community Church
Italy
