Ashley Grey

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Dynamic, driven, achieving set goals and full of zest for living. Is there any other way to live? Simon amazed folks, great and small, with his magic. He was a rich and respected man in the community. Then one day, a certain Philip waltzed into town with a new and compelling message. Many including Simon, embraced this life-transforming message.  Philip and his company demonstrated so much power, that Simon followed them around. Eventually, drawn to the power, Simon offered money for some of it. Perhaps, he was thinking about the “good, old days” in which he’d captured hearts and purses through magic performances. Perhaps, he could go back and make money? Isn’t it in the heart where things really start? “Down, tiger! Your heart is all wrong. What we offer is free. Freely we received.” just about sums up the response he got.See, Simon’s heart had slipped to the old…

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It is in a book. That which you seek! If you have the drive to seek it. There’s often an answer in the fine print and a lot of learning in belles-lettres. It is in a book. For as long as I can remember, I have been drawn to unique literary styles and expressions. I read dictionaries and encyclopedias too when I was quite young. Yeah! I know! Nerdy stuff! I was curious about words and how to use them correctly. I still am! Some words are unusual. Art, stories about love, faith and adventure helped shape my world. “I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library.” Jorge Luis Borges Well put, Jorge! All that was stored will have to come out in time, right? I truly enjoy writing. No surprise there! Maybe, because the things that take our attention, eventually manifest. Good or bad. One…

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How I see it, is a post about perceptions and impressions. How we might perceive events. Some perceptions are popular and may become stereotypes. Others, are not. That doesn’t mean they are wrong, though! Our environment does influence our perception and become culture or a way of life. how I see it John had cash to buy food. Problem was cash was unacceptable in grocery stores in his city. So the cashier wouldn’t accept cash. It was a long and lousy night for poor John. His is a culture that places systems above people. Rigid much? A widow sought justice from a judge. She wouldn’t quit though he dismissed her. This judge had a reputation. We learn that he neither feared God nor respected man. Eventually, he relented and granted her wish, saying to himself, this woman is going to weary me by her continual calling. What?? How I see…

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The dew on the ground at the perfect time is a life saver. Never mind that it wets our socks as we walk through fields in the morning. The drops are perfect for earth life. In some cultures, applying the drops to the face is a thing because of the belief that it can restore, rejuvenate and help retain youth. Life everywhere. “A great wheel turning.”  “…morning dew, cheers for a time, but till the sun doth show; and straight is gone…” Samuel Daniel The tipping point! Lights blink.  A discordant tune in the great circle of life? “Life is a delicate dance on the edges of time like dew on the tip of a leaf. No prodigal be.” As the dew As the mist falls on the ground,Is a graceful garland for the head;And pendants for the neck.Alas! A capricious dayMorning dew is out! Seasons come and goLike droplets…

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Out of Akosombo and fond memories! The training venue was the Volta Hotel, less than two hours drive, from Accra, Ghana’s capital if traffic is light. Bags packed, we all looked forward to the travel experience especially as it meant being out of busy Accra for a few days. Besides, road trips can be such fun, yes? Images from the lake Checking in took a bit of time. Why did it take so long? They knew we were coming, right? Soon, it was dinner and surprise, it was the eat- all- you- can kind. A delightful spread to choose from. The food was consistently good all through our stay. The lake across was attention grabbing; not to mention the scenic landscape and majestic mountains. Finally, we all got our rooms. Nice and clean with luxurious sheets, waiting was not so bad after all. Seeing the drinking glasses wrapped in cling-film…

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Nelly’s dad was quite fond of saying, “don’t drive a willing horse to death.” Huh!? It didn’t make much sense to her. It did however, the older and wiser she got. At one time or another, we might have seen a horse handler breaking a horse or putting it under saddle. At first, it is tough. Eventually, the animal is ready and serves the owner on a farm or on the field. With a saddle safely in place, one can ride safely on the horse. But I digress. Now, the horse is malleable and willing, but you want to watch that you don’t ride it to exhaustion and death. There’s such a thing as a good thing being too much. That’s what Nelly’s dad meant by the expression. horse Like we see in the story of the prophet and a donkey, even a beast of burden has its breaking point.…

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Easy does it, insert name. This expression, is a way of asking that a person proceeds carefully or take their time with something. Sort of like make haste slowly. Steadily complete a task with care and minimum injury. Hasty climbers have sudden falls, nor so? Easy does it! Could we apply this principle to work? A work culture of fewer work hours, high productivity and no burnouts? This may be a more sustainable way to work, I might add! It is worth noting too that less is more! EASY DOES IT, ‘ERE! Perpetual Guardian, an organization based in New Zealand, cut down working hours on a trial basis. Soon, the management observed a boost in productivity. Employees learned to prioritize and focus on tasks much better. They were happier because they could spend time away from work or with their families. Electricity cost reduced. A win-win situation. So the trial…

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A good story is engaging and I tell you about Naboth and Araunah, two men with different temperaments. Maybe, we will glean a thing or two from their tales. So let’s dive in, shall we? Naboth’s story Naboth had a vineyard beside the castle of a certain king named Ahab. The king needed the land to grow a vegetable garden (which had to be near his palace) and sought to meet Naboth. “I will give you a better vineyard or its value in money”, he promised. A generous offer, no? Naboth refused. God forbid, he gives the king the inheritance of his fathers, he said. In my head, I am thinking… “Really! Naboth, are you sure your fathers would not have wanted you to make the deal?” Long story short, King Ahab goes home to sulk. His wife learns why. We learn that Naboth is set up and killed. To…

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Really this post should be about food, thoughts about food, but it is not. Instead it is about things to chew on and think about.  More a mental nourishment. Okay, maybe I can find a way to chip in something about food at the end. We’ll see! Sarah is one of a kind. Just give her a date and she can tell you what she was wearing, what she ate or did on that day. Genius! Blessed with a photographic memory. These are details we tend to forget because nothing eventful happened to trigger our brains to store and resuscitate such specifics. Have you met anyone like this? Hopefully, people like Sarah should inspire us to make an effort to recall names of people we have met, right? I mean, it’s the least we can do. Oh, the loud silence when we run into them and can’t make introductions! Experts,…

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