Ashley Grey

Blog

What if we weren’t so afraid and took that chance? What if we were more loving? Perhaps, at some point in life, we have either asked or heard someone ask the what if question. In a certain town, so long ago, a prophet pretended hurt and proceeded to cover his eyes with a bandage. He felt he needed the disguise with the bandage to deliver a message to a certain Israelite king. So off he went with a sad tale of wounds and imminent death for failing to complete a task given to him. It was hectic during battle, and he was busy here and there he complained.  The king countered with “as you have said, so shall the ruling be.” At this, the prophet hurriedly removed his disguise to be recognized. The prophet proclaimed that he, the king, was in fact the subject of the report and therefore, was…

Read more

I hope that you would you leave a message for Maya to help her next steps after reading her story. She will be reading and learning. Maya couldn’t wait to start and felt lucky to be joining the workforce of this conglomerate. She knew she looked great in her new clothes as she entered the premises. Quite a few co-workers looked unhappy. Why? She wondered. This was the dream job. Plush finishing. Not to mention the contract that offered a sizable remuneration. A message to Maya The required two-month training was over. She was ready. There were team meetings and mentoring from senior people. It was interesting that everyone was expected to address others by their first name, no matter the age or position. It was different for her! Sometimes she heard comments about office politics and unfair reward systems. Still everything was great for now. One coworker had a…

Read more

Hector (not real name) was a resourceful and charismatic leader. His story of courage is inspiring. What qualities do leaders like him have that make them unforgettable? What might we learn from them? Albert Einstein in his earliest years, hardly spoke a word. People thought he would end up retarded. Many years later, we remember him for his great contributions to science and humanity. Makes me think how ordinary people do extraordinary things! Even when they are first dismissed! Leaders put in work. For women in a male dominated field, like Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, it can be twice as hard to get ahead. Ultimately, her efforts at reconciling warring factions in Liberia is not soon forgotten. “The size of your dreams must always exceed your current capacity to achieve them. If your dreams do not scare you, they are not big enough. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf What qualities might leaders who…

Read more

All bark and no bite! Not a lot of power behind that, is there? I share Sam Kofi’s story and how he got bite. the bite Sam Kofi could never quite fit in. He was misjudged, mocked and labelled “different” and “strange”. For instance, he did not find jokes at the expense of others funny. What was funny about jokes at another’s expense, after all?!   Sam Kofi yearned to fit in. To be like everyone else. But, he soon encountered books and discovered a world of possibilities. He understood things about himself, picked up skills and learned from mistakes. He could create. Have bark and bite so to speak. Now different did not seem so sad anymore. He was solving problems and this made him happy. Eventually, he found he could earn from doing the things he loves. People would pay for his skills? That was a great feeling.…

Read more

“Come chop” broken English for “come eat” were the words on the invite. That sounds great I thought. Food is satisfying especially with the right company.  Surprise! It was a birthday too. While this was a fun experience with siblings Yomi and Fehinti, not sure the 200 or so men who attended Absalom’s party so many years ago can say the same. They probably thought it would be fun hanging out with a prince. Instead it was a mess. His intentions were bad and you can read all about it here. chop The company doesn’t have to be a big name to have a good time. In fact, one can have trouble as guest of a big boss, like we see with this prince. Maybe, there’s a thing with 200?! David’s 200 joined the victory party. It was not a trap even when they had been weary from fighting. Grace…

Read more

A light bulb shines so bright, just before it burns out completely, doesn’t it?  Almost like, ensuring it uses up all its energy to create value in a blaze of glory. A blaze of glory implies a state of strength or high accolade surrounding a person or thing. “Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up, it knows it must outrun the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning in Africa, a lion wakes up, it knows it must run faster than the slowest gazelle, or it will starve. It doesn’t matter whether you’re the lion or a gazelle-when the sun comes up, you’d better be running.” African proverb. It is difficult to establish the original author of this quote, (please do share in the comment section if you know) however, it is an interesting one. Like the lion and the gazelle, we have a chance to excel…

Read more

winners don't let their struggles hold them back.

Winners have their struggles too but what they don’t do is let these obstacles hold them back. They persist and are rewarded. There’s the river wide holding many secrets and presenting twists and turns. Big boats, small boats, not so small boats. They all navigating the wide expanse of water. The river wide One boat Wilhelmina, so little and painted white stands out among the lot. The river might seem overwhelming for petite Wilhelmina to thrive as the waves rock her from side to side but she does not give up making life on water a fun experience. If she could talk, she would most likely have compelling stories to tell. Tales of near misses, travails, triumphs, and how the cuts and scars on her sides happened. What interesting tales they’d be! No doubt. Perhaps, even reminding us to reflect and appreciate our wins and accomplishments, right? . As with…

Read more

God has various names in many languages and cultures and it seems like men have since known of a supreme being in creation, not so? To Moses and the children of Israel, He introduced Himself as I AM with signs and mighty acts. Jonah discovered that he could not hide from God, after three days and nights in the belly of a fish in the deep. He is ever present! “To whom will you liken me and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be alike?” Isaiah 46:5 The Gideon’s Bible. Wise men from the east saw the star. It was a sign to them that a King was born, and no ordinary King this was. So, they followed the star to seek out and worship. If we look, perhaps, we can find His footprints in creation. In landscapes so gorgeous, roaring seas, winds, trees, fields, flowers, wild…

Read more

Those who believe they can, usually can. As a man thinks, so is he. A sage said, you can have anything you want out of life, but not everything. This means we have to be specific and choose. It can be exhausting to be everywhere. Have you ever watched someone succeed at a task and think if he could, then so can I?  Yes, indeed sometimes other people can persuade or inspire us to success. Suddenly the self-doubt fades and the fear is no longer crippling. In Aesop’s Fables: Monkey Business, a monkey entertained fans from the roof of a house. The people were delighted at the monkey’s antics and applauded it. An ass wished to perform the same tricks as the monkey. (Who we keep company with does count after all and desire is such a powerful thing.) So the ass climbed up to the roof as well to…

Read more

45/121