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The Unwritten Rules of Africa: Navigating a Complex Identity (Economics part 1)

The economic life of the African continent is shaped by a complex mix of historical events and current realities. To truly understand it, we must examine the deep-rooted challenges and psychological patterns that emerged from centuries of outside control and resource extraction. A History of Economic Struggle The rule of economic struggle is deeply rooted in a colonial history of dependency. Foreign powers didn't just come to trade; they methodically took apart existing African economies. They dismissed local practices as "outdated" and forced new systems upon the people. This historical redirection of resources created a fundamental weakness, turning the continent into a mere supplier of raw materials. All the infrastructure they built, like railways and ports, was primarily designed to transport these resources from inland to the coast for export. This framework created an economic gap and a dependency that has continued long after African nations gained their independe...

A Transformed Mind

Many of us are rigid in thought hence we are stagnant in life. The good news is that we have the ability to change our minds - our thought patterns (perceptions, beliefs..) One of my prayers these days is "God transform my mind". That is because i am well aware that if my mind is transformed, my life will be transformed. Our thoughts are often revealed in our actions. I am writing this right now because an idea came into my mind and i thought it was a great idea to express my revelation about my life in this manner. The action is preceded by thought. The word transformation is a compound word - transition & form or "formation". A transition takes time so it is imperative that we are patient and recognize that it will take time for our minds to be transformed. Transformation is a process often filled with pain and fear. That does not mean we must not persue change but bear in mind that it will be challenging.  Behaviors and/or habits lead to results but we often ...

Distracted From Destiny

We are so preoccupied with the issues in our personal and global lives that we have become totally oblivious to destiny. We totally lose sight of the promised land that is our "destiny" when we are preoccupied with the problems of the here and now.  Many of us rarely accomplish the things that truly matter to us because we are constantly occupied using our energy. Being busy is not the same as being productive. Problems and challenges are a major diversion that prevent us from completing the tasks for which we have been called. The difficulties and misfortunes they faced en route diverted the children of Israel from their intended destination—the promise land.  Comparisons are also another major distraction. Many of us are always comparing ourselves to others, and comparisons promote pessimism. This makes us feel unworthy and unable to achieve greatness. In actuality, no two individuals are exactly the same. To go to the next phase of our lives, we have to accept and love who...

The Calling Is Free

A calling just like your God given gifts and talents is free. You did nothing to deserve it- you have it because you simply exist. What is costly and demanding is following your calling or developing your gifts and talents. Every person has a calling to do or to be something. Many of us never follow our calling or rather chase our wildest dreams. This is very unfortunate because we bury our talents/gifts and compromise - we keep procrastinating until we ultimately die. Each person who has responded to their calling in life has undergone a distinct journey. This procedure is not an easy one but a rough route to better. We deprive the world of better experiences when we reject our calling and accept less. We are deprived of the magnificence that exists inside our families, nations, and society as a whole. The desire to live life to the utmost that burns inside us must be let loose. We have to personally promise ourselves that we will experience life as if it were a stage, which is the wo...

Embracing Your Uniqueness

We now live in a centralized world where most people speak the same language, dress similarly, and reside in homes that are essentially the same.  This implies that following everyone's lead is simpler than making a whole alternative course of action.According to herd psychology, it is simpler to act improperly in a big group than it is to act morally upright on your own. My point is that a lot of us have lost our individuality because we want to fit in and win over other people's acceptance. It is simpler to fit in than to stand out since nobody wants to be an outsider or a misfit. Sometimes it is a good thing to adjust and change, but this isn't always the case. It's important to keep in mind that everyone of us is a unique individual who was created by God. We live in a world where various institutions, cultures, and behaviors have an impact on us. We are taught to entirely forget ourselves in the world in order to conform to specific societal norms. Since we are soc...

Educated To Fail

Our education system has limited us - we are a people who have neglected puorpose and rather have been led to survival. We spend a lot of time in classrooms where we are taught information that does not equip us for the present world and what God has individually called us to do. Our objective at the end of the day is to find employment and work for money. It is good to have money but what use is it when we feel unhappy and drained because ultimately we know we are not living for the unique purpose God made us for. It is easier to accept that we are living in a world full of systems that lead us to be salary minded than to actually stop and ask this very important question "What am i here for". I want to clearly state that I do not have a problem with education but with our education system. My ideal system of learning would be structured in a way that it leads us to persue calling not money. The factory model of education was a product of the industrial revolution - where sy...

The Systems Theory (INTRODUCTION)

A foundation for comprehending complex systems is offered by the ideas and principles of systems theory. These systems can be biological, social, or ecological in nature. The emphasis on the interaction and interconnection of different pieces within a system is the basic principle of systems theory. Urie Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory is a well-known illustration of systems theory. It shows how people are affected by a variety of interrelated systems, including the macrosystem (cultural values) and the microsystems (family, school), mesosystem (interactions between microsystems), and exosystem (community resources). The dynamic interconnections between these systems and their implications for human development are highlighted by this hypothesis. According to my understanding, each and every cell, person, and thing is a part of a more comprehensive, multidimensional whole.To put it simply, everything is required for the system as a whole to work cohesively.By examining D...