The thing about Motivation

Motivation to succeed comes from two contrasting sources.

There are those who love you so dearly that they desperately want you to succeed, despite the odds. There are also those who hate you so badly that they desperately want you to fail, in spite of the circumstances.

You are often driven by your desire prove the former right, and to prove the latter wrong.

This is what keeps you going. So, keep on moving!

Celebrating Mother's Day: Happy Mother's Day to our wonderful mothers

I was looking for some inspirational quote for Mother's Day, and I came across this one that truly nailed it:

"A mother is not a person to lean on, but a person to make leaning unnecessary." ― Dorothy Canfield Fisher

This is so true.

I lost my mother in 2008, over seven years ago. At that time, I just could not get to terms with the fact that she's gone. That I will no longer see her when I visit. That I will not be able to call and speak with her. I always looked forward to those weekend calls, for if I miss them, she will call to find out if everything was OK with me. It took me some time to resist the urge of picking the phone and calling, only to remind myself that she's no longer there. It was those discussions about sweet nothing that meant so much and kept us together.

As we grow older, move on with our lives, and move away from our parents, sometimes to distant places, the continuous presence of our mothers disappears. What continues to guide is the foundation that was built - teaching us to stand on our feet and not having to lean on someone. We grow up to be independent people. That's the true essence of motherhood. That's why I find this quote to be "right on the mark" for recognizing and celebrating our mothers.

Happy Mother's Day to my mother, my wife, and all you wonderful mothers out there who go out of your way everyday to make leaning unnecessary.

Sierra Leone's Independence Day 1961 (reflection)

Sierra Leone's Independence Day 1961

Credits: Pathe News

Today, Sierra Leone is celebrating 54 years of independence.

Best wishes to all Sierra Leoneans!

The next battle to kick out Ebola: Battling stigma and fear

While the death toll continues to rise from the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, the rest of the world is gripped by fear. This fear is a common human reaction to something like Ebola, a highly infectious disease that can spread rapidly with no known cure. Indeed, this is scary. But the stigma that is becoming associated with Ebola is even scarier.

We are hopeful that with all the attention that this outbreak is now receiving, it will soon be under control. Our biggest challenge, however, is how to get rid of the stigma surrounding the Ebola outbreak for the affected areas and the people from these areas.

I have seen several Facebook posts of people launching sensitisation campaigns informing the public and their Facebook friends, that by being a citizen of the affected country, they do not automatically carry the virus. Campaigns like "I am a Liberian, I'm not a virus", and "I am a Sierra Leonean, I'm not a virus" are becoming commonplace on social media.

I'm also attempted to do the same after my experience at an event that I atended two days ago. While standing, chatting and networking as commonplace in these events, I met a gentleman who upon realising that I am from Sierra Leone (read: I am a Sierra Leonean, but not necessarily traveling from Sierra Leone in recent times), he immediately found ways of skilfully avoiding any form of physical contact - no handshakes nothing. His reaction was shrouded in humour but you can sense his deep fear of "being touched by someone from an Ebola country". I made it easier for him by ensuring that I shook hands with everyone else in our small group but not with him, as I took my leave.

I was just thinking to myself that this is what lies ahead for some time to come, for people from these affected countries. I carry a Sierra Leonean passport. So, even if I do not live in Sierra Leone, neither am I travelling from that part of the world, I can still be a suspect at airports and other locations. Imagine what life will be like for people who are actually living in Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia and trying to travel abroad in the near future.

This will be the new battle. The battle against ignorance. Education does not always translate to knowledge and intelligence.

I live you with this quote from Maya Angelou (her spirit lives on):

"My mother said I must always be intolerant of ignorance but understanding of illiteracy. That some people, unable to go to school, were more educated and more intelligent than college professors."

 - Maya Angelou

Martin Luther King Jr. : Truth about the living dead