Joyce Sarpong
"Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer. And let faith be the bridge you build to overcome evil and welcome good." ~ Maya Angelou, renowned poet and author.
DAY 16: Which Artist Lights Your World?
The Idea: We are surrounded by so many different forms of art. Music, theater, dance, poetry, painting ... these creative expressions are a gift. Art delights, informs and inspires us in profound ways. And each person responds to different mediums and artists uniquely. Today, take a moment to reflect on and write about the significant artist/s in your life and how they have served your journey. What do you appreciate most about their work? Remember, an artist doesn't have to be a well-known professional. Your favorite artist might be a child, or even Nature. As the saying goes, "The artist is not a special kind of person; rather each person is a special kind of artist."
For inspiration, click & read the following article on a 20-year-old dancer at the Dutch National Ballet who lived through a civil war in Sierra Leone, Michaela DePrince
For further inspiration, read the following article on 10 African Designers & a profile and articles on Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
REFLECT AND SHARE
Share your reflection on our our website AfricaOracle.Com and by the end you'll have a collection of beautiful entries in one place! You can also read thoughts from other people and browse through additional resources and inspiration.
With gratitude,
Joyce Sarpong
Founder and CEO of AfricaOracle
"What my mother meant when she said 'you can't eat beauty,' was that you can't rely on your look to sustain you. What is fundamentally beautiful is compassion for yourself and those around you. That kind of beauty enflames the heart and enchants the soul." ~ Lupita Nyong'o
DAY 15: What's The Best Advice You've Received?
The Idea: Advice can be difficult, bittersweet and hard to swallow sometimes. But it also can point us towards a bridge when the gulf we are trying to cross seems impossible. Today, take a moment to recollect a piece of advice you received that helped you through a dark or challenging time. Perhaps it was a sarcastic comment from a school teacher or boss or a wise proverb from your grandmother or some good old advice from your mother. Perhaps it's an insight that came to you from a stranger you will never see again, or something that was whispered to you by your own heart. As Oscar Wilde said, "The only thing to do with good advice is pass it on." So, take a few moments today to pass on any food advice you have received.
For inspiration, click & read the following article on Graca Machel
For a narrative on African beauty, glamour and intelligence that dismantles stereotypes, read the following article on 'An African City'
REFLECT AND SHARE
Share your reflection on our our website AfricaOracle.Com and by the end you'll have a collection of beautiful entries in one place! You can also read thoughts from other people and browse through additional resources and inspiration.
With gratitude,
Joyce Sarpong
Founder and CEO of AfricaOracle
"I am thankful for the challenges early on in my life because now I have a perspective on the world and kind of know what's important." ~ America Ferrer
DAY 14: What Barriers Have You Faced and Overcome?
The Idea: Nearly a century on from being given the right to vote and despite the growing number of female-owned businesses, women still face barriers such as, inequality in the workplace, pay, business and in politics. For example, female safari guides are seldom seen as safari guiding is dominated by men. But life in the bush is gradually changing as women break down the barriers. Take a few moments today to appreciate Africa's female safari guide are are making it happen in their field.
Click & read the following article on Africa's female safari guides
REFLECT AND SHARE
Share your reflection on our our website AfricaOracle.Com and by the end you'll have a collection of beautiful entries in one place! You can also read thoughts from other people and browse through additional resources and inspiration.
With gratitude,
Joyce Sarpong
Founder and CEO of AfricaOracle
"It's really beautiful. It feels like God visits everywhere else but lives in Africa" ~ Will Smith
DAY 13: When Has Nature Taken Your Breath Away?
The Idea: Too often we get caught up in our own drama, and forget that we are part of a much bigger web. Nature is not simply a backdrop to our lives - in reality we are but minor characters in its grand and ever unfolding play. Sometimes we catch a glimpse of its mystery and infinite beauty - whether it's wearing special glasses to look up at a solar eclipse, or gazing out over the blue expanse of an ocean, or watching trees blaze forth in autumn glory. Today take a moment to remember a time when Nature stopped you in your tracks and returned you to your proper home in this magnificent universe. And as you go through your day, make space to honor Nature, whether by taking a walk in the woods, or simply leaning out your window, or looking up at the sky.
Today is Namibia's Independence Day. Ancient deserts, tropical forests, and some of the best game viewing in Africa: it’s little wonder that Namibia, in the southwestern part of the continent, is becoming known as a top tourist destination.
Click & read the following article on the newly appointed female ministers in the Namibian government. Prime Minister, Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila & Deputy Prime Minister, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah
Click and read on the following articles on Namibia: Affordable Safari in Namibia
Lonely Planet's Guide to Namibia
REFLECT AND SHARE
Share your reflection on our our website AfricaOracle.Com and by the end you'll have a collection of beautiful entries in one place! You can also read thoughts from other people and browse through additional resources and inspiration.
With gratitude,
Joyce Sarpong
Founder and CEO of AfricaOracle
"We are all more blind to what we have than to what we have not." ~ Audre Lorde.
DAY 12: What Do You Have Enough of?
The Idea: Let's look at the concept of "Sufficiency". A state of being that is in touch with all the resources, both inner and outer, that we each have in any given moment. Sufficiency doesn't mean living in denial or with an absence of aspiration. It just means that you are fully aware of what is in your life and that you are not blinded by the things you don't have. Today, then, take some time to reflect on your places of sufficiency. List them down in your gratitude journal, or if you're feeling artsy, create a collage of words or a drawing that captures all that you have enough of. As we learn to be attentive to all that we have, we discover true abundance.
Today is Tunisia's Independence Day.
Click & read the following article on Women of Tunisia
Africa is wealthy with regards to it's resources and Tunisia is no exception. The country that is blessed with a vast coastline along the Mediterranean Sea and is celebrated for its beach resorts, ancient ruins and sprawling desert.
Click and read on the following features on Tunisia: How it's is getting tourism back on its feet tourism post the revolution.
Tunisian recipes and Tunisian food
REFLECT AND SHARE
Share your reflection on our our website AfricaOracle.Com and by the end you'll have a collection of beautiful entries in one place! You can also read thoughts from other people and browse through additional resources and inspiration.
With gratitude,
Joyce Sarpong
Founder and CEO of AfricaOracle
"Your success is in you, not in Europe. Intimidation made me stronger. I have put my hands down to lift up those without hope." ~ Sandra Aguebor-Ekperouh, Founder and CEO of Nigeria’s Lady Mechanic Initiative.
DAY 11: What Skill Do You Value Most In Yourself?
The Idea: We are each keepers of many talents and gifts, but sometimes we forget to pay attention to them. We become more focused on our places of lack. Today, take a moment to call out the skill that you most value in yourself. Remember though, that it doesn't have to be something spectacular or grand. Oftentimes it is the quiet, unassuming skills we possess that enrich our lives and those of others the most!
For inspiration here's an insightful article on Sandra Aguebor-Ekperouh
Click & read the following article about African women with amazing talents and gifts.
Phiona Mutesi, Ugandan chess prodiogy
Amaal Said, Somali Photographer
REFLECT AND SHARE
Share your reflection on our our website AfricaOracle.Com and by the end you'll have a collection of beautiful entries in one place! You can also read thoughts from other people and browse through additional resources and inspiration.
With gratitude,
Joyce Sarpong
Founder and CEO of AfricaOracle
"When you've worked hard and done well, and walked through that doorway of opportunity, you do not slam it shut behind you. You reach back." ~ Michelle Obama.
DAY 10: Are You Reaching Out & Giving Back to Others?
The Idea: It’s hard to believe that less than a hundred years ago, women couldn't vote and rarely attended higher education. Now, we’re achieving and accomplishing in so many areas.
Now is the perfect time to take stock of what we've achieved and what we are giving back to others. In honour of the numerous achievements of African women, we've rounded up notable trailblazing women to celebrate. Prepare to be both humbled and inspired.
Click & read the following article about African women that have achieved and are giving back to others.
REFLECT AND SHARE
Share your reflection on our our website AfricaOracle.Com and by the end you'll have a collection of beautiful entries in one place! You can also read thoughts from other people and browse through additional resources and inspiration.
With gratitude,
Joyce Sarpong
Founder and CEO of AfricaOracle