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Do Not Think Yourself More or Less Serious in Life Than Anybody
The great people of Ga would say “Joo o Joo”—literally meaning “dance your dance.”
In today’s fast-paced world, it is common to meet people who think and act as though their way of living is the only valid one. They measure seriousness by their own sacrifices, routines, or what they term achievements—and sometimes dismiss others who choose a different path.
But life is not about proving who is more serious. It is about balance: following your individual principles while respecting the universal principles that bind us all together.
Life is both individual and universal
Every human being is on a unique journey. We have different callings, strengths, and seasons. For some, success comes early; for others, it comes later. Neither is more valid than the other.
The Bible reminds us in Ecclesiastes 9:11:
“The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.”
This means life is not determined by effort alone. Timing, circumstances, and God’s grace all play a vital role. What looks “unserious” to you may be someone else’s season of preparation.
Comfort without harm
True seriousness is not about harsh living or denying yourself joy. It is about finding what brings you peace and fulfilment while ensuring it does not harm others.
Paul writes in Romans 14:22:
“Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.”
In other words, live responsibly and without guilt. Jesus Himself said the greatest commandment is to “love your neighbour as yourself.”
A friend may enjoy dressing simply, while another spends on fashion. Neither is less serious than the other—so long as their choices do not harm themselves or others.
Do not bruise another’s ego
One of the quickest ways to wound people is by acting superior—implying that your way of life is more disciplined, spiritual, or important than theirs.
Scripture warns us in Philippians 2:3:
“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.”
In church, some pray loudly and for long hours, while others pray quietly. Loud prayer is not necessarily more serious. God hears both. Looking down on the quiet one bruises their ego and reveals a lack of humility.
Even Jesus, though Lord of all, humbled Himself to serve. That is the highest model of seriousness—humility, not pride.
A balanced outlook
Life is not a contest of who suffers more, sacrifices more, or works harder. It is about walking faithfully in your calling while respecting the pace of others.
Jesus emphasised this in the parable of the labourers in the vineyard (Matthew 20:1–16). Some workers started early in the morning, others joined later in the day, yet all received the same wage. This shows that reward is not always about effort or hours—it is about God’s grace.
In family life, one sibling may marry young, while another chooses to build a career first. Neither is ahead of the other; they are simply on different paths.
Never think you are more serious in life than anybody. Pride disguised as discipline only blinds us. Life is a mixture of personal choices and universal principles. Live responsibly, enjoy what makes you comfortable without harming others, and above all, never bruise another’s dignity.
As Paul reminds us in Galatians 5:26:
“Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.”
On the flip side: low self-esteem
Just as it is improper to think of yourself as more serious or important than others, it is equally dangerous to believe that others are more serious in life than you are.
Many people live with this belief unconsciously, constantly placing others on a higher pedestal. They assume someone else is more deserving, more purposeful, or better suited simply because of status or outward appearance.
This mindset gradually develops into an inferiority complex, producing poor decision-making, disempowered self-expression, and constrained personal growth.
When you constantly measure your worth against others, hesitation, self-doubt, and an unhealthy need for validation take root. Opportunities are missed because you believe others are better positioned or more qualified—even when you are capable.
Gradually, you settle for “low-hanging fruits” when you could achieve much more.
A reality often ignored is that people respond to the respect and value you place on yourself. Across all social interactions, people take cues from how you present yourself.
When you approach life with confidence and self-respect, others recognise your worth. When you undervalue yourself, others may do the same—not always intentionally, but because you may have unconsciously created that ground.
This does not promote arrogance or belittling others. Healthy self-esteem is about recognising your value without diminishing someone else’s.
Conclusion
Life is not a hierarchy where some people are meant to stand above others. It is a shared space where everyone is learning, failing, growing, and evolving in different ways.
Do not place yourself below or above anyone. Take yourself seriously—not by comparing or competing, but by believing that your presence, effort, and perspective matter.
Remember: people will always meet you at the level you choose to stand.
I, Onukpa, always see myself as God’s work in progress.
Email: jerryt353@gmail.com
By Jerry Mac-Eben Thompson (Onukpa)
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THE typical itinerant salesman in Sikaman is a herbalist. He is normally a slim macho with the capacity to perambulate the expanse of area covering the triangle of Accra-Tema-Ashiaman. In short, he can walk a total of 60 miles a day, marketing a product that cures every disease, including poverty. 
The door-to-door herbal pharmacist advertises his product by word of mouth. He has nothing to do with the Food and Drugs Board (FDB). After all, his concoctions do not feature on FM stations.
Those herbalists who cannot walk to propagate the herbal gospel, liaise with drivers of mass transportation and their mates. They are, therefore, given the chance to sell their products on Benz buses that ply the routes.
Normally, the herbalist starts his sales message with a prayer and Bible study. He asks the passengers to bow down their heads in supplication to God the father, the son, the Holy Spirit.
When a herbalist asks the passengers to close their eyes and bow their heads, Moslems on board naturally feel offended. They feel that the herbalist has no right to assume that every passenger is a Christian. They think such an assumption is an affront to Islam.
So a Moslem on board will raise the hand for a point of order. He’ll remind the herbalist that it would be in his own interest to mind his language.
“Be careful the way you address people in a public place. Not every person here is a Christian,” he’d state assertively.
Of course, the herbalist will promptly ignore him, but would all the same “watch” his tongue. Who knows whether or not the Moslem brother is inspired by Quoranic zeal to defend the tenets of Islam to the hilt?
When he starts saying, “Wallahi!” and “Inshallah!” it could be the beginning of proclaiming Islam as supreme, a point which must be driven home with talibanic precision.
So the herbalist must tread carefully lest he steps on fire.
The herbalist could even add a measure of mirth to it all, by announcing that Christians on board today have very interesting company on the journey, but that should not detract from the business of the day.
The Moslem brother will weigh the words carefully and offer a wry smile.
He must be careful the occasion does not degenerate into the use of semantics and proverbial oration to deride his conviction that public utterances must be mindful of religious sensibilities. He has made his point very clear and expects that it is taken in good faith in the interest of a peaceful journey.
The herbalist will now open the New Testament and preach salvation, stating clearly that salvation can come only through Jesus Christ and NOBODY else.
The Moslem brother will now start twitching his moustache. The visible and almost revolutionary reflexes of his upper lip can be an indication that sentiments have begun superseding reason, and the outcome could well be tragic now shift uneasily in his seat.
The time has come for him to also express his right to the religion of his fore-bears. He’ll put his hand into his pocket and rise to his feet. The time has indeed come!
This article was first published on Saturday, September 9, 2006
When the cause of a particular problem like sickness, disease, sudden illness, a social issue etc. are not known, it stands to reason that resolving it becomes a huge challenge.
Citizens would understand the government when public announcements are made to the effect that government is trying to find a solution to the issue, even though it is taking a while for it to be resolved because citizens are rational beings.
On the other hand, if the solution to a particular issue is known to everybody but the government for whatever reason, is dragging its feet in resolving it, citizens become frustrated and begin to lose trust in their leaders.
One such issue is the heavy traffic along a section of the Kasoa – Odokor road. A short stretch of bad road between the traffic light at the Weija Government Hospital and the entrance to the entrance of the overhead that leads to the N1, is the cause of the problem but nothing is being done about it, day after day, week after week, month after month. Thus is clearly unacceptable.
Another issue that requires urgent attention is the lack of pavements along a lot of streets in parts of the various Municipal Assemblies. Exercise is a prerequisite for long life and healthy living and for those of us who it has become a way of life, this issue of people putting up structures right to the edge of the drains beside the roads, are making life difficult for us.
We are compelled to walk along the roads, putting our lives at serious risk. Pedestrians should never be compelled to compete with vehicles on our streets and roads. Roads and streets are made for vehicles and pavements are made for pedestrians. That is the norm. Any attempt to normalise a situation where pedestrians are mingling with vehicles is insanity.
It is the road regulations that makes it so and therefore district or municipal assemblies are to take responsibility and ensure that spaces for pavements are not encroached upon. Citizens have rights that must be protected by their leaders and making pavements available to pedestrians, is one of them.
When we hear of teachers having sex with students, it appears it is something recent. It is not a new phenomenon. It has been there since Adam. Perhaps this issue is getting much attention due to the proliferation of social media. It was an open secret in times past when Teachers were in relationships with female students and some married them immediately after completion of school.
Some teachers were also known to be having unholy interactions with female pupils but due to the times that these acts occurred, human rights issues and the awareness around it, allowed such unscrupulous teachers to get away with their crimes.
Now we are in a different era and so a Headmaster is now in hot waters. He is alleged to have raped about 19 female students and as usual, some officials tried to cover it up and are also in hot waters and their actions or inactions in the matter are under investigation.
Why the man has been allowed to roam freely without being arrested is simply mind boggling. It appears that the law applies differently, depending on who you are. This issue came to public attention sometime in August this year, yet the police had not arrested or invited this man for question regarding the rape allegation.
It has come out that he is a Constituency Secretary of the ruling party and the question in the public domain is that, is it because he is a political figure that is why he is still walking around without questioning? I believe in the rule of law so let us hold our breadth and let the proper thing be done.
The police must however be seen to be active in this matter. God bless.
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