In our present day, individuals always try to seek out facts to gain knowledge that helps them reason positively, not negatively, as is often the case. The reality of the truth assists individuals in reasoning and analyzing information surrounding us, allowing us to form our views, ideas, and points, not merely speaking for the sake of talking.
By Francis Akiti, Contributing Writer
Ph.D. Candidate/Researcher, Njala University/Sierra Leone
Email: [email protected]
In reference to laymen, they try to seek and understand, not just to voice their thoughts without reason. Unfortunately, more people today have lost their integrity by criticizing colleagues, tarnishing friends’ reputations, and even denigrating their own country’s improvements.
To address this, Liberians need to seek and understand the reality of truth, avoiding engagement in corruption, undermining, character assassination, and job abandonment. Instead, they should embrace the idea of loving oneself as much as loving one’s neighbor. As the former president of the United States, Hon. John F. Kennedy, stated, ‘Do what you can do for your country and do not expect what your country can do for you.’ This quotation should guide us to be sensitive to changing minds and attitudes, as introduced to Liberians by Rev. Dr. Lawrence K. Bropleh, urging us to put our beloved country first and develop a mindset for rebuilding the nation rather than setting it backward.
In view of this, Liberians must learn the truth and draw inspiration from the world at large, following the paths of reconstruction, achievement, and success toward lands of liberty. Instead of constant complaints, they should seek solutions, address the root causes of problems, and contribute to sustainable poverty reduction.
In other words, no one can succeed in life without going through sufferings; life is like a chameleon, constantly changing color, requiring patience, determination, and tolerance. These qualities direct us to be conscientious in seeking knowledge and to be courageous. What comes our way determines the positive aspect of reaching our future destination.
It is significant to learn from others; men cannot depend solely on their own understanding or knowledge. Therefore, we need to seek and know better to avoid mistakes. Even when mistakes occur, we should accept them and quickly grasp correction ideas, positioning ourselves as major contributors to the patriotism of loving our country, despite acts of vandalism, corruption, criticism, destruction, and damage to public property. The time has come for Liberians to seek and understand the importance of reconciliation and healing. Time is running out, and there is a need for willingness to engage in dialogue and a commitment to promoting healing and transformation.
In this platform, Liberians need to seek and understand that a new day has dawned where every individual or citizen should see themselves as major contributors and collaborators in the reconstruction of our beloved country. We must stretch our hands beyond to revamp the image of our nation.