Our village
We were born alone and we will die alone. But, while we are on this planet, we must accept and glorify our act of faith through other people.
Community is life: from it comes our capacity for survival. That is how it was when we lived in caves and so it is today.
Respect those who grew up and learned alongside you. Respect those who taught you.
When the day comes, tell your stories and teach, that way the community can continue to exist and our traditions remain unchanged.
Anyone who does not share his moments of joy and discouragement with others will never fully know his own qualities and his own defects.
Meanwhile, be alert to a danger that threatens all communities: people being drawn into a standard way of behaving, taking as their model their own limitations, fears and prejudices.
That is a very high price to pay, because in order for you to be accepted, you will have to please everyone.
And that is not proof of love for the community, but proof of a lack of love for oneself.
You will only be loved and respected if you love and respect yourself.
Never try to please everyone; if you do, you will be respected by no one.
taken from MANUSCRIPT FOUND IN ACCRA
