I walked by street Robert Browning, Victorian poet lived.

Victorian poet, Robert Browning lived in the street behind this wall. I walked by recently.

John C. Immanuel

God Formerly Has Spoken

 God formerly has spoken

Through prophet and through priest

With comfort for the broken, 

With Joy for the released. 

He calls us to release us, 

And shows our questing youth

His word, His Christ, His Jesus, 

Our way, our Life, our Truth. 

God raised up to His glory

The founders of this place

To add Ibadan's story

To annals of His grace

Before us in this college

His Holy Spirit's ray

Has lit the street of knowledge

For those who paved our way.

Then since we are surrounded

By such a witness-cloud, 

On Christ securely founded, 

By Christ with truth endowed, 

We follow them, discerning

The path their feet have trod. 

The Spring of all our learning

Shall be the love of God. 

- John Ferguson (1921-1989)

Hymn For Foundation, University of Ibadan

Posted here to curate the important and strategic hymn so that it continues to be a source of inspiration to all who identify with the University of Ibadan and support or endorse the noble aims of the university.

Paix ☮️🕊✌️

Oh ! Que de batailles ont été menées et gagnées pour la paix !

Nous souhaitions simplement que les raids destructeurs cessent

Et que notre bien-être et notre richesse augmentent.

Mais les ennemis, dont nos biens, nos récoltes et nos trésors cherchaient à s'emparer,

Et nos malheurs et nos pénibles épreuves ne devaient pas diminuer.

Des fardeaux et des chagrins, nous ne devions connaître aucune délivrance.

Nous devions donc soit succomber à la domination maléfique,

soit nous rebeller et combattre l'oppression avec une détermination farouche.

Nous avons pris une décision sans trop réfléchir.

Car nous devions éviter une nouvelle conflagration,

Et rejeter la damnation durable, définitive et éternelle,

Afin de nous élever et de devenir une nation bénie et fière.

 La quête de la paix n'exclut en rien la guerre.

La paix se trouve assurément au bout du tunnel.

Même si nous détestons le sang versé et le carnage,

Même si le mal en a soif et en veut toujours plus,

Pour la guerre, nous nous préparerons et serons prêts dès le départ.

C'est le meilleur moyen de garantir notre sort.

La guerre pour établir la paix est noble.

Sur de nombreux fronts, elle a été menée et gagnée.

Pas toujours avec des armes, comme l'épée et le fusil.

Mais surtout avec la plume, les prières, la diplomatie et sans la perte d'aucun fils.

Des armes plus récentes que nous apprenons à manier pour ne pas être tous perdus.

Car « la plume est toujours plus puissante que l'épée », dit John !

En cours

- John O. Iyaniwura

Traduit avec l'aide du logiciel Google Translate.

24. Play

The work we do eventually leaves us drained

No matter how carefully we go about it or have been trained

Stress and strain build up and must be contained

It is vital to schedule time to rest and also time to play

Periods spent doing what we enjoy refreshes us and keeps stress away

We are renewed and made ready for another workday.

It could be a dance, a sport, a song, a hobby, or another outlet

A long walk, a ramble, a climb, a run that leaves us with no regret

Or time spent with friends, family, or new acquaintances that we have met

Which, once done, from our toil we have temporarily ceased

It's pressures, burdens, and responsibilities we have impermanently released

To experience life's joys, pleasures, and amusements, leaving our strength increased.

So it's okay to go fly a kite in a favourite park

Though model planes and drones would be better for a bright spark

Put some more effort in, and you may just make a mark

For whatever rejuvenates you and you enjoy is your play

Do it periodically, and it will keep burnout at bay

To sustainable success you have found a way!

WIP

John C. Immanuel

Home

23. Discipline

What would it take for our lofty dreams to become reality?

How do we achieve the happy and successful lives we so strongly desire?

Along which path must we walk to succeed with integrity?

The way of discipline is the sure one that we require

It provides a clear path to realistic goals without ambiguity

Aided by methods, plans, and systems that are not unaffordable to acquire.

Without discipline, worthwhile skills can not be cultivated

No profession can be practised when valued skills are absent

With discipline, we can attain mastery and expertise, leaving us strongly motivated

The world becomes our oyster as we showcase our abilities and talents.

May we embrace discipline with joy till our innate abilities are activated

For it is the best way to ensure that our success is long-lived, not transient.

No one goes through life without experiencing some pain

Each one must choose either the pain of discipline or that of regret

The choice of discipline is a wise one, resulting in much gain

Desires and emotions come under control and one achieves a stout mindset

Without discipline one can not live responsibly, and may labour in vain

Discipline is indispensable in achieving the goals of life, which before one are set.

Determine to be self-disciplined in the area that matters the most

Reduce tasks into smaller, manageable efforts with pauses in between

Reward yourself as you achieve any milestone of which you can boast

Envision eventual outcomes until in your mind they are seen

Prepare well in advance for times at your duty post

Discipline can be as simple as sticking to a good routine.

WIP

John C. Immanuel

Next >>

22. Contemplation

Why should one bother about what gets one's attention?

Does what we focus on even matter at all?

Any benefits from being intentional about what we gaze upon?

The act of looking at something in a calm and careful way defines contemplation

It could be something in nature, our environment, or on a wall

Which gets and keeps our attention, leaving other options forgone.

Our thoughts go towards what our eyes rest on

The worlds of our minds become indwelt by new objects perceived

Which, in turn, affects and alters our spaces within

We are changed by where our thoughts have gone

Due to the new entrants that our minds have received

Which, to the careless, could be to their chagrin.

To have more control over what one becomes eventually

It is wise to guide the eyes to good frequently and carefully

For the desire of a good life in the here and now, and eternally

Because where the mind goes, the person follows ultimately

As one contemplates what edifies and uplifts repeatedly

One's destiny will come to fruition in due season, unfailingly.

To seek and find God, a divine instruction

Requires that one seek with all of one's heart

Though we look with our eyes and hear with our ears

It is the longing of one's heart that attracts illumination

From the darkness in the world, it sets one apart

One is strengthened, renewed and relieved of one's fears.

WIP

John C. Immanuel

Next >>

Sagesse

Des vies réussies et heureuses ont été vécues avec sagesse.

Des vies exemplaires et nobles, dignes d'être élevées et imitées.

Par la sagesse, des rois ont bâti et gouverné des royaumes.

Dépourvus de sagesse, domaines et royaumes ont été réduits à la désolation.

Il serait dévastateur de minimiser son importance.

Sachant que des vies, des communautés et des industries ont été sauvées par son génie.

La sagesse est un indicateur, une mesure du développement intellectuel personnel.

Elle se manifeste progressivement dans le processus décisionnel des jeunes.

Les parents applaudissent, les enseignants se réjouissent et la société s'en trouve améliorée.

On aurait aussi bien pu entendre une excellente interprétation d'une belle chanson !

Les jeunes qui font preuve de sagesse acquièrent plus de liberté de choix et d'indépendance.

Le monde des adultes les récompense progressivement et accueille leur présence.

 Dans un monde qui privilégie les gains rapides et la gratification instantanée,

La sagesse fait souvent défaut aux impatients, aux amateurs de sensations fortes et aux jeunes agités.

Ce qui conduit à des disputes irréfléchies, des affrontements et autres situations acrimonieuses.

Mais lorsque les répercussions douloureuses, les conséquences d'actions imprudentes, frappent et nous laissent sans souffle,

Nous ne pouvons qu'espérer et prier pour avoir l'occasion de prendre un nouveau départ plus intelligemment.

Et rechercher sans relâche la sagesse d'en haut pour vivre sans souffrir inutilement.

En cours

John C. Immanuel (alias John O. Iyaniwura)