The International Interpretive Society

Thank you, Lord, for these FIVE years of superlative impact!

Happy Anniversary, TINTERCOM. 🙂

Real intelligence is adaptive!

Rethinking what we mean by intelligence - kappanonline.org Real life today requires students to develop adaptive intelligence that enables them to tackle messy problems with unclear solutions.

"We are at our best when we serve others."

Years ago, anthropologist Margaret Mead was asked by a student what she considered to be the first sign of civilization in a culture. The student expected Mead to talk about fishhooks or clay pots or grinding stones.But no. Mead said that the first sign of civilization in an ancient culture was a femur (thighbone) that had been broken and then healed.

Mead explained that in the animal kingdom, if you break your leg, you die. You cannot run from danger, get to the river for a drink or hunt for food. You are meat for prowling beasts. No animal survives a broken leg long enough for the bone to heal.

A broken femur that has healed is evidence that someone has taken time to stay with the one who fell, has bound up the wound, has carried the person to safety and has tended the person through recovery. Helping someone else through difficulty is where civilization starts, Mead said."

We are at our best when we serve others.
Be civilized!

- Ira Byock.

Happy International Women's Day!

At no point, do we finally die. Our lives are carried on through the lives of other. More so, a good life will forever echo out through the universe. A good life will earn eternity.

Congratulations Abiy Ahmed for the peace initiative. Africa, surely, can take a leaf from this one.

BREAKING NEWS
The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided to award the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize to Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali for his efforts to achieve peace and international cooperation, and in particular for his decisive initiative to resolve the border conflict with neighbouring Eritrea. The prize is also meant to recognise all the stakeholders working for peace and reconciliation in Ethiopia and in the East and Northeast African regions.

When Abiy Ahmed became Prime Minister in April 2018, he made it clear that he wished to resume peace talks with Eritrea. In close cooperation with Isaias Afwerki, the President of Eritrea, Abiy Ahmed quickly worked out the principles of a peace agreement to end the long “no peace, no war” stalemate between the two countries. These principles are set out in the declarations that Prime Minister Abiy and President Afwerki signed in Asmara and Jeddah last July and September. An important premise for the breakthrough was Abiy Ahmed’s unconditional willingness to accept the arbitration ruling of an international boundary commission in 2002.

Peace does not arise from the actions of one party alone. When Prime Minister Abiy reached out his hand, President Afwerki grasped it, and helped to formalise the peace process between the two countries. The Norwegian Nobel Committee hopes the peace agreement will help to bring about positive change for the entire populations of Ethiopia and Eritrea.

In Ethiopia, even if much work remains, Abiy Ahmed has initiated important reforms that give many citizens hope for a better life and a brighter future. He spent his first 100 days as Prime Minister lifting the country’s state of emergency, granting amnesty to thousands of political prisoners, discontinuing media censorship, legalising outlawed opposition groups, dismissing military and civilian leaders who were suspected of corruption, and significantly increasing the influence of women in Ethiopian political and community life. He has also pledged to strengthen democracy by holding free and fair elections.

In the wake of the peace process with Eritrea, Prime Minister Abiy has engaged in other peace and reconciliation processes in East and Northeast Africa. In September 2018 he and his government contributed actively to the normalisation of diplomatic relations between Eritrea and Djibouti after many years of political hostility. Additionally, Abiy Ahmed has sought to mediate between Kenya and Somalia in their protracted conflict over rights to a disputed marine area. There is now hope for a resolution to this conflict. In Sudan, the military regime and the opposition have returned to the negotiating table. On the 17th of August, they released a joint draft of a new constitution intended to secure a peaceful transition to civil rule in the country. Prime Minister Abiy played a key role in the process that led to the agreement.

Ethiopia is a country of many different languages and peoples. Lately, old ethnic rivalries have flared up. According to international observers, up to three million Ethiopians may be internally displaced. That is in addition to the million or so refugees and asylum seekers from neighbouring countries. As Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed has sought to promote reconciliation, solidarity and social justice. However, many challenges remain unresolved. Ethnic strife continues to escalate, and we have seen troubling examples of this in recent weeks and months. No doubt some people will think this year’s prize is being awarded too early. The Norwegian Nobel Committee believes it is now that Abiy Ahmed’s efforts deserve recognition and need encouragement.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee hopes that the Nobel Peace Prize will strengthen Prime Minister Abiy in his important work for peace and reconciliation. Ethiopia is Africa’s second most populous country and has East Africa’s largest economy. A peaceful, stable and successful Ethiopia will have many positive side-effects, and will help to strengthen fraternity among nations and peoples in the region. With the provisions of Alfred Nobel’s will firmly in mind, the Norwegian Nobel Committee sees Abiy Ahmed as the person who in the preceding year has done the most to deserve the Nobel Peace Prize for 2019.

Learn more:
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Happy Independence Day, Nigeria. 🇳🇬

Nigeria @59

The masses are not the victims. The leaders, obviously, are not. It's high time we told ourselves the truth, because the real victim here is Nigeria. She is the one on trial. She is the one that have become forsakened and maligned; striped, starved and stretched beyond her limits.

We are the ones who collectively continue to plunder her resources, loot her treasures, and r**e her of her glory. Yet, she is our mother; defenseless and forgiving. When are we ever going to stop?

Nigeria needs to be saved from the rest of us, because we have proven to be worst than our colonial masters. The goal of independence is salvation. Independence has come, but our salvation is still far from us. We can't be celebrating independence from our colonial masters, with the same mindset with which they ruled and regarded us. If we do, we are yet..independent.

© Uwaezuoke Charles Jr. (2019)

The number 12 is ubiquitous — it's the number of months in a year, hours on a clock face and the number of members on a typical court jury.

The number 12 is also replete in Holy writ. For instance, in the book of Revelations, there are many references to the number 12; including 12 gates and 12 angels. Also, Jesus' selection of the 12 apostles; a conscious and prayful choice, like that of the 12 tribes of Israel. It's also a significant number in Ancient Greece as well — the Greeks worshipped 12 major gods of Olympus.

Even beyond the supernatural sphere, the number 12 is ever-present. From a dozen eggs to the 12 ribs on the average human to the 12 inches that comprise a foot; and indeed, many others that cannot be referenced now.

Well, I don't have to exhaust every meaning associated with the number 12, before you see what I am already showing you. It's obvious that this number is extraordinary - that it does not only imply - but that it also has the capacity for perfection. A perfect number that has not only symbolised God's power and authority, but can also serve as a definitive style for governmental foundation.

The month of December carries the number 12; a month that completes the calendar year. Don't take it for granted, because this month has what it takes to complete your goals and projections for year. It has the capacity to give you lasting happiness, and to bring about the fulfilment you have been longing for.

December comes specially with its own energy; convert it for your use.

Happy New Month, friends. God bless you.

Your mind is your fate!