RUMNIATIONS OF A MIND THAT IS STILL CURIOUS....

For the past few weeks, I have been mulling over some preoccupations I have always been curious about for example what it takes to turn dreams and thoughts into reality. The method of transferring something from our imagination into a concrete form of existence in this world is one of the most amazing gifts God gave humanity. Being able to materialize the thoughts and plans of man takes real power. This is the power that is seen in visionaries, artists, musicians, pastors and scientists. Those who being guided by an inner voice, quell the noise of the outer and work in unison with this inner director to unapologetically carves out their path in the physical world and in so doing shaping life as we know it. We know that all that exist in this world was thought out by someone, thus we are constantly surrounded by plastic mind substances that substances created by the thought of others. Nature after all is but the physical evidence of God’s thought materialized into substance. Well I find I don’t want to just be a user and acquirer of the things that have been thought out by other minds but also be able to possess that creative power to channel my thoughts into a substance. It’s called birthing…. For me writing is one way to do that but I feel a little limited were I to restraint my creative power to  words alone. My Dad found his path by creating highways and overpasses as a civil engineer. Our youth especially need to understand that they are not just consumers but creators as well. How many young adults would be saved from a mediocre life, were they to master the birthing power of transforming thought substance into the physical.

 

SCHOOL OF HARD KNOCKS

THEY DON'T TEACH THIS IN THE CLASSROOM

LOOKING BACK….LESSONS LEARNED

Well people, you never know how much you have accumulated till you have to move after being at a place for five years. Yep, this week is moving week...., Schulich's program starts on the 26th of April. I am very excited and can't wait to get at the books. My wonderful family and friends have been so supportive of the new career direction. I feel very blessed to have so many wonderful people in my life. With the time I have left, I have been looking back over the last few years trying to unwrap lessons learned. Four are most prominent in my mind. First, i have learnt to always believe in myself, my vision of my future and whatever plans i make to get there. Believing in myself gave me the inner validation i needed to keep working at it. i was absolutely obstinate about this no matter what was happening around me. Keeping my focus was absoloutely essential to attaining my goal. When I shared that I wanted to go into business you have no idea how many people tried to discourage a social science major from pursuing further learning in business.

Secondly, i have learnt to be determined, no matter how many times i failed, i kept trying till i got the results i was looking for. Our education system is so punitive in the way it is so entirely focused on getting an ‘A’ rather than encouraging students to be curious and explorative in their learning development. Trying something different the first couple of times might lead to a failure but when you keep trying, you will pick it up, that is the power of the human brain and not many people are able to know this important lesson. So set your mind to being obstinate about what you want to accomplish.

Thirdly, whenever i set out to do something i have come to expect opposition, in myself, my environment and wherever else it comes from. Opposition is normal no matter what you want to do and if you have none maybe what you want to do is not challenging enough. Even in the physical whenever an object tries to take off above ground, it has to overcome gravity. In my previous posting I think I shared one of those days when I was fighting myself to finish my advanced functions course. Nothing worthwhile comes easy even when we are gifted we have to have overcome the pain of discipline to excel.

Lastly, i am learning to understand the lessons that life is teaching me. i now make a habit to create some time to think about what is going on in my life and my response to whatever is going on. For me the challenge was not only finding a career path that was more in line with what I believe is my purpose but also being able to hold my own in the work place. Kids must learn how to hold their territory on the playground and when you go to work it is the same thing. There are adult bullies in the work place who will try to subordinate you and bully you so many things that could make your work life miserable. As an adult woman or man, you need to learn to hold your own ground or territory and not allow other people to belittle so they can feel better about themselves. Being the youngest worker in my work place was quite a challenge, but as Timothy was told by Paul in the bible, let no one use your tender years against you. These things are not taught in the classroom and I am glad I had time to learn them these last few years.

 

THE POWER OF FAITH

FAITH WORTH HAVING:

I am glad to report success in gaining admission to the Masters of Accounting program at York University. I am very grateful for God’s faithfulness in my life. As I embark on this journey, I hope you my audience will stick with me through the successes and failures that make any adventure worthwhile. I embrace the opportunity to learn and grow, and i encourage the youth to take advantage of all the opportunities that are available to them. Last week, we celebrated international women’s day, it is a reminder to honor the lives of women who came before who fought with their lives to give us the liberties we enjoy today. Because of their work, today I have the opportunity to carve out a career in accounting. To these women I can only say ‘me dase’ which means thank you in ‘twi’.

BRINGING YOUR A-GAME

BRINIGING YOUR A-GAME.

This article is inspired by Netflix miniseries known as HOUSE OF CARDS which I encourage anyone above eighteen to see. It is basically about a congressman who plays dirty politics up on the hill after he is passed over for a position he was promised. His entire focus is revenge and wakes up every day scheming for months on end as to how he is going to topple the president’s administration, bringing down the house of cards. Despite, the horrible ruthlessness with which he unfolds his plan, what I find admirable in Kevin Spacey’s character is his dedication to his life, career and success. He wakes up each day to bring what I call his A-Game. Although this series is fictional, we can learn something from it. Folks do you wake up each to bring you’re A-game? When the sun hits your eye are you revving to go or are you dreading the day. Bringing your A-game each day takes discipline, its takes courage and it takes dedication. This is the kind of dedication I want to bring to my accounting career. This means I have to be ruthless with myself, fighting enemies of success within my soul. Each day I have to be an athlete; focused, determined, with my eye on the prize. Since I started doing this, bringing my A-game as a daily discipline, I have realized what a silver gloved thief time is. It is so easily escapes our grip taking with it our opportunity and ability to carve our lives. Being efficient with time is crucial for success in any form. Bringing your A-game will require that you focus your mind, and employ your thinking abilities each minute you are awake. It is amazing how easy the human mind can descend into auto pilot lost in the abyss of autonomy. The danger when we do this is letting go of one of the most important gifts bestowed upon the human race; our ability to direct our lives. Your A-game needs every decimal of focus and control you can bring to every second of the day. It needs you to live each day ALIVE ….in every sense of the word.

THE IMMIGRANT'S JOURNEY ; FINDING YOUR WAY THROUGH THE MAPLE TREES

THE IMMIGRANT'S TALE:

Developing a professional life in Canada can be full of mystery for a lot international students who graduate through Canadian university with no work experience due to the fact that they do could not participate in co-op nor apply for a work permit allowing them to seek employment outside campus. Thanks to Chretien this law of denying work permits to international students before they find employment has been altered. Navigating life after school however is still full of hurdles, especially when you are isolated from family and people who could direct your steps. For all such students and young professionals I recommend Integration Resource Canada. Naomi and Bruce have a passion for helping people who have recently migrated to Canada to find their place in Canada. It was during one of my coffee shop visits with Naomi that I started to consider embarking on my journey to chartered accountancy. I expect I am not home free yet, there will be bumps along the way but I know I will have Naomi encouraging me and teaching me the ropes along the way.

ONE FOOT IN FRONT OF THE OTHER

It is so important in professional life to put actions behind your words. That is how you maintain integrity. Dreaming is not enough, it is a start, but even more important than dreaming is your ability to act out what you perceive and speak. This week, my dreams, depend on my ability to put actions to the one requirement of the program I applied to; passing a university level math course. Now, because of my other responsibilities mainly finishing up the work assigned at work before I leave, I am finding it difficult to focus on doing this one important thing that the next leg of my career depends on. I know I must deliver, put my actions where my mouth is. I cannot be one of those dreamers who live with their head in the clouds and nothing rooting them down to reality. Action is the only way to pull dreams into the physical reality we call life. I believe to be successful in this life, your words must follow your dreams but then your actions must catch up with your words and overtake them. Fellow dreamers out there, action is all we have. This week for me is about ACTION, putting one foot in front of the other each day, I am sure to make it to the summit. I am aiming for an A+ in this math course. I will keep you posted on developments.

ENTERING THE CA PROFESSION IN ONTARIO

   There are two ways to enter the chartered accounting stream in Canada. The first is to take a bachelor of accounting degree at your local university. The second is to take the seventeen courses required for the chartered accounting in a post graduate program. York University and Ryerson are the only two universities in Ontario that offer a post baccularette certificate in accounting with the required courses. If you do not need OSAP funding, you can take the courses individually at York, Ryerson or with the Institute of Chartered Accountants. After taking the required courses, you are required to gain three years of practical work experience. Now, if you are now about to embark on your undergrad degree, i would advise you to seek co-op experience. This gives you a familiarity with the firm and makes gaining a full time articling position after graduation easier. If however, you have been around the block already, i.e. you have already finished a degree as i have, then your best bet to landing a position with a firm is to ensure your grades are stellar , i am talking A+ in as many courses as you can muster. Also, joining the accounting firm on campus and familiarizing yourself with you career service center on campus couldn't hurt. Attend as many recruiting events as possible and volunteer with firms come tax season. All this will ensure that your resume is well padded come recruiting time. Since i will be travelling down this path in a few months we can learn from each other, feel free to advice and drop questions any time.