Long ago before Bernos was alive, I used to kick it at Abesha and before that Seleda. Since Abesha is down and seems like it won’t come back, I’m have made some modification for my article on the Abesha webzine. I do miss that Seleda.
Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell 'em, 'Certainly I can!' Then get busy and find out how to do it" — Theodore Roosevelt
During America’s most drastic depression (1929–1939), there were extreme drops in the GDP, industrial production, and stock market prices. Businesses failed, unemployment was high, banks failed and loans were foreclosed. There was economic recession in every facet of American society. Known today as “The Great Depression,” it was a hard time for virtually everyone that lived in the United States.
As a freshman in College, I remember speaking to one of my professors after class. She spoke of her father-in-law, who was a blue-collar worker in New Jersey prior to the depression era. Similar to most families of low income, the family of John Doe (if she did mention the name I don’t remember it), was struggling to make ends meet. With no job and no hope of finding a labor-oriented job in the streets of Newark, John started looking at the classifieds. With no formal education and professional experience, John was not qualified to apply to the few posted job openings. John saw an ad seeking an experienced civil engineer to build a major bridge somewhere in New Jersey. He told himself he could do it; fabricated a resume and checked out some books at the local library. Then applied for the job and to his dismay; he was given the job. Over the next couple of years, he spent his days designing/building the bridge and his nights reading the books from the library. The bridge was completed.
My professor claimed that the bridge is standing and still being used some sixty years later. Recently I did research to find out which bridge it was but I was unable to find it, because there are over 2,000 bridges in New Jersey. I found out that there were approximately 50 bridges built between 1929 and 1939. The subject of the bridge that John built has been the talk on family gatherings in the Doe family for over 60 years now. My professor told me that John worked as a civil engineer for the rest of his life.
At the time I heard the story, the account of John teaching himself to build a bridge was enlightening but not inspirational. After some 8 years I remembered the story while reading an Amharic article online. Right now I find myself acclimated to the Ethiopian culture able to read Amharic as I have never been able to. I read Amharic well enough to finish an average size book. Being able to read and write Amharic is neither an extraordinary talent nor an impossible feat; but knowing my background, I find myself surprised and enthused to be able to do so easily. I find myself very much in touch with my culture even though I have been away from my country for what can be considered a long time.
Over the years, I have learned many new things—some fast and some slow. Some things I haven’t grasped fully yet. Nevertheless, at this time more than ever I know that my mind is capable of understanding new concepts of any form. My mind is capable of comprehending theories I previously thought of as incomprehensible. I find the anecdote of Civil Engineer John Doe not only inspirational but also supportive of the contention that the mind is capable.
Published by October 25th, 2006 in Noteworthy.
wow…first of all i want to pass my gratitude for those who started up ‘bernos’; i would say it has been very interesting the few times i have stopped by to read some of the says….
About the “mind is capable” thanks for posting it…it is amazing because this morning while at my work doing my job…i was debating for myself i should get my licence for my civil enginnering and was not sure i was capable of doing it (i have my own doubts!) but now i am starting my studies and obtain my licence…God’s willing i will let you know (once up on a time) but for sure it is a very motivation article and so is ur testemony of learning the amharic language.
thanks
So Nolawi, you telling us you are going to build a bridge in Amarigna? j/k Nice article. Indeed, the human mind is amazing. Not in terms of what we are capable of doing, but also what we can endure. When they say ‘…it’s all in the mind’ they are not kidding.
I wonder why she could not find the bridge though. Hey, something just occurred to me. Could they be referring to the same bridge when they say “If you believe that, I have a bridge in to sell you in ‘Jwersee’”.
Hey, I want to echo Peaceethio’s comment about Bernos. You guys are smoking these days. Keep up the good job.
Peace
Thank you guys… we still need your support though… if you haven’t already BUY a tshirt or two…
we are going from a negative balance in order to invest into the new set of tshirts… even if the bernos blog the tshirt sales have not budged a bit…
we have underestimated the amount of marketing needed to sale a product online for Ethiopians… as of now more than 30% of the sales have gone to non-Ethiopians… we could do better as a business if we forgo the ethiopianess in our products… but we are presistant….
anyways i was the one that was looking for which bridge in NJ not her after eight years….
I have a question…about health issues….I did not know how to start up a new page with a different title so I am just continuing with this article….
What do you think we need to do as Ethiopians when it comes to Mental illness….Suicide, depression that is affecting many ethiopians around the country? Do you think we all need to start up a support program in our community or state we live in? How do we break the tabboo and the close mind regarding this issues? my heart goes out for those families who are struggling with depression and who are being affected with suicide? please suggest? i am working on to start up a health awarness in my community.
God Bless
Peaceethio, lol how in the hell did you the leap from ‘the mind is capable’ to mental health? I’m sorry, I find your sense of irony interestingly humorous. lol
But regardless you bring up a very important topic that has not been addressed enough by all of us in the Diaspora. I think it is an issue that deserves a separate post here and in other blogs. Thanks for bringing it up.
I think the place to start in my opinion is to encourage people with the problem to come out and not be ashamed of it. I think the Ethiopian communities around the coutry and around the world should be aggressive in bringing the issue to light. I think the Ethiopian churches, temples, Mosques, Synagogues and other Ethiopian organizations also have a role to play in this issue. Thanks again for bringing it up.
You did it again, posting an article that is just motivational and wonderful to read. Considering Bernos was started last year, correct me if I’m wrong, I think you’re doing a great job. You guys got me hooked on Bernos.
If everyone had the – mind is capable – attitude the Abesha community would have an EVEN greater number of successful people. As far as learning Amarenga, you are amazing. You will motivate a lot of people.
Peaceethio, the sad part is that therapy is not accepted in our culture. I’m just shocked at the growing number of suicides among Abeshoch. In the last 2 years alone, I’ve heard of at least 5 within the west region. Maybe a toll free anonymous hotline may help because, as you know, talking about your troubles is not culturally accepted.
Dear Chereka i agree with u to post it as it’s own topic but i did not know how…if u know please go head and post it please. thank you…i really would like to get a lot of feed back and Thanks for ur feed back
send an email… to info{@}bernos.org… I'll explain the details…
Peaceethio, I completely agree. We might need a support system indeed!
I’ve often thought about the hotline bit too but unless it’s set up as a national helpline or sth like that to ensure that the call is not answered locally, in a small city, like the one I’m in, ppl would be afraid that regardless of the anonymous nature, the hotline operator will still have an idea of who the person is unless there is a BIG Abesha Community to ensure anonymity.
This article goes along with what I am having problems with in school right now…..French class ….I am currently taking advanced French class and I have even lived in French speaking country long enough to pick up the language. But lately I have convinced my self that I don’t understand it and don’t know how to speak it.
In my case, I am using my capable mind to forget something I already know.
Inspiring article but personally…am having trouble believing that my mind is capable at least in learning French.
Reading this article inspired me tremendously…so thank you so much for writing this wonderful message Nolawi. There are so many things that I want to do in life, but some times I do doubt myself, but after reading this I am going to change the way I think. You are absolutely right the mind is a very powerful tool that can do very much anything. I just want to let you know how much I enjoy coming here and learn new things. Please keep up with the great work and I will do my best to support your site.
Peaceethio
I think this is a great topic for us to talk about. I will love to talk about this issue with you and the rest of the bernos community and come up with some kind of resolution for it. I think you should post what you wrote here on a new post then we can go from there.
The other thing I want to say is, I have tried to talk to young people by going to different Ethiopians web site, and no one was seem to care. Depression is affecting every community and our community is one of them. I know you never here Ethiopians saying I am depressed because we didn’t grow up expressing our feelings and that makes it hard for us to speak out.
Once again peaceethio please don’t stop here lets talk about this issue in broad.
Nolawi question for you.
why do i see benros.org at the top of the page?
Sorry if this is a stupid question! I thought the name of the site is bernos.org?
Thanks
Thanks ethioqueen…
and about the logo… it was done intentionally.. i was debating with myself if I do need such a large logo on top of the page…
i was wondering if it makes a difference… I changed it about 3 days ago and noone noticed…
that is except you… so we will keep it there… thanks
Any time Nolawi! You should keep it there it looks good.
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