A Deeper Meaning....

A deeper meaning and understanding here in Ghana. Expanding one's perspective to embrace the diversity of this world, along with the profound love and stories that Ghanaians have to share.

Shekhinah Clinic

Since our arrival in Ghana, we've encountered numerous wise, resilient, and beautiful individuals. Their warmth and generosity have humbled us, contrasting our own familiar routines back in Canada. We've realized the depth of connection they foster within their communities, showing a major difference to our insulated lives. Unlike the routine nods and waves we’re lucky to receive in Canada, every outing we’ve had here is met with waves, smiles, and heartfelt inquiries about our and our family's well-being. It's a humbling comparison that shows how deeply humans are connected worldwide. Their generosity in sharing their culture, stories, and values has been a profound lesson for us.

I'd like to share an enlightening encounter with a Ghanaian man that reshaped my perspective on life's priorities. He was a resident of Shekhinah Clinic for the Poor and the Destitute, and during our time assisting in the kitchen, he posed a simple yet profound question. He asked which among the pot, ladle, and serving spoon was most important.  

The women used these giant pots, large paddles to stir, and a dried gourds cut in half to serve the food into the bags. He asked us what we thought was more important out of the 3. The pot, the ladle, or the serving spoon. We had to think about it for a moment trying to decide what he meant and pick out what we thought would be more important. It didn’t take long for us to realize that it doesn’t matter what we pick out of the 3, you need all of them to successfully cook and serve the food. 

Without the pot, where would you cook the food? Without the ladle, how would you stir or mix the food? Without the serving spoon, how would you get the food out to the bags? It cannot work unless you have all 3. His analogy of cooking utensils mirrored the importance of engaging mind, heart, and hands in our actions. His words resonated, highlighting the significance of holistic engagement in life. Reflecting on his analogy, I realized that like cooking, life requires the integration of intellect (the head), compassion (the heart), and action (the hands). Without all 3 of these elements, our efforts are incomplete. His insight demonstrates the importance of holistic engagement in making a meaningful difference in the world.

It was such a simple question at the time. I didn’t think much about it, but after some reflection, I realized it meant so much more than we thought. This encounter underscored the profound depth of meaning embedded in everyday life and conversations here. 

The Ghanaians have left an impact on our lives now and showed us that there is more to this world.  This was only one small story that I chose to share, and I can tell you there are so many more we hope to share with our families and friends when we get back home.

Posted by Julia, 4th year BSN Student