The Awareness of Your Human Potential
In this book, Augustine T. Marah illustrates how each human being can improve their life by having a genuine grip on their God-given potential through an understanding and right use of their mind. From a basic understanding of science, he explains the correlation between the abstract phenomena of "matter" and the process of innovation. The entrepreneurial streak in his life has taught him that the most powerful treasures we have as human beings are abstract ideas or thoughts which, when directed towards constructive goals, can fill a void (in society) that can transform LIFE for the better. "Augustine Marah is a wonderful storyteller and writes with passion, creativity and conviction." -Marie Gervais, PhD
Think and Do What You Love Trilogy
Based on the premise that if you don't like what you see in society, then get up and do something about it, Mr. Marah muses on his early personal commitment to making a significant difference in society. He strongly believes that every human being can contribute to making the world a better place to live, no matter how small that impact may be. Therefore, the first part of this book is an over- view of the author's life on student (youth) activism, religious participation, community leadership and civil engagement. The articles in range from those written and published in his University Student Newspaper The Gateway at the University of Alberta through articles written for publication by The Edmonton Journal, to articles written and published in the African Canadian International News Magazine. The Second part of the Trilogy is essentially a combination of the two motivational books Prayers and Motivational Poems and The Best Person I Can Be. The third part of the Trilogy is the fictional aspect of 'The African Oral Tradition' transformed in a new medium of stories that are simple and entertaining in nature and geared primarily for elementary school children. This book's content and arrangement makes it into a book for the whole family: The prose articles are suitable for the parents or parent; the didactic poetry for the youth and young adults in the house and the stories and their accompanying songs can engage and entertain the elementary school-age children in the house.
The Best Person I Can Be
The most unique characteristic about this book is not so much its bilingual nature but the two decades that separate PART ONE (the recent past in English), from PART TWO (the distant past in French). Undoubtedly, there are elements of growth, wisdom and maturity in the recent writings that are missing in the almost naive inhibitions of youth and vitality of twenty years ago. In this regard, the lessons in this book are more poignant and striking than the author's previous writings. It is hoped that the bilingual content of the book will help promote the fortieth anniversary of «Canada's Official Bilingualism», as a vehicle for cultural and political understanding in the Canadian mosaic. L'élément le plus saillant de ce livre n'est pas seulement son contexte bilingue, mais surtout les deux décennies qui séparent la PREMIÈRE PARTIE (en anglais) du livre qui a été écrite plus récemment et la DEUXIÈME PARTIE (en français) qui a été écrite dans les années quatre-vingt. Sans doute, il y a une distinction claire et nette en matière de signe de croissance, de sagesse et de maturité entre les poèmes écrits plus récemment et ceux des années quatre-vingt. Ces-derniers, composés en pleine croissance intellectuelle, sont dotés de la naïveté de la jeunesse universitaire, mais tout de même pleins d'énergie prometteuse du futur. Dans ce sens, il y a beaucoup plus de leçons à apprendre dans ce livre que dans d'autres écrits récents du même auteur. On souhaite que le contenu bilingue de ce livre aide à promouvoir le quarantième anniversaire du « bilinguisme officiel » au Canada, comme atout dans la promotion de l'aspect multiculturel et de la coexistence politique au Canada.
African Stories
These African Stories were originally narrated in Limba language (the third largest in Sierra Leone, West Africa). They are specifically from the Wara Wara Yagala Limba, one of seven dialects of the Limba people of Sierra Leone and have never been heard, translated or written in any other language. Often times there is a common thread or common theme of African stories in different cultures across the continent, yet, these particular stories are unique, in that they were written and sung from memory by the author. Therefore, their importance is out of all proportion to their simplicity. In other words, the importance of their transition into a new medium far outweighs their apparent simple plots. So to understand the original context in which they were told, and to appreciate and even enjoy these stories, it is absolutely necessary to read each historical and cultural background before going to the story. It is also important to note that most stories in this particular culture are always accompanied by songs, not only for their entertainment value, but especially for their instructional purposes. Stories and their accompanying songs are the link between the past, the present and the future. Above all, they were the first medium of education (besides that of family) prior to the arrival of Arab scribes and European scholars. Therefore, it is not only a privilege for the author to be a conduit between centuries of oral tradition in Africa and the written word, the Canadian and the North American reader is also discovering a whole new treasure of African culture and language that will add a new page to the existing and growing body of Western Literature. When all is said and done, each story has a lesson or lessons about life that readers of all ages can gain from.
Prayers and Motivational Poems
These prose style poems were published primarily for their motivational content and value. It is a collection of inspirational wisdom for parents, teachers, religious leaders and the public to share with their audiences. The prayers and poems not only cross religious and cultural boundaries, but they are also non-denominational. The alphabetical arrangement of the book and didactic nature of the contents is an invitation to readers to go above and beyond the entertainment value of poetry. They reach for the cognitive, and offer a surprising dose of the spiritual realm of human nature. The pragmatic nature of poems like "Choices", "Goals" and "Thinking" are especially helpful in making informed decisions about career paths life choices and everyday challenges.