RUAH Learning Academy

In one lake, the fish said, “This is an ugly lake.”
The crane said, “This is a lovely lake with plenty of food.”
A couple sailing by said, “What a beautiful lake.”
The farmer said, “This lake is very useful.”

The lake never changed… only the way each person saw it.

Life is the same.
Things change when we look beyond the frame and change the way we see. 🌿✨

If you stay in a fish shop, even without touching anything… the smell stays with you.
If you stay in a perfume shop, even without spraying… the fragrance follows you.

That’s the power of your environment.

The people you spend time with, the conversations you listen to, the energy around you all of it quietly shapes who you become.

Stay around negativity, and it slowly becomes your mindset.
Stay around growth, positivity, and purpose and you start to reflect that too.

Success is not just about what you do…
It’s also about where you are and who you are with.

Choose your environment wisely.
Because eventually… it becomes you.

The words “wise as serpents and innocent as doves” were spoken by Jesus Christ in Gospel of Matthew 10:16.

It is a powerful life principle especially relevant in today’s world.

Meaning in simple terms:
• Wise as serpents = Be alert, strategic, discerning, think before acting.
• Innocent as doves = Be pure in heart, honest, kind, and without bad intentions.

Now let’s apply this practically in today’s world especially in leadership, business, and relationships.

1. In the Workplace / Business

✅ Wise like a serpent:
• Understand office politics without getting trapped in it.
• Read people’s intentions before trusting blindly.
• Document important discussions.
• Plan before speaking in meetings.
• Protect confidential information.

✅ Innocent like a dove:
• Do not manipulate.
• Do not lie to close a deal.
• Treat staff fairly.
• Give credit to others.
• Stay ethical even if others cut corners.

Practical example:
In sales, you understand customer objections strategically (wisdom), but you never mislead them just to achieve a target (innocence).

2. In Leadership

As a Manager - This is powerful.

Wise:
• Know strengths and weaknesses of your team.
• Anticipate resistance before rolling out training.
• Manage difficult personalities calmly.
• Set boundaries.

Innocent:
• Lead with genuine care.
• Develop people without hidden agendas.
• Be transparent.
• Correct without humiliating.

Wisdom protects the mission. Innocence protects your integrity.

3. In Relationships

Wise:
• Don’t overshare personal matters.
• Notice red flags.
• Avoid toxic environments.
• Choose friends carefully.

Innocent:
• Forgive.
• Speak truth gently.
• Avoid revenge.
• Keep your heart clean.

Being innocent does NOT mean being naïve.
Being wise does NOT mean being cunning.

4. In Today’s Digital World

Wise:
• Verify information before forwarding.
• Protect passwords and data.
• Be careful on social media.

Innocent:
• Don’t spread gossip.
• Don’t damage someone’s reputation online.
• Use platforms to uplift, not attack.

The Balance

Too much “serpent” → You become manipulative.
Too much “dove” → You become easily exploited.
Balance → Strong character with sharp mind.

Practical Daily Formula

Before making decisions, ask:
1. Is this smart? (Strategic thinking)
2. Is this clean? (Pure intention)

If both answers are YES you are living this verse.

Since you often train leaders and bank managers, this principle can even become a leadership framework:

Head = Serpent (Strategy)
Heart = Dove (Character)

That chair lesson hit me deeply today.

A teacher once told students to draw a chair and asked, “What is the most important part?”

Students answered:
– The four legs
– The seat
– The backrest

The teacher said, “All wrong.”

The most important part is the nuts, bolts, and nails the parts you cannot see. Without them, the chair will fall apart.

In life, it’s the same.

Behind every success, every achievement, every confident smile… there are invisible people holding us together.

Our parents who sacrificed silently.
Our brothers and sisters who supported us.
Our friends who encouraged us.
Our leaders who guided us.
Our colleagues who stood with us.
Our customers who trusted us.

They may not be visible on the stage.
They may not get the applause.
But they are the nuts and bolts of our life.

Today, let’s appreciate the unseen heroes behind our journey.
Because success is never a one-person story.

Gratitude changes everything. 🙏

The Monkey & The Corn – A Small Story with a Big Lesson

One day, a group of monkeys used to steal sweet corn from a farmer’s field. Whenever the farmer saw them, he chased them away. The monkeys felt irritated and thought the farmer was their enemy.

One day, they heard that the farmer had died. They were happy. “Now no one will chase us away!” they thought. So they came freely and ate all the corn.

But after some time, they realized something…

No new corn was growing.

The farmer they disliked was the same person who planted, nurtured, and protected the field. Without him, there was nothing left to enjoy.

Sometimes in life, we feel that discipline, supervision, or close connections are a headache. We may feel uncomfortable when someone corrects us, guides us, or holds us accountable.

But when those people are no longer there when a colleague leaves, when a leader moves on we suddenly understand their true value.

Not everyone who challenges us is against us.
Some are protecting the field we all benefit from.

Let’s appreciate the people who guide, correct, and walk closely with us before we realize their value too late.