The Little Ghanaian Book That Feels Like a Conversation With Your Elders

You know that moment when life feels loud?

You're stuck in traffic. The trotro mate is shouting destinations like he's announcing the apocalypse. The driver has switched the radio to a sermon that somehow competes with the engine noise. And you're sitting there thinking: Is there any peace left in this world?

Now imagine reaching into your bag and pulling out a slim 134-page book.

Not your phone. Not a Bible.

A small book called Excursions in My Mind by Nana Awere Damoah.

You open a random page.

And within minutes, you realize something strange: this doesn't feel like reading a motivational book. It feels like sitting on a wooden bench in a compound house while an older relative tells you stories about life — stories that somehow turn into advice before you even notice.

That’s the charm of this book.

It’s thoughtful. Reflective. Occasionally funny. And deeply human.

👉 The edition I read is available here:
https://amzn.to/3MDd3IF 

What Kind of Book Is This?

This is a reflective motivational memoir about living intentionally and learning from life’s everyday experiences.

Tone: reflective, warm, quietly humorous
Pace: slow and thoughtful
Themes: purpose, faith, sacrifice, loss, gratitude, resilience

Instead of traditional chapters, the book is divided into 36 short “series” (plus a bonus one). Each series begins with a story, anecdote, or observation. Then it ends with something Nana calls an “Action Exercise.”

Yes — the book gives you homework.

But not the kind that makes you groan.

These exercises gently push you to reflect on your own life — your goals, your relationships, your habits, and even your fears.

Throughout the book, Nana weaves together:

• Biblical quotes

• Ghanaian proverbs

• Poetry

• Personal stories

• Practical advice

And the result feels surprisingly natural.

👉 If you're curious about the book, you can find it here:
https://amzn.to/3MDd3IF 

Why This Book Works

Many motivational books talk at you.

This one talks with you.

That’s the difference.

In Excursions in My Mind, Nana doesn’t pretend to be a guru who has solved life. Instead, he shares moments from his own life — moments that shaped the way he thinks about success, gratitude, and resilience.

For example, when he writes about his childhood and the sacrifices his parents made for his education, you feel the weight of it. Not as a lecture, but as a quiet realization:

Education isn’t automatic.
For many families, it’s a sacrifice.

Even more powerful are the sections where he talks about loss.

In one heartbreaking period of his life, Nana lost two brothers and his father in a single year. He writes about grief not with drama or self-pity, but with clarity.

Life is fragile.

Time is precious.

And the way we live between those two truths matters more than we think.

Those moments give the book emotional depth. It stops being a motivational guide and becomes something closer to a personal meditation on life.

A Glimpse of the Book (No Spoilers)

The structure of the book is simple.

Each series begins with a small moment:

• A childhood memory

• A personal struggle

• A lesson from work

• A reflection on faith

• A story about family

From that moment, Nana pulls out a larger idea — something about how we live, how we treat others, or how we shape our own future.

Then comes the Action Exercise, inviting the reader to reflect:

What goals are you ignoring?

Who helped you get where you are?

What would you do differently if you truly valued your time?

The book never feels heavy. But it quietly asks serious questions.

Themes That Run Through the Book

Several themes appear again and again in Excursions in My Mind.

Purposeful Living

Many chapters push the reader toward intentional living — setting goals, thinking about the future, and avoiding the trap of drifting through life.

Gratitude and Sacrifice

One of the strongest ideas in the book is recognizing the sacrifices others made for you.

Parents. Teachers. Mentors.

People whose efforts often go unnoticed.

Faith and Tradition

What makes Nana’s perspective interesting is how naturally he blends Christian faith with Ghanaian cultural wisdom.

Instead of treating them as opposites, he shows how both traditions shape values, discipline, and resilience.

Resilience Through Reflection

Whether discussing shyness, financial discipline, or grief, the underlying message is the same:

Reflection creates growth.

Who This Book Is Perfect For

You’ll enjoy this book if:

• You like short reflective reads that offer life lessons

• You appreciate African perspectives on motivation and personal growth

• You enjoy books that mix storytelling with practical wisdom

You might struggle with this book if:

• You prefer fast-paced narratives

• You want a traditional memoir with a continuous storyline

• You dislike reflective or philosophical writing

👉 If this sounds like something you'd enjoy, here’s the book:
https://amzn.to/3MDd3IF 

About the Author

Nana Awere Damoah is one of those fascinating people who balances two very different worlds.

He is a chemical engineer by training, holding a degree from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and a Master’s degree from the University of Nottingham.

He is also a British Council Chevening Scholar and has worked with Unilever Ghana.

But alongside his engineering career, Nana has been writing since 1993, winning national writing awards and contributing to literary anthologies such as African Roar.

He also created Story Loom, a platform dedicated to supporting African storytelling and creativity.

And reading this book, you can feel both sides of his mind — the analytical engineer and the reflective storyteller.

My Honest Verdict

This isn’t a flashy motivational book.

There are no outrageous promises about becoming a millionaire in 30 days.

And honestly, that’s why it works.

Excursions in My Mind feels sincere.

The stories are simple.
The advice is practical.
And the tone feels genuine.

What worked for me:

• The blend of personal stories and reflection

• The mix of faith and cultural wisdom

• The short, accessible format

What didn’t always work:

• Some chapters feel very brief and could have gone deeper.

But even with that, the book still leaves a quiet impression.

It’s not trying to impress you.

It’s trying to help you think.

And that’s rare.

Final Thoughts

After finishing Excursions in My Mind, the feeling that stayed with me wasn’t excitement.

It was reflection.

The book doesn’t overwhelm you with ideas. Instead, it plants small questions in your mind — about gratitude, purpose, and the way we spend our time.

It feels like advice from someone who has lived, struggled, and learned along the way.

Not a motivational speaker.

Just a thoughtful human being sharing what life taught him.

And sometimes, those are the most valuable books of all.

👉 If you’d like to read the same edition I did, here’s the link:
https://amzn.to/3MDd3IF