"because an excellent spirit, knowledge, and understanding to interpret dreams, explain riddles, and solve problems were found in this Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar. Now let Daniel be called, and he will show the interpretation." (Daniel 5:12, ESV) If I were to give a new meaning to the name "Daniel", I would say it means excellence. The life of Daniel is a perfect example of excellence. The greatest assessment of ourselves is not the one we give about us; but the one others give. Naturally people tend to exaggerated their strength while hiding their weaknesses. But fortunately most times, people have a way of seeing through our facade, and identifying the real us; and that is why I am very inclined to believe the report of Daniel's excellence because even his enemies - the people who hated him and wanted to see him fail testified of his excellence. Excellence transcends geographical and political borders. Here was a man, a captive in a strange land. But excellence took him to the top even in his land of captivity. There is nothing wrong with our environment or where we are because our environment is simply a reflection of the people living in it. If we have thieves living around, there will certainly be robberies going on. Excellence will see you through no matter where you find yourself. It doesn't matter how many demons or enemies or witches that try to rise against you, the spirit of excellence will distinguish you and keep you safe. Most young people travel out of the country in an attempt to make it; but unless you already have what it takes to make it in one place, you won't make it anywhere else. What you need most is the spirit of excellence, not a change of zip code! .
I made this joke once and I said "If you transferred all the people in Nigeria to USA, and brought over all the people in USA to Nigeria; before ten years, Nigerians will turn America into another Nigeria, and the Americans will turn Nigeria into another USA". The sucess and the failure lie with the people not the environment. When you have the spirit of excellence, it doesn't matter where life takes you or keeps you, you will shine forth. The scripture said that Daniel had an excellent spirit and with it came knowledge, understanding to interpret dreams, expalin riddle and (here is my favourite part) the ability to solve problems. An excellent person is a problem solver!
May God bless you with the spirit of excellence in Jesus name.