We learn in different ways. Aside from formal education, some receive enlightenment in their solemn meditation moments, others learn through the benefit of hindsight, some through observation and others through their skin. Sadly, some refuse to learn and are burned.

One lesson we should quickly learn, lest we do so through our skin someday, is that we are “vessels” and perhaps tessellations of some design by unseen divine power beyond our human senses. I refuse to believe all that defines our lives is to eat, sleep, learn, grow, earn, have fun, retire and pass on. There’s more to this circle of life than meets the eye. By Nimroth Gwetsa, 29 November 2017.

I grew up listening to soulish melodies by many artists. Jim Reeves was among them and my onetime favourite was entitled: “This World Is Not My Home”. Then, country and reggae music were soul soothers that enabled some of us make sense of the crazy world of oppression, suffering and general darkness we lived in. Though we fantasised about living a good life, we took each day’s struggles in our stride, doing one thing at a time. Then, we were a community. Life was shared, stories told and enjoyed by all. We cried together, celebrated together and comradely supported one another. No one burned any bridges, aside from dangerous rascals who chose the lowlife. Life was lived in hope one step at a time and time passed without notice.

Come the digital era we live in today: the era of the empowered and free, yet highly “disempowered” individuals. Perhaps I am inadvertently uncomfortable with change though I do not consider myself averse to it. I readily embrace new ways of doing things while ensuring I leverage old, tried and tested norms as much as I can.

The importance and power of our beliefs in shaping our actions and ultimately our attitudes to many aspects of our lives cannot be overemphasised. This, for me, is the foundation of what we get out of this life.

The foundational beliefs I am more interested in are those about what we attribute our achievements to, whether material possessions, academic, knowledge or vocational. And from a material perspective, to whom do we attribute ownership of our material possessions, knowledge and abilities? Our response to these questions determines our attitude toward our obligations or lack thereof, and to others.

Our beliefs divide people into opposing sides, with one camp thinking that the highest form of accountability for one’s life is to oneself and therefore, one’s achievements are of no concern to anyone else. This group believes in doing whatever it takes to “win” and sometimes the measures relied on to “win” are quasi-ethical. This camp believes survival is of the fittest and as far as it is possible, the winner takes all and “owes” nothing to anyone. Many pure capitalists share this belief.

The other side believes the historically unfair advantage given to others is the primary reason for the hardship and difficulties by others in overcoming setbacks. Some in this camp believe the unfair and prejudicial circumstances they are in are caused largely by the other camp or proponents of the other camp and its reluctance to accept the advantage of their privileges. They point to evidence and many examples of atrocities committed by many from the other side, at their expense, hence their prolonged difficulties and challenges of attaining success.

Without casting our focus beyond these two perspectives, one can sympathise with views from both sides. Understandably, we tend to choose the side resonating with our upbringing. We cannot get along if we do not listen to each other and consider each other’s views without prejudice.

We know by now, that life is not as simple as considering only these two sides.

Then there’s the other view, attempting to bridge the gap among the divergent and polarised views by elevating accountability and responsibility for the welfare of people to a “body” slightly higher than the individual. The higher body, in this case, being the state or workers, as some socialists among us would retort. All these are attempts at finding answers to a problem of fostering equitable human development.

Then there is another group, believing that everything we have, know and can do belong to and are given freely to us by a higher Deity. To this group, it is to the Deity that people should seek relief against hardships and purpose of their lives. Based on this belief, they deem it prideful for anyone to claim “exclusive ownership” of material possessions and knowledge. They consider it abhorrent for the empowered to not use their resources and abilities to help and develop others.

Many other views are available in their variations, but for brevity, we will not delve on them any further.

Your beliefs in this regard, determine your outlook, attitude and approach in life and ultimately define your kind of legacy.

I do not wish to persuade the reader on any particular view, suffice it to say we have many examples of how the world has become a better place when we share than hoard our belongings, knowledge and abilities. We live better and safer lives when we care for the welfare of others than just ours. Self-serving is a cancer, dangerous for our welfare.

Eventually, we get to learn that many good things cannot be hoarded. If we haven’t learned this, we will and the sooner we learn this lesson, the better for us all. Ideas and abilities cannot be hoarded. If you do, someone else will get a revelation of the same, if not better idea and you will be the loser. Material possessions, the most highly cherished, sought after and “idolised”, cannot be hoarded without suffering losses ultimately, whether through wear and tear or forceful dispossession, sickness or death.

We succeed, know and possess more when we think of others than ourselves. Expansion and “multiplication” are decreed into our DNA and anything to the contrary makes us sick and destroys lives. Since we do all to earn a living and improve our lives, we can earn more in solving many people’s problems in life than only worrying about solving ours. This outward focus creates demand that can lead to commercialisation, either directly or indirectly. This being my belief, I tend to lean more towards the view that we do not live only to serve our needs, but others by divine calling, whether wittingly or unwittingly. The concern for others, not only improves our lifestyle, but delivers a more fulfilled life.

Madiba and many others lived that life. The concern for others is and should be bidirectional and not only the responsibility of those deemed achievers. Even those behind can show compassion to others despite their lot in life. Diligence, dedication, productivity and concern for the welfare of those you depend on or work for should be exercised as a matter of course and not extracted off people through coercion, blackmail or unsustainable incentives.

The adage “to avoid burning bridges” should define our way of life. All of us, in our divergent “stations in life” are vessels through which we are to be conduits transferring “goodness” to others. Anyone blocking the seamless transfer of goodness is a problem worthy of being discarded to ensure the free flow of goodies continues.

As growing emerging business owners, I believe we should discard the old hard and cold system of beliefs that emphasise achievement through all means despite the impact on others and the environment. While acknowledging that the wilfully “lazy”, reckless and ignorant should face the consequences of their actions and attitudes, the rest, who truly are trying hard to better their lives despite hardships, should be shown more compassion and assisted to achieve more. This is not charity but the acknowledgement that we are better off when many around us live well than have the few enjoying the benefits of a good life alone.

Who enjoys being surrounded by squalor, impoverishment, diseases and hopelessness? Blocking off oneself from these isn’t the answer, but seeing large tracts of land occupied by people living well is much more fulfilling.

Let us avoid getting lessons about caring for others through the skin, but through the age-old wisdom and spirit of Ubuntu as demonstrated by many of our heroes, now resting in peace.