Rebuilding our economy is no longer just a passphrase but should be every adult citizen’s priority and focus of current efforts despite the employment status. Leaving it to others to resolve our economic malaise would be suicidal, so would wallowing in sorrow and helplessness because of the turmoil prevailing in our country.
Let us strive for courage to push against all odds in improving our economic situation lest we perish from hopelessness. By Nimroth Gwetsa, 28 February 2022.
Our brains are wired to avoid or deflect, prevent, numb, or solve pain we may be experiencing. We may employ different methods in so doing, but all efforts are aimed at achieving the same end. Knowing the effects of pain to our welfare, we should be mindful of our actions towards others and not cause them unnecessary pain. Striving for peace and living well among one another should be our priority.
The ills of life including conceit and selfishness, among others, are unhelpful in diffusing tension among opposing parties. Calling for peace implies considering the needs of others and striving to balance self-interests against those of others. Sometimes confrontation is needed to stop unwanted behaviour. Other times, avoiding the situation causing discomfort and is likely to lead to confrontation or erosion of peace may be the answer. But we should always strive to live peaceably with others and increasing our efforts to improve our economic situation.
None of us are experts to this thing called life but are scholars until the end of our earthly lives. However, we can learn from one another and our progeny. One such, is learning that nothing lasts forever. And this is true, not only about the good but bad times also. This knowledge should empower us to always do our best to secure better living conditions, not just for ourselves but others too. As nothing lasts forever, we would be better off always planning and preparing for the occurrence of the situation opposite our current than focusing only on the current situation.
By this, it means when we have sufficient resources, we should remember that they could be depleted at any time and by many causes within and outside our control. Because the future is unknown despite the availability of different forecasting tools for modelling it, we should never be too confident that changes may not occur. I do not advocate for restlessness, fearful and uncomfortable living, but responsible and measured assessment of the situation and our conduct.
I know it is not easy, especially when lacking material and financial support. I do not plan to give a motivational speech on this, nor be a “snake oil salesperson” either. I wish to encourage even those without hope or help, to find strength in themselves to consider taking any step, even the smallest, that could help them work towards the occurrence of a situation different from their current. Without such a step, I do not see how there could be any other way out of difficulties experienced.
Everyone, including those with resources, should avoid wallowing in sorrow of the prevailing difficult situation, but actively work on preparing and planning for the occurrence of the situation opposite the current.
Such efforts, nevertheless, would not come easy. As the adage goes, it is easy to destroy than to build. Destruction requires little effort, though some may occur over prolonged period until it reaches point of no return, yet building for the better could take many generations to be completed. Instead, any development completed within a short period is regarded and treated suspiciously.
It follows that we ought to keep building whether we have plentiful resources or lack them. Destruction sets in when we stop building or maintaining it.
Admittedly, destruction is not always self-inflicted. A lie or suspicion could easily destroy everything one has. Many a good life and careers have been destroyed from lies told or ill-thoughts held against the innocent, and many are struggling to recover from such setback. Prejudice, graft, and malice among others, have been weaponised to destroy lives of many innocent good people.
Though we advocate for peaceful coexistence with everyone, such malicious destruction of innocent lives makes it hard for many to strive for peace. But if laughter is the best medicine, surely anything else is eventually poisonous to the soul. We know and have experienced the benefits of laughter to our health and welfare.
As many youth remain unemployed, situation not helped by increased perceptions of graft plaguing all spheres of our society, it would not be easy even for the enterprising among them to succeed in running own businesses. Generally, barriers to entry in doing business with corporates have been significantly increased. The gatekeeping phenomenon of having intermediaries, or requirements for small businesses to offer guarantees or collateral often associated with big established businesses is one other way of reserving opportunities for big business at the exclusion of the youth and small businesses.
Though companies are legal entities, they are not human. People in those organisations establish rules and make such decisions. Decision-makers in those organisations would do well avoiding prejudice and “unconscious bias” against the youth and small businesses, by objectively looking at their proposed offers. The call is not about relaxation of requirements or doing favours, but for objective review of offers presented.
Our connectedness means that sustainable success is unattainable if many are ignored.
What have you done today to prepare for a better future not just for you, but all?
