We are not the same

Our downfall in an attempt to unite mankind is found in a misguided narrative that suggest- we should see everyone as the same. I think this is one of the fundamental causes of our failures in achieving harmony.
Reality is that we should not see everyone as the same! ..We are just not the same. The truth is that, we are made up of different colors, we have different cultures, we come from different backgrounds and we grew separately. We are all different!
The key to this door is to look at these differences, respect them, learn about them and grow with them. We are not on a journey to become the same; instead we are on a journey to see that our differences makes us beautiful as a human race. If we are ever to grow, we ought to learn and always learn some more about on our diversity.
In the quest for unity and peace; we cannot blind ourselves and expect to be all the same. Even in our stride for improvement, we will not improve and achieve the same way.
MT

Generation Y in SA

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”-Nelson Mandela

They are not hooligans,they are Generation Y which is waiting for free education. They saw the Freedom Charter because it is not a secret document. They are merely responding to the system that continues to speak about what needs to happen, yet nothing happens.

This is a young generation that was born and propagated knowing education among other things, is a right that should be made freely accessible. They are said to believe in visual learning- they are experimental. They would often go online to read first, whether it be for personal, academic, or professional information- this generation is developed and formed with the help of electronic technologies where information is at their disposal; therefore they source information with practicality and formulate their opinions instantly.

They follow what is happening within their surrounding very closely and information comes instantly to them. Attending political rallies and gatherings to conscientise them I once said, is an outdated exercise- they stream and verify the facts online. They rely on social media to relay and share messages. I have said on numerous occasions that politic of the past is no longer relevant to this generation. Their slogans come in a form of hash tags that directly speak to what they want to see happening in their lives. Rhetoric politics and spin doctoring of the past does not present practicality to them because, they are critical thinkers.

I cannot make up what the burning of university and infrastructure means to them; but I am sure they have a clear understanding of what Nelson Mandela meant when he said, “If the ANC does to you what the Apartheid government did to you, then you must do to the ANC what you did to the Apartheid government”. Infrastructure was burnt and destroyed in demonstration and fight against the previous apartheid system. We cannot suddenly purport that, what they are doing is regressive. They are responding to the system that does not fulfil their aspirations- quite rightly promised by the same current regime.

They have openly said that, they are prepared for anything. Their reaction has reached a boiling point, the effects are rippling and spilling over. They are responding to every little piece of information contained in this Freedom Charter. They have read it, understood it…now they are implementing.
If they can achieve their goal succesfully, then they would have taken a step forward towards Economic Freedom. It does not have to be this painful to give what is rightfully promised to them though.

MT

Plans

Change

I keep reminding myself that- because I liked something at some point, does not mean I am going to like it forever. This does not mean I have to embrace it at every point in my life as a thoughtless act of loyalty. I cannot remain patriotic to who I am as a person, based solely on who I once was. Experiences come and go, we learn, adapt and we move on.
Even though to remain loyal to one thing allows me to focus on a single element for growth and transformation, I still need to challenge who I am and how I think.
The only thing I am sure of is that I am growing and not stagnant or shrinking. The rational side of my brain tells me to decide on few matters and challenges that I am facing this time; it tells me to dig deep into the things I like and to find those that add value and excite me to change the direction. Change has to happen…I am certain it will.
I am the only one whose answers I will accept.*

My expectations

From my experiences, if there is one thing I would want to share is; the next time someone tells you “where there are no expectations, there are no disappointments”, do not listen to them.
Always have expectations and keep them sizable. Expect a very bumpy ride that will get you bruised, and at times even bad. Sometimes, you will come to an unexpected stop or even fall off your high horse ride. Some days you will hit a glass wall so hard that it will be a humbling joke.
You will have to learn from all such experiences and disappointments. If you still cannot introspect how you are going to grow and move following that, you do not live. You are in a state of hopelessness.

Claiming my individuality

I have learnt to have a little courage to be sincere, open and honest as much as I can. At least I have been conscious to try harder.
This has opened certain doors to deeper communication all around me, I think. It created self-empowerment to a larger degree and some kind of better connection with my surrounding. Being vulnerable does not have to be at all threatening. Speaking the truth from the heart free me from any potential secrets that might have burdened me, it transformed me somewhat and have helped me get clarity on my heart directives…
*MT leaves the door behind him open to allow the individuality he reclaims*

Being a father

As a father, I try to remind myself regularly of what it means to be a good Dad. I wish I had this job all figured out; it takes experience and a lot of it and it leaves space for more learning. With experience and good role models comes wisdom.

Unfortunately, at times I overlook the wisdom because I am guided by circumstances that are out of my complete control. I do concede though that, sometimes I tend to overlook that wisdom with so many challenges and distractions in life, that offer no particular value at all.

Do others feel the same way? Do you ever look back at your day or weekend, and ask… what exactly did I accomplish?

So I make time to be on my own and reflect on this fatherhood business most times, just to check if I am doing everything well when it comes to my kids. I may not do as society expects me to, or do well to meet everyone’s expectation; but I try my best to do good for them.
I have learnt that if you really try to be a father, your child would definitely meet you halfway. I learnt this from my father…

Mistakes

What a waste of my life would be without all the beautiful mistakes I have made in life. To make a mistake is only an error in judgement.
I have learnt all kinds of things from my many mistakes; to comply and embrace those mistakes when they are discovered- that just shows the imperfection of my character. It is the highest form of self-respect to admit them and make changes whenever I could. The one thing I am likely never going to learn is to stop making more mistakes.
MT can’t remember where this idea comes from

Balance

“Life is a balanced system of learning and evolution. Whether pleasure or pain, every situation in life serves a purpose. It is up to us to identify and recognize what that purpose could be.”-Unknown author

Let’s park the quotation above for a while…

We are guided by some universal laws to navigate us through life in general. While some of these laws are referred to as the laws of nature or creation- I am constantly reminded of the law of balance. The purpose of this law is to enable man to live in balance so that he can feel the presence of his surroundings and acknowledge his acquaintances, to endorse the source of himself and to know and understand among other things, euphoria and affection.
In human relations, if there is to be a balanced unity one must give in-service in all forms to another in reciprocal exchange of the same. The best relation have a natural rhythm which is based on equitable giving and re-giving. If there is no reciprocity, the imbalance exists and there is no reason to sustain that relation.
I often advise that fear of these laws should not influence anyone’s choice in abiding by them. They should welcome that which will engender and sustain balanced living.
*MT salutes out*…

Understanding

Where you are understood, you are likely going to feel at home. Understanding just sustains belonging, forget the respect…
When you really feel understood, you feel free to release yourself into the trust and shelter of the other person’s soul. I keep learning over and over again that, there is nothing more intimate in life than simply being understood and understanding the next person in return. It is the most important thing interwoven into the very core of life.
Even Aristotle, the cleverest person who ever lived…. anyway, that’s not the point. The point is that understanding makes life a lot more easy, finish!!