Thought Picnic: Going back to the basics

Back to the basics

I find myself reviewing much of what I know, appraising what has worked in the tried-and-tested life experiences, and relearning the fundamentals whilst seeking to improve on things that are not working as they used to.

It is as much a spiritual journey as it is one of the development of skill and expertise to meet the challenges faced daily and over periods of time as seasons and expectations.

The power of example

I do not express much about my innate beliefs as I think example demonstrates person, personality, and personableness. Seeing how life is lived makes for a better indicator of everything else, whether in times of adversity or advantage.

What I am learning from the many who provide examples for living that I follow from their testimonies is that they return to the advice, admonition, and example of those before them that have mentored, shepherded, or led them. The building blocks still remain the foundation from which each and everyone can individually and uniquely create their own story.

Caught in the process that fails to serve

In the waters of fate

I live a very grateful man, many times afflicted by the issues of life, some by commission, others by omission, and a few by sheer incompetence. Much as I hate to view myself as a victim, there is nothing as fundamentally stripping you of dignity as to be lost in the system or some convoluted process.

The apparently structured processes, dry run to the nth degree that catastrophically fails when met with reality and completely missing facility for recalibration out of example and lessons learnt to be corrected.

It is like falling into water and drowning whilst lifeguards quibble about whether to throw in a lifebuoy, a lifeline, or jump in to save me. Maybe, just maybe, they see me flailing in the water between gulps, crying out orders to them on what to do, and then it occurs to them, there is a life that needs saving.

In the effects of indecision

Yet, one cannot sit in a pity party, you press on. Heck! This is someone who has survived life-threatening circumstances and had moments or stretches of one misfortune, infirmity, incapacity or another, I need to get a grip.

It is just that many times when processes are put in place, the critical success factor which pertains to the fact that someone is affected by that process is missing. You do wonder if ever the question gets asked in the design process, is there a person affected by this process and if impacted negatively, what mitigating steps are in place to promptly ameliorate and remedy the situation without adverse consequences?

In the hope of survival

In view of that, a lifeguard has thrown in a lifebuoy but from the perspective of the drowning, it is an act of disinterest and indifference, boxes are being ticked and that is what counts in process evaluation, whether lives were saved, are not of statistical significance, only that the saved should feel undying gratitude for being noticed at all.

In all the slow progress made, patience is a virtue that I am daily equipping myself to practice and endure, I have to trust another process that is unscripted, I will not only survive but also thrive.

Being the salt of the earth

Making no apology

I sometimes find myself warning friends and acquaintances about associating with me, not because of who I am but out of concern for them in terms of how I am perceived by others. Somehow, some people who have publicly associated with me have been ostracised or penalised for no other reason than their humanity.

In a way, I represent a kind of independence not beholding or dependent on anyone, system, or situation. I am outside the ambit of influence of some who think people like me should be in the closet, depressed and fearful rather than living beautifully, thriving, and enjoying the kind of happiness that has never been in their purview.

I’m just me

Not that it bothers me in the least, I have always been who I am, level-headed, playful, seriously unserious, clowning about, easily accessible, hopefully sympathetic, and empathetic for humanity and humanitarian causes, with a liberal worldview of living and letting live, avoiding unnecessary confrontation and giving many much latitude in the benefit of the doubt.

Those quite close to me might wonder about my kind of crazy that might be mistaken for a negative when it could well be stooping to conquer. I want to think I am not a difficult person or even one difficult to understand. Yes, there are seriously misunderstood or underappreciated aspects of my person and personality, if I were so totally predictable, where would the mystery be?

I am spice

Yet, I appreciate those who see more in me that on the surface, who do not pass any judgement until they have duly and properly engaged me, who that sought to know me as a person rather than a label or an object, who have grown to respect me for my views and opinions no matter how they might differ from their outlook.

In the end, we have to share this world and this space, we would not agree on everything, we can respectfully agree to disagree without becoming disagreeable. Heck! We might even become friends with aspects of common interest, accommodating of each other in the broadening of our horizons. I have a teachable spirit and an inclination to learning. I hope to give my curiosity the widest field to explore whilst never losing my sense of youth and almost childish precocity.

I am without negotiation who I am, if you can’t take me by the spoonful or by the pinch of salt, I would never be any less one of the condiments of life, whether you choose to spice your life with my presence is neither here nor there. I would remain the best human I can be for myself and to anyone who considers me such.