CRAVING FOR PAPER

Lately, I am amazed at how disorganized I have become. Unlike the last two previous years, I started this year at the workplace under a public service department where duty does not command giving any “souveniral” inducements. The public do not get those customized diaries, calendars and the like in a public care facility at the turn of the year. Hence, I started the year without a diary (from the workplace previously) in which I would normally crystallise my thoughts and map my actions.


People do different things to accentuate their priorities. For me, I either write or talk. I have done more of the latter and less of the former and their position have been poorly balanced. I learnt early that being in control of my self lies in identifying my priorities, listing their sequence and sticking to them. This said, now and again I break from agreed sequences in order to free myself from the boredom of monotony.

For whatever reason, my shopping has consistently strayed away from shops where I could get a good diary. I have written less and less lately and it has taken of the balance in my organized self.

Tonight, I crave for a diary. Much has been shared with my significant other but I need to put ink to paper, make my “visions plain on tablets” and live out my conscious life.

THE GAZE (amateur)
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dolphins. My amateur shots last year.

STILL ON EGYPT

As I punch out this post, I am watching on TV the triumph of the people of Egypt as their siege against her own government bore fruit: a change of her leaders.


I am almost thrilled with a feeling akin to awe at the triumph of the resilient human spirit. It is unimaginable what we can achieve when we set our actions from a dogged determination. The past 18 days of peaceful protests by Egyptians are a true testament of this truth.

Only yesterday, a defiant Egyptian government practically vowed to continue its stay in power; another testament to the truth that it’s darkest just before dawn. Courage in the face of adversity will always be rewarded.We have been reminded to possess our own convictions and to air it with clarity.

I think this is one of those moments that will be etched into history. I am glad I witnessed it.

Congrats to the Egyptian people and bravo to the doggedness of the human will. Evil only thrives when good people stay silent.

IF IT HURTS...

Yesterday, I was reminded of the benefits of speaking one’s mind. Some kind of workplace transfer has been hanging over my head in the last three months. My sly self at his best has been able to wade it off consistently without stating my position to all concerned. So when it came up again and with a tone of definitiveness yesterday, I had to act up, confronted the parties involved and spoke out my aversion to being moved.


As I saw the response to my action, I wished I had been braver these past months. I have earned quite a rep with a few as being blunt lately. Or actually, I have become more forth-coming with expressing my stand on issues lately; so much that those who have interacted with me after a while of doing same have considered me combative!

I would not describe my childhood as a repressed one but I cultivated the habit of making excuses for others early. This rewarded me with living at peace with many. While life may not entirely be called a struggle, the fittest does survive. Opportunities have to be identified and taken with full grasp. Same can be said of expressing one’s discomfort. Silence will always be considered an agreement as long as disagreement is not expressed.

I am armed to see to the end of the issue at hand, but apparently, it would have been with fewer scars if I had spoken my mind earlier. How true the words “what you allow, continues”.

So if it hurts, blurt it out! You do not stand to loose anything (it hurts already after all).

GLOBAL FILTER
I have followed with keen interest the un-led public demonstrations against the government, first in Tunisia and now in Egypt. We are reminded of what becomes of an individual or society that is pushed to breaking point. Sadly, I do not see same happening to the country of my birth soon. We have always found ways to survive under a string of terrible leadership. Until we are pushed to the point where we are out of options, then shall we pick the placards, sing our songs and march the streets.

ANXIETY OF INFLUENCE

I have chosen a title and illustration used by Joel Stein of Time (c)magazine in one of his columns last year. His, readily came to mind as I reflected on my recent trip. I had travelled with my wife to attend a Christian child dedication ceremony for a friend’s newly born. It provided me the chance to personally rejoice with an old friend who had just become a parent for the first time; identifying with his high moment.


As is customary, it was also an opportunity to see who the “bundle of joy” looks like. The pictures from the e-mail showed a baby with phenotypical proximity to his mother. However, on the phone, it was said that everyone says the baby has the looks of the father. I had joked to my friend that I could bet the only semblance the baby would have with him was his gender!

I decided very early (o yeah!) in my marriage that my wife and I will not be one of those couples who engage in “other couples’ gossip “; spending their own quality time together talking about what other couples do that they do. However, I have not been able to stay away from those bragging conversations about whose dominant gene will be transmitted to our progeny. The pride of my envisaged dominance has been over bearing save for only two physical concessions: that the generation after us would neither take my height nor my hair line.

A similar couple war based on who has got greater genes is what Joel Stein narrates in the article of reference. It’s amazing to think that one’s superiority is drawn from how much an offspring inherits from one’s gene pool. Probably this is from the part of our species that wants to live on for ever. What a view on life.

Postscript.
You can read the Joel Stein's article on the following link:  http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1973298,00.html

FINDING INSPIRATION IN THE NEW YEAR

Today is the 12th day of the New Year and of course a week after the traditional 12th night when all the decorations are removed. I have been so busy at work that the days of this New Year have run rather fast. This is despite the fact that this season of the year comes with longer days. Need less; I would rather have these days dragged along. Life just seems too fast these days.


The past 12 days and a couple before them have been filled with thoughts bordering on finding inspiration for the year. As it is, my life is more expanded than it has ever been and some things are better experienced. I have never been at a loss in finding direction for my life, this time though, I have found myself hesitant about leaving certain comfort zones. I know that whatever the final drift I take, I am going to be pursuing a life of happiness and desires-attained.

I learnt a long time ago not to enslave myself to my goals at the expense of enjoying the gift that life is. This will play out in my life again this year; enjoying the hunt as much as the kill. It’s going to be an exciting year no doubt. I am simply pensive with the details of the deliberateness of life. Yes, for after all, life is what one makes of it.

To all of my readers
Happy New Year! An old friend got in touch with me during my holidays last year. While we did catch-up, he mentioned that he was an avid follower of my blog (HEYMEYVILLE). To this I replied that he ought to have made comments on the posts that caught his particular fancy. As it is traditional to have resolutions at the beginning of a New Year, I hope one of yours would be to write comments “ON” Heymeyville. This feedback is essentially a part of what makes a blog. I would be looking forward to reading from you this year and who knows, we can make a community of it.