Hello, my name is...

I am not sure whether you have reflected on the moments you have met someone for the first time. Usually, it is common courtesy to introduce oneself by asserting your name. It is often what comes after that initial engagement which reveal to others exactly who we really are and whether we have merely lived life on the surface. Within the first few minutes after one has exchanged pleasantries, you develop a true sense of who someone is and which direction they have decided to take the conversation. While some individuals have the tendency to make all the right sounds to impress their audience of one, others dabble right into the sea of negativity. It is in those moments when as a listener you decide whether you wish to continue having your ear used as a dumbing ground for toxic waste. 

I often find it amazing how long we struggle to get past someone’s name, especially if the name is one which is difficult to pronounce. Then we tend to go into the detail about the meaning of the name and tracking its origin. In all honesty, one’s name is the portal to who you are. By introducing yourself and articlulating your name you lay the foundation for others of who you are. Yet, we are more than our names. Beyond our names lie a world yet to be discovered by others and a heart unknown to strangers. Our words carry messages which originate from the well-spring of life – the heart. Sadly, often the heart, which has not learned the art of forgiveness or to declutter its chambers from the toxicity of yesteryear, tend to release words which are as stale as the era in which it has fallen trapped. It is therefore an imperative to not only be concerned about the physical health of the heart. It also suggests that we pay equal attention to the emotional health of our hearts. 

There can be nothing greater than to introduce others into the peaceful garden of one’s life where raging souls seek to find refuge and strangers are left with a desire to be like the life they have engaged. Moreover, we tend to attract that which we release into the world. If one’s persuasion is to be inherently negative, you will most likely attract those who enjoy poisoning the well and seeking like minded comrades to strengthen the negative pact. However, negativity seldom feels comfortable in the company of the transformed heart and mind. Anyone driving the vehicle of negativity, will always arrive at the cul-de-sac of impoverished opportunities. It is neither progressive, nor rewarding, and those who subscribe to it seldom reap any rewards. On the other hand, the transformed life takes progressive strides towards unlocking the doors to new possibilities to enrich not only themselves, but especially the lives of others. 

It is when you have taken your hearer on a journey and confronted them with what is possible, that you extend your reach to the world. People ought to want to become better versions of themselves through the meaningful engagement with others. The world has enough destructors of life. What we need are those who can deconstruct challenges and together find new ways of enhancing life. We need hearts that can beat in tune with others and create a new rhythm to replace the refrain of demented criticism. Our generation cries for a humanity which is less concerned about having all the answers, yet do very little to triumphantly lift the decaying hand of others into a sign of solidarity. This world needs the inspiration of the lone voice to multiply into the sound of many voices echoing the need for social justice and equal opportunities. Society needs champions who have overcome impossible challenges and who motivate others to do the same.

It is not enough that we expect others to become what is within the reach of our own ability. We cannot forever remain who we are today and have been for the past decade. The trajectory of our lives need to move upward, forward and shaping destinies along the way. Where we tread today others are sure to follow and what we leave behind could speak volumes of us long after we have paved the way. Truthfully speaking, not everyone in life will ever plant the flag on the summit of life, but it is certainly possible to plant the seeds of a transformed life in the hearts of those who listen to our narrative. While others plant flags on lofty mountains to show that they have conquered obstacles, others sow seeds which develop into leafy green trees. Those trees are usually admired by those standing on the crane of the mountain looking down at the forest waving back at them from the valley below.