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NewsDay

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Don’t be carried by the wind, define yourself

Columnists
Everyone is trying willingly or unwillingly, knowingly or ignorantly to be everyone else except themselves. Your internal faculties are pursuing dogmas, ideologies and philosophies that you sometimes end up confused not knowing where you stand.

Everyone is trying willingly or unwillingly, knowingly or ignorantly to be everyone else except themselves. Your internal faculties are pursuing dogmas, ideologies and philosophies that you sometimes end up confused not knowing where you stand. Pressure is rising from the social, economic, religious and political camps which want you to side with them. Many quarters on the planet earth are selling their ideologies and many people have been tossed up and down, left, right and centre and left hanging wondering where to belong. Observing this, Ralph Waldo Emerson cries and concludes, “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.”

Report by Erasmus Makarimayi

The world is coercing people to align with certain structured opinions. In order to stand you have to have your own well defined belief so that you plug into a philosophy that suits yours. You should be able to say “yes” or “no” based on your philosophy of life. An understanding of who you are and what you stand for will help you to know which wave to follow or which to let pass by. Never allow yourself to get to a tight corner where you end up accepting whatever comes by.

There is an old teaching in Shona which says, “Zano pangwa une rako”. This loosely means when you get advice weigh it against what you have. Although there are exceptions to this notion, don’t ever blindly buy into an idea if you don’t have one. Measure everything offered against who you are and what you stand for. Don’t just marry because a girl throws herself at you or a man from nowhere buys you chocolate. Don’t just eat anything from nowhere because you are hungry.

It’s not every offer that you should take. There are jobs that you should let pass and tenders that you should not bid for. Let the following quotation from my philosophy of life stir you up. It reads, “I decide that whatever venture I commit to must align with my personal mission, my values and my goals. Every new opportunity that comes along must align with my goals. Regardless of how much money I can acquire, if the venture does not align with where I want to be, then I will not pursue it.” There are many things on offer in life that are not for you even if the majority side with them. That everyone at your workplace or neighbourhood is sleeping around or taking bribes is not excuse to follow suit.

It cannot be overemphasised that you have to know yourself and what you stand for. Many people are carried by seasonal winds that dumb them in no man’s land and resultantly fail to retrace themselves to their true self.

The austere socio-economic political environment obtaining in Zimbabwe has given rise to new and intense methods of marketing and advertising that have left the populace torn apart in some instances. Some products and services are being offered at very tempting prices. Of course one may argue that it is the advantage of competition. Media reports have detailed how some of these substandard products and services have caused catastrophic results. While it may cost you just one dollar to become light in complexion it is equally possible to suffer cancer and other skin diseases because of that dollar. Many are suffering from disfigured bodies because of the use of these unapproved products.

Currently political parties and individuals are selling their ideas to you through their manifestos. It is your democratic right to choose and vote whoever you desire as long as they meet your vision. It is difficult to make an informed decision if you have no definition of yourself.

Even church groups and false religions are luring people to their fold. That’s why it is necessary to read the Bible and pray to connect with God at a personal level. Always be principled and disciplined and don’t get carried away by the wind. While on earth, Jesus knew exactly who He was. He was clear on His mission, purpose and mandate. If He had no definition of Himself He would not be able to handle the marauding Pharisees, Sadducees, scribes and the Jewish machinations? My special message to this great nation of Zimbabwe on the occasion of the plebiscite on Wednesday is this: We are strengthened and encouraged that the counsel of The Lord shall prevail. We take comfort and solace in the knowledge that God hears and answers prayers. The Bible assures us that God is in control. Psalm 103:19 reads, “The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.” God is in control, fear not Zimbabwe, you are going somewhere. lAll Scripture quotations are from the King James Version of the Bible.

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