Tag Archives: diversity

22 Jan 2016 · 12:50

Convenience – Blog No. 5

ConvenienceRoadSign

In my personal experience, life is not convenient.  Neither is it a convenience.  It is a gift, given.  That is not to say that it always feels like a present, because it doesn’t.  However.  Convenience tends to save time and that is why it is useful.  Convenience is not to be confused with instant gratification, convenience is about making things easier to manage – or handle.  It is not about making things immediately available to a planet consumed by its own inability to curb its inclination to take an arm when offered a hand.  For instance, it is convenient to know that those you can trust are trustworthy.  It is a convenience having an aptitude for diversity, too, particularly when you discover that you have been labelled the ‘Corner Store’.

Change is consistent, constant.  It is not convenient – of that you can rest assured.  Change causes a great many people a great deal of angst – pain, even.  That is unfortunate.  Change is not to be feared unless you are becoming a mutant or changing into a pillar of salt, for example, in which case you were probably not supposed to turn around.  Change is inspiring in a life well-lived.  It brings new perspectives, new world views and new ways of solving persistent issues mired in the denial that has become routine daily life.  It is a privilege, though, to discover through ceaseless change how adaptable we are, how resilient our natures, and that is what makes it possible for us to transcend any reality we are handed – no matter how forcefully we are encouraged to ‘receive’ it.

A convenience store should stock everything that people usually forget to buy at other shops.  Those ‘last-minute’ items none of us can do without.  Like padkos, you know.  Food for the trip.  Or a beach towel, say.  You never know when you might be visiting the beach.  Should a convenience store sell beers?  I would say yes, definitely, but I suspect it depends on where the convenience store is situated.  A convenience store selling illicit beers in the UAE, for instance, would be liable for a hefty fine.

1 Comment

Filed under blogs

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

30 Oct 2015 · 11:59

Insults – Blog No. 30

can-i-borrow-your-face-for-a-few-days-my-ass-is-going-on-holiday-insult-quote

It is not difficult to become offended by what we hear – or imagine – are insults directed at our person, particularly because as humans our diversity means that different things piss off different people.  Words and gestures in one culture may mean something positive, encouraging.  In other customs the same words could be curses.  It pays in delicate situations to know which words not to use – to hold your tongue when you are unsure of how your words will be interpreted – as much as it is helpful to speak openly when you know that certain words must be heard.

There are those who find swearing insulting to their ears.  There are those that find piety to be a violation.  Others cannot abide defiant women, advocating a woman’s submission because it demonstrates ‘respect’.  It is interesting that some people find insulting the idea of outspoken women, as if a woman’s word cannot be taken as seriously as a man’s in a man’s world.  Rudeness, on the other hand, is insulting to everyone, on every level.  Usually, rudeness is not necessary – it is a choice, a kind of thoughtlessness.  Like it is a choice not to respond to it.

The way it usually goes is that this one insults that one, and that one retaliates.  Anger is generated.  Then this one spits more insults and that one impacts them.  Anger intensifies.  That one then vents again with a poisonous diatribe in an attempt to annihilate this one.  Tempers flare, faces rage.  And then with a concerted effort one side – either this one or that one – decides not to respond to the provocation.  In a moment, the conflict is over.  No matter your own anger, your fury, your hatred – you cannot force a disciplined mind to fight.

1 Comment

Filed under blogs

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

11 Sep 2015 · 15:02

Purpose built – Blog No. 17

purpose built

That is why it is vital to know what your purpose on this planet, is.  Then you will understand why you have been built the way you have.  It is important not to identify too closely with your ‘build’ – it does not necessarily define you.  It can, of course, but again that depends on what your particular purpose is.  It also has something to do with how you come to realise what that purpose – your destiny – is.  When you can come to terms with, and accept, your destiny – you will find that who you are is absolutely perfect for the job you need to do.  That is why yes is a word you should use with yourself.  Should you be purpose built and deny yourself your destiny by lying when you are identifying yourself then it is fair to say that you will probably end up living the wrong life.

If you are as yet unsure about the nature of your purpose, its role in your life, there are ways to establish how to find out.  That does not take three minutes, it takes a great deal of time and selfless devotion.  If you cannot be bothered to show yourself your true reason(s) for being you are consigning yourself to the giant void that is a pointless existence.  There is nothing worse than living on this planet for a reason you are not able to give yourself.

There are those that are built – like elements are the building blocks of the universe – a certain way for a certain reason.  When we discover the value in our diversity we will be more inclined to celebrate who exactly it is that we are.  Whilst that truth eludes you, you will see difference in a fearful light and you will be inclined to fight it.  The point is that when the starter pistol began the race of time we crossed the line with a view to finishing.  Others crossed the line with the intention of winning.  Others still, crossed that line and collapsed after travelling three feeble metres.  The reason that happened is because from the beginning, they were running on empty – and the initial surge at the start reversed them.

3 Comments

Filed under blogs

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,