The Unreasonables

I read this quote on Friday, one I have seen before but not never pondered.
"The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man." George Bernard Shaw

Be reasonable. Adapt to the world. Live a good life.
There is literally nothing wrong with that. This leads to a world that most consider functional.
"The normal way".

Be unreasonable. Get frustrated often by the way things are. Refuse to accept those frustrations.
Ask why a lot. Confuse people with your convictions.
Get called "mad", "bizarre"... "a dreamer".

The unreasonable see the need for change because the world does not fit into their crazy idealism. They see their crazy idealism as "normal". The unreasonable not only create products; they create markets. They see what you and I need and want before we know we need and want it. They create it, then they make us need and want it. They move the world forward.

You didn't know you needed Uber.
On an arbitrary evening in 2008, Travis Kalanick and Garret Camp had difficulty calling a cab.
A common frustration we previously accepted.
They didn't adapt themselves to a frustrating world, they adapted the world to them. Uber.
You didn't know you need Uber. Now you do. Market created, the world moves forward.

What are your main frustrations in the world? Have you adapted to them?
Ask yourself, are you unreasonable? Can you use your frustration to drive the world forward?

Call for Vulnerability: The Russian Doll Story

It's called a matryoshka. Or as I know it from school, a "skilpop".
A Russian doll. Many layers, to be removed one at a time.

We are all matryoshkas (a word that sounds cooler than it probably is).

We meet new people. We start guarded, cynical, mysterious, with the desire to be emotionally numb.

We are so intent on ensuring we will not get hurt like in the past, that we actively resist removing the layers of emotional vulnerability as quickly as before.

As life goes on, we become more guarded. More closed off to people getting to know the true "us" because of previous hurts. We decide the possibility of pain is not worth the possibility of unparalleled joy.

We are a society of matryoshkas not willing to shed layers. A cold connection-less society.

This is a call for vulnerability. A call for us not to let life's previous missteps endanger life's future hope.

Yes, vulnerability comes with the risk of 2/10 moments along with exhilarating 10/10s... an emotional rollercoaster. Is that not more thrilling than a constant 6/10 life? A dull predictable emotionless limbo.

I am an open book. Too open. I allow myself to feel and to feel fully.
It is delightful. It is horrible. At times I wish I could switch it off.
But then I feel the joy again of soul-soul connection. It is a gift, it is a curse.

But life is going to be one mad journey.
The way it should be.

Fighting the Cynicism of Time

When you are a kid, you tell the adults that you want to be an astronaut. 

They laugh at you.

When you are a kid, you gleefully proclaim you are going to change the world.

They laugh at you.

When you are a kid, you do mad things, say mad things; say what's on your mind.

They laugh at you,

When you are a kid, you get rejected for having unique thoughts. 

They laugh at you.

When you are a kid, you know you are here to achieve something special.

They laugh at you. 

The cynical pack around you wants you to become cynical too. They don't like your optimism. They are threatened by your ideals. They accepted a long time ago that changing the world is not for them. They want you to be like them - to conform... to be in a comfort zone... to concede to mediocrity.

As we grow up, we unknowingly become conditioned to be like those around us. To be cynical. To enjoy comfort zones. To lose that conviction that beamed through our eyes. We lose that conviction that made us intoxicating. 

Now is the time. We have to fight back... 

Regain your ideals. Reinvigorate your conviction that you are here to make an impact, 

Step out of your comfort zone. Get rejected. Feel alive. 

The Last

The last hug with your loved one before they leave. The last meal.  The last goodbye. The last breath.

Why is “the last” the most important, the most meaningful, the one that lingers?

The more scarce something is, the more precious it becomes. The last moment is the most scarce moment. The last moment is the most precious moment.

Does it have to be that way?

Do we have to feel lukewarm about moments in life until we know they are at their end point – then have a sudden change at “the last”?

Every moment with a loved one is the most important. Every meal is the last. Every hug is the most meaningful. Every breath is one to savour.

Savour each moment. Give a silly smile. This life is scarce.

This life is our last. 

Open Door

I said no. I said I was going in the opposite direction. I lied.

I could have helped. I could have made a difference in a life today. I actively chose not to.

She wanted a lift to place nearby, and I was too self-absorbed to help, thinking my schedule (term used loosely) was more important.

On a day in which our minds are full of thoughts about terrorism in Paris; thoughts about how people could be (and can be) so evil; it is easier to lament the bad than celebrate the good.

I let the bad infect me. I was wrong.

I should have focussed on Porte Ouverte. Open Door. The hashtag being used on social media to provide locations Parisians can access for shelter in these desperate times.

I should have been inspired by the selfless acts, human tendency to unite in times of adversity, and all that Porte Ouverte represents.

In times of trouble, average people can be called to stand up and make a difference. No, in all times, on a lovely Saturday morning in Johannesburg, average people can be called to stand up and make a difference.

This morning, I failed.

I don't know enough about terrorism to address the psychology of a terrorist, but I do know that humans can be good, and Porte Ouverte shows that.

I will take my next Porte Ouverte opportunity. So can you.

Travel Steadily

Considering Easter weekend has just passed, I thought a spiritual post is in order. I also posted this to the blog that my friends run at rockingitchristianstyle.blogspot.com... So check out that vibrant site for some thought-provoking reading and insightful album reviews if you get the chance.  

Okay, here we go...

Psalm 37:34 says “Don’t be impatient for the Lord to act! Travel steadily along His path. He will honour you, giving you the land”. What a beautiful thought. How comforting it is to acknowledge that we can simply live our lives according to His plan knowing that everything will work out perfectly. How comforting it is to know that we can be blissfully patient, without fear, worry or concern.

God, the Ruler of Universe, the Creator of Heaven and Earth is guiding our path and patiently setting up a great future for us. Literally, He created the entire universe, and He holds our whole life in His hands... How crazy is that?? There is no way we will ever comprehend that, but if we can just begin to understand how awesome it is, we can calm down and relax knowing “He’s got this”.  I mean, I respect someone so much if they can create anything – whether it’s hand-made clothes, art… even creating a tasty meal out of a bunch of ingredients is something I admire! But creating the entire universe??? Wow, God has my eternal respect, admiration and trust!!! 

We do not need to rush His plans. We do not need to fear when we are in a rough patch that is seemingly lacking in direction, because that is only a short term scenario. We do not need to fear when we are in a job that does not satisfy us, or studying a course that feels irrelevant. Because a lifestyle in line with the path of Jesus, mixed with prayer and an openness to God’s voice will reveal His plan for our lives. “Travel steadily”, be open to God’s will, and it will come.

That is why I am currently content. I had lived a relatively directionless life since leaving school, but since the door closed on medicine, I feel a new sense of hope that God is working in a big way for my future. I have hope that His plans for me far exceed what would have been possible if I was confined to life as a medical student and eventually a doctor. That seems to be a bizarre statement… but I truly believe that even if we are in a great profession, and it is not where we are called to be, it will not satisfy us.

I am still unsure of His plans, which is the difficult part because I do not have a fully logical answer when people ask me what career I am pursuing. But it is important that I present the same peace to others as I have within my heart; A comforting peace that says I am patient and trusting in the Lord, seeking wholeheartedly to follow His path, knowing that He will honour me because my life is dedicated to honouring Him.

I am now doing a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Management, and I truly feel that this is the right place for me to be in. I’m not sure how God is going to use me in the business world, but I know that He will use me and I’m excited for the possibilities.

I know this is a journey that so many students are on. There are many reasons why we have decided to study the degree we are; sometimes it’s because that’s the only degree our matric marks allowed for us, sometimes it’s because of pure uncertainty post-matric, and sometimes we just think it’s a degree that sounds good (what sounds more prestigious than medicine??). But I’m a firm believer that it’s better to do something than to do nothing… along the journey God will reveal our true passions and talents to us, and we will be able to use past experiences to help us when we find our true calling.

So don’t fear if you feel uncertain of your path now… simply “travel steadily along His path”, and I am certain that He will honour you, so that you can honour Him.

Have a great week amigos!

Being faithful with little

Depending on what Bible translation you’re reading, Luke 16:10 says something along the lines of “He who is faithful with little will be faithful with much”. 

What does it mean to be faithful with little? We recently had a church service in which our pastor looked at Genesis 39; including Joseph working for Potiphar and resisting the seduction of Potiphar’s wife. In this chapter, Joseph is a great example of doing his small, seemingly insignificant work well in Potiphar’s home, and being blessed by God with greater work responsibilities. Joseph resisted Potiphar’s wife even though nobody would have known if he had slept with her. Because Joseph was responsible with little, God knew he would be able to comfortably thrive with greater responsibilities.

What does “being faithful with little” mean for the lives of you and I? There are many examples we can look at, but firstly let’s look at it from a leadership point of view. If you have been blessed to be in a position to lead a small team in a work environment, grab that opportunity with both hands by leading with integrity and making the glory of God your focus. If that becomes a habit, you will be more likely to lead that way when entrusted with thousands of people working below you, and when the suffocating risk of greed begins to emerge.

Speaking of greed and wealth, those are huge examples in which I believe being “faithful with little” is immensely important. Even if we are students on part time jobs, or on a meager allowance, no amount is too small to put aside as a monthly tithe to further God’s kingdom or to try do your part in fighting poverty. If we can’t put aside 10% of 500, how can we expect ourselves to put aside 10% of 50 000 one day??

What about relationships? Men, if we can’t be faithful to our girlfriends now, how can we expect to be faithful to our wives when the stakes are so much higher? Sadly, for red-blooded males, the challenge of battling lust will always be there. It sucks! But we need to follow Joseph’s lead and bluntly resist-refuse-run in response to the temptation. Easier said than done, of course! But we need to start practicing now so that we can be the best possible faithful husbands one day.

My friends and I were discussing this the other day in terms of keeping fit, keeping out of debt and doing early morning quiet time routines. If we can't exercise, work hard and wake up early as young adults, how will we do it with ample responsibilities, stresses and a family around us?

I think we should look at every situation in our lives as an opportunity to nurture faithfulness *now*. I truly believe that every day, week and month we are confronted with several difficult circumstances in which our faithfulness will be put to the test, but if we can use those circumstances as a means to exercise faithfulness, we will be glorifying and growing closer to God. 

As we head into the new week, let’s ask ourselves - in what areas am I being “faithful with little”? In what areas should my faithfulness improve? What are some examples in my life in which I’ve been faithful and I've received greater opportunities as a result?