Continuing from where we left off, I am treading this precarious walkway that is the re-invention, and re-birth that happens on a societal level around us. Now, of course this does not refer to anyone who is working hard on self-realization, and self-actualization through spiritual, educational means etc. If one finds a better path to life, and enlightened and more nurturing system of existence, by all means that is your right and privilege to embrace it. The same with learning and acquiring knowledge. There can never be, and should never be, “enough” when it comes to learning. The more one can absorb, embrace, and make available to oneself the better. One could pause studies, begin a different chapter, and then, at any age resume the academic pathways and be applauded for doing so. Improving one’s mind, and senses, along with the ability to use one’s intellect for betterment is a huge plus in life.
It is a whole different story when one decides to perform a masquerade and expect accolades for doing so. There are so many out there who are absolutely lazy when it comes to wanting to improve themselves in the tried, true and tested ways. The answer? Pretend to study, pretend to workout, pretend to learn a skill, purely in order to show the outside world that one is “working on it.” Dodging projects, making excuses for absences and not delivering the required assignments, finding ways and means to blame everyone (rather than turn the mirror on oneself for the ‘reason’) is the easiest way to be a rudderless ship, when the end result is bound to be floundering on the rocks! The easiest way for the ‘professional dodger’ to dodge any responsibility is to play the ‘blame game.’ Oh, how sadly mistaken they are.
There is a reason certain actors win awards, as they have the innate skill at acting, and making their role believable. Unfortunately, I am not one of them and neither are the majority of People around us. So, what makes these ‘dodgers’ think that their acting skills are of such high levels, that we would believe the nonsense they propagate? ‘High’ is what they must be, to think that their mediocre, mundane, gutter theatricals would garner any ‘belief’ from anyone with any functioning brain cells! Everyone is not meant to be an academic genius, everyone is not expected to be star students, and star professionals in a starry firmament. So please stop blaming the whiteboard, the quality of the pen, the laptop charger, the colleague next to you, and the projector when the only thing projecting is your personal lack of accountability, and failure to work hard.
The same applies to wannabe athletes, musicians, dancers etc. From blaming the “laces being untied,” as did... to the weather, to the quality of the pre-event snack, to the lighting coordinator, to the clairvoyant who predicted you would win, just stop the nonsense and accept that fact that you tried your best, and your best was just not good enough. Such is life, and as we all know, in most cases, life deals us the hand that we deserve. If you ran the race and came in tenth, and you trained, did your best, and gave it your all, hold your head up high, be proud and revel in the fact that you take responsibility for the actions and the results. We all cannot be winners, winning at everything all the time, and that is ok. It is all about the efforts, and most off all winning or losing, it is yours!
This brings me to the nonsense we see propagated in society where “everyone is a winner”, um no they are not! From industry professionals to coaches to sponsors to parents this warped idea is instilled, where no one can be ‘not considered’ a winner, and in turn, exacerbating the delusions, everyone is framed as ‘a winner’. What absolute nonsense is this?
We are nurturing ‘snowflake’ culture at its worst, where no one can be second, no one be corrected or given a different pathway to achieve different results, for fear they would be ‘triggered’. Yes, hopefully triggered to do better! Awards are handed out to every participant, everyone has to be called to the podium, everyone’s name has to be read out loud, everyone needs a garland, a sash, a trophy and a crown, now if this is not absurdity in the spotlight, what is?!
The pageant industry where if one is not the winner, the contestants have to blame the weather, the planets, the oracles, the cleaners at the auditorium etc. How about you face the proverbial music, realize the winner was more deserving of winning, and accept the results? Instead it would be tearing down the winners looks, pedigree, shoe size, parent’s lunchbox preparation in grade 4, and your nursery teacher! Seriously? Take responsibility and move on! Everyone can’t be valedictorian, so pointing fingers, toes, magic wands while ranting and raving does not benefit anyone. So, your grades were not the best, your academic career was missing components, think to yourself maybe the valedictorian fulfilled all of these and deserved it. Everyone can’t be a winning dancer. Ballroom, Latin, tap, whatever it may be blaming the dance coach, the dance floor, the dance shoes, and the fellow dancers is never the answer. If you are not the best, you are NOT the best! Be dignified, be proud you tried, you practiced, to were dedicated and maybe all that combined was just not enough to garner the winning trophy, the coveted titles, and accolades. That is ok, as long as you show grace, humility, and the fact that you are playing with a full deck of cards, and not behave like a deranged debutante gone wild.
2026 a new year, a new beginning, a new chapter so to speak, so why not make it a ‘new you’ in the best possible way? Strive to thrive, leave the blame at the door, take responsibility, accountability, and take a long hard look at how best to re-calibrate, re-structure, and re-align to create the best possible version of yourself, inside and out.
