BLOOM AND GROW

We should be concerned about our world. As Chimamanda Adichie alluded in her 2019 commencement speech at the American University (AU), we should try to change a tiny bit of our world.  We don't realize that when we choose to do this, we are indirectly making efforts to improve our lives.  When this subject of "changing our world" comes up, we are quick to think this means we should go green or save the endangered animals. However, let's remember that our world is also about humans and our social-cultural exchanges.  So, below I share my take on four very important points  on changing the world, raised by Adichie in that speech  ,  1. DO SOMETHING "Do something is to try", says Adichie. In my opinion, to do something to look at your immediate environment and take an action that improves the lives of those around you.  It is to give some of your money to deserving charities.  It is to give some of your time to helping others.

Photo credit: Chimamanda.com In this article, I explore some of Chimamanda's  ideas from her 2015 Wellesley address. Original Photo from Chimamanda.com 1. Your standardized ideologies will not always fit your life because life is messy. In my opinion, this means we should learn to take life has it comes. There are many things in life we cannot control, so we should not try to mend the world to fit our ideals. For example, you cannot always win. That is, going by the mainstream understanding of what winning means. A lawyer can argue as best as he can but the court might not rule in his favour. A doctor can try everything to save a patient’s life and that patient might still die. Hence we must be willing to change our beliefs about everything. Make your ideologies your own. Give your own meaning to things; to winning for example.   Perhaps, something that justifies the efforts you put into the work you do; without the need for external validation.

Good morning Fam,  1. In 2018, I really did burn some bridges and I am glad I did. Those bridge-burning experiences taught me that: My job is not to lift everybody up.  My job is to live your own life.  I am not a shadow.  As I have always said, "when people show you who they are, believe them the first time" 2. Practice your values, don't just profess them. This bugs me a bit because I know there are so many who cut corners and are still thriving. I mean, there are successful. The real question then for me is, why do I need to practice my values. Anyway, I want to believe that there has to be some consequence to cheating and being "fast". Maybe I am naive but at least  I know there are other people who share my school of thought. People like Khaled Hosseini author of  The Kite Runner. Here is a line from the novel I believe and agree with.   "When you kill a man, you steal a life.  You steal his wife's right to a husband, rob h