“In the beginning was the word”
Let’s start from there, the word or in this context, words.
It seems simple to say that words have power but they really do. Whether
uttered or written, their ramifications can stretch forth for centuries in time
and still touch lives. We are currently still sifting through ancient texts
that were written hundreds of years ago, trying to tap into the wisdom of man
when life was a little less distracting and far more simple.
For today I want you and me to pick three words to explore
to bring to us an understanding of life and our interactions with each other,
because stripped down all life is, is an interaction between the self and the
world.
I have three words that kept popping in my mind for the past
month and they are guidance, growth and gangsta. Humor me please on the last
one. It will make sense at the tail end of this post. Keep in mind I tend to
see the world from a young poet’s eyes.
So let us begin (pun intended) with guidance. A basic
dictionary definition will say that guidance is the act or
function of guiding, directing, advising or counseling; sometimes from a leader
or someone in authority. I’m going to go with directing for us.
Now some of us sometimes feel like life
is just a matter of random events that happen we later give meaning to because
that’s what humans do; try to give meaning to everything. I beg to differ with
this view point. I think we are guided by higher forces, beings or a benevolent
entity if you’d like to call it, in all we do.
Physics talks of laws, and cause and effect, now if a particle
can stop at a barrier, vanish then reappear at the other end in what is called
quantum tunneling then isn’t there something far greater pushing it,
‘directing’ it to its goal. And aren’t humans and other materials in the
universe simply made up of an intricate arrangement of atoms themselves? So
aren’t there also forces that affect and sometimes direct you?
Second let’s look at growth. What is growth and what does
growth entail. A simple dictionary definition states growth as something that
increases in size, science however also highlights that with growth comes
change. Thus growth is a transformative process that not only produces
abundance but also alters what once was in the beginning.
Look at a seed for example. We bury it in the ground out of
sight, and then it swells and raptures new structures. First a root burrows
painfully down to create a foundation guided by the seeds own intuitive
knowledge. Then next a shoot springs forth from the ground, with it the first
leaves ready to take on the world.
Just like a seed with the right guidance we develop to be
the best versions of ourselves. This guidance in itself can also come from
forces we are not aware of by our finite senses. Likewise, it is upon us to
guide each other towards growth and abundance because just like one lowly atom,
we achieve more as a collective. In biology growth without guidance is a tumor,
but growth tempered with love, wisdom and the power of will births new ideas,
new connections and new creations.
Alright, let’s segue into the last word gangsta. Please note
the difference in spelling from the known common term gangster because I am
referring to something totally different from the latter. Let’s tear ourselves
from the prejudices that come from what society has taught us what a gansta is
and define this term with the respect it deserves.
In positive terms a gangsta is someone who successfully and
legally makes their way out of a difficult situation in order to improve their
status in life. Sometimes what may be considered legal in one society may be
considered illegal in another, but that’s a debate for another day. To me a
gansta is anyone who faces a corrupt or difficult system and says I’m going to
make these difficulties work for me.
So what’s more gansta that a particle facing a barrier and
instead of bouncing away in defeat it tunnels right through it like it never
saw it. Now what’s more gangsta than a seed staying dormant till it senses the
life giving elements of water then busts through to the surface as a tall firm
baobab tree. Moreover, gangstas are rebels with a cause blazing new ways of
thinking and avenues for growth.
However, a gangsta needs the right guidance if he/she is to
grow into prosperity from his circumstances. Now we see how all these three
words, these ‘gee’z’ tie into each other. Growth also needs someone who will
stop and say ‘wait’ how about we do it a different way, because with each new
growth there is a need to break the mold even if we have to risk it all.
Peace!
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