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The year is over, and we are older. Hopefully, we are wiser too, and our waistlines are not any wider. It has been a year of drought, but the scarcity of leadership has been the most damaging thing of all.
It’s been a strange time, indeed, where ignorance was rewarded handsomely, and the lack of intellect was a prerequisite for getting ahead.
It was stranger still to realise that we are, in fact, a colony of the Guptas, who do as they wish in our country. They fire ministers who will not conform to their whims, and appoint new ones with a strict mandate to serve their masters. The Guptas have proven themselves to be more powerful than the ANC. In fact, they have proven to be more powerful than God.
The rand dropped, but the biggest loss was that of self-respect and, with that, the respect for Parliament and our politicians. Our heroes were vilified, but if only the vilifiers knew that had it not been for our heroes, they’d be speaking to us in Afrikaans.
The fog of gloom overcame the land, investors disappeared, companies retrenched breadwinners, children starved, but the blue-light brigades increased, safe from the consequences of the bad decisions the powerful made.
If you, like the many people on social media, are shocked by the dawn of freedom that is turning into a sunset, blame no one if you voted at the last election.
If you didn’t vote, blame yourself, and if your party didn’t win, blame yourself for your own inability to sell your ideas.
Believe me, defeat is good and fear is good, but despair is dangerous. Defeat prepares one for victory, and fear is the fire that cooks the hero of the future. Desperation, on the other hand, is a short cut to death. Like all seasons, this president too shall pass, and we will come out a stronger nation.
Do not let the festive season extend the drought of good news. Look at the retail fliers and chase the bargains, but remember, a bargain for something you have no need for is no bargain at all, but a cheap leak that will sink your ship someday.
Cultivate old friendships. Feast with your eyes wide open, knowing that not all poisons are bitter. Ease into rest, don’t shock your heart with idleness, and use this time to fill up your head more than your stomach.
Fall in love, but expect nothing. Lower your expectations of others – that way, you will not be disappointed. But have high expectations of yourself. Inspire others to look higher, for that is what progress is about.
Shed a tear if you have to, but remember that tears dry quickly for a reason, so don’t spend too much time weeping. Cheer up, cheer others up – it is good for your health, and it is the best way to prevent others from weeping for you too soon.
Resolve to own your career. It is your business. Be present every day and remember that you are the primary driver of your success. Invest in your business and invest in society. This is the only way to ensure that you’ll have customers tomorrow.
