I am often surprised by people who change their story. Yesterday I wrote a letter to Mr. Malema (maybe you read it?) asking him to change his spots and give us an opportunity for peace in South Africa . I suspect that Julius will never get to read my plea to him, I fully expect us not to make it known to the people that can make a difference, to the people that can get it to him. I am not naïve enough to think that my words will make a difference to not you, not anyone, let alone someone with the ear of the President. I am not naïve enough to think that this country’s future will be effected by the words of one blogger. But. And it’s a big but. If you share or email yesterdays words with anyone who you think will appreciate them or send them on to their spider web of connections then maybe, just maybe, they will find the right person, maybe they will find someone who has the clout to make a difference. To someone who has the independence and capability to agree or disagree.
Locally, I am surprised by people who change their minds, those who change their story. Those who visibly change their support for someone, who only a few years ago despised this very same person. Those who despised me! Those who profess to have a perfect reputation, albeit in a small town, those who profess to be more equal than others. Those who thought they can solve the problems in this country, in this town, by behaving like they own it. Those who thought that a narrow minded, aggressive and military approach was the way to go. I am the same person. I will do the same again, only this time I will be better prepared. Only next time I will be wiser to your arrogance and your blinkered thinking.
If you’re wondering what I’m on about then here is the synopsis. For ten years I traded in ‘texas. I have facilitated, repeatedly, world class night club entertainment of note! Stuff that this town has never seen before and probably won’t see again. For six months of these ten years I traded my night club to black clientele. And for these six months I am remembered. For these six months I am shunned by people to this day. For these six months I harbour bitterness for some individuals that defies understanding. They think that it’s in the past. They think that their utterances, behaviour and accusations about me in public are forgotten. They think that their command of loyalty is exclusive in this small ‘village’. It’s not, their time is coming. They will be held to account. Their ticket is booked. To these people; You have not only destroyed me financially, you have consumed me. You have consigned me to worry for my children’s future, you have created in me a person who I am not.
And all because I sold beer to black people. For gods sake. What were you thinking?
Why do you now greet me, why do you smile at me, why do you now talk to me like an old friend that I am?. I am too well mannered to blank you completely because my view is to keep you, my enemy, close, and in front where I can see you.
My night club experience has taught me well. It has taught me to identify your risk and to weigh the balance of your risk to probability. I see stuff that others don’t see. I see opportunity. I have seen more drunken and wanton violence than anybody should. I see opportunity. You should worry.
In contrast, those who never doubted me, as I have written before, those who never judged me, those who in my darkest hour (excuse the pun) supported me nevertheless, I have endless time for you. I am indebted to you for understanding the predicament that I was in, I am conscious of your views and how they may have disagreed with mine at the time and I appreciate that you chose not to air them to me or publicly. I appreciate those who still remain by my side to this day, those who I socialize with, and without motive are happy to spend time with me for who I am. I am damaged goods. I bear grudges that are not fulfilled. I understand this but in the not too distant future will have opportunity to make good the mistakes. I will have chance to move on and not worry about the past. I will, in time, make good to people who have lost faith in me. But my memory is long. Especially for those who made themselves judge and executioner.
Don’t forget. Send it forward. Share it, Tweet it, sing it. The more who know the bigger the message.
Until tomorrow. God speed.
Good advise I once received was to do a spring clean of your friends/associates regularily.
ReplyDeleteIf a friendship/association no longer brings anything positive to your life, cut the ties and move on. Its refreshing!