It’s no wonder we don’t have much movement towards success amongst Africans collectively. It’s no wonder most of us are stuck on the notion that going to religious services week after week and a couple of conferences a year if we can afford them really makes a difference in one’s life. We try to convince ourselves that it’s making a difference when in reality, it’s just a quick fix. It’s no wonder we spend hours a week on radio shows and social media complaining about what others aren’t doing instead of concentrating on what we are supposed to be doing individually and collectively. There is more to life than that.
What most of us have done is minimize our lives and culture to various religious ideologies and experiences instead of living a thriving life on and in purpose.
More Africans can argue with anyone about what’s in the Bible or the basic tenets of their religion but cannot justify one bit why their lives come up short when it comes to flair, excitement, passion, desire, and fire. What most of us have difficulty doing is honestly assessing our lives to determine if in fact we are measuring up or falling short. This reality requires honesty and courage. Why? It’s because when you see the results of this reality assessment and want more in life it requires change which is extremely difficult for most people.
Too often, when speaking to brothers and sisters about their personal lives,…
they will acknowledge in one way or another that they are unemployed, under-employed, their personal drive is down, unfulfilled, living in squalor and disorder, which in turn affects other aspects of their lives including their health and families. Many have decided to live in multi-family dwellings meaning many come together under one roof. This is fine and commendable because of the obvious economic advantages. However, if everyone in the home is in the aforementioned state, instead of economic advantages you have an amplified mess.
Other groups like many Latinos or Asians do this but they have a game plan.
They have a collective sense of purpose and most times everyone has a personal sense of purpose. They live in many cases, in multi-family homes but each and everyone knows what their assignment is. Whether it’s a divine plan of action or not, they have a plan that helps them move from initial financial challenges to financial independence.
Then we have those of us who have repatriated to Africa like my wife, and I have done.
For some reason many people think that at the snap of a finger life is going to change as soon as they leave America or wherever they are from. They still must know their purpose and have a plan. Still others think that a certain amount of money or more money is going to change their lives. Without purpose, all it’s going to do is amplify your vulnerabilities. If you are a broke person with no purpose and finally get some money, all you will be is the same person with more money and time to waste.
What’s worse than that is when individuals without purpose join organizations, be it religious or secular, to satisfy that void and to give them a sense of belonging that don’t have true purpose and vision either.
Does that benefit any particular group or organization? Now, we’re talking about amplified confusion. Granted, what I am saying doesn’t mean to step up and fulfill a void temporarily to assist an organization or group. Doing so should only be done until the right person steps up and fulfills that void. Unfortunately, what tends to happen is, instead of collective movement forward as a people we just have social organizations that do a little positive work here and there, but nothing really changes for the better that are measurable.
My honest assessment of that is, when purpose is the driving force, whether it’s on an individual, collective, or organizational level, there will be order.
No one will have the time or energy to spend worrying about what others are doing or not doing. They will be way too busy doing the work they’ve been created to do, and a lot will be accomplished individually and collectively.