THINKING ABOUT TIME

An article (here) reporting on a speech given by the AU chair got me thinking about how we view time.

In the article, Dr Dlamini Zuma read a letter "written" by someone in 2063 to somebody living today. It appears she used the letter to encourage her audience to dream big, and remain steadfast in the knowledge that every brick they lay today will contribute to the master building of our future.

But we don't always get it, do we? I know I don't. I've been so concerned over the last couple of years with the struggle of modern day life, with school fees and the children's manners and work and the wife and my friends and my career, that to look forward 30 years only happens during corruption and corporate greed w(h)ine sessions with our Jo'burg friends.

But its so important to give everyday life its proper context.

Imagine you were in your early twenties during the late eighties and early nineties. Today, you'd be in senior organisational positions, a parent to almost fully grown children. You are probably part of the most influential section of society, because you have (if you're lucky enough) authority, experience, money and unique experience.

How important were your decisions regarding people of other races, education, work, social equity, your family,and how you treat women in creating the society we have today?

And how often did you consider this back then? Or today?

The real mind-fuck comes when you try and imagine what type of world we'll be living in in 30 years time. Thirty years ago, who could have predicted any of the issues that grab our attention these days? Social media, African politics, Anonymous, smartphones, M-PESA, people volunteering and competing for one way tickets to Mars? There are people alive today who didn't watch T.V when growing up because it just wasn't there. Never mind the internet.

So its hard t consider what's the best way to live today, if you want to do it for a better tomorrow.

And for now, that's all I've got say about that.

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