By Dr Paul Bundi Human beings are endowed with remarkable resilience, which can only be broken when they choose to give up. Says Viktor Frankl in his seminal book, Man's Search for Meaning; ''it is a peculiarity of man that he can only live by looking to the future-sub specie aeternitatis. And this is his salvation in thd most difficult moments of his existence, although he sometimes has to force his mind to the task.'' Man's life is primarily driven by the desire for future, the unshakable belief that the future holds promise. We invariably cease to live when we think we have hit a dead end, or that there's nothing more to be had by living. Theoretically, there is no limit to man's achievement, and that is what drives men to wake up and strive day after day. The opposite is spiritual, psychological death, which manifests way ahead of physical death. Lesson? Losing today doesn't mean losing always. You can lose 10 times and win the 11th time. Or, you
One of the greatest Rhumba legends, Madilu System has a very interesting story.. As narrated by Fred Obachi Machoka, he was once with Tabu Ley and struggled to fit into the band. However, they never fully appreciated him. They never fully accepted him. They always reminded of of the past when he was in a different band and said not very good things about Tabu Ley...
In other words, instead of looking at his present potential, the guys in the Tabu Ley team kept digging at the past of Madilu and treated him with suspicion.
Things hit a Crescendo when Tabu Ley was flying from Kinshasa to Paris, and deliberately gave Madilu the wrong times to reach the Airport. When Madilu came, he discovered that he was left behind.
Heartbroken and annoyed, Madilu went to TPOK Jazz band of Franco and pleaded with them. He ate the humble pie for about 2 years, as he was inducted.... And by the end of the two years, he emerged as the lead and favorite vocalist... And went on to be the top name in Rhumba....
His songs still rule the airwaves....because they came from real life experience and deep hurt.. He was singing from the heart...
Many people are in the same situation....
You are in a place where you are being treated badly... Nobody sees your potential. They only see the negative part of you...
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Nobody sees your present, they are only interested in digging through your past...
You are doing your best in the organization, but some people in the office are interested in small fights with you...
You are doing your best in the business, but your supervisor is just looking for negative things about you....
Some exacerbate the situation by telling you in your face that, you don't deserve to be with them....
But if you know what is inside you, never mind them. If you know your true potential.. Never let that get into your nerves....
Just focus on the bigger picture....
One mistake Madilu made was that he stayed too long in the Tabu Ley side.. In spite of all the indications, that he was unwanted, he stuck there...
If you see that you are not appreciated... Don't waste your time trying to prove it.. Just move on... Go to where you are celebrated... Your best will come...
It happens every time and everywhere....
Even some of us have gone through such situations... And moving on helped...
For instance, when I decided to fully back the Ruto campaign, a top name in the Ruto side decided to fight me. He sent people to dig out stuff from the past. He moved from place to place saying "this one can't be trusted" the issue wasn't about me, but about the insecurity in him....the overall intention was to make me feel annoyed and walk away...
But I knew what was going on. I read the spiritual realm and knew that Ruto was going to win. Even if the situation in the ground looked like it was impossible.. So, what did I do, I simply shut my ears to what was being said, moved on to places that I was celebrated. I simply shut off that side that was bad mouthing me and went to the side that saw my potential, and was interested in my potential, rather petty fights...
And I must say that it helped..and now I am in a good place. The moment I discovered that this guy wasn't going to celebrate my potential, I shut him off and moved to another team that saw the potential in me.
If you are in a situation where you are not being appreciated..... Do the following.
1. Look at the bigger picture.. Do not throw everything away because some small minded people can't see you potential.. Remember, it is not about you, but it is about their insecurity and lack of foresight..
2. Never force yourself to belong. Never justify your presence. If someone decides not to see your potential, there is nothing you can do to...
3. Move on... If you are in a job that doesn't appreciate you, start planning your exit. If you are in a team that does not appreciate you, look for another team. Move on...
4. Do not let the opinion of people affect your overall vision. Change of strategy is not change of vision..... If your vision is to reach Nairobi, and you get the path blocked, just change the path and follow another. Or create a new path.. But do not look at the guys blocking the path.. Just keep moving, with the overall vision in mind....
After being abandoned at the Kinshasa airport, what do you think would have happened if Madilu decided to leave Music and went farming Cassavas? He would have ended up a common villager. But he held on to be a global icon.......
Have a blessed Sunday, as you move on from people who do not appreciate you and get to where you are celebrated...
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