I usually take walks along the streets of Kampala every day after work. Last Friday proved to be one of a kind, mostly because I was accompanied by an enchanting and brilliant young lady. Momentarily, a conversation ensued between us in which I got fully immersed.
Just across the street, there sat an able-bodied man who was clad in ragged clothes with arms stretched out begging the passers-by. “Mpaako kikumi!!” (Give me one hundred shillings!!) He repeatedly begged. “Ariz, do you think that guy over there has aspirations for the future?” I asked Ariz while signaling towards his direction.
“Uhmm, I highly doubt that,” she responded. “Honestly speaking, I think having aspirations for the future, let alone pursuing them is the last thing on his mind. All he cares about right now might be his next meal and possibly where he’s going to spend the night.” She added.
When I saw this guy begging, it got me thinking of the many young men and women in Uganda and across the continent who relate with him in one way or another. Some even have the privilege of University education but are indifferent to the street man. They are sitting on their potential gifts and talents at home doing nothing productive but expecting “supernatural” success.
Apparently, some youths believe that personal development is only for those who are “well-off” and thus, a waste of time and energy. In some cases, such a mindset is adapted from their societies. They don’t value their self-worth and sadly don’t have any mentors from whom to learn. Therefore, the idea of building human capital is too alien to pursue.
Personal development includes activities that improve self-awareness and identity, develop skills and talents, facilitate future employability, enhance the quality of one’s life and contribute to the realization of dreams and aspirations.
These activities are more often than not disguised in service, that is, opting to be selfless in spite of the qualifications and certificates that we may or may not have. I believe that we ought to look beyond ourselves because the abilities we possess aren’t for us to just keep in our minute and pocket-sized worlds… but rather to give of ourselves and create a positive difference in our localities and in the lives of those we are privileged enough to encounter along our different paths.
When we begin to serve with a passion regardless of the field and immediate reward, the need for personal development becomes inevitable. This way, we become vessels of change and a means to development rather than an end in itself. Better yet, pursuing something greater than self opens doors for an unquenchable thirst for knowledge and wisdom.
Eventually, development becomes an adventure worth pursuing.
I’ll end with this quote that I came across a while back;
“To every individual, there comes that one opportune moment when you are figuratively tapped on the shoulder and given a task specifically tailored to your gifts and talents. What a shame when that moment finds you unprepared or unqualified!”
Thanks for reading, until next time…
Econsimplified 