When life gives you lemons ...

Yadhana Jadoo

We are all at one point consumed by the world’s insanities. At times things will not make sense. Life sometimes resembles an acute similarity to Samuel Beckett’s Absurd masterpiece Waiting for Godot. It is about Vladimir and Estragon, who wait endlessly for Godot, who never arrives to “save” them.

When analysed, the play captures a view that the universe is indeed just there and goalless. Like the play, we suffer through the days, even though there is no meaning or direction.

There comes a time when we may feel this way through the utterances and behaviour of our fellow human beings.

How does one deal with it? How do you remember that you do have a purpose here, even though others may think otherwise?

Close your eyes and breathe … let go. Remember you are human; you are not waiting for Godot.

Breathing is the first thing we do when we enter this mortal coil.

It is an important tool in stabilising your mind for overall mental health – especially when others bring you down.

I am sure it has been rough for Public Protector Thuli Madonsela recently.

She came under harsh attack in parliament, with rampant hostility from the ruling ANC – something I am sure she is used to by now.

Madonsela’s reception, led by the correctional services portfolio committee, resembled that of a group of schoolyard bullies.

She faced harsh criticism with MPs calling her budget and strategic presentation meaningless, lacking substance and incomplete.

The great irony is this government created Chapter 9 institutions to deal with social injustices and to add to the fight against human rights violations.

When others bring you down, remember that it is from their own insecurities. Don’t let them break you or your self-worth.

I admire Madonsela’s ability to deal with those who gather around her with sharp tongues.

She does not let it faze her and carries on with her work imperative for creating a just society.

As you may have noticed, I just went off at a tangent – from Godot to parliament.

But isn’t that just what life is like? Catching you by surprise, more often than we like.

When that happens, don’t wait for Godot. Be Godot – and arrive when you are supposed to.