Stop following the crowd

I quietly on the LAY little bed at Mpilo Hospital, the largest referral health institution in Bulawayo.

Iwas young and tender, just born. A tall man walked in. In those days, they could not be present at delivery. His face lit up. He was told he had a son.

I was the son. He already had a name. He had dreams and had kept them for a long time. He had hopes. They had been dashed earlier, when two children had died in succession in their infant years. This time, he must have prayed silently that I would live, and live long.

His voice boomed with joy and delight. He was my father. My mother told me so.

Many babies were born on that beautiful Wednesday. Some lived, but others died. I lived. I am here for a special purpose. They say I was born with clenched fists. I must have been tightly holding my assignment and ready to fight. My mother could not have been wrong. Old people never lie.

I was the only one who could have been me. As days, years and decades passed by, all the babies born at that specific time pursued different paths.

We each did what we could. We met people. We opened doors. We dreamt and saw visions. We thought and were taught. We worked and worked hard. Now, we are here. I am here with a story and a dream.

Never be afraid to be yourself and to express your unique way and to give your best. Be yourself, because everyone else is taken. You were born an original.

Do not die a pitiful and bad photocopy. Be yourself and be authentic. Pursue your path and do not fear life or failure. Be true to your dreams. Stop following the crowd, otherwise it will never follow you.

History is an online author. It is always happening and being written. It is being lived, interpreted and read. It is also being written and rewritten, otherwise write it in pencil. Yet others use a pen. Others diligently use the rubber end of the pencil. Live and make it easy for others to read. Make every moment count.

Approach every moment with humility. What you think are headlines today could be footnotes tomorrow. What you think are simple seeds today could be a forest tomorrow. Live in awe of this moment. Give your best and be present and engaged.

South African anti-apartheid activist Steve Bantu Biko wrote: “The most potent weapon in the hands of the oppressor is the mind of the oppressed.”

Do not rent out space in your mind. Choose what you focus on. Choose what you allow to dominate your thinking. Live intentionally.

Whoever you allow to control your thinking will control your life.

Refuse to let circumstances, conditions or history become the script by which you live your life. Biko spent years writing articles under the title “I Write What I like”. What a way to express life!

Write what you like. Live from your dreams and not dreads. Live from your heart and not your hurt.

Embrace your uniqueness. Do not compare yourself with others. Live true to your own dreams. Break free from the addiction of trying to impress those not following you.

Be inspired by vision and not toxic bitter memories. Feed the tree within with love. Do not allow the root of bitterness to take hold.

Hate, bitterness, anger and revenge can only inspire you to dark thoughts and further pain. Greatness is learning to channel your positive energies and allow yourself to soar above your limitations and challenges. You will never fly while being weighed down by negative feelings, bitter weights and acidic thoughts.

In a world that encourages conformity, step out of the shadows and embrace your individuality. Exit the relentless pursuit of fitting in and following the crowd. It stifles your creativity and hinders growth. Unleash the unlimited extraordinary potential that lies within you. Break free from the chains of conformity and mediocrity. Embrace and express your authentic self in every little way you can. Live with gratitude and see each moment as a special gift.

You are a mosaic of experiences, passions, paths and talents that have come together to create a one-of-a-kind individual. You are the only one who could be you. Do not lose the essence of who you are. Acknowledge your strengths, and work on your weaknesses. Build on what is working, and keep working. Committed to your greatness.

◆ Milton Kamwendo is a leading international transformational and motivational speaker, author and accomplished workshop facilitator. He is a cutting-edge strategy, team-building and organisation development facilitator and consultant. His life purpose is to inspire and promote greatness. He can be reached at: mkamwendo@gmail.com