Many years ago I used to get excited about Labour Day because the whole community would come out and we'd be up from 6am working on projects in the community. We'd whitewash the sidewalks, mow the grass in the park, manicure the lawns of the older neighbours, etc... It was enjoyable. We got to feel useful.
As I got older I got to be part of the Citizen's Association and planned these same activities. having to supervise removed some of the spontaneity of the day but there was the satisfaction of seeing a community come together and accomplish tasks that benefitted everyone.
Then I became involved with groups that conducted Labour Day projects outside of my usual sphere of experience. There were Panyard clean-up projects that I headed as Manager, Leo Club of Mona projects in St. Elizabeth, Drama Society projects at Children's homes, Church projects, etc... I lost touch with my community projects. Today I walked past my neighbours hard at work to go work at the Sir John Golding Rehabilitation Centre. I was happy to reach out to another community but I still felt a sense of loss as my community has not benefitted from my contributions. I didn't bond with my neighbours.
I can do my usual anti-sentiment arguments, afterall I am not really very friendly with this set of ppl/neighbours. But the reality is that it's not how I feel about the individuals; it's not about me at all. It's about the community and this extends to my country in general. If my actions are governed by the emotions evolked by sundry actions or events then I'll never generate enough sentimentality or loyalty to my community to country. This can be applied to work, to church, to pan, to interactions with human beings in general.
Ppl piss us off all the time. Or maybe they don't even evoke any emotions in us (my usual problem). But if we let that dictate how we respond to bigger issues then we'll never make a difference or get the job done.
Hippocrites in church? So what, be true to your calling. That's all we are asked to do.
Fassies at work? Do the task they paying you to do. You are expected to be a team player not team mascot (everybody's friend).
Pan not as exciting? Fulfill your commitment to the goals (concert at this time). Each pan and player is important to the Orchestra.
Dumbasses around you? Love 'em anyway. That's the only way to get the best out of ppl and keep your conscience clear.
Selah!!
5 comments:
ahh, Labour Day! I knew the lack of online names had to be due to some public holiday. Funny enough, my actions today were quite in keeping with the day. how coincidental.
whadat mean? you were working like the day name or you were slacking off like what everybody actually do? coincidence, shmoincidence.
hehe...both. I took the day and did labour intensive work completely unrelated to the lab.. where I should have been.
Hayden, what group of ppl was that 'dumbasses' remark aimed at??? :-) Much agree with you, whether or not we like the people around us, we sometimes share common goals, and each of us have a part to play. So suck it up!
'Dumbasses' was the catch-all term for the unnamed categories. As you may have noticed I swing from diplomatic to brutal. This is a case in point.
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