Tributum Newsletter #63

Hello

Thanks for braving the queues and doing your duty on 29 May. According to the IEC high voter turnout and some technical glitches resulted in many people still queuing long after 9pm, We braved the warm PE sun for 4 hours 45 minutes…as did many others who refused to let the time and the sun prevent them from doing their duty. In my view you’ve got no right to complain if you did not at least try and be part of the solution. While the results are not yet final and there are many moving parts before this outcome is settled, I am hopeful that in the future fewer complaints will be necessary.

Many direct in person comments to the previous newsletter letter started with the words – are you OK? Having read it again I understand where the sentiments may have come from. JIP – I am OK. But it is OK to not always be OK. Not every day will be great and not every thought will be positive. It’s how we deal with not being OK that matters. And how others treat you when you are not OK. Remember – you do not wake up in the morning be to be an idiot. So be lekker. And for those that did ask – much appreciated. And for the one that took some time and shared a whiskey (or two) – we must do that more often. There should always be time for coffee (or whiskey) with a friend.

I came across a LinkedIn post to employers everywhere where the person said that young graduates want the same things as more experienced or longer employed staff. They wanted fair pay, access to career advancement opportunities, a drama free work environment (yeah – as if even your family is drama free), good communication and proper supervision and direction, etc. I’m all for not running a sweat shop or a racketeering ring and believe employers should treat their staff fairly, but the post did not sit well with me.

I also wanted all those things when I stated working some 24 years ago – but I did not say it. I worked hard to be paid better, I understood that my degree gave me a foot in the door but not a seat at the table, I learned from more experienced staff and did not try and teach them, I did what was asked of me rather than asking why it needs to be done. In return I was provided with learning opportunities, it was explained to me why things were to be done, I was provided with advancement opportunities and was paid better. In short – I did not ask for respect but was showed respect in return for that I showed. And that worked in life in general.

Sometimes if you ask “what can be given”, rather than ask for what you want, you end up getting more than you need anyway. Maybe we need to change our question and maybe we need to teach our kids to have a different one. Maybe then the answer will be different. Respect life first and it will return the favour, and then some.  Until next time, keep breathing.