Page 33 - Msingi Afrika Magazine Issue 27 Final
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Community
and more anxious we become. Constantly in charge so as to understand our human
comparing one’s life to how others have limitations. It requires us to recognize that
“made it” in theirs can make one feel vulnerability is not a sign of weakness but
insecure and fear losing out. Even though rather a characteristic of humanity. When we
the virtual world seems so vast, it can trap us embrace our limitations, we can gain a deeper
in echo chambers that keep us from hearing understanding of how we are all connected
different points of view and making real to one another and the rest of the world. We
connections with recognize that no matter how wonderful
other people. In our phones are, they cannot replace the
a harsh twist, authenticity of face-to-face communication
we may even or the tranquility of being alone, away from
lose control digital bombardment.
of our mental
well-being when In the end, the pathway to real freedom is to
we try to get a find a balance between using technology to
handle on our our advantage and avoiding its problems. It’s
digital lives. a journey that takes a change in perspective:
from trying to control everything to accepting
We miss out uncertainty, from looking for validation
on an important part of life when we try to online to finding satisfaction in ourselves and
be in charge instead of learning to accept genuine relationships. This change shows
our limitations. Authentic spirituality and how strong and mature we are as individuals.
maturity come when we understand that the
world is vast and has many different parts In a world that values being connected all the
that we can’t control. The rain falls when it time, it takes courage to step back, unplug,
wants to fall, irrespective of how you feel and find comfort in the things we can’t do.
about it. The sun sets in alignment with its Spiritual growth isn’t helped by internet
natural course, indifferent to our thoughts ‘likes’ and ‘comments’, but by how well we
and feelings. We lack the capacity to dictate know ourselves and how willing we are to
other people’s opinions or words about us, admit that control is often an illusion.
just as, even though, by our choices, we
can ensure that we build our lives wisely, As we embark on this journey, we may find
we cannot dictate the course of life itself. that the truest sense of freedom comes not
As individuals, we may experience illness, from being in control of our surroundings but
weariness, and moments of self-doubt. from embracing our weaknesses and finding
Friends may betray us, and we may not connections in the midst of uncertainty.
always have the will to fight back.
We must relinquish the notion that we are
ISSUE 27 | MAY 2024 33