Today, if we look at our social media platforms and every social interaction, it is amazing how every second conversation would be about Trump and Iran. 

It is also funny how everyone seems to pick a side in this war, as if any of us had ever seen the intel on which these warring sides base their actions. 

Once again, we have become victims of another narrative war, as there is no one western media house today whose goal is not to push a narrative best befitting the agenda of their financier. 

Once again, we are just pawns in a chess game, our time and energy wasted on things we have no influence or control over.  This we do while the things we should truly care about and could change our lives are idling right under our noses. Instead of losing sleep over whether the war or the bombing of Iran is justified, we could have serious conversations about how we could assist our government to turn this country around. 

As a people we seem to have adopted the attitude that after we vote, our brains should go into hibernation until the next elections.  We forget, or maybe do not know, that it is our daily conversations that eventually shape the government’s agenda and everything that comes with it.  Needless to say, if we unite on priorities, apply necessary pressure, and hold those we elected into power accountable, some of our heartfelt aspirations may come to pass. For instance, it is a breath of fresh air to hear the Head of State bringing up the issue of an eight-hour economy.  Such can be a great game changer and can bring about greater economic growth and employment opportunities.  For too long, we have heard that neighbouring countries adopted this some time ago. 

Of course, we may have had brief and informal conversations about this, but it could have taken centre stage many moons ago if we, as people, had demanded it.   Finally, the fact of the matter is that for our nation to become what we all aspire to be, we must all be intentional in everything we do. 

We can no longer maintain the status quo and expect different results. 

To do this, we must first reflect on our daily activities and deliberations, no matter how simple or trivial they may seem.  We must all be willing to plant a seed of patriotism with those we interact with at every turn and opportunity.  We must as well reflect on whether we must continue to be a nation that continues to associate itself with drunkenness and other pleasure-seeking behaviours if we are to truly ensure a bright future for our offspring. 

It may sound simple to ignore and rub off, but the truth of the matter is that our nation’s state of affairs lies in the details of our daily actions. 

To see ourselves as insignificant simply because we hold no office or a title does not relieve us of our responsibility to contribute to the prosperity we all wish to achieve.

*Uncommon Sense is published in the New Era with contributions from Karlos Naimwhaka. YouTube channel: Karlos Lokos.

– karlsimbumusic@gmail.com