It does not matter how much money, education, or time one has if the mind is not right first. A knife in the hands of the person with the right mind does no harm but the knife in the hands of the wrong or ill mindset can be a tragedy. The money in the hands of the right mind transforms lives, builds nations, and eradicates poverty.
The abundance of money in the hands of the ill mind permeates completely the opposite. It breeds greed, division, hate, pomposity, and retardation. It breeds absolute power and as the saying goes absolute power, corrupts absolutely.
But power in the hands of the right mind is vigil and alert to the calls and cry of its people. It is compassionate and it is like a father who cannot eat until his children are fed first or a shepherd who can put his head to rest unless his flock is fed, thirst quenched and safely sheltered in its kraal.
A car in the hands of the right mind is considerate, aware, and compassionate of other road users, pedestrians, and respect for life. A car in the hands of an ill mind leads to tragedy, destruction, and misery. A bottle of alcohol in the hands of the right mind is consumed with wisdom and concern.
It detests and avoids inappropriate and unbecoming behaviour. It may still bring controlled joy and excitement as well as consideration of co-existence with other humankind. Meanwhile, a bottle of alcohol in the hands of the ill mind shatters, destroys and causes the tongue to cause harm and even the hands to shed blood.
Therefore, one can read all the books in the world, achieve all the accolades, accumulate as much wealth and material things in the world but if the mind is not right, first, it would all mean nothing.
A right mind can have all the food in the world and feast as it wishes or its heart desires. it can wine and dine in the best restaurants and hotels, but it would not have a minute of sleep if its neighbor were starving.
A right mind can live in a mansion on an island with a yacht and a private plane to fly to wherever it wishes but it cannot stand a sight of another of its kind lavishing in ruin and filth.
Therefore, there can be seminars, conferences, meetings, workshops and gatherings of all discourses and there will be no real differences or changes if the minds are not right, first. It will make no difference having political parties, congresses, political rallies, and elections if the minds are not right, first.
So, if there are any changes to happen, lives to be transformed and a people to be humanised again and live as prosperously as nature has initially intended, there is one and only one thing to be done. To get the minds right, first.
By Karlos TheGreat
E-mail: karlsimbumusic@gmail.com
OSHIMWENYO is published every Friday in the New Era newspaper with contributions from Karlos Naimwhaka.