Nothing is harder than trying to get something by fighting the old.  

A new path and life can only be paved where there has not been one – not a rebranding of the old one.  

Inventing a whole new wheel bears the best results than trying to re-invent an old one or simply trying to improve it.  

This is very evident in all spheres of life.  

One of the reasons the world is faced with many struggles is because of this fact. 

Instead of inventing and structuring a whole new way of doing things, what often happens is putting a new dressing on old ways. 

This would make it all look new until the same old outcomes resurface – and this time on steroids.

There has been plenty of events that are so representative of just how even old ways of thinking remain unshaken by new and exciting ideas.  

Sometimes this is because of the mere fact that as much as the new ideas may greatly have a greater positive impact on all mankind, the problem is that it also becomes a loss of privileges and entitlements of the few. 

This is so also because these very entitlements and privileges are the foundation on which the identity of the few was built. 

Therefore, foregoing them will be a great loss of their self-worth and self-concept.  

The Singapore syndrome is one very good resemblance of this, but that is a story for another day.

It also happens that at some point in life, humankind adopts certain ways of living, which are often built on ideologies. 

As we know or may not, ideologies have always been one of the reasons nations have inflicted suffering and destruction upon themselves and each other.  

This would mean going so extreme even if the ideology is nothing but a proxy to the real and most covert ambitions.

  Under the premise of ideologies and self-deception, certain factions of humans create superficial bubbles, which eventually become their reality. 

Under such bubbles, one becomes de-sensitised from not only the needs but even the pain and suffering of the other.  

It, therefore, requires high levels of not only self-awareness but also high standards of continuous self-introspection and authenticity.  

Only then one can develop the firmness for equal justice and compassion that can withstand the whirlwinds and encircling traps that have always been enemies of human progress to meaningful life experiences for all.  

It is only under these circumstances that new paths can be paved, and the old ways gradually become irrelevant and naturally fade out into eternity alongside their creators. 

Therefore, for a new generation to continue criticising and attacking the old is a waste of time.  

Instead, the focus of their unity and might should be on paving their path and future the best way they can imagine it. 

The old generations have built those based on the needs and circumstances of their times. 

The new generation should, therefore, rather take responsibility for the future that only they can see so that they do not later find an excuse and blame the previous generation.

*karlsimbumusic@gmail.com

Uncommon Sense is published every Friday in the New Era newspaper with contributions from Karlos Naimhwaka