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Tafadzwa Zimoyo Lifestyle Writer
Welcome to 2014 and here is hoping that you have already started living your New Year resolutions.You might have failed it last year but taking it from the start is the best. Life is an interesting journey, full of twist and turns but it is you who can make it happen well.Regardless of how old you are, where you live, or what your career goals are, everybody’s ultimate goal in life is to be happy and successful.
Born with royal blood, with a silver spoon in the mouth or from rags to riches are some of the sayings that are often bandied about to define one’s station in life.
Is there a template that defines one’s station in life, especially when it comes to the material world?
Take a look at Bill Gates, Strive Masiiwa, Oprah Winfrey, Paris Hilton, Phillip Chiyangwa,or the late Nelson Mandela. These are some of the wealthy people known locally and internationally.
Were these people born with it or was it a matter of luck?
Figure it yourself.
What indicators do you look at to tell that you are that someone in life?
Professor Hope Sadza has distinguished herself in the field of academia by standing out not only for women but also for the advancement of education.
Saturday Lifestyle recalls her speaking at one time that she was not born with a silver spoon in her mouth. She grew up like any other normal girl but had to strive to reach the top.
She has her position of authority to show for it.
But there are some people living on the streets and that alone is a clear indicator of their definition in life.
“Without an education you are nothing. We were all born equal but without a qualification you play second fiddle,” said Togara Marizani of Highfield.
Concurred Jabulani Ngwena: “We are all born with different talents, but what we have to do is utilise them.”
Then there are those who inherit, or make, wealth.
The Chiyangwa children are a good example of inheritance, just like the Hilton heiress Paris, the Chiyangwa daughters have now ventured into business just like their father. They are now known for hard-working and striving for the best but they had a good start.
Not to be left out are the Chidhumos and Matsangas among other well known thieves who stole to earn a living.
It is believed that they built houses and their families bought nice cars during that period courtesy of “thieving”.
Some believed those people used juju as an enabler to succeed in life.
Former Governor of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, Dr Gedion Gono, is reputed to have started off as a tea boy and ultimately rose to lead the apex bank.
To him, life was indicating that if he starts from that lowly level, he would reach the top.
Strive Masiiwa did the same with his Econet entity which is now one of the most successful and most vibrant corporates not only in Zimbabwe but across Africa and beyond.
One of the quotes he lives by is: “You can only find opportunities if you are looking for them.”
So if it is about taking advantage of opportunities, then for some it is truly finding the right opportunities.
There are others who took advantage of opportunities and managed to be successful in life by running companies.
Saturday Lifestyle went out on the streets to find out what people say about the indicators of life.
Many people especially young boys envy and are inspired by those who will be coming from UK, South Africa, the US, Australia and China among other countries because of what they have achieved. To them the Diaspora is the key to their success.
“I think education plays an important role in our lifestyle. Yes these guys who have completed their studies abroad have a new life but there are others who also are into dealings and formal work and when they come home, obviously we envy them because they would have succeeded but surprisingly they don’t share their secret,” said Kudzanai Kukati (26) from Meyrick Park.
Years back a lot of “lucky” youths managed to buy houses, marry, in fact succeeded in life through forex transactions (money changers) during the hyperinfation era and this proved to be a turning point for many. However, others were overwhelmed by the good life and recklessly spent their pickings and when stabilisation entered, they were left with nothing to hold on to.
“Money changing was the order of the day to make it in life in 2008. I bought a house and hurriedly married because we were not sure of what the day will be like tomorrow. I think there are so many indicators to succeed in life and it only differs with circumstances,” he said.
The popular proverb “a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush” holds true in that you should not risk losing something you have by seeking something that is not guaranteed.
Life is what you make it.
Is it being born in a rich family, education, salaried or being a dealer-hustler of town?
Online Reporter