Make a Difference: Let’s learn to celebrate what we have

they are no longer there.
Think of relationships with parents, between siblings, husband, wife, relatives, friends, business associates and many more. To us they are given and therefore at times fail to treasure them the way we should.
Sometimes it is only in retrospect that we become aware of the true value of that relationship.
We really should make the best of what we have rather than regret.
There is one word that brings me and I think many others a lot of pain  — “dai” (had I). We use it when it is too late to do anything.
Look at the way we assume that tomorrow will come and find us fit to go about our business. As a result we do not do what we have to do today. We postpone to the following day, which we do not even know what it will bring. Some author says that we should live as if today is our last day. In a similar vein celebrate what you have as if you are never going to get anything else or better.
Listen to the way that people talk about big nose, ugly toes, dark complexion (usvipa), not so laid out teeth and many more. We never stop to think what it could be like without these.
The testimonies that are usually given at the graveside do to some extent buttresses my view. People usually highlight the good that this brother or sister stood for. It really does not mean that this person was perfect but it saves to show that there is something to celebrate in every life.
There are so many things that are good in life but we fail to celebrate them. The tendency in us is to complain and point out one mistake after the other. There are people who never get to appreciate the good others do. The good goes without mention, it is taken for granted.
Have you ever thought of what acknowledging a job well done, an act of kindness and effort displayed can do to an employee, a child or a spouse. It challenges someone to want to do more or even excel.
This is because so often we allow the few not so good things to mask the good ones. I wonder whether it is something in our culture or our colonial past that makes us not appreciate ourselves.
On the 18th of April Zimbabwe celebrated 32 years of independence that is years of self-rule and self-determination. As I watched the activities around Independence Day, I could not help but think of what this day brought to other Zimbabweans and me.
It is possible that as years go by people forget the significance of this day. We take it for granted as we go about our business. We never stop to think what it could have been growing up or staying in a war-torn country.
Dear reader, I believe we have so much to celebrate as a people.
We all want the perfect children who are always at their best behaviour and getting the best grades. We want the perfect wife or husband and expect only the good in our relationships. This is not always the case thus we end up chasing after an illusion and become deluded.
I think dear reader we have heard or used denigrating words or statements such as “maboyi!” or “this is Africa my friend” implying it is no good. Are we really good for nothing? When will we learn to celebrate the goodness that is resident in the African?
In my view we should never allow mishaps and challenges to overshadow the good.
There is so much dissatisfaction with what we have. We always think something somewhere is better. I think this discontentment is the main cause of envy, jealous, fraud and some of these ills that you dear reader can think of.
We really never stop to celebrate what we have because we want more and or something bigger or prettier.
This makes us obsessed and we wear ourselves down in search of an illusion. It is like people never get to a point where they say what I have is good enough.
We really should learn to be content in our situations. The biblical Paul in the book of Philippians says: “I have learned the secret of being content in any situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or want.”
Contentment is progressive. It is character. It is not to say contentment is being satisfied with mediocrity but it makes us celebrate what we have and sets our minds on ways to better it.
It gives us peace in our hearts. I once wrote about my friend Lloyd who boasts that he is the standard. He says “I am not taller or shorter than anybody else. I am the standard.”
I believe when one gets to this stage he or she has attained contentment.
Certainly being contented makes one confident. It takes away all insecurities that pull us down and also make us take it out on others.
If you are one person who never sees the good around you, come on get a life. Don’t be hard on yourself. Learn to be grateful and celebrate what you have. By so doing you will be praising God the giver of life and all that you have.
I am sure this will open more doors for you and bring you the desires of your heart.