Resistance! By Warren Lee Nair
Resistance
by Warren Lee Nair
Resistance!
When you have a goal,
A dream,
A vision,
Of who you want to be in life and what you want to achieve,
The people around you will say:
I don’t think you can do it, you don’t have the experience!
Resist!
Others have failed and you won’t be any different,
Resist!
You won’t be given the time of day,
Resist!
You don’t have the qualifications,
Resist!
You need the right contacts!
Resist!
It’s impossible! It takes a person with talent,
Resist!
You are not gifted!
Resist the urge to listen.
Do not waste time and energy with people who feel they have accomplished something
By influencing you to remain in your same situation.
Resist the hold the naysayers have over you.
Rather, gift yourself,
Gift yourself tunnel vision, eyes focused on your prize.
Pay no attention to the negativity outside your tunnel,
Or the backward comments in the opposite lane.
Travel the road to success alone.
Gift yourself a work ethic,
Keep your head down
Be the first in and last out,
Push yourself, not for awards or bonuses or a bigger office,
Do it for you.
Gift yourself patience
If achievement came easily, success would happen overnight.
If you win today, then what?
Would you really feel as if you have accomplished anything in life?
The journey is the most important part.
It”s not about winning, it’s about endurance.
Gift yourself knowledge
Learn at least one new thing every day,
A new rule for doing business,
An historical fact from a bubblegum wrapper,
A personal truth.
Remember knowledge is power, which can never be taken away,
It is the fuel for your journey.
Pot of Gold
In my country
We live the lie
Of a rainbow nation,
Twenty four years going on
Since our country’s rebirth
Racist taunts and innuendos
Are heard in too many conversations
The colours have faded
But the shades are still relevant
More important
Than experience or qualifications
Its racism
In a so-called democracy,
On social networks and television
Without hypocrisy,
How can this be?
This is not the way
To fulfill Ntata’s dream
And it keeps going back and forth
Amidst violent outbursts
Court appearances and lawsuits,
Everyone has something to say
Most people make excuses
And bring up the past
Refusing to move forward
Rather live as a coward
Hiding behind an injustice
Committed more than two decades ago
Take a stand
Even if you have to do it alone,
Amongst racial slurs
The threats of violence
Be the one saying no
Taunt me, tease me
I won’t stoop down to that level,
Slinging disrespect and hurt at each other
Won’t bring us closer to heaven,
Dragging our nation ten steps back
It doesn’t matter if you are
White, brown or black
As God said
All men are created equal
Accept one another
Regardless of colour
For their good works,
Resist the evil.