By Given Malatela Seepe
Did I have a say on my birth? Think about it, I was born into my family, given a name, ironically my name is Given Malatela Seepe, also known as Lucky. Did I consciously participate in naming myself? Of course not. My culture, community and religion (God) helped to create the man that I am today. I was born in 1985, you could say I experienced a bit of apartheid. Did I suffer like my parents or grandparents? Nope, however stories I heard as a boy shaped my point of view on life.
As I grew, I was taught what and who to fear and love. Did I have a say? Nope, I was only a child, the grown-ups know better, they say. I grew up as a Christian, it was good, or was it? Ask many who grew up with me, they will tell you that I was shy, didn’t speak too much. I always did what I was told.
Growing up, I always had a yearning, a inner hunger for something. Because, I am a private person, I got to know my mind, and listen to my inner dialogue. I realized that I was my biggest enemy, more than anybody, I have screwed my up many times. I have sought approval, and it has burned me. In 2009 I discovered Facebook, began my journey in writing. Through writing I discovered myself, now I had a voice. I got appreciation and compliments from friends who I made on the social network. However it quickly became an addiction, I was now captured by the voice. It was a good avenue of self-expression, but I wanted my freedom back. Though I do casual updates on social media, it’s no longer a need, but an inspired action.
I am a teacher by profession, but am I my role? Does my profession define me? I could have been born anywhere in the world, in any race, grew up to values of that environment, even chosen their God, or no God. I spent a lot of time trying to figure out my purpose in this life, why am I here? I came to a conclusion that I am supposed to help people heal. It recently dawned on me that I am not supposed to find my mission, rather give myself a mission. The issue of leaving a legacy, though good for the mind to think about, however if you live for legacy, current generation will appreciate it, maybe the next two generations, afterwards it’s a downward spiral. They won’t care; they will spit on your so called legacy. I live not for legacy, but to live, to give myself a mission, that is aligned with my mind, body and soul. Ultimately we are role playing, actors in our story. I am working with this Given Seepe character, molding him into my likeness.
There many versions or angles I could have used to write this article. I chose this one, not because it is right because I chose it. The role of God in my life is different, I see Him as me. Not the surface me, it is the me who calls himself me, when words and thought cease to exist, that is where God is, in pure silence, I am that. I understand I could be wrong, but I’m convinced in my wrongness.
Whose story am I living? Mine of course, but to say the world would not try to condition me into itself is a complete understatement. The battle is on, in my mind. Who is going to win? I decide!!
This is enlightening, You have opened a new avenue from which i can find the answer to why we are all here.