To create meaning for generations to come
I don't like copying other people. I'm actually quite allergic to people that have a summary of quotations in their mind, perhaps even a little notebook somewhere, quotations of famous (usually very wealthy) people that once said something very smart and inspiring, and who at any occasion use those words that belong to someone else to make themselves look smarter, more creative, inspiring, more worthy of being respected... or for whatever reason.
However there is a small compartment in one of mine quite public online profiles that is filled with a few quotations. Among my favourites are Kabir's words:
"When I was born, the world was smiling and I was crying. However, I will do such deeds that when I leave, I will be the one smiling and the world will be the one crying."
It is not there to make me look smart. It is not there to make other people think that I'm interested in Eastern poetry. It is not there to fill the empty space, because some other compartments are empty. It is there as a constant reminder.
Doing something similar like someone else is easy. Taking an idea and modifying it a bit doesn't take much time or effort. Making a chair, writing a book, singing a song, even creating a company. After one has created an exciting novel, it is easy to use the recipe to write another one. After one has thought of selling shoes online, it is easy to think of selling lamps online. After one has thought of being ethical in business it is easy to transform that into a broadly accepted value in business.
One of the most difficult things in the world is being honest.
Why do I say honest?
Because I'm firmly convinced that it is only honesty towards yourself and honesty towards others, by discovering your true self, and making it a basic mode of functioning in all fields of your life that can create new, original, valuable things and relationships. If we are honest to ourselves we can legitimately recognise what weaknesses, but mainly what strengths, qualities and ideas lie within us that can make life (for us and others) more creative, better, happier. Only by being true to ourselves can we create new quotations for our descendants.
That's why I have the reminder. To think what makes me smile. To think how I can spread the smile through the world. To be honest about it. And then to do the things that do mean something. For generations to come.
Author
Majda Dodevska (XVII.)
Editor at Delo, d.d.
