No Such Thing as A Coincidence or An Accident

Twentieth century writer and poet William Bourroughs once said: “ In the magical universe there are no coincidences and there are no accidents. Nothing happens unless some wills it to happen.”  When we think about the magical universe, we tend to believe it is an exclusive place for fantasists, idealists and visionaries. This false reality tends to slip itself into our minds as we get older and we are told that reality is one thing and magic is another. When that happens, limits, boundaries, conformity and confinement settle in. But it’s never to late to add some magic in your life. In the end, what do you have to lose?

Your life is a manifestation of your thoughts transforming into actions and realities. Whether you have positive or negative images and words mixing in your mind, whatever you think will become your reality. This is inevitable. Nothing is coincidental and accidents are an excuse to justify a calculated mistake. “Coincidences” are sometimes what we interpret as magic. “Accidents” happen but they can be avoided by accepting that it can be controlled and altered. This also applies to positive outcomes, successes and accomplishments in your life. They are a manifestation of an idea, a belief and a delivery from the universe. Hard work and persistence are vital as well.

For instance, if you are working towards establishing your career, you are constantly thinking about it. You are thinking about the valuable factors that you need to get your dream job. You are always asking the universe to work with you and whether you decide you are worth it and a viable employee, your outcome will derive from it. Sometimes it takes time. It can be a very long process, especially if it is something that requires a great deal of persistence and focus. But in the end when you get what you want, you wouldn’t want anyone to look at your accomplishment as luck or a coincidence. You would want people to think it was persistence, hard work and determination that got you what you wanted, a series of calculations that brought success in your life.

There is no such thing as a coincidence or accident. Whether it is your relationships, career, health, education or success in our goals, your whole life is a manifestation of a series of thoughts that are believed as the truth. It can be difficult to always monitor your thoughts because negativity can be contagious but so can positivity. Take it one area of your life at a time, one day at time and you will see how quickly your life will alter and how magic is no longer reserved for a certain group. Bourroughs, like many others, understood that we have more control of our lives than we believe. Sometimes it takes time to understand the idea of magic but start with today, with one thought about something you have to do or someone you have to see and allow the thought to manifest itself in your life. You’ve done it before without knowing it, why not control it and make it happen again. 

Want To Be Wanted

Humans are instinctively attracted to one feeling and that is to be wanted. Now, I am not just talking about your personal relationships or friendships, I am talking about every aspect of your life. Whether it is your career, your hobbies, your family or, even your relationships, the desire to be wanted is primordial.

Now, it’s easy to passively want to be wanted by saying it out loud or thinking it. It is another thing to think and act proactively to be wanted. For example, your job is a place where for the most part you are filling the description set by your employer and is expected by your colleagues and everyone you encounter. For the most part, many can fill this description. But very few are missed or indispensable to the group’s function.  In reality, being wanted at your job is in your hands. You decide how much you put into it because in the end you reap what you sow. If you take your colleagues for granted, you don’t appreciate your income and benefits, respect your employer or actively participate in your work environment, the consequences will be just as negative if not worst than your actions.

If you decide that you want to engage with your work environment by appreciating every task, person and opportunity that comes your way, than the feeling of being wanted will begin to create itself as a cushion of comfort around you. Not only will those around you say that you are wanted, but you will be given a degree of importance and respect that goes above the feeling of belonging. This is a feeling that you feel from within and manifest itself outwards in every aspect of your life.

The feeling of wanting to belong or be wanted is not a sign of weakness. Weakness comes from denying something so primal to our human nature. Once you accept this desire, you can cultivate it in positive ways in every aspect of your life. Life is a social construction that we masterfully control with our thoughts, actions and reactions. 

Building Blocs

Dear Z news readers,

I apologize for not consistently writing throughout the summer but I have been off being inspired and living life to the fullest of my abilities. But I am back because I have recently watched a speech given by Ashton Kutcher at the teen choice awards and it got me thinking, even a little inspired. I could begin to state various lines of his speech I thought were insightful, empowering or even thoughtful but you would be in for a long post. Instead, I would like to mention something Ashton said towards the end of his speech about building and not just living your life. It got me thinking.

Anyone who has ever been proud of their lives has built everything around them. Whether its focusing on your relationships, your career, your health, wealth or dreams, people who seek opportunity in building their way to success find themselves reaping the benefits in every aspect of their lives.  Life is a social construction you have the ability to change and contribute to. Build an empire, build a name for yourself, build a family, build peace, or build a future. Build so you can live with the humility of hard work and pride and satisfaction of your accomplishments.

Building something is not just creating a solid structure and hope with time it will withstand obstacles and harsh weather. Building requires maintenance, persistence, determination, passion and an unshakeable belief that your foundation and fundamental beliefs and values will help you pursue your goals. This message is not only meant for people who want to make something big of their lives, it is made for everyone. Everyone can build their social construction according to their deepest desires and aspirations.

Alas, I am not usually a Hollywood follower, but this time it was worth listening to because it reminded me that inspiration could come at any time, from anyone and anywhere. Just know those blocs are at your feet so pick them up and start building the life you dream of living.

More to come,

J.

Dar Express

After climbing Mt.Kilimanjaro, MJ and I decided that the following day would be a great time to figure out our plans for our stay in Zanzibar. We started our morning bright and early with a dalla dalla  trip down to the center of Arusha. After breakfast, we wanted to book our flight to Zanzibar but quickly realized everything was either full or out of our student budget so we made our way to the bus station to attempt finding a bus from Arusha to Dar Es Salaam.

Initially we had no luck. All the companies were booked for the day. Luckily a woman working at DarExpress said there was a bus coming from Nairobi that could swing by and pick us up. She told us to go get our bags and come back in one hour and she would see what she could do for us.

We made our way back to the hostel, packed in 10 minutes and said our goodbyes to our friends and made our

way back to the station. Upon our arrival, the kind lady working at the station said she had managed to get us on the bus coming from Nairobi. We were so happy to hear that everything worked out. We didn't know what conditions we would be travelling in but we did know we were in for a 10-11 hour ride. 

I have travelled with many different bus companies in North America and Europe but I was incredibly impressed with the bus that picked us up. We had comfortable seats with leg room, air conditioning and TVs to watch movies in both English and Swahili. 

Although it was a long ride, it was pleasant, we felt safe and once we arrived in the bustling city of Dar Es Salaam, we quickly got in a taxi to our hotel by the marina. 

Our 20 dollar bus ride from Arusha had amazing service, including even snacks and Fanta during the ride. I would recommend this company if you're looking to travel from Arusha to Dar Es Salaam. It was a great experience making our way to our final destination, Zanzibar Archipelago!  

African Beauty Parlour

On my way back from Mount Kilimanjaro, I decided it was a great idea to get my hair braided like the African women I admired so much. Luckily my friend Kirsten had a friend that owned a beauty parlour down the hill of our hostel. So I showered up, ate some amazing pizza and made my way to Shalom Beauty Salon.

It is such an experience getting your hair braided here. Women are gossiping and listening to Swahili radio, it is such a fun environment to be in. We managed to share a lot of laugh and a little conversation. I think this might have been one of my favourite moments so

far here in Africa. It's not another tourist or sightseeing moment, it is just a regular gather of women getting their hair done. And I love it. 

Testimonies

For the last week, I have had the honour and privelege to hear testimonies from both survivors and rescuers of the 1994 genocide. Each person who we've spent time with at memorial sites or their village have taught me more about courage, fear, forgiveness and resilience than I could ever read in a book. 

At first, I felt a bit uncomfortable writing posts about what I had seen at the memorial sites across the country because of the details and emotional associated with each testimony I heard. In reality, each person thanked our group for listening to their testimony, coming to Rwanda to learn the true story about the genocide and hoped that now we would share their stories and the real story of the genocide with others. I thought it was the most powerful thing to hear because they know how imperative to keep that flame burning so that we never forget what happened in Rwanda. 

This place is etching a spot in my mind and heart. For a place that saw so much darkness at one point, is now full of life and willingness to look forward to a bright future as one strong, united nation. 

The more I reflect on these testimonies and walk paths and roads once flooded with such chaos, the more questions I have about it all. I know I will come back to this place to try to understand more and put the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle together. Additionally, this place allures you with it's breathtaking landscaping, hospitable people and overall resilient and united population.  

Umuganda

Every last Saturday of the month, Rwandans come out into the community and participate in an event called Umuganda. Picking up trash, fixing up roads and cleaning up the streets are all part of this community service project set out by the government. 

I heard about this program as I sat with students from the National University in Butare. Bernard, an undergrad student studying electronics and telecommunication told me it was one of his favourite events in Rwanda. Everyone has a chance to mingle with neighbours and others living in the city or village. It creates a sense of community and unity. Bernard said this government initiative was a great example of good governance, which is a component the current administration is striving for. Each district has facilitators that help organize and decide what should be the main tasks of the community clean up. And everyone helps out as much as they can. 

On our to Gisenyi, north west of the country, we saw influxes of people in each village participating in this activity. I thought it was a brilliant idea to help create bonds of trust and unity as well as clean up villages and cities. 

I think the greatest fact I heard about Umuganda, is that even President Kagame takes part in this event!