Out of bounds

It was around mid term at boarding school and there I was sitting on the edge of the window sill watching the sun set as had become the custom on a Saturday evening. In the dormitory were my friends lying down on their bunkers wondering where the next wave of fun would come from. Typically on Saturday evenings, we would watch an action movie of some sort or stay indoors making up stories. For some odd reason, there was a feeling in the air that this night would be daring and different. “Let’s go out of bounds tonight”, one of the boys who we called Terminator suddenly said. Without much opposition, this good idea suddenly caught fire and the dorm was abuzz with suggestions of where to go. This being just a week before closing, the sense of belief and enthusiasm was real! 

Now just for some context, being out of bounds basically meant that someone was out of the school boundary even if his was by one centimeter. This was considered a treasonous crime in boarding school and if done at night, could get you expelled. 

After rigorous debate and hard selling from Terminator, I was unanimously elected to lead this adventure for whatever reason. Not wanting to give up an opportunity to become the dorm kingpin in the event that we got back unscathed, I jumped at the opportunity and overruled the scary thought of my mother electrocuting me in the event of expulsion. 

I quickly went into planning mode. We would allow the sun to go down, have dinner, pretend to sleep and then go out about an hour after “lights out”. Where were we going? The most daring place ever.. A night club!! 

A final check by the House master and Lights out!! As he left, we had someone follow him just to make sure he was going home. As soon as the spy gave the green light, we were up, dressed and on our way. An hour later, we were all in the club thanks to the older looking kids with beards who had clearly been here before judging by the cooperation they got from the bouncers!

We find some tables and the night begins. Loud music, dancing, chaos, smoke, lights, lots of strange people walking around and lots and lots of drinks flowing thanks to the guy with a rich father who was strategically imported from another dorm for this purpose. 

Around 2am, after having had one too many orange juices, I excuse myself and head to the bathroom. As I turn the corner, I am paralysed by what I see next.. The school priest, standing right in front of me as our eyes collide. I stand there stone cold, scared, shaking, sweating and come to think of it, confused. While he is thinking “what are you doing here?” I’m thinking “hawu fathers, what are you doing here?”. In his right hand is a brown bottle which I assume has holy water and on his left arm is a lady who probably needs prayer. In a strange way, we had just busted each other.. stale mate!! 

Short of what to say and wondering if now was the right time to pray, I then exclaim, “Ahh father!! How are you?”. In response he moves swiftly, grabs me to one corner and says “don’t call me father here”. In a few seconds he disappears while I proceed to the bathroom traumatized!! 

I return to the table looking like I just saw a ghost and convince the crew that it was time to wrap up the night and head back to school. That night we arrive back safe and sound and without a doubt I get promoted to dorm General having led the armed forces to battle and back safely. 

The next morning arrives and we all wake up as the House master comes in for inspection. Terminator, the bastard who’s idea this whole thing was to begin with, is fast asleep and as drunk as hell in his corner bunker while the rest of us are dressed and standing next to our beds. The House master wakes him up and not knowing who this was, he shouts at him thinking it’s one of us. One sjambok later, Terminator is wide awake, as sober as a judge and narrating the whole of last nights story to the House Master with tears flowing while we watch amazed by his generosity with information!! I still remember how many lashes of the cain we got each and the punishment that followed that weekend. 

So what is the moral of the story? 

1.) In 2018 you will be given great ideas by Terminators and excited by the crowd. Despite the fact that I was the only one who came back sober, didn’t shout at the House Master and suffered the trauma of bumping into the priest, I still got just as many lashes as Terminator and suffered the same punishment simply by association. 

The lesson? Don’t be easily influenced. Think independently, interrogate ideas and identify potential consequences before you make a decision. It will save you many lashes both in life and in the work environment!!

2.) In 2018 you will have many original ideas of your own. In general, most ideas need to be brought to life with the help of other people. Be aware of the people you have around you and the strengths that they bring to the achievement of your idea. The only person with an original idea in the room that night was Terminator. He used me to deliver his dream knowing I could lead, he had older looking guys get us access to the club, he had the guy with the rich father pay for his alcohol while making sure the sober one (me) got him back safely and finally he got us all to share the pain of lashes and punishment with him when he was busted. Who was the real leader here?

The lesson? Like Terminator, sell your idea, excite the people who’s help you need, get them to co-own it and watch it come to life! 

3.) In 2018, you will come across the proverbial school priest.. Someone who will turn out to be different to what you thought, someone who will shock you in one way or another and someone who’s words and actions won’t align. Despite the immediate trauma that this will cause, focus on the job at hand.. To get the troops back to base!! As exciting as the temptation was to spill the beans on what I had just seen, I resisted it and never spoke about it.. well, until now of course. 

The lesson? Reserve your energy for the mission and avoid distractions that have nothing to do with you 

4.) In 2018 you will have House Masters patrolling your dreams, inspecting your work, checking your table manners and once in a while punishing you for crossing boundaries. Consider them a necessary evil, tolerate them, learn from them and allow those who have your best interest at heart to guide you along the way both at work and in life. 

The lesson? A mentor is an absolute necessity!! Think of them as a House Master who will keep you honest and focussed. 

Finally in 2018, dare to dream big, dare to go to places you have never been, dare to go beyond boundaries that others have set for you, dare to find out what lies out of bounds and if necessary, change your environment and refuse to be called a priest if it stands in the way of your dreams!!

In life, we are often taught that there are good guys and bad guys, there is black and white, right and wrong and nothing in-between. On reflection as I was writing this, one of the biggest lessons I have learnt over the years is simply that you can learn something from just about anyone and any situation. Be open, be willing and be conscious of this in 2018!

Happy new year!!