A reflection of contrasts

Yesterday was my birthday - so it's been an apt time to pause longer than normal to reflect on what's going on in and around me as well as far beyond. And my personal observations are that we are surrounded by an ocean of contrasts in the form of debate, news and experiences. I'm not here to make sense of it all, but simply to step back and pause at the view - and that hopefully, in the silent moments of personal reflection whilst writing this article, glean some insight or learning that these colourful contrasts present.

For a little over 2 months now, Papua New Guinea has been 'officially' in a declared state of emergency due to #COVID-19. It's been a test to the resolve of leadership to respond swiftly, proactively, coherently and effectively to protect the people from an invisible virus that current in-country health systems are absolutely no match for. And I must say, for all the criticism any government in PNG typically receives from its electorate - as an observer, I've been impressed by the extraordinary efforts, responsiveness and mobilisation to get on top and ahead of the issue. The proactive efforts have been warranted, especially in light of the decimation being experienced by more advanced and well equipped health systems abroad. But, as has also been the case in many other countries - the ensuing debate between economics vs. health has been bubbling. And today, around 1pm local time - PNG's National Parliament will be sitting to consult and decide on the continuing plan of how to keep the community healthy and safe but also provide opportunities for economic sustenance.

In many other countries around the world, this debate between health vs. economics has different depths of repercussions. In a place like PNG, where 80%+ or so of the population are highly dependent on selling produce at market or other similar subsistence activities to ensure their family has food, shelter and possibly access to education - there's not much room, if any, in the wallet for COVID restrictions or other contingencies. So understandably, there's a growing desire, as captured by news houses here, that common people wish for the government to completely relax restrictions, "but keep the international borders closed".

Another set of contrasting topics is that of the racial tensions that America is, once again, reeling from after the unjust and unacceptable death of George Floyd. An African-American who died at the merciless terror of a uniformed police officer who pinned him down by the neck with the weight of his knee. And ignoring George's pleas, "I can't breathe!"...moments later, resulted in his death due to asphyxia. This incident has, as we can all currently see through mainstream media sparked a furious reaction and debate from the full spectrum of American people about the absence of justice and respect due to its African-American populace. Many of us, whether we are American or not, in witnessing the news coverage, have had to confront our personal beliefs and what we can do about the invisible yet sturdy glass ceiling that systematically oppresses those who's voices and sentiments are not adequately heard or given value.

Contrast those conversations and news bites, with the parallel and incredibly exciting pursuit of commercial space travel which has just successfully launched its inaugural mission with astronauts from NASA, Boeing and the SpaceX program from American soil. Aboard the spaceship, #Endeavour, these astronauts will join the international space-station and from millions of kilometres from earth - get the truest sense of our reality as a human race. That we are all living on the same planet, which, actually - is a single, but complex habitat. That, in fact, we are part of a race that needs to collaborate in a coherent way across these man-made borders, across our man-made prejudices not only in order for us all to feel and experience prosperity at all levels of society, but indeed to survive as a human race.

What a remarkable juxtaposition.

The last contrast I've been fortunate to observe and experience is that of the outstanding legacy of a young 19 year old, who is the son of some dear family friends of ours. This young lad recently passed away due to the vicious and unforgiving conditions of brain cancer that he endured valiantly over 9 months. But that's not the storyline I wish to focus on... a week or so ago - his family and friends held an online memorial. As is the current trend, most gatherings are online because of COVID restrictions globally. But this didn't deter folks to turn out in droves. Almost 300 screens joined the memorial call... a majority of them with 2-5 people sharing each screen. So I'd safely estimate about 1000 or so participants made the point to attend, no matter what the timezone they were in, to this incredibly moving and admirable memorial of a young man, who lived a humble and yet impactful life.

Why was this such a pertinent contrast for me to mention? At the age of 19... a person so young, full of capacity and clearly respected and loved by an innumerable diversity of people located worldwide - was remembered over and over again - in each shared story and reflection, for timeless characteristics and virtues such as: selflessness, grace, wisdom, dedication to causes greater than himself, humility, spiritual strength and love towards those he mentored and those who were strangers as well as his friends, associates and family.

If I were to be completely honest about my observations during this memorial, the way this young man was remembered for the short time he lived and the far-reaching impact he made as a result of what he focused his energy on whilst on this earth would be the envy of kings, leaders and politicians alike. Indeed, that someone so young could build such a lasting and deep legacy that we'd typically expect for those well-beyond their youth, is worth marvelling at.

So now to the challenging prospect of concluding this article. What sense can I personally make of all these contrasts and observations?

Somehow, I feel like we, as human beings have a tendency to spend a lot of time and energy on false dichotomies. That we paint a version of what we think is 'reality' for ourselves and 'others' who are different from us that unnecessarily complicates our decision making processes - or the very least, inhibits our potential to be a valuable contributor to more than just our own well-being.

I feel we have habits of placing value on superfluous and fleeting things when, at the end of the day - we all have the same time-bound destiny of physical death.

So the essential question that I've come to personally confront is about legacy. Which exact memories of my life will be left behind when my own time is up? What will be the actions, or non-actions, the behaviours, or absence of behaviours I will be remembered for? What will my 5 year old daughter feel/think or believe about the person who I lived my life to be?

For George Floyd and our 19-year old friend, their lives and the memories of them, has sparked many questions in my reflections about what it means to live a full and meaningful life.

For people like Elon Musk and his compatriots, it seems, at least from the distance that I'm able to observe them - that they are pursuing, even in the face of long-term ridicule, a dream of mammoth proportions that, will likely deliver benefits to communities far beyond their lifetime. I liken it to Thomas Edison, Einstein and many of the other scientific masters - upon who's efforts and persevering execution of seemingly outrageous dreams we are all benefiting in this day and age.

For politicians and leaders in the general community - they face complex decisions now more than ever, and how they resolve to vote will impact the communities they serve. One would hope that this decision making process is based on more than the highest bidder, the loudest voices or the glorification of ego. Indeed, one hopes that they have courage to give precedence to contemplate whatever noble intensions are worthy to consider for the best interest of the community, because that's the nature of the thankless-work of servant-leadership.

That's why we remember timeless leaders who we've all come to admire - Mandela, Ghandi, Dr. Martin Luther King and the few others have been forever-etched into the annals of human history. Their actions epitomised the roles and responsibilities of a 'public-servant'.

Fundamentally - no matter who we are, where we are and what we're doing - we are only ever responsible for our own actions and words, or lack thereof. Not the actions of others. So, before we throw any stone towards those we may not agree with or even see as 'other' than us, it's worthwhile to pause and contemplate our own prejudices, our own shortfalls and what we are actually doing to contribute to a new and better world order.

What will be my legacy?