How can we have grown up in the same household??? Are we even related? Have you asked yourself the same questions?
Last week, I had the pleasure of hearing Gabor Mate (Author of The Myth of Normal) speak about Families. He said that no child in a family has the same parents! WHAT?
It set me thinking. My mother was 27 when I was born, had just walked from Yugoslavia to Switzerland to join her fiancé, my father, and found a somewhat rocky relationship at best. Betrothed and linked by legacy, they consummated a marriage, and I was the first product. Being a 27-year-old woman and a first-time mother is a major experience. Being displaced and away from Family added to that.
My sister came to join us when my mother was 30. Now first child had been a serious journey as I was allegedly not the easiest of toddlers. My sister conceived doubtlessly in the belief that another child would bring Dad away from his philandering and indulgent ways. Today, as a travelled adult, I know such formulas seldom work. But the mother my sister experienced was a different person from the one that I experienced.
And so it goes! We meet people at a certain point in their lives. We can jump to a conclusion about them, and often do, without the consideration of their moment in time. This naturally brings one to the reality that reflection and perspective are necessary before jumping to a conclusion.
Over time, I have had moments to reflect on that period for my mother and Dad. I wrote about this a while ago. Judging is easy, and it does not change anything. Absorbing the lesson offered and seeking a better path is our responsibility. That is what we CAN control.
Of late, I have been exposed to finding dialogue and sharing history with my son. Per DNA, he is my son, but it becomes obvious that our journeys are not only different but that our perspective on what were shared moments are also, often, a cause for – ya what?
Given that at the very core of our existence, we often cannot share the same opinion on what seems basic, how are we to navigate a world where people assume they are informed by reading endless opinions on subjects in snippets? We are confronted by decisions made in Politics, education, etc. Opinions become a rattle of lies, machine gun bullets at our consciousness. Step back. Let the world take a turn, during which you reflect on your core values.
I recall my telling my dad a news story, he asked me where I came up with that, and I told him from the TV. He then told me to never pass on someone else’s thoughts, as he can get them too, and I should offer original consideration instead! Harsh in some ways, but it has stayed with me.
Like this blog, I write with the perspective I can offer. There is no AI in my fingers, only what I perceive. Why do I write? Because I want the readers to know that our family business is not in the grips of trite marketing but founded on a real desire to bring strength and perspective to the core of our readers, hopefully, customers.
What I write is also the essence of what we have produced. Our products do not exploit the word Manuka. We use the essence of Manuka’s goodness to produce a viable product, pretty much “best in Class,” and seek to make you have the best experiences when you need them.
Thank you for listening, Yours Aye, Gjoko
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