In this daily hussle and making ends meet to survive our humanity is put-to- the- test- and that test is how well we will manage to maintain our personal integrity at the expense of “getting rich or die trying’ as 50 cent so coined it. The group that will continue to experience this more than ever is the internet and tech savvy generation that want things now without breaks, comma’s or full stops.
My parents and their generation before them believed in an honest day’s work for an honest pay. Sadly, though this has become something to be shunned and abhorred by my generation. Our so called heroes in the political, academic, civic, sports, business or religious circles are not faring off too well in this arena either.
I have known very bright and able men and women of my generation and a few older ones who are an exemption to the rule who were doing very well and got smart, played around with the system, started to climb upwards onto the ladder of success too quickly and then eventually the truth like a bright glimpse of the moon came out and that was the end to a wonderful start…… Careers, lifestyles, marriages, friendships and character goes down the drain just like Esau of old’ who sold his inheritance to his brother Jacob for a bowl of porridge. I am not condemning or condoning dishonesty because it is part of our humanity but we must and can do better in a society that is going AWOL in values, ethics and following rules.
Honesty may not make you a billionaire overnight or bring fame to your family’s name but you will have earned your respect. Individuals and companies may not like you for sticking to your ‘guns’ but they will always respect you. The man or woman who has made it in life out of deceit will always remember and be haunted in their sleep because they did not earn their success. Honesty may not monetarily pay dividends but character pays for a lifetime!