Who is Joe?

Most times we go through life pre-occupied in our thoughts and our peculiar challenges such that we miss out on a lot of lessons life throws on our paths. We are either plugged deep into a PDA while commuting or screened out of a noisy environment by tinted car windows. In either of this case, you are engrossed in the distillation of varying sounds emanating from a myriad of outward assaults emanating from public speakers, mobile traders, hooting and honking of motorcycles or vehicular machines just name a few.

Irrespective of our experiences or sides of the street, one thing is clear; the mass of passers-by are defined by a pensive, hapless and often obvious expectant mien that masks an internal war. Generally, one obvious denominator can be found in the love for JOE. Joe seems to be the only guy that is loved unconditionally by everyone in respective of age, race, religious or philosophical leaning; he is the man to beat.

All economic, social and even cultural systems in the world are set up in favour of Joe. From communal co-habitations to geo-political definitions; from sovereign structures to global architecture, Joe’s influence is unparalled and almost infinite. His wisdom is sought by Kings, rulers and world leaders and, in return, he rewards them with empires of great wealth and immeasurable authority fully furnished with loyal adherents. Is Joe therefore not the uncrowned king of the universe!

As I stood in the middle of a transit centre, I paused to observe the continuous flow of quickened steps and unseeing eyes – commuters hastening to various callings while missing the moment because Joe says so. Remember, Joe is the advocate of the 50/50 principle and the god-father of the ever-present middle class; the protector of the unadventurous. His dictionary defines comfort and security in bold and angelic terms. Ironically, these are the manure of the earth.

While most development comes as a result of change, not all change may result in development. For Joe, change is always a threatening experience as leaving the comfort zone creates an uncertain future. Yet, without movement, however minimal, there may not be growth.

The average Joe will ever remain average. He will always be a prisoner of his fears. He will always remain comfortable. His perception will continue to be limited and as his dreams fades into a distant past.

But like a watershed on the hillside, those droplets, whether a handful or in quantum, are the very ‘salt’ of the river groove landscape. The nourishing moist contributed by these ones compliment other elemental presence and together tells the story of a beautiful picturesque. These are the rebels or are so called. The brave and courageous who dare to challenge the authority of Joe in all ramifications. They befriend adventure and take risk because they understand that life grows out of the ‘box’ of convention and that beyond the 'system', just a little bit, lies evolution. Even as humans, our immune systems are ratified by the actions of the free radicals!

You should pause for awhile and do a self-check – yes an audit of your dreams and expectations. Are you where you dreamt to be years ago? If not, what is holding you back? What must you tomorrow? NO! what must you do NOW? You can’t be an average Joe and expect to win the game of life. If you are too casual about life, you might end up a casualty! You have to go the extra mile and kick it up a notch. "Life is either a daring adventure or nothing" saids Helen Keller. The trouble is, if you don't risk anything, you risk even more as Erica Jong saw it.

So listen to your heart. Because if you do, you might learn something - personal wisdom, they say, is self-evident.

Faj