Faithsworldviewdaily

The complexity of the subject of “human rights” is one that amazes me. What are the principles guiding the extent of rights people have as individuals. Is it governed by culture, societal expectations, religion, basic common sense, or in recent times “happiness.” We hear statements like, “do what makes you happy.”

Over the years, there has been progression in what basic human rights are, and it seems to be tending more towards individual preferences away from cultural acceptability. Leaves me wondering to what extent people should be allowed to do what they like? How can we balance our unique wants to what is generally conducive?

In conclusion, like most concepts in life, human rights is a very complicated topic which requires a lot of reflection. It requires trying to find an equilibrium between how far we can think about human rights in terms of individual preferences and cultural acceptability.

We live in an era where a lot of people focus so much on their outward appearance. We put on a lot of facade, appearing very confident and daring but deep down filled with a lot of emptiness and a need to be approved by people.

Over the years plastic surgery have been on the rise with the majority of people indulging in it saying “I did it to gain confidence and feel comfortable in my body.” But then I asked does fixing the outward look really solve the problem of self esteem? I don’t think so. I find that those who go for the first surgery end up going for further ones. This shows that there will always be something to be fixed.

Hence, I can say that maybe the problem is not how we look outwardly but how we feel inwardly. It doesn’t matter how beautiful you may look on the outside, if you are broken on the inside, you will never be enough for you. So rather than spend time and energy on the looks that matters only a little, let’s prioritise working on who we truly are on the inside. Get your self worth from who you really are as a person and not how you look as a person because that is what really matters.

Every now and then, I find myself wondering about the motivations behind human actions. Why do we do what we do? Oftentimes I wonder if every human action will be different if we had different sets of rules. If anything would have changed if there was no one to judge or criticise us. Is it intrinsically in a man to do certain things or is it influenced by culture and society?

When I give to charity, is it because I am genuinely empathetic to the situations of the beneficiaries or is it as a result of what I think the society expects from me? Will I treat people the same way in secret the way I would in the open? Just maybe some would not take a second look at the less fortunate if there were no cameras. This brings me to the concept of true love.

When the Bible talks about the possibility of given oneself for others without love, I ponder, is it really possible to die for those we don’t love? When I deeply think about it, I dare say it is possible. Sometimes, it is more important to know the why of an action than what the action itself is. It is therefore very pertinent for us to always search our hearts and know the true intentions of our actions. Rise above doing things for applause and society pressure and gear towards taking actions based on true convictions. Therein lies fulfilment and reward.

Conversely, do we totally ignore societal demands and plunge fully into doing every thing we are convinced about or have true intentions for? Love also tell us to do to others what we would want to be done to us. In all of these I came to the conclusion that life is indeed complex, and there is no manual for it. However, if we practice self reflection enough and determine to apply wisdom in all we do, just maybe we can get by each day being fulfilled.

I therefore make this submission, which is coined from the book of Proverbs: Get wisdom, get understanding, and do not sell it (paraphrased).

Is gender role something culturally influenced, or is it an innate ability? For years, women have been seen as homemakers, chore-doers, and child-raisers. But are they truly born with these abilities, or are these roles socially constructed? Do some women simply not struggle with these responsibilities the same way some men would? These are some of the questions that go through my mind. Is it not wrong, then, to judge the success of a woman based on how well she carries out such roles?On the other hand, are all men truly equipped to be the primary, or sometimes sole, providers in their homes? Again I ask: is it an inborn trait to be able to provide sufficiently, or is it a socially attributed responsibility?When I ponder on the account recorded in Genesis—this is for those of us who are Christians—I wonder: when God cursed the man after the Fall, saying that in struggle he would till the soil, in other words provide food, was He setting a standard that the man is the provider? Or was it simply because tilling the soil was a physically demanding activity, and therefore best suited for the stronger party?Do we then measure the success of a man according to how much he can provide?Share your thoughts.

“I am the head of the home,” he says. What does this even mean? Someone asks, and he struggles to find his words. “Well, all I know is that my word is final.” “Even the Bible says…” He continues to justify why he is the HEAD of the home.

For a very long time, I have observed that humans hold on to statements, philosophy, doctrines, values, principles, just name it that tends to stroke their ego or that is convenient for them. I have seen and heard a lot of men play the HEAD OF THE HOME CARD and I ask, what really does it mean to be the head. Being a head (leader), does it end in being the dictator of how things should be in a home? Or maybe, it just means you are the ‘PROVIDER?’

Leadership demands responsibility , sacrifice, service, and mentorship. It means you don’t only think about your self but also about the people you lead. How your decisions and actions impact them. You set the tone of the home. You serve not because you are weak but because you love and because you are setting a standard for your home. A leader is intentional, he listens, observe to see what’s best for his ‘followers.’ yes he may fail sometimes, but he can rise above it, apologizes if he has to and keeps it going again.

When leadership in a home is done right, you don’t need to shout that you are the HEAD. Your family just know automatically that that is who you are. Leadership is not forced. Leaders are leaders because of what they command and not who they command. They do not have to announce their position, they just occupy it. So next time you see the need to enforce your leadership through coercion and violence, stop and ask yourself, am I truly leading?

Marriage, something that is supposed to make life beautiful and easy has become a very difficult venture. Imagine having someone beside you to do life with. Making decisions together, facing challenges together, and winning together. But how could it be when there are so many traumas yet to be healed from, immense selfishness, and lack of commitment? Wounds unhealed rubbing against each other, family dysfunction rearing up its ugly head, and making what is supposed to be beautiful a battlefield.

The woman is holding back financial support, saving for the evil day, so she is not left with nothing. The man, oh, calculating how to position himself so as not to lose in a case of divorce. All these precautionary mindsets stemming from past hurt and testimonies of others who have been victims before, are robbing us of the joy and peace we ought to enjoy in marriage.

When I ponder on these things I can’t help but wonder what marriage would have been like if there were no fear of hurt, or broken trust. If like children, we retained our innocence. Or maybe if  we humans aren’t intrinsically selfish, thinking only about ourselves and doing to others all that we can’t accept to be done to us, like cheating, abusing, and dominating others…oh if wishes were horses…

One constant thing in life is change. An old statement that is actually true even today. We are constantly evolving either for better or for worse. Constantly being influenced by the things we give attention to, knowingly or unknowingly.

In this time when information whether good or bad is readily available at our fingertips, one needs to be really careful and device means to filter what goes in. And whether we like it or not we consciously or unconsciously are impacted by these information.

Thus the bible says “guard your hearts with all diligence for out of it comes the issues of life.” It is mine and your duty to control what we meditate upon and give credence to.

Always practice self-reflection!!!