• AND HARMFUL PERSPECTIVES THAT IGNORE ACCOUNTABILITY AND LEGITIMACY, FOR WHAT HAVE BECOME LOOT, TO BE POSSESSED

I’VE never witnessed it in my family before, but it did occur when an elder sibling passed, and a sense of entitlement arose that questioned nothing and demanded possession of everything, without exploring the root legitimacy of anything by all concerned, with claims here and there. But in this world of entitlement, the legitimate paperwork and functional source of inspiration are not necessary in the quest for the tide of our times; it is overrun by bullying if allowed.

I recall an incident shared about an elder who returned home to spend some time and occupied his room in his house, which is now occupied by his daughter, her husband, and children. Her husband, after a short period, phoned his sister-in-law in the States, complaining that his father-in-law — THE STILL OWNER OF THE HOUSE — was occupying the children’s room, and that his overseas in-laws should find somewhere for him to stay. The shocked sister-in-law took the matter to her elder, street-wise brother, so she could overcome the presumptuous demand from her sister’s husband. Her brother responded with threats and said he would be in Guyana in less than a week to kick him out of his father’s house. Knowing her brother, the sister of this arrogant husband persuaded him to move them to someplace else, and much safer.

The shock of this story is — what had nourished this kind of arrogance, that prevailed with this incident some years ago? But this arrogance, at some stage, has become entrenched at different levels. We ignored them in the past, where the element of balance, based on principles, was ignored, and some were spoiled into believing they were above all else, super-entitled. Thus, personal possession at all costs seems the first manifest position. In a country where every street has a religious institution, morals have stopped working, and for some people involved in religion, it has become a joke to many who point at the broader society.

The rise of illegitimate “runnings” that have empowered many seems to have seeped into the ordinary man as normalcy. Those of us who struggle with small businesses have become a no-no, because most small businesses require research and hard work to make the first lap and still be breathing — I’m fully aware of that. But the fact is that whatever one does, integrity is what will enable; smart bullying will not empower for too long, and faith in iniquity — with that! Look around, it gon cost yuh, yuh soul. Not established continuity. Somehow yuh gon wake up and find that the salawalla will let yuh down; witness nuff of that.

Most worked-for and legitimate inheritance and knowledge gained will empower — pay attention. Have paperwork guidance and accountable achievements yuh could pass on. True, some people have swindled others’ goodwill and walked all over them as a matter of gratitude; children who have dumped old folks in stalags to perish. But it’s best to admire those who have lived and taken care of theirs. There are some things we assume as superstition; things manifest a bit differently, but amount to the same result if you pay attention.

Treachery and greed will remain tempting entities in human nature, as well as the astuteness to know the nature of the tide, so as not to be swept away in regret, but to survive sensibly and sleep with inspiring dreams.