THE elders did not err when they seemed to pay attention to every step they made, with the intention of sealing a significant path. It is not with ease that we step forward, but instead with hope and its companion, the dream, with its whispers and our ripe imagination. At times, we are intruded upon by voices we cannot understand, nor should we trust. Nevertheless, we plunge into love and trust, guided by our feelings, rather than behaving like our most ancient ancestors, who stood afar and paid attention to the world around them. Their primitive awareness cautioned them about whom and what to trust and whom to guard themselves against. They cautiously trusted each other or risked being devoured. Their sketches on the walls told us that they cooperated; thus, they evolved and survived…

The world of today compels us to be on guard against family and companions; thus, our expectations are guarded. But in such circumstances, we might crave a companionate embrace, which can manifest as a deception when an unknown shadow appears. The fact is that trust and loyalty are aged companions, not promising angels. The few whom you may trust, even in a time of collective distortion, may be looking upon their own needs at the concealed moment of common private need. Therefore, expectations must not be raised as banners expected to solve expectations but shelved as self-redemption tools. Thus, guard your own gifts well, for each of us is blessed with gifts. Look upon the world and see that there is a platform for each of us as we live longer today. Guard your conscience well until next week, when we shall talk culture in the now…