Gys du Toit

I declare life, a connected, balanced life in abundance.

Today I returned to my motherland, at the southern tip of Mother Africa. The word mother is ironic – my mother was murdered and my uncle was slaughtered. This I believe was the consequence of a world which is disconnected and unbalanced. I lived on three continents and I consider myself as a world citizen, this is beyond the confines of what nation states can offer. This does not change my roots – I was born and raised in Africa, I am an African. …I do not fit the mould of a typical Afrikaner, but on the other hand, what is typical? Perhaps stereotypical. Yet, after almost two years in Europe, in Switzerland, symbol of peace and prosperity I understand better to what a degree the world is out of balance. When I say unbalanced I actually mean disconnected. The disconnection is pertinent in so many layers in the fabric of our society. I am however hopeful that we can collectively re-balance society.

Let me first explain the unbalance and then show a picture of hope, or perhaps more a mandate to “balance life”. I often heard from people after they described the perfection of Switzerland that it is a “bubble”. It is a prosperous bubble today which could maintain “neutrality” through the two world wars. People live in safe predictable circumstances, yet something is out of balance …why would so many people be depressed, and in such a safety place choose to take their own life? This is also a country impacted by its trading partners who themselves face shifting socio-political issues. A constant influx of asylum seekers, immigrants and a world where the actions of other countries have ripple effects …it can be visible in minutes with and impact on the stock market, later on trade balance and on the longer run on the health of economies as a whole.

Economies and markets seems psychological so distant, but it reflects strongly the socio-political situation of a country … and in “socio” you find the dynamics on societal level. It is in society where I have seen disconnections, the harmony disrupted. It is the human, personal connection that is at this core. There in is perhaps the reason why I have chosen to study business, psychology and philosophy … the sense that there is a way for all people on this earth to find harmony. This is no “lala land” or utopia … this is the place where I believe in “love thy neighbour”. People often use love in the same way as like or at worst as tolerate. I see love as a verb, being active. The other issue is that in “love other as you love yourself” is much more than what you may intellectually rationalise, it requires a deeper level of consciousness. First of all, you need to love yourself, not narcissistic, as it shuts out the other. Secondly people have different love languages …so what drives and inspires you may not work for others, this is where emotional intelligence is important. Here you find love moving from an inactive tolerance to an active respectfulness …respecting someone for who they are with an interest to act on it with compassion. I have seen people and societies turn a blind eye to other people, perhaps because it is too painful to look at what is happening outside the bubble. Our world is in a fine equilibrium and any sudden movement drive people back to their places of psychological safety. There is the expectation that people fight, flight, freeze …being hijacked by our reptile brains – what about raising our consciousness level and re-connect with loving compassion?

Re-balancing and re-connecting people in this world requires personal transformation. Many people shy away from talks about this journey for various reasons …likely stating it is personal or tip-toeing around topics of religion or to soften it saying spirituality. I believe dogmatic religion built on cultural practices is dead. I firmly believe actions shout louder than words … and we should love like Christ has loved – giving his life for others. Yes, we all cannot raise from the dead, then continue to dwell on earth and physically go to heaven …but we can surely show respect with compassion.

P.S. Let me know what you think of these reflections. I have a few more ideas on balance and how to re-connect on a personal and societal level, this I can share in another post …wouldn’t it be great if we see more inter-continental collaboration, starting on grassroots level?