Alias surfs the shelves at the supermarket. He brushes past the health food section which is packed with an array of ‘plus priced’ ‘minus’ products, disguised as healthy merchandise, apparently free of harmful ingredients. Confused and exhausted, he struggles to tell the difference between substances like glucose, lactose, or pantyhose. Some products are complete, presumably super healthy, yet tasteless substitutes, except the pantyhose, which is a bit hard to make from soya beans.
Next, Alias plans an excursion for tomorrow. Before he shops for a day tour, he surfs the internet for the weather forecast and finds; the ‘climate change activists’ are predicting apocalyptical storms with severe flooding in unbearable heat. Some optimists predict blue skies and sunshine with a pleasant afternoon breeze.
In two minds about his travel plans, Alias checks with the realists, who say: “we will let you know tomorrow evening”.
A few days later, Alias decides to clean his house. He searches the textile section at the supermarket for some absorbent wipes to clean all the chairs, when he spots a ‘sit and clean’ jumpsuit. The instructions say: just sit on the chair, watch something exciting on TV that makes you wiggle around frantically, and your chair will be spotless in record time.
Job done and irritated by a dirty, itching jumpsuit, he takes it off and throws it into the washing machine, when he realizes that he is out of washing detergent. It’s ‘back to the shops’ for him, namely the ‘cleaning and toiletries’ aisle where he is confronted by a seemingly endless shelf of bottles and buckets. In search of the appropriate product, he reads label after label. Soon he finds himself overwhelmed with information such as:
Divine Blends; Kinder to The Planet; Bigger Size; Greater Value; Trusted Brand; Award winning product; etc. Fortunately, Alias also reads the very fine print which reveals the nature of the products, such as shampoo, body wash, floor cleaner etc. and he finally scores a winner, namely ‘washing detergent’.
Low on cash and Christmas around the corner, Alias decides to do some contract work as Santa. In the fancy dress shop he easily finds a fitting costume since the padding is very adjustable.
Santa’s ‘black book’ however, is no longer available because it degrades kids. Apparently, everyone (except Alias) knows that children should only be praised, never criticised.
Nevertheless, Alias steps into Santa’s boots and does a marvelous job. During the Festive Season, ‘Santa Alias’ over-indulges on rich cuisine and dies of a cardiac arrest.
At heaven’s gate he passes a COVID test but fails the alcohol test. Intoxicated applicants are nothing new to St. Peter, who himself likes to savor a glass of blessed wine. He goes easy on Alias, admits him but requires him to earn his stay in ‘Hotel Heaven’. The task Alias needs to perform seems simple. All he has to do is deliver a letter from God to the Australian Government.
So, a fraction of eternity later, Angel Alias flies through the clouds down to earth, flapping his heavenly wings gently, when he spots his old local pub. Weary of eating the ‘Manna’ and drinking blessed wine, he descents for a pie and a pint of Larger. True to the saying; “one beer is never enough”, he orders another, and another, and another, forgetting about the heavenly letter. Hence the Australian Government, to this day, is still waiting for some divine guidance.
Empower yourself
There’s much talk, campaigning and lecturing happening trying to empower individuals or groups of people, such as certain ethnic, racial, or other disadvantaged categories.
In reality, no-one can empower you.
Others may give you advice or provide guidance, but only you can truly empower yourself. This is the point where most people hit a hurdle they don’t want to jump. We live in a ‘gimme’ era where people expect others to do things, including thinking, for them, rather than ‘get off their arses and fend for themselves. Widespread charity abuse is a fitting example of this phenomena.
Self-empowerment calls for responsibility and action, primarily based on ‘self-thought’. It constitutes an attitude which evolves into a conviction. It means taking charge of your life and destiny, i.e., making your own decisions within the rule of moral law.
Democracy constitutes that “Non shall rule over another”, while some powers are granted conditionally to the elected for a nominated term. The ‘elected’ are not our rulers or superiors, but our employees. The self-empowered recognise this fact and cultivate freedom as a core value.
If people cherished freedom more than their own ego, we would live in a better world. The ego is a self-imposed disempowerment . “Dictators take note”!
The self-empowered are immune to threats and intimidation, knowing they are nothing but a loser’s desperate screams for attention, and that danger lurks from the ‘wolf in the sheepskin’.
The self-empowered don’t despair, but rather adapt to altered circumstances.
They fall neither into the ‘Bully trap’ nor the ‘Dictator trap’.
When Pontius Pilatus told Jesus; “I have your life in my hands”, Jesus replied: “You have nothing in your hands, and the powers you have come to you from far beyond”.
Here is a gateway to a free, empowered mind: Speak truthfully and act with integrity. Some will ignore you others will accuse you of doing the opposite. Remain calm and don’t take offence.
Be vigilant and question the world around you.
If you are unsatisfied with your findings; Take action, voice your opinion, protest and/or fight if, and when necessary.
Learn from the past but don’t dwell on it.
Live in the present and capture the moment.
Care for the future but don’t worry or stress about it.
Don’t abuse your powers.