Quest for Jest

The holiday season has ended. And year-end reviews and new year perspectives reigned awhile. I thought I'd let the noise die down, let the usual internet clichés run their course. Old correspondence pulled out from my archives addressing common concerns. Fact, nonsense,  life learning, management lesson? Maybe? 

Hi Zoeb,

Thanks for the invitation to light banter.

However, being the self-appointed court jester, I cannot stop my fingers and keyboard from speaking my mind. And I do appreciate people who are upfront and speak their mind. I believe that positive conflict is necessary for the growth of any organisation be it our place of work (for the money or voluntary), the family, friends and society at large. And though I agree that the banter and the feel-good factor are important, we must pause awhile to address issues that are close to the heart and face up to them like mature human beings. So long as all parties to the conflict face each other in a mature fashion!

We are human beings first and, the fact that we are single-minded about our cause does not mean that we do not experience the emotions that may appear negative on the surface. I see it as passion from people who care about the cause they work for! Now all we need to do is ignite that passion further with accompanying vision, then we got it made! I think that is what we are asking for. Passion combined with vision will catapult us into a higher realm!

Even when the lighthearted stuff is not taken in the right spirit, let us remember that there are times when some of us may have other pressures that seep through our communication. So let’s excuse that.

And for your invitation, here’s a poem in your honour:

To Zoeb in his Quest for Jest

‘tis not the clime for jest, my friend,

When forthright speech we miscomprehend,

For men must learn and apprehend

Their domineering egos to suspend!

The jester stands alone in the abandoned court

And watches Passion die in the castle moat!

Behind his mask, he wears a weary frown

As no one sees the tears of a clown!

Pardon me if I strike the wrong key,

‘tis not an ill wind that blows o’er the sea

but the tumult raised by passionate men

who attempt to beard the lion in its den!

Raise the clarion call for sanity

Blow the bugle for maturity

Pray, let wiser counsel prevail

So that the cause does not flounder and fail!

Antonio