This is a reflection on what is important in our life, the priorities we should seek versus the transient things that should be a bridge to those priorities.
I have chosen the terms “big things and small things” not because the small things are not necessary, but because we are called as humans to transcend those transitory targets.
As I look at life experience in a nutshell, I see that one can view everything as part of the big things or the small things. Everything that we see and dream of, everything that we possess, can in a way be seen as big or small from a comparative perspective.
So, what are the small things? Students dream of getting a certificate and eventually a good job. People dream of one day owning a good house and other necessities of life.
We have dreams of becoming successful in business, a famous artist, a great sportsperson, a teacher, a doctor, a politician and so on. There is no limit to our human dreams, imaginations, visions and innovations.
Everyone really would like to be wealthy, or at least to have enough money to have a comfortable life.
All the above are in this reflection the small things in comparison to the big things as we shall see here. Make no mistake here, I am not saying that these “small” things are not important. We need money, housing, transport, good health, good politics and vibrant economies.
So, what are the big things? Are there other human dreams bigger than becoming wealthy, healthy, comfortable in life and prestigious in the community?
Yes, there are: Think of Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King Junior, Mahatma Gandhi, Julius Nyerere and how they dedicated their lives so their people could be free from injustice and enslavement. Think of the sacrifice that parents make so their children will be well, think of teachers who spend their spare time preparing their students for examinations. Think of editors who work long days and nights so that they can bring before you a newspaper like this one.
All these people dedicate their lives so society can enjoy the real big things like peace, justice, respect for human life, ethical governance and so on.
These are the big things. Without these experiences, our human life is shallow and meaningless.
