No Leaders Please

invent yourself and then reinvent yourself,
don’t swim in the same slough.
invent yourself and then reinvent yourself
and
stay out of the clutches of mediocrity.

invent yourself and then reinvent yourself,
change your tone and shape so often that they can
never
categorize you.

reinvigorate yourself and
accept what is
but only on the terms that you have invented
and reinvented.

be self-taught.

and reinvent your life because you must;
it is your life and
its history
and the present
belong only to
you.

Charles Bukowski

More than a few posts lately feature thoughts about the political environment. I write on what is topmost in my consciousness day to day, and sadly that has been politics.

What is the individual to do when incompetence, hubris is ensconced in high places? Moreover what is left to do, if no leadership (male or female) for the opposition has come to prominence? “Wait and see,” seems to me a poor roadmap for a life. What to do when no Marius has mounted the barracades, a symbol of inspiration to all who oppose our up-welling of authoritarian terror?

I asked myself, a male of 76 years, what advice I would give to a younger version of myself, say someone in his late 20s? This poem by Charles Bukowski is a good word of advice. Words which work no matter one’s age, or stage in life.

You cannot expect to always have someone to follow… What do you do if there’s no clear leader, one with whom you agree? Bukowski’s advice: stagnation amounts to mediocrity.

Take yourself in hand!

Always, always, always – reinvent yourself.

Read, challenge yourself with new and difficult ideas.

Acquaint yourself with those who cultivate their minds. Make new friends.

It is your life, and it belongs only to you.

Or not do…

“Do or do not, there is no try” – Yoda, The Empire Strikes Back

Time for a tune. People Watching by Sam Fender is story telling excellence!