Dear readers, in both my life, and my writing, my ultimate goal is to engage and inspire society's conscience. But as everyone knows, as everything else in life, learning also takes time.
Nightly, I go to bed laughing at the day's performance, nostalgic about a period in my life that sincerity seemed more prevalent. Conscious, that life’s not at fault, but us, for being human. As a child, despite living among hardship and poverty, I experiened nothing short of pure and unadulterated love, given to me by my dear loving mom Philomena. Today it's comforting to know she cared, and was supportive of me, and tried to help me feel better, even when she may not have known what was causing my distress. Leading up to her final moments, her actions demonstrated the kind of person she was- someone who showed empathy, kindness and love toward others. This is a valuable legacy that she has left behind for me, a quality that I can carry with me throughout my life.
Growing up, I always found joy in the simple things in life, especially those that connect me to my childhood, and so have always played each day to my heart’s delight, daydreaming the rest of the way, and so, really got acquainted with my childhood.
And now, dear readers, loved ones and well-wishers, I thank you all for the genuine smiles you've bestowed upon me throughout the years. I remember when and where I grew up and left home pennyless for the world abroad, thinking I had to do something with my life while I was doing nothing, and now, when for the first time, I started writing, still just a humble budding dreamer with a quill and parchment, embarking on a quest believe it or not, eager to shape, then share my tales and my effort, with all.
Over the years I've been fortunate, enough to write many stories, each one designed to bring a little bit of joy and promote acceptance, tolerance, and change. I'll be the first to admit that not everyone has taken my efforts seriously, and some may even trivialize them. But you know what? That's okay. Because every now and then, I receive not polite smiles, but genuine, heartfelt ones that make it all worth it.
I've grown accustomed to these smiles, and I have to say I love receiving them. They fill me with such gratitude- gratitude for the opportunity to share my stories with all of you, and gratitude for the connections and relationships that have formed as a result. And so that's when I knew that my writing was not in vain. And will keep in mind the power of a genuine smile, because in the end it is the simplest things in life that bring us the most contentment and good cheer.
A smile as you know, is a universal symbol, (a gift if you will), of happiness, friendliness, and can bring joy and comfort, and brighten our moments, or even our day, which is very very nice, and so when I expect a smile-I remind myself, that it's important to also remember, that we must strive to be worthy of such a smile, by engaging in self-reflection, and identifying areas of growth, which can help break down barriers and create a positive first impression. In light of these benefits, it's clear that sharing our smiles is a simple yet powerful way to make a positive impact on those around us.
The worth of a life, human or otherwise, cannot be measured in material terms alone. It is not accurate, as an example, to say that all immigrants who are living in poverty are there solely due to their own fault. (An acquaintence commented that immigrants flooding a country are responsible for their own stage in life, and therefore the reason for their poverty is due entirely to their own fault).
There are many factors that can contribute to an individual’s poverty, including systemic issues such as discrimination, lack of access to education, job opportunities, and economic instability in their country of origin. It is also important to recognize that immigrants often face significant challenges in adjusting to a new country, including language barriers, cultural differences, and difficulty finding employment. While it is true that some immigrants may make mistakes or poor decisions that contribute to their poverty, it is unfair and oversimplified to attribute their poverty entirely to their own actions. But every individual has unique experiences, relationships, and contributions that give meaning to their existence. Different cultures, religions, and philosophical traditions have various ways in understanding the value of life.
But many of them emphasize the importance of compassion, respect, and dignity for all people. this I can attest to. And depending from which view point you may have, whether from a practical, peaceful, utilitarian, moral, or ethical perspective, your opinion may differ. For instance, if taken from a practical or utilitarian perspective, some might argue that a life is worth the sum of its achievements, but this view might overlook the value of simply being alive and experiencing the world, and from a moral or ethical one, many might believe all lives are equally valuable and deserving of respect. But from a peaceful p.o.v., none of this might matter.
IMO, depending on how you look at it, the worth of a life is deeply personal, and may depend on whether you know you've been granted access to a higher level of understanding, or feel constantly full, or constantly empty, or how confident you feel about knowing that the creator of life has granted all the secret desires of your heart. Or even the gratitude felt knowing you're loved. Which may influence your desire to live and function well, and to an acceptable level.
Aphorisms by Winston Moctar.
"Bearing in mind a smooth sea never made a skilled sailor, here are a few of my aphorisms, along with my thoughts:
And so to sum up, I'm just a person still trying to navigate this beautiful yet crazy world, and traverse my own path, and remain grateful for the kindness and understanding of those around me. But I'm not just about hope, fun and adventure, I also know by way of learning, success is not just about what you achieve, or how you achieve it, but to whose benefit or detriment. In other words, it's about contributing to the greater good, and finding a balance between us, while in the process of designing our future, and the collective responsibility to each other, and the planet."
Winston Moctar.
“People are more common than we think”
Winston Moctar.
“Buying books is folly, if you are facing eviction”
Winston Moctar.
“A smile and a pleasant countenance to this poor man, is as deeply valuable as money is to a rich one”
Winston Moctar.
“Broken sidewalks, yet wars to be fought”
Winston Moctar.
“I feel I was given an awe inspiring world to explore. But not a chaperone”
Winston Moctar.
“For harmony we must look beyond the comforts of our past, but for the congruence in our humanity”
Winston Moctar.
“Time hasn't permitted us to know everything there is to know”
Winston Moctar.
“Nightly, I go to bed laughing at the day's performance, nostalgic about a period in my life that sincerity seemed more prevalent. Conscious life’s not at fault, but us, being mortals”
Winston Moctar.
“Live well, that others might”
Winston Moctar.
_______________________________
My apologies for any typos found in this publication. I choose to leave my mistakes as a reminder to myself that I'm not without fault.
Thanks & Best Regards,
Winston Moctar
