Two weeks ago I was asked to deliver a message to the matric class of 2020 by Ms Stubbs, the Head of Religious Education, at the matric mass held at our school last Friday. Naturally, I spent the whole of last week wracking my brain around what I wanted to speak about. Then finally I decided on talking about Intention vs Impact and how we could weave the two concepts into our matric year.

I had done my research and planned my points but I couldn’t find the strength to sit down and bring words to paper. I found this incredibly frustrating, so I decided to introspect. After introspection, I realised that I was present in my interactions but I wasn’t fully engaging with myself and those around me. I think often times we pour so much of ourselves into our work, relationships, etc that we forget that after pouring comes refilling.

These moments of self-drought remind me that we are not an ever-flowing river. Contrary to popular belief, we are not superhuman. We get tired. We burn out. We feel empty. In our quest for fulfilling external needs and obligations we neglect our own personal needs. These past few years of high school have taught me the value of building a relationship with myself. Self-love and self-preservation is not as glamorous as it sounds. Building a true relationship with yourself requires you to sit with your uncomfortable moments. The moments of feeling like a failure, drained and empty.

I hope that all the members in our community gain the ability to refill themselves and build a solid foundation within themselves.

Luhlanganiso Majebe