The Power of the Point

I continue to hear the importance of community in relation to the Black diaspora. On a quick side note, I’m not interested in whether people prefer African American or Black. I’m Black. Period. No more managing fragility. Enough said.

I was once accused by someone of not contributing to the work of an organization we hold dear. I offered this persom a litany of work I've done over the then past 22 years of my membership in the organization. Ironically, this work, alongside others, paved the way for this person and others work to make the community better. I found this further amusing because this same person is literally in the organization because of my actions and work.

Which leads me to this observation:

My experience has been that we seem to have younger generations today who want to do everything themselves; experience everything themselves; work through everything themselves; create success themselves. Unfortunately, my generation (boomers) recognizes there are some experiences in life you should only experience when you have the emotional, mental, physical capability, and capacity to endure the experience. And if you cannot avoid the experience, have support to assist you to endure. For the record, we all need support.

Many in the younger generations seem to be looking for the “sage on the stage.” Translation: disspense wisdom, information, hacks and be quiet. On another side note, “hacks” is one of the dumbest terms invented. It reflects the aura of laziness. This may not be true yet taking a short cut means one thing to me…laziness. I know figuring out life can be catastrophic when done haphazardly. I understand younger generations only wanting a sage on a stage. What is also needed is a “guide on the side.”

The role of the guide may not be to go with you on the journey. The role of the guide may be to give directions. The role of the guide ,ay be to, if necessary, walk alongside you when you ask for and need support. Your task is to recognize your need for support, and this can be tough.

When you convince yourself you’re the smartest person in the room, or youth gives you insight into a path you’ve never walked, or you believe you have the strength to tackle life’s challenges when you’ve avoided many of these same challenges life has to offer…you’ve already lost.

Revelation - the most powerful tool the guide has is the finger. The finger showing the way to go. Yet the most powerful use of a finger…

…ia when the finger acknowledges you.

I say all of this to say the greatest gift a guide can give you comes to fruition when someone else seeks their advice about you, and they make a referral. At this juncture, their experience, life skills, leadership; whatever you want to call it, points to you.

When a guide points to you, it is one of the most crucial acts of support offered. It cuts through the questions, hesitation, and uneasiness others may have about you. Essentially, it’s a cosigning of your experience. It’s not a transfer of ideals or values, it is simply a sophisticated way of answering the question, “Is this person worth the trouble, up to a particular task, and can weather the storm? So, instead of answering in a long-written reference letter or long-winded conversation, they simply point to you. Through all the introductions, events attended, and meetings you believe you should have attended, you need to recognize that support may have taken place a while ago. You need to recognize one action taken by your guide may be the most powerful and productive act done for you.

The power of the point.