Eskom Taking a look at the light-side on the dark-side

Recently, living in South Africa has been like going to a Star Wars movie. 
It seems Darth Vader has mutated into what we know as Eskom, and all we hear is, “Welcome to the Dark Side!”

I empathize with my fellow South Africans, as the load shedding does have quite a negative impact, more especially on business’s. Personally. I rely on electricity, as I conduct most of my work online, via e-mails or Skype or social media platforms. A 2 hour cut in a 8 hour workday means that 25% less work gets done in a day, which is not bad, until you add up 30 days, then you begin to look at 25% less in your bank account come month end, that is besides clients you had to turn away or angry clients you have to deal with. Then of course comes the stress and tension that comes with it all. Not forgetting the cursing and blaming on a failed/failing government and Eskom – who by the way, are planing a 13% hike in your electricity bill in 2015. 

Okay, so those are a few negatives which I am sure you can add many more too. 

I believe that everything in life is perfectly and beautifully balanced. So surely in all this kak, there must be some sort of blessing? What good has come out of this all?

My opinion is that this load shedding has been the best thing that has happened to SA since the end of Apartheid. I can substantiate that statement by sharing with you 5 observations I have made. 

1. When electricity is disconnected, people are connected. 
I have noticed how people come together during this outages. They move away from their the computer or television and actually speak to each other. It is amazing for me to see human beings actively engaging and connecting with each other. This is only a 2 hour show though, as once the power is back on, people switch back off. 

2. I love the sound of rain in summer and I love to hear children’s laughter. 
I am an 80’s child and I spent most of my days playing on the road with my neighbors. It was the best days of my life. I miss my childhood. I never hear kids playing outside anymore. When the electricity went out a few days ago, on a weekend. I heard a familiar but strange sound! It was the laughter and voices of children playing outside. I looked for them, but could not find them. Though the joy that they expressed touched my heart. 

3. A phone will keep you alone. 
When there is no electricity, I love watching people’s phones die all around me. It is the most beautiful thing in the world. Finally you can put that thing down and look at my face and not at facebook. I think we have forgotten what a good old chat is. Real emotions is replaced by emoticons, and real laughter is replaced by LOL. When was the last time you smiled and laughed? Speaking to another human increases your chances of doing this! Thanks to the power cuts, this is becoming a reality daily.

4. From Alternating Current to Alternate Energy. 
I know how this story with Eskom is going to end – well I have an idea anyway! I am sure you do as well. So this has forced me to look at alternate ways to live that is aligned to preserving and saving our earth. I am now seriously looking at solar energy and generators as well as other ways to keep moving forward without relying on Eskom to live. This also means I am supporting a Greener Earth and creating a better world for my kids and my grandkids and for ALL of humanity to come after me. I would hate to have a hundred generations ahead of me speak of me in this tone, “Why did they do this to our home!” 

5. Eskom, I will not give you MY power. 
I am hearing much victim talk. Which i really do empathize with. You have a right to electricity. Although, when I complain, I feel like a victim. As I victim, I give away my power to something or someone else. I do not like this thought very much. This means, my mood is determined by someone else and I have a kak day because of YOU. I choose to KEEP my power. I will not complain. I will do what I can, with the resources I have to survive beyond all circumstances. 

So that is my take on the blessings that exist currently during the load shedding in SA. I am not asking you to agree, or disagree. I am just pointing out to you the benefits that balance out the drawbacks so that you bring yourself back into balance, in a state of equanimity were you can are clear and focused and live an inspired life. 

Bless you with an abundance of love and internal power.

Love, 
Mohan H Surujbally