An open letter to Shatta Wale: You are indeed a Leader !

My dear shatta!

“As humans we overestimate the rate of change, but underestimate the impact of change” There's an old (semi true) parable about frogs boiling in water. While not literal it's a fun and instructive metaphor for change. "Life belongs to the living, and he who lives must be prepared for change." ~ Johann von . “Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.” – Leo Tolstoy.

“Be the change you want to see in the world” – Mahatma Gandhi

Shatta wale, you realized this approach and indeed it has work for you! I was sitting with my lady in a bar during this xmas festivities, and I remember there was this song and I quite remember I heard in the lyrics “I'm overdose” I saw in the crowd; women, men, old and the young ones dancing to this new song and I asked my woman” who played this new song and she told me, shatta wale!

Immediately, one thing that came into my mind was that, those who predicted doom for your future carrier when you came into the limelight as shatta wale after rebranding yourself from bandana would bow down their heads in shame. I remember, sometime ago, I was watching an entertainment program and one of the pundit predicted doom for your carrier. His argument was that, he thinks you are not original because of where dancehall migrates from. But this new song has proven who you are and why you will be a leader forever. I love it “kaikai”

Everything about your future, the present and the past is in this new song and I think that they have nothing to say again!

You see, Devdutt Pattanaik, the chief Belief Officer of the future Group wrote an article title” Change yourself instead of making people change the way they see you” when I read the article, I didn't really understand him until I finally did.

“Change yourself instead of making people change the way they see you”

The only things you can control about other people's actions are your reactions towards them.

If someone acts in an unpleasant way with you, you have two options.

One - you react back in a similar way because 'he deserves it' .The cycle continues and actions get worse.

Two - you react in a positive/neutral way without letting him get to you. The cycle ends. The other person will either realize his error and walk away or realize his error and make amends. There is a chance here that the other person continues acting in an unpleasant way but that probability is lesser as compared to case one.

So in this way changing yourself can change others around you.

Similarly, if you are the first one to act, then your positive behaviour should in the highest probability entice people to react in a similar way with you.

Your success story today drew my attention to a change documentary I watched some time ago and it is about the eagle story.

The Eagle Story... I was watching Discovery Channel and I was watching a wild life program. Everything could be converted into Inspiration.... See what EAGLE Taught me...

The Eagle Story... Changes for Survival....
EAGLE can live up to 70 years, but to reach this age, the eagle must make a hard decision in its' 40's

Its' long & flexible talons can no longer grab prey which serves as food, Its' long & sharp beak becomes bent

Its' old-aged & heavy wings, due to their thick feathers, become stuck to its' chest & make it difficult to fly

Then eagle is left with only 2 options: die or go through a painful process of change which lasts 150 days.

The process requires that eagle fly to a mountain & the eagle knocks its' beak against a rock until it plucks it out

After this, eagle will wait for a new beak to grow back. When its' new talons grow back, the eagle starts plucking its' old-aged feathers & after 5 months, eagle can take its' flight of rebirth & lives for 30 more years

Moral of Story...
Many times, in order to survive, we have to start a change process. We sometimes need to get rid of Old memories, habits & other past traditions. Only freed from past Burdens,we can take advantage of the present

"Even though you may want to move forward in your life, you may have one foot on the brakes. In order to be free, we must learn to let go. Release the hurt and fear, refuse to entertain your old pain. The energy it takes to hang on to that part is holding you back from a new life. If we stay imprisoned by fear and judgement of our human nature, we will miss out on the whole reason for being here!!!"

Never knew the eagle has to do 'decide' on something like that. It sounds hard to do and I am sure it's even harder to actually do it and hardest when going through the process of waiting for the talons to grow.

Hope we can be strong like the eagles. No wonder so many large corporations and US of A uses eagle in the emblem.

Most of us fear the process of change and are reluctant to undergo the pain and more over some people would be always there who tries to pull us back by exaggerating the process of change and how foolhardy it is to venture on that path. So first we need to develop strong conviction and courage to tread the path of change in spite of the adversities and harsh comments from others. Change is the only constant is the hard core reality.

"Change is the only constant in life". Most times it is a short term pain long term gain but few people realize it and it becomes a short term pain long term gain.

Shatta wale! Go high because you are really an eagle so consider the eagle story on change and do another song. You are a soldier, you are a leader forever!

I listened carefully and those who have never heard the lyrics, let me give some synopsis.

Shatta Wale come like kakai
Forever an ever
I'll be your soldier
Forever an ever
I'll be your leader
Forever an ever
I'll be your teacher
Forever an ever
I'll be your fadaaa
I dey shock like electricity
My brain is bigger dan Mississippi
Larry for Vienna City
Say Shatta Wale you're si..si..sicki
Achipalago, Straight-Up an John si
Shatta wo y3 ogidigidi
If you be too known oo
Den Shatta be four known oo
I dey laugh every gyal
When I see my Shatta Oboloo
I dey see my dream
Call me your IGP
Salute to me anytime
Yes Sar…Massa
Call me Duncan Williams or Mensah Otabil
Halleluyah

Charlie, all the best shatta! Congrats! You are indeed an eagle!