Ubuntu is blood, the sacred bond that flows through our veins. Quite recently, I found myself in deep thoughts. In its typical sneaky nature, it maneuvered its way into a mundane task; cooking dinner for the family. As it’s known in technical circles, semiotics play such a large part in human communication because people are constantly looking for deeper meaning. Whether it’s in the stars, drawings on a cave wall, or in the newest visual content, we add such meaning to our communication through the use and interpretation of signs.
Depending on your relationship with your family, the holiday season could either be a relief from your usual hustle and bustle or a strain that pushes you further and further away from them.
Things can only affect you if you let them. For instance, that snarky cousin who always points out the weight you have gained. You can either come down to her level and make the situation even direr, Or you can quell the red-hot embers of anger coming up your throat and dismiss her. Most of the time, we need to lash outcomes for the persistent urge to defend ourselves and make ourselves understood by others. At some point, you should realize that you do not need the acknowledgment of other individuals to live a good life, especially if the price is arguing with a person who is hell-bent on misunderstanding you and twisting your words.
Try to embrace, instead, the warmth and passion that blood ties could give you. The veracity that can only be brought by the need to provide for your loved ones, the fierce protectiveness you get for your children and parents. But before all that, you must form a bond within yourself. You must have a kinship inside of you, a connection between your mind, soul and body. You are your family first, before the involvement of other people. The first individual who should give your life purpose.
Because we look for meaning in everything around us, anything can become a symbol as long as you interpret it to mean something other than its literal definition.
What is red to you?
Make a list of all the things you are thankful for that are centered around you. It must not always be other people who bring joy into our lives. Perhaps you started a new business, or you completed a course online. Maybe the other day, you had a panic attack, and you were able to handle it all on your own. Maybe you have finally discovered a new talent, or you are successfully getting over an addiction.
No win is too small. No happiness is undeserved. Red must not always be all-consuming and destructive. Red can be a deep-seated flame that warms you up from the inside out. Red could be a fiery passion that drives you day by day to your Destiny or remind you of who you are a Bonfire.