We’ve all encountered people we believe need transformation. Various factors may necessitate the drastic alteration of the personalities of some individuals. Regardless of the particulars, the primary reason change is required is because they are causing injury to themselves or others.
A variety of variables influence human transformation. I argue that internal change, as opposed to external change, is what genuinely transforms. Indeed, change should originate from within. And I believe the most essential factor is realizing, understanding, and acknowledging that a problem exists and that change is required to solve it. All of these should originate from the individual or individuals who need to make the change, i.e., the change’s owners.
These individuals must first recognize that they have a problem that must be addressed.
Yesterday, I heard an interview with a professor discussing the current political climate on the radio. The professor discussed how we are currently shifting blame for all the turmoil occurring in this country onto foreign nations. It’s probably the first time I’ve heard an Ethiopian say that we need to stop blaming others for problems for which we are culpable.
I must say that almost everyone I’ve ever had political discussions with is addicted to shifting blame, especially to foreign nations. The professor was arguing that neighbors do not enter the homes of others unless there is a gap that enables intruders to do as they please. Only a nation that lacks the strength to maintain its unity can be subjected to outside interference or intrusion.
I believe this pertains to social and legal institutions as well as nations. Whether it be a marriage, a friendship, a business, or traditional social institutions such as Idir, they can be subject to unwelcome intruders that damage their unity if they lack the strength to maintain their cohesion and harmony.
Therefore, when people assign culpability to others, they fail to acknowledge, whether willingly or unwillingly, that they have a role to play in resolving a problem for which they are primarily responsible. Yes, there may be intruders, but only if we allow them to do so can they have a significant impact or role. This only occurs when there is a gap through which they can potentially enter. If there is no opening, there will be no intruders.
Consequently, I believe that repairing the opening through which intruders are gaining access should be our primary and possibly sole focus. Only when we perceive that there is a hole in our home will we realize that we are also accountable for any intrusions.
Focusing on the intrusion and shifting responsibility will only exacerbate the fracture and lead to further intrusion, which will further exacerbate the fracture.
In actuality, shifting blame is counterproductive in terms of confronting the issue at hand. It neither prevents the intrusion nor helps to repair the fissure that led to it, nor does it eliminate the intruders. It does nothing but perpetuate our unresolved problems while shifting blame.
