One of the greatest challenges human beings face is to let go of the old and embrace the new. We understand and accentuate that change happens around us all the time and it is one of the constants of life. Yet, when it comes to accepting change, many of us stumble and err, in varying degrees.
Change happens in a moment of time. It is instantaneous and when it happens it shifts things to a different level. For example, when one gets married or gives birth to a baby or for that reason adopts a child; things change in a moment of time. From thereon, we implement a number of steps to adjust ourselves to embrace that change.
All successful changes require a transition. We have to go through that tunnel adjusting our thinking, feelings, emotions, perceptions, prejudices and so on, to fully embrace the transition.
To successfully adapt ourselves to the change, we need to let go of some things that we are familiar with and let in others that are new. It involves, letting go of existing realities to catch the new that is being ushered in.
New policies of change
The present administration has drawn out a number of elaborate plans to transform Sri Lanka into a new country in 60 months. There is a need to let go of the outdated policies and procedures of the eras gone-by and adapt new policies and practices in their place. These changes will help us succeed and thrive in a global economy.
At present, we are half way through this implementation process. If we keep working on these changes for the next 3 years, by 2020, we would have laid a secure foundation for a prosperous nation. This will require that we keep adjusting our thinking, emotions, feelings and prejudices.
We need to let go of our past failures, criticisms and judgements, and look beyond them and embrace our future, because the limits are being taken off us and we are being given access to unlimited resources.
Let the women arise
One such resource is our women population. A closer look at issues pertaining to women will show how our stance towards them needs to change. Recent studies indicate that the Sri Lankan female labour participation is low.
When compared to countries such as, Thailand and Malaysia, whose female labour participation is 54 percent and 44 percent respectively, 70.3 percent of Sri Lanka’s economically inactive population is female.(Department of Census and Statistics, 2013)
In addition, 23 percent of households are headed by women. The highest percentage of Women Headed Households (WHH) is found in the urban areas. Over 60 percent of female heads are under 60 years of age. Employment of female heads is below 35percent, while 32 percent of female heads are married and a majority of them either widowed or divorced. Among them, 7 percent have had no schooling and 27percent have only primary education. (Household and Income Expenditure Survey 2012/13)
To remedy the above situation, we need to let go of our tendency to look at Sri Lankan women as mere homemakers. In reality, there are no limits to what women can achieve. Let the women arise and be part of the solutions pertaining to this nation.
Let their visions come alive for the sake of the motherland. It is time we have women in leadership positions. Let women mayors come forth; let women politicians be established and let seats of influence be given to women. Let them play their strategic role in finding lasting solutions to their fellow sisters’ plights.
City upon city showcased
We can see huge developments taking place city upon city and district upon district. Everywhere, roads are being built, bridges and dams erected and high-rise iconic buildings constructed. We are fast becoming a digitally inclusive nation. Investments are rolling in to develop the neglected districts.
We need to let go of our mindset that development ought to be done solely with our might and our own resources. Let us enlist some powerhouses, such as, America, Canada, Australia, Britain, New Zealand and the European nations to invest and rebuild our nation, because, in some ways, they owe it to our land.
Over the past decades, our sons and daughters have built their nations. Now, it is their turn to build ours. Let us also allow our long standing friends and neighbours to help us with our nation-building programs.
We are truly a jewel in the Indian Ocean and if we would let go of our negative mindset and embrace a global perspective,then, once again,we will be able to shine like a pearl of great value and become a business hub where the entire world could converge to do business. Through it all, let Sri Lanka arise once again to its fullest potential!
The writer is an HRD practitioner