We will no doubt be familiar with what comes up at the start of many television programmes: “Warning: this programme contains scenes of violence, strong language, nudity or sex. Parental guidance is advised”. Readers will be relieved to know that none of the above applies to this article! However, do heed a similar announcement at the start of this article: “Warning: This article contains scenes of chocolate — Parental Guidance is requested.”
A box of Quality Street chocolates is wonderful! Of course, it is helped by the fact that it has some fabulous names for the twelve different sweets: Fudge Delight, Enchanted Toffee, Dessert Coffee Cream, Tropical Coconut, Deluxe Toffee Cup, Nut Toffee Royale, Noisette Supreme, Luxury Toffee Finger, Hazelnut Surprise, Duo Decadence, Strawberry Secret, Dairy Fresh Toffee.
All the names sound exciting and enticing! The box though represents four things. Firstly, as the name suggests, it speaks of quality – the chocolates inside are not cheap or ordinary. Secondly, it speaks of variety — there are all sorts of different fillings. Thirdly, though, it speaks of uncertainty — there is a certain amount of suspense and excitement as we do not know what one we may get. And lastly, it speaks of opportunity — right there in front of us is a fabulous, tasty treat, if we choose to take one!
The important thing to remember, of course, is that the box of chocolates is no good to anyone if it is not opened! So let us share them now! And while we do so, we may be reminded of a famous line from the film ‘Forrest Gump’: Forrest Gump’s mother tells her son that “Life is like a box of chocolates: you never know what you are going to get.” It is helpful for us all to reflect on that.
If we think of life in Zimbabwe as a box of chocolates, we see the same points as above. We have quality, real quality, here in Zimbabwe when we reflect on our natural resources and people. We also have great variety when we look around and note the diversity all around us, be it culturally or geographically. Thirdly, we live with great uncertainty all the time, be it with our politics or road blocks or business. Yet, with all that we have amazing opportunity, not least to have a great life.
If we think of our role as parents as a box of chocolates, we will also see the same points as above. It might be interesting for us as parents to consider what name (from the list of names of sweets in the box of ‘quality street’) we might give to our child? Is she a Delight, Enchanted, Deluxe, Royale, Supreme, Surprise? Again, though as parents, we have quality children here — they are not cheap or makeshift but real quality. Secondly, we have tremendous variety — some may be hard and tough, others may be soft and easy.
Thirdly, as parents we have great uncertainty — we do not know what we will have before they are born, nor do we know what they will end up doing. Lastly, as parents, we can be sure that our children here will also have great opportunity – even Forrest Gump, who to the world seemed a ‘nobody’ and misfit, gained a football scholarship to a university, played table tennis for his country, was awarded a Medal of Honour after fighting in a war, met several US Presidents, ran across the US and had a successful business!
Lastly, we must ensure all our children remember that life is a box of chocolates: we do not know what we will get. We do need to know, however, that our life will be one of quality — the care and provision that has been given should show us that. Secondly, our life brings great variety — we are all so beautiful in our own way. We bring much-needed variety to the world. Thirdly, our life, like the box of chocolates, will have uncertainty — we do not know what we will face in future but some things will be tough (like toffee) and others will be easy (like cream). We must remember, though, fourthly, that our life will bring us great opportunity. We must take whatever is placed before us and use it to the best of our ability. As Forrest Gump was told, “You have to do the best with what God gave you.” That is all! All children can do that.
In closing, it is probably fair to say that readers did not know what they were getting when they started to read this article. But what we can say is that schools have the potential to bring quality, have lots of variety, help with and prepare for uncertainty and give extraordinary opportunity. So, open the box and take what is there. We will find that quality is right up our street (and school)!
Tim Middleton is the executive director of the Association of Trust Schools [ATS]. The views expressed in this article, however, are solely those of the author in his private capacity and do not necessarily represent the views of the ATS.
Email: ceo@atschisz.co.zw
website: www.atschisz