“The Return”

Is returning home a must?

Before moving on with the thoughts on the subject, a suitable definition of “Home” would be adequate. The dictionary describes it as “the place where one lives permanently, especially as a member of a family or household”. I found another definition from a more informal blog which described home as “… wherever you’re surrounded by people who love you” — Mary Kate.

For most of us living abroad, returning home is usually an idea floating in our mind. For some, the “big return” is considered a triumph, a sign of success as you were able to “conquer” the outside world.

To me, returning to a place which makes you feel at home, regardless of your origin should be the objective. On top of that, I believe the manner in which you return matters more than just you being back for the sake of it.

A wise man once told me, “If you can’t add your stone to the edifice, the best option would always be to leave it alone”. This statement helped to shape my thoughts on the idea of the “return”.

Going back is good, but going back with a luggage filled with experience, knowledge and vision is better. I see innovators, builders and risk-takers heading back home. Not storytellers who will have for passion to sing their memories of how they dealt with the cold in a winter of 2023 to whoever’s free ears. I see ambitious young men and women coming to help their country grow and provide the needs that made us flee our homes in the first place right here on our soil. Not a repetition of circumstances in which our children and grandchildren could be stuck in. The objective is to bring a new dynamic that increases the pride of each.

We need to think of ourselves as a form of a particular value that is essential to the development of a system. But what brings that value? It’s that little extra mile we take that makes the difference between you and the rest. I’ve read somewhere that most successful people are not always the ones who work the hardest 24/7 but the ones who are able to build a system that doesn’t require them to be present, but which needs them to be reproduced or built as they are the ones with the secret ingredient. This is value, and I believe that’s the mindset we need to share in order to have a big impact on our respective continents because yes, I’m not only talking about Africa.

So, is returning home a must? I would say yes. Returning to whatever place gives you comfort, and peace of mind is needed. Going back home with the vision of making your home better is the ultimate “flex” as some would call it. More importantly, let’s not forget once again that home is not always a fixed place.