What’s de Word with Nicki

Nicki Philbert
Nicki Philbert

Looking at the System

Sometimes, I imagine myself perched, most times in a tree, clasped unto a branch, possibly at the Morne, looking out at Roseau city. The buildings, the veiny streets, the river, the mountains and sea that border, the cars, the trees, the sidewalks, the sounds, the animals, the dirt, the life, the people.

From above, I gaze and find myself quite amused to observe my city from one stable point of view and reflect upon the system within which we live. No longer am I a school child walking home from school. No longer am I an employee, owned and managed by the powers that be. This time, I am a free individual. Free but focused on maintaining survival in this system.

The system: An intangible web, within which we all function; People, the environment, our economy, industries, life. All interconnecting and defined by a system that allows cohesion and strives for the greater function of us as a whole. But within the whole, each has his own role to play. For without that, the entire concept would be worthless.

Sometimes I find myself thinking deeply about the system. What there is around us, how do we get to where we want to be and how do we use what we have in order to get there?

Sometimes, the system is very restricting. Red tape lines the web, forming easier ways to get stuck. Slow process wastes time, lack of vision murders creativity, ignorance is bliss, false teaching corrupts minds and little opportunity stifles potential. That is the reality of our system.

Sometimes the strings of the web trap us.  Fixed to one place, with no sight of change or growth ahead, we are rendered immobile. The frustration builds and while the environment remains beautiful and inspiring, the system continues to trap. Its force is too strong to fight on our own, so some of us give in and give up. We remain trapped, stifled and corrupted because we have not yet seen our way. We buy into the system’s music, its image, it’s fashion, it’s set lifestyle, it’s lies.

But with an understanding of the system, we can break free. We can manoeuvre through the web that entraps us and use the system to our benefit.  And that is the great mission that we must all take on; One that will put all wit, heart, body and soul to the greatest test. One that is unique to each and most times becomes a life story.

Within the system, my path cuts that of others, relationships are forged, and I develop an understanding of Society; the larger group of people who occupy this land. Amidst all of this, I do not forget that I am on a personal mission. I must understand people and distinguish those who mean well with those who do not. I must also choose with whom I compete. Those who carry out similar missions to mine: the smarter, more beautiful, wealthier, more talented, more efficient, more skilled, the better and the worse. I must treat them all with respect and avoid hate and jealousy. For in the system, competition is both inevitable and necessary.

I must fight in order to survive. But the fight is neither easy nor short. It requires full on focus, faith and determination. Lazy ones become prey. Hungry ones become predators. I try to avoid the former and the fight to succeed carries on. In a system where “who knows you” is a primary element of achieving, I fight. I fight against failure, I fight against others’ intentions, I fight against the system. Every day, I fight. But limited experience restricts me and I am left wondering what to do next. I am always brushing cob webs away from my view, trying to figure out which string of the web to follow. I am young, so I continue to fight and try not to give in to the stresses and setbacks, hoping that one day, the battle will be won and there will have been a purpose.

Within the system, there is a cash flow. Money comes in and money goes out. I try to grab it. But it is not that easy. I must identify my strengths and use them to my benefit. I must identify a niche and exploit it. I must gain experience. Once again, the system blocks me. My strengths don’t fit. I feel like a square peg in a round hole. The opportunities are non-existent and I feel the web tugging at my feet, pulling me down, restricting my ascent. But I still fight, for there is nothing else I’d rather do.

One day, I will tear away at the web that confines me, and live. Enjoy the land and live. One day, the system will no longer be the villain of my story. I will understand it and I will win the fight. One day.

But today, I imagine myself perched, up in a tree, clasped unto a branch, looking out at Roseau city. The buildings, the veiny streets, the river, the mountains and sea that border, the cars, the trees, the sidewalks, the sounds, the animals, the dirt, the life, the people. And I think about the system.

 

Hakunamata,

Nicki

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13 Comments

  1. Anonymous
    September 29, 2014

    Nicki
    You had better be careful being on that perch. Somebody might mistake you for a bird and shoot you down with a catapult. :-D

    • Nudibranch
      September 30, 2014

      typical Dominican response sadly, anyone looking to fly is immediately brought down by those who cant see.

  2. September 29, 2014

    Nikki ,Nikki,Nikki !.
    ” The system will no longer be the villain of my story. I will understand it and I will win the fight. One day.”
    I pray & trust you will Lil sister.

  3. DC
    September 28, 2014

    I love it! The system can be very frustrating, to the point where you want to escape civilization, some are unable to cope and resort to suicidal acts. We must never give up the fight. I love my land of birth dearly, so much so, i came back home and operated a business for over two years. It wasn’t without adversity and loopholes, however, I was determined. I wanted Dominica to be my resting place, as well as, the place that I sweat and toil. Unfortunately, I had to move elsewhere. The US has always accepted hard Work, determination and skills, and so, I am in a system where I can utilize my skills, a system which has always rewarded me for my drive , and has always welcomed me with open arms. Dominica will always hold a special place in my heart, however, The United States of America is the home of the Brave, and this is the system that accepts me. One Love!

    • September 29, 2014

      I came back home and operated a business for over two years. It wasn’t without adversity and loopholes, however, I was determined.”
      LMAO really loud! Bc you said after the following:
      :I love it! The system can be very frustrating, to the point where you want to escape civilization, some are unable to cope and resort to suicidal acts. We must never give up the fight. I love my land of birth dearly, so much so, i came back home and operated a business for over two years. It wasn’t without adversity and loopholes, however, I was determined. I wanted Dominica to be my resting place, as well as, the place that I sweat and toil. Unfortunately, I had to move elsewhere. Dominica will always hold a special place in my heart, however, The United States of America is the home of the Brave, and this is the system that accepts me. One Love!
      You told us exactly AS IT IS . DA is a waste of time for people with skills and love to work hard
      So????????? was ur piece like the author’s? empty?

      • Reader
        November 3, 2014

        What is your point? Have you ever tried opening a business in DA? Do you not think about the system you live in? Do you not feel helpless at times? do you not want to see a change? Do you share your thoughts with others so that they do not feel alone in their views? Based on your comment I guess not. She is sharing her views on the system. This article is not empty. Maybe your brain is. It is easy reflective reading for the like minded.

    • Reader
      November 3, 2014

      It is very tough opening a business in dominica. Our system is limited by the mindset of the people which is fueled by the politicians for their benefit. Those who get opportunity elsewhere take it. I can’t blame them. Those who stay, conform and become societal robots and those like niki who dare to be different are soon chastised for not “fitting in” and for making “mountains from molehills” smh. It tough in this country and it doesn’t have to be that way.

  4. September 28, 2014

    Let’s change the name to Nicki watcher. That’s more direct and monogamous.

  5. September 28, 2014

    Nicki watcher.
    Look out Nicki am gonna be home soon. real soon.

  6. September 28, 2014

    Nice little piece Nicki.
    Nicki is real cute visiting home soon Nicki !

  7. ATKINSON
    September 27, 2014

    :?:

  8. September 27, 2014

    Nikki ,Nikki,Nikki !
    You and that coconut again. Nikki this one was rather repetitive with the system and the system and those veiny streets Nikki, Nikki, nikki need to substitute that coconut with ur coconut. Nice little chick but the rendering of prose is wanting sorry! Like Tank Shark am out Nikki.
    system will no longer be the villain of my story. I will understand it and I will win the fight. One day.

    But today, I imagine myself perched, up in a tree, clasped unto a branch, looking out at Roseau city. The buildings, the veiny streets, the river, the mountains and sea that border, the cars, the trees, the sidewalks, the sounds, the animals, the dirt, the life, the people. And I think about the system. Loll! Nikki, Nikki, Nikki monotonous.

  9. September 27, 2014

    Seems to have something in common and that inquiring mind of mines leaves me to wonder how much do you really know. Remember I’m just inquiring, stay positive..

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