THE GENESIS OF THE MATTER - Joseph Ebirim

Taken over by the many tales and complaints of many failed relationships especially marriages, I reasoned, and then part of my conclusion was that it may have started off wrongly ab initio. This led me to also infer that many ventures that have failed often had a faulty start; the genesis or foundation was faulty and so, how would the structure stand? Certainly, it just wouldn’t last, I concluded.
The book of genesis as found in the Holy Bible is much more than just a book but it tells of the beginning of mankind to whom all the lessons in the bible is being addressed to. It is also common knowledge that a building with a faulty foundation is sure to collapse sooner than later if not while in the building process. The idea or concept of right decision making is geared at ensuring that the ventures we undertake have a good beginning, start or genesis. This is because as it is usually described, many failed ventures were as a result of taking wrong decisions, and that is, they failed because the genesis of the venture was bad; it was bad right from the start.
Surely, the importance of the beginning to every venture cannot be over emphasized.
Often at times, in our attempt to analyse issues or find solutions to problems afflicting us or other people, we fail to investigate the genesis of the matter; how it all started. If we are sincere to ourselves, we often discover how the problems took root from a foremost error or wrong decision taken at the beginning. Many relationships or marriages have failed simply because of a faulty start. Often these faulty starts come in form of wrong priorities set for a dream spouse, careless events that forced the parties into the relationship or marriage (e.g. unwanted pregnancy), admiration (the initial factor that spurred up the coming together process) based on perishable qualities rather than on long lasting virtues embedded in their personalities (like facial appearance, body shape and features), and so on. In these instances, we find the partners often managing to cope with the shortcomings of their partner which they could have avoided. This gets to a point when both partners get exhausted and are fed up and then, like a sudden blast, it’s all over, they say.
Similarly, many careers failed because the persons pursuing the career failed to make the right choice considering personal abilities, likes and inclination. Often at times, people get into jobs because of some hard conditions or the likes and sooner or later, they find themselves fagged out and no longer interested in the job. This is often due to a poor start.
Interestingly, the idea of “think before you act” can also be linked to buttressing the importance of the beginning of an event or venture. In this context, thinking before acting promotes the employment of rational analysis to the task intended for execution in order to answer the key questions, whether to do, why to do, what to do and when to do it. When these questions are properly answered, the chances of error in the venture are greatly minimized. 

I also hold the view that the importance we attach to impressions can be related to the subject of this piece – the genesis of the matter. In this context, I posit that impressions are either created by one or felt by one, as created by some other. Therefore, the idea of first impressions which affects the way people perceive and respond to me can be said to be part of the genesis of all that transpires between I and them. This is also because someone whom I might be enjoying a relationship with today may have been strengthened by the first impression I created, the day we first met and so our relationship could be said to have a positive beginning or genesis; the genesis of “our matter” is good and so on.
To this end therefore, when we realise how important the beginning of a venture plays to the life of that venture, then it becomes pertinent on us to always endeavour to create the right impression at the beginning so as to influence the process positively. It is important to take proper care of the genesis of our relationship with people by proper, unbiased analysis of events and likewise in decision making so that we are properly convinced about our actions and can confidently input our time and other resources towards succeeding in such ventures. For example, it will do us a great deal of good to properly assess an intending partner based on the appropriate qualities we have always desired or those that are imperishable irrespective of who they are, so that we can naturally be motivated to give in our best in the relationship when the trying times face us. A proper beginning to our career life will require proper self-examination and knowledge of who we are, as a guide to choosing the right career and henceforth gladly putting the right efforts required to get the best out of the career. For example, a course like medicine and pharmacy or a career in the military, just like many other careers, require a great deal of conviction and motivation in other to give in ones best while on duty or even at the preparatory stages where a lot of obstacles can be experienced. Without proper conviction which is obtained at the beginning, a person in these fields may easily feel frustrated along the way in the wake of challenges and as such, fall out of the way quite miserably.

In conclusion, the end they say, justifies the means but the genesis of the matter (beginning) I believe, often inspires the means. This inspiration is so crucial to the success of the matter herein referred to as the ventures of life which we often embark on. Proper orientation, proper planning and decision making must take centre stage of every genesis of our life’s matters if we desire to achieve success. We must start well in order to continue and conclude well. A building on a faulty foundation cannot stand, and even when it seemingly does, surely, not for long. A good first impression in our daily affairs can go an unexpected mile and assure a great future in business, love life, employment, etc. Surely, first impression matters. It is often said that the journey of a thousand miles begins with a step. That’s the genesis of that thousand miles and it takes courage, conviction and faith to take that first step without which the thousand miles is reduced to a fairy tale. Take time therefore to ensure a wise beginning for in the words of the ancient Greek Philosopher and one of the world’s most influential Philosophers, Plato (428 BC – 348BC), the beginning is the most important part of the work. Have a great Start folks!

Ebirim Joseph (Dr. Spyce)
(23-24th September 2013)