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EESTI ELU reedel, 24. juulil 2020 — Friday, July 24, 2020
Excelling in the Midst of Adversity (part seven): Reacting as a Strategy A collaboration between Chaordic Design and Estonian Life This week’s theme is “React”. In life, as in Innovation prac tices, many influences and events occur around us; some rudimentary, others influencing, and some quite surprising. What is most interesting is that we have the ability (and choice!) of specifically how to react, and if we are clever, can do so stra tegically, for the benefit of our selves and others. Innovation as an Active / Reactive practice: Reacting as a strategy is a constant practice, requiring us to have empathy, self-knowl edge, and ultimately, self-con trol. Firstly, when reacting to something that has happened, we must appreciate the context of that event in order to under stand it fully, so that we might create more options for our selves, and choose the proper response. Also helpful is deep
A shortage of smiles
empathy for our audience, and understanding their point of view (POV), hearing the true signal from the noise of our quick decisions, or early feel ings about the event. In this way, we can choose the ex perience and the solution we wish to create, and the proper timing for it. The right idea at the wrong time still will not work, so it is important to have freedom of choice to react with intention. Challenge as Reaction: The Greek philosopher Hera clitus is quoted as saying “change is the only constant in life”, and if we are seeking to innovate, we can be sure that our plans will be disrupted many times. We can help our process by simply expecting change, challenge and disrup tion to occur before they ever do; in this way, we can be pre pared for the unexpected, and create a ‘pocket’ of happy ex pectation for disruption, know ing that no matter what, we will be able to handle it well. Seen
competition there. At the time, Italy was one of the world’s hotbeds of COVID-19, thanks to the large number of imported Chinese national workers there. A little known fact: Estonians Physical distancing became are responsible for the de necessary, and the hiidlased velopment of both self-depre joked that it was not necessary cating humour and the sly dig on their island, as it is so category of pun, directed at sparsely populated. And as for others speaking the same Mulgimaa, the hiidlased joked language yet living elsewhere that because the mulgid are in the country, identified by legendary for being skinflints, region. Call it the precursor not wishing to give anything at to urban myth or legend. We all away, hence they would just like to provoke others for keep the virus to themselves. the sake of a laugh. An exam Well, guess you have to be ple of this point, the best Estonian to smile. Which brings pandemic joke heard from the this writer to bemoan our pre homeland (yes, it is allowed to sent mask culture. It is neces alleviate stress through such), sary, no doubt, and why some apparently originated in Hiiu morons choose to make this a maa. Perhaps per capita the personal rights issue boggles source of most of the best the mind. It is common sense. jokes from Eesti. Just ask the What the mask prevents is editor of EL. the sharing of facial expres Any joke that needs explana sions. Raised eyebrows could tion is not worth the time to tell mean displeasure. Coupled with it. Allowing for the reality that turning the frown upside down this is a translation, read by though, it is a sign of pleasure. some who may not be aware of Smiles cannot be seen. Nor the Estonian joke-telling tradi even the slight up-tick at the tion, English readers, alas, ’tis corner of the mouth after a bad necessary. The two large Esto pun, for which, alas, the under nian islands of Hiiumaa and signed is maligned for far too Saaremaa have for centuries, no often. Or for twisting song titles exaggeration, been in friendly and lyrics. As an example, take one-upmanship contests. On the the Payolas’ 1982 hit, “Eyes of mainland, Viljandimaa is the a Stranger.” Made the mistake home of the mulks – stereotypi of singing to a girlfriend “you cally rich, thanks to their fertile have the thighs of a ranger.” lands, known as well as for the Whoops, bad call. ability, like many Estonians, to Now happily married, these underline the fact that their mistakes do not occur. Often. county is better than any other. One also has to be careful when Rubbing in the wealth factor to and where to crack wise in this boot. humourless world. Post 9-11 Apparently the following airports are such places, where originated in Hiiumaa, after an humour is forbidden. Grocery outbreak of the novel corona store line-ups are not the place virus in Saaremaa, caused by to make mask jokes as well. the visit of Italian athletes for a Although I have a few, thanks
Illustration of Lilli Suburg by Vello Paluoja, photographed by Urmas Luik
this way, disruption becomes a type of prize, challenge and opportunity, allowing us to gain choice for how to react. Reaction to Action: Ultimately, what can be con sidered most pressing in our reactive practice is the know ledge that we are seeking to take a quick re-action to a
to my elementary school days. Thanks to the Estonian first name, which gave trouble to classmates, never mind the prin cipal, one acquired nicknames. Among them Tonto, the Lone Ranger’s sidekick. Many a joke came out of the schoolyard, and unfortunately most of them, which began “Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Tonto…” are not suitable for a family publica tion. Amazing, is it not, that children learn double entendres so young. They were not politi cally correct either. Yet still funny. As an Estonian, who thanks to other children became Indigenous, I learned the war whoops, which, of course, can not be repeated in today’s cen sorious and judgmental world. Previously I have written about sociologist Alan Dundes and his ethnological studies of humour. As a coping mechanism, even if offensive. The pandemic has created many such; again, they cannot be printed. But they are funny, without a doubt. During times of stress, noth ing beats humour. As Reader’s Digest had it, “Laughter is the Best Medicine”. Unfortunately, my bubble is full; otherwise I would invite friends to hear my latest Nanabush (Anishinaabe for trickster) one-liners about masks and viruses. As it is im possible to judge their merit without seeing a smile… More likely though, that my ears would register the groans. And for a George Carlin, Robin Williams wanna-be, that is not the desired result. Keep smiling, crack jokes, and keep it light in a stressful world. May the force of fun be with you. TÕNU NAELAPEA
favourable action by creating deeper understanding, greater choice, and degrees of freedom to act strategically. The transla tion of reaction to action is a fruitful endeavour, requiring us to grow, and trust ourselves. Reacting perceptively to stubborn societal circumstances was integral to the work of writer and educator Lilli Su burg, born in 1841. Lilli wrote her first short story, “Liina”, in 1877, at the encouragement of her family’s friend Carl Robert Jakobson, a leading figure of the Ärkamisaeg (the Estonian Age of Awakening). The story was less than favourable in its representation of life under Baltic-German influence; like wise the critical response was not positive of her rocking the boat, so to speak. Five years later, she opened an elementary school for girls in Pärnu (and later Viljandi), amidst regulations against teach ing in the Estonian lan guage. Finances were a chal lenge for Lilli, but as headmis tress, she was thrifty, organizing theatre performances and mar kets to raise funds. During and after her administration of the school, she launched and edited Estonia’s first maga zine for women, Linda, from
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1888 to 1894. Estonian literary scholar Eve Annuk has noted that as an autobiographer, Lilli Suburg “created her own textual space, which allowed her to assert the validity of her life experiences.” This creation of space reacted counter to the lack of reception she faced as an educator, writer, and purveyor of new ideas in the late 1800s. Even when her magazine was ridiculed. Even when stum bling blocks were put down in her way. She reacted with more dedication, surrounded herself with supportive people, and achieved what she had set out to do. When you don’t exactly fit into the mold of people who have come before you, you might be given a hard time; but how you react means the most; and knowing your value is self-defined keeps successful people on track. • In the next installment of this series, we’ll hear from Reet Lindau-Voksepp, a musician, teacher, real estate professional, and notable choir director in the Estonian community of Toronto. We’ll have a chance to hear her perspective on some lesser-known aspects of her life and career – so stay tuned!
Oswald Riisma in memoriam Oswald Riisma was born in Märjamaa, Estonia on May 19, 1920 and lived to be 100 years old, passing away peacefully in his home in Boca Raton, Florida on July 15, 2020. Oswald was an entrepreneur in both Toronto, Canada and subsequently in Florida, USA. He arrived in Canada in 1951 and started working as assistant cook and waiter at a Badminton and Racquet Club in Toronto. He then purchased and operated his own restaurant in the business district of down town Toronto. Following that he purchased both a restaurant and a Country Style Donuts in the city’s west end. Oswald was also an active member of the Estonian Theatre Group. In 1969 he moved to Florida and became the owner and operator of 16 unit Saltaire Apts. in the tourist beach dis trict of Ft. Lauderdale. Later in 1977 he became the owner and manager of the 26 unit Aqua Mar Apts. on the Intracoastal Waterway in Pompano Beach. In 1989 he built a 17-unit Seville Gardens Condominium in Boca Raton. Oswald served as president of the Estonian National Association of South Florida and was an active mem ber and officer of the Estonian Lutheran Church. Oswald is remembered by his son Rick for his hard work and strong discipline. He re members his father waking up early, sometimes too early, either during the week or Saturday morning, doing main tenance and landscaping work on the grounds at Aqua Mar
Apts. Oswald stressed the im portance of working outside. He had a good vision for business and strong will-power, stressing the importance of maintaining good property in South Florida. Oswald had a kind heart and much respect and love for his family and others. He was a very proud person with a daily routine of physical fitness in being an original and lifetime member of Vic Tanny’s Gym. He was well known as a sharp dresser and a true gentleman. He is lovingly remembered and mourned by his wife Maire, his son Richard (Michelle) and his daughter Veronica (Jon); grandchildren Marilyn, Kinsley and step-grandson Thomas. Also fondly remembered by his extended family in Estonia of his nephew Tiit, his nephew Rein (Ivi), his niece Marika, his great nephews Timo, Joel, Hanno, Silver, Hannus, Andres and his great nieces Kirke, Kaija and Kristiina. Also re membered by his dear cousin Arved Maiste and his daughters Lisa and Anita. Rest in peace dear Ossi.
