You get in life what you have the
courage to ask for. Nancy
D. Solomon
Every day, we set targets, map out
our goals; rely on Heavens grace for them to come through. But then, we get
disappointed, sometimes frustrated and defeated, ultimately leading to loss of
interest, when things don’t get done the instant we want them. Well, it is
human; we have all been there at one stage in our lives; but then, the
difference between those who are already living their dreams and those still
dreaming is the choices made, actions taken and their perseverance.
Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah says 'the
greatest sin in the world is the sin of indifference.
The question "to be or not to
be" is a decision we must take every day. When we choose to be
indifferent, we give a nod to evils to thrive.
The change we seek must first start within, you must choose to act, even
if you choose not to act, at least you made a choice. The greatest risk in life
is the not taking risk at all. Remember that if you fail to stand for anything,
you will fall for everything. Choices not chances define who we are. The decision
to act comes with the discipline of patience and perseverance.
“Have a cause that you live for and that is
worth dying for. Do not settle for less
than you deserve because you wouldn't want to come across as greedy or
ungrateful. Be wise enough to know when to draw the line. Go all out and take
what you want from life. Be bold and a master of your life”. Maryjane Okobi
Our Nation's founding Fathers long
had a dream and despite several oppositions, they were unfazed, today we have
Nigeria. In the movie Selma, Martin Luther King Jr. had a
dream and even in the face of daunting challenges, racist taunts, he stood his
ground, kept his head in the game, persevered in his steps and despite paying
the supreme price, today Barack Obama is President.
I feel it is terrible for us to
start talking about #BlackLivesMatter because in the first place there should
not be any distinction among people united under one common national philosophy
of “In God We Trust”.
These happenings basically spit on
the graves of people like Marcus Garvey, Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr. and
all civil rights activists. Though it brings to the fore the much debated Gun
Control legislation, but what is wrong is wrong. This is what you get when the
Police Force is over militarized as you have in Nigeria. Luckily for us, when
you put your hand into your pocket in front of a checkpoint, the policeman is
happy because he knows he will get something from you. At least that is the
joke country making the rounds now.
Forgive me; this is not a class in National
Security or Disarmament!
When your dreams seem like they are
bigger than you, wake up, divide them into episodes and seasons but most
Importantly like Winston Churchill would always say "Never Give Up!"
"Never Give Up!" "Never Ever Give Up!"
Nigeria’s President Muhammadu
Buhari in his 2015 Independence broadcast said "impatience is not a virtue. Order
is more vital than speed. Careful and deliberate decisions after consultations
get far better results". Even if we continue to groan under the many
severe economic hardships in Nigeria and blame him for the many lopsided
political appointments, there is a whole of potency in his words. If you are
looking for anyone to school you on perseverance, he is your many for it was
his fourth attempt that won him the election and the coveted prize.
Most times we get all holed up in
our cocoon; too afraid to pick up the brave stick, move out and fly. Sometimes
still, we are all in a hurry to spread our wings and fly out on an adventure. Hear the words of Mohammed Ali "He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life."
The butterfly stays in its cocoon, looked within, draws strength, grow deep and
develop from the inside before going outside. It understands the essence of
development, of waiting for the right time. Learn from the butterfly. Grow
within then fly, grow deep before spreading!
Slow
but steady, let courage drive your decisions!
“In
the end, it is important to remember that we cannot become what we need to be
by remaining what we are.” Max De Pree
OjisiEmezie
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