The worst thing that can happen to anyone is to merely exist.
When you wake up each day with no sense of purpose.
When time just passes by without any achievement.
When others are being productive and you just stay idle.
When others are sharing experiences and ideas and you just watch on.
When you are just stuck and don't know what to do with yourself...
Thursday, 25 February 2016
NO TO VIOLENCE
I was in line to use the ATM. There were two people in line before me; a guy who was using the machine, and a lady behind him, who was directly in front of me. I noticed the guy had been using the machine for a bit, but I hardly ever complain, because who knows? He could have a series of withdrawals or other transactions to do, the machine could be annoyingly slow like some of them, or anything.
He was there before me, so I must allow him use his time. I don't like to be nagged when I am using the machine, so I dont nag others too. You hear people say rudely "sister, you wan collect all the money wey dey the machine?" Or "why you no go inside bank na, when you wan collect plenty money?". Sometimes, I play deaf, sometimes I give the commenter the eye and deliberately waste more time checking my balance like 9 times, sometimes I advise the commenter to set my transaction limit or "come and carry me"...
I guess the lady before me was genuinely curious as to why the guy at the machine was taking so much time. But sometimes, even the most innocent of intentions could come across as irritating.
The girl said something about withdrawing in larger sums as against smaller sums. The boy, obviously irritated, burst out sarcastically, saying "ehn ehn, na #10, #10 I dey withdraw, you see say I carry mat come here come sleep".
That was how the altercation started, resulting in insulting each other's families and generations. They both said so much to each other, like they had been enemies before. All those are relatively normal and I wouldn't be writing this post, if not for what I heard next.
The guy threatened to beat up the lady if she didn't keep quiet. I got interested at that point. Trust a typical Lagos girl not to go down without a show. She began to rearrange the scarf on her head, threatening fire and brimstone. He kept clenching his fist and stated that if it wasn't for the police guys around, he would have "busted her lips, broken her teeth and rearranged her"! I was shocked!!!
Number 2.
My mum and I were on our way home and saw two hawkers (a guy and a lady) engaged in a fight. The guy slapped the girl and shoved her to the ground. The girl jumped up and rushed at him like a lion. She grabbed something and continually struck him. It was a sugar cane but she kept hitting his head. In their case, the girl wasn't a docile victim, she didn't back down. She didn't make it easy for him at all. And I loved that...
Again, I wrote sometime ago about a man who viciously attacked a woman at covenant university, over a little argument.
I wonder at the culture of men thinking they can beat up women at home and anywhere even, simply because the other party is a woman. It says a lot about our society and the kind of training these guys had or what they grew up around. I mean, can't a woman and man have an argument without the man threatening to and actually beating her up?
Some say some women are just very provocative. Yea, right! How about giving her back whatever she says to you? How about walking away? If she doesn't touch you, why touch her? If it were a very muscular man, would the said man launch at him?
He was there before me, so I must allow him use his time. I don't like to be nagged when I am using the machine, so I dont nag others too. You hear people say rudely "sister, you wan collect all the money wey dey the machine?" Or "why you no go inside bank na, when you wan collect plenty money?". Sometimes, I play deaf, sometimes I give the commenter the eye and deliberately waste more time checking my balance like 9 times, sometimes I advise the commenter to set my transaction limit or "come and carry me"...
I guess the lady before me was genuinely curious as to why the guy at the machine was taking so much time. But sometimes, even the most innocent of intentions could come across as irritating.
The girl said something about withdrawing in larger sums as against smaller sums. The boy, obviously irritated, burst out sarcastically, saying "ehn ehn, na #10, #10 I dey withdraw, you see say I carry mat come here come sleep".
That was how the altercation started, resulting in insulting each other's families and generations. They both said so much to each other, like they had been enemies before. All those are relatively normal and I wouldn't be writing this post, if not for what I heard next.
The guy threatened to beat up the lady if she didn't keep quiet. I got interested at that point. Trust a typical Lagos girl not to go down without a show. She began to rearrange the scarf on her head, threatening fire and brimstone. He kept clenching his fist and stated that if it wasn't for the police guys around, he would have "busted her lips, broken her teeth and rearranged her"! I was shocked!!!
Number 2.
My mum and I were on our way home and saw two hawkers (a guy and a lady) engaged in a fight. The guy slapped the girl and shoved her to the ground. The girl jumped up and rushed at him like a lion. She grabbed something and continually struck him. It was a sugar cane but she kept hitting his head. In their case, the girl wasn't a docile victim, she didn't back down. She didn't make it easy for him at all. And I loved that...
Again, I wrote sometime ago about a man who viciously attacked a woman at covenant university, over a little argument.
I wonder at the culture of men thinking they can beat up women at home and anywhere even, simply because the other party is a woman. It says a lot about our society and the kind of training these guys had or what they grew up around. I mean, can't a woman and man have an argument without the man threatening to and actually beating her up?
Some say some women are just very provocative. Yea, right! How about giving her back whatever she says to you? How about walking away? If she doesn't touch you, why touch her? If it were a very muscular man, would the said man launch at him?
Friday, 22 January 2016
GRATITUDE...
...So, I opened the blog to keep myself abreast of the goings on, as I am not one to watch the news willingly; and I haven't had a newspaper in my hands for a long time. On the whole, blogs are more fun, period!
Then I saw the post of a beautiful 25 year old lady who died just very recently. Reading the story actually served as the slap I needed to be jolted back to thankfulness.
You see, that young girl had the world as her oyster, so to say. She was born and raised in the UK, had a great academic life there, from a good family with nice positions. She insisted on coming to Nigeria, as her aged grandparents stay here. She went for NYSC, got a good job offer, she had a car, etc. Upon all these, she was beautiful, had a nice body and is said to have been intelligent, that she only missed a first class in law by whiskers and even went ahead and
had a second degree. So by human standards, especially with the hardships in this part of the world, her life was really on point.
But then, death came! She was killed in an accident which is said to have been caused by a commercial bus driver. The said accident killed four people. Her car was badly damaged, she was taken to the hospital, later taken to the UK in an air ambulance, but she died!
To the point of this epistle:
You see, I hate public buses in this country. Each time I have to take one, I sulk. But despite the discomfort and craziness of it all, I have not perished. Not in them or by them.
When some of us lament on not having a car yet, remember people die in those correct cars daily that the hitherto beautiful car becomes a bloody mess of iron scraps.
If only I schooled abroad, the system there is better, etc! Well, remember some went and died there. Some were stabbed by friends, some murdered by stalkers, some died in plane crashes on their way back. Some came back but where are they today?
If only my parents were richer! Well, when it comes to it, even all the money in the world or best experts can't save your soul.
Why can't I just get a job! Well, the yorubas say the life of a job is longer than that of humans. Many had the best jobs, they died and someone else takes over. The job doesn't miss anyone.
In summary, I AM GRATEFUL!!!
Tuesday, 8 December 2015
NOTE TO SELF
NOTE TO SELF
It definitely doesn't look like it now, but it will end in praise. The glory of this latter house shall be greater than the former.
If there were no uglies, beauties would not be noticed,
If there were no sicknesses, health wouldn't be appreciated,
If there were no down times, the great times wouldn't mean anything,
If there were no poor, the rich wouldn't feel privileged,
If there were no sadness, happiness wouldn't exist,
Just like if there were no darkness, light would seem too normal and have no value.
Gold goes through the fire, that beautiful pottery was once just mud, those magnificent architectural edifices were once sketches, that tall tree was once a tiny seed, that river or ocean was once a puddle...
Everything takes a process, just some longer than others. But the finished product speaks...
It definitely doesn't look like it now, but it will end in praise. The glory of this latter house shall be greater than the former.
If there were no uglies, beauties would not be noticed,
If there were no sicknesses, health wouldn't be appreciated,
If there were no down times, the great times wouldn't mean anything,
If there were no poor, the rich wouldn't feel privileged,
If there were no sadness, happiness wouldn't exist,
Just like if there were no darkness, light would seem too normal and have no value.
Gold goes through the fire, that beautiful pottery was once just mud, those magnificent architectural edifices were once sketches, that tall tree was once a tiny seed, that river or ocean was once a puddle...
Everything takes a process, just some longer than others. But the finished product speaks...
LAGOS NA WA...
RANT TIME!!!
Using public buses in Lagos, especially for long distance trips is just torturous beyond words for me. There is absolutely nothing right with or about them.
To begin, 98% of drivers are suffering from psychosis, under the influence of drugs or (and) alcohol or are possessed by demons. I thought it's teachers' rewards that are in heaven? So why do those drivers act like they are teachers on a mission to get their rewards? And like I told one today, if he is in a haste to die, by all means, Nigeria and the world at large is over populated but I am team #snail on this one. I am not trying to die soon.
In their infinite wickedness, they could take one past one's stop, despite almost rupturing one's lungs and vomiting one's kidney screaming "owa ooo". Or worst still, drop one in the middle of a river like stagnant water (thanks to blocked or no drainages in Lagos) after it rains, with the excuse of "shebi na the bus stop be this" (That day at Ikeja along bus stop wasn't pleasant. It was either walk through the deep, dirty water or.... fly)
The conductors on the other hand are mostly dirty, smelly and rude, like they have a constitution which states how they must appear or be fired. I always avoid sitting at the extreme, close to the conductor because the armpit curse is real. When they begin to collect fares and give change, and their armpit comes over your face, your day will never be the same.
Then while in the bus, one is so squeezed, that sardines in this present economic situation have more room. The compression of humans and overloading bring about intense heat, second only to hell perhaps.
Like the situation is not bad enough, 99% of d buses are in terrible conditions, as they are vehicles from 1759AD. They leak when it rains, no windows or they are stuck. There are dangerous metals out to draw blood, as a result of bashings and no maintenance and as you are preoccupied with safeguarding your belongings from sharp thieves, you have to be bothered about HIV too!
Oh, how about the obnoxious sounds they make and fumes they emit!
Did I forget the "co-passengers"? Hygiene is a big problem for many. Some think because we are in the bus together makes us best friends. Some people even go ahead to fart in already hot and uncomfortable buses. What wickedness!
Then some others just scream so loudly, all in the name of making calls. I just slap them a billion times in my head! Some will cough or sneeze into your face, spit while giving unsolicited advice. Then there are those men or deranged perverts who try to or (and) actually tap current from females.
Now, I know we all can't be slim. Yours truely is a good example, but why must I be at the receiving end, with those bigger people pushing me with their rotund anatomy, almost squashing all my own fat out of me?
Going out in a bus and putting on a white attire is a big mistake cos on arrival to your destination, you and everyone will know it was once white...
Using public buses in Lagos, especially for long distance trips is just torturous beyond words for me. There is absolutely nothing right with or about them.
To begin, 98% of drivers are suffering from psychosis, under the influence of drugs or (and) alcohol or are possessed by demons. I thought it's teachers' rewards that are in heaven? So why do those drivers act like they are teachers on a mission to get their rewards? And like I told one today, if he is in a haste to die, by all means, Nigeria and the world at large is over populated but I am team #snail on this one. I am not trying to die soon.
In their infinite wickedness, they could take one past one's stop, despite almost rupturing one's lungs and vomiting one's kidney screaming "owa ooo". Or worst still, drop one in the middle of a river like stagnant water (thanks to blocked or no drainages in Lagos) after it rains, with the excuse of "shebi na the bus stop be this" (That day at Ikeja along bus stop wasn't pleasant. It was either walk through the deep, dirty water or.... fly)
The conductors on the other hand are mostly dirty, smelly and rude, like they have a constitution which states how they must appear or be fired. I always avoid sitting at the extreme, close to the conductor because the armpit curse is real. When they begin to collect fares and give change, and their armpit comes over your face, your day will never be the same.
Then while in the bus, one is so squeezed, that sardines in this present economic situation have more room. The compression of humans and overloading bring about intense heat, second only to hell perhaps.
Like the situation is not bad enough, 99% of d buses are in terrible conditions, as they are vehicles from 1759AD. They leak when it rains, no windows or they are stuck. There are dangerous metals out to draw blood, as a result of bashings and no maintenance and as you are preoccupied with safeguarding your belongings from sharp thieves, you have to be bothered about HIV too!
Oh, how about the obnoxious sounds they make and fumes they emit!
Did I forget the "co-passengers"? Hygiene is a big problem for many. Some think because we are in the bus together makes us best friends. Some people even go ahead to fart in already hot and uncomfortable buses. What wickedness!
Then some others just scream so loudly, all in the name of making calls. I just slap them a billion times in my head! Some will cough or sneeze into your face, spit while giving unsolicited advice. Then there are those men or deranged perverts who try to or (and) actually tap current from females.
Now, I know we all can't be slim. Yours truely is a good example, but why must I be at the receiving end, with those bigger people pushing me with their rotund anatomy, almost squashing all my own fat out of me?
Going out in a bus and putting on a white attire is a big mistake cos on arrival to your destination, you and everyone will know it was once white...
O.Y.O = ON YOUR OWN...
In the book of Judges, chapter 14 precisely, Samson and his parents went to Timnah to get him a wife. While out, Samson came across a lion, which he tore with his bare hands and killed. His parents were not aware of that.
Few days later, on their way back, Samson checked the carcass of the lion, and found a swarm of bees and honey on it. He scooped some of the honey to eat and took some for his parents. They ate. END OF STORY!
Looking at this story, Samson confronted this lion on his own, no one knew about it, no one was there to help him. Perhaps, if people were around, they might not even help him, but watch in amazement.
However, when it was time to eat the honey, his parents enjoyed part of it. (The case of his parents is even justified). If other people were in their company, they would have enjoyed their share too.
When many people are battling their demons, facing challenges, hustling, struggling, etc, they are majorly on their own. This gives credence to the saying that "the journey up, or to success, is a very lonely one". There is usually very little or no help.
Alas, when others see that you are a little comfortable, or even still struggling, they begin to rare their heads, coming out to have their share of your sweat. Many even come across with "ENTITLEMENT MENTALITY", like you owe them anything.
If many consider the stress, hardship, insults or whatever that they pass through before getting their money, they won't give a dime to anyone. But then, the bible says "give and it shall be given unto you..."
Conclusively, there is time to give, and there is time to conserve. He who does not work, should not eat...
God bless those real hustlers, hardworking people, honest people, striving and toiling to make a living for themselves and their immediate family. May they enjoy the sweet fruits of their labour for a long time...
Few days later, on their way back, Samson checked the carcass of the lion, and found a swarm of bees and honey on it. He scooped some of the honey to eat and took some for his parents. They ate. END OF STORY!
Looking at this story, Samson confronted this lion on his own, no one knew about it, no one was there to help him. Perhaps, if people were around, they might not even help him, but watch in amazement.
However, when it was time to eat the honey, his parents enjoyed part of it. (The case of his parents is even justified). If other people were in their company, they would have enjoyed their share too.
When many people are battling their demons, facing challenges, hustling, struggling, etc, they are majorly on their own. This gives credence to the saying that "the journey up, or to success, is a very lonely one". There is usually very little or no help.
Alas, when others see that you are a little comfortable, or even still struggling, they begin to rare their heads, coming out to have their share of your sweat. Many even come across with "ENTITLEMENT MENTALITY", like you owe them anything.
If many consider the stress, hardship, insults or whatever that they pass through before getting their money, they won't give a dime to anyone. But then, the bible says "give and it shall be given unto you..."
Conclusively, there is time to give, and there is time to conserve. He who does not work, should not eat...
God bless those real hustlers, hardworking people, honest people, striving and toiling to make a living for themselves and their immediate family. May they enjoy the sweet fruits of their labour for a long time...
Monday, 2 November 2015
LONDONER...
So, Segun and I were chatting, and he was lamenting on how much people tell lies and just feel the need to "form" or put up airs and appearances. He kept emphasizing on the fact that women do it more. While I kept arguing that it is on both parts and men are just as guilty as women, giving him different instances, I remembered a scene from May.
So I was at Heathrow airport, London, with my friends, on my way to Nigeria. I had to repack my bags and just by us were two guys, who had to repack too and one of my friends happened to know one of the guys. They kept talking to us in Yoruba and even helped us a bit. I realised one of them was traveling to Naija on the same airline as me. I checked my stuff in, got my pass and we said our goodbyes.
Fastfoward to 5:00am, I was at MMIA, Lagos, Nigeria, waiting for my family to pick me up. I saw the Yoruba guy from earlier. I then realised his dressing was not Nigeria appropriate, wondering why he had put on clothes for cold, knowing he was coming to Nigeria, considering how hot it can be here, but then, wetin be my own?
I would have focused on something else, but he kept pacing and moving from pillar to post. I could not but notice that he spoke so loudly in his "Brintinsh" accent (excuse my choice of spelling). At a point, probably because he wasn't satisfied with a particular service he got from where he bought something, he kept screaming *fu^k men*, *sh^t men*, *this country men*, while sweating profusely.
Trust my Naija people, there will surely be a peacemaker to settle problems. So one man went to this "Londoner" to pacify him. Maybe it was his tribal marks or original yoruba accent obvious under fake accent that gave him away as a Yoruba man, but Mr peacemaker spoke in Yoruba to Mr Londoner. Then it hit me that Mr Londoner was suffering from selective amnesia, as he kept replying Mr peacemaker in English, whereas in London, na so so Yoruba him dey speak.
This scene drew the attention of people around, that the airport staff near me were whispering " o sese de ni, o se land ni, wo dressing e, o gbo bo se n soro ni"? meaning "he just arrived, he just landed, notice the way he's dressed, don't you hear the way he's talking?
So u see &%#.*!/ω®©℃§¡[~£¥€¿{¤)(&℉^¢£.....
So I was at Heathrow airport, London, with my friends, on my way to Nigeria. I had to repack my bags and just by us were two guys, who had to repack too and one of my friends happened to know one of the guys. They kept talking to us in Yoruba and even helped us a bit. I realised one of them was traveling to Naija on the same airline as me. I checked my stuff in, got my pass and we said our goodbyes.
Fastfoward to 5:00am, I was at MMIA, Lagos, Nigeria, waiting for my family to pick me up. I saw the Yoruba guy from earlier. I then realised his dressing was not Nigeria appropriate, wondering why he had put on clothes for cold, knowing he was coming to Nigeria, considering how hot it can be here, but then, wetin be my own?
I would have focused on something else, but he kept pacing and moving from pillar to post. I could not but notice that he spoke so loudly in his "Brintinsh" accent (excuse my choice of spelling). At a point, probably because he wasn't satisfied with a particular service he got from where he bought something, he kept screaming *fu^k men*, *sh^t men*, *this country men*, while sweating profusely.
Trust my Naija people, there will surely be a peacemaker to settle problems. So one man went to this "Londoner" to pacify him. Maybe it was his tribal marks or original yoruba accent obvious under fake accent that gave him away as a Yoruba man, but Mr peacemaker spoke in Yoruba to Mr Londoner. Then it hit me that Mr Londoner was suffering from selective amnesia, as he kept replying Mr peacemaker in English, whereas in London, na so so Yoruba him dey speak.
This scene drew the attention of people around, that the airport staff near me were whispering " o sese de ni, o se land ni, wo dressing e, o gbo bo se n soro ni"? meaning "he just arrived, he just landed, notice the way he's dressed, don't you hear the way he's talking?
So u see &%#.*!/ω®©℃§¡[~£¥€¿{¤)(&℉^¢£.....
STRANGE, BUT TRUE...
I have seen some strange things, but none like this.
So I am at covenant university, ota, attending my brother's matriculation ceremony. While the vc was giving his address, a drama errupted just by my side. A man and a woman who came to felicitate with their individual wards got involved in an altercation, which became loud that it interrupted the vc's speech.
While we were still wondering why such will be exhibited in a decent gathering such as that, the next thing I saw was the man violently hitting the woman. He attacked her so viciously and many around had to tear him off her. It was like a scene from a street fight...
I was disgusted by such outright lack of decorum, decency, control, discipline, etc. Irrespective of what transpired between them, which I think could be as trivial as seat issues or any other very minute thing, there is no justification whatsoever for a man to hit any woman or vice versa, especially one unrelated to you.
In my opinion, that is exactly how the man abuses those around him and like my Yoruba elders say, character is like smoke, it can't but find a way out.
My people, tread carefully, BEASTS LIVE AMONGST US.
So I am at covenant university, ota, attending my brother's matriculation ceremony. While the vc was giving his address, a drama errupted just by my side. A man and a woman who came to felicitate with their individual wards got involved in an altercation, which became loud that it interrupted the vc's speech.
While we were still wondering why such will be exhibited in a decent gathering such as that, the next thing I saw was the man violently hitting the woman. He attacked her so viciously and many around had to tear him off her. It was like a scene from a street fight...
I was disgusted by such outright lack of decorum, decency, control, discipline, etc. Irrespective of what transpired between them, which I think could be as trivial as seat issues or any other very minute thing, there is no justification whatsoever for a man to hit any woman or vice versa, especially one unrelated to you.
In my opinion, that is exactly how the man abuses those around him and like my Yoruba elders say, character is like smoke, it can't but find a way out.
My people, tread carefully, BEASTS LIVE AMONGST US.
Tuesday, 22 September 2015
I'M...
YOU alone are enough and YOU alone are worthy! The reason? Because you
were born. YOU were and are NOT a mistake. There is a reason and calling
for every single one. The issue is whether we embrace it or not. So,
never let anyone bring you down...
The world is full of so much negativity, garbage, toxicity, status quo, pressure of conformity, etc. Fortunately though, we are all so unique and each of us represents the creativity and dynamism in God. Unfortunately, we see ourselves through the eyes of those who mean nothing.
People will try to bring us down, it is left for us to connect to our inner strength and lift ourselves us. People will talk badly about us no matter how much good we do, but it is left for us to develop selective hearing skills. People will push us, but it is left to us to activate our brakes.
Nobody can fix you, nobody can help you, nobody can complete you... It is all on you!
The world is full of so much negativity, garbage, toxicity, status quo, pressure of conformity, etc. Fortunately though, we are all so unique and each of us represents the creativity and dynamism in God. Unfortunately, we see ourselves through the eyes of those who mean nothing.
People will try to bring us down, it is left for us to connect to our inner strength and lift ourselves us. People will talk badly about us no matter how much good we do, but it is left for us to develop selective hearing skills. People will push us, but it is left to us to activate our brakes.
Nobody can fix you, nobody can help you, nobody can complete you... It is all on you!
CROWD MENTALITY? CARVE YOUR OWN NICHE...
He who choses to fart because his mates are farting might just end up with faeces in his pants. The culture of blind and unintelligent followership, status quo, crowd mentality, copycatting, imitation, conformity (and whatever adjectives drive home the point) has turned ours to a society of mediocres.
We dwell in an era where there abounds a bunch of followers of trends and no visionary leaders, an era when shallowness and outright vanity have become celebrated.
Originality, realness, intelligence and the likes seem to be sliding into oblivion.
The pressure or need to belong, keep up and blend at whatever cost or rate is alarming.
Every Tom, Dick and Harry wants to live on the fast lane, want the fab life but the 'old fashion' legitimate and hard work way is just too 'long, bushy and stale'.
That seems to be one reason why there are more musicians than listeners in this country, screaming loud, vulgar, uncoordinated and unpleasant things about, because it is the 'inthing' and music sells.
Wizkid and Davido are making it: are you talented in music?
Pastors are living large and flying private jets: are you called?
Crop tops are in vogue: do they look good on you?
The point is that people should never be afraid to be different or stand out positively. Impactful people, revolutionaries, pace setters never 'went with the flow'. People should do things because they are sincerely passionate about them or called. The sincere passion or calling is what seperates the Gehazis from the Elishas.
We dwell in an era where there abounds a bunch of followers of trends and no visionary leaders, an era when shallowness and outright vanity have become celebrated.
Originality, realness, intelligence and the likes seem to be sliding into oblivion.
The pressure or need to belong, keep up and blend at whatever cost or rate is alarming.
Every Tom, Dick and Harry wants to live on the fast lane, want the fab life but the 'old fashion' legitimate and hard work way is just too 'long, bushy and stale'.
That seems to be one reason why there are more musicians than listeners in this country, screaming loud, vulgar, uncoordinated and unpleasant things about, because it is the 'inthing' and music sells.
Wizkid and Davido are making it: are you talented in music?
Pastors are living large and flying private jets: are you called?
Crop tops are in vogue: do they look good on you?
The point is that people should never be afraid to be different or stand out positively. Impactful people, revolutionaries, pace setters never 'went with the flow'. People should do things because they are sincerely passionate about them or called. The sincere passion or calling is what seperates the Gehazis from the Elishas.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)