THINK CLEARLY By Muyiwa Afolabi We live in a very complicated, dynamic and independent world. We have no absolute control over what has happened to us or could happen to us. Many of us in time past had very exciting and beautiful plans about various aspects of our lives and future but were eventually met with disappointment as it did not go the way we planned it. Many in time past have experienced disappointments from loved ones, friends and family and individuals that appeared to have integrity and the ability to help or support us, who at the last minute failed us. Many of us had put our faith and hope in institutions; secular institutions like the government and spiritual institutions as well and at the end were disappointed. Life itself may have frustrated our expectations by for instance the sudden death of someone whom would have been very supportive in our quest and desires in life. Every now and again we all experience disappointments, frustrations, opposition and failures in life, consequently, we no longer believe so much in our dreams and visions and desires. We no longer have so much faith in our expectations and have reclined in our disposition to life with a philosophy of whats gonna be is gonna be. This morning, my desire is to challenge you to get up again and dare to believe. You see life will always deliver to you what you want if you refuse to give up. You see as humans, we usually would have in our minds, anticipation of how what we hope for will happen and even maybe by whom it would happen. For example, I have countless examples of young people who begin a relationship with the opposite gender maybe while still in school and they were so sure the affair would end up in marriage. They were sure they would have a very exciting and enjoyable marital experience if they eventually marry each other. In fact, at that point, they may not be able to comprehend or imagine being married to someone else – its like impossibility. They would be super convinced that the lady or the man theyre involved with is their future spouse. They act like it, they talk like it, think like it and even plan like it. Would it surprise you today if you over hear teenagers deeply in love with each other; in 100 or 200 levels talking seriously about the number of kids they would have, the size of their apartment, the number of rooms in their first apartment, weeding dresses and colours and all that? Youll be amazed I tell you. However, 95% of these campus affairs hardly end up in marriage. These lovers meet other people and still find the joy, happiness and fulfilment they desire in marriage but, with somebody entirely different. The only reason this would occur lies in the fact that the breakup or separation with their previous partner; though painful, didnt stop them from still believing a beautiful marriage for them is possible. In my experience, most people, who tend to overreact to a broken engagement or love affair-gone sour, who condemn all men or ladies as being the same as their ex, hardly ever experience true love again. The fact that you experienced disappointment in any area of your life or rejection at any point in time is not enough reason to give up on your expectations and your dreams. Rejection, disappointment, failure are all ingrained in life. Its not peculiar to you, it happens to everyone. Every great and successful person must have failed before, been rejected, been disappointed, been betrayed and may have made very costly mistakes. The reason why they are successful today is not because they had it smooth all the way, its simply because they didnt allow the negative experiences take their gaze off their vision, dreams and expectations. Many of us today are on career journeys with very hazy visual. We do not have very clear images about what we want, when we want it and how we intend to get it. We probably degenerated to this state due to two or more failures and disappointments of the past. The hurt and pain of disappointments must be properly managed and dealt with if we want to fully recover and progress into a rewarding and fulfilling future. Id like to share this personal experience with you; I became fascinated with politics during the 1983 elections. Though I was young I listened and watched with keen interest the campaign of the various presidential aspirants of the various political parties, NPN, UPN, GNPP, PRP and the likes. But there was this particular TV campaign; I remember it so well till date, it was the TV campaign commercial of a party called NAP, led by Tunji Braithwaite. He was so eloquent and made pledges and promises on how he would transform Nigeria and then in my young mind I couldnt understand why anyone wouldnt vote for this man. He was so convincing, I was so young. Of course he didnt win the 1983 elections and personally I felt bad he didnt win. I was so young and naïve I didnt understand anything regarding the complexity and dynamics of politics in Nigeria. I was very young then, please dont ask how old I was, (laughs,) but as young as I was something in me said to me, Muyiwa you cannot place your hopes and future in the hands of the government, and since then I took full responsibility for my life hence, it became easy for me not to hold the government exclusively responsible for my failures and successes, I bear no grudge, hold no bitterness or animosity I take full responsibility for my life, this, I confess has made it really easy for me to progress in life. Dear friend, I challenge you this morning to re-fire that dream, that vision and aspiration. Polish it and make it clear. Ask yourself this question this morning, calling your name; Muyiwa what do you want? Now begin to form, clear, definite and precise picture about exactly what you want out of life. Exactly how much money do you have now, how much do you want in another 3 years, put a figure to it, then, in 5 years, put a figure to it. What car are you driving now? Name it, what brand of car do you want next? Whats the name, the colour and the price? When do you want to buy it? Put a date to it. Are you living in your own house now? When do you intend to build yours, if you live in your house, when are you building or buying the next one? Where do you want it? What kind of apartment are you looking at? When do you want it? You can go on and on. My dear friend, when you have very clear definite pictures of your desires, You will discover a sudden urge to begin to work towards these dreams. Especially when you have a time set for accomplishment. Having very clear plans about what you want and when you want it will also help you in managing your finances effectively, you will apply restrain and wont buy things you dont need. You wont be frivolous in your spending and your investment will be well coordinated. Keeping in view your pictures; your dreams, keeps you motivated, inspired and in control of your journey. It may not happen exactly how you thought it would, but life will always deliver it to you if you refuse to give up or let go. Dont be hazy in your thoughts about career, life and ambition, let the picture, the visuals be very clear and precise. Think clearly. Enjoy your day.
Posted on: Tue, 25 Nov 2014 05:26:59 +0000