...no going back

The die is cast. My mind is made up. I have burnt the bridge behind me. There is no going back. I have thought about it long and hard - I am better off with my new decision. Whatever is past, stays in the past. It is a new beginning. Veering from my decision is out of the question. With God on my side, I shall stay the course.

A man says to a little boy, "You stole my apples; you thief!" The boy replies, "It depends on what you mean by the word, 'stole'" "You took my apples without my authorization." "I see," replies the boy, "Just like you took Mrs. Jacobs without her husband's authorization." Astonished, the man replies, "Looks like we are both responsible thieves." "I thought as much, comrade," says the boy.

The world is yet to see the defeat of a man who turns every disappointment into a learning experience, every failure into progress, every fear into advance…and whose every motive and action is God-honouring.

The pastor shouts excitedly from the pulpit, "Tell your neighbor, 'I can do all things.'" The church goes wild. The service over, a 12-year old walks over to the pastor, congratulates him on the great sermon, and then asks, "Pastor, when will you stop giving undue attention to the rich members of the church?" "I can't. They pay the bills." "I thought you can do all things!" "Yes, but..."

Challenged, he gave up. Afraid, he quit. Overwhelmed, he idled away. He killed himself by installments, dashing hopes and frittering away opportunities. With his own hand, he wrote an epitaph on his grave: THIS MAN WAS TOO SCARED TO LIVE.

A man rushes to God saying, "I need your help right now!" To which God replies, "I need your help too." "You've got to hear me first, Lord." After hours of complaints and requests, he finally says to God, "And what's it you say you want from me?" God replies, "Nothing. Not anymore."

Says a boy to his dad. "Dad, praise is when I come to you with no requests, though I have plenty of them. I just revel in the knowledge that you are dad. That's all. I fall into your arms and forget the worries of life. Dad, should I tell you a secret?" "Yes son." "Praising you makes me aware of your presence and power. It seems to make you come through for me." "Didn't you say you wanted a new PlayStation?"

A man says to his friend, "My life is a night - a bleak night. I am worried." "Then rejoice," the friend replies, "The darker the night the more glorious the day." The man is not convinced. "So, what should I be doing now?" The friend replies, "Use the cover of the night to prepare for the day. See yourself like a pianist in hiding, preparing for the Big Show." "It is not easy, friend." "Success is not easy."

I take one look at the challenge and say, "it is impossible." I then look up to Heaven and say, "it can be done." Finally, I look inside of me and say, "let's do it."

He rides roughshod on me, flagrantly denying me of my rights. He takes me to the cleaners, openly rejoicing at my pains. He wonders at my positive attitude and my enduring grace. In his shortsightedness, he fails to see the real power in display. He fails to see the power of patience; the enduring power to bear all things -the power that wears out the arrogant and turns a bully into a villain.

They call it fate. I call it an opportunity that meets with the right preparation. They call it luck. I call it what you get when you work so hard and believe so much. They call it success at last. I call it the success you have always had that others have not noticed until now.

"What is influence?", asks the teacher. An 8-year old replies, "Influence is when you don't talk and yet your words fill the room. You are absent and yet your presence is felt everywhere." "Good," applauds the teacher. "Now everyone," screams the teacher. "Take out your Math book. I am talking to you. Are you deaf?" The 8-year old looks at the teacher and says, "Now, that was not influence."

Disillusioned, I gave up the search for the elusive "glorious future". Instead, in concert with God, I built my life on hope and soon developed a vision that was greater than me. I packed into each day passion, faith and perseverance. I forgot about the future and made the most of each day. One day, I took stock of mylife and discovered the "glorious future had arrived the day I gave up the search.

It was not to be. I tried so long and hard. I gave it all i could. I prayed much, hoped much, believed much. I must admit I have lost this one. But when has losing become a disadvantage? Afterall, the world's greatest winners are also the most accustomed to losing. Let no one think less of me because I have lost. I have only lost the battle. The war is still very much on. And by my God, I will win.

I thought I knew everything until I listened to others. I thought I was the best until I gave others a chance. Then I thought I was insignificant until I listened to others commend my words and actions. It seems no one sees himself except through a reflection. I have resolved to be a mirror reflecting the best in others, and hoping that others will do the same for me.

He is a foolish man who resists new knowledge, avoids new experience, and frustrates those who don't. His life ends before he lives it; in the dustbin of history. .

They died like chicken. Their only crime being they were from a wrong race and a wrong tribe. Mostly women and children caught in the fire of the invaders' guns and their matchets' merciless cuts. Endless wailings on the Plateau. Anger and frustrations in the land. But soon, we will forget the pain as if it never happe...

I am stupid. I accept. It takes stupidity, utter stupidity, to stick to rules that make for a decent society. I refuse to litter the streets, bribe the police, or pay more for official services or documents. I do not create a 3rd lane on a 2-lane road. I stop at the red light, for sure, and give the right of way to the first driver to reach a junction. And too bad, I pay taxes. I am really stupid.

...the DRAMA

I am pondering. The HOUSE of TROUBLE is many miles a way in the wilderness, but humans are beating their paths through the thick forest to reach it. Certain utterances and decisions from the Nigerian seat of government are an invitation to TROUBLE. And when TROUBLE comes, the current actors will be the first to flee the scene to a safe haven. I am pondering...I am praying...I am hoping.