2010 is just around the corner and I can’t help but want to feel your pulse on the year 2009. For some of us, it was happy – we got married, we had a kid or kids, we aced that exam, we fell in love, we got our dream jobs, or we were just fulfilled, some of us renewed our relationship with God and our friends etcetera. For some of us still – we got lazy in our relationships, we failed our exams, we fell out of love, we lost a loved one to death…especially in this season, we got retrenched; especially those of us that worked in banks, some of us got divorced, and sadly, some of us just stopped living.
Yes! 2009 had its ups and downs, joys and tears, highs and lows but if you can read this, it means that there is hope, it means that 2010 offers us a chance to be better at what we did in 2009, it means that God is giving us a second chance to love, to live, to explore, to forgive and forget, to let go of the betrayals, the hurt, the pain and just let it go.
For me, 2009 was a good year because I discovered more about myself, i discovered some new things about me – good and bad, I learned how to deal with my weaknesses and work with my strengths, I learned quite a number of things ranging from how to manage people better to how to appreciate each moment especially moments spent with my family. I did finally get my groove on the salsa dance floor, I went out more often, made some new friends, saw more movies, made the effort to be more patient. I ain’t perfect yet but I’m getting there…err…that is if there’s anything like perfection
In no particular order, I’ll go over what I learned this year:
• Obama winning the Nobel peace prize taught me that when it is your time to shine, you will, regardless of whether people feel you deserve it at the time or not.
• Lady Gaga meeting the Queen taught me that even the raunchiest of celebrities know how to behave when they meet royalty. By Jove that red dress was garish…surprising to spot lady Gaga in a proper dress that covered all her goods however garish.
• My colleague lost his dad a few days to Christmas and my best friend lost her younger brother to a car accident. Funny that she also lost her mom in 2008. With these deaths, I learned that death does take us by surprise and even when we think we have space especially if you’ve lost one in such a short while, another can still occur…I have not lost a parent neither have I lost a brother but I’ve lost friends, uncles and people generally and one thing is certain, it is painful. And while grieving, we tend to question God but we should never forget that he sees the big picture, we only see the blueprint which is why we need him always. He knows why and while we may ask “Dear Lord, why me?” Let us also remember that He is God and sits on the throne. He is the giver and taker of all things from success to love to joy to grief to hurt to life and death.
Michael Jackson’s death reminded me that no matter your status in life is, you ain’t above it. Suffice it to say that big or small, death will come; it’s just a matter of time. It also taught me that no one has it all…we all lack something and sometimes a smile or a compliment will make a difference. Leave judgement to God, if he will wait until we die, who are you to judge?
• I also learned that no one is above any sin and the moment you start to think that you are above a particular sin, temptation will strike. So guard your hearts diligently and in all humility ask God for His grace because for every temptation that comes your way, there is a way out. However, seeing that way out might just be the issue because you will try so hard too justify your actions even when you know they are wrong.
• Kevin winning big brother taught me that good inter-personal skills will always open doors for you in the long run. Respect your fellow human beings. Who knows? Africa or the world might just be watching. Better still, God is definitely watching.
• Children have also taught me the effect of an innocent smile…that always has an effect on me. Makes me want a child of my own daily.
• Yaradua’s illness taught me that leaders will always fall ill but it’s how the followers handle it that matters. The Country must still go on innit?
- Gani Fawehinmi's death taught me that it pays to be good because when you die, people will say great things about you and will genuinely mourn you.
• Tiger Woods' scandal, just as Bill Clinton’s years ago reminds me that these role models are only human. If you can succumb to temptation, why not them? I am not justifying his action but this is what happens when we choose to imitate man. Man will always disappoint you or have you never disappointed anyone? Why not make the He that was like you in all but sin your role model and avoid disappointments? It’s okay to have a human mentor but please do not expect too much of them. No one is perfect, not even you.
• I also learned that friends will disappoint you after all, I have disappointed some.
• Men of God will also disappoint you but if you decide to leave a church because a man of God disappointed you, it is not a good enough reason because if you do a deep soul searching, you will realize that the church is bigger than that man of God who let you down. But if you have soul searched and discovered that you are not getting what it is you want from a church especially if the truth is not being preached, then you should leave.
• Rebranding Nigeria has to begin with you and I. movies like “District 9” will continue to be made but if you want to make a change, begin with yourself. Some of us started by painting Mushin, others started by being more in tune with the needy in the society, However you choose to do it, let it affect a Nigerian positively.
• Farouq Mutallab’s actions has smeared our name again… Nigeria!!!
As the curtains fall on 2009, the memories will only be in our hearts, photographs and in shared memories with our friends, families and all those that were a part of it. As the stage opens to 2010, let us remember that no one is perfect but most people are good; people cannot and should not be judged only by their worst or weakest moments; harsh judgements can make hypocrites of you and I. A lot of life is just showing up and hanging on; that laughter is often the best and sometimes the only response to pain. Everyone has a story of dreams and nightmares, hope and heartache, love and loss, courage and fear, sacrifice and selfishness and in the midst of all these, if you have a friend who listens and encourages you, you should be thankful because each of us have our individual battles.
There will always be choices, passages, moments that make a difference for a life time. So before you make that life changing decision, think again.
2009! A year that will never be again.
Happy 2010 and remember that the years go by too quickly to waste them in silent prisons of hate. As Chaz B always says, “Show love just because…”
Once again, Happy 2010!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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