The Whispers Of Life.
One of the mistakes many people have made in life, including myself, is believing that so many things in our lives happen randomly. It's not like there is a design or pattern for life that we are all following, we don't have a manual, and everyone's steering the wheels of their lives according to values, beliefs, culture, and others.
It's fine navigating through life the best way we can and that's particularly one of the things that makes life intresting. We just go about not knowing exactly what tomorrow would look like, and in the course of doing what we think is best, we rise, fall, learn, and just keep moving.
A lot of times, when I look back on my journey, I wish life had spoken to me a lot louder than it did; probably some things would have been a lot different from what it is. I could have made better choices at different points in life, but there are no regrets because educating people with my experience makes me happy.
I was going about my day, sometimes last month, when a younger brother in the neighborhood sought my advice on his academics. He was about completing his IT training and didn't know what was next because the company where he is undergoing the training has given him a lucrative offer to stay, meaning he has to choose between the offer and furthering his education.
As easy as that decision should have been for him, it is complicated. He is from a poor background and his parents are draining themselves to ensure he's educated. The salary would be of great help to start a fair life and grow with time but it might as well be the end of his academic life. On the other hand, securing a lucrative job later if he turns this one down is uncertain.
While he was narrating his story, I was drawn back to my life about a decade ago when I found myself stuck between getting a job to earn or furthering my education after completing my OND. Life was difficult, and I went in search of a job because furthering my education required money, which I didn't have. Even getting the OND was so rough that I almost regretted embarking on that journey.
Unknown to me, I was taking the easiest path out while ignoring the soft whispers of life. I couldn't get a job easily and that's the whisper. Life was trying to push me back to the right path but I didn't want to go through the struggles I encountered before. I was jobless for close to two years which was the exact time I would have spent in school if I went back doing coaching and other petty jobs to make money for tuition.
Fast forward to 2023, when my friend's uncle abroad reached out to say that he needed someone to handle a small company he was running here. I had a strong feeling he would give me the job, but he was more about the certificate than what I would offer, which is fine. I couldn't secure the job despite the lucrative salary, and that was the first time I regretted taking the easiest path back then.
It might not be the same case for everyone, but most times, ignoring the whisper of life ends with consequences that don't just hurt today but the future as well. Whenever the road ahead isn't clear, there is a need to think deeply and not just take the easiest way out because they usually don't have a long-lasting positive impact.
I mentioned earlier that a lot of things don't happen randomly. Some delays are actually life whispers buying us enough time to reflect on our decisions so that we won't make mistakes with heavy consequences. I shared my journey briefly with the boy and asked him to think properly. He finally made up his mind to work while schooling, a part-time program that could have made a difference for me, too.
While we celebrate victory and we must learn from mistakes too. That one experience has taught me the need to always think deeply about my actions, put not just today but also tomorrow into consideration. We must be very observant about the things life whispers to us. When there is a need to pause and reflect, we shouldn't think twice about it.
Ah, I can relate to so much of this.
When I had just turned 30 I had the opportunity to work in management and leave study. I of course left my study and took a career in management in a field I was most comfortable with.
In the end I was made redundant -- had I stayed on at my University and completed it as I was working then I would still have had a job.
A decision I was cursing myself for many years. I loved that place.
Yet when one door closes another opens. Maybe not now, but definitely in the future. Had I opted for the educational route I wouldn't have the brotherhood, and I wouldn't have all these exciting opportunities ahead of me.
I'd have never braved self-employment.
So don't diss what may seem like the weaker choice. It might have been the stronger one in the end :)
I agree with you Mr. Ray because mistakes can help us grow if we don't dwell in regrets too much. Our mistakes get the best of us when we refuse to get over it but when we do, and it just pushes us to excel in other ways if we are willing.
That's right!
I was always taught for every door that closes a new one will open :)
You offer a lot of wisdom by sharing your own situation. You're right, that the easiest way tends to be the most unsatisfying, or sometimes most troublesome...
I like the way that you describe the whispers, I have experienced it a few times myself. That feeling when you know beforehand of what you should do, even if you don't know it with 100% certainty. But then sometimes we have to endure that period in order to learn.
I try to be grateful for the mistakes, for the pain and suffering, and try not to fall victim to it. Thank you for your post today
Thanks for your thoughtful comment and truly, mistakes are part of what makes a better human. Nobody is perfect so when we make these mistakes, it's important that we pick up the lessons and move on ensuring that we don't make the same mistakes again.
Wow George! That is some wisdom right there. And I really can’t put in words how uncertain life can be but there’s something about reading this that whispered to me. Especially since the embers of pain was burning in my heart not so long ago.
Your experience is now your wisdom. And George, you’re a bright young man. Many more doors will open for you. Thank you for sharing this with us.
Thanks for the compliment, momma. Our experience makes us approach life better than we've done in the past and I strongly believe that the future will always be better... 🤗
🌹🌺
Wow George! That is some wisdom right there. And I really can’t put in words how uncertain life can be but there’s something about reading this that whispered to me. Especially since the embers of pain was burning in my heart not so long ago.
Your experience is now your wisdom. And George, you’re a bright young man. Many more doors will open for you. Thank you for sharing this with us.
Most times when I’m placed between two choices, I usually prefer to settle for the harder option, why? Because nothing good comes easily. Something fleeting can come easily but it goes easily too.
But that doesn’t mean it might not work out other times, but it’s always best to be on a safer side. Working for what you want always works better because God can never lie. It only takes longer time and most times more effort.
I’m glad your experience helped that young make a better decision. It’s good to be the experienced one but we should always strive to learn from other's experiences.
Well written, buddy. 🥰