October 15, (THEWILL) – Day and night; truth and falsehood are factors primarily propelling the world we live in. Truth bears the glorious torch of light while falsehood administers darkness of the night. Our experiences with each of them matter and differ. Both either treat people badly, fairly or awry. Life is not a bed of roses. Before kick-off time in every football game, the referee flips a coin – to validate the choices of the side to play from made by the captains of both teams. This choice is a thin line dividing the rules of the game and the expected outcome. How it translates to either a win or loss is dependent on many factors. We have seen teams tirelessly work hard to win but still lose eventually. Such factors like the environment, human errors and some other external exigencies always come into play in determining whether the winner or loser.
In life, one is either happy or sad; dead or alive. The earth consists of the haves and the haves not. We are ultimately born male or female. In the end, death is a mandatory call to answer by every mortal. There is a division between heaven and hell. Everyone deserves a portion in life and it is served accordingly. One’s sex and family one was born into is not a product of choice. It is a natural, coincidental award of either male or female, a rich or poor dad. Many have opined that one can make the best out of one’s bad situation. A good number of people heed this advice and can confidently look back with great satisfaction for trying. Others were not so lucky even though they gave it their all.
We were all born great and nobody had dreamt of contending with failure over achieving greatness. Both eventually are stacked realities of life. That was why as children; when asked what we would like to be in future, we made lofty choices ranging from doctors, lawyers, engineers etc. Children continue to make such choices even today. However, most of these innocent choices do not actually materialise as thought or planned, especially in our part of the world. In secondary school then, I met those who vowed to read medicine or never but turned out to be microbiologists. Such is life! That does not mean some who desired to be medical doctors could not fulfil their childhood dreams as well.
The reality of this world has carved a portion of intense struggles and endless possibilities alike. While some make it without lifting an ounce of effort, many hands are continually on the plough. However, in conformity with a popular Igbo saying; “the level of effort one puts in is not a guarantee for success in life.” If life is fair and just to all, the labourers would have been counted among the world’s richest on account of their hard work. In recent times, working smart seems to have taken over the essence of hard work. It is frustrating sometimes to see those who began the journey of life much later than one had done urging one to keep on trying.
Before we were born, the world had already given us a name, place and position. Some were born with silver spoons while others feed from the crumbs of the earth. Do not cringe at your situation – it was an option only bequeathed. Change the things you can change. People have succeeded in re-writing the history of their lives. You can turn your misfortune into a fortune. Otherwise, move on with your life. What could one make out of a world full of either only the wealthy or the poor? We would have been residents of a boring and difficult world. The insanity of the rich or poor would have been the order of the day – a world constructed on a dysfunctional balance. The little mutual respect and love existing would have eluded us all.
People are said to have risen from grass to grace but I think grace is a free gift of the racing time and season. When it is ripe, the grand forces of nature align with the hanging fruits of the appointed time. The season turns into that of harvest and a moment of joy. There is also a moment of grief on the horizon. Just as the days are divided into three, so are our graces and realities. Many are born rich in the morning while afternoon and evening are the dawn of others. Take a cue from the size of your fingers and understand the marvels of creation. Every finger has its own distinct function. Even in poverty, many are contented and happy – some happier than those they are jealous of. Nobody has it all. The King who possesses everything has no stone to crack his palm kernels. You cherish continental dishes but those who are used to it prefer local delicacies. Such is life and the world we live in. Except for those very close, many do not understand that like every prostrated lizard; one also has an underlying stomach ache. All days are not the same – just as evident in their different names. Every day has its peculiarities. Sometimes it feels good – other days our endeavours may end in complete disappointment. Hope keeps the living alive. God is our everything.
When people commit crimes, society becomes bitter and pours out blame without taking responsibility. The government relies on the law to take its course without resources to its failures. People are only good at pontificating on the graves of the dead. The law – both cultural and civil is invoked, morality and Christianity are invited to take centre stage. We have simply refused to care or ask why. The world we live in is not our design. It is not our permanent abode either. The master-craft made it unique according to His whims. The hidden functions of creation are a mystery. Who are we to question God? The two sides to life are designed to complement each other. It is only when we see it as such that we can appreciate the beauty of God’s creation. It is normal to find oneself in any part of the divide. It is not your fault!
Sunday Onyemaechi Eze
