No birthday wish is ever complete without the "long life and prosperity wish". I mean, who doesn't like a long life full of all the goodies life has to offer? Long life is always considered a blessing. It is most people's dream to live to see their children's children up to the third and maybe fourth generation if possible. But I just realized that it is no longer how long but how well.
According to WHO , in 2016, the probability of people dying in Nigeria between ages 15 and 60 years is 357/325 for males and females respectively per 1000 population. This is an average statistics- it is definitely higher.
I haven't blogged in a while. It has been a period of constant meditation and reflection. I just keep telling myself reassuringly that there has surely got to be more to life than eat, drink and be merry, buy cars, build houses, raise children and die. The truth is not everyone will build houses, marry, own a car, or even live long enough to see beyond the first generation... so there's definitely got to be more!
I understand that if you are not focused in life, life will give you a focus. In many cases, since life is abstract, it directs us through the society, family, and even friends. Before you know it, everyone has an agenda for you- where to work, where to school, when and who to marry, what job is best for you etc.. and then you die, and the vicious cycle continues. So I have taken the couple of weeks out to think and meditate on the real meaning of life and by implication redefined my definition of success in life. I had to ask and answer these questions:
- What is life to me?
- What will I have to achieve to get to the level where I think and regard myself as a success- Is it when I have all the degrees, or when I marry, or probably when I get to the zenith of my career?
Life is too short to not do what you really love to do. I earnestly feel sorry for people who discover themselves late or never even discover their purpose and in the interim do what people want them to do...living their lives for others.
Life is too short to waste your talent gift or calling. Whatever you call it, everybody is born with that special something. Don't live life never discovering it.
Life is already too short to bear grudges. I hear people pride themselves in making sure they settle all grudges, especially couples, just before the sun goes down, but the thing is not everyone is guaranteed a sunset experience. Let it go.
Life is too short to not consider everyday a gift and be a gift to somebody. The best investment in life is to invest in the life of somebody -spouse, friends, strangers, etc his is because at the end of it all, like when the chips are literally down, all we are boils down to memories- a legacy- who did you bless? whose life did you change? what impact did you make? what were your last words, acts, or omissions to people?... what was life to you?
In this short life of mine, I have seen he who lived a long life and was considered a burden to himself, his family and the society at large. In this same life i have known he who died at such a young age yet impacted his generation, the generation before and those after, he who drew more crowd in death than in life, causing people to be reconciled to their maker even without saying a word. For me and you, What's it gonna be?
The questions for today are: what gives your life a meaning? what is your definition of success? what would you want to be remembered for? If today was your last, what would you do differently?
Today's post is more life centered than marriage inclined. I just thought to share a little food for thought.
#itsnolongerhowlong
#lifeishort
#singleormarriedliveright
Inspired by and Dedicated to Kelechi Umelo (Sir K) for a life well spent...
