Opinion
By Gideon Arinze
When I woke up today, some thoughts filled my mind like the River
Nile and I felt it is pertinent that i share them with you all. I do hope and
pray you will find them really helpful. Read with an intent to learn. Read with
the insatiable hankering to impact your generation positively. Read like one
who hungers and thirsts for righteousness. Read with the desire to change your
widely held perception about yourself.
For the past one week or more, I have been reading about men and
women who excelled greatly in their chosen endeavours. It is not as though I
was formally disinterested. But it just took a new dimension. This time, I made
it a routine. You could imagine that.
Why did I suddenly become so enthused about great men that I would
not mind skipping my dinner, lunch and sometimes supper? Would not listen to
calls from friends each time they want us to hang out? Let me save you the
stress. The reason is not far fetched.
Like a journalist who is embarking on an investigative reporting,
I was hell bent on( though not unearthing the excesses in government this time)
discovering what made them all great.
I did not engage in a futile attempt as I discovered that though
most of them grew up with pangs of poverty, lacking the basic necessities of
life- good food, shelter and the like,
they did not give up on the pursuit of
their dreams.
In the media world, one name which stands really tall is Oprah
Winfrey. She is an American media producer. She is highly reputed for her
dexterity in the art of presentation. But it might interest you to know that
she never had a solid background.
Winfrey was born to a teenage single mother. She was a victim of
child molestation. She became pregnant at the age of 14. Her child died after
birth. Her mother worked as a maid just to fend for her and her kid sister- it
is pitiable.
But despite her exposure to the harsh realities of life, Winfrey
never gave up. She had tall dreams which she pursued with every sense of
handwork and grit. Today, she has risen to stardom by dint of handwork. She
discovered what she wanted in life.
Paul Lepage, the 74th Governor of Maine, US, is another figure
whose story would sure evoke tears from your eyes. His childhood experience was
to put mildly, sad. He experienced hardship.
According to Wikipedia, Lepage grew up with 17 siblings in an
abusive home. His father (an alcoholic) did not help matters as he always beat
his children. As a result, Lepage ran away from home when he was just 11 and
was homeless for two years. He lived on the streets. To earn a living, he
washed dishes shined shoes and did a lot of menial jobs.
But guess what, Lepage had tall dreams. He did not allow his
background to dampen his spirit. He struggled, went to school, got involved in
politics and today, he is the number one citizen of Maine.
Let me bring it back home, precisely to the music industry. I once
listened to Franklin Edwards as he told his tales of woe. His family lived in
abject poverty. He and his mother hawked in major streets of Enugu.
Today, his name resonates throughout the country as far as the
gospel music industry is concerned. He has also garnered international acclaim.
He discovered his purpose for living and pursued it without considering his
poor background. He was never willing to give up.
We can go on and on. The list is endless. If these great people
had allowed their background to determine what their future will turn out to
be, they would not have attained such enviable heights. Their names have been
written in the annals of history.
Now listen, the fact that your parents languish in penury is no
determinant to your success. The determining factor is you. The moment you
discover your purpose in life and pursue it with every sense of vigour, you
will do exploits.
Success lies in first discovering your purpose. A man who has yet
to discover his purpose, what Oprah tags “calling”, is likened to one who sets
out on a journey with no definite destination in mind.
Try to discover your calling and work towards achieving every bit
of it. Remember, God wants the best for you. He has destined you to be great.
But you just have to work it out yourself.
Remember, you have something spectacular to offer to the world.
You have a part to play. Inside of you lie great potentials .Strive to Unlock
them if you have not. Do not be a waste to your generation.
Never allow circumstances in life deter you from pursuing you
dreams. There is no limit to what you can achieve. Keep striving, do not get
tired. Do not groan. Always learn to rise each time you fall. You are not
defeated except you fall and refuse to rise again.
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