By Obiotika Wilfred Toochukwu
Learning a new language is most times difficult for some group of people. Experts have said that such people have a ‘thick tongue’. Nevertheless, we will always learn new things if we attune our minds and stick to the rules. Love in its entirety has different languages. Each and every one of us is expected to speak one or more languages of love either to our parents, spouse, siblings, relatives or other human relationships. Now, the language is not strange or whimsical to human nature. It’s the language of our nature, feelings and wishes. The world is full of all types of quarrels, fighting, grumbling, murmuring and complaining. All these are inimical and counterproductive to human soul and yearning.
Caring for others hinges on our attitudes and conduct in various relationships with others, especially those who have known or encountered us in one way or the other. Do we ask ourselves the kind of messages gotten by those who ‘read’ us? There are few spots of light in our world though it’s a pretty high standard. Majority of high profiled individuals, personalities even celebrities find joy in controversy. Every day in our journey, we meet people frazzled by worry due to the persistent rise in the prices of goods and services; and we often fail to transmit a message to them in the love language.
GenZ or Zoomers, who grew up with the advancement in technology often lack the milk of human compassion. They are always glued to techs and electronics that they do not feel any touch. None of us is a whole, independent, self-sufficient, super-capable, all-powerful hotshot. We grow up to value friendships and associates. A handful of friends make us joyful and life becomes a fun. In a 2024 address to 1,200 university graduates, a billionaire businessman said: “These trying times have heightened the need for sharing, caring and giving. My wife and I want to give you two gifts: the first is our gift to you, the second is the gift of giving.” His words were followed by the distribution of two envelopes each to the unexpectant graduates four hundred pounds to keep and four hundred to give away to a person in need.
Troubles of life can make someone discouraged, fearful or even hopeless. Everything about showing love and human kindness is profitable. It can never turn anyone to a debtor. We all can borrow a leaf from Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo who has decided to pay monthly stipend to all youth leaders in the 179 communities of Anambra State. He equally spent a whooping sum of N39 million on the wounded soldiers during the “Operation Udoka” in the South East region of Nigeria. Some eat too much while others are hungry and some even get drunk.
Learning to love others in our lives can be difficult. Sometimes personalities clash, and folks utter thoughtless things. But the joy of succour and support will make us blessed if we adhere to them.
Many well-to-do and prosperous citizens wear their feelings on their sleeves. Becoming crabby, grumpy and complaining when things do not go our way is only a form of throwing temper tantrums. Supercilious speeches or putting on religious garb tone could be a means to turn people off. While we talk about caring for others, the immoral, greedy or a swindler may count themselves off. No, it’s a general call to duty. A lot of people have known pain and we are convinced that no pain is a waste. Heart surgery may be what some of us need in order to speak the language of love. Our circumstances will change; our conditions will improve if only we can speak the language of love. It is said that the weight of a person’s pocket does not determine the love in the person’s heart. All the masterpieces of art contain both light and shadow. A happy life is one filled not only with sunshine, but one which uses both light and shadow to produce beauty. We need virile, dynamic, aggressive members in each community who are ethical, honest, gracious, bold, strong and devoted to the well-being of each and every one. The greatest musicians, as a rule, are those who know how to bring song out of sadness.
• Obiotika Wilfred Toochukwu writes from Nkono-Ekwulobia, Anambra State.