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This entry is a follow-up, as this space once treated something similar. We talked then about man being man’s main problem. Today, we return to break down or show in what other ways that conclusion plays out daily. In the eyes of this writer, the fundamental challenge is the vehement refusal to heed the evergreen one-liner dropped by Socrates: “Man, know thyself.”
The earth is said to be some 4.54 billion years old. Not sure how we arrived at that. Plus, the palpable uncertainty is worsened by the dispute vis-a-vis how long man or life has been on this planet. Some account puts it at 3.5 billion years while another insists on 4.5 billion years: we move.
It might sound funny, even silly, but, pray: what exactly does man want to do with that piece of information? Man gropes everywhere, poking his nose into things he had better let only the gods worry about. The other day, on Ask The Counsellor, a global all-media Question & Answer non-denominational programme run by Global Ba’aba, Dr. Abel Damina, of Power City International, Uyo, Nigeria, someone had asked when and how God created Himself. Clearly, man still doesn’t understand his limits.
I mean, why does or why should man ask that kind of question? To see how to better plot or quicken the takeover that Tower of Babel failed to achieve? Are such questions not largely responsible for the crazy, ungodly detours in the name of doctrinal persuasion that has scattered religion? At the end, who bears the brunt of this finger-in-the-fire foolishness: God or man?
Just why does it appear impossible for man to know himself and understand his place -in the process? Why become so sad all the way down to depression, sickness and even death just because of ephemeral vanities? Too many people stop living or enjoying the beautiful gift that life is simply because there’s something they had hoped for but yet possess. Why should something you don’t yet have convince you to not enjoy something you already have?
What kind of mumu nonsense is that? How do you chain or imprison your mind because of ambition or expectation? How do you apply the brakes on your joy all because one or two prayer points have purportedly not been answered? Eventually, how would you regain the time lost and the joy wasted?
From the foregoing, you see clearly how man -via avarice and foolishness- consistently wastes himself. Since the beginning, nature not only empowered man to plant and water, nature also told him about these powers. Alas, man has left that position of strength to chase shadows. Man is desperate to assume the place of God -the only One who gives the increase.
1 Corinthians 3:6 might seem as child’s play but it is a powerful message to which men don’t pay sufficient attention. It reminds us all of human limitations. We can plant, we can water, but we cannot make grow. If you don’t gerrit, then forgerrit.
We are mere mortals, and mere mortals we shall remain. When the time comes we shall end as well as go the way of mere mortals. We can acquire all the knowledge and wealth we want, but we cannot determine what the very next second let alone the very next minute or day or week, or month or year shall bring. We can neither stop or pause nor manipulate or control time.
Dear Guy Man, quit killing yourself or feeling less because some things have not yet happened. Truth is: those things may never happen. Instead of always frowning and lamenting because of greed, learn every time how to smile and reach for another target. Realise that just as you can never win all battles, you can never lose all.
Since you can do nothing about how life is wired, enjoy your little wins and laugh at your many defeats. A simple understanding of these basic secrets can free your life of lousy anxieties. Understand that it is good to work hard at school, at home and in the office. Understand also that you can achieve excellence at those three fronts but without commensurate pocket or bank account success.
I cannot come and kill myself. That’s the vow you should personalise for keeps. Every day, after your morning prayers, and every night, before you go to bed, repeat it to yourself: I cannot come and kill myself.
Kill ego before ego kills you. You can neither be everything nor have everything, no matter what you do. Today, you are up; tomorrow, you shall be down. It is not a prayer; it is one reality about which you can do absolutely nothing.
Therefore, shut up and glide along with life rather than sitting back to grumble like a spoilt brat. Talk to your little-man ego per time to allow you go one step at a time. A person who rushes too much almost always ends up in frustration. You cannot and must not be that person.
Eschew competition with family, friends, colleagues, and company: you don’t need it. Acquisitions add nothing to your life other than the feel-good sweet-nothings and empty bragging rights. Imagine the emptiness that foolish people die for. Man ought to wise up.
How can man whose monumental brilliance has conquered the world fall so cheaply to foolishness? All this criminal wealth and power is to achieve what, please? Why use power to bring down instead of to promote? For crying out loud, people are applauded, awarded and promoted for adding value; never for destroying.
Stop destroying or pulling others down, because of anger or envy. It is one history you would never be proud of, when you are down and out as you shall most certainly be -sooner or later. Even worse, it is not the kind of memories or records you bequeath to your children or grandchildren. Except, you want posterity to stamp the epitaph -worst ever father and grandfather- on your tombstone.
Life is truly simple. Only that man prefers to complicate things for himself. Less pride, less selfishness, less bitterness, less jealousy, less stupidity on one hand mixed on the other with more and more and more love can reduce man’s problems by as much as 90%. Time is running out for man to rescue himself and his world just by deploying this talismanic formula of a masterstroke.
God bless Nigeria!
The Jesus of Arsenal
Suddenly, with the addition of Gabriel Fernando de Jesus, Fabio Vieira, Matt Turner, Marquinhos and Oleksandr Zinchenko, the Arteta side are beginning to shore up the confidence of supporters. Surely, it is not too early, with just two games into the season, to dream that we are contenders again. The English Premier League is becoming interesting again.
As a diehard Gunner who has spent forever salivating over an elusive invincible encore, this writer felt quite uncomfortable when new boy, Jesus, went on a goal spree during pre-season. He banged in too many, one was afraid the thing might dry up when it matters most. The worry climaxed penultimate Friday when we won his debut at Crystal Palace but he drew blank.
Thankfully, his home debut last Saturday settled the matter. What a feeling to know that Emirates once again has an on-field saviour who is a monster upfront. He missed a hat-trick just by a hair’s breadth, but that takes nothing away from his prolificity.
Already, trust Nigerians, too many supporters of other clubs are lining up to cross over. Fair-weather fans, all over the place. We are Arsenal, forever: we stand firm; through thick and thin -and fire!
