This is a must-have conversation for everyone. Time is of essence, for all. At some point in life, the human being is going to get desperate. This pressure is not necessarily extraneous: it grows from within.
A man who’s hit 50 or a lady at 40 is going to start worrying about marriage or children. Only a tiny minority won’t (this minority is tinier in the black race). The Nigerian politician who has a year or two to leave office is suddenly fixated on a successor. In this country and elsewhere, such public office holders, where they are powerful enough to do and undo, may try to tinker with the constitution to see if they can move the goalposts.
When time is running out, people get anxious for all sorts of reasons. It could be because of the sudden realisation that posterity shall be mad about them. It could also be because a new fact had recently emerged to contradict a certain decision or policy or action that therefore must be reversed. It could be about a new partnership, obtained or sought, or a new superior reasoning that’s likely to add more value.
A CEO who’s built a solid brand waking up at the nick of time to the reality that none of his biological children is interested in succeeding him could go insane. It’s chilling when such a one recalls great businesses that folded up once their founders died. An alarming majority lose sleep over this dilemma. Yet, the solution as well as the route thereto is strictly personal.
Even in a private matter as abstract as future loneliness, man’s imagination could go haywire. Too many elderly people are known to have died not because of disease or poverty but loneliness. So, everyone would want to make assurance double sure, here and there. There are a thousand and one time-related challenges that man faces.
Every person has to choose how best to go about these Red Seas of life. Everyone cannot be as spiritual or as gentlemanly as Moses who only stretched out his hand and the damn maritime roadblock gave way. Plus, man is not a patient dog. This explains why nine out of 10 men cannot help falling for self-medication.
A man crossing 50 and a woman over 40 become desperate for children such that they could seize other windows to shoot some wild shots. It could be to have biological or adopted children. It’s a stupid person who grumbles when there’s another (not so illegal) way to catch a monkey. It’s a stupider person who criticises others who’re only trying to protect their future.
This is a tough discourse. Yet, someone must lead it. Except you are a Muhammadu Buhari, you are going to be desperate to install a successor once your tenure nears its final bus stop. Nigerians think it self-hate to not be interested in what would happen to your name, your business, your wealth in your absence.
History is replete with men and women like that. Anonymous people, all of them. They came to the world, they saw and if they conquered at all, it was only some spasmodic pyrrhic victory. Their reign, their money and sundry so-called successes failing to transcend their lifetime means all the impact they made was pretty much a flash in the pan!
Too much wealth and too many names and brands are buried today just because pioneers were selfish or stingy or timid, or all. To never be a booby like them, please do everything to ensure your name and work and contributions outlive you. If you don’t have children, please get. If you have, please pay absolute attention to training at least one of them in the way no one can depart from remembering you long after you had gone.
It is just human nature to think and act this way. I mean, it would be sheer waste of energy, resources and time for all that sweat of yours to end in only one little lifetime. Especially, if the venture had huge potentialities or had yet attained fruitage in your time. There’s no law whatsoever that prohibits you from doing everything possible to protect your name and history.
However, if like many, you are long on political, religious and social correctness and would consequently rather die or suffer in silence, you may well wait to act after you get to heaven. No savvy, but I guess that’s about the only place that shall be markedly different from this earth. Hell might be worse. Only in heaven would people mind their business.
But, seriously, in matters of personal honour and which may require what I call positive boldness, it is a useless pastime to care a hang about what people would say. The thing is that people shall always talk. Most gossips and malicious criticisms are driven by envy and personal failings notably their inability to do as you have. No one should ever be hindered by small people; in fact, everyone ought rather to pepper them more.
When you have a target to meet, focus is key. There’s no applause, no prize, now or ever, for how much distraction sways you. You are an actor, please act. They are talkers, please act to feed them with content so they have what to talk about.
Is 2027 your last chance to grab an elective office but because of thinking you don’t stand a dog’s chance, you are contemplating chickening out? Come on here, look at me and listen. There are at least three persons in Nigerian high offices currently, who in the build-up to the 2023 ballot did not look their today; judging by the stiff opposition and what we heard and read. The rise of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Obot Akpabio and Akwa Ibom Gov. Umo Bassey Eno should inspire you easily.
Is time running out for you to start a business? Is your problem fear or procrastination or self-doubt? Listen to me. Do what you must do, today; now.
Live life to the fullest. You should plan to not carry any leftovers or regrets back to your Creator. The crowds over there may react to you with cacophonous boos and hisses. Or, do you want to die twice?
Never be afraid to dare. Those who love you shall support you even if you bit a dog. Those who hate you shall condemn you even if a dog bit you. Therefore, never go around walking on eggshells.
Of course, this is not a call for empty bravado. No, please: never travel that pitiable road. Life abhors such fainthearted aberration. Always stand up to be counted on the right side of courage and history.
If you suffer a deal-breaker, be intentional and total how you respond. If you prefer forgiveness, ensure no relapse would cause you to flog a dead horse in future. If you want out, flee. Nature occasionally allows such golden opportunities for people to come in or go out of their lifelong rides with others.
Whatever though, always remember that time is life. Prayerfully strike while the iron is hot and immediately thereafter, position for outcome and company to favour you. Stop wasting away time (read your life) because of unsurefootedness. You shan’t always be here!
God bless Nigeria!