Life's Investments

Read more »

Integrity; Nothing Else Matters

While in the bus this morning, i started a conversation with the young lady sitting beside me. "What's your idea of integrity?" i asked. To my surprise, she  could not think of anything meaningful, as she clearly stated. Luckily for me, an elderly man who was in the bus came to my rescue, little did i know that i was going to spark some serious argument. 

The elderly man clearly said that "integrity entails virtue, the way people see you, the way you live your life. It's necessary to have integrity because God wants righteous people in his kingdom and you can only be righteous by living based on the standards set by God. You need to have God to be virtuous"

He indeed made some salient points but i went on to ask him, "How about those who are not necessarily religious. Do you mean they cannot have integrity no matter what they do or how they live their lives? 

Only then did another young man speak up "We all worship the same God; Muslims, Christians, Traditionalists, Buddhists and the likes. I used to be a Christian but i have changed from that religion. I study the bible, koran, grail, and all the holy books, some of which were written even before the bible. For me, the integrity of a man should be rated on his good deeds and way of life without trying to base it on religion at all"

They both argued about a lot of things, things that could get another man who isn't firmly rooted to maybe loose his own integrity, depending on what such a fellow upholds. This went on and on until the elderly man got to his bus stop first, then i got to mine. The young unbelieving guy said something which got me thinking, but that's a topic for another day.

Wikipedia says that "integrity is the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness. It is generally a personal choice to uphold oneself to consistent moral and ethical standards"

That is indeed the perfect definition. As most (if not all) of us know, three of our legislators; Ikon, Gbillah and Gogolo have been accused of sexual misconduct. Most Nigerians have silently judged them already in their hearts, simply because Nigeria already has such tendencies. Nigeria had long lost most (if not all) of her integrity. 

Negative characteristics like corruption, fraud and drugdealing, are attributed to this Country due to things which had taken place, not necessarily recently, but in the past. This does not mean that there are no citizens of this country who have integrity, it only shows that some of us have compromised and are still compromising. In the legislators case, they may be innocent (we'll know if there's an evidence) but it's difficult to assume they weren't because these tendencies are named among Nigerians.

Let's look at individuals now and not the whole country. Certain people actually think they can live as they please just because they want to have fun, live big, gain fame and wealth, receive worship and recognition everywhere, etc. 

I know you feel it's someday going to be termed your past! Think again, how will you have integrity when all anyone can think of at the sight of you is the liar, cheat, abusive person, thief, deceitful, promiscuous, careless, unserious, etc.

We make up Nigeria; you and me. If we have integrity and are able to affect other people who meet us, they will also do same and the cycle will continue. I see that as progress, even if we do not affect the whole country, we'd be sure to affect a section of people. 

Who are you when no one is watching? Are you doing what is right even when it's difficult? Are you sincere, just and reliable? Look within you. Is the answer no? Then, you must begin to work on your values afresh. 

-Do what's right

-Speak the truth always

-Learn to keep promises

-Apologise whenever you're wrong and

-Yes, emulate Christ

I'll leave you with this, "If you have integrity, nothing else matters and if you don't have integrity, nothing else matters" - Alan K Simpson

The Uncertain Favourite

A tap on the back wakes 18 year old, Sally. Come and fix my tea, she hears. Oooooooh! She tosses lazily and goes back to sleep. A slap on her back immediately brings her back to consciousness and she jumps off the bed. No one tells her what she's expected to do, as the slap re-echoes the previous command which had been issued.

She frowns and stomps her feet repeatedly, murmuring and grumbling as she puts water on the gas cooker, then spreads some butter on 2 slices of bread and puts in a plate. "Isn't it ready yet, what is taking you so long?" comes daddy's voice again. She pours the hot water into daddy's tea cup and prepares tea for him. She rushes out to the sitting room with the tray of food and serves him.

"Thank you my sweet girl. Sit and type a text for me," daddy says. She gently takes a seat beside her dad and sends some texts to his friends. The house is very quiet as everyone else has gone to sleep. "How did today go?" daddy asks. They both talk about all that took place in their lives that day, laughing and sympathizing with each other where necessary. It's clear that they're great friends. "Excuse me dad! Let me put water on fire for your bath," she springs up like a little girl (which she still is to daddy) and rushes to the kitchen.

It's dawn already, a new day has come. Sally knocks on daddy's door and is let in. "Good morning Daddy. Please, i need the 5,000 naira i told you of last week. I'm about to leave for school." Daddy shrugs and sighs "I don't have that money at the moment. Please, give it time and i'll make sure i give it to you. You know the situation of things at work. Don't worry about anything, i still have you in mind," he says. Meanwhile, the previous week, Samantha (Sally's sister) had returned to school despite daddy's pleas that he had no money. She pestered and disturbed daddy till he had no other choice but give her as much money as she needed. To crown it all, she had called home about six days after to request for more money which was given to her as well. "So, why is my case different?" Sally wondered.

Like Sally, there's this special child in every home, every family. They possess great qualities; humble, caring, understanding, obedient, tolerant, courageous, prudent, diligent, a source of comfort, great listeners and companions, confidants, responsible, mature, able to make sacrifices, compassionate and so much more. These are their positive values, but that doesn't make them perfect because they have their flaws as individuals. For Sally, it's the complaints and murmurs which is hidden from her daddy.

They are at the receiving end of both negative and positive outcomes as they are constantly reminded that there's no favourite and mummy and daddy loves everyone equally, until they start being sidelined simply because they can 'understand' and are made to run more errands just because they are trusted to deliver appropriately. These favourites know so much about their parents because they discuss and spend more time together than any other child. The spectacular thing about these special children is that they're sometimes taken for granted by these people who appreciate them so much. Their parents appreciate them to a fault mostly because they know how to suffer in silence due to the compassion they feel. They are used to watching out for their siblings, trying to create a level ground for everyone to operate, stay happy and live peacefully, despite the inconveniences on their part. Daddy and Mummy miss them so much whenever they aren't home and can't help but confess that they are greatly missed and should come home whenever there's the slightest opportunity.

Do you fit into this category? Does this article remind you of yourself? Then do not despair or change from who you are. They're your family no matter what and they love you, even though you think differently sometimes. You bring so much strength and comfort to your parents and family. Like it or not, they draw strength from your presence. You never can tell the impact you have on them. Put in so much to please them and discard of the complaints and murmurs. Rather, do everything joyfully as unto the LORD. You would feel a certain joy to know that they appreciate your efforts and need you.

P.S. Cheers to all ye special and uncertain favourites out there!!! You're great!!!

Read more »

Hope... A Necessity

Some days ago, children were celebrated all over Nigeria. I vividly remember being a child, in the true sense of the word. I remember a lot of things that happened when I was as little as 3, to the
bewilderment of my parents but some things just couldn't be forgotten. The childhood experience was one i cherished greatly.
Looking back, I've wished for those times over and over, but they

Read more »

Comfort Over Anything

Whenever  you come across the word “fashion”, what readily comes to mind other than appearance? First and foremost, your mind immediately creates images of that very colourful dress, blouse, skirt, shoes, bags to match, belts, wristwatches, earrings, cufflinks, as well as the hairstyle which would definitely give one that perfect finish.  From another perspective, fashion entails the prevailing styles and newest creations of designers in clothing, foot wears, accessories, make up, and the likes.
Read more »