A BLESSING IN DISGUISE

-


Years ago when I was in JSS 3, my principal then who used to be my Mathematics teacher gave us (JSS 3 students) a test and we all got zero.
.
He was angry and he decided to flog us all.
.
Firstly, he asked us to go and kneel in the school field under the scorching sun, which we did.
.
A few minutes later, he came with his cane.
.
Immediately we saw him advancing towards us, Some of us changed position from the front to the back.
.
And so he started to flog.
.
You know that kind of flogging where you wish you didn't come to school for that day, that was what I was seeing.
.
I saw bigger boys who don't cry whenever they were flogged crying.
.
And so I told myself Praiz, you're in a pot of hot egusi soup which will burn you without pity.
.
The truth was I hated being flogged with passion.
.
My turn came and I was flogged.
.
 What do you want to know ehnn? Don't ask me if I cried or not?
.
(Let me just tell you, two days after I was still having hangover induced by the flogging)
.
There and then, I made a resolution to study mathematics well so as not to receive this kind of punishment again.
.
From that day, I'd wake up in the midnight and carry my Maths textbook and solve for hours.
.
Sometimes, I'd study till my parents would come and literally drag me to go and sleep.
.
Whenever I encountered a problem, I'll take it to my seniors in school or my street Uncle and Aunty.
 
My effort didn't pay off immediately but I knew I was getting better (All through my JSS 1 - 3, I was an average student).

I applied this method to all my subjects.

At the end of the first term examination, I took the first position in my new class (SS1).
.
Not just that, the first position throughout my SSS days was my abode.
.
.
The story above illustrates that the problems/difficulties we encounter can be our stepping stone to greatness. In other words, the problems/difficulties we encounter is usually A Blessing In Disguise.
.
You know sometimes, we live our lives nonchalantly until life (the great principal) comes to flog us for our complacent attitude towards failing our test.
.
A lot of us don't change course until we're pressurized.
.
The truth is that most people who discovered who they are were pressurized by some events (problems) packaged and presented to them by life.
.
Problems are like the power button of any gadget. If turned on, the potentials of the gadget will be exhibited.
.
It's only when your TV is turned on, you get to know its capability.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

LIFE IS A PROCESS

-
Image
The term "process" according to Merriam Webster means "a series of actions that produce something or that lead to a particular result". Let me explain this using this illustration: When a child is born, after a while the child learns to crawl, the next - child tries to stand up (a lot of times the child falls down and sometimes gets his/her self injured), and then the baby learns to walk. All these actions later sum up into making that child a better adult. The question now is what happens if the child decides to skip one of these important actions? The truth still remains that you don't skip processes and get a better outcome. You can't eat your cake and still have it - it's impossible. The process of life comes with goodies and badies (either of the two that comes your way is meant to build and mould you into the celebrity you'll become). That heartbreak, setback, betrayal, denial ... are all part of the process that will const...
Read more

BELIEVE IN YOURSELF

-
Image
Years back when I was in SS1, everyone around me described JAMB as a tough exam. You have to read and read, you must be exceptionally intelligent, you must be this and that ... I held on to this fear and by the time I was in SS3, most of my classmates registered themselves for JAMB but I refused to do the same. Instead, I told my dad I'll like to school in the Benin Republic (I had friends schooling there) and he kind of agreed. I was happy (I felt I have conquered my enemy - JAMB). A few weeks later, my dad called me and told me a story (one of those stories that touch the heart). He said for some reasons best known to him I'll not go to study in Benin. That day, you need to see me, I cried my heart out. That year passed, the following year I reluctantly registered for JAMB. I enrolled for an evening JAMB class where I was tutored. I became friends with the Secretary. She's so fond of me (her Boyfriend and I have the same names and so she called me 'namesake...
Read more

ADVANCING AGAINST ALL ODDS

-
Image
  Challenges are bound to happen when it happens, our response to it determines what we get from it - we either become courageous/stronger or timid/weaker. If you're scripturally inclined read: Matthew 20:29-34; Here we saw two blind men who were determined to get a breakthrough. They tried and failed but they were consistent and they never allowed the crowd to silence them. They continued until they got what they wanted. This is to say people will always talk about you either you do good or not. I mean if people still talk about the dead, be sure they will talk about you. They talking about you ain't the problem, the problem begins when you allow their palaver to get to you. It's said that whatever you give attention gives you direction. If you give the crowd attention, they will determine what will become of you. You can be whatever you want to be, just believe in yourself, and work towards achieving your aim. The sky will be your starting point. Don't allow that God-...
Read more