I must have spoken a given subject’s language when I use ‘problem’ in my topic line instead of ‘challenge.’ Reason being that I want to play along and empathise with the same person to whom this write-up is dedicated.
The worst-case scenario, the hard tasks, the ugly trends, the awry phenomenon, and those occurrences that are simply demanding the best energy in us are what certain individuals tag as problems. It rather shouldn’t be. There are indeed some English words that I find redundant in the literary nomenclature. Etymologists ought not to have spared those words any space in the lexicon entry. Problems, impossible, believe, all have better and more credible alternatives in whatever contexts their usage may apply. Problems are better termed challenges. Impossible is nothing. Stop believing, start knowing.While I sat waiting for the Baiyun (in Guangzhou China) Immigration Service personnel to attend to me when I went for the official extension of my stay, behold a beautiful Arabian couple and their two beloved children doing their own things around. Pronto, I made friends with the kids as my disposition usually is. One boy and one girl. The boy (about three) was watching games on her mother’s iPhone. While the angelic girl (of almost the same age as her brother) was busy jumping around anyone who cared for her attention, the parents were inundated with the immigration personnel and the struggle with communication because of the language differences barrier. I became their daughter’s fan immediately. Watching the games with the busy boy calling my attention to join him, randomly the girl will peep into the phone screen, scream something, and zoom off. I added fun to the whole routine of play as their parents were preoccupied with the immigration personnel for their visa matters, hardly observing us. What fascinated the girl about my participation in their affairs was that I was able to gesticulate, demonstrate the vehicular games her brother was watching. On top of that, I could make the ‘vuommm’ sound of the cars and trucks in the game. I used both my hands as though I was controlling the steering of the vehicle humming the sound simultaneously. I brought it to life for her. She jumped on me, holding my hands as though I had been her long-time hired caretaker. That was when their mother got concerned and called to caution her. I objected. I signaled to her not to quench the flow. She complied, unquestionably.
This was when this discourse was born. While we got enmeshed in the games involving the vehicular traffic and movements, I began to learn my life lessons. Accidents were happening, and the traffic police officers were issuing warnings and impounding some vehicles, and traffic offences were pardoned and or punished accordingly, etc. Yet my boy maintained a certain equanimity amidst the hullabaloo (uproar). In fact, most of the time, he laughed it all off. Even when I seem to lose attention to attend to what brought me there, he taps me as if to say, ‘Hello, uncle, we have unfinished business here, please pay attention.” I had no choice but to obey like the mighty and gallant horse yet controlled by the reins probably by an infant horse guard. Are we still together?
The lessons…
One thing is certain in this present life. Every living person must face life ‘problems’ at one point or the other, irrespective of their social, economic, religious, and political affiliation and status. Like in a marriage union, it can be early, in the middle, or later in the subject’s lifespan. But one thing is definitely certain – the occurrence. Just as the officiating minister at any funeral occasion used to remind the audience – igwe nile gaje n’uzu,’ that all steel owes the blacksmith a visit – likewise the living habitats of this world must experience the wilderness journey of life someday, somehow, and somewhere. I invite you to take courage and be brave when the doorbell rings and you are ushered into the dark tunnel where no parents, no friends, no secular or spiritual model, no seer, no relatives, and I mean nobody of significance except you, and what Prof Chinua Achebe of blessed memories called your ‘Chi’ to withstand the torrents of tribulation but in a transitory period. Again I say be courageous and prove your mettle, show your good detractors and destroyers the iron heart that you are made of. Tell them, not in words only but in actions.The traffic blunders were being committed but our unperturbed stripling was watching what was supposed to weigh us down or weary another with maximum equanimity. Paying keen attention to the game myself and at the same time minding the cheerful countenance of the boy, anyone could have had mixed feelings. But I settled with the boy self-made composure, confidence, and coolness. Henceforth, please emulate us. When life’s tough days beckon on you, when trials and tribulations open wide their Dracula-style devouring teeth, when the gates of hell and forces of evil conspire to consume you, when it appears like all have deserted and forsaken you – please don’t nurse hatred against anyone, now it’s NOT the time for vendetta (revenge) but muster the dormant power within you and say to yourself, I will not falter or fail, I will not cower or crumble, I shall never murmur as cowards misbehave, or be found mutilated by this onslaught on me. But I will rise to the occasion and grab my destiny in my hands and succeed beyond boundaries.
As I draw close the curtain on this true-life heart-lifting discourse, so shall your hard times come to an end because you acted bravely and objectively Sir and Ma. I can’t wait to embrace you with these tears of joy gushing down my face at the end of your terrifying and turbulent tunnel. Even from the balcony of the heavens are the angelic ones who jointly are urging you not to despair but be determined to make it to your awesome destiny. I wish you godspeed