A queue as we all know, is a line of people who are waiting for something. Queues are essential for order and fair play. It is not uncommon to see queues in banking halls and ATM withdrawal points, or to see vehicles queuing for petrol at a fuel station or a queue for food at an event but I guess for most people in Nigeria, those are the only places the concept of queue works.
I have a friend who will join a queue only if there are no other options. I used to think he was just an impatient being until I learnt a few lessons from an experience he shared. Few years back, he had gone to an ATM withdrawal point and saw a queue. There was another machine but everyone queued behind just one, which implied the other wasn't working. My friend ditched the queue and proceeded to the solitary machine. You can imagine the sighs, hisses and side talks from the others in line who would feel "who does this one even things he is sef? We that are on the line waiting are we fools?". One woman however was bold enough to talk to his hearing. "Children of these days lack patience. Where you dey even rush go? If that machine dey work, you think say we for come stand for this line?" He defied the distractions and tried the solitary machine and voila! It paid. He got his cash and as he made to leave, people scampered from the other line to form a queue at second machine.
He said he was quite in a hurry that day, as he was meant to travel from Uyo to Calabar and the time was past 6.00pm already. To the others queuing, he must have been impatient but they had no idea about his journey. Most of them lived 10-15 minutes distance from the bank's vicinity but he was embarking on a 90 minute journey and needed to act differently if he was going to arrive his destination in time.
You may join the queue at the bank, you may join the queue at the fuel station but in life, DON'T join the queue. My lessons;
People do not need permission to talk about you, why do you think you need their permission to BE? People will not understand your journey (dreams, vision and purpose), don't spend so much time trying to explain to them just so you can get their validation, ditch the queue and just realise your dreams. They will catch up with you later, singing your praises and maybe even following your path.
Not joining the queue means breaking the stereotypes and limitations that have been set to hold you bound. They said you couldn't? Go ahead and show them you can!
Not joining the queue means taking initiative. Take the Lead. You do not have to join the multitude to wait in line for when life will turn around to favour you. You may not have it all put together, it may not necessarily work the first time but don't give up, keep trying.
Not joining the queue means KNOWing your journey. Every man's journey is distinct from the other. If you knew your journey, probably you'd not be waiting. The fact that others are waiting doesn't mean you should wait. If you've waited and another took the initiative, don't beef, instead be challenged to try.
Did this series of MEMOIRS add value to you? I'd love to know your thoughts in the comment section. Please do well to reteem for others to read. Thanks
