Your mates are dead
I bet that statement does strike any cord. At best it sounds funny. You know why?
Because the reality of death is strange to you. You have no idea what it feels like to be dead. Such a statement makes no real meaning to you. At least, not now that you are still awake, and strong and striving. Your mind is not thinking in that direction. I mean, you're too busy with so much to ponder on such a comparison.
Your mates are building houses, and buying cars, and making it
Now you can relate with this. This one pierces your heart sharply. Because, you have an idea how it feels: that sharp sense of envy, and pain, and probably bitterness or regret, or self-resentment.
You've seen them, actually – your mates, or perhaps much younger generations living your dream life. You know, cars, designer clothes, expensive gadgets or accessories, and rumors of or actual witnessing of their real estate properties.
How did they do it? How did they get it?
Worse still, you've been eavesdropping, hoping for an update but none. All you can access are online tutorials via WhatsApp with an urgent fee of 2k, and a plethora of coaches that don't even know what they're talking about. It's the craze for success that is driving you crazy.
There you are having restless days and sleepless nights over something that's not totally your fault nor within your capacity. You ain't giving up though. One day you sef go make am (you too, will make it).
Your mates are dead. You should be grateful for life, and be patient with yourself. One thing at a time. At least there is hope.
But, no. Your mates are getting married, having kids, buying lands and building houses. Which one is your own?
What you don't know and cannot relate to can't trouble your mind. It is what you are actually aware of, and can compare or contrast yourself with that troubles your mind.
Your restless days ain't because you don't know what you're doing. But because you have an unrealistic picture of who you want to be — and that person isn't you, but “your mate” wey don make am (who has made it). You don't even realize that you are overworking to catch up with someone else's timeline, and meet up with a false “deadline”.
Your sleepless nights ain't because you're not doing well with your life. But because, you're worried sick that you're late, and everybody’s left you behind.
Society's voice is so loud in your head that you can't even listen to your own voice. Your body is begging you to slow down. Your mind is begging for a break. Your spirit is crushed under the weight of your carnal mindedness.
You are not trying to “make it”. You're trying to avoid societal judgment. You know your story better than anyone else. But you can't take it easy, because “how many heads does your mates have?”
Lack of contentment, inferiority complex and ingratitude are the driving force behind your “passion”. With your misguided sense of purpose, you have lost focus. Many good things are passing you by because you are thinking of your mates. Your mates are not even telling you anything. You are the one thinking them out.
Ho, if you have read this post up till this point, you should be wondering, “what's he trying to say?”
I'm not trying to say anything. Only trying to remind you that your mates are dead too. Some died while trying to execute a project. Some died of work stress. Some died in their sleep. Some died by road accident on their way to “making it”. Some never even had all the favors and opportunities you have right now, but died still.
If you still don't get my point. Congratulations. You probably have made it big in life. Lol.
First photo is generated using Meta Ai
