I just looked at him, contemplating whether I should share my thoughts with him, as I was certain he was unaware. He seemed so oblivious to the fact that he was focussing more on tending to his wounds than on mastering his craft.
He makes friends with the rich kids in the neighbourhood, emulating their spending habits and lifestyle. He forgets his roots, where he comes from, and why he came to this part of the town.
After sharing my thoughts with him, I encouraged him to practice patience, resilience, wisdom, and diligence. Because pain and suffering do not guarantee success, One can endure a lifetime of suffering without attaining the freedom he believes he deserves. What determines a person's success are their experiences, habits, knowledge, and connections.
I don't want this to come across as a motivational post, because it's not. I'm simply highlighting the unrealistic expectations my society holds regarding success and wealth.
We all aspire to be affluent, but 40% of us lack a wealthy mindset. Many believe that enduring more suffering entitles them to greater success than others.
However, the reality is that only those who can apply what they've learnt, their experiences, and their connections will truly succeed. Instead of fixating on the destination, we should focus on the journey itself.
Another unrealistic expectation I've noticed is the hope for Nigeria to return to its former state.
Nigeria is currently undergoing development. Failing to recognise this and adapt will lead to serious challenges in the future.
The country is evolving rapidly, and things won't revert to how they were before.
Many struggle to acknowledge this change. Some may recognise it but feel lost on how to proceed, while others resist the changes totally.
For instance, my neighbour, a food vendor, shut her shop during the cashless policy period due to her aversion to electronic transfers and ATMs, which were widely used, especially by students. Cash was very scarce.
Now, there's another lady across from us who sells provisions. She went to the bank and got herself a POS machine. She even expanded her business by venturing into selling foodstuffs as well (since my neighbour closed down hers).
After the cashless policy, people continued paying with their ATMs rather than cash. That lady is now running a thriving business, whereas my neighbour is hopeful for a return to normalcy.
The question is, would it ever happen?
If I were to tally the unrealistic expectations I've seen, this post would stretch into a lengthy read. I have seen people who expect that others should know their struggles without any communication. They feel that their challenges should be understood without uttering a word.
Then there are the perfectionists; they want towed a flawless wife or husband, lead an impeccable life, and perhaps die flawlessly too. But since this is so unrealistic in life, they end up being overly stressed and disillusioned over minor errors.
As humans, we need to be realistic in our expectations; this would help us adapt to changes and reduce disappointment and frustration. It will give us inner peace, satisfaction, and happiness.
Post is in response to #Augustinleo daily prompt day 21: Unrealistic expectations around you.
I invite you to check out the prompt and share your thoughts on any topic of your choice.
Image 1 & 2 belongs to @protokkol. Others is mine.