When life wants to teach you, it doesn't need to ask for your permission. It comes in and snatches whatever it deems fit from you even if it leaves you naked to the world. That's life. Harsh, cruel, and filled with experiences.
Being in a country like mine, hustling is the first thing that rings into our minds and responsibilities and is followed by the need to fill the belly. A certified hustler doesn't worry about new trends or going for a check-up in the hospital. I believe anything that can make a healthy Nigerian come out of a hospital building means that he or she may have either gone to see a family member or gone to donate blood for money. It is that simple to foresee.
I am very sure I have never gone to the hospital to check my health status before. Sickness is the only thing that pushes me there and I know it is bad, but seeing the economic status of the country, and also the quote that says; "What you know won't kill you," has always been the motive behind not going for a check up.
However, life happens, and the unexpected takes place. The first time I got sick, which was the first month of the year January, was scary. I never expected to get so sick like that. It was a terrible moment for me, and I lost count of the drugs, injections, and drip (oral rehydration therapy) that filled my body. But, it didn't end there, it is like I get a one week break to get to heal from the sickness but I never do because another one comes in...and another...and another that it becomes so alarming.
The first half of this year, in addition to a few months, wasn't the best for me physically, emotionally, spiritually, and financially. I was frustrated by it all. But life taught me hard. From then on, I made sure to go for a check-up even when I became better. And, whenever I feel uncomfortable, health wise, the first thought that comes into my mind is check up instead of resting it out thinking it is stress.
Another lesson learned in life happened to me years ago. Sometimes, in 2018, when I worked in a media company. A colleague of mine had breast cancer, and it was urgent that she get a solution since it was in its first stage, so she asked me for money, which I willingly gave to her.
I never knew she asked others at work too but they were scared to give such an amount to her and because she had asked me not to tell anyone she came to meet me, I didn't say a word until after the surgery. Whenever I call her, she never picks up but picks up calls from others. It was then that it dawned on me that she didn't want to pay back. It was painful because I needed the money for something, and that was how I lost the thing.
Life taught me the hard way, but that doesn't mean I stopped borrowing people money . I still do, but It is just that I prefer giving them what I know won't hurt me if they don't return it.
And, also, seeing how December is always the month where people use some sort of Juju to collect money from people, it is easy to receive calls from any of your relatives. It once happened to my cousin, and it was when she gave out almost all she had that it dawned on her that she had been scammed. This is why when I get an urgent money call from anyone, the person has to calmly explain why they need the money, and I'll see if I can help. After all, it is not like I am picking the money from a tree, I am just a human. A day to day hustling human being.
This is my response to HiveGhana Community Contest
Still yours truly,
Balikis.
Thanks for reading.
Peace be unto those who crave it and more to those who chase it away.