Hey people, how are things with you all? Well things are cool with velli, only say things no too easy sha… but we thank God for every. Well, as the Bakassi controversy final dies down, and Cameroon finally carries the day, life must go on… Well, I sympathise with the people from Bakassi, and hope for the best as they choose either to remain Nigerians or change to Cameroonians.
Well, today was very bad for me because I couldn’t stop thinking of a friend of mine whose birthday was today….being the 26th August, he died 3 years ago in a plane crash along with 114 passengers on board that ill fated aircraft. He was such a gentleman, I have never seen anyone so honest, no even my humble self, Jide (not real name) was such a sweet heart and everyone loved him. He was older than me with like 5 years but we related like brothers or peers, if I would use that word. He was my best friend and we loved each other like the biblical David and Jonathan. I gained a lot from him… good advice, support, love and genuine friendship… these are things you don’t find easily nowadays...because good friends are a rare commodity these days. We argued sometimes about issues and even if it was my fault, he would still be the one to call and say… hey bro, why you dey fuck up? Shei… you still dey vex? Would you like to go out for a drink? Meet me at Ibiza (his usual joint) this evening…ok? He just carried me along like a brother and I loved him dearly. He just got married to his long time girlfriend… a beautiful lady, and he was going to become a father in a few months… he was so excited, wanted a baby boy, I teased him to expect a baby girl. It was as if he had everything going well for him… his career was blossoming… he was financially ok…just bought a new house… he had a happy home, what else can a nigga ask for?
He had a meeting in Lagos, so flew down on a Monday and was meant to come back on Wednesday. When they got to Lagos, he gave me a shout on phone and we chatted for a while thanking God for journey mercies (cos you need a lot of it when you are traveling by air… in Naija), he told me to please keep an eye on his wife since she was all alone with the housemaid, just to keep her company later in the day. I went there after work and spent sometime with her , he even called his wife while I was still there and she let me speak to him on phone again…I was a part of that family. He used to tease me that when I finally decide to settle down, that our wives and kids would all be hanging out, that one of his children should marry one of mine…he always told me of the importance of family, that it was never too early to settle down and start a family. He said he would be coming back on Wednesday; I teased him that we couldn’t wait to have him back, that I don’t want any Lagos girl to “steal” him, he laughed so hard and the wife just smiled.
On that fateful day, he boarded that plane like everybody else, with hopes, dreams and aspirations, looking forward to seeing his pregnant wife, his friends… to get back to work after accomplishing the mission for which he was sent, and that was the last we heard of him. They took off and the plane crash-landed in a swamp just 15 minutes after take off, 115 passengers and crew members all lost their lives in that unfortunate plane crash.
Nobody knows when the end will come, but it sure will… anytime I get on a plane, I ask my self… many people got on a plane just like am doing right now, and that was their last, many people traveled by bus… and they never came back, many people left their homes this morning, kissing their wives goodbye, promising to buy gifts or biscuits for their children on their way back from work in the evening, and that was the last time they ever saw their family... some have died in their sleep.
Just a second… (to get a hanky)… these tears…. should stop rolling…. down my cheeks… (Damn! I can barely see what am typing)
Anytime am about to do something risky, a lot of shit goes through my mind, not because am afraid, but because am just trying to be real, today could be the last… yes… if not for me… for someone else… cos people die everyday… you are reading this because by His grace, its not you yet…. And I am still writing this because by His grace… am still here. Just make sure you put things in order at all times no matter what… if you owe… try to pay up, if you are cheating on your wife… please stop for your own good. If you are stealing from your boss… he might not be seeing you now, but God is watching you… please stop. If you have not been honest in your dealings, all in the bid to make money… stop. If you have hurt someone in the past… kindly go and make up with that person if possible, be at peace with all men… if you have not put your ways right with God, that is even the most important of all… do it right now when you still can …put your house and life in order… cos like the Bible says “only the living can praise the Lord”. I want you to live your life knowing that the Master can call you up at anytime that pleases Him, even while you are asleep, no one can question Him.
I lost 2 friends in an inferno here in Abuja just 3 months ago; some of you read it in the papers. PHCN (a.k.a NEPA) took the electricity as usual, so they told their security guard to switch on the generator, because they wanted watch Barak Obama’s campaign. Their mum had traveled (a day before) to inspect their new estate at Ile-Ife, which was near completion. Their Father went for a party of good friend who had just turn 60, told them he was coming back late. After the Obama speech, they went to bed. They had slept upstairs, in different rooms that night leaving their friends to sleep in the spare rooms downstairs.
When NEPA brought back the electricity, they were fast asleep, the security guard, switched off the generator and went to his room, along the line, there was power surge because the electricity was fluctuating, above the normal voltage, and the wires started melting, the next thing they knew was that the whole house was on fire, especially the upper part of the house. These two brothers from the same parents died of suffocation from the thick smoke, before the fire service operatives could get there, it was already too late. They were the only sons of their parents…. Ade was 25 and Yinka was 27, both were very successful in their chosen endeavors… the pride of their parents, wonderful friends… up till this moment, the parents have not gotten over the shock of their death. So, what are we talking about? They died in their own house. Yinka was meant to go back to school the next day.
Life is like a bus carrying us all on a jolly ride through the journey of time, some times the journey is smooth and sometimes its rough but whenever it gets to a bus stop, it stops for people to get in (given birth to) and also to get off (die), and the ride continues… all am saying is… how do you know that the next bus stop is not your last?
I read of the death of ace actor/comedian Bernie Mac in the newspapers….. I was so sad, I was one of his fans…that dude was so funny and I loved his movies… he was exceptional in the Ocean’s series (11, 12 and 13), but I loved him more in “5 kings of comedy”, who knows the next person that will be called to the upper room? Could be you … could be me.
Today is his birthday (I mean my friend Jide), and I just thought I should share this with you all. Happy Birthday my Friend, Happy Birthday Amigo. Still can’t find the words to describe how much I miss you. Your wife is doing fine… and your son looks so much like you…very handsome, Am still not married though, ha ha ha (that na tori for another day)…, but I believe you are in a better place… I hope to see you someday… one sweet day. Adieu.
This goes out to all those who have lost their loved ones, husband, wife, children, brother, sister…or a good friend. It’s such a painful experience… but God knows the best. As children of God, situations like this would can dampen our faith, but be encouraged in your spirit (Philippians 1:20-25) …because we know that they have gone to be with Him…and His plans for us are for our own good, for us to get to an expected end(Jeremiah 29:11), (Romans 8:28).
We shall all meet again on that day… that sweet day, till then… I remain Velli.
Thursday 28 August 2008
Thursday 7 August 2008
UNDER-RATED UNDERDOG
Wud up people? It’s still your boy- velli… how are y’all doing? Still here, doing what I do … staying alive. A lot’s been happening lately, but in all things, we give thanks to God. I have not been so regular in my writing these days… really sorry about that.
There is a popular saying that says that “pride goes before a fall”… I mean before a great fall… came across it here and there and it kinda caught my attention. I wonder what will give another man like myself the right to feel better or superior to my humble self for any reason under the earth. Does he not breathe the same air… like me? Does he not depend on food to survive… like me? Does he not go to bed… not knowing what tomorrow might bring? Does he not live… not knowing when the end might come… just like me? Does he not go to the toilet… and do justice (shit) when nature calls… just like me? What will make you feel so big, so proud and so arrogant? Is it the little change you have stashed in some account?
I went to submit some forms at the Ministry of Works some days back, after searching for about 30 minutes, I finally found the office, the receptionist kept me waiting for almost 2 hours before allowing me to see the man… so this man has been in the office all this time and didn’t feel like seeing anybody? A lot of things went thru my small mind while waiting…. Well, knocked and walked in, I saw a young man seated, face down, busy with a celebrity gossip magazine, I walked to his table and greeted politely, he raised his face looked at me and just continued doing what he was doing… (doing justice to that magazine) I greeted again assuming he did not hear the first greeting…. But he didn’t even respond… he was very busy indeed… I just stood there… for about 30 minutes…. Then finally he said…Can I help you?
So because God was merciful to you to put you in a position of authority, now you want play God? (Just a thought). I submitted the forms… and left his office feeling cool, as usual. What can I do... but to do what I came to do. I was only surprised that at this age and time, people can still be this ignorant; I don’t envy them at all. (Proverbs 3:27-32)
When people start looking down on fellow human beings, their downfall is near. The only thing higher than man is God, not even the angels, so why should a fellow man look down on you because he is well placed or richer or stronger than you.
The Super Eagles (Nigerian National Football Team) used to look down on other teams from smaller countries until when we learnt the bitter way, Gabon beat us by a lone goal to hinder us from going to the world cup some years back…. It was so painful. We also did the same with Angola, and we paid direly by missing the Germany 2006 world cup, serves us right. In the spirit of competition, if you win, thank God for giving you the grace, don’t feel like some big shot, with your shoulders touching the sky… it’s by God’s grace.(Proverbs 3:5-7) in my short life, I have seen champions defeated on the day of reckoning simply because they under estimated their opponents, I have seen very intelligent students fail exams, not because they did not study hard or knew the right answers, it was simply over-confidence. “I am better than everyone else, I can beat you with my eyes closed, I am the best there is, I can beat you silly, even on a bad day”… Who told you that?
Brazil underrated the Nigerian Olympic team at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996, they still can’t say what happened to them, but their fall in that competition would best be described as “humpty-dumpty”, as written in the history books.
Never under estimate the power of God in any situation, don’t get carried away by your achievements and success…”If not for me, this would have happened, if not for my expertise…that would have happened, if not for my being clever and smart…. We would have lost that deal….” Who the hell are you? .... What can you do on your own?
Some people can’t just say two sentences without giving themselves all the glory and honour that should be given to God. “I did this at age 17… I achieved that at age 22… I made my millions at before age 25… if not for my hard work and determination…I won’t be where I am today…bla bla bla.”
Mike Tyson under estimated James Buster Douglas before their boxing bout in Japan in the early nineties, and that was the beginning of his fall; he never recovered from that defeat…. He was never the same again… let’s just say, that was the last he saw of the world boxing title.
If you think you are a giant like Goliath, then wait for the underrated underdog called David to put you in your right place, it will shock you. If someone had told Goliath not to go to that war, he would probably call you insane and cut off your head for insulting him…because the pride, arrogance and over-confidence wouldn’t let him listen to you. Some people are so full of themselves that there is hardly any space for the spirit of God to come into their lives, yet they call themselves Christians… am so sorry for them because they are just fooling themselves. The greatest virtue of Christ was humility… that guy was humble to a fault… and I love him for that… I wish I could be that humble, it’s not easy but I am still trying. The only way to be lifted up is to be down to earth, the way up the ladder of life is down, the way to heaven is six feet underground, (ha ha ha… just joking).
My father once told me that “sometimes a man has to be big enough to see how small he is”. Even after David was anointed the King of Israel, he was humble enough to still flee from Saul, respect him and had no hand in his death.
Some people just can’t help oppressing people around them in order to stay relevant, to flex some muscles to scare their subordinates. I have heard of women going as far as brutalizing their housemaids, just to show who is the boss in the house, what for? In some homes, when the children hear daddy’s car coming, they scamper for safety like rats, why? Which is why when they go to homes where there is true love of God, where parents care, they refuse to go home. Some men are natural monsters… they specialize in killing the joy of people around them, their wives, children, workers in the office, any where they go…. Listen Goliath, repent before you meet a David that will put you in your right place and that’s gonna be shameful. Why must your workers flee like mice when they see you coming around?
Lest I forget, when Peter gave in to hardship and decided to go back to his fishing business after working for 3 years with Christ, he convinced other disciples to go with him…. This was after they witnessed all the miracles, ate with the master, watched him die and resurrect. Listen, am not preaching, but you and I know that Peter fucked up big time… this time he blew it. How could you forsake your Master after all you’ve been thru with Him… well he did. When the Master came or appeared, I want you to observe what transpired… Jesus did not start by scolding him…men, am disappointed in you, Peter, you fucked up big time… Pete, you are fired… am so disappointed in you… am gonna do this… am gonna do that… you ingrate…after all I did for you… after all I taught you…how could you disgrace me like this… you are a huge disappointment… bla bla bla… (John 21:1-25).
Observe how Jesus reprimands him…. In a gentle and polite manner, talking to his conscience (Do you love me?) and Brother Peter felt sorry for his mistake…that’s what it’s meant to be.
If you truly love God, why will treat another people like a piece of trash? It was because of the love that Jesus had for mind kind that made Him to die for us, while we were yet sinners, even when we were unwilling to repent… some of us still haven’t. If you truly love the Lord, why not love the way He loved, care the way He cared, have compassion the way He did, and feel for your brothers instead of acting like some modern day Robocop.
In a situation where you are the underdog, stay focused cos you might bring a giant down soon, its only servants that can be promoted to leaders, and leaders either remain leaders or get demoted. So there is nothing bad in being the underdog…. And nothing bad in being the giant, it’s our ideologies that matters, our perception of life that makes the difference. If you see your fellow man in need like a brother in need, and you are touched by his condition and moved to help, in any small way possible according to your ability, then you are on the right path. Both Christianity and Islam preaches about humility, so when I see people misbehave because of the elevated platform that God has put them, I feel like weeping, cos if you can’t be a good leader that God wants you to be, then you have failed Him (and failed yourself too).
During the Monica Lewinsky case, Bill Clinton said “at any point you find yourself, life will always find a way to humble you, just to keep you in check and this is the case now, being the president of the most powerful country in world puts me in a very sensitive position, but God has used this situation to teach me a thing or two about life”
In conclusion, your position as an underrated underdog does not hinder you from achieving your dreams in life; it is just a temporary platform. A lot of successful businessmen started out as underdogs, drop outs, write offs, never-do-wells (whatever that means)… if God cannot forsake you, or look down on you, and then you should not bother about what people say or do to you now, pray they live to see what you become in future and then they will glorify God for your life.
They killed Jesus thinking that they would stop his mission, they only helped him fulfill it… ha ha ha, they planned against Daniel so as to make him compromise his faith and that resulted to his being thrown into the lion’s den. God just used that situation to promote him. They threw the three Hebrew children into the burning furnace, hoping to destroy their destiny… they ended up making them celebrities. Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery thinking that they were pushing him down the success ladder… they were actually doing the opposite… ha ha ha, (they sent him to Egypt to go and fulfill his destiny without knowing it), what makes you think that your wicked boss is not doing the same?
I would like to close on this note, got to go now cos its getting late, wanna say thanks to all of you, for dropping by, sending me mails and making comments, am really grateful, thanks for your time and please do drop by again…so long… still your boy… velli.
There is a popular saying that says that “pride goes before a fall”… I mean before a great fall… came across it here and there and it kinda caught my attention. I wonder what will give another man like myself the right to feel better or superior to my humble self for any reason under the earth. Does he not breathe the same air… like me? Does he not depend on food to survive… like me? Does he not go to bed… not knowing what tomorrow might bring? Does he not live… not knowing when the end might come… just like me? Does he not go to the toilet… and do justice (shit) when nature calls… just like me? What will make you feel so big, so proud and so arrogant? Is it the little change you have stashed in some account?
I went to submit some forms at the Ministry of Works some days back, after searching for about 30 minutes, I finally found the office, the receptionist kept me waiting for almost 2 hours before allowing me to see the man… so this man has been in the office all this time and didn’t feel like seeing anybody? A lot of things went thru my small mind while waiting…. Well, knocked and walked in, I saw a young man seated, face down, busy with a celebrity gossip magazine, I walked to his table and greeted politely, he raised his face looked at me and just continued doing what he was doing… (doing justice to that magazine) I greeted again assuming he did not hear the first greeting…. But he didn’t even respond… he was very busy indeed… I just stood there… for about 30 minutes…. Then finally he said…Can I help you?
So because God was merciful to you to put you in a position of authority, now you want play God? (Just a thought). I submitted the forms… and left his office feeling cool, as usual. What can I do... but to do what I came to do. I was only surprised that at this age and time, people can still be this ignorant; I don’t envy them at all. (Proverbs 3:27-32)
When people start looking down on fellow human beings, their downfall is near. The only thing higher than man is God, not even the angels, so why should a fellow man look down on you because he is well placed or richer or stronger than you.
The Super Eagles (Nigerian National Football Team) used to look down on other teams from smaller countries until when we learnt the bitter way, Gabon beat us by a lone goal to hinder us from going to the world cup some years back…. It was so painful. We also did the same with Angola, and we paid direly by missing the Germany 2006 world cup, serves us right. In the spirit of competition, if you win, thank God for giving you the grace, don’t feel like some big shot, with your shoulders touching the sky… it’s by God’s grace.(Proverbs 3:5-7) in my short life, I have seen champions defeated on the day of reckoning simply because they under estimated their opponents, I have seen very intelligent students fail exams, not because they did not study hard or knew the right answers, it was simply over-confidence. “I am better than everyone else, I can beat you with my eyes closed, I am the best there is, I can beat you silly, even on a bad day”… Who told you that?
Brazil underrated the Nigerian Olympic team at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996, they still can’t say what happened to them, but their fall in that competition would best be described as “humpty-dumpty”, as written in the history books.
Never under estimate the power of God in any situation, don’t get carried away by your achievements and success…”If not for me, this would have happened, if not for my expertise…that would have happened, if not for my being clever and smart…. We would have lost that deal….” Who the hell are you? .... What can you do on your own?
Some people can’t just say two sentences without giving themselves all the glory and honour that should be given to God. “I did this at age 17… I achieved that at age 22… I made my millions at before age 25… if not for my hard work and determination…I won’t be where I am today…bla bla bla.”
Mike Tyson under estimated James Buster Douglas before their boxing bout in Japan in the early nineties, and that was the beginning of his fall; he never recovered from that defeat…. He was never the same again… let’s just say, that was the last he saw of the world boxing title.
If you think you are a giant like Goliath, then wait for the underrated underdog called David to put you in your right place, it will shock you. If someone had told Goliath not to go to that war, he would probably call you insane and cut off your head for insulting him…because the pride, arrogance and over-confidence wouldn’t let him listen to you. Some people are so full of themselves that there is hardly any space for the spirit of God to come into their lives, yet they call themselves Christians… am so sorry for them because they are just fooling themselves. The greatest virtue of Christ was humility… that guy was humble to a fault… and I love him for that… I wish I could be that humble, it’s not easy but I am still trying. The only way to be lifted up is to be down to earth, the way up the ladder of life is down, the way to heaven is six feet underground, (ha ha ha… just joking).
My father once told me that “sometimes a man has to be big enough to see how small he is”. Even after David was anointed the King of Israel, he was humble enough to still flee from Saul, respect him and had no hand in his death.
Some people just can’t help oppressing people around them in order to stay relevant, to flex some muscles to scare their subordinates. I have heard of women going as far as brutalizing their housemaids, just to show who is the boss in the house, what for? In some homes, when the children hear daddy’s car coming, they scamper for safety like rats, why? Which is why when they go to homes where there is true love of God, where parents care, they refuse to go home. Some men are natural monsters… they specialize in killing the joy of people around them, their wives, children, workers in the office, any where they go…. Listen Goliath, repent before you meet a David that will put you in your right place and that’s gonna be shameful. Why must your workers flee like mice when they see you coming around?
Lest I forget, when Peter gave in to hardship and decided to go back to his fishing business after working for 3 years with Christ, he convinced other disciples to go with him…. This was after they witnessed all the miracles, ate with the master, watched him die and resurrect. Listen, am not preaching, but you and I know that Peter fucked up big time… this time he blew it. How could you forsake your Master after all you’ve been thru with Him… well he did. When the Master came or appeared, I want you to observe what transpired… Jesus did not start by scolding him…men, am disappointed in you, Peter, you fucked up big time… Pete, you are fired… am so disappointed in you… am gonna do this… am gonna do that… you ingrate…after all I did for you… after all I taught you…how could you disgrace me like this… you are a huge disappointment… bla bla bla… (John 21:1-25).
Observe how Jesus reprimands him…. In a gentle and polite manner, talking to his conscience (Do you love me?) and Brother Peter felt sorry for his mistake…that’s what it’s meant to be.
If you truly love God, why will treat another people like a piece of trash? It was because of the love that Jesus had for mind kind that made Him to die for us, while we were yet sinners, even when we were unwilling to repent… some of us still haven’t. If you truly love the Lord, why not love the way He loved, care the way He cared, have compassion the way He did, and feel for your brothers instead of acting like some modern day Robocop.
In a situation where you are the underdog, stay focused cos you might bring a giant down soon, its only servants that can be promoted to leaders, and leaders either remain leaders or get demoted. So there is nothing bad in being the underdog…. And nothing bad in being the giant, it’s our ideologies that matters, our perception of life that makes the difference. If you see your fellow man in need like a brother in need, and you are touched by his condition and moved to help, in any small way possible according to your ability, then you are on the right path. Both Christianity and Islam preaches about humility, so when I see people misbehave because of the elevated platform that God has put them, I feel like weeping, cos if you can’t be a good leader that God wants you to be, then you have failed Him (and failed yourself too).
During the Monica Lewinsky case, Bill Clinton said “at any point you find yourself, life will always find a way to humble you, just to keep you in check and this is the case now, being the president of the most powerful country in world puts me in a very sensitive position, but God has used this situation to teach me a thing or two about life”
In conclusion, your position as an underrated underdog does not hinder you from achieving your dreams in life; it is just a temporary platform. A lot of successful businessmen started out as underdogs, drop outs, write offs, never-do-wells (whatever that means)… if God cannot forsake you, or look down on you, and then you should not bother about what people say or do to you now, pray they live to see what you become in future and then they will glorify God for your life.
They killed Jesus thinking that they would stop his mission, they only helped him fulfill it… ha ha ha, they planned against Daniel so as to make him compromise his faith and that resulted to his being thrown into the lion’s den. God just used that situation to promote him. They threw the three Hebrew children into the burning furnace, hoping to destroy their destiny… they ended up making them celebrities. Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery thinking that they were pushing him down the success ladder… they were actually doing the opposite… ha ha ha, (they sent him to Egypt to go and fulfill his destiny without knowing it), what makes you think that your wicked boss is not doing the same?
I would like to close on this note, got to go now cos its getting late, wanna say thanks to all of you, for dropping by, sending me mails and making comments, am really grateful, thanks for your time and please do drop by again…so long… still your boy… velli.
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