TwoCents | PAMO’S EPIPHANY: A JOURNEY OF SELF-DISCOVERY ON THE EAST WEST ROAD

Pamo, a 29-year-old man from Bayelsa State, was driving his sleek Mercedes Benz GLE coupe on the East-West Road, heading back to his house in Port Harcourt after spending Christmas with his family in Yenagoa. He had just spent a wonderful weekend with his loved ones, enjoying traditional Ijaw dishes, exchanging gifts, and catching up on old times. As he navigated the busy highway, a speeding Toyota Hilux cut him off, forcing him to swerve to avoid a collision. Pamo's initial reaction was anger and frustration. He honked his horn and muttered under his breath, "Keme keme! Are you stupid?" (a common Ijaw expression used to express shock or annoyance). But as he continued driving, something inside him shifted. He began to reflect on his reaction, wondering why he had let someone else's reckless behavior get under his skin. He thought about the wise words of his mother, who always told him, "Pamo, when people wrong you, don't get angry. Instead, thank God for removing those toxic people from your life." Pamo's mother had always been a source of wisdom and guidance in his life. She had taught him the importance of forgiveness, kindness, and compassion. As he recalled her words, he felt a sense of peace wash over him. He took a deep breath and let go of his anger. He even smiled, feeling a sense of gratitude for the beautiful scenery around him. The lush green forests, the winding rivers, and the vibrant culture of his people all combined to remind him of the beauty and wonder of life. As Pamo continued driving, he felt a sense of liberation wash over him. He realized that he had the power to choose how he reacted to situations, and that choice had the power to transform his life. Over the next few days, Pamo noticed that he was reacting differently to challenging situations. When a colleague at work tried to undermine him, he smiled and politely told the colleague that he wouldn't engage in such behavior. When his friend, Tamuno, borrowed his Lexus ES350 2019 model without permission, he laughed and told Tamuno that he should have asked first. Tamuno had been a close friend since their university days, and Pamo knew that he hadn't meant to disrespect him. He was just careless and forgetful at times. Pamo decided to let it go and focus on the positive aspects of their friendship. And you know what? It worked. People started to respond to him differently. They were kinder, more respectful, and more considerate. Pamo realized that by choosing to react positively to challenging situations, he was creating a more positive and supportive environment for himself and those around him. As Pamo pulled into his driveway in Port Harcourt, he felt a sense of gratitude for the lessons he had learned. He knew that he would always cherish his mother's wise words, and that he would continue to strive for kindness, compassion, and understanding in all his interactions. Moral lesson: Why get angry when someone cuts you off? What right do you have to be mad or upset? Instead, be thankful that God is removing toxic people from your life. And to those of you who are cutting negative influences out of your lives, thank God for giving you the wisdom and courage to do so.

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