THE IRONY OF LIFE - by Goodluck Onyeka

Sometimes, we feel that life is unfair to us when we do not get what we want. But we suddenly forget how unfair life can be when we get everything we have desired. We forget that there is someone to whom life is also being unfair, especially at the very moment when we feel that life is being fair to us. This is one of the ironies we encounter in everyday life. Never expect life to always be fair to you, lest you become disappointed by everything that happens in life. You might have the job you prayed for. You might be living the dream you once wished would come true. You might even find yourself in the exact setting you once longed to be in. But never forget the struggles of those around you. What happens to the dreams of those who are still waiting for theirs to come true? What happens to those who once had good jobs but lost them? What happens to those who keep praying and hoping that things will get better, yet somehow, they see no results? When a person becomes successful and finds someone begging at his gate, he may conclude that the beggar is simply lazy or unwilling to help himself. The successful person may think, “If I can make it, then everybody can make it too.” Although there may be some truth in this way of thinking, we must also understand that not everyone has the same circumstances, opportunities, abilities, or timing. Not all fingers are equal, and not all of us will succeed at the same time. Our success should make us more compassionate, loving and caring not judgemental towards those still on their way. Some people become successful with what appears to be little effort, others work extremely hard before seeing any significant results. Some may struggle for years or even longer, reaching the point of wanting to give up before a glimpse of hope finally shines upon them. Life does not give everyone the same starting point, the same opportunities, or the same journey. I have encountered different kinds of people in life the rich, the poor, and those in between and in different circumstances, I have come to understand that each person has a part to play in the life of another. Unless we discover our own role and learn to remain faithful to our journey at the stage we are in, we create room for hatred, unnecessary jealousy, envy, pride, and many other vices. These can lead to a lack of growth, lack of progress, unnecessary setbacks, unhealthy competition, living fake lives, and pretending to be what we are not. It is unfortunate to see someone who can barely afford three meals a day carrying an expensive phone simply because they want to match their peers. It is equally unfortunate to see someone whose family struggles to meet basic needs spending an enormous amount of money on appearances simply because they want to feel accepted among their friends. In trying to look like we have arrived, we sometimes forget that everyone is travelling at a different pace. It is often said that one of the greatest thieves of joy and peace of mind is comparison. You begin to compare yourself with people who are already where you wish to be, forgetting that your journey may not be the same as theirs. Why do you want to become a butterfly without first passing through the stage of being a caterpillar? The earlier we realise the stage of life we are in and learn to embrace it while working patiently towards growth, the better it will be for us. We do not have to rush our journey simply because someone else seems to be ahead of us. Finding our place and understanding our season can save us from many unnecessary troubles, both now and in the future. So, be humble. Be focused. Be patient. Do not allow comparison to steal your peace. Learn to appreciate where you are while working towards where you want to <a class="tc-blue" href="https://be.Your" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">be.Your </a> journey is your journey. Your season will come. Keep it cool; your time is nigh.

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