A lot of things crossed my mind as I was thinking of what to write exactly as my thoughts for the coming year.
My thoughts flashed back on 12months of 360days (or 365days in the current calendar numbering) and so many number of hours and seconds gone by in 2010. It has indeed been one heck of a year with a mix of excellent, very good, good and not so good things.
This year has meant a lot for me; I went on a limb and completely outside of my comfort zone, I had an addition to fill up my quiver (kingly & royal in nature) and I executed my priority for the year. It was not all rosy for me. In moving out of my comfort zone, I went through some dark time as well, very dark and very unpleasant. I tried to make changes this past year in service to others but it was thrown back in my face by the very people whom I sought to serve.
"I tried to make changes this past year in service to others but it was thrown back in my face by the very people whom I sought to serve."
This past year has taught me two very important lessons that I take with me into the coming year -
- that I must live with the choices I make and not get so caught up in the consequences/blessings of those choices that I forget that it was my making.
- That in the grand scheme of things, I am the only person that matters, that I cannot afford to purvey my emotions and my feelings on account of others, that when push comes to shove, “Me Ltd” is eventually what counts.
These lessons do not necessarily proclaim self-'centeredness', but what I have seen tells me that in my service to others and in my bid to seek their better end, I must not lose sight of my personal goals and what I must gain in return.
In 2011, this is therefore my message –
- Live with the end in mind, love with the end in mind, serve with the end in mind – an end that suits both those whom you serve, love/live for and your very self. There will be dark periods or people who want you to go with them to/through a dark place.
- Make your choices wisely and if you will accede to their wish, then be certain of what lies at the end of that dark place for you.
- Have a plan (not two nor three but one) that you will execute during the year and for which you will reward yourself at the end. I do not mean new-year resolutions. On the contrary, I mean something that is entirely yours to control and adds to your “Me Ltd”.
- Create a place where only you have total control and give no room to anyone else in that place. This will be your venue for private victories and your place for private celebrations.
If you fail to have a personal agenda (however self-centered this may sound), then you will play to the agenda of others and find yourself a victim of their whims and caprices. So this new year, be wise, be quick and be nimble. Brighten the little corner where you find yourself and don’t be cumbered with brightening the whole world because you simply cannot (there are too many people who prefer their darkness and will do everything to keep it that way).
When 2011 is over (as it definitely will) you should be able to look back and say to yourself, “Me Ltd has done well, hip! hip! hip! HURRAY!!!!” and celebrate with a lot of pomp. May the year be good for you, may every darkness end in light for you, may your battles strengthen you more, may your choices be yours and not those of others and may those(People and things) who will not stop at invading your place and spoiling your private victories meet with instant and swift judgment.
This and many more do I wish you. HAPPY NEW YEAR 2011
Written by:
Olajide Adetunji (Jan 2011)
