By: AyoKunle, MARAIYESA
What could have made him hang his head so loosely like a tattered flag being blown around by the whirlwind? Even the fake sad smile on his cracked lips could not cover the emptiness and disappointment in his soul. Like a hawk, my eyes searched for clue to unravel his mystery but only his lips could help me into his heart. When he finally raised his head up, I know he is ready to speak but all he could say was “I was used again”.
Contrary to the negative aura the statement carries, I know for certain that we are here to be utilized. Everyman is here to be used whichever cannon you view life from. There is nothing more foolish than being ignorant of this fact or choosing to live without being conscious of it. As long as you are alive, you will be used, there is absolute nothing you can do about that.
However, who use you, to what end, for what purpose, and to what personal gratification is what you must solely be in charge of as soon as you are 18. The age and the maturity accrued to it is simply saying you are the master of your life and you are fully responsible for it. You are responsible for every sphere of your life, and every relationship you get into.
Suffice to say here that every relationship is transactional, including the relationship between the Almighty God and we mere mortal. Every religion echoes salvation, a process of giving yourself to God, when you do that and live for him, you have eternal life in return and with bonuses of answered prayers to your requests while you are here on earth. Your life is a serious business, what you give out should be returned in a measure that makes you grow. Isn’t that what we mean when we say “life is give and take”
If we approach every facet of our life and relationships with such consciousness then we will be master of our lives. Your life and time is not a charity you throw at things and people who add no value in return. your life is too precious to go into ventures without bargaining. Even the Aboki that do hard work will not move an inch until he bargains and he his sure of what he stands to gain. You should be wiser than him. Every of your relationships should be audit through this cannon.
People come into our lives with expectations and needs, we as a master of lives should then decide if we want to meet those needs and to what end. I have heard the statement over and over again “she used me” “they used me” “he used me” and often time it comes from people who have not spell out their expectations, people who shy away from telling the other party what they want, cowards who cannot breakaway when their expectation are not met.
The wind clashes with the curtain and that bring me back to live. I was so lost in my thought that I have totally forget I have a sad sobbing man waiting for me to console him. Unfortunately, I do not have such consolation that makes people to believe they are victim of circumstances. Victors are always masters of circumstances, even though their conquest comes with several falls, falls they must take responsibility for. I looked at him more closely and said “I wish I know what to say but I don’t. you have been used and it is good that it is your past already. Certainly, you will be used again in the future but to what end, for what purpose is what you must see to. You are given your life to be a master of it. So, raised those shrouded neck high again and go live and handle your life like a serious business it is.”