We lost the plot.
Somewhere along the line, while trying to be more innovative and connected, we lost our own plot. We set aside our individuality, originality, and uniqueness, and took on the pattern of others. Where there was once color, all there is now is beige.
Growing up, my aunt would always say ” don’t copy people blindly”. Of course that had nothing to do with academics because I was a great student. She made sure to always remind me that being like everyone else should not be my goal. Looking back, I can say her mantra stuck with me. Subconciously, I became unafraid to be my own person.
Life is Costly
This month, I had a lightbulb moment. Life is expensive. No, I don’t mean the cost of living. I mean our actual human life. I must admit the past couple of years have brought so much death, tragedy, and darkness. So much so that I almost lost sight of the profound idea that absolutely nothing can replace the breath in our lungs.
We go to unexpected lengths to preserve our lives. As a Christian, I know Jesus, my savior, paid the ultimate sacrifice for my life. It was not an easy price to pay. In our daily lives, we try to eat healthier to avoid illness and live better, longer lives.
The wealthy go the extra mile, fly abroad, have organ surgeries, and yada yada.
Why do we go to all these lengths if we are just going to live our lives constantly trying to be like someone else? Unoriginal, unauthentic, constantly comparing ourselves to others and seeking the validation of everyone else but our Creator.
Life is not cheap, even if we see so many deaths around us. The value and quality of life are not things to trample upon. We trample upon our lives in favour of others when we constantly have to check what 1000 other people online think, and if they would approve of what we want to do.
We cheapen our lives when we are unnecessarily attached to the approval and validation of people who have zero power over our tomorrow.
Your life deserves to lived and seen
Renew your mind. Your actions will follow
How do you live with a renewed mindset?
- Allow your uniqueness to find expression. God made us with different gifts and abilities. A God who can make human beings of different races and features surely did not make all of us to chase one particular profession. We can still solve several problems facing the human race when we are focused on unearthing the gifts God put inside of us, and using them for the good of society.
- Be accountable to others, but don’t attach your value to their opinions. We each have a limited time on earth. As they say, the only certainty in life is death. So knowing this, we must maximise the time we have. Create a circle of people who can hold you accountable and who can give you wise counsel, but even then, don’t tie your value to their validation. And as for everyone else who is not in that circle, well, do they even know you enough to have a say?
We don’t live in urgency. We live in appreciation.
- Enrich your life, invest in your life. One of the reasons why you think someone else’s life is the blueprint for success is that yours is empty. You have not explored what your hands are capable of; you have not fed your brain enough to see what it is capable of churning out.
Have you challenged yourself to learn new things, solve new problems, and read new books?
You will be surprised by how differently your mind will begin to work, and by the actions that will follow when you give your life a chance.
It’s not too late to go back to the drawing board and review the plot.
Be Bold
If I’m being honest, just being alive these days demands a lot from us. It is easy to throw in the towel, hang up our gloves and be done. But this is excatly when we need to be more resilient, dig deep and find some strength, even a little, to take a step in the direction of where you want to steer your ship. Just one move in a different angle can make a significant difference.
Your uniqueness deserves to be seen, valued, and applauded.
But how can we see and applaud you if you’re hiding behind someone else’s life? We want to see your creativity, your unapologetic dedication to the things you care about and your unwavering commitment even when it seems foolish to others.
Reflective prompt: If I had the chance to showcase one true aspect of my life, what would that be?
Beautiful write-up