I clocked 44 on the sixth day of July according to the Gregorian calendar. I am not a big fan of birthdays nor do I give too much attention to the number I am on the life ladder. However, sometimes, I do look up checking the grip I have on this ladder.
For me, life has been a mixture of experiences. Poverty had been a staple, but the joy and laughter of my childhood gave no rise to sadness.
The constant worries that come with poverty made me decide as a young girl never to be poor. I wanted something different from what I grew up in. I had a plan to work to perfect my life no matter what it took.
Consequently, I felt I got it right when I got a job after secondary school. I created a fashion statement with the little I earned and added a bit of food to the family table.
What I did to Survive
My admission to University was without much hope. I was happy to leave home, but the little luxury and freedom university gave eluded me. The cost of schooling and accommodation dug a big hole in the family pocket. I attended classes with a strong grip on my bite. Going from home was strenuous and financially uncomfortable.
I was a squatter throughout my university days with threats and fear of being removed I scaled through the hurdles by feeding off friends and managing the little I got from home.
My first job as a teacher after I completed my university education was out of bare necessity. With various job applications to high-end companies with a six-figure salary, I felt I found the cure to poverty. I was sure it would happen. I had hope in some of the job interviews, with a mixture of positive and negative I wasn’t ready to give up.
While waiting for my dream job, my mother died through a road accident. She was a victim of a lunatic adrenaline junkie: a rider with no regard for his own safety. With her demise, I had to pick up anything, anything that would put some food on the table for me and my younger siblings.
The Real Sense Of Living
To cut a long story short, I had been a teacher, a teacher’s assistant and an early years practitioner. I had been a cleaner, a helper and a chef. I had dabbled into fashion, volunteered and worked in an office staring on to the screen most part of the day.
Besides all the jobs, I bagged more certificates through formal and informal pieces of training meeting new people along the way.
Through the surge, I was bitten by a creative bug. With the love of making things from scratch, I developed the love of candle making and soap making. I developed products. I ventured into commercial breakfast, frozen foods and jar sauces. I make most of the things my family use.
The experiences I picked up in the search of getting rich were quite different from what I had in mind some decades ago. Life is a bit different from what I perceived it to be.
To reach the peak of success ( or should I say failure?) there is always a lonely path to tread. I tripped a few times and lost a bit of self-composure within a bottomless pit. I am here picking up the pieces and enjoying the experience.
The Richness in me.
Speaking from the pedestal of my experience, being rich is NOT just about money. Losing your head over the pleasure only money can give is losing the real joy of living. Richness is satisfaction in living. Enjoying the little and striving for more.
Life offers abundant opportunities. With experimenting comes a choice of acquiring knowledge. It’s time to think of what floats your boat and push the paddle into the sea.
For me, using my hands rock my boat. It doesn’t matter if what I do now doesn’t bring the six-figure I promised myself as a young adult. I no longer compete over frivolities, no competition of any sort.
Happiness came through the little things I do, the people I surround myself with, a nice read and what I allowed into my mind. Daily exercise, a walk in the park, a nice cup of tea, a charity in kind, pots of plants in my living room and appreciation of little things money can’t bring are top on my list. Richness is what you made of it. Richness is in me.
This Post Has 14 Comments
Dayo, when we were together in university, I picked something from you, being prayerful and the love of God. Although we worshipped differently but we had something in common and that's what keep me going. Whenever I see you, you remind me that all things are possible with God .
Thousands kisses.
Thank you very much indeed. The good old days! How I wished we could go back in time. Its an honour to shared a part of my life with you. Thanks for always being there. Thanks for stopping by.
Ma shaa Allaah! A fantastic read as usual! May you be granted beneficial knowledge. Aameen.
The richness in mind which offers satisfaction than money can’t but no matter how much ! May Almighty Allaah grant us fulfilment from within, a life full of hope and most importantly nearness to our maker; knowing that life is but for a time...
Thank you for the enlightenment, I feel lifted after reading this and motivated to follow my dream.
I can totally relate to what you have written, even when the experiences are not dl exactly the same. Thank you for a well articulated sharing of life experience. Well done sister.
"Richness is in me" It is all about our mindset, may Allah enrich our soul with goodness and our pockets with beneficial wealth.
As usual, a fantastic piece of wrtting. Well said. Thanks for sharing.
So touching😍
Apt sister...well done
Thank you ever so much.
Wow! Your story moved me to tears, not because I feel sorry for you, but because I found it very powerful and inspirational! One amongst the many lessons I took from your experience is ... when we go through an event , it doesn’t matter what happens, what matter is how we perceived the event and what we learn from it. Which will inform how we cope . Truly loved this !
You took the words out of my month. Very well said.Thanks
May Allah increase your Eeman . Amin
It’s a motivated story well done sister, may Allah continue to increase you in knowledge.