Four years ago, I reconnected with an old friend who seemed to be doing pretty
well. He lives a flamboyant life and was running a multi-million naira real
estate firm in the heart of Lagos. I, on the other hand, was going through a
struggling phase, so I was very much delighted to have crossed paths with him.
We spent a couple of hours together in the comfort of his well-furnished
office, and a lot was said. What struck a chord the most was when he said,
"Everybody is doing well on the internet." That hit hard because it
felt like he was talking directly to me, as I happen to be one of those people
who love to post beautiful pictures at every opportunity the camera smiled at
us.
I asked him why he had failed to present me with opportunities to make headway
in life when he had such huge affluence, and now I get the gist.
I can understand the emotional trauma we go through when things aren't
precisely going as we hope they will. We subject ourselves to whatever looks
like a glimpse of hope to stay sane but many people unfortunately live a false
life on the internet, which, if we're not careful, could keep helpers and help
away from us. It's one thing to be a helper, and it's another to render that
help you're in the position to lend. But then, we may never meet our helper, and
talk more of receiving help, when we project a wrong perception of our current
reality.
I was broke and needed a way forward, but my pictures told a different story
online. Not that it was intentional because I loved those moments, but most of
them could have been times I hung out with a friend or the universe decided to
bless me with a few bucks. The reality of things, however, was the complete
opposite and the basis for this piece.
Everybody is doing well online, but a few can afford data to stay
online. Sometimes we ask our friends or siblings to share hotspots with
us just to stay relevant online, and to whose detriment? Ours. You know? We are
perceived and judged by what people see. As much as it is good to post beautiful
pictures of ourselves and moments online to stay connected to our
acquaintances, we need to be very careful to avoid sending the wrong signal out
there.
He told me bluntly that he didn't think I needed any sort of help because he
thought I was doing well, and you can imagine how I delayed receiving help from
my childhood friend for about five years because I took pictures with my
friend's iPhone at an event where I made no sort of financial commitment, and
it was all make-believe. (Just stating a possible scenario)
There's someone out there reading this piece today who might have found himself
or herself in such a dilemma. This isn't the time for regrets or pride. We've
all erred in different ways, and there's no perfect man or woman alive, we all
live by grace. Today, the Holy Spirit is ministering to you and ready to change
your situation. All that's required is to read between the lines and do the
needful.
I completely respect the fact we don't want people to have a full picture of
how life has been quite unfair and mean to us because that might lead to them
looking down and taking us for granted but for long are we going to continue
living a lie?
There comes a time in life when we leave emotions aside and face reality. This
is one of those moments. So I ask, "What do you see when you look in the
mirror? Let that be the 'YOU' that is projected to the outside world because
you just might never know who's watching.
Be real. Be you. Be.
ALSO READ:The Power Of Spoken Words
#KolawoleSolomon #ksmtotheworld #kingsolomonsmine #kaymagnate #Inspiration
A very well written piece. Quite inspiring. Thank you
TSAJ
Wow!
Chimeyeuma