By Kelvin Oluseyi Eleta.
As a little boy in my third term in primary three. I came running home from school on a faithful day after end of the term closure, screaming at the top of my voice. Shouting so loud that everyone in the neighborhood could hear me, as I was desperately looking for my mom everywhere. I just couldn’t contained the joy I was feeling inside and couldn’t wait to share the good news with her. Because I’ve made her proud for sure this time around (I thought to myself). On getting home, I met her absence, which increased my level of anticipation to see her and share the good news.
So I sat down at the entrance of the house expectantly with smiles all over my face. I waited patiently but she wouldn’t come home. So about an hour and a half later, I stared towards the direction of her usual route and behold there she was. I felt a rush of adrenaline mixed with joy and excitement rush through my vain. So I rushed towards her few distance away from home. “Welcome ma’am. I have a good news to share with you” was all I could say boastfully. “Why are you so happy?” She asked and continued; ” OK what is it that you have to tell me that you couldn’t wait for me to get home first?” Without wasting any time and laughing from ear to ear, I waved my report card to the air and shouted; “third position. Mommy I came third.” Also smiling, my mom replied; ” really? That is very good Seyi. Am proud of you.” Then she urged me home holding my hand as I was laughing and giggling with joy.
On getting home, to my greatest surprise my mom called me and sat me down. So I said to myself as I walked towards her “surely this is my reward time.” Then she said to me in a very quite and still voice; “but Seyi, who came first and second in your class?” Still smiling and having no idea of what she was talking about, I mentioned their names and even gave her descriptions for her to know the kids in question. Then she continued; “are they not human? Are they more superior than you are? Why must you allowed yourself to be defeated by those two? Why chose third instead while you can go for first? And here you are smiling and jumping up with excitement”. Hearing my mom saying all this words, my face suddenly restructured and as thick as a hard shit. So I asked myself; ” has my mother forgotten the fact that am actually taking third for the very first time? My regular position has always been sixteen out of twenty, eighteen out of twenty, twelve out of fourteen, and as the case may be. Haven’t I tried my best?”
So I stood up and made an attempt to leave her sight and as if she has been reading my thoughts, she called me back an said; “am not saying you didn’t tried your best. All am saying is that your best is still not enough because you still have two more to beat.” I starred at her with a glance of expectation and she sensed that I was ready to hear more and she continued; “you might not understand perfectly what am telling you today, but in years to come you will see things more clearly.” With a pat on the back she said to me as she discharged me “you will get a new bike if you are able to score the first position next time.” Wow! A new bike? So I thought to myself. Like magic all the faded smiles returned as I was determined to win the quest.
As time flies and the first term in primary four was finally over and I came first, which was a surprise to all my teachers and class mate. But my mom was not that surprise because she kept encouraging me not to relent. “Maintain this status and never let it go because you are the best and you deserve this” was her words to me after going through my report card. Consistently, I simultaneously came first term after term without letting it go and I eventually became the Head-Boy of my school at the age of twelve and so the success trail continued in my life as it is evident today.
I grew up to be a better man, more focused and ambitious. Each time I remember this story I get more motivated and excited. Am glad for what my mother deposited in me, am glad she thought me not to settle for less, am glad that even when I was little she believed in my capability to do greater things. Thank you mom for been the best mom in the world. Thank you for giving me the chance to make you proud and thank you for showing me how.
Never limit yourself. Never settled for less and don’t get beaten up by challenges. Those ahead of you are not in any way better than you, they are simply doing lots of things differently from how you are doing yours and they also chose to see life from a different angle, different from your own corner. Identify these differences and make a change. Life is a lot better and stress free when you are winning.
Are you a parent reading this article? The ball is in your court to stand as the bedrock of your child’s success. Be the principal topic of his/her success story. Don’t be left out by contributing noting but only your rod and whip. Your child needs more from you to bring out those great potentials and this can only happen through a meaningful communication.
If you are not a parent reading this, then adopt the approach of not settling for less and maintaining your peak when you achieve success by doing what brought you that breakthrough continuously and non stop. And save the parental part for your future kids. Like my pastor do says; “don’t let your absence be felt in your presence”. Be a proud parent with good contributions. Never think twice before correcting your child just because you don’t want to hurt his/her feelings. If you don’t hurt her feelings today I bet you that in the nearest future you will be busy biting your fingers in regret.
So I leave you with this question; “what will your child remembered you for?”
– Kelvin Oluseyi Eleta is a professional career consultant, speaker, event host, and founder of Hope Dose Consultancy.
Reach him 07060543620 for bookings and consultations.
For more information about Hope Dose Consultancy, visit our official blog at http://hopedosezone.blogspot.com
