Friday, January 03, 2014

Everybody has a place: THE OLD MAN’S DILEMMA

Christopher Osunbote

“Everybody has a place.”
“Err… everybody has a place!”
“Hmm……….. everyone has… uh… place!”

How am I supposed to tell my little boy this in a language he will understand.
The little kid is no philosopher, but it shouldn’t be hard tell him that: “We are all different beings here on this planet and we affect this planet –both other humans and the natural environment –by the things we do. From simple things like the way we use water in the house, to how we raise our children or govern an establishment or country. The things we do, whether we want them to affect the world or not, often inevitably end up affecting the world in very little (nonetheless significant) or more popular ways.” 
The poor lad is not a psychologist, but can’t I easily remind him of the fact that: “The way we two act are different even though we are family. We approach issues differently, and because my ways are not always right nor my views always complete.” His inputs into issues have often helped even when I didn’t admit that to him. I think I have made him think he is not half as smart as I am. I haven’t made him realize the beauty of this fact –that we two are different and it’s not an issue of different LEVELS of intelligence, but more of different DIRECTIONS. 
So, I guess I can’t easily make him see this. I wonder if his fiancĂ© has been doing right by him in making him realize how important he is to her. That she couldn’t have two men exactly like him; and that he suits her just fine. They have been together for a while now, and I am hoping she has seen enough of other guys to know that –in love, my son has a sure place. 
Ha! Land at last! He is a Christian. That should do it. I will simply tell him that: “God has made a particular purpose for his being on earth. This purpose ends in something meaningful. This is not just about the fact that we are different, but we use this to a good end. Well, at least a not-harmful end. 

The Creator loves all his creations and doesn’t plan chaos or a misfit. He has been smart and kind enough to assign something very sensible to ALL of them!” “We can’t all take the spotlight. But we can all contribute to making the whole performance an experience for all. And if it makes you feel any better, many of the actors who act under the spotlight never get to really watch themselves in that moment and enjoy the act/life from the perspective of the audience. None fills and feels all!” 
I hope my son will not ask me why I am telling him all this at this time and what even brought it to my mind in the first place.
Ah! That word again. PLACE.

Christopher Osunbote is a friend and big brother.
He is one of my mentors in the blogosphere and he writes on all things spiritual.
Check out his blog: www.ifeelshadows.com

Everybody has a place: BARROW

Anosime Imhoitsike

“I don’t have a job, but all I can do now is push this wheel barrow” … sounds familiar? No? I was in traffic in a keke, when I saw a guy pushing something that didn’t look like the conventional wheelbarrow but a rusty makeshift one, obviously made from an old bath tub, two car tyres and a few planks; that would induce a chuckle, pity, wonder or even a story like it did me.

No two genetic material are ever the same, every single person is unique. Every day we breathe, we eat, we tweet (that is, if you are into that), we exist but imagine if we did them exactly the same way every day; I certainly wouldn’t like it, especially the eating part. You have been specifically destined to play each part in the race differently. Your talent might be ‘odd’ and crude; there is room for them to be creatively or academically honed. 
By all means push your place:
• Identify your part: Seek and you shall find.
• Be content with your gift: no matter how small or odd it may seem, use it even if it is currently not ‘marketable’. Create a market for it
• Design a make shift tool: if it isn’t available, by all means design it. Even it involves an old bath tub. The whole crudeness of the piece of art in the midst of all the posh and not-so-posh cars made me see life in a different way.

Here I was sitting in traffic in the keke with this piece of art, left and by my right is a cute car, in front of me is a soon-to- retire (commercial bus) danfo and a bike. All kinds of automobiles on the same road, obeying the same traffic light, under the same weather; yet not having the same destination. So, even if life tells you “Sharrap! Carry that unpolished, sorry thing you call a talent away”. Just package yourself and wait for the red light to disappear and when the green light says “GO”, Sweetie! PUSH ‘em barrow real hard. You know why? If you don’t push your place, who will?


Anosime Imhoitsike is a Chemist and Writer. Aspiring novelist and Playwright. Fair weather football fan so you know she seldom supports Arsenal. Some say she is hilarious, she doesn't know why. God lover and calls the Holy Spirit her bestie.