Wealthy Penury, Wretched Riches

It is said that money isn't everything

Poverty isn't the absence of money and

Wealth isn't quantified by possession

True as it sounds

We have exalted money and riches so much

That we get out of our way to get them

Hoping that with it comes satisfaction but

As soon as it is got

Needs increases with appetite,

Security and friends is lost

with misery compounded

one becomes afraid of everything

his shadow, friends and even oneself

for those who sell their soul to get riches

they live constantly in fear of

the ultimate task and their given life span

No matter what you think

if you are not happy now

you cannot be happy even if you have the world

ask Nigerian politicians

nothing, i repeat nothing is more valuable

than the life you have and your free spirit

you are created as a free moral agent

and nothing satisfies one than his ability to choose

Let me share this true life experience

a friend was about to wed and

went to his uncle for assistance

the uncle promised to assist him only if

he could spend the weekend in his cozy mansion

he readily agrees and on the first night,

he was awaken by noise coming from the sitting area

according to him it was as noisy as a market

with people quarreling and others chatting

he was shocked cos his uncle lives in a serene environment

he walked into the sitting room and saw his uncle seated

transfixed and gazing into the empty space

he called on his uncle and when he snapped out of his state

his uncle looked at him, with sorrow and grief in his eyes

and said "this is what i see every night"

"i cannot remember the last time i slept"

(Can you imagine that?)

Friends

Have you ever wondered why

One is rich yet cannot to pay his children's fees?

Why some spend so much on their children's education,

Yet the kids are dumb-heads?

Why one has so many houses yet

Squats with his friend and his family?

Why one reeks of repulsive and offensive odor

Despite wearing the best of attire and perfume?

Make no mistake about it

Some men's generation will end with them

Cos they have watched their kids die mysteriously

All in the name of wealth accumulation.

Friends

Some people you categorize as poor are full of wealth

Cos in their penury they have raised giants

While many you term rich are wretched,

empty and lonely inside

Never be deceived by the wretchedness of riches

Godliness with contentment is great gain.

Foolishness of Pride

Daily i live with a consciousness of my perception of myself

in the light of how i relate with others

Cos i have discovered that

Life is a race and in this race

There is space for overtaking

He who is at the top today might become middle class

And sometimes at the bottom of the log

Therefore what really determines your relevance, worth and value

Irrespective of your position on this ladder of life

Is your disposition towards others either in pride or humility.

Before you say i am not proud Listen!

I used to think i was not proud till i stumbled on

some definition of Pride which i want to share today

PRIDE DEFINED

i. Wikipedia.org defines Pride as: An inflated sense of

ones personal status or accomplishments.

ii. Merriam-Webster defines Pride as:

- Inordinate Self-esteem

- A Reasonable or Justifiable Self-respect

- Delight or elation arising from some act, possession or relationship.

In view of the above definitions i believe Pride is:

Viewing yourself with a sense of

more importance than others as a result of

Your Class, achievements, Possession or

Relationship (with well placed individuals)

Therefore Pride Speaks when:

a.            you look at another and say "We are not in the same Class"

b.            you say "look at what i have achieved,

              you are worthless cos you have achieved nothing"

c.            you become bloated and oppressive because you

               have a relationship with someone who is well placed.

Come to think of it

What do we have that is not given?

What is our achievement of today that has not been done before?

What would we possess today that will not be outdated tomorrow?

Is it cars, Phones, Houses or education?

That fellow you are bragging about

might just be a second away to his last breathe. So What?

Pride destroys, Humility is key

Treat everyone as equal cos in the end

We are all equal in his sight irrespective of

Clan, achievement, possession or fame.

Our failure to acknowledge that

All we are is dust and ashes and

The possessions we pride in just mass of matter

The illusion

That We are more important than the cab driver,

the gate-man or the beggar on the street

That we are successful cos we are hardworking than the bricklayer or

That we are better placed cos of our educational qualification

Is an evidence of the 

Foolishness of our Pride

                                  

                                         (lord teach me to be humble)