Make The Best of What You Have

Make The Best of What You Have

The sayings that “humans don’t appreciate what we have till we loose it” and “a man that fails to appreciate the things he has, is soon forced by time to appreciate the things he once had”, made more sense to me the day i met a young boy on the street of Lagos. The truth is many times we are beclouded by what we lack that we forget to make the best of what we have. Eventually, we take for granted the opportunities laid before us because we keep living in the shadows of “what ought to be”.

On this faithful day, on my way to an Uncle’s place, I got stuck in traffic along the busy 3rd mainland bridge (Lagos Nigeria). The sun was at it’s peak, like it was on a mission to dry the water beneath us. Vehicles were hardly moving and I almost blamed myself for picking that day of all days to go visiting. As the stand still went on, I began to feel dehydrated, I beckoned on the boys selling drinks in the traffic, they all ran towards me, some even tried to shove the drinks into my face. Then from behind came a voice, “Sir, which one do you want?” I looked through the crowded sellers, searching for the voice. It was a young boy definitely not more than 15years, I responded, “I want Pepsi, please let me have one.”

He gave me the Pepsi, by now all others have gone to other motorists calling for drinks. I told the boy how sharp he is, while others were pushing different drinks to me, he was smart enough to ask which one I really wanted. I asked him why he was hawking and his response made me respect him the more, he said, “I have been hawking for over 6years, sent myself through secondary school with it. Although I know it is very risky but I am trying to save up for higher institution now, maybe someday I will stop hawking and ride in a big car like you.”  I felt tears build up in my eyes, I was really touched by his hard work, faith and optimism. I told him, “you are smart! I am sure you will even do better than I have done”. I gave him the highest denomination with me and asked him to keep the change. He said thank you and went on with his hustle.

Many of us have basic things on a platter of gold yet rather than making the best of these things we keep complaining about the luxuries we don’t have. We need to know that life is not what we get but what we do with what we get. Some get little but they make a lot out of it while other get so much yet they make little out of it. Don’t write off yourself because of those things you lack and don’t be ashamed to dream big because of the environment you find yourself. Late Chief M.K.O Abiola sold firewood while growing up to fund his own education, he couldn’t buy textbooks so he had to cram the contents of the books he borrowed and he ate egg for the first time when he visited his wife-to-be because his family couldn’t afford it while he was growing but he never gave up. He rose to prominence and fame, because he believed that he may not be born with silver spoon but that doesn’t mean he won’t some day eat with one.

If you are reading this today, then I am sure it is not by accident nor chance, it’s because you desire motivation to attain your dreams and inspiration to stir up big turn around. So I am telling you these;

°never ever give up no matter what the odds are

°don’t take for granted the things you have, make the best of them

°be optimistic at all times, it will help your faith grow

°don’t stop seeking knowledge, you have a greater chance of reaching your dreams when you have the right information

°don’t be caught up bemoaning your situation, rather be thankful for life and the chance to better yesterday.

°finally, pray to God to direct your path at all times.

Make the best of what you have that way, one day you would be able to provide all the things you have always wished you had.