Learning to Appreciate Life

Waking up this morning, I refused to turn on my radio as usual. Mornings like this I wish I could stay asleep all day; the world seems on top of me. Why? I am feeling this way because I place priority on things that are not worth it.

Taking a cue from the madness and frustration of present situations in Nigeria; the porous security, political ‘higi-haga’, lack of employment, spiritual dehydration, growing rate of ritual activities et al.

In view of the aforementioned state of affairs some of us result to giving up on life itself. An adage says ‘who wears the shoe knows where it pinches’ or like my people will ‘eni ba lo mo, ogun ile binukonu’.

We all have our individual situations but do you ever think about a certain phrase which says ‘When there’s life, there’s hope’? Yeah there’s hope, abundant of it, only if you believe!

We have to appreciate the breath of life and the fact that we wake up every day to endless opportunities waiting for us.

Appreciation should be a part of us. My parent taught me that when I appreciate the little things I have, opportunities for bigger ones will be opened soonest. Here are few ways we can appreciate life itself:

Appreciate your body. Some people do not know how to value their body. Our body is our only permanent haven. We must learn to appreciate what we have got, small, big or medium. It’s ours. Exercise your body, eat good food and drink sufficient water.  You also need to respect your body. Tattoo and some forms of body-piercing is disrespect to your body. Why would anyone turn him/herself into a drawing board in the name of fashion? Be proud of your body, flaunt it if you got it like they say, but be modest about it.

Appreciate Nature. Some times when am free, especially during the weekend I go out, to somewhere cool like under a tree. Looking at nature in the face, I enjoy watching birds fly away (not the ones that falls down and transform into human), the trees, flowers and I also get high on fresh air.  You should also try that someday, by the way, don’t do it alone. Have a companion!

Appreciate your friends.  We have some people in our life, with them life is complete even without all the luxuries therein. These are the set of people we call friends. The ones we can call on anytime we need assistance or whenever we have a juicy tittle-tattle! Yes we all do tittle-tattle! Appreciate them in every possible ways you can through phone calls, chat and other social hang-outs. Our friends form a part of the spicy ingredients of life! They add value to our life especially in the society. By the way hope your kind of friends adds value to your life too? Remember that your kind of friends tell who you are!

Appreciate your siblings. Our siblings are like the keys to the door of life. They help mould our views about life. They shared our meals and most importantly our early life with us. So they are a special part of us and so they should remain. Sometimes whenever am away from home, I think about those moments shared with my brothers and sisters. It brings joy to my heart!

Appreciate your parent.  According to the Bible, in Exodus 20 vs. 12 it says that “Honor your father and your mother, and then you will live a long full life in the land the LORD your God is giving you.”  Our Parent deserves our maximum respect, care and love. Make out time to phone, visit and share with them. The moments shared with them are their best times alive.

Appreciate God. The giver of life! In His amazing infinite mercies kept us safe from all forms of dangers. Life is a gift and God gave you that gift for a reason.  Whenever I go out and see the world, people and situations all around I am taught to say ‘Thank You Lord’ on the hour every hour. Present situations might not be as planned but what we have ahead is greater. There is time for everything under the heaven and you know God’s time is the best.

Ultimately, be contented with what you have, that will encourage and boost your appreciative drive!

Remember and always know that “those who bring sunshine into the lives of others, cannot keep it from themselves”

You are special. You are loved. Never forget that. You will rise again. Cheers!