Late last year, I attended an online event organised by one of my sisters, Olajumoke, for her unPolished Initiative. The three-hour plus zoom event was tagged, “The Other Half – The Untold Story about Success”.
It was my best three hours of that weekend and I spent it listening to both old and young Africans sharing the ugly truth about how they strived to be where they were against all odds. It was striking how very familiar the experiences shared were. Yes, the guests’ paths were different from one another, and from that of many other people I’ve heard before, but the story was the same.
Persons who fought against all odds to do and be what they wanted.
Persons who failed (multiple times) but rose up and kept pushing.
Persons who didn’t have it all figured out from the start but knew they wanted and were made for more, hence kept trying different things until one finally clicked.
Persons who were betrayed by those they least expected it from but shook it off and kept moving.
Persons who gave all up on the chance that they might make it on a new path.
And on and on…
Tell me, haven’t you heard such stories before? Of course, you have!
Howbeit, this wasn’t the part that got me thinking, but the realization that the only reason I got to hear the stories of these particular persons that day, from countries I may not be able to point to on a map, was because they pushed through.
They made the cut to be on that panel because they had grown as a person and in their field to the point where they can be called upon to share their stories as a motivation to others.
The lessons they shared with us that day were not new per se. I mean, can you even count how many times you’ve heard, “Don’t give up” , “Follow your dreams” , “Keep trying”, ” If at first you don’t succeed, try again”, “Consistency would surely pay off”, “You are the author of your own story”, ” Work smart”, “Save”, “Invest”, yadda yadda?
People have been learning and dishing out these lessons since time immemorial, but these ones got to share them because they are now “somebody”. Same thing applies to those invited to give TedTalks or authors you buy their books, seminars you pay to attend, and motivators you stalk online.
The point is, you won’t be called to share your story until you’ve made some remarkable achievements. Now, remarkable achievement is relative. It does not necessarily mean having millions in your accounts, driving the latest cars, wearing designers, or owning a multi-million dollar company. It basically means you are at a better place than you were yesterday, and constantly getting better than your previous version.
So, stop crying over what you can’t change; like, not being born with silver spoon, being a citizen of a third world country, horrible experiences from your past, who your parents are, what you wished you had to make your life a whole lot better and easier, or whatever.
Instead,
Focus on you
Do you
Work on you
Improve yourself
Face your journey
Accept that you’re on a different path
Pick yourself up each time you fall//fail
Dust it off and try again
Love yourself
Pamper yourself
Respect yourself
And do it for yourself!
Because really, everyone is going through something and that’s why people don’t care about your story or struggle until they’ve seen you make some strides. They will only give you an audience when you have a glossy story, not while you’re still in the mud or during your tilling/planting phase.
Honestly, nobody cares about one more sad story that hasn’t got a happy ending, or a happy “how it’s going”, yet.
Related: Scared of My Fears
Of unpalatable truths.😑
Regardless we move!!
I promise to be a nicer next time 🤭. Thanks for reading and commenting, Winfred. ♥️✨
I felt this. Thanks for sharing❤️
You’re welcome, Star!🤗
♥️✨
Honestly, I am so tired en
I’m tired to my bones
I feel faint
Yen yen yen yen
But the fact that I’m still here means me sef go soon be a
Boss, flesh go soon cover bone.
Amen Amen Amen.
Thank you so much for this ginger Miss Flowery. Time to dust off those webs
Amen, Amen.
You’re welcome, Mammy. No slacking! ♥️✨
Hard truths here sis…..
Yep no one really cares
Thanks muchos, Miss Delightful! ♥️✨
Nobody cares but I care.
This is why I have to keep grinding and succeed.
Thank you for the reminder, Gelax.
Exactly the message! 💯
Thank you more for reading and commenting anonymously 😁
Another reminder that you are the only one that truly cares.
All they wanna see is the glory, the story no consign them.
May God sprinkle alubarika in all we do
That’s right!
Amin, Amin 🙏
Lover, did you have to be this honest 😭😭😭 but this is nothing but the truth
Oh, Star! That’s why we’re lovers!
Thanks for reading and crying all over the comment section 😂😂.
Yep, nobody cares so go ahead and just do you. Loved this!
💯
Thank you, babe! 🤗
I read the title and was a bit bothered but then I read the post and honestly, yes.
People don’t care about sad stories 😂
I can’t wait for my success story. For now, we keep pushing 😊
Thanks for this!
We keep pushing, baby! 💪
I’m sorry I made you worried 🤭
Ah! My chest!
This one hit me hard!
But then the truth is always bitter.
Thank you for reminding me not to relent in my efforts.
One day, in Real Warri Pikin’s voice, everything go plum!
And the world will hear my success story.
Heheheee… Sorry, Mammy! Please take panadol 🤭
Everything go plum last last! Amen!🙏
Oh wow…. The fact that I need to level up with some people in the world, the struggle continues in my way, but meeehn! We keep it the candle lighting nonetheless.👌
We can’t stop… We won’t stop… (Mind me not, I was singing a Selena Gomez or Miley Cyrus’ song 😂)
But yeah, you got the gist!
You have mastered the better way of keeping me hooked..
Go great girl
Yippee yaaay!💃💃
Thanks, Casa. ♥️✨
Welcome and any time madam
Some of us care🙂
I guess there’s always the few that cares. ♥️✨
Thanks for sharing Gelax…This spoke to me directly…really some hard truth to swallow but the truth regardless. Reading this, am taking a chance on that project NOW…doing it afraid.🙏🙏
Yaaay! This is what I love to hear/read!🤩
Now, I’m dying to hear about this project of yours. But you already know you’re a STAR! ✨
This is a beautiful message.100%
Thank you muchos. ♥️✨
People are battling with a lot of predicament already. They do not want to be reminded of their troubles. Nobody cares to listen to the verisimilitude between their battles and yours. Rather, they are looking for inspiration in happy endings, stories of victory and change. This is just the truth of our reality and human nature.
I couldn’t have said this better. Thank you! ♥️✨
Ma’am this was a powerful post. Something I really needed to read. Gotta keep pushing no matter what until you also become that testimony. Some hard truths too but something we need to hear at times. Thank you for this🙌🏾
Yaaay! I’m glad it spoke to you, Dels. You’re very welcome. ♥️✨
you won’t be called to share your story until you’ve made some remarkable achievements.
👌👌👌
That is so true… The world is always looking for the glory part at the end of the story.
Even in the Kingdom of God, glory is the end result of any story that seems sad
Yes, Love, my lover. And by His grace, our glory shall shine. 🙏
Amen