If you think too much about doing something you just never might get it done.
I've been thinking about what to post since all these days, but I just had to stop and give it a go anyway.
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You hear stories about the passport office in Nigeria and then you get scared to go there and get a new passport or renew your old one. My memories of the Ikoyi passport office when I was younger were that of a sandy area, people crowded on dirty benches under a tattered canopy, uniformed men and women carrying files and walking about, 'agberos' lurking around, sweat and maybe tears and long days spent going to check back for your passport.
So imagine my fear when I realised my passport was going to expire soon and I would need to get a new one. I just got depressed instantly. Moreso as I knew I would have to do it all by myself. It was in the past that we all (my parents and siblings) went as a family. I started making a mountain out of a molehill, worrying over how I would get a renewed passport without exchanging bribe or having to wait for days. I was really worried especially as I was not ready to do anything the illegal way. I went on google and read web page after web page about anything on getting a passport in Nigeria; people's experiences, how they got cheated, how long it took to get their passport e.t.c..
Finally, I summoned courage and went to the passport office/Nigerian Immigration Service(NIS) at Ikeja. Thanks to my friend who helped with directions. I was surprised because it looked nothing like I had seen before in their Ikoyi office. Interlocking blocks had been laid all over the compound neatly, people sat comfortably under a very good canopy and inside the office on comfortable chairs. No touts lurked around and the officers were organised and the atmosphere was very peaceful. The end of the long story is that I got my new passport in one day without sweat or tears.
Hmm.. Will it be safe to say things are getting better or am I dreaming?
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Totally unrelated to my story above, I've learnt one great lesson since this year started- not to talk too much about what you are doing, what you are planning to do or what's going on in your life with everyone, because;
1. Some people won't just get it and their ignorance can discourage if not anger you,
2. Some people don't really care and their disinterest could possibly make you feel bad,
3. Some people will discourage you outright with their snide comments and all, so you are better off shutting up,
4.
5. If you share too much about what's going on in your life, one day you might regret why you ever shared it.
When you know you really want something think it through very well, pray about it to God, write down plans on how to execute it and act before it's too late. That's the most important part- acting, not just dreaming.
And if you must share your dreams at all, let it be with a person or people you trust completely, whose opinion you value and who would tell you the truth without sentiment or any ill-feeling towards you.
I remember this from Tyler Perry's list- "40 at 40"
"Don't share your dreams with everyone and don't be angry with non-dreamers"
Even if it's a dream as little as doing the big chop (cutting your hair) and going natural...lol... In that case you might just hear rude comments like "you'll be very ugly". Do it anyway if that's what YOU WANT!
Anyway, I'm talking about other dreams...:)
Follow your dreams, don't be scared and you'll see how much you'll benefit and remember to pay no heed to the naysayers.
It might get tough along the way but keep keeping on and surround yourself with positive-thinking intelligent people.
If it's really what you want, go for it; but always remember to seek God's opinion.
"A man's mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps"- Proverbs 16:9
See y'all later. I'm out.
Love, ay.
