No Perfect Situation In Life

One day a wealthy man I brand him Moneyson was chauffeured along a busy street in Lagos, Nigeria, while a man of humble status Pauperson was sprinting after molue (a commercial bus in Lagos) they both glared at each other with envy. Moneyson was gone and seconds later Pauperson was in the molue. However their minds were preoccupied for the better part of the day. Each thinking of his own plight and envying the other.

THESE ARE THEIR VARIOUS THOUGHTS:

Moneyson: That man has no problem.

Pauperson: That man has money, he has no problem, he's happy, very happy!

Moneyson: He must be very happy; he knows he could be rich someday. But look at me, fear has nearly killed me. The thought of losing my wealth and falling from grass to grace (because the business climate here is unpredictable) is devastating, alas depressing! In contrast, the thought of rising from grass to grace is inspiring to him.

Pauperson: That man is secure. He knows that the rich are getting richer in Nigeria. I'm not secure because the poor are getting poorer in our clime.

Moneyson: These are the kinds of men that our wives run after, give our hard-earned money to, and sleep with because they have all the time in this world to shower them attention and pamper with affection. Alas, I've no such time! If it's not Abuja tomorrow, it's Port Harcourt or London.

Pauperson: These type of men are the ones that entice our wives with money and make them divorce us permanently or stay with us but remain unfaithful.

Moneyson: I'm sure he may forget to lock his door at night yet he sleeps like a brand new baby. His mind is at rest in that molue, for he knows armed robbers would never think of him let alone attack him. Despite the fact that I've five merciless dogs prowling my compound and two red-hot security guards, my mind knows no rest. Maybe armed robbers are even trying to snatch my car, maim or even kill me right now. I don't even trust my guards, I remember ex-president of India, Indira Gandhi was killed by her security guards and likewise the ex-president of Zaire now Congo DR. Here in Nigeria, Chief Bola Ige, a serving Minister of Justice and attorney general of the nation was killed by unknown men yet he had many security guards. I pay each of my guards N300, 000 basic salary but if someone gives them N50,000,000 each won't they allow them kill me? God, my life is in your hands for only you can protect me.

Pauperson: His mind is at rest. Money breeds security, security brings tranquility, tranquility brews prosperity. He has the money to have ten security guards, now tell me, who would harm him? Anybody could kill me at any time because I've no one protecting me.

Moneyson: He's a free man. Everybody likes and appreciates him for they know that he embezzled not, neither did he mismanaged. He has peace and pride. But people hate me like poverty and fear like AIDS. The average Nigerian believes that for me to be wealthy I would either be a fraudster, a drug courier, corrupt politician, fake cleric, into rituals or something morally and ethically debasing. I don't blame them, since many rich men are into one or more of those. I only pray to God to clean and cleanse our land.

Pauperson: Everybody wants to be like that man. They like and appreciate him. I can put my life on the line that he knows these, which give him pleasure, peace and pride. He has feelings of self-worth, healthy self-esteem and heading towards self-actualisation.

Moneyson: That man is not in any cage whatsoever, not me! I'm like a monkey in the zoo watching everybody enjoying freedom while others watch him in his incarceration. Of course an imprisoned body can never have a free soul. The monkey reminds me of the case of Esau and Jacob. The former was famished yet the latter had sumptuous meal at his disposal. How pathetic! That man can jump up, laugh, sit and eat roasted or boiled maize with pear or coconut at the street corner, visit mama put (local restaurant) read papers at bus stops, share opinion on sports, politics, religion … not me! Paparazzi wouldn't let me rest. In my opinion, I'm living a false life in a real world and I've one life, just one life to live. Not even a little cough is allowed. I can see the headlines:

“CHIEF. MONEYSON SUFFERS TB FLOWN ABROAD.”
“MOUTH ULCER AFFLICTS CHIEF. MONEYSON, VISITS UK SPECIALIST.”

“PROTRACTED THROAT PROBLEM THREATENS MULTIMILLIONAIRE CHIEF MONEYSON.”

“THE RICH ALSO CRY: HOSPITALITY AND INSURANCE BILLIONAIRE CHIEF. MONEYSON HOSPITALIZED.”

Pauperson: That man has total and absolute freedom. He can glob trot. From Paris to Milan, New York to The Bahamas. Has fleet of cars, harem of women, name it

Moneyson: The sweetest foods are the most expensive, ironically, they are the most dangerous. My doctor keeps telling me to reduce them and eat more of fruits and vegetables, beans, fresh fish, whole grain meals and the like. I'm sure those are the foods he eats. Sure he would have sound health. He has no money yet has health, quality health. Pathetically, my own money is my ill health.

Pauperson: That man may be old enough to be my father but he looks like my younger brother. He has money, he could buy good, expensive foods and drinks, which make his skin fresh, in fact, if I move closer to him I'll see my 'church-rat' body in his skin. Why won't he look younger than his age? If you've money, mosquito won't bite you much less have malaria but should you get infected, you get the best medication available in Nigeria or you go abroad for treatment. Medical tourists are 'moneymaniacs,' except the masses who have access due to charity. Money cures and prevents ailments and diseases. These are the men that enjoy top health. They live to 110 years and above.

Moneyson: My doctors keep drumming it into my ears and head to exercise for twenty minutes at least four times a week but I don't have the time. I can't even walk for five minutes in my estate, how much more jog around. That's not the case with that man. He could walk from Ketu Alapere here in Lagos to Dugbe Alawo in Ibadan. A distance of over 75 miles in few days.

Pauperson: I walk almost 2 miles five times in a week to reduce my transport fare. What a hell on earth. How demoralizing! The rich spend money to save time; conversely the poor spend time to save money. That man can afford to employ a macho man that will carry him from his bedroom to his garage in his home and from his car park in his office complex to his office. What I'm saying in a nutshell is that that man need not stress himself walking, his cars are his legs, they will surely do that for him. What a beautiful life. Enjoying paradise on earth before the real paradise.

Enjoy where you are, who you are and what you are right now while you strive to soar to a higher stratum of socio-economic status but don't feel bad about your pathetic situation and don't be complacent. Remember whoever or wherever you are, you can improve your situation by being creative, proactive and inventive. Happiness is a choice; therefore, choose to be happy irrespective of your circumstances. The rich cry because they choose to and the poor smile because they choose to.

Don't react to your circumstances but respond to them. Let your stress sweat by choosing to relax and stay calm no matter the storm. Above all, do good and put your trust in God. He has all your needs, wants, desires and dreams in his luggage! Wishing you a blissful, fruitful 2014!

Author:
Olayemi Ogunojo: relationship cum life coach, motivational speaker, creative writer, freelance journalist, publisher, philosopher, researcher and teacher.