Steps to a fruitful New year. Part 5,6 & 7.

5) LIFE IS NOT A COMPETITION.

This part will make me travel back to my secondary school days. During my secondary school days, I was a very lazy reader. The only times I had to read was during examinations and test period. However, I still had my stand at the top two students in the class. Even till date, I still hate to read. The mystery of how I still managed a top spot in the class is what I'll reveal today.

In my class, I was always in competition with anyone trying to score above me. When I assess our test scores and you seem to have scored a higher percentage than me, I'll make you my target. I have to beat you no matter what. Although, it was fun while I was still in this competitive habit. I made sure to outsmart any one during test and exams. The teachers loved me and complimented my brilliancy. My only weakness was Mathematics and all the teachers knew about it.

I moved to another school when I was in sss3. In the new school, my class was a very competitive one. Like, all my classmates were very competitive. During exams, I'll make sure I read because I want to prove to them that I was the best. I actually tried but it wasn't enough. I wasn't standing at the top 10 if I look at it but I still managed to be the best in three subjects. To me, everything was a competition or, rather permit me to say that I am naturally competitive.

But reality dawned on me when I was admitted into the University. I thought it was all about being the first or the best. First semester 100level, I found it very hard to balance myself. In secondary school, I loved to read with my classmates. We come in groups to read and I always made sure to cram everything before anyone does, I always made sure I knew all the definitions ahead of everyone. But in the University, the competition stopped. I don't know how to read alone, I'm not used to it. I found it very difficult to read and grasp the content quickly. At the end of the semester, my results were not bad but it wasn't what I expected. It was then I realized that being competitive doesn't mean you are the best. It only means you want to get ahead of everyone without focusing on bringing the best out of yourself.

2022 is around the corner. The only competition that you should duly participate in is a competition against your yesterday. Everyday, compete with yourself to be better than how you were yesterday. Life gives us every chance to bring out the uniqueness in ourselves. Do not live everyday trying to beat others when you have not had a glimpse of the uniqueness in you. Instead of being in competition against others, compete with yourself. Life is not a race nor a competition.

6) BE KIND

Earlier, I read a post of a lady that went to a supermarket to purchase some things. At the mall, she helped a little boy who playfully got lost to locate his mother in the mall. The boy's mother was indeed grateful to the lady and they exchanged contacts. The next Monday, the boy's mother called the lady and asked her to come over to her office and that was how the lady's life was changed completely. The boy's mother employed her to be her Personal Assistant. Her salary was close to half a million monthly despite the weekly allowance she gets for feeding and transportation. It's a true life story. The lady when she posted her story was opening her own house that she built in less than a year.

Being kind is one important behaviour to possess. You don't have to know who is who before you show a bit of kind act towards anyone. Being kind shouldn't be with the intention that it must be reciprocated. It doesn't matter whether another person is kind or will be kind to you. You just have to be kind to everyone. There are many ways of showing kindness. You can choose whatever way you deem fit to express your kindness. We have heard stories of how little kindness turns things around for some people.

Be kind to everyone around you in 2022. You don't know how that little kindness you show today goes a long way to help you tomorrow.

7) THE MAJOR FACTOR - GOD.

Starting the new year without God will not be good enough. There is only one person that knows how your new year is going to be. There is only one person who will lead you in the right path to success. There is only one person who will stand by you against all odds. There is only one person who won't bother you for money or food to eat. There is only one person who can make all your plans planned already. That person is always at your door.

To think that you can do things on your own is foolishness. To think that you can plan your life and live according to your plan is foolishness. The only master planner is God. Things I planned earlier this year didn't go well. It is only with God that your plans can become reality.

In your journey into the new year, commit yourself to God. Ask for everything you want in his name. Let God be the first thing in your life, for with God all things are possible. Since it is impossible to not sin, let your sin be minimal and ask for forgiveness whenever you do. Do not neglect the ways of God for the ways of men.

Do not be deceived by what anyone says concerning your life. Only God knows tomorrow... How you want to spend your new year, talk to God about it and believe that he is working with your plans and his plans for your life...

Images credited to unsplash.com

Just few minutes to the new year

I wish everyone a FRUITFUL 2022 ahead in Jesus' name. ♥