Gradually the year is running to an end. I can say we have less than 49 days for the year to end. It felt like yesterday that my family and I went to the church cross over (In the evening). Due to the lockdown churches and mosques were banned from conducting any vigil that night. Some churches and mosques disobeyed the government order and went ahead with the cross over vigil. My church was among those who went by the Government's order. We only gathered in the evening to pray and everyone home to keep vigil in their homes.
I wrote 2021 off even when it was still an embryo. For the year to start that way then it's going to be a long and painful one. It wasn't about being pessimistic, the noise and warnings were going around. The predictions and prophecies weren't pleasant at all. We were asked to buy food and forget about saving. "Buy a lot of food at home for there will be scarcity and famine," they say. Anxiously people went about buying foodstuffs at home awaiting the impending danger. The youths were making jest of those who had a "Detty December" in the previous year and the Twitter trend table was filled with pessimism.
As Expected things started going bad as predicted. First, it was the Government spreading a circular that all banks should stop accepting any crypto-related transactions- that was on the 5th of February. Then came the announcement for the immediate stoppage to the use of Twitter in the country. We weren't that perturbed because we were expecting worse things to come.
Though so many tragic things happened in the year, we still have reasons to be thankful. Amidst the chaos and disasters, there is still room for Thanksgiving. In everything, we should learn to give thanks. For the food, we eat even if it isn't what we so desire, we should give thanks. For our loved ones and family we should give thanks. For the door of opportunities opened to us all through this platform and other avenues, we should give thanks.
Good health is underrated
When we are hale and hearty we tend to complain about almost every other thing. We talk about the mansion we desire but haven't received, the car we've been longing for but looks like we aren't getting any time soon. But have we ever sat down to appreciate the precious gift of good health? We aren't better than those who have one sickness or the other. We aren't doing anything special to deserve it. Even the ailment you think you have pales when compared to others, so give thanks.
Think of those who got everything but...
We have some people that have been getting every single thing they desire from January, they've amassed so much wealth that people wonder how on earth they manage to but the cold hands of death grab them suddenly. There's nothing special that we have that they don't have. Fate and life are just taking their course.
No detty December
It's a culture here in Nigeria to have a Detty December. It's something that has been going on for long and the youths are always at the forefront. Detty December implies spending all you have lavishly without second thoughts. You can spend it on drinks, parties and carnivals. Have fun with your friends, the pent up stress from January to November will be relieved in any way possible and this involves spending what you have without restraint. Instead, of Detty December we can have a "Giving December". Look for the poor and needy in the society, the widows and homeless children, help them with the little you have. You don't need to go to a motherless babies home or Orphanage as it is called in some places. In the society where you live you can help one or two people.
When giving do not let your other hand know what you're giving. It's common to see people giving out food to the hungry children on the streets and asking them to pose for pictures. Imagine the pain they feel, the crushed ego and the fake smile they put on when the camera flashlight flicks. It's something I still find hard to comprehend in the present day we are in. Except if it's an NGO or charity organization, I see no reason why you should go about helping people with a camera in hand to snap yourself doing it. In fact, I'm not a fan of Public or Open Charity. Let's learn to give without the intention of making everyone know we did.
In conclusion...
This is me charging every one of us to count our blessings and give thanks. Also, let this be a challenge to all of us, this coming December, try to help people in need. I know as we do this we all shall be blessed in countless folds.
Special thanks to @tired_momma for the sponsorship renewal and increment. Thank you ma'am for all you do right from day 1. God bless you.
This year has been good and bad too I don't know which is better in 2021 and 2020 but I thank God for life, we go again next year😊.