How would you feel if you go to bed at midnight (12 am) and hear someone calling your name and tapping you around 3 am?. Frustrated and Angry?. I couldn't feel either of the two because that was what I signed up for. I need to gather as much money as I can now, the new session is coming and fees payment has started, and in a few days or weeks, hostel fees will be needed. So you can see why I resigned to fate when I got tapped to wake up.
Walking half awake, I got into the bus and using my arms as a pillow, I doze off. I was jolted out of sleep when the bus stopped suddenly. I looked around thinking we've gotten to our destination but was shocked when I checked the time and it was just quarter after 3. I heard the noise and sounds of legs rushing to board the bus. I was left shocked by the number of people outside so early trying to get to work before the deadline or before the road gets busy. Right there the question came to mind- When do we rest in this word?
The question was on my mind till I got to work and I decided to ask this question on noisecash. It reminded me of various times when we thought the struggle was over.
In high school
I can remember back in secondary school after writing our final paper, we all shouted "Now we are free!". We believed secondary school was too hard and the university will be much easier, we believed getting up early and putting on a uniform each day was a torment, we believed being given assignments almost every day was a punishment, we believe being chastised- sometimes with the rod was an infringement on our right. The higher institution for us was a key to the freedom we desired.
Higher institutions
Getting into these institutions wasn't easy. Some have to write the exam over and over before being admitted, while some settled for what they least desire, just to have a feel of what "freedom" was and of course, get the certificate. But things turned out to be different from what we thought.
Though we no longer wear uniforms or chastised with a rod by any lecturer, other things pushed us to the limit. Fear of failing and being asked to withdraw forced us to burn candles. As if that wasn't enough, impromptu tests and various projects that require spending lots of money surfaced at intervals. We got tired and looked forward to the day we will graduate and finally get the "Real freedom " when we start working.
When we started working
Little did we know that after graduation, life is just beginning. Seeing various people at the bus stop got me thinking of life after school. I'm sure those that have the intention of going into one business or the other (the entrepreneurs) are already thinking "This is a headache for those working for a salary, as a business owner, I don't need to wake up that early".
Let me tell you this- my boss owns the construction firm, yet he wakes up early to work too. In fact, as a sole proprietor, you will need to put in extra hours into your business if you want to compete with others. So you're not exempted. Maybe seeing people awake so early going about their daily activities is peculiar to Lagos state alone. I know not about some other places, but I can't help asking the question again- "When do we rest in this world?"
This was not the freedom we envisioned in school, responsibilities and duties at a young age has it own weight. Some catering for their siblings and parents, while some their wives and children. Maybe the true freedom is after retirement.
There's time to rest in "no time to rest"
I'm sure everyone has this retirement plan in their head. The age they plan to retire and cruise the world with their partner. Some people live all their life waiting for that day which never comes.
Going through the replies on my noisecash post, @Moony wrote"When we die hehe". Though it was meant as a joke, I couldn't take away the thought from my mind. It's real, some people only get to rest when they get to the grave. I don't want to live that type of life. I know there's no food for a lazy man. You need to work hard and sacrifice so many things, sometimes sleep to achieve a certain goal. But I need to be happy while doing it.
"If you are doing what you love doing, you will be happy no matter what" - this statement is another common one we've all come to believe but recent happenings have made me realise, that is not enough motivation. Money is the best motivation, though many will deny this. If you're doing what you love doing without getting enough pay, you will someday hate it. But with good money on the table, you will be happy.
Why don't you consider having your rest time now?. Look for time to relax, have fun with family and loved ones. Don't neglect your kids to the mother alone. Some men have just weekends as the only free day but spend it at the bar with friends or a viewing centre, watching football. It's good to have fun with the boys sometimes but quality time with family beats that.
This particular reply says it all. There's no rest... but seize every opportunity that comes your way to relax.
Don't wait until you get old before resting. Health is wealth remember. Find time to rest at intervals, go for medical check-ups and take your spouse out on dates. Have fun and be happy.
Special thanks to @heartbeat1515 for the sponsorship renewal.
Expect my monthly review guys๐ค. Though September wasn't as great as the previous month,i believe i have every reasons to be thankful. Even with the red market, ups and down, i was able to get to some landmarks. Watch out guys!
Thanks for reading!๐ค๐๐ค
There is rest only if we know when to rest. Sometimes we are too focused with earthly things which made us forget what rest truly is