THE GREATEST LESSON THE YEAR 2022 TAUGHT ME

The year 2022 is unique; it has been an extraordinary one with numerous highs and lows. There were days when I was thrilled by the unexpected blessings it bestowed upon me, and there were moments when I felt dejected and hoped I could put an end to the suffering it brought. All in all, I've learnt a lot through it all, and I hope that it will serve as a compass for my future.

This is probably the year I learned a lot about life in general, relating to every aspect like finance, needs, responsibility, expectations, and forgiveness, to name a few. But even in those learning experiences, it never came easy. There were days I questioned God regarding why he let what befell me happen, and there were days I looked up at him and said, "I know I don't deserve these blessings, yet you can provide them for me."

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TO NEVER GIVE UP

I'm sure most of us might look at that subtopic and feel like it's a common phrase or advice, but to me it meant more; it literally goes way deeper because writing this draws me way back to how the year began, how it unfolds gradually, and how it presently is for me, and I can't help but say wow at how far I've come and the role that not giving up plays in my growth and present status.

When everyone enters the year with jubilation, my family and I do as well, but with some uncertainty of what the future holds as regards my brother's poor state of health, I mean, who won't be, coming from 2021 where he was operated on about 4 times and yet, we were told he still needed to come for another that same January. We were worried, broke, and unsure of where the funds will come from.

But then, regardless of those red lights and uncertainty, we were able to sail through. About two other operations were performed on him, and finally he was perfectly ok. Fast forward to today, and he has regained admission into the territory institution after being sidelined for almost two years due to his health issues.

Had we given in to our lack of funds and how his medical bills drew us into bankruptcy, he wouldn't be where he is today. Also, had we given in to some unpalatable advice from some nurses and doctors that advised us to give up on him when he wasn't yielding to treatment, we wouldn't be looking at him now with joy,so for that I learn never to give up.

Also, I can remember that his health was the reason I had to quit my job with my former employee, and that cost me a lot. I had to go back to the shoemaking craft I learned years ago to survive, as well as fund his bill; covering the expenses wasn't easy, and I remember selling most of my assets to make some money, but I never gave up on securing a better job when he's healthy again.

But then, after he recovered, I started applying for different organizations, until I got a call one faithful evening around 6pm from an unknown number, telling me he's calling from the Lagos state government regarding the vacancy position I applied for, and he said I'll be having an interview the following morning by 8am. The manner of the call and the timing seem so ridiculous that I almost didn't take it seriously.

But then, on second thought, I came to the consensus that I don't have anything to lose if I give it a trial. Though I was in Kwara State when the call came in, I rushed home from my shop and packed all necessary documents that might be requested. I left Ilorin around 8 p.m., looking for a night bus to convey me to Lagos at that odd hour. The search proved fruitless, but then I devised other means by first taking a bus to Ibadan, which was a neighboring state.

We arrive at Ibadan around past 1am, and by that time there was no vehicle in the bus terminal heading towards Lagos, but then one of the drivers in that pack promises to leave for Lagos by 4am if he can get more passengers, so I and those I met all slept inside the bus till a few minutes past 4am, and then the bus began the journey to Lagos.

Luckily for me, I arrive at the place where I'll be interviewed 20 minutes before the interview will kick off, so I quickly look for a restroom within that territory to change my attire to a more decent suit that befits an interview. I couldn't even bathe; I just washed my face and combed my hair and went in for the interview.

Fortunately for me, I was among those who passed the interview with a significant score, and that made me earn the privilege to choose which ever location I want to be posted to across the state. Fast forward to today, and I'm presently working at that organization and yet still having people help me manage my shoemaking store.

How things have played out has made me understand that we should say it's over until it's actually over, and neither should we give up without making an attempt to make whatever it is work in our favour. It's a life lesson I hold dear and will take into the coming years as a blueprint in case such a scenario plays out again.

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There are other life lessons I've learned this year that I won't be sharing because I felt they were confidential or because I'm not in the right state of mind to share them with the general public presently, but once I can, I'll fill you in on those. But I'm sure the ones I've shared above are valuable and you'll find them helpful in your life journey subsequently.

Thanks so much for your time; that's about all the significant life lessons the year 2022 has taught me. The write-up was inspired by a HIVE Learning community weekly prompt, so please read Kronia's post to get the full details.

Thank you for your support; have a blessed and productive week and a remarkable new year ahead.