·Failed And Wasted Lives On Earth

Obviously, humans are not on the earth without some definite purposes, duties and responsibilities; but it is in rare cases that individuals recognise and actualise or fulfil these obligations, maximally. Vital obligations which every individual must address in life include restoring a balance in regards to personal assets and liabilities so as to create an equilibrium. There is also the obligation of adding value to life, with one’s immediate environment serving as a starting point.
Personal experiences, whether pleasant or sad, are meant to equip and provide resource materials for every individual for the task of managing the issues of life. Thus the wider and more varied the experiences of an individual, the better the resource materials at his disposal for an effective living. It is gladdening to note that the Nigerian environment provides ample opportunities for any individual to break away from the fetters which seek to hold human consciousness to ransom. One handicap holding every individual to ransom is what may be called conformity syndrome.
Real success in life lies in the ability of an individual to turn liabilities into assets, whereby the resourcefulness of the mind becomes the means of transforming conditions for the better. What is described here as conformity syndrome is the tendency of the average person to be swayed by prevailing social values and opinions, without personal convictions. Fortunately current experiences are forcing more and more people to become aware of the gross limitations of mundane values and pursuits which are some of the shackles that hold many people down.
Many people are not aware of the fact that social, political and religious institutions are at work, striving to make everybody toe the lines prescribed by them. Rarely is every individual allowed to go the way which destiny prescribes for everyone. Thus are people held hostage by orthodox authorities, such that personal decisions and choices are rarely made through a free volition or conviction of individuals. There are always freelance advisers and expert authorities ready to guide, shape and direct the choices and decisions of individuals. Laws and rules shape values!
Current experiences in Nigeria give eloquent testimony that the concept of democracy is a mere fraud if the ideas and principles of a democracy are examined. Are fundamental human rights and the rule of law not abused and disregarded every day and in various guises? Popular sovereignty demands that power lies in the collective will of the masses; but has money-politics not made a mockery of that democratic ideal? Neither can any honest person say that the principle of political equality is a reality. What we find in political practices is a buccaneer system whereby power is usually bought and held by the strong, excluding the weak, despite the slogan of “PVC is your Power”.
In a political system where the masses are at the mercy of money-bags, buccaneers and brigands, it is in rare cases that the citizens actualise the purposes and dreams of their lives. Neither can personal choices, decisions and aspirations be exercised without interferences and hindrances coming from external factors. Such external factors include the polity and existing social values and mindset.
Inspite of ruthless hustling for power and wealth it is in rare cases that individuals live a truly stable, successful and happy life in all ramifications. What we find more common is that the lure for power and wealth divert many people away from what life truly destined for them. It would not be wrong to say that every individual has some purposes, mission or calling to carry out, for personal salvation and as means to add some unique value to life in a society. It would also not be wrong to say that destiny arranges the life of everybody in such a way to facilitate accomplishment of purposes.
Unfortunately many people allow themselves to suffer derailment and shipwreck in life’s journey largely because of inability to recognise and stick to the line of aspirations prescribed for them by destiny. There have been cases where people, even in old age, recognise what their true purposes and callings are, and then had the courage to veer into different careers from current engagements. A pharmacologist had become a musician at the age of 58 and a lawyer veered into evangelism. Why? Goes beyond job satisfaction!
A professor of petro-chemical engineering would hardly forgive his son, nick-named chicken-papa, for dropping a course in medicine in year three, to become a poultry farmer. Today “chicken-papa” is a happy and successful entrepreneur, with over 100 employees. Similarly there are many people who can be described as occupational misfits who rarely find job satisfaction because they allowed parents to choose careers for them. The lure of glamour, power and wealth drew many people into politics from careers which gave value to their lives.
Often there comes a turning point in the life of individuals whereby opportunities are provided to veer away from occupational drudgery and into purpose-defined careers. Those who have the courage to pass through such cathartic moments usually adjust into a happier and more fulfilling engagements. Neither do they look back or count past losses. What economists call opportunity cost includes the fact that to have a higher value would entail making some sacrifices. Such personal sacrifices include having the courage and wisdom to make choices according to personal conviction.
From unhappy and failed marriages, to other vital engagements, a number of people often accommodate and endure what rarely gives them solace or satisfaction. It becomes easier for some people to search for supplementary comfort, rather than take hard decisions that would break the jinx. Supplementary comforts range from philandering, gambling, to high-risk engagements which are undertaken as a substitute for a happy life. Neither does resort to alcoholism or hard drugs provide the much needed solace and satisfaction.
What is known as the Law of Reversed Efforts stipulates that any undertaking where the heart, personal free will and conviction do not swing in harmony with the activity, failure soon arises. Similarly anything done under fear, doubts, stress, etc, results in failure. No matter the nature of the engagement or activity, life is a failure and a wasted experience where the heart and conviction of an individual remain in bondage. Causes of nervous breakdown often arise from failed and wasted lives. Personal conviction goes with loyalty, love and harmony. Good health and happiness follow.

By: Bright Amirize

Dr Amirize is a retired lecturer from the Rivers State University, Port Harcourt.