I was reflecting this afternoon, I just remembered my father that passed away some years ago. Regarding his lifestyle, I was able to deduce many things about my father’s life. He has a valuable life, a life of honor and dignity.
The villagers were at peace with him, he loved everyone and carried all together. He was a man of heart of gold. He gave a speech to the whole villagers and prepared them for a better tomorrow. He loves to motivate and encourage people.
No wonder when he died, people were saying, “who among his children could do what he does?” He was a good politician that could not allow his selfish interest to come first when it comes to politics. The development and advancement of the community was everything he cared for, he always made sure you passed through the right channel.
He told me that, “Chris, don’t rely on my properties but make an effort to achieve success. Success will not come on the platter of gold, you need to strife for it. My father, your grandfather Chris, was a poor man, he told me what I am telling you right now.
“Your grandfather was a farmer, very rich in cash crops. He was telling me to work for my own success. He never wanted me to be comfortable that he was rich in cash crops. I thought my father did not love me because I just wanted to sit at home and enjoy everything.
“His words struck my heart so hard that I began to think about it for some time, which made me not like my father like before.
“This was what made me join music in those days. After a few years i followed my boss, i became a great musician in my region. I have toiled around the south-west for years, going from one place to another to sing music. I have released tracks and albums.
“Nothing lasts forever my son, when I discovered that my time in music is going and another musician is rising. I joined politics but was also a musician because people were still calling to come and play for them.
“I joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP). A few months to 1993 presidential election, I became the party chairman in SDP. I never had any plan to contest in my local government, but I was there to select people that were fit for the positions.
“Today, I am happy because I was able to raise many people to political positions at the state level. That is the reason you see politicians around me. God used my hand to raise some of them up.
“Therefore, make sure you always strive for success, success is looking for those who genuinely strive for it. Chris, whatever you want to become, you must have focus and determination. Whenever you fail, never look back, man can fail several times but don’t accept the failure. Always remember that success and failure is part of human being, if you fail, it means you have not met the requirement. Don’t give up, sit back, strategize, rethink, re-check what made you fail, arrive at solutions, and make sure you are fully prepared for the next one.
The cure to failure is being prepared. And when you prepare and fail again, you should know that you have not got it right. Then, don’t give up at all. Because you might have read materials given to you to prepare you for examination, but yet failed. This does not mean that you did not read the materials but only concentrated in some areas which probably are not coming out in examination. Don’t give up when you fail many times.”
These words of my father kept me at this level. I have failed many times, cried and wanted to run away but when I remember the words of my father, I sit down and begin to look for solutions.
I have done many things that I was not successful at, I never allow failure to dictate my future.
Today, I no longer move like before when I fail. My full concentration right now is success: even though I fail along the line, I believe I have not prepared enough for it.
I never loved those words of my father when he was telling me. Today, his words are treasures to me.