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Lift up others this season

By Omoni Oboli
17 December 2016   |   4:14 am
I am Omoni Oboli and I represent Naija! Welcome to the last month of the ember months! There’s always something about the last days of the year that builds a sense of anxiety...

lift-up-others

I am Omoni Oboli and I represent Naija! Welcome to the last month of the ember months! There’s always something about the last days of the year that builds a sense of anxiety, apprehension, fear or introspection in some, and a sense of joy, peace, boldness and accomplishment in others. “The time is winding down”, we think to ourselves, but how does that really affect anything? I mean, it’s just the dates that are different, because we still wake up, sleep, work (at least till Christmas, for most people) and play like every other day in the year. Whatever we think of the end of the year and the season of Christmas, we all agree that it sparks off feelings that are different from every other day of the year.

I love this season, and the feeling for me is one of joy and gratitude for a year gone by. Whatever the trials and travails of the year, the mere fact that I’m even able to complain is a testimony to my being blessed, alive and well. We all owe it to ourselves and to others around us to create an atmosphere of tranquility and neighbourliness to those around us. We don’t always know what the person living right next to us is going through, and many times we also go through stuff that we don’t discuss with our neighbours. A little empathy would go a long way sometimes to lift up the spirit of those we cherish and those we live in close proximity to.

We often complain of issues pertaining to the state of our nation, and have learnt lately to lay almost all the blame for our woes on the doorstep of others but ourselves. This has led to a generation that takes no responsibility for their own flaws and only see the speck in other people’s eyes.

This is not to say that we shouldn’t speak up against what we perceive as bad in our society or blame rightly those who are culpable, but we must not fall into the danger of ignoring our own culpability, lest we be in danger of being insensitive to our sense of responsibility. We didn’t get to where we are by chance, and we’re certainly not going to get out of our situations by ignoring our direct or indirect contributions to the problems.

On my part, I have decided to be a catalyst for growth and development in the movie entertainment sector of our economy, and would soon make known more plans to help create more opportunities for others to achieve their dream in this industry. I hear a lot of people asking for help on how to get into the industry, and they write to me often about how good they are in acting, writing and other areas of the movie business.

This does not mean that they know what they’re talking about, as I’ve discovered with some people I have given the opportunity in the past, but I would like to systematically show some people a step-by-step approach to being an actor, writer or director from my own perspective. I believe there’s a lot of talent out there. I want to see them, and would hate to see them go to waste. So watch out soon, and I will be introducing new and also some already existing faces into the limelight of Nollywood movie world.

Mentoring can be a great way of spreading love and joy in this Christmas season, and would only cost you your time. For some people though, time can be far more expensive to give than cash, and people have to respect that. So when someone who could normally not afford to give you his or her time offers it, don’t squander it on waiting on cash handouts when the knowledge they offer you is of far more value. This is the tragedy of many today, who gain access to some people and are so focused on how to get quick cash, they miss the long term cash they would have gained from the wisdom being offered freely.

I have enjoyed the wisdom and mentorship of many ahead of me, and also of people who didn’t know that they were contributors to my wealth of knowledge because they were younger, less wealthy or less educated than I. Wisdom comes from anyone, and there’s no rule that says you can’t gain from those whom you see as beneath you in status. When we can humble ourselves and be patient, we can learn from anyone. So don’t despise anyone because of how you perceive them. You never know whom God is speaking through to get to you.

Let’s make this an end of year that we would be proud of as we prepare and regroup to tackle whatever 2017 may bring, with our heads held high and our spirits lifted up. We’re Nigerians, and we don’t play dead when situations arise. We make a way! It helps to join forces and stand undivided as we all surmount every issue that would affect any of us. I just came today to encourage us all. So, till next week, keep smiling!

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