If you are trying to shield yourself from what people
Will think or may say about your life’s journey…
Alas, it is nothing but an exercise in futility.
For we have no control over their actions or speech.
Rather expend that energy investing in you
And thrive and on the inherent possibilities.
YemilBenjoy ©
Filed under General, Life, Uncategorized
Time itself, is an enigma.
Sometimes, it is in the present
Sometimes, in the old past
Often, memories of distant times
Feel very vivid, while recollections
Of the recent, appear apt to fade
More rapidly into the recesses.
Though intangible it may seem
Yet, within that very aspect, most
Dreams must thereto hold fast and
Plans advanced to capitalize on the
Dividend of hope amid each moment.
YemilBenjoy ©
Filed under Life
Do not sacrifice the laurels you earned
Through hard work and sweat equity
For want of dreams that have not yet
Come to pass, rather treasure that
Which reflect the reward of your earnest
Effort, and use them without any reservation to
Motivate and propel you to the goal of enriching
Your gift of life and that of others, and therefrom
Find contentment, which in itself will supplant
The void of unrealized dreams with hope
Which in time will yield the bounty of peace.
YemilBenjoy ©
Do not let the disappointment of the moment
Linger too long with your soul, my friend …
Commit to discarding its woeful garment and
The propensity to overwhelm the spirit with despair.
Rather, seek within and around you that which uplifts
And in earnest measure find joy, and maximize to your
Own advantage, the treasures of the unique gift, of each day.
YemilBenjoy ©
Filed under Life
It is but not a failing to embrace new things
In the quest to advance forward in life…
For when we hit that point, in this terrain
Where the winds of the challenge remain
Steadfast in their determination to incite
Discontent and lack of tranquility, and
Old plans, which otherwise work, yield
No momentum towards progress, then
My friend, it is time for introspection towards
Full recalibration and the utilization of new strategies,
To transcend that which appeared to be immutable.
At this juncture, take heed to adapt, and
Not rely solely on what worked in the past,
Which may not have the power to see you
Through the current turbulent storm.
Rather with courage, try something new
For there is victory in realizing the futility of
The plans that no longer bear fruit.
YemilBenjoy ©
Filed under Life
Do not let the ripples of irritation in life
Be they constant, or intermittent, detract
From the promise and joy of living earnestly.
For they, possess the power and proclivity
Of attempting to consume or overshadow
Life to the disadvantage of sustained progress.
Therefore, make diligent entreaties towards
Focusing on the nature and promise of hope.
Accentuate that which inspires the spirit to soar.
Convert the destructive into positive momentum,
And propel yourself forward to the realization
Of the dreams you envisioned for the fullness
Of the bountiful gift of the life that is yours.
YemilBenjoy ©
Filed under General
Where lieth the true essence of wisdom.
Does it just accompany the chronology of age
Simply because the years turn into decades of life.
Is it found through one existence defining experience
Or amid the multitude of challenges encountered during
The phases shaping the course of our fragile mortality.
Is it manifest in considered circumspection, probably
Applied in varying degrees to ensuing circumstance and events.
Is it the unique province of a few who then impart it wisely
As revered sages to the expectant seeking its solemn direction.
Or is it a derivative of the collective thoughts, then spoken, or woven
Into bound volumes of scholarly accounts for the edification of many.
Could it be, that it is encountered in the calm solitude of the walk
Through the parks and gardens of contemplation, or arises from
Deep within the routine of the communing with the supreme being.
Possibly, it may reveal itself in one of or a combination of these.
Yet, the one who finds wisdom should guard it utmost jealously
For in its midst, is contained the invaluable compass to navigate life.
Thus, irrespective of where its imprints are encountered,
When indeed in its time, it attends to your discernment
And commands by its very stature one’s rapt attention
Court it fully, and abide wholeheartedly by its doctrines.
With astuteness, hold firm to its priceless undeniable virtues
To guide your judgement, utterances and all undertakings.
That its essence, may steadfastly illuminate your course
With its sagacious attributes to your enduring benefit.
YemilBenjoy ©
Filed under Life
Although this is a fictional narrative, sadly it is to convey what an abducted girl in captivity may write:
Mr. President,
Do you know that my sister and I were among some of the girls kidnapped from our beds at our school in Chibok and now Dapchi, Nigeria? I now live in a constant state of terror, not knowing what will happen to me next. I am completely devastated that my life as I knew it is over and live in horror that I may never see my family again. I detest what my life has become. I am helpless and unable to protect myself or my fellow captives. My younger sister was also taken that ill-fated day and I have not seen her since then. As her older sister, I shudder to think that she is also going through what I am suffering. I weep for her. I weep for myself. I weep for all the captives. I weep for my parents and over the abhorrent situation that we have been thrust into. I am worried about my parents. Have you spoken to them?
My best friend was killed on the first day of our abduction. They caught her as she was trying to run back to freedom. She died from the beating. I still hear her screaming. Since she died, I have been very scared to run away because I don’t want to die trying to escape but I don’t want to live as a slave. Which is the viable abyss? The two options are hell on earth.
I once had a dream to become a doctor so that I could help my community deal with diseases and take care of the sick. Did I dream in vain because I am Nigerian girl living in Chibok? Will that dream ever be revived? In captivity, we know no peace. We have no privacy, little to eat or drink. We no longer sleep in beds. There are no bathrooms, we have no soap and are no longer able to bath daily. Guns are pointed at our faces and at our heads. We are constantly threatened with death and bodily harm. We have forgotten the sound of laughter and they make us do the most unspeakable things. Please save us from this insanity.
At school, in one of my classes we read the Oath of Office of the Nigerian President. I recall that it includes the following:
“ I do solemnly swear and affirm … that in all circumstances, I will do right to all manner of people, according to law, without fear or favour, … and that I will devote myself to the service and well-being of the people of Nigeria. So help me God”.
If that is the case, why am I here? Why have we not been rescued after several weeks? Why was my school not protected? Why have we been raped? Why are we being sold like valueless commodities on the ignominious market square of slave trade. Will we ever be rescued? We are powerless and exist at the mercy of our captors and slave masters and need to be rescued. Please do not forget us.
I must stop now because I hear someone coming…
Fictional story to be continued.
YemilBenjoy ©
Filed under Life
Is lasting global peace an intangible imagination
Has it escaped from the grace of earnest promise.
Does it fall through outstretched hands as porous sand
And now assume the solitude of illusion’s barren frame.
Will children forever be ensnared by its anguish deep
And widows wear the sackcloth of ritual lamentation
Over the fatal disintegration of treasured family bonds,
While fatigued fathers curse the endurance of combat.
Will we constantly live with the presence and news of wars
Where the presence of tranquility simply disintegrates into
The strife of bombardment and the barrage of conflict, to
Eclipse the sincere hope of reassuring and lasting concord.
Will the chapters of existence, but only hence sadly recite, the
Steady accompaniment of tragedy and death with hostilities,
As the frequency of catastrophic battle adopts the constancy of time
That all then lie conquered under the flag of helpless surrender.
Has humanity failed in its obligation to avert this course
And will limb, life and blood line the paths to no escape
Where there is no refuge from the ghoulish nightmares
That torture the captive and the apparent free likewise.
Slumber not, ye responsibility of humanity, amid the carnage
Allowing battle’s transgression to perpetuate its will, till harmony
In capitulation hath no recourse, when all cataclysmic occurs
Living none to truly attend to the reconciliation of harmony.
YemilBenjoy ©
Filed under Uncategorized
We are all elements within the greater cause.
Therefore, we must seek and find our roles
And points of positive connection with others,
Towards the dignified respect of, and certainly
For the advancement of the cause of humanity.
Your actions count!
YemilBenjoy ©
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