No Condition Is Permanent.

Ponder this: the fact that you are first does not automatically mean that you are the best. Inversely, the fact that you are the last does not automatically mean you are the worst. Things are not always what they appear to be. You see, things can and do change, depending on how you make use of the time and chances life gives to you; the first now can end up as the last and the last now can end up as the first tomorrow. No condition is permanent.

You need to know that where you are now is a position and not a conclusion. You can, therefore, move on to better things and improve your position and condition. You can change your position to a far better condition. You can turn the table for your good and go on to enjoy the very best of life. It is all possible.

For those of you who are currently doing well and occupy the front row, let me tell you a bit about the psychology of success: it is like an intoxicant. It gives you a false feeling of security and invincibility, making you lose both perspective and objectivity. You soon begin to believe your own propaganda and, in doing so, you stop doing the very things that propelled you to this position in the first place. Without you noticing it at first, you start to regress and those who you thought you were superior to, who kept working the processes of success, begin to make progress ahead of you. Except you check the fall and bounce back, you soon become a "has been"!

Do not lose your advantage. How? By keeping your perspective and objectivity clear. Maintain and sustain your ambition. Maintain and sustain your hunger. Maintain and sustain your drive. Maintain and sustain your curiosity. Remain at the top of your game. Be up and doing. Go after your aims and goals with unrelenting zeal and commitment. Work harder. Work smarter. Like Usain Bolt, continually break your old records and set new ones. That is the key to remaining first and relevant.

And if you are last right this moment? Its not all bad news, you know. Believe me, you can bounce higher and climb to better things and attain greatness. You can go all the way to be the very best and sit at the very top. It is a possibility that is fully within your reach. It is a possibility that is as real as the daily rise of the Sun and the air you breathe. You can take this fact to the bank.

The question is "how?" It follows the same principle as remaining the best; work harder, smarter and longer, and do not accept the mirage of defeat that thunders at you that you are good for nothing; that you will always be a failure; that you will never win; that you will never be celebrated. It is a mirage, a false appearance. Success is not exclusive to any particular race, tribe, religion or family. It is universally available to everyone that pays the price in relevant preparation, work and risk-taking. Your name can be written on the wall in the hall of success.

Therefore stay calm. Remain at your duty post. Keep your heart, your head and your hands on the job. Plough forwards and upwards. Observe. Ask questions. Learn and grow. Never give in to doubt, fear or complacency. Do not settle for good, when you can become better and go on and become the best. Keep working because work makes greatness possible. You never climb a wall with your hands in your pockets, do you? Pull your hands out of your pockets and work. Grab hold of the ladder of life and climb upward. Get up and get going.

My personal experience bear testimony to the fact that no condition is permanent. Things can  change for good. You can bounce back from worse to bad and from bad to good and then move on to success and greatness. You see, I was once labelled "purposeless" and "useless". I performed far below average in almost everything. My teachers beat me, hoping to spark some comprehension in me. My mates and friends mocked me. People in the neighbourhood wrote me off as a hopeless case. I personally felt lost and hopeless. 

Then I got a divine nudge, an unexpected chance to make good. I took it with both hands. I worked hard and I am a changed person today. It took time and effort but today I have become relevant and, from hopelessness, I give hope to people all around the World. Those who mocked me have had to swallow their words and cover their faces in shame. I say this, not in pride or self-praise, but to encourage anyone who might be going through a low time right at this moment. You also can bounce unto success and greatness.

Nothing in your divine origins say you cannot attain greatness. You are made in the image of God and God is great. Do not listen to negative people. Do not give in to negative circumstances. Do not listen to your personal self-doubt and negative self-projections. Be positive. Be strong. Be confident. Be bold. Be true to your divine roots. Work out your greatness.

It is Agoso Bamaiyi, your friend for a greater Nigeria and the best things of life.