Such Is Life.

Life comes in contrasts, even contradictions. One has got to take it in his stride and move on with focus and purpose, regardless the incidence or outcome. 

Take this as an example. Sometime back in Lamurde, as I worked on my computer system in the room, I heard a funeral service going on. The public address system transported the sounds right into the room. Not long after, the funeral procession passed and went up the main road that straddled Lamurde into the neighbourhoods for burial. It was the end of the road for someone.

A couple of hours later a boisterous bevy of beautiful Bwatiye ladies, carrying the Lokei (marriage procession) and singing joyfully at the top of their voices, came down the same road as they headed for the Hwodi Lokei (marriage house). Someone is getting married; the begining of a journey.

Same day, same town, same road, but two contrasting events and outcomes. People reacted to both events appropriately, depending on how close or related they were to the people involved. Then everyone eventually returned to face their own lives and the issues therein.

Cooped up in the room and bent over my laptop, I said a silent prayer for the family of the bereaved and wished the best for the new couple as I trudged on purposefully with the work before me. I was working on a strategy paper on how to push Adamawa State forward on the path of sustainable development.

The day you were born is the day someone, somewhere, died. The day you got married is the day someone,  somewhere, got divorced. The day you received your appointment letter is the day someone, somewhere, received a job termination letter. The day you were promoted is the day someone, somewhere, got demoted. Your moment of joy and happiness is someone's moment of sadness. Life goes on, regardless.

Annually, 1.2 million people die of road crashes (with between 20-50 million either injured or disabled), over 17 million people die from CardioVascular Disease (CVD), over 400, 000 die from Malaria and about 800, 000 die from AIDS-related illnesses. As a matter of fact, there are over 56 million deaths globally per year. Juxtapose that with birth statistics and you immediately see the struggle between death and life: 4.3 births per second, 258 births per minute, 15, 480 births per hour, 371, 520 births per day and over 130 million births per year. Double the number of people who die are born to take their place. In the midst of death life happens. Such is life.

Life goes on, no matter the incidences and experiences, close by or faraway, sad or joyful. Destiny must be attained. In reality, no one stops for any one. No destiny stops for another destiny. You must carry your cross and make your way to your destination, no matter what is happening around you. You do not wait for a complete alignment of events and incidences before you move out your forces. You get up and move when you are ready. If things are not happening as they should, you do not keep waiting. You make them happen as you want them to.

As a matter of course, we do mix and engage and support each other, but we can only stand by others, or others can only stand by us, to a certain point. Even siblings and other family members can only support each other so far. In the final analysis, we must carry our own weight, walk our own path and arrive our own destination, at our own pace and time, no matter what else is happening to others around us. You do not give up your life because someone, even if it is a loved one, lost theirs. You see, ready or not, life goes on.

Life is a mix of bitter and sweet. Storm and rain, pain and gain, hard work and comfort, negative and positive; all go together. The final outcome depends on what you do with the blend. So, when life throws you a Lemon, do as my mentor, Dr. Ige Olumide, used to advice us; turn it into a Lemonade. Process and convert the bitterness into something nutritious and healthy. When life throws corn at you, turn it into cornmeal. When the Sun beats down on you, capture its rays and turn them into Solar Energy. Also, take the wind and storms of life and turn them into power. Beat the odds and stand tall.

Have you noticed that the rainbow is a combination of seven contradicting colours all happening at once? Yet, it is so beautiful. In competing against each other, the colours actually bring out the best in one another. So, do not be fazed by the contradictions of life. Like the rainbow, harness the contradictions and shine forth beautifully. The vicissitudes of life are not meant to mar you but to make you. Take it as it comes and roll forward with each blow. You are wired to overcome and shine in life.

Such is life.

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