First Gentleman with Wilson Orhiunu
(Email: babawill2000@gmail.com Twitter: @Babawilly)
There just might be two types of altitude sickness. There is the one which we all know about which happens when one climbs a mountain. The lack of oxygen at great heights causes the body to fatigue at the slightest exertion.
The other type of altitude sickness is best explained by King Louie’s song in the Walt Disney animated film The Jungle book (1967) based on Rudyard Kipling’s Jungle Book.
I have reached the top and had to stop
And that is what is bothering me.
There is a kind of ‘sick to the stomach feeling’ one gets when you get to the top of the tree with strength to spare but cannot ascend any higher. Usually at this time you might see others who choose a different tree soaring and you wonder, ‘why me?’
The tree is a metaphor for the vehicle we choose to take us to our desired destinations. Sometimes we find out that we are on the wrong vehicle and we just have to accept this and go back to the drawing board.
Many would have taken 2015 to be their high speed train to success. Armed with the engine of optimism they would have viewed the 12 coaches of the train with so much expectation at the beginning of the year. December is now almost gone and some trains have not even made it to the next station talk less of the destination. What does one do at times like this?
My way of dealing with such end of year blues is to go back through the months and mark out the good things that have happened. I also look around me at the guys who got to their destination and share in their joy. Gratitude for being alive to fight another day is a tonic that rejuvenates the resolve to start again. Rejoicing with those who rejoice all provides an opportunity to get a taste of what it feels like to accomplish that goal – another great tonic.
Everybody gains some amount of altitude each year. Be glad for what you have achieved. If you are stranded up the wrong tree, climb down and get ready to start again. The coming New Year is an opportunity to reflect on the past and learn from what has happened. Those really making giant strides will notice that while friends and competitors are slowing down without any means to go higher, they surge up and it starts to get colder, lonelier and harder.
While aiming for the top sounds exciting in January, by December it can become a very hard graft. Going boldly where no man has gone before just like the Starship Enterprise is fraught with danger. It is indeed lonely for the would-be shot caller travelling towards his dreams at the speed of light. Leaving all others behind means you might not have anyone to talk to when you arrive at the weightless stratospheres of ‘dream come true country’. But that kind of altitude sickness is good to have.
While it is true that this malady could be cured by going back down to where you came from, persevering gives you the chance to adapt to a higher level through acclimatisation and be an inspiration to those who follow in your trail.
Reflections on the year
King Louie in the Jungle Book thought that his ambitions would be realised by being like the man-cub. That is a common mistake we all make, thinking that we will achieve our goals faster if we are like those who have arrived at theirs. Everyone looks at others but we never see their failures and secret pains. To acquire another man’s life means you add his secret pains to yours – now, who can bear that?
I look at others only for inspiration and I am glad to say that in the last year there is no human being I have wanted to be like. On the other hand, I have been inspired by others daily all through the year. I most definitely don’t want anybody’s life as I have my own weaknesses to deal with so why add yours to my list.
I have been particularly inspired by the preaching of my Pastor, Reverend Ben Kord, throughout the year for, my faith is important to me. My wife and kids have been supportive and inspirational. My last born, Prof Joel, has been particularly entertaining.
At both ends of the year, I have watched David Oyelowo in Selma 15/2/15 and John Boyega in Star Wars; The Force Awakens 22/12/15 while in between, Odion Ighalo has been banging in goals for Watford (Up Naija!).
The year has been marred by tragedy most especially with the passing away of my Uncle, Fred Djebah, in May (RIP) and most recently of my friend, Egheomhanre Eyieyien, who died on Christmas day unexpectedly (RIP). Bad news can be tough but there is a God who watches over the affairs of men and aids us in our times of vulnerability.
I haven’t experienced all my dreams coming true but I am happy about the year 2015. This article is No. 48 for the year and I am quite proud of the achievement.
Whatever your current altitude in life, don’t be sick about it. Keep the faith and like the Soul to Soul tune implores-
Keep on moving don’t stop now
Keep on moving….
Have a blessed 2016!
Nice.