I have always made reference to a wounded eagle that was domesticated by a farmer but refused to fly beyond its previous confinement, even when that confinement was no longer there physically.
This highlights the fact that the greatest obstacle to a person’s success or progression in life is not necessarily what they have faced or are facing, but the thoughts they hold within themselves and the perception they have of themselves.
The pressures we face each day are not necessarily meant to destroy us or weigh us down. Sometimes, they are meant to force us either to move forward or to stop and reflect.
Again, it is not the stress we face that we should be most concerned about, but the interpretation we give to that stress. The meaning of suffering ceases to be painful when it is tied to a purpose.
Therefore, it is necessary for everyone to constantly question their circumstances in order to identify the significance of their experiences.
Those who become accustomed to suffering without purpose can only be likened to the wounded eagle.
It is therefore my opinion that painted shackles are not jewellery and should be treated, or understood, for what they truly are—bondage.
Haven’t we suffered enough?
This is the question every well-meaning citizen of Nigeria is asking. Why are politicians so bent on painting our shackles, and the people wearing them, as jewellery instead of encouraging us to throw them away?
On a personal level, why have you allowed yourself to be held hostage by habits, beliefs, or ideologies to the point where you forget that you have a purpose to fulfil in life?
A wise man once said that when men lack purpose, they distract themselves with pleasure.
The call today is for each of us to ask ourselves: Are we merely painting our shackles, or are we working towards our liberation from everything that is holding us down?
The quality of our existence will, to a great extent, be measured by the people we surround ourselves with and what we choose to spend our time on.
If this country, or indeed this continent, is to become great, it must begin with a responsible citizenry. We should therefore stop waiting for what this continent will do for us and start doing what we ought to do for ourselves—for the growth and betterment of our communities and our continent.
The shackles may no longer be there physically, but they are clearly holding our minds captive. And the tragedy I see is that those who are free are at risk of being hunted down by those who remain ignorant of their own bondage.
This is one of the reasons Solomon said, “Woe to the land when a slave becomes king,” because you may be physically strong, but once your mind is weak, you are still a prisoner.
Therefore, as you build your muscles in the gym, empower and strengthen the muscles of your mind. Educate yourself. Develop a mindset that enables you to see every obstacle as a stepping stone to a higher echelon.
Make sure you remove the shackles that are holding you back from achieving what you have set out to achieve.
Until we meet next time,
I remain your friend and brother,
Maazi Onuora Obodoechi.
