A fighting chance...

There are moments...

That require the special grace and intervention of God to see me through such times.
It could be witnessing an embarrassing situation which involved me.
It could be witnessing the humiliation and shame of myself or something that I admire and/or respect.

But that aside - How does one categorize the recent events in our polity?
Where politicians trade blows and rain curses and accusations on each other like errant school children? How a presiding officer of the House of Reps is allowed to stay in office and lead the investigation of her own case?

Do I castigate on the basis of her sex? No!!!!
If it was a man I would be probably more tolerant because we can be real idiots - most of the time. But the women of this country have shown us that it is possible to do the right thing and create a standard - think Prof Dora of NAFDAC or Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (Former Finance Minister) that others will admire and aspire towards.

However for Madam Etteh (as she is un-fondly called) - I feel no pity or understanding of her antics...
She was virtually ushered into the house as the leader with no opposition and now she has gone and messed it up over a scandal...

But that isn't what lights my rockets...

What lights my rockets is that she would sit in during the normally rowdy sessions and watch her fellow reps rain blows upon each other and smile...

It is the smile that got me wondering...
Why in heaven's blazes does she smile at a time like this - as if she's enjoying all the commotion.
maybe she thinks it is all for her benefit...

Yesterday, (17th of October 2007) a representative took the official exit out of this world - when he slumped suddenly in full view of the members of the house after proving how fit(or unfit) he was by jumping up and down like a monkey.

Attempts to get him to a hospital to revive him proved abortive as he was confirmed dead on arrival...

All for what? To protect Madam Etteh and her little fiefdom of lunatics and Yes-men...

Nigeria is a soap opera that lacks a plot... She just manages to ramble onwards with no clear objective in sight - instead there is hope and faith that "Things Go better"...
A common local saying in pidgin english, which means that things will improve...

My questions are:
When and how?

If we continue to exploit ourselves in this manner then we will be pushed to the brink of extermination and irrelevance - the real question that needs an honest answer is:
Who has the moral courage and fortitude to turn this country around...

we know it can be done - we have seen examples but we're yet to commit to a common line of action...

As Hannibal once told his men: We will either find a way or make one!

So brethren - we do have a fighting chance and it involves our saying no to lots of things - to abuses of power and privilege, to corruption etc...

Nigeria is an entity bigger than anyone of us and will remain in existence long after we're dead and gone... Let us leave our petty ambitions and greed and embrace order and positive change - there is no better time to start than now...

The onset of unfaithfulness

Why is it so hard to remain faithful?

Anyone out there could rationalize on the reasons and probably be partially right or wrong as the case may be.

Let's see if we can come up with a couple of reasons of our own:

1. Human nature
2. The way of the world
3. Morals have gone to the dogs
4. Generation next
5. Media - TV, Radio, cable, Internet, Magazines
6. etc.

As you can see that wasn't a bad trial for warm ups.

But really - seriously why are we unfaithful?

Why are we
Unfaithful to our convictions...
Unfaithful to your Ideals...
Unfaithful to our utterances...
Unfaithful to our morals...
Unfaithful to others and finally unfaithful to ourselves.

Case in point:

I'm a married man with a lovely wife and a kid or two.
I happen to observe the bounty of female flesh all around - work, club, church...
But I happen to stay glued to my wife because - "I love her..."

But then one day...

This very ordinary damsel who I happen to have known for quite some time in a very simple capacity suddenly starts what could be classed as being friendly. We move from casual acquaintances to friends until the boundaries between friendship and lovers becomes very blurred indeed...

Months into the affair - we can't break up due to the bonds of guilt that keep us together.
My wife is still none the wiser and I manage to keep her in the dark on the issue of my infidelity.

Does this make me a better person - even with the way such an affair blossomed - it was wrong to continue it and equally wrong to keep it from my wife...

But did I stop?
Did I try to become a better person?
Did I try to tell my wife of my cheating ways?

What was your answer?

This hypothetical situation could be applied to any of us in any circumstance - it doesn't always or only apply to marriages or relationships...

Faith is a sacred trust - quite different from hope.
So to become unfaithful is to break that sacred trust and face the consequences that abound thereof...

That said - remain faithful

I am not going to stand here and wait...

The first post for October - suddenly one is aware of the end of the year like a persistent boil on your posterior end. You are sorely reminded of its presence every time you sit down - ouch!

Independence day (1st of October) - I woke up to one of the most scenic experiences that I've ever had the distinct pleasure of witnessing.

The weather was so beautiful it would have made your eyes misty just to take in a sky so blue and so serene - it pulled your heart strings and made you so glad to be alive.

It was so peaceful like the fates had decided to be gracious... the sun beat down gently as if it was bestowing blessings and promises of good tidings...

It gave me some measure of hope for this country and I at once could appreciate the many recent events in their proper perspective - I didn't have to rush to work in the incessant traffic conditions that is the bane of Lagosians...

Alas the day came and went and life returned to "Normal" or should I say "Abnormal"

What can we look forward to?

Your guess is as good as mine - I'm just here for the ride!

What defines true happiness? What defines fulfillment or contentment? What are the parameters that one can use to deduce a state of inner tranquility?

When anyone manages to stumble across an answer - PLEASE share... I'll be very much obliged.

Ps...
Sorry for my irregular postings - time and tide have been very impatient with my schedules but I aim to make up...