Advice has been one of the most relevant, non-monetary things we get from people, and it can go a long way in changing our lives because good advice is like a roadmap or a watchtower that helps shine light on our path in order to ease our journey and avoid stumbling blocks that would have led to our downfall. I've been privileged to get valuable advice from those around me, and today I'll love to share one of the most helpful of them all.
Naturally, while growing up, I tend to depend on my parents and guidance for advice on what to do and not do, what's best for me, and the like. But as time goes on, let's say I was privileged to meet other people who were also advising me; among them were wolves in sheep coats. But today isn't for that aspect, as I'll be talking about advice I got from a stranger that literally changed my life.
I can remember if I've written about this before, but I know aside from my encounter with that stranger that very day, I've never had a one-on-one discussion with anyone else concerning the subject matter, and it all happened on a faithful morning when I was heading to where I work during my NYSC.
The months before that very day have been some of the worst I've ever had in my life, and that's due to what happened then. I won't want to talk about it, but then it happened that the event got the best of me, and I was so down and disappointed. It even got to the point where I lost the will to live. Although that doesn't push me to commit suicide, I wasn't really thrilled by anything, and neither did I have any ambition thereafter.
So that very morning, I was on my way to work, and just like every other day, I was just walking down the footpath absentminded and didn't even know when I deviated from the footpath into the middle of the road. Apparently, a vehicle was coming, but I didn't notice, and when it horned to get my attention, I also didn't hear, so the driver had to step down, walk up to me, and immediately she touched me, and I came back to the present.
I was taken aback and didn't even know how I got to the middle of the road. She was like, What were you thinking that made you not hear us coming or horning? I would have run you over by the car. I simply apologized and tried to leave, but she followed me and inquired to know if all was well. I told her I was fine, but she insisted she'd like to speak with me. To cut a long story short, I gave in after she kept persisting, and I followed her to the side of the road near her car to discuss.
With her level of concern and sincerity in her eyes, I didn't know when I gave in and started pouring out my mind as regarding what had happened and the impact that had on me, and despite how complicated my narration was, she seems to believe me and didn't judge by letting me know it's not the end of the world; she said the world would keep pushing us down and it's left for us to keep picking ourselves up and facing our situation heads on till we overcome and make the rest of our lives the very best of our lives.
The major piece of advice she uttered that changed everything was that life has pushed you down, but rather than celebrate victory over you, pick up your pieces and strive towards making the rest of your life the very best you've ever had. Although that seems impossible in my sight, it sounds promising, and after uttering those words, she went on to share her own story, and I realized what I'm downcast about isn't even up to what she has been through, and yet look how she doesn't even look like she has ever been through such.
Basically, after that encounter, the way I see life changes, and so does my perspective on it. I began to dream again, and that was the beginning of great things in my life. Although I haven't achieved much, I'm grateful for the little victories, and as regarding the stranger who gave me that advice, we shared contact at that instance, and I saw her as a mother during my time in that place.
Unfortunately, three years after our encounter, she passed away through natural causes in her sleep, but prior, she was my number one go-to person whenever I'm down. I missed her, but now I know she's in a better place.
That's about all the now, I hope you enjoyed the read, do have a wonderful night rest.
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