LET NOTHING STOP YOU FROM ACHIEVING YOUR DREAMS!- A REFLECTION OF A HOPEFUL GHANAIAN YOUTH

 

As a primary school student at Sacred Heart Catholic School in Sunyani, there was this marching song that we used to sing after morning Assembly to our class with the first line, “Life in this world is a great struggle for both the young and old”. Well, those words didn’t mean much to me then. Why would life be a struggle when I had my parents, siblings, aunts, and uncles who were present in my life and provided my needs? I think my only “struggle” then was how not to return from school with a dirty shoe which was almost impossible. There was this rule in my house that by 6 p.m., you should have taken your bath and be in the house if there were no catechism classes. That meant that, I had to return from playing soccer before 5 p.m. so as not to violate this rule. Well, these two things were probably my greatest struggle then.

Growing up, I have pondered over the first line of the marching song more soberly and have come to realize that, the words are far deeper and richer than I assumed as a primary school child.

Life offers as many reasons to be scared of taking a step. Life sometimes offers us many reasons to lose hope even in ourselves. Life can sometimes offer us a litany of reasons to give up. Life can offer us many reasons not to follow that path or dream we have always yearned for. Life offers us many reasons to stay away from people and be in our little corner. Life offers us many reasons to question the love and purpose of God for our lives. Life continues to offer us many reasons as to why we should not help others in life.

These and many other thoughts give meaning to the phrase in my primary school marching song, “Life in this world is a great struggle”. Every human has his or her own struggles or fears to deal with. For us Catholics, we say, everyone has his or her cross to bear. Jesus, our savior even had to carry his cross. However, at a point in time, Jesus, the Savior even needed help with his cross. When the struggles of life weigh you down, remember there is a “Simon of Cyrene” you need to help you navigate this journey. This “Simon of Cyrene” can be anyone, a priest, colleague, sibling, parent, sometimes even your child. I pray that, God helps us find our “Simon of Cyrene” at the right time.

These fears and struggles in life have led many people particularly the youth to abandon their dreams and goals.  As children, many had great ambitions, however, sometimes the struggles of life coil us back into our shelves and make us abandon our dreams. The most worrying aspect of this is what “society” says. Many have abandoned their careers, dreams, and love life because “society” frowns on them yet this same “society” comes back looking down and judging them for not living their fullest potential.

Everyone in this life, those you so desire and admire, those you wish to be like, and those you would love to meet in the world have their own struggles they are dealing with. They may appear as the best with their craft yet may be dealing with their own struggles.

One way of addressing this fear is to openly admit it. The more you continue to be in a state of denial, the greater the fear becomes. Admit it is a fear and now confront it with all the passion, energy, support, and love you can gather.

The nature of the industry I find myself is such that, public speaking, presentations and community engagements are cardinal to the work. A week does not pass where you wouldn’t have to make a presentation or attend a meeting of a sort. I have a very special interest in youth and gender related issues hence I enjoy facilitating trainings and seminars on career guidance, addressing gender biases, and other networking events. Many times, after my presentations, I get a few of the attendees approaching me and asking if I could guide or help them to become “good public speakers” or “sharpen their presentation skills”. In their eyes, I am probably one of the best presenters they have met and would wish they could deliver presentations like I do.  

What they don’t know is that, I have my own struggles and fears when it comes to public speaking and presentations. I come from a family where a good number of us stammer. Our “stammering” is in degrees in the family, but almost everyone has a bit of it, Well, thanks to my late maternal Grandpa. There are times, the words just don’t come out of your mouth, there are times, you struggle but eventually the words come and there are times, you speak for an hour without a slight indication of stammering However, this has never deterred me from accepting to make a presentation or facilitate a workshop. Indeed, I have recently accepted a role that would require lots of stakeholder engagement at various levels and I am still determined to do my best and excel.

To everyone out there, particularly the youth, do not let your “struggles” or “fears” stop you from living your dreams. If life gives you a million reasons to give up and let your “struggles” overshadow you, ponder soberly on Catholic hymn 259, “What a friend we have in Jesus” and talk to God in prayer.  Never forget that, Jesus knows our every weakness, talk to him in Prayer.

If God doesn’t show up physically for you, He will send your way a “Simon of Cyrene” to help with your cross.

Take that step today, constantly face your struggle and you will either overcome it or adapt to it. 

Always remember that, “God never abandons his people and He always takes care of his people”

Nyame B3hw3 y3….God will take care of us

The writer is a Development Practitioner with an interest in Local Government, Youth Development and addressing issues of gender biases in society.

Facebook; Kwame Ohene-Ntow

Email: vincentntow12@gmail.com

Personal Blog; mirrorofafrica.blogspot.com