Where we are today is a product of the behaviors we permitted yesterday, so if we strive for a different tomorrow, we need to start to repudiate certain behaviors now.
I attended a launch event yesterday, and while listening to a former high-ranking State official, I picked up a lesson I believe others might find valuable as well.
During a fireside chat, in response to a question, she said, “We must learn to live with the fact that there will always be some unachieved goals.” She shared that, in her youth, she didn’t believe this, but now, in her old age, she has come to accept it as a reality.
I reflected on this and grappled with it. How do I discern what I won’t be able to accomplish, and what I should leave for future generations to achieve? While I can’t say I have all the answers, I do agree that we won’t achieve everything before we leave this world—but we must not stop trying.
It’s essential that we do all we can, and if certain goals remain unmet, it shouldn’t be for lack of effort. So, don’t continue blaming yourself if, after giving your best, some things still don’t come to fruition. Find peace within yourself when you’ve done all you can, and it still didn’t happen.
A fitting example is King David, who, despite having the resources, was not permitted to build a tabernacle for God; that role was intended for Solomon.
In closing, recognize what your “best” truly represents. Sometimes, it’s not just about having tried; it’s about having prepared the ground for someone else to reach the goal.
I didn’t realize how much times have changed until last week when my toddler said, “Daddy, you are shouting at me; you’re shouting in my ears” (while actually pointing at his ears). I stood still for a few seconds in amazement, wondering whether those words came from him or if there was a voice somewhere else in the room.
After regaining my composure, I began to grapple with the dilemma of whether I should discipline him or simply hold my peace. I weighed the pros and cons. Yes, I had raised my voice, and I could have communicated the message without doing so. But, should he have responded that way? And if I disciplined him for it, would I be stifling his self-expression? These questions raced through my mind in those few seconds, and I ultimately decided to mildly scold him and explain that I had raised my voice because he wasn’t listening.
This experience highlighted just how different the Alpha generation is, even compared to Gen Z. So, if you’re already struggling to understand Gen Z, brace yourself for the Alpha Generation. As they say in my native language, “Ee ti ri nkankan” (you haven’t seen anything yet).
adewumioni 