Are you a Criminal?

Written by
Written by

Deolu Akinyemi

Announcements: The New Nigeria Club online conference will hold on Thursday the 19th of February, 2009 at 8pm Nigerian Time. We’ll be doing the conference on skype, if you are interested in attending send me your skype ID on my deolu@newnigeriaclub.net or write it here as a comment.

I got up really early this morning, I wanted to be ready for 6:30am so I could make the Lagos to Ilorin trip on time and return on time too. My Secondary School (Federal Government College Ilorin) was celebrating their 36th birthday, and I was invited to come and speak to and inpire the students. I had done the same thing last year, so I guess I’m gradually becoming a regular item on the founder’s day celebration :). It was a bit stressful for me getting up, as I was truly tired, given that I had an engaging weekend. Over the weekend I had spent about 3hrs of my Saturday in a church I was invited to speak in, a good part of the rest with the organizers of HR MBA. Sunday had also gotten me going from Church to HR MBA, and then to Realty Point office where I facilitated for IFA and then back home late. I eventually went ahead to sleep on Sunday night around 3pm and knew I had to get up for 5:30am if I was going to make the Ilorin trip and be there on time.

It turned out to be a really packed day for me, I’m on my bed now, trying to retire for the night, and I can safely say that I feel really invested (spent) today. My mind casts back at the scenery of  FGC Ilorin, everything still looks pretty the same way I left it 15yrs ago. The assembly hall is still incomplete, the sports pavilion still looks like it’s in development. Save for a few “new” buildings here and there which are actually balanced out by the buildings that have deteriorated, the school is still basically the same. I had given scholarships to a few of the students last year, but looking at their faces today I was motivated to increase the number of students enjoying the scholarship.  I had spent over 9hrs on the road, travelled long distances, risked not making money today, given of my time, my effort and fallen into the risk of being misscontrued. On my way back however, I recalled a thought that stayed with me through the weekend and gave me inspiration. It said “It’s criminal to live cautiously like that! ” – Matthew 25:26b

Living cautiously is criminal! To do less than you are capable of doing, is to rob the world, your country and your enviroment of what whas deposited on your inside. When you risk nothing, you gain nothing!  The master is not interested in people that stick only in their comfort zones and dare nothing. People who play it safe don’t play so well. The true genius is not the person who goes around afraid of making mistakes, but the one that goes around using and giving out of everything that he or she has.

It is when you lose yourself into a cause that you truly find yourself. Just like with money, until it leaves your hand and gets sent on an assignment it doesn’t increase. No sowing, no reaping! Cautious living is criminal living. If indeed we have been blessed, if truly we enjoyed some  privileges  then we owe our country, our society, our community and generations after ours! To whom much is given, much is expected.

I think you need to analyze your life, and ask yourself a few vital questions. Are you giving back? Are you doing as much as you are capable of doing? Are you living cautiously? Are there people that will meet you in 5yrs time and weep when they quantify the value you added to their lives? Are you helping anybody or are you more concerned about your reputation? Are you living boldly or cautiously? Are you playing to win, or are you playing it safe? Are you taking risks or are you hunting for risk free opportunities?

I really don’t intend to burst your bubbles or benchmark you.  I’m only saying that if a lot more of us, could spend a little more money, a little more time, a little more effort, a little more to add value to our environment, to our alma mata’s to our families, then the world would be a much better place!

To rob the world of so much stored up within, to rob our generation of solutions that we could have birthed, to rob others the pleasure of having us as friends, to rob ourselves of the businesses we could have led, to sacrifice our dreams on the alter of  fear… all these are criminal. Are you?

And… Lest I forget…  we got the First NNC in secondary school set up today as well…. more gist on this later.

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90 thoughts on “Are you a Criminal?”

  1. Pretty nice post. I simply stumbled upon your blog and wanted tosay that I have really loved surfing around your blog posts.After all I will be subscribing on your feed andI’m hoping you write again soon!Feel free to surf to my blog post: Ruth

  2. I’m truly enjoying the design and layout of your blog. It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more enjoyable for me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a designer to create your theme? Outstanding work!

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90 thoughts on “Are you a Criminal?”

  1. Pretty nice post. I simply stumbled upon your blog and wanted tosay that I have really loved surfing around your blog posts.After all I will be subscribing on your feed andI’m hoping you write again soon!Feel free to surf to my blog post: Ruth

  2. I’m truly enjoying the design and layout of your blog. It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more enjoyable for me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a designer to create your theme? Outstanding work!

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