It’s normal to sometimes
seek after a life that is presumed perfect or to occasionally dream of escaping
to a place where the light is shining bright. In an opportunistic generation like
ours, it’s easy to feel trapped if life becomes a struggle or frustrating. This
intrinsically leads them to believe that the grass might be greener on the
other side. Satisfying this curiosity is what drives many to paths where they
soon realize that what is tempting isn’t always reality.
Every year,
thousands of people embark on the journey to seek greener pastures in lands
that presumably flow with milk and honey. They believe they will be happier and
more successful anywhere but where they are. Unfortunately, not all of them are
able to make it to other side.
I grew up in
Benin City, Southern Nigeria where every young boy or girl believed that the
only route to success was on the streets of Spain or Italy. But why not? When those
who were able to make it to Europe came back with exotic cars and loads of
foreign currency. And thus it was etched in the minds of the younger generation
that the grass was only greener on the other side. But in their witlessness
they never asked what had become of the ones who never came back.
This fallacy of
the grass being greener on the other side is not more appalling than taking a
closer look at what it has turned our society into. Mothers trade their
daughters, husbands abandon their new wives, Sons sell their Father's assets,
friends betray their best friends, boyfriends leave their girlfriends in limbo and
even kings abdicate from their thrones. There is always going to be
something about somewhere else that makes you want to leave. In the end, you
are going to leave the things that matters most for the things that don’t
matter.
Getting trapped in
a “grass is always greener” syndrome is one of the worst things that can happen
to anyone because it takes you from a position of reality to that of illusion. This
mindset will further hinder your long term happiness. Sometimes we throw away
something good for something better, only to discover that good was actually
better and better was not the best. If you are not self-determined, even the lushest
pastures will not bring you happiness.
Things aren't
always what they seem, and until you are on the other side you may think that
the grass is greener. Stop concerning yourself with the grass on the other side,
and start watering your own grass. The key to success doesn’t rely on what is
out there but what is within you. You must make a conscious effort to be
successful wherever you find yourself. Work with so much passion and purpose and
your grass will be become green.
#HappiestManInTheWorld
2 comments:
nice write up.
Thank you very much.
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