FLOWING WITH THE TIDES

The bell has just been rung, and it signifies “break time over”. Dearly treasured reader, I hereby return first with a thousand apologies for being unavailable for about four weeks now. It’s the beginning of a new phase for me, and events have come and gone. In today’s post, I’ll be sharing a few lessons I’ve learnt in this phase with you.

Before we get down to business, it will be very unfair not to ask about your well-being. It’s my first post in May, which happens to be my birth month💃. My birthday comes up in a few days, on the 28th to be precise. I covet your prayers as I round up this year and begin another.

I trust that my month has been great so far for you, and you’ve had reasons to express gratitude to God in every sense. If there are still burdens on your heart, be comforted in knowing that the month is not yet over, and you can still receive answers to your long and short-term requests. My prayers are with you.

This is one such post that involves sharing something so personal on my blog space. I mentioned earlier that a new phase of my life has set in, well, here’s the news. This writer is now a member of the National Youth Service Corps, popularly referred to as NYSC by Nigerians.

Because of my Non-Nigerian family members in this space, I’ll spell out what the NYSC represents in a brief. The NYSC is a scheme set up by the Federal Republic of Nigeria to unite youths across different parts of the Federation. However, the youths in question are fresh graduates of various higher institutions of learning. It is a one-year compulsory programme, and it cuts across the 36 States in Nigeria.

During your service year, you are expected to contribute to the development of the community you find yourself. You also get to serve in various capacities as you are privileged, the most important being your presence and active participation at your Place of Primary Assignment. I hope you now have an idea of what the NYSC stands for.

Your service year officially begins with a 3-week orientation camping exercise which holds at a specific location within the state you are posted to. Now, I’ll be dropping a tinge of violence. I’m here to ‘attack’ those that have gone ahead of us in this NYSC journey, particularly addressing the 3-weeks orientation camp held across all states. You all have offended me a great deal, but I’ve forgiven you anyway.

I mean, we see you post beautiful pictures in your ceremonial wear (the Khaki) and the white-white combination, but we don’t get to see the maxi and mini struggles behind those smiles. This is the point my violent wings get clipped. I commend every one of you for passing and scaling through this phase, na men and women you be.

Wait o, I hope someone somewhere isn’t developing cold feet or having second thoughts already. Come on, you don’t need that raised brow of worry. It’s a phase that is as normal as every other period you’ve been through since day one on planet Earth, and it’s an interesting period as well. Here, let’s walk through some of the lessons I returned with together.

The NYSC Orientation camp is a world on its own, with tons of activities all around the clock. As they (the Officials) would always say, you are in a regimented environment, one in which your daily activities are planned by external bodies and with very limited space or time for yourself.

To be honest, it can be a little difficult especially when you have your daily schedules or something that keeps you running on a normal day. If you are also one that enjoys his or her personal company a lot, the initial days might seem hard. Having to adjust to that “grounded” environment might be a task, but it is not impossible.

Despite this line-up of activities, there are a few personal moments that I’ll advise you not to trade for anything. If you are not careful, you’ll find yourself making excuses for 21 good days. I’m referring to your time of personal devotion and meditation.

In all honesty, I had my struggles with mine in the first few days; amidst early-morning, noontime, and late-night noises in the hostel, camp runarounds, and functioning in my capacity as a Camp Nurse (yes, I’m a Nurse☺). ️

But, I also found a solution as soon as I noticed my struggles. If you keep waiting for “free time” in the day, you might never get it. Your free time at night is when you are expected to go to bed after the day’s activities, and that’s again compulsory. What do you think happens when an already exhausted you hit the bed?

Your devotion in those 21 days comes with an extra dose of intentionality and discipline. Your communication with your Maker does not have to be regimented as the days are, your relationship with Him should not be affected.

Keep up with the flow as you go about the activities. Speak to Him on your way to the drills, during the lectures, on your way to the market, as you wait for your turn in the long queues. You also have time to pour out your heart during fellowship sessions, please try your best to be present. Once you get a nudge that you haven’t spoken to Him, just do it right there and then! Don’t wait till later!

At the Orientation camp, you’ll meet people from different walks of life; people from different tribes, and with different character traits. If you think you’ve developed resilience and tolerance during your University days, Camp is the ground on which your resolve and convictions are put to the test.

Being in an environment that has few or no familiar faces leaves you with no other choice than to become acquainted with new people. Let me tell you this, there are angels in human form and you can meet them in Camp. It is not a waste of time to pray that you meet with people of like minds; people who are fire-lighters and not fire-lighters.

Orientation camp gives you a chance to meet and network with wonderful people, as well as build and strengthen relationships. As you do so, however, stand firm in your convictions and stay true to the truth. You can be friendly to all and have a good disposition towards people, but ensure you guard your space.

Remember this; you are a child of Light, a King, and a Priest! You cannot just flow with the tides of your environment. You have a unique identity that you carry everywhere you go. Don’t be so carried away with the activities of 21 days that you forget who you are.

3 weeks might seem like a long time, but it also passes away in no time. What becomes of you when the days are gone and you are back to the normal world? Will you be able to account for days well spent, or will it be the other way? The answer lies in the wise decisions you make.

Finally, it’s time to take a pause. I appreciate your patience and commitment to reading the letters that make up this post, from start to finish. I promise not to be away for so long ever again, so help me God!😁 I’ll be waiting to receive your comments on this post and previous ones. See you again in a week, after I have celebrated my birthday💃. Have a happy week!