We are not ready

I really believe we are not ready. As a country, we are not ready. We want a better county but we are not willing to fight to get a better country.

Is it possible for a tree to grow without something going into the ground? Is it possible to eat an apple without someone planting apple seeds? We have to give something to get something. We have to put something in the ground to reap something.

I want a better Nigeria but between you and me, I don’t think I am ready yet. I honestly don’t think I’m ready to die for Nigeria yet. I thought I was, but after seeing that life has very little or no value in this country of mine, I rethought my stance.

What will I gain if I die like chicken for a country that won’t even notice that I died for them? A country that will probably call me a fool for going to “chook my nose into what does not concern me” Maybe that’s the problem. We are thinking too much about what we will gain or lose and not enough about what the country might gain. We need to start thinking about what the children of Nigeria will gain. After all, they are the future.

If I went to one of the many ghettos in Lagos and spoke some very exciting words about how we are going to get a better Nigeria, everyone will be instantly very ready. However, the moment I ask the first ten people willing to burn themselves for Nigeria to step out, the story will change.

Until at least ten people are ready to genuinely give up everything they have for this country, I don’t think we’re ready.

Does that mean we have to die for the country to really get better? Probably not. I mean I pray not, but we need to get to that point where we honourably will, if it ever gets to that.

My little sister once told me that one of the problems Nigeria has is that, nobody is willing to die. I remember laughing it off and dismissing her statement as a silly one. Conversely, now I can’t help but think she may be right.

What caused the revolution in Libya? I’m not saying someone needs to go and set themselves on fire outside Aso Rock before our government hears our cries. God forbid it gets to that point where that is the only thing that will save us. Nevertheless, we need to get to a point where if we need someone to do that, volunteers including you can run forward.

Not because they are suicidal or terrorists but because they understand that this country is in dire need of a revolution and not a forced revolution but a revolution sparked from pure undiluted anger. 

Have a wonderful day!

With all my love,

Dárà Rhodes x

Alone

I believe there are two types of loneliness. There’s the loneliness when you are in the midst of people and then there’s the loneliness that comes from literally not having anybody with you or around you. While some people will claim to only suffer from one or to have only suffered from one type, I have suffered both. Secretly, I think we all have.

Let’s start with the first type. I think its worse but maybe that’s just me. Maybe because I’m such an observer, being lonely in a large crowd is amplified. The fact that I am alone when there are so many people around is amplified. Everything everyone around me does is amplified. The fact that I’m such an odd ball is amplified.

The second type is bad. Very bad. Especially if you’ve experienced it on the levels I have. Don’t get me wrong, I love being alone. Like literally. That’s when I meditate, that’s when I can think, and that’s when I can be my odd self completely. Nonetheless, this type of loneliness can get to a level where I wouldn’t even wish it on my worst enemy.

I come from a family where there are always people around. Like always always. If the people aren’t family members, they are my family’s staff. Still yet, I feel like the 52 Hertz whale.

 I feel like no one quite understands the language I’m speaking yet. Worst part? I feel like there are millions of people who feel this same way. No. I know that there are millions of people who feel this same way.

I wish I had something magnificent to say or something that will make us all feel better on our loneliest of days but I don’t. I honestly don’t. All I have is a prayer and that prayer is that somehow, someday, we all find someone that truly understands our language. Somebody that hears us and we hear.

Have a wonderful day

With all my love,

Dárà Rhodes x