The teenage girl walked into the room placing the drinks before the adults. Her father’s friend was having a little house party to celebrate the purchase of his new car, the third in a roll and the conversation had turned to the economy of the Nation.
She kept hearing the word Law, government and policies. She knew a little about the Law; her Government teacher was always saying it was an instrument of change and social engineering. Government was one of the new courses she was taking in school. The men’s talk shifted to companies and the boardrooms. She watched and listened with keen interest.
She wanted to ask questions but observed that the women were quiet,only nodding and laughing at the men’s jokes where appropriate. Her friends, the ones within her age group (fifteen years of age) were interested in just their food. She frowned, she really wanted to ask questions, to know what the law had to do with companies, she thought it was just about the government, but asking questions may be out of place. Her aunty always said she was too inquisitive while her father always replied that an inquisitive mind is a great mind.
She woke up early the next day to prepare for school, ate her breakfast hurriedly and rushed out of the house as her mum wondered what interesting event was happening in school. There was no event except if having Government as her first period was an event. The government teacher talked about the law a lot, if that law was so important that her father’s friends talked about it for hours then she wanted to know more about it.
She heard a scream, she turned back, it was a young woman who recently lost her husband. People were gathered in front of her house, her head was shaven, they were trying to force her to drink something. Adamma, the young widow screamed again.
The teenage girl was torn between getting to her government class before the teacher to check the library for something on the law. She drew closer, she knew what was happening was that “barbaric custom” as she had told her mother. She heard someone say, “in this age and time? Let the law catch up with them”. What happened to women’s right? The young man hissed and left.
What? She thought, the law had something to do with this too? And that day vision and purpose met with passion, courage with determination and a young girl was caught in their web.
I have a voice and I want society to hear it. No, I didn’t choose this profession on a whim. It chose me.
If you consider me a success today, its because I’m doing something I love, something I look forward to each day, so I break new grounds because I am driven by passion. I see this as a calling and not just a profession. This is my success story.
The hall exploded as a thousand students gave Doris a standing ovation. It was the special ceremony organised by her alma mata to celebrate one of their best product in recent years. She felt joy on the inside of her as she saw the smiles on the faces of the young ones before her, many of whom still described her as young herself. It was the same joy she felt when she made things happen in the boardroom, when a satisfied client says thank you, when she was consulted by some senators before some laws are passed, the joy she felt when her foundation restored hope to any child. It was the same joy she felt when she decided to leave active practice for the academics, the joy she felt when people walked up to her and called her inspiring, the joy she felt when any new award was placed in her hands.
Yes, so many people had heard her voice, the voice of a 15 year old who had chosen a path after her heart and had surpassed even her own expectations.
It is saddening to see how many people settle for a life they did not dream about. A life they have no vision for. It is never too late to find your voice, to change careers if you have to. I have seen people who bagged certificates in professional courses keep them and go into catering, event planning, interior decoration and so on, I have seen people in their third year in the university change departments, I have seen middle aged people go back to school to study.
Your work is something you will do for a good number of your years on earth, what use is it waking up to a job you have no drive for? No passion, no desire for excellence but just mere getting by and making ends meet, no touching lives, no inspiring others, no making the world better , just mere getting by.
In a world where many are just getting by, not loving what they do, just surviving, this piece is dedicated to everyone pursuing a career, establishing a business, setting up enterprises, launching ideas, doing what they love and striving for excellence. It is dedicated to ALL THOSE WHO HAVEN’T LOST THEIR VOICE. It is dedicated to a friend Marvis Abada. While working with her on a little something I got the inspiration for this piece and she thought it would make a good blogpost. It is dedicated to Ashama Anesh, a young man qualified to practice law but who is a make up artist and bakes the most amazing cakes. He represents many people out there who take the risk of leaving a professional career for other things. It is dedicated to you who is determined to make people hear your voice.
Whatever it is that you do, wherever you are, Don’t lose your voice! . Have a beautiful week. Much love.
diademstots 