Lessons 2020 Taught Me

It is about that time of the year again when people look forward to their “new selves”. New year, new me. Every worship centre will be dishing out their mantras for the year and everyone will soon be screaming: 2021: My year of (fill in the mantra). What is wrong with chanting mantras? Absolutely nothing! However, something is not right with sitting on a mantra and on it alone.

Of course, it is stale gist that there are three hundred and sixty-five days in a year. Do you ever wonder why by the first quarter of the year, people are already beginning to lose their steam? The prophetic declarations from the night of the New Year’s Eve would have reached their maximum validity period and members would now have to live on whatever grace they can grasp onto. Year after year, the story is the same. You keep trying to fill old bottles with new wine. What happens? The bottle shakes up and breaks.

The last time I attended a crossover service was December 2018. The service was great - the music, sermon, prophetic declarations, fireworks and dance galore. I had a great time. The handout theme for 2019 was: My Year of Quantum Leap. Hmm. Hold on. What is your ideology on faith? How strong is your faith? This particular theme required faith in a great measure. Imagine asking to own a house in Banana Island when you cannot currently afford to pay your rent. Yeah, it is that kind of leap. I was ready to leap myself. Oh yeah! We getting that house and jeep, baby! Glory! And we making tens of millions! Yay!

Again, nothing is wrong with these aspirations. Everyone is entitled to and in fact, should dream bigger and constantly aim higher. (Allow me to bobo you small before I drop the shocker.)

In 2019, I crossed over to the new year inside my apartment. Why? I understand that the quality of the year ahead is not in what someone said or prophesied. Rather, it is whatever I make of it. Did I leap in 2019? I could say “Yes”, only it was not a leap into my own house and car. It was nonetheless quantum - a 360-degrees leap. That leap is what has transcended to this point where you can now read from me.

LESSON #1: LIFE IS A PROCESS.

… and your journey is unique. Whilst it is okay, once again, to dream big and aim high, you must understand that life is not run by magic. No doubt, you can get whatever you want; however, you have to be due for it to get it. The Universe is established on Love and this Love prevents the Universe from letting you have something it knows you are not ready for.

When in December 2019, I was divinely inspired to spend 1st of January “fasting” (from foods and any forms of communication with people), albeit initially reluctant, I eventually took it seriously. The information that was downloaded to me was overwhelming. How could I possibly achieve them?! It wasn’t until further in the year, after taking steps on virtually all of them that I understood that there is a process to how things work. Experientially, you need to learn the ropes before The Universe will permit you to dive.

Now, you might be thinking why prayer is not enough or why despite how much faith you claim to have, things do not pan out as expected. It is because…

LESSON #2: PRAYER IS NOT PRAYER IF YOU DO NOT PRAY IT CORRECTLY.

Our religious denominations have taught us to pray in certain ways. We have been told that it is the process of asking and when that does not click, we try seeking and if the answer is still not forthcoming, then knock - and do so ferociously. Bang on that door with four fists. It seems to me at that point that they have forgotten that they also told us, “God is not deaf.” If He can hear, why do I need the drama? The most amusing is how they conclude that when God is silent, it could mean either of “no” or “not now”. Touché. But that is not the problem. The problem is that you think you are praying but you are not.

Prayer is not trial-and-error – you pray today and see instant manifestation; tomorrow, you have to wait till you have forgotten you prayed about that thing. The first question I asked was, how come when the so-called pagans made declarations, they saw results immediately? Similarly, a witch needn’t add fasting to her incantations before her bidding is done. Why then does a follower of Jesus need to pray without ceasing, fast, praise and worship and still be anxious as to whether an answer would come or not?

Praying does not have to come with so much stress and anxiety. It should be, and in fact, it is simple.

“Prayer Process” illustrated by OloriTana.

The bulk of the work, however, lies in how efficiently you can follow through on the process. Not to worry, practice makes for proficiency.

LESSON #3: LIFE IS DYNAMIC.

2020 was basically January, February, Mar-lockdown, #EndSars and December. Think about it: did you see that coming? How did you scale through the year? Like someone joked, for the first time, it is not her fault that she did not achieve anything in the year! If it is the same for you, I deduce that the year 2020 brought out the creative genius in each of us, and I do not mean only business-wise. It, therefore, goes without saying that you are stronger than you ever gave yourself credit for. 2020 was a pragmatic representation of the dynamism of life along with its unpredictability. Through it all, you are still here - standing, sitting, squatting or laying down. You are here and that is enough.

LESSON #4: LOVE - IT IS YOUR GREATEST ASSET.

Prior to 2020, I was a Don in suppressing my feelings/emotions. It felt safer not to express however I felt than to feel the freedom of letting them out. I decided in 2020 that the narrative had to change. With baby steps, I began to explore my feelings. I let myself be vulnerable although discreetly. I tuned into my feelings and took time to analyse them. That way, I was able to better relate with them and properly channel them.

Now, remember I said that life is a process? The process of embracing and accepting my feelings led me to the Love Discovery. Be-ing Love is the greatest thing you can be. It is the ultimate calling of every Man/Woman. When you are Love, the radiation around you comes on differently.

2021 is upon us. What will you do differently with yourself? Life is not a race. No, it is a journey. Therefore, whatever you do, bear in mind that you are not in competition with anyone; your destination is distinct from the other people and every stop, bump, highway and jam is important and good for your journey. Be open-minded and remember to live each day at a time.