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FROM THE MIND ARISES LIMITATIONS

   The scenario am going to paint is an accumulation of events which happened to your distinguished writer.  As I have observed in my little period of existence, many things go on in your mind,  yes your mind that has the ultimate power to order your steps in this marathon called life.  I realised this fully during my secondary school days which in my native country sprawled over a period of six(6) years.  When my secondary school education started,  in a missionary school in the southwestern part of the country.  Due to my strict upbringing in the close knit family of mine,  dad and mum already made the choice for us that we would all go to catholic secondary schools.  And mum added the option the school would have to be equipped with boarding facilities. And as she would say so we would not cause her high blood pressure due to the majority of us being boys.  She would say our stubbornness rank highly to the heavens. And as I am the first child of the family, and of course as expected  I was the first product of that decision.
   
       I tried to make her see reasons why schooling from home would be best. But mum insisted saying she would have enough time to rest during the year.  She didn't even mind the expensive nature of those schools.  So I resigned and my secondary education started in earnest. And dad being the ever strict father continuously hammered the importance of being excellent in my studies into my ear drums.  Always telling me to pray everytime I was having difficulties. He would always tell me to go to our small school chapel,  my hands clasped in prayers and pour out supplications to God who I have come to believe in during the course of the time I have lived.  The origin of my belief in God and how I have come to trust him is a story for another day.  So back to my narrative, during the course of those years in secondary school I was not all that dumb as a student.  And I always tried my best even if not for myself but for the sake of my father.  And as in my own thinking, the fear of my father is the beginning of in my own case, everything evil.

     As my secondary school education progressed, due to my not so dumb nature,  mates were like ayo you are of course one of the best among us. Y'all should know the writer is not that dumb now. This is not to blow my own trumpet now but just to fully drive my point home.  We were always doing tests and exams and my results were always coming out fine. At least fine enough to please my dad.  Now as I got higher, I had seniors back then who always gusted us.  Don't know how true or false those stories were,  they always told us about how dreaded and tough the West African examination council examinations were, how tough and hard is it to pass the jamb exams and the post jamb examinations for entrance into the University.  Then gradually without me knowing,  those stories gradually created doubts in my mind. Fears gradually built up and even at certain times I was so much of the opinion that there was no way I would gain admission the year I leave secondary school.  And of course that was the dream of every student back then.

   And these thoughts of mine came to fruition when I graduated and my first choice university did not communicate to me for my post jamb exams.  This further gave credence to the idea already in my mind.  I was like yes you have already made up your mind now.  You are not gaining this admission.  I still remember vividly entering the imposing environment of my dream institution and saying to myself guy are you sure you are going to gain admission to this school like this?  And of course I did not gain it.  But the life changing moment came when mum spoke to her son like you are my first born son and there is no way on earth am going to make you make yourself less than who you were destined by the creator to be.  Am going to make a final push on you.  Change your thinking and always have it in mind that no matter the challenges you can overcome. Am not going to allow you destroy yourself with your mindset.  Amongst the other words she said.  And right there it changed and this ever pulsating confidence came and I felt I could summount any challenge thrown at me. And of course the change in mindset began to reflect in my life. And gradually though painfully I got the much coveted admission to her utmost joy.  She thought me a valuable lesson that no matter what happens I have the ability to pull through and I can do anything.  And in the Christian perspective,  I can do anything though Christ that strengthens me. All have been trying to say by painting the scenario of a life experience is to never underestimate the power of positive thinking. Mind positivity has a way of influencing our lives and don't ask me why .

   Sometimes as expected, doubts, fears, negativity and all may creep into our minds and thoughts but you I mean you must find a way to block those thoughts and watch your life change for the better.

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