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| Stress |
I was thinking this morning ..... about stress. I started last week on a high, with an early Monday morning boat ride out of town for an inspection. No breakfast or even time to think of one. When we were done by lunchtime, I was out of time and was going to miss my boat ride back. So I skipped lunch and headed straight to the jetty. By whiskers, I was able to get into the boat just before it set off. I took my seat at the last row, took a deep breath and with eyes shut, I thought about how stressful life can be and then I remembered this gist that made me smile.
It was about an okada man that worked till 2am. On getting home, he decided to take a bath. He suddenly ran out naked shouting ghost! ghost!! ghost!!! Narrating his ordeal, he said he has poured water on his head several times but it's not touching his head. Neighbours rushed out only to discover he didn't remove his helmet before having his bath. Hmm!!! I giggled and for the first time I agreed with the words of Richard Carlson that 'Stress is nothing more than a socially acceptable form of mental illness.'
As I gave the words of Richard Carlson some more thought, it occurred to me that like the okada man, stress may be responsible for the flashes of insanity we are seeing around the world. Think about it, after a traumatic 2016/2017 season, Arsenal FC fans were hoping for some joy early this season. Guess what? After narrowly winning their opening match, they lost to Stoke City and were stunned by Liverpool. While everyone expected Arsene to strengthen the team while the transfer window remained open, he shocked everyone and sold Ox to Liverpool and brought in 'Nobodinho.' Like the okada man, he is expecting water to touch his head while he has his helmet on. Oh it must be stress that is responsible for the insanity flash.
Trust me, it has to be stress that is causing these flashes of insanity. Imagine the news of three passengers on board Air Peace flight from Lagos to Abuja being arrested and charged to court for pointing out and demanding an explanation as to why the emergency exits on the plane were blocked with seats. Instead of FAAN and NCAA grounding the aircraft and arresting the personnel that cleared the aircraft, they arrested the passengers that complained for being unruly. Yes, it must be stress that is responsible for this insanity flash.
It must be financial stress that will make a man pummel his wife simply because she asked him for money. Oh it must be 'spiritual stress' that will make a Professor kill his SAN younger brother in Ibadan because they had a dispute over their father's property. Both men only recently returned back to Nigeria after sojourning abroad. Please don't ask me what 'spiritual stress' is.
As you go out today and observe or read about these flashes of insanity, many may not be as a result of home trouble, they may just be from stress. Whatever, it is you are going through, just RELAX, God is in control.
Have a very happy and RESTFUL Sunday.
.......Just the thoughts of a certain Wey Mey.
Weyimi, you can't stop amazing me with your well thought out write ups.
ReplyDeleteStress is not good for a young man nay anyone whatsoever. But in this part of the world where we live in, stress is a part of us.
From morning to night the Nigerian environment where I know is highly stressful. From the moment you hit the streets in your car, keke, okada stress sets in. From the traffic gridlock, to the keke man that is trying to manouver his way in the gridlock and in the process scratches your car, to the endless calls and assignments in your office waiting for your attention, the list is simply endless.
In any situation, one should always find a way of managing his stress as each of us have different limit of stress management.
Thank you weymeg and wishing all a stress free week ahead
Weyimi, you can't stop amazing me with your well thought out write ups.
ReplyDeleteStress is not good for a young man nay anyone whatsoever. But in this part of the world where we live in, stress is a part of us.
From morning to night the Nigerian environment where I know is highly stressful. From the moment you hit the streets in your car, keke, okada stress sets in. From the traffic gridlock, to the keke man that is trying to manouver his way in the gridlock and in the process scratches your car, to the endless calls and assignments in your office waiting for your attention, the list is simply endless.
In any situation, one should always find a way of managing his stress as each of us have different limit of stress management.
Thank you weymeg and wishing all a stress free week ahead