What a life – Self-realization!

During the pandemic;

Life before was a closely sociable, close contact was of no harm and mean no offence to anyone. Social distancing was not in consideration. People playing together anywhere they want without any fear of virus or diseases or an anxiety to be hurt by anything in the environment. Although, there was such, but less concerned! All these events were of less concerned in our day-to-day activities in terms of human involvement, though human activities has brought to mankind a lot of damages, disaster, failure in different systems and abnormalities which causes pollution and such like that in our surrounding, globally.

Sneezing was a good thing proving to be alive, like you sneezing and someone close-by telling you “God bless you, bless you, good health or long life”. These days, once someone sneezes, people around move to an arm’s length or even beyond that. Even the animals nowadays, takes off. Formal way of greetings in some countries, which is handshake is now limited because of the pandemic situation. Even hugging which is a sign of greetings, to show physical appreciation, acceptance or warmly love is of less value in the society unless within the family(ies).

All these ways of expressing gratitude or appreciation, showing care, love, feeling, empathy, evidence of belonging, warm welcoming, prove of livelihoods to say, boils down to what I call lovability. They all indicate love, that is to say, love is within us, in us and around us. God is love and Him being the creator of all things above and below has given us the spirit of love. At the end of this writing, we will also know that He is still at work with His love in our lives.

Within this period of pandemic, and globally shutdowns, as a person of love, have you come across someone falling down on the street while walking? Have you thought about giving someone a lift while driving through the road on your way home from work? Do you feel uncomfortable helping someone stand on his or her feet on your way to the shopping mall or in the mall? There are lots of questions about how things are going on now. Everyone has encountered different situation, different confrontation, and approach to solve a problem facing each one of us. How everyone can involve in his or her little way to show love to one another, and to the society at large. The very best way we can overcome all these is through love, see everyone as you (yourself) not you, you and you individually but to see ourselves as we. As we, we will overcome.

There was a young man who was passing by a lonely street one day. He saw a lady who fell down along the street and couldn’t help herself standing. This young man couldn’t help her stand either because of fear, fear of the situation we are now. Fear of what could have make her fall just like that. But he did one thing by calling an emergency number to assist. He was moved by love. He saw not only through the eyes but the mind. Love helped her stand. You can see that even though he couldn’t touch the lady, or get closer, he actually showed some an of love to her. Love supersedes. Love heals and saves. I believe that most of us have also encountered one or more incidents during our daily activities during this period and the question is, how did we react to the situation or what ways can we get involve to solve the problem. In what manner have we contributed to our welfare (including others)?

“Let love rule!” Have you thought about it recently that despite everything that is happening worldwide, signs of war, protest, inter-states and intra-state crises, racism, violence, crises (military affairs, political, social and economic), you name them, there is one thing that has not failed, God’s love for humanity; love for God and love for one another (family, neighbors and friends)? Not surprising though how everyone is doing and trying their best to assist each other pass through this stage of life, a stage of trials. “This too shall pass”.

“Stand for each other!” Even though different ways of approach mentioned previously in the beginning of this note fails, or are limited, showing love, caring, looking out for each other and act of kindness never fails, because it is part of us. It should be a continuous process. Love is what God has deposited in us unless otherwise (replaced with hatred and jealousy which is of no benefit to us and the society at large). Let us live a life of Love!

Shalom!

– Simeon Okore.