The higher . . . the lower!

— It’s a paradox.

Can I have 10 minutes of your time?

Please don’t read if you’re busy, create a convenient time to. I’m about to hit you with some hard truth. I want to take you on a rough journey and I sincerely wish you’ll earnestly follow.

Randomly ask 26 people how high they want to go in life. They will give you uniform answer : as high as possible — who wouldn’t?

But we often forget the higher we go, the closer we are to the ground.

Picture this : If a ladder has 26 steps, it’s easier to trip at the 24th step than the 3rd step. It’s as simple as that. The closer you’re to the ground the lesser your chances of falling; the higher you go the higher your chances of falling. I told you it’s gonna be a rough journey ….Taaadaaaa!

If truly that: The higher … the lower !

-Should we stop climbing?

-Should we stop aiming high?

-Should we stop aspiring?

-Should we stop dreaming?

I’ll start with few stories from personal encounter in the last couple of weeks and end with a fictional story.

To reiterate: Earnestly read through.

I chatted a friend few days ago and his response was bit scary.

Let me quote what he said “I try sleep and sleep no gree come.” — meaning he couldn’t sleep.

I smiled cause I know his reasons, my response was very direct. I said “You see why Dangote no dey rest?” — meaning do you see why the richest man in Africa does not rest?

Why is he finding it difficult to sleep?

Recently he broke some grounds; financially. It’s massive and I’m super proud of him. However, the new ground calls for more attention, else he falls. I’m not cursing, it’s a fact.

The higher your income, the higher your responsibility. The higher your responsibility, the higher your chances of failing — are we together?

A colleague of mine who is a movie addict started his business last week. We were having a discussion and he said : Kenny I wanted to watch a movie but I slept off few minutes into it. The same guy that can go couple of hours in a stretch, finishes seasonal film within a day and watch movies at every given opportunity no longer have time for it.

Why? — Because his new business demands more of his time. If he fails to meet up with his new responsibilities, things will go haywire; the stakes are not that high few weeks ago. Can I continue?

I’m a football addict, please don’t ask which I club I support. You know already and if you don’t, let’s leave it that way. If you’re a football lover, you’re either a Messi or Ronaldo fan. There’s no in between. I’m a Messi fan but I’ll lie to you if I tell you I don’t admire Ronaldo. Bants aside Ronaldo is a great footballer, but Messi is the greatest. Can’t argue shit 😌. These guys have dominated football for years and has made the game fun to watch. However the higher they rise the higher their chances of falling.

Permit me to explain to you like a baby. If Harry Kane fails to score a goal in 10 matches , little will be said compared to when Ronaldo or Messi fails to score a goal in 5 matches.

If Ronaldo or Messi does not win a trophy in a season it becomes a dent in their career compared to Harry Kane who has never won a trophy in his years of professional football. The higher they rise and dominate football, the higher their chances of failing.

If the chances of falling is a direct function of how high we climb. Shouldn’t we stop climbing?

Peter Parker’s principle states that: with great power comes great responsibility.

The more you acquire the more you’re required , the more you’re required the more your chances of failing — that’s from me Kehinde Oloyede Hassan Akorede a.k.a Kenko. Give me my crown 😌.

Can I share a fictional story with you? — Permit me please.

There’s a certain man who lived happily with his wife and only child.

There’s not much going for him but he’s contented with what he has. A loving father and a caring husband; loved by all. He’s a scholar but driver by profession. After all efforts to secure a fitting job became futile, he settled for what seems available. Not much complain cause it puts food on his table. His wife on the other end is a fashion designer, she supports the family with everything that comes her way. The child is a scholar — like father like daughter. You can bet this is one sweet family.

The husband is punctual and regular at work, the wife is one of the best fashion designer around and their daughter is ticking all box academically.

The home is filled with joy as everyone is performing their task; respectively and lovingly.

There’s this family routine that keeps them happy. Everyone is always at home on weekends; 10:00AM to 12:00AM on Saturdays they call it “Can I know you hour?”

As soon as it’s 10:00 AM on Saturday, everyone gathers round the table to discuss how their weekdays was, their challenges and what they are most proud of.

It’s Can I Know you hour — Taaaaadaaaaa!

Husband: Baby let me gist you *pause

Wife : Am the baby right?

Daughter : Daddy it’s me right?

Husband being confused: Ok Babies let me gist you 😂. I met a man on Tuesday, drove him to work, he was so pleased with my service and gave me his contact. Now I have to pick him every time and he pays better.

Wife & Daughter: God when?

Daughter: Me I have gist oooo

Wife & Husband : Oya hit us.

Daughter: A boy borrowed my pen on Thursday and lost it. When I asked for it, he said he’ll buy another but I declined. Ever-since, we became friends — only that he’s a noise maker. He seems kind but he’s the unserious type. Daddy are you both listening?

Husband & Wife: Yessssssssss

Husband : Your mum started with borrowing my notes too 🤣

Wife: Eweeeeeeey!

Husband & Daughter : It’s your turn our mummy.

Wife: I had a tough customer this week, she rejected the dress I made for her with no genuine excuse. She kept complaining and complaining. In my years of designing, have never seen someone as tough as her. In the end we parted ways and I’m not satisfied at the things she said.

Husband : We know you’re the best, it’s not about you. It’s about her. No matter how hard you try, there are people you can’t please. Do your best and leave the rest.

Wife : Sighs — I needed to hear that. Thank you for those kinds words, you’re the best.

Daughter: Maybe you didn’t get her style (in a subtle voice)

Husband & Wife : If e easy, you xef do am 😂.

Hello dear,

The “can I know you hour” is filled with excitements and motivations — Happy moment.

Remember the man the husband met on Tuesday?

While they were having discussion on a faithful day, he mentioned his qualifications and the man offered him his dream job. Instantly!!!

Shared the news with his family, they were all happy — their joy knew no bounds. Within few months he was able to raise his wife’s business and put his daughter in a better school.

However something happened, the husband no longer work on weekdays only. He works Monday to Saturday. Wife’s business needs more attention than before, so she works on Saturdays and their daughter is taking weekend lessons just to learn better.

After Sunday service they come home to nap and prepare for the weekdays — tomorrow is Monday again. Sighs!

They no longer sit down round the table 10:00 AMon Saturdays to have a family discussion. They all have much to share but their new status is depriving them of the “Can I know you hour”.

Now everyone is having a secret and the family keeps growing apart; weekly.

One faithful morning, the wife called his husband and explained how she felt, how everything changed suddenly.

She said:

-We no longer have time for each other

-We no longer enjoy each other company

-We are always thinking about work and less of family discussion

-We are faced with so much activities that we are growing apart

-The “Can I know you hour” that keeps us united and updated has been forgotten.

It all started the day you got your new job and our status increased.

The husband replied: I totally understand my dear, I’m sorry for everything. What’s the step forward?

I’ll stop here for now lol.

But but , the family started falling the day they started rising — hope you know?

Can I ask you a question? What advice will you give such family. I’m eager to hear from you.

Before answering, please read again — this time slowly.

(Please don’t take this story serious, it’s fictional. Sincerely I just formed the story while writing this.)

The higher you rise, the closer you’re to the ground.

Again: If truly that: The higher … the lower

• Should we stop climbing?
• Should we stop stop aiming high?
• Should we stop aspiring?
• Should we stop dreaming?

I sincerely need to learn from you. I’ll love to hear your opinion on this and also shed more light where you think it’s necessary.

. . .