Gen. Z’s would readily know the meaning of this abbreviation. Thus, for the benefit of those who do not fall in this category, I’ll clearly fill you in. YOLO simply means, You Only Live Once.
Yes, life is fleeting! Life is full of occurrences, events, activities, programmes, incidents, and accidents. As humans, we all have the ability to introspect and retrospect. The former is common when we mull or critically examine a thought, idea, or subject. While the latter is primarily taking note or ruminating over a past action, event, or incident.
Life itself is a school, albeit an informal one. We all go through the classes and sit for life’s tests and even examinations. Yes, we are all faced with situations like that. Unfortunately, there is no uniform marking scheme or examiner. My case is different from yours. It is a specialised and individualised paper. So, you have to face your life, just like I do same.
Remember to live while you are alive, simply because you only live once. It is often said that life isn’t fair or just. That sometimes may be true, but never sacrosanct. The burdens of life may be crumbling and overwhelming. Yes, but never forget to still live. Have your guiding philosophy. Be guided! Have core values for living. Attach importance to worthy courses. Marriage, family, education, health & wellness, friendship, fitness and relationship are some of the best things we can give core values.
Nonetheless, do not be lost in a marriage. While fending for your family members, remember to count yourself in. Certain regrets leave people bitter. Take care of your health and wellbeing just as you would do for your family members. No one should treat you better than you treat yourself.
Place premium on relationships but be smart enough to identify parasitic relationships and swiftly opt out. Some people take undue advantage of kindness. Apparently, there is only a thin line between kindness and folly. Be mindful!
You Only Live Once! Ensure your dreams become your realities. Don’t send a spouse to school at the detriment of your own education or self development. Introspection tells you that adding value to yourself boosts your self-esteem.
I met someone who housed his undergraduate friends while he worked and fed them. He kept procrastinating and was telling himself he’ll attend university someday. They all graduated and left him behind. He soon realised they avoided him, and in retrospect, he regretted his action. You Only Live Once!
Why do you save up all your resources? Yes, investment is good. However, remember to pay yourself. You earned it! Stop saving your apparel for special occasions. Being alive is a special occasion. Use it !
You Only Live Once! Take that holiday and embark on that trip. Affordability is a relative term. I once advised a friend to travel outside the country, for his annual leave, knowing he could afford it. However, he told me it was a waste of resources way back. Later in life, he wanted to travel but he was denied visa. He was told it was awkward for him not to have a travel history. Especially in this era of ‘jakpa’, It was assumed he was among the bandwagon of those leaving permanently, without the intent of returning. You Only Live Once!
Fulfilling your goals has a level of satisfaction money can not buy. You Only Live Once! Retrospection, especially looking back with regrets for things you can not change, could be depressing.
The Gen Z era is not a time to dull away. Put a shine in your life. You don’t need to break a bank to activate your dreams, pursue it, and actualise it. Do not die a medical doctor hanging a stethoscope around your neck, when all you ever wanted was to be a life coach.
Do not stay local, aspire to be globally visible. The power of introspection is usually positive, but the force of retrospection more often than not leaves one numb.
Remember You Only Live Once. Ensure you are living and not merely existing.
@ Ebunoluwa Ibibo
Golden muse.
