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The OLT Syndrome



This piece is simple, relational and confrontational. It will stare you in the face regarding some things you do. Don't dismiss it, ignore it or defend yourself. Adjust where you have to, change where necessary and above all, take positive action. 

We all have been its victim at one point in time in our lives. We have danced to its tune and played to its gallery. It has deprived some of the opportunity to move ahead, caging them in an enclave of some habits, making them go round in a circle, revolving in an orbit like they are sitting on a barber's seat and never making headway. And as you read this piece, you may still be a victim of one or two of such caprices. 

Let me tell you a bit about my story. Growing up as a pastor's kid, by belief and upbringing, I knew stealing was morally wrong and a sin. So whenever the urge to steal comes up, the routine mental process was, let me just do this for the last time, after which I'm done. Well, that's how the one last time syndrome kept me in that kind of life for a decade until grace saved me.

Habits are the physical manifestation of mentally and internally accumulated seeming insignificant decisions and actions made and done over time. These habits culminate into our character, and character is who we truly are. Hence, whether good or bad, habits that we permit persists, and whatever persists define us. If we have been servants to the one last time syndrome, especially when it comes to habits, decisions and actions that shouldn't be part of our fruitful life, then it is unfortunate. 

The One Last Time (OLT) Syndrome is that subtle yet simple pattern of habit, covert yet overt manner of approaching bad decisions, toxic attitudes, and harmful actions with laxity and complacency, laced with the underlining wishful thinking of stopping but the overriding desire of repeating same. It's that harmful addiction and obsession that you confess daily the need to cut it off from your life but when it comes to putting words to action the practicality of it eludes you. Succinctly, we are sometimes helpless against this, showing how frail and helpless we are as mortals and how desperately we need God.

By now, I am sure you are assessing yourself and pointing out all those actions and decisions that you are often prey to this syndrome in their regard. What is that habit, action, or decision that you know is getting the best of your life but every time you are about to indulge it you find solace in "let me just do it one last time"?  The more you indulge it the more neck-deep you are into it, it's like a bite of it leaves you asking for more. It's time to turn the tides around for good. 

Why then are we often prone to this syndrome? It was Jean de La Bruyère who said: "No vice exists which does not pretend to be more or less like some virtue, and which does not take advantage of this assumed resemblance". Martin Meadows added that "Bad habits are so difficult to give up not only because they’re pleasant, but also because they often masquerade as virtues. When you think of your vice as a friend rather than your enemy, it’s even harder to eliminate it from your life".

The one last time syndrome will keep you in an endless circle of unproductive life, it steals from you and makes you steal from yourself as well. Don't go this way anymore, it's a death trap. It saps all the productive efforts and creative energy you would have directed towards a worthwhile venture and channel the same on the same old vices that have hitherto stuck your life. Watch it from now henceforth, and don't let this syndrome make you live your life for less.

You need self-discipline and will power to say no anytime you want to entertain it. " Let me do it just one last time" is a lie and you know it. It's a bait that ends up hooking you on the cheap, transient and harmful thrill and pleasure that will end up ruining your life. You are made for something more, and to live life to the fullest, you must trust God to help you, to go beyond mere confessing your need for change into repentance and living a new life outside the OLT syndrome. You are made of more and for more.

Thank you for reading

Be free to leave your comments

Comments

  1. Unknown28 February 2021 at 09:10

    Very true and beautiful piece.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Unknown28 February 2021 at 09:50

    Thank you

    ReplyDelete
  3. BanDashan28 February 2021 at 11:23

    It is unproductive and it steals from you. Thanks boss

    ReplyDelete
  4. Unknown28 February 2021 at 16:37

    This is a serious battle one needs to take serious time fight. Weldon sir its so inspiring

    ReplyDelete
  5. MD Star Concepts1 March 2021 at 07:54

    Thanks for the piece. It helps a lot. Blessings

    ReplyDelete

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