SECOND TO NONE

 

So in our last episode in the "Life - Make it Count" series, we talked about the first most important thing to do to make life count. We established that we have to count on God first, and if we are to count on men we are to do so only through the metrics of God and see them only through the lenses of God. One brain tattoo for me from that piece was the fact that if I count on God first, he will bless me with the right men and women that will make my life count. 

Now let us forge ahead

Currently, I am in more than two groom's men's WhatsApp groups. In one of the groups, there are over a hundred people, and the commitment and cooperation of the members in the group is super amazing. Less than a month to the wedding, a very significant number of people have made financial commitments. In another group, however, we are still over a hundred, with almost the same timeline, but not fewer than 7 people have made financial commitments. Two things separate these two grooms and how people respond to them, the first groom has a good relationship with people while the other, not so good. Well, this is just one aspect that portrays the importance of good relationships.

We were never designed to live this life alone, we need each other as no man is an island. I am not saying every person you see or meet should be in your life, no! But yes, I am talking about having good and healthy relationships. 

The importance of relationships can never be overemphasized, but we have become so familiar with it that its real essence is fast eluding us daily. Relationships can make you or mar you; indubitably, it has made some in the past and it has ruined others beyond repairs. To make life count, we must give our relationships a deep and deliberate thought.

Our relationships consist of our families, friends, mentors/mentee, love lives, acquaintances, colleagues, and neighbours. Defining these and giving them the energy and attention needed accordingly will not only make your life count but easier. I will touch on a few of these.

 About Friends 

Who are your friends? What is your definition of a friend? Something happened to me lately with a person I see as a friend. Well, after that incident, I had to ask myself whether he was just an acquaintance all along or I have just been having an illusion in my head seeing him as a friend. Most often, our greatest undoing when it comes to choosing friends is our inability to draw the line between who an acquaintance is and who a friend is; and when we end up getting hurt or betrayed, we feel disappointed. 

When it comes to talking about friends, I am often limited because over the years I have learned that true friendship is better lived than defined. I see friends as those who would rather hurt you with the truth than heal you with the lie. Those who would rather choose that you die for the truth than live a lie. Friends are those who won't settle for less till you are your best. Again, I ask, who are your friends? Are they friends indeed? It is better to have one or a few friends that will add value to your life, be true and stay through with you than many acquaintances leading you nowhere.

About Mentors

To make life count, have mentors who will be blunt and true with you, who will hold you up when you fall without an iota of condemnation and will help you fulfill destiny. Mentors who don't feel or see themselves as perfect but fellow pilgrims with you in the journey of life. Mentors who will also be glad to see you mentor others.

Others

Relate well with your colleagues at work, be of value to them and let them feel your absence for good when you are absent. What about your neighbours? How is your relationship with them? Trust me I know how some neighbours can be overbearing, but at the end of the day, it costs nothing to be kind to them but your ego. 

Your Network

The collection of these makes up our networking. I know this may not sit down well with some people, but I strongly feel and think if all you have is money then you are poor. Now indulge for a moment; I am not against money, no I love money for what it is and what it enables men to do. But if you have money without good relationships, most or all the people that will come around you may be sycophants or men that are after your resources. Chase money in all the right ways, but by all means, have good and meaningful relationships.

To make life count you must know that not everyone is meant to be in your life, rather, have and establish strategic relationships, and build a great circle and network of influence. I believe that in this 21st century, your net worth is directly proportional to your networks, you are as valuable and relevant as your networking. Again, you cannot go farther than the company you keep, neither can you see further than the people in your circle of influence; life is short, make it count, live it well, live it right, live it with the right people and build value-minded relationships. 

After counting on God first, having good and beneficial relationships is second to none.

Thank you for reading

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