COMMONPLACE DOES NOT DISCOUNT VALUE

I sat in church attentively listening to the sermon, and had a Eureka Moment! The Pastor said: "The commonness of a thing doesn't discount its value." How true those words are, but often overlooked. Let me explain a bit further. We constantly hear from motivational speakers and the like: "Distinct yourself, Stand out from the crowd, Seperate yourself from the norm, Don't follow the crowd..." We are inundated daily with infographics that tell us, no command us to be distinctive to get attention. Truthfully they are right. BUT... Let’s pause and think for a moment. Pure water sachets are same. They are branded differently but contents are basically same; yet their value cannot be underestimated. Salt? Brand it, iodise it, color it, its basic value is what it offers; Sand? Air? 

I use the everyday most common place examples, so we all can relate, and understand why it was so phenomenal for me. As humans we go to such great lengths to re-invent and package ourselves, so much so that we lose sight of the value of ourselves! For women, its a different ball game! Doubt me? Lets take a look on the streets, or if you're feeling a bit lazy, go on your Instagram page, scroll down to see tons of lovely, striking, and well put together ladies. In fact there are dedicated pages for all these hotness. The likes of Naija Girls Killing it, Asoebi Bella, Bella Naija, and the rest. One might argue and say its all false packaging and stuff, and you might be right. Still, the beautiful ones have been born, and are grown!

So in the face of all these loveliness, its too easy for two things to happen:

1) You go overboard trying to distinct yourself, and become silly. I call it the Miley Cyrus Syndrome. We see beautiful ladies wearing and behaving ridiculously all in the bid to garner attention, 'cos in this generation that we live, attention is cash!

2) You start to feel small and very common, you stop taking pride in the value that is inherent in you. I gave this one the Mouse Syndrome. Shrink away from adventure, people life! Just do the daily existence. 

So what’s the balance? Did I hear you ask? Am discovering myself, but we give a little, and get a little, right? So I’ll share mine and you’ll share yours. Since we agree, here goes:

1)     What’s my value? To my family, friends, job, community?

Getting re-affirmation from my constant contribution to this direct sphere of influence helps a whole lot.

2)     Don’t settle for less! I constantly tell myself, Yes, there are plenty in the fishes in the sea, but that doesn’t discount my offering! So please give me my due!

3)     Where there’s no appreciation, there’s depreciation! So deliberate effort should be made to improve, and not stagnate. I’m never going to be a'has been’!

Remain Golden, it never goes out of style!

D2AGE