Right Now

The perfectly seasoned sea bass melted in my mouth as my coworkers and I joked about life’s lemonade. I felt my phone vibrate, so looked down to check the message. It read “delete the group message, dude.”

It would have been rude to pursue the issue any further in the current circumstances, so I just did what the message told me, and our dinner continued. After some lovely and interestingly colored ice cream, I left with one of my coworkers. For the entire car ride, I was anxious to hear about the particular incident that caused such an abrupt disbandment of the seemingly dynamic chemistry this group had. Once I was dropped off and able to deal with the issue at hand, I was able to have a conversation with a trusted friend with whom the incident affected the most.

I found out that within the group there had been some misunderstandings between my old friend and another one of the guys. It escalated to the point of delusion and recklessness, and a decision was made to no longer include the divergent and intense thoughts of this individual amongst the group of friends.

Amidst all the commotion, my friend and I spoke in very positive terms about our future plans and how we can continue to progress towards our goals. I had shared the feeling of inadequacy that had been plaguing my mind recently. And he told me something I needed to hear: that I am doing just as well as anybody else. Given the resources at my disposal right now, I’m the best that I can be. Not confusing this with complacency, the recognition of success begins with the definition of success.

The next day my friend sent me a link to a YouTube video of an audio clip. It was a recording of a lecture called “The Strangest Secret” by Earl Nightingale. In the lecture, Nightingale shares why 5 out of 100 people will be successful: they do the work they do because they want to and love to. If you get up in the morning, get ready, and go to do whatever it is you do because you want to, then you are successful. The recording played as my eyes widen. It seemed as if Nightingale was listening in on our conversation the night before. Continued progression should always be the goal, but don’t forget to pat yourself on the back every now and then. Because right now, you’re doing just fine.

– Gabriel Oigbokie