My generation, simply put is a generation of varieties. We are no longer in an age of unintentional idleness, if in this jet generation of mine, characterized by advancements in everything including globalization, some still find themselves idle, then their idleness may have been intentional and strategically planned.

The truth is, everyone has an engagement, no matter how little, ranging from catching cruise, posting of memes, following celebrities and the endless gossips about them, football analysis, political issues, arguments on feminism, volunteering among many others, as long as you are a youth in my generation, you are engaged with something, either consciously or unconsciously, intentionally or otherwise.

However, we will have ourselves to blame if at the end of the day, we are engaged in all sorts of things and yet we could not point to anything meaningful we are doing with our lives despite the numerous opportunities around us. I am not saying we should not get engaged in as many activities as we want, after all, it is stated clearly in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948 and also in the sacrosanct constitutions of most countries that we have freedom of choice, what then am I trying to say? My point is very simple, in the midst of all of these numerous distractions, how intentional are you about you and your life? How well are you maximizing the various opportunities at hand to your own advantage and for the good of people around you, and humanity at large? How constructively engaged are you as a youth? It is a thing to be engaged, it is another thing entirely to be constructively engaged. What then does it mean to be constructively engaged?

To be constructively engaged is to be preoccupied in a way that has or is intended to have a useful or beneficial purpose. Purpose! So what are the things you are engaged in as a youth? Are they any beneficial to your long term goals?

There is this saying that is now rampant among we the youths, that if it is not making money, it is not making sense, but I am sorry to tell you that everything is not about making money. Our societal moral standards and values may be diminishing, but the pathway to genuine success, the processes, will not change. The Principles are still the same, no matter the level of globalization and technological advancements we may have around us.

My own reconstruction of that popular saying is - if it is not making positive impacts to your own life, to the lives around you and a great contribution to your long term goal, then I am sorry, even if it is making money, it is not making any sense. Be constructively engaged, be strategic about things you get yourself involved with, be intentional about things you use your time for, be realistic in your dealings and follow your goals with all diligence.

For example, you have the passion for teaching, you know that you do better when it comes to anything that is related to teaching and your end goal is to become a teacher/lecturer in your field but there you are, you are the custodian of every latest fashion updates in town, you are the first to tell the gists and latest gossips about celebrities in town. No! it doesn’t work that way. Towing that path, you may only end up as a blogger or a jobless professional gossiper, but not a teacher or lecturer.

Sort your engagements and priorities out, get busy with things that will enhance your dream and push you forward into the things you desire. I am not saying you should not have fun, oh common, have fun, catch cruise but while doing that, don’t get carried away. Streamline your passion and be strategic about things you channel your energy to.

The glory of we youths is our strength, so let us maximize that strength and make the glory shine appropriately, let us all get constructively engaged and contribute to making our world a better place.

Sola Abiola

'Lekan Agunbiade adds -

"With your dreams boldly written out, set out some realistic goals for each phase of your life - weekly, monthly, quarterly or yearly. Just ensure that you are making progresses, especially internally. Read about veterans along the path of your dreams - what were their challenges and what helped them to excel? Be guided and deliberately submit yourself to mentoring. Deny yourself early gratification so that you may enjoy long term gratification. Money is good but let it be your tool (servant), not your guide (boss) thus, you can protect your heart from the spirit of mammon and Hushpuppi - like disaster. Be swift to bless others with your gifts and services, be punctual and let your words be always reliable. As much as it is practicable, keep away from avoidable controversies. In addition, when you purposefully run your life's race, there won't be time for some things, friendships that aren't building you up will face natural death, you will be restless in a positive way. Have a cast of constructively engaged people around you and leverage on the benefits of team works". Fly!!

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Selah

Sola is an OAU alumnus who is very passionate about teaching profession and seeking opportunities. For many years, he has been a great friend, brother in the Christian faith and mentee. His industrious and enterprising profiles birthed The ABSOL Ventures, offering wide ranged services (car wash, home and office cleaning, writing and editing, events hosting and MC) across few cities in Western Nigeria. In the choir, he is excellent on the drums, as well as in drama ministry.

© SELAH SERIES 2021