From the tragic life of my uncle: A powerful lesson learnt.

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I once had an Uncle whom I often referred to as Uncle Jinx(not his real name). He was a very smart and hardworking man with so many, many, dreams. Unfortunately, he didn't live long enough to achieve most of all those dreams. I remember the day I got the news about his death and what thoughts came to my mind immediately: "what about his dreams? He had so many of them!" Well... for you to understand better the lessons learnt, let me give you a little glimpse into the rather tragic life of my uncle:

In the year 1963, my Uncle jinx was born into this world. He had quite an adventurous childhood growing up in a small village in Delta state, Nigeria. Later in his youth, he left for the city of Lagos to further his education and explore other city life capitals. There he attended college and graduated amongst the top in his class. He continued to further his education by acquiring a Masters degree. Later on, he started working as a civil servant under the government. His life was quite good. He married a very beautiful woman and had wonderful kids. But sooner or later tragedy would show its ugly face when the government decided to dock his pay so low that it became difficult for him to take care of his family.

Later, after weeks of dilemma, uncle Jinx made a decision to retire from his job at the age of 40 receiving monthly pensions. He felt as though all the hard work he put into his job was not worth the paycheck he received every month, that is if he was in fact payed that month. Uncle Jinx tried his best to find a job but alas, even with his qualifications, he could not find a good job. The entire family then had to rely mostly on the wife for income. Then, after being fed up with the everyday struggle to survive and trouble in paradise, uncle Jinx's wife made up her mind to leave him and she did so taken their little kids along with her.

Because his low pension plan was not sufficient for him to completely take care of his welfare, Uncle Jinx decided to find another job. He would go on to take part in menial jobs such as: bus driving, bus conducting, hawking, and many other jobs I wouldn't like to mention here. It was during this period of hard labor, that he was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. An illness that will eventually end his life.

After a short period of not being able to keep up due to his health, uncle Jinx quit his daily hustles and found solace in the trading world. Particularly, forex trading. There, his fortune seemed to change and life was better again! Unfortunately, as it will often go, his luck would run out and all the investments he had made(both his own and the ones he had borrowed from others) were all lost in a blink of an eye.

Depression followed as just as his due for house rent. Then shortly after, he was kicked out of his apartment and had to go live with a friend. Then shortly after that!...he was kicked out yet AGAIN and had to stay with us in our place for a while.

As if his depression, debts,and inner demons weren't enough already, he was yet again faced with another challenge - his ex wife. After months and months of trial in court, he lost the custody of his kids to his ex-wife. During this period, he remained mostly in his room, always depressed, always lowly, and still suffering from his terrible illness.

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It was during this short visit of his that I really got to know more about uncle Jinx's personality. He always had this optimistic mindset that he will make it big and make lots of money! He felt that when he makes all this money, his ex-wife will come crawling back and all those people who mocked him once before, will repent when they watch him rise. Honestly, I loved this optimism of his despite all the challenges he has faced. However, I didn't care at all for his ego.

Funny enough, he had set all his plans out for when he becomes "Big". The huge house he will build, the money he would send to people, the people he will show off to. All this he had in mind as he continued persevering; doing his forex and affiliate marketing with all of his strength and resources even though he was neglecting the more important things. The things that mattered most now: his kids and his health. Heck, uncle Jinx wasn't even one to believe in modern day medicine). Ah...to think he would often refer to this stage as the last of his sufferings.

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Time had passed since he left for his brother's place. There, his illness seemed to take a turn for the worse. I couldn't even recognize my uncle again in the picture he sent to us. I think that's when a little tension involving his illness started arousing within the family.

My last memory of Uncle Jinx was when he came for a visit to our place. He seemed to be quite alright in terms of health and general wellbeing at the time. In fact, it was I who was sick. When he entered the living room e saw me on the couch he smiled and said "Oh... Eche you're sick huh? Don't worry. You'll get better soon". Those were his the final words to me. Shortly after that visit, news came of his passing. Uncle Jinx will end up going to spend his final days in a local hospital. His cause of death -Type 2 Diabetes.

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His life and death taught me a few life changing lessons:
1.) You don't have to wait for your life to be perfect before you can make a change in your life or in the life of others.

2.) Don't get sidetracked by the illusions of this world. They are all vanity! Instead, focus on the important things: your loved ones, your wellbeing, your attitude towards life. All that is truth essentially.

3.) The secret of time is all in relation with you. If you die today, there is no tomorrow. You can actually die now without accomplishing anything.

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So act fast, and do all the IMPORTANT things you need to do now in this world. I just hope you know what those important things are....

4.) Remember, no dream is too big or too small to give up on. Just don't give up. Fear not if you would actually achieve them, that doesn't really matter. You can always just die today and then that's it! Life goes on. But however, what matters is that you didn't give up.

At the end, it is Perseverance that brings out the best version of ourself.

Thanks for reading and keep exploring!