In my early years, I wanted nothing to do with delayed gratifications. I always wanted everything at the moment. Seriously, that mindset cost me a lot while growing up. I can just say, after years of relearning did I come to realise that it's not everything that offers immediate gratification that's really worthwhile.
I used to participate in quiz competitions, mostly, bible quiz competitions. I came tops in over 50 competitions. In a particular competition I was handed a brown envelop for coming first. I looked at the gift with disdain. Impatiently, I opened the envelop. Gush! it was a brown coin with a hole in the middle that I was given. The person that came second was given some cash and the third contestant was given cash as well.
Holding the terrible coin, not knowing exactly what to do with it, I walked straight to the organisers of the quiz. I asked why on earth they had to offer me a coin that can not be spent. The man that donated the gifts told me that the coin was a legal tender in Nigeria some years ago. He counselled me to keep it as an invaluable collection. I looked at him, and calmly said, *I don't need it!* I was furious. Later, the coin was collected from me, and some cash, which was the double of what was given to the first runners up, was handed to me in its place. I think I was 8 or 9 years old at that time...
Many years after that I was on a train from Hong Kong to Beijing. I was in the company of some Chinese young men and ladies. They only understood few words of English language. I was the only black in the couch. I started sharing my experiences with them in simple kindergarten English.
They were so excited. Then I brought out my wallet, it was a collection of currencies from different countries. As I brought out these currencies that I collected from few countries I had visited; one of them told me he would like to buy them from me. He offered his price, I felt it was good, so I sold them off...It was a good deal.
Recently, I remembered the two separate incidents in my past and I reflected over many things I had lost which should have fetched me a fortune at the moment: many opportunities, many chances, many, many glorious open doors...
None of those losses were as painful as the people in my past that I had let go, good friendships and relationships that I can't have back. Each time I remember the coin I gave away and the people I lost I become very sad.
To be honest, neither the coin nor the people that I lost ever really matter as compared to the time I lost. I may have the coin back and sometimes, some good people do come to replace the old ones, but the lost time is gone forever!
EXRADALLENUM OLUSEGUN AKINSANYA
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