Well … I am the 2nd child of 4, born to Nigerian parents who have come along way from very little since moving to the US (my motivation to keep going). I grew up in Pittsburgh (kind of the odd man out). Now Pittsburgh is an interesting city with a fair amount of culture, some good history, and some … interesting people. Now the people who live there speak Pittsburghese and are known as “yinzers” or “burghers” because of their peculiar accent. Thankfully it never rubbed off on me. Despite my correct diction, I was the one who was made fun of in elementary school. I would return home daily and complain to my mother, who in turn told me to flip the script and laugh with them. With that advice, I developed a unique sense of humor at a very young age (I mean … at least I thought I was funny). I realized I had the ability to make people laugh and make most situations pleasant (not to toot my own vuvuzela but … “neeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr”). Anyway, I started playing the trumpet in 2nd grade and developed a love for music. I continued playing into high school, where I was introduced to all types of music and musical instruments (shout out to marching band). Each year of marching band I played a different instrument. It all started off my freshman year of marching band … I marched next to a guy named Mike … I would beat-box and he would freestyle to the beat. He played the tuba and was graduating that year, so it was only natural that I pick up the tuba for the next year … then on to the sax … the baritone … and then, the drums. It was a great experience. Fast forward to college … I put music on the back burner and stuck to the books (I became a nerd but never lost my sense of humor or my love for music). I majored in computer engineering (which I knew would land me a job after graduating). Thankfully, the long nights in the engineering lab paid off and I eventually got my receipt … I mean diploma in the mail (and I’m still paying my loans off).
I got a nice job after graduation with a world renown company and and thought life was great, saying to myself “I’m young, I’m making some money …” I was feeling good. However, I soon realized, after living 4 years in a small city, that something was missing. It just wasn’t my speed. I spent days day dreaming of becoming an actor or a marketing mogul. But fear got the best of me, and I resorted to stick with my day job. I worked out a transfer to a larger city and thought things were back to normal. And for a little while they were. Had a larger, more diverse professional circle, had activities to keep me busy outside of work, bought a house … could life get any better!
Well, it didn’t get better. About a month after moving, my brother fell into a coma and then passed away two months after that. It was a very difficult time in my life. All the plans I had for the future with him, and all the things I wanted to say to him, I could no longer do or say. I took a lot of time to reflect on time wasted, not living my life to the fullest, relying on tomorrow to fulfill my hopes and dreams.
It seemed like the world around me was crumbling figuratively … and literally. The global economy was in shambles and companies (including mine) were eliminating positions left and right and in the midst of the turmoil my position was eliminated. It didn’t seem real at first, or at, least I was positive. But after many applications, and no responses I started to ask God what was I to learn from this. It was as if a brick wall was in front of my face and I had no where to turn. I was reminded of what I had learned after my brothers passing and knew I had to do something. All I could hear was live vicariously (well … vikeriously) … in other words learn about what is going on in the lives of people I find intriguing, and then share those experiences with others in my own unique way. In addition I will share how I’m living (hopefully cracking you up in the process) … you know, put my flavor on life for others to enjoy.
I finally started to pursue some dreams in my life , and felt a sense of satisfaction … I started to feel like I fit in. I was using my gifts to be the person God made me to be. Not trying to fit the mold of what others thought I should be, or conform to any one “path to success.” Don’t get me wrong, if a door opened to a lucrative opportunity today, I might jump on it. But the days of being afraid to move on my dreams are over. My advice for others is to never forget to dream big, pray hard, and be prepared for anything that life may throw your way. I no longer worry about what tomorrow holds cause there are enough problems for me to handle today and I know who holds tomorrow (cliche but true). I got a long way to go to perfecting my purpose in life, but I continue on my quest for Glory (2 Corinth 3:18), each day thanking God for the past, asking Him to help me live in the present, and to prepare me for the future, till my story ends …