The place of desire

By Lanre Oyetade

Desire outwits Mother Nature – Napoleon Hill

I read a treatise a long time ago, which told me that desire is the starting point of all successful achievement. According to the article, when desire is so strong that it pervades the subconscious with a near craving for an object, then one can be sure that it is just a matter of time before that object so desired is attained.

Dr. Sidney Newton Bremer it was that said, “Beware of what you desire for you shall surely have it!” Just look through time and you will find that those people that get whatever they attain are those that truly and severely desired it.

The sage’s example
When an indigent student truly desires to have an education to the point of craving it, a way, nay ways, is made and he finally achieves his desired object. The story of the late sage of blessed memory, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, is a case in point.

This was a man that had raw poverty stare him in the face but because he desired to make something of his life, went through the ‘hills and valleys’ to obtain the western education he so craved even in the white man’s land at a time it was fashionable for people who found themselves in similar situation to take to lesser callings.

Desiring the most
As I have recalled in this column before, I remember very well that, as a fresher at the University of Benin in the mid 80s, I so much desired academic excellence above all other things, having been fired by my dad to pursue same.

On one occasion, a friend and classmate of mine, Ladi Atunrase, with whom I had also been a colleague at Igbobi College, opened my jotter in class and found in it where I had carefully written down my resolve; ‘To achieve all-round above-90 A grades’ in all courses. Of course, Ladi must have believed that was unattainable from the look on his face but then I had learnt a long time before then to desire only the best, only the purest and only the most!

I had learnt that it is wholesome to aim for the sun, for then, you may find yourself landing on the moon, which would not really be a bad bargain. And believe me that was what happened to me in school.

After a number of awards and a school scholarship for academic excellence, I passed out the best student in the then Department of Economic and Statistics at UNIBEN. Even though a first class grade had narrowly eluded me, I made the best second-class upper grade there was to be made.

Endless benefits
And up till today, I still reap the benefits of that act that was fired by my sincere, unyielding desire. And the sort of professional assistance I still obtain from my then head of department and project supervisor, Professor Milton Ame Iyoha, who was at a point the Chief Economist at the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), cannot be readily quantified.

A caveat
However, it must go without saying that there is a big difference between wishing for a thing and being ready to receive it. No one is ready for thing until he truly desires it, believes he can acquire it, and is ready to pay its price; that as long as I’m concerned is the description of unyielding desire.
The great writer, Napoleon Hill, sums it up this way, “remember, no more effort is required to aim high in life, to demand abundance and prosperity, than is required to accept misery and poverty.”

A great poet has correctly stated this universal truth through these lines:
“I bargained in life for a penny, And Life would pay no more, However, I begged at evening When I counted my scanty store.

“For Life is a just employer, He gives you what you ask, But once you have set the wages, Why, you must bear the task.

“I worked for a menial’s hire, Only to learn dismayed, That any wage I had asked of Life, Life would have willingly paid.”

Until we meet again next week, be inspired and desire the most in His presence!

Let’s make it a date at the inauguration of Club Inspirati in on Saturday, June 21st in Lagos. Further details will soon be sent out and all prospective members are expected to be present to tidy up their registration and other necessary arrangements. Each participant will also get copies of must-read wealth creation resources. Plan to attend now!