SACRIFICE IS NOT A MISTAKE (2)

IT TAKES WISDOM TO GIVE YOURSELF OUT TO LEAD LEADERS. Just have it at the back of your mind that you are there to SERVE them. It's not easy, but be PREPARED for both PAINS and GAINS. 

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During our administration at MCAN, it was expected of us to host two different sets of Orientation Programs to welcome the new Muslim corp members of different batches for about a week. 

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We left the camp with 3 different buses that were fully loaded. And within me, I started rejoicing that it was going to be one of the best Orientation programs ever. 

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Fortunately and fortunately, It rained heavily while we were on our way. 

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We tried our best to ensure that we moved in convoy. But it doesn't work out fine. As each of the buses struggled to find a way forward. 

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I got to the secretariat safely with a few numbers of corp members. I didn't see a good sign that anyone has arrived yet. But I was told that some buses had arrived earlier. 

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I went to the lodge to check if they've been sorted into the accommodation we had available. To my surprise, I didn't see any new corp member. I moved to the other lodge. I went in smiling, hoping the story will be different. Just to hear from my colleagues that none of them are here. 

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I kept holding the smile on my face. Meanwhile, I was so scared and bitter. What could have happened? 

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I called those I thought should be in charge of those buses. And the report I got was that they've all left for their various destination. 

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Subhaanallah!. 

How could that have happened? 

We've prepared for these people. 

We will be hosting them for at least 3 days. 

Our elders in the state will be coming to welcome them tonight. 

What will be my response? 

How will I even open my mouth and explain it? 

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So, we informed those in charge of refreshment to put things on hold. The story had changed. And it was so strange. 

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After our night prayer, the elders came in hoping to meet some new faces. 

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Where are our people oo? 

I started giving some explanations. 

It wasn't even sweet to say. But what will I do? 

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I've been trying to hold on with this pain until the leaders gave their opinion on the matter. And the feedback was that "This is a TOTAL failure". 

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I can't actually narrate how I felt that very night. I had never gotten such feedback in my life. The tears started pouring out from my heart. I tried to hold. Until they all left and I find a place to hide.  Thinking about all the sleepless nights. Thinking about all the risks being exposed to while traveling during and after the camping exercise. I allowed the tears to flow. I got a bit relieved from the pains in my heart.

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I can't express it all with words. I felt so bad from within. Does that mean I have failed? I started evaluating myself. I began to see those faults in our mode of instruction and coordination. I sighed... This is definitely a lesson to learn from. 

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A few days later, I met with some of these elders and I got some leadership nuggets and morals from them. And how best to avoid such an event in the future. 

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God so good, we have another opportunity to hold the second batch. This time around, every executive members put their best to ensure things work out fine. And we tried all we could to bring those that came with us from camp down to the secretariat with clarified instructions. 

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And we had a better experience as we hosted them for the night. And we got GOOD FEEDBACK from our elders. At least, we've tried. And I appreciate Allah for that. 

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That reminds me of a book I read titled, " Sometimes You Win. Sometimes You (lose)LEARN. By John C. Maxwell. And I got to realize that one of the ways to learn great in life is to position yourself in places that will give you a better experience. You might not be the best. But at least, you've put in sacrifice to learn through a series of pains. 

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So after every phase of it. I tell myself, you have learned a great lesson from this. Be prepared for what is next. And always remember that your SACRIFICE IS NOT A MISTAKE. IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO SOMETHING GREAT. 

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I hope you've taken one or two things from this. You can share your thoughts with me. 

I remain your humble friend in humanity, 

Afeez Olalekan, Saka. 

Thought Leader| Youth Leader|Teens' Coach| Change Maker | 21st Century Parenting Advocate|TeachSDGs Ambassador| 08183352377