Wednesday, June 27, 2007

As a child, every comic book and novel I read told me I could live happily ever after. In Archie comics, people didn't die of cancer or have terminal illnesses. Babies didn't die young,and love lasted for ever.

I could see beauty in the snow on side-walks painted on Christmas cards, and carols had special meanings to me. I would stand for hours and marvel at Christmas trees and the tinsel draped on them.

And Chitty Chitty Bang Bang was the movie that showed how sweet life could be.

I'm older now and I know what pain is... sometimes I sit and bow my head as I ponder on life's miseries, about how I have been betrayed by family, by friends, by love... and how I have betrayed others in my turn...

And I realise life is not always what we want it to be.

I just want to be happy...I really want this...

32 comments:

Eyin'ju Oluwa said...

I totally, completely, seriously feel you...i really do.

Anonymous said...

awww.... my darling... i hope you're alright... and i remember chitty chitty bang bang... i could watch that movie for days on end when i was younger...

Anonymous said...

Life doesn't always go as planned. We play the cards dealt us as best we can,take it from day to day and try to keep hope alive while asking God for mercy and grace.

Ore said...

I listened to a talk by a young lady once who had been through some major adversities in her life. She said that an older woman had told her that the most inspiring and interesting women she had met in her life always had a story to tell about things they had been through.

The same would be true for men and I pray that you have the strength to make it through life's adversities.

Anonymous said...

we all desire happiness in life. but i have come to realise that happiness does not necessarily mean: 1) living in the past; or 2) trying to please everyone. the minute i decided to live my life the way it best suits me, i have come to appreciate both the 'yabs' and the applause; the enemies and the friends (and fans) this decision has brought my way. people will always upset you but my happiness isn't tied to their opinion of who they think i am, neither should urs.

Araceli said...

Be glad...that learning about life happens to you at an early age. Others don't have the privilege and go through this only when they are old - and then it would be too late. I believe that the best lessons in life come with tears, followed by laughter.

ECLECTIC said...

Apolgies for this shameless plug:-)

Please click on the link below to see how you can get you free tickets to a charity extravaganza in the west end. Performers include Semekor African Dance, Semendo Flamenco dancers, Yes Brazil band and dancers and much more. For a night to remember, click here.
http://harlingtonhospicepresents.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry love. I pray you get to that place where bliss is attainable.

I pray you heart heals from all the pain and hurt.

If I had only one wish for you, I'd wish for you to be happy in all areas of your life.

With God's unfailing love, we can all get to that point.
All the Best,

A not so anonymous fan ;-)

Iyaniwura said...

“Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever.”

The key is learning from whatever pain you experience or you cause others. “Pain is inevitable. But the ‘suffering’ is optional.”

If you feel unhappy that’s fine…it’s not a crime… but you ‘must’ not let it engulf you. Easier said than done but you just have to focus on the good things in life and believe that any pain experienced is designed to make you a better person…

Happiness WILL come your way but you have to let go of the pain.

Naija Vixen said...

And happy you shall be...you'll get your heart's desire...

Jumi said...

What haileth thee, laspapi? "If you don't turn your life into a story, you just become a part of someone else's story." - Malicia in The Amazing Maurice and his Educated Rodents by Terry Pratchett. You are a mirror to someone.

Mimi said...

no one knows this truth better than me!

comic books gave you the illusions? disney cartoons gave me mine! but i grew up quickly and realized life wasnt so..

i think what you wish above all is joy, because happiness is based on situations, joy is everlasting because it flows from within you...something circumstances cant change..

i think i reached that point now! i wish and pray you do!

Anonymous said...

Hey papi mi,
keep ur head up!
a moment of sadness once in a little while is inevitable for a thinking man.how will u know joy if u never experienced sadness?
e go berra o my bro.
may the joy u bestowed on countless peps (including moi)
overtake u and wrestle u to a new level..
much love,

laspapi said...

'sewa- thank you, beautiful child.

@ Storm- I'm ok, love. That movie made my childhood a brighter place.

@ anon- "We played the cards dealt us..."- That's what it's about, really, the fact that you can't always reshuffle when the cards are dealt.

@ Ore- Thank you for that prayer. I'll try to teach from my own experiences.

@ anon 2- nah, anon, I don't dwell on what people think of me. It's more about empathy and picking up the pain that fills the world. When I take a walk sometimes, I feel like a radio receiving waves.

@ araceli- "I believe that the best lessons in life come with tears, followed by laughter." I want the laughter that follows the tears. I won't lose life's lessons.

@ not so anonymous- (laspapi whispering in dulcet tones)- lovely words, thank you... who are you?

@ gold mine- I'll remember those words. I wasn't sent to save the entire world, but sometimes I look around and wish there was more I could do to ease the pain of others.

@ vixen- thank you, dami. Amen to that.

@ jumoke giwa- I'm going to share that quote with others. You and Ore have followed the same lines. I'll remember.

@ ~mimi~ - hmmm, I've been told before there's a difference between joy and happiness. however that is, I'd like to share it . You know that Bing Crosby(?) song, "I see friends shaking hands, saying how do you do?...And I think to myself, what a wonderful world".

@ sherri- I love your lines and agree, its the thinking that sometimes causes melancholy. I'd really like to be wrestled by joy and thrown to a higher level :D

BlogVille Idol said...

hey pple,blogville idol is finally coming to an end...we have two contestants left and they have sung their songs,pls go to out page and listen to them via our voice player and vote for them on d vote poll..pls leave us a comment too...tank u for ur support thru out the contest

Mimi said...

thanks papiiiiiiiiiiii

:) spread the word and get votes for meeeeeee!

Cheetarah said...

Read the story on Mr.Newcastle FC and its a damn shame, My country scares the living daylights outta me. My cousin just avoided a plane crash yest, she said two planes where head towards them, How in the hell does control tower miss that kinda shit? I called her just as she got off the plan and she was just shakin,WTF. cAN WE PLS GET PEOPLE WHO ACTUALLY KNOW WHAT THEIR DOING?

sorry for derailing, yeah I loved archie and hated Betty soo was a vitoria(thats her name right? the fashionista)Life is what you make tho, and to be honest I forgotin what the post was about,have to read it again,lol!

Idemili said...

Don't we all my dear. Don't we all. You have to take your happiness where you can find it...and spread it around in return. Life can be just shit at times.

Uzo said...

Oh Laspapi. One of the best things you have written. Ever. For me. Its simple but so heartfelt. I read this and i said to myself - wow. Honesty. Then i thought some more and it hit me - i am with you. I agree with you...I want this too....

laspapi said...

@ ~mimi~ you're winning B idol or pink satin and okpeke will hear from me.

@ cheetarah- I loved betty. Veronica was a rich spoilt kid who usualy had her way.

@ idemili- Someday I'll have it figured out. Been trying all my life.

@ uzo- Thank you, uzo. I hope we find this.

Anonymous said...

I read,reflected and thought I had to make a comment. I believe that life is a journey and and we make choices. Whilst on the journey you need to make a decision that circumstances and people should not determine my happiness/joy.

Yes we encounter pain, love, laughter and the list goes on. The most important thing is how we deal with them when we face it. Life is about choices. Money, marriage, career, children you name it, are they the key?

Recent experiences suggest to me it is Knowing Who You Are. And Whose You Are and by this I mean it is by his grace and mercy.

You're the only one that can do it for you. You're in charge

Enjoying the blog and will definitely be stopping by again.

Waffarian said...

Laspapi, if that is want you want, go for it.YOU alone, are responsible for your happiness, nobody else and my dear, happiness or life waits for no man, you have been given seconds, minutes, days, years to be happy. Do it now, go for it, this is your chance, do not be afraid, go for it. Short story: met the love of my life, I adore him, I love him beyond this world.... I am responsible for my love, I am giving everything, my heart, my soul....yet, I know thats all I can do....sometimes I wish life would give me a garantee "waffy, you are definitely going to be happy", unfortunately, there is no such garantee. So what do I do? I believe I will be happy, my belief keeps me strong and keeps my heart going, damn the past. YOU have today. Make it happen!

Chude! said...

I hope you are fine now, wole. My sincerest best wishes...

laspapi said...

@ anon- thank you for the instructive thoughts. Your words gave me cause to reflect too. Life and choices...and those things in life that happen whether you choose them or not...

Thank you, anon. I hope to see you again, here.

@ waffy- Your comment was interesting. Still, I talk of the pain life brings on different fronts...the 62 year old man with a pick-axe who has to go to work at a construction sight with 20 year old collosuses because he has to eat... the 65 year old woman seated, selling in the African sun covered with nothing but a hat...Causes for reflection...

@ chude- thank you. I'm fine...just musing...

Idemili said...

Where is 'Girl Whisperer?' I shall be sorely vexed...

For the love of me said...

Morning always comes after a night. Keep your head up, tomorrow the sun will shine and bring your way much happiness.

Idemili said...

changed image on blog. Hope to your liking.

laspapi said...

Idemili, the Whisperer's coming...

@ for the love of me- ...tomorrow, the sun will shine.... Thank you for this.

Unknown said...

Thanks for taking us to a time when wishes could be horses and pigs were flying...at least in our minds. I lament the loss of innocence with you my brother. Like Gandalf said to Frodo in LOTR - Ours is to make do with the time given us and worry less about the world seeming to collapse all around us. Good advice worth following ---no matter how hard

laspapi said...

thank you, jola. you hit the nail on the head.

Noni Moss said...

Sending you a hug - are you feeling better now?

laspapi said...

I'll wait till I see you before I unwrap the hug, noni