In life, men and women who achieve success are those who are clear about their goals in life. Among other things, as Dwight Eisenhower once put it, vision is an integral quality of a great man. Having a vision means seeing a clear picture of the future you desire for yourself. Setting targets alone does not ensure the achievement of goals; deciding on how to reach these targets is also an essential part of success. A person of vision is clear about his/her ambitions and strategizes about how best to achieve them. This implies planning ahead for future success which often demands making difficult yet very necessary decisions without limiting one’s self. Indeed, visionaries are those who not only set their target high and clear but also have their objectives well-defined and achievable. Due to the fact that plans can be affected by unforeseen circumstances, versatility and flexibility are important tools for successful planning.
Efforts to secure a bright future through meticulous planning often involve forgoing current leisure for future pleasure. Your efforts are driven by your definition of success; what you desire to see happen. Frequently, your ability to dream big will be persistently tested by obstacles but holding true to your vision of what you want for your future will shape your behavior and actions and help you overcome all surrounding impediments. My late grandmother, who was my inspiration, is a testimony to this fact – her story is the epitome of how your vision can shape your thinking and actions leading to ultimate success in life.
My grandmother; the Late Princess Victoria Nzewi, was the daughter of the Late Igwe 1 of Nnobi, a town in Anambra State, Nigeria, His Royal Highness (HRH) Solomon Ezeokoli. She grew up in Nnobi. The common societal practice during her childhood was to educate male children and marry off the females at a tender age. Sure enough, HRH Igwe 1 of Nnobi was wealthy enough to afford foreign education for his sons – he sent them off to school in far away England. Conversely, my grandmother was withdrawn from school and married to a headmaster; she went on to have a total of twelve children. Unfortunately, when her children were still young, her husband passed away. Tragic as it was, my grandmother did not succumb to despair but pressed on in order to provide her children with decent living conditions. Shortly after her husband’s death, my grandmother picked up her pieces and began to “dream”. Though she had more female children, she envisioned that every one of her children would successfully gain a University education. She was determined that the girls would have a fair chance at education.
The odds were stark against her and given her situation, it seemed impossible. In spite of being a single mother, she was driven by her objective and ambition for her children and relentlessly soldiered on with renewed determination. Grandmother started a bakery venture which grew quickly and eventually extended to the distant town of Onitsha. She toiled and labored so that her children would have it better in life than she did. I learned that people commented that she was strong and worked like a “man”. That did not deter her, if anything it spurred her on and kept her moving. She succeeded in putting the first two (twin) children through school and continued until all her surviving children became University graduates. Today, all her surviving children – six females and one male – are successful doctors, dentists, pharmacists, chemists, food technologists to say the least.
Grandmother, a humble lady with no education, had the courage to pursue her vision. She had a clear picture of what she wanted and worked towards achieving it without compromising her morals and integrity. On December 19th 2000, my grandmother passed on. At that time, I was a secondary school student. I was deeply saddened at her death especially because I performed exceptionally well in school that term and was excited about making it home to tell her of my success. I knew she would be so proud of me. I remember on one occasion, a few years before her death my parents visited her in her Nnewi home and read her a letter I had written telling her that I ranked top in my class that term. As my parents read it to her, tears trickled down her eyes. I believe my letter caused her to remember her own success stories and the fact that her hard work had paid off. I remain thankful for the moments I shared with her and for the knowledge, inspiration and willpower that she instilled in me. Her life was exemplary and she taught me that I could achieve anything I wanted and that the only limitations that exist were in the mind.
As individuals, we must not let the circumstances and situation around us limit our dreams. The moment we stop dreaming is the moment we die. I chose to come to the United States to receive my education among the very best and to strive to do my very best. It has been a privilege. Like Mary Kay Ash says: “if you can dream it, you can achieve it”. Indeed your attitude in life determines your altitude in life. Dream big and set your eyes high up the ladder; that is the only way you can climb it and move on to your target goal.
Today, I celebrate this powerful woman, this mentor of mine who stayed strong and firm amid many odds and hurdles. She was a woman of faith which translated into her driving vision that enabled her achieve her coveted ambitions for her children. She taught me so much and I am grateful. Her story is one that will encourage young African women.
By Chinyere Nwabugwu
Miss Adamawa, 2008
