Its all about your passion.

Waking up early and returning home late had become a tedious routine. I loved my sleep as much as I loved my work, but sometimes I wondered why I was even bothering. The work was demanding, and the pay was minimal, with months-long delays in receiving my salary. To make matters worse, others depended on my work, adding to the pressure.

As I lay in bed, staring at the clock screaming "5:49 am, wake up and start your day!", I felt drained. What was the point of it all? I recalled a conversation with my friends at a club two days prior, celebrating our friend's promotion to director in a UK company. Clarke and Rhys teased me about my lack of progress, asking when I'd finally achieve success. I forced a calm response, hiding my frustration: "Very soon." But the words stung, and the doubt lingered. 

As I lay in bed, groaning, I decided to play hooky and call in sick to work. My boss was understanding and even told me not to bother coming in tomorrow if I wasn't feeling better. I thanked him and ended the call. But staying at home was excruciatingly dull, and I lacked the motivation to even prepare my own meals. So, I decided to take a walk to the nearby junction to buy some food.

As I approached the food vendor, I noticed a young man sitting at the edge of a dry gutter, despite his impeccable attire. Normally, I wouldn't have given him a second glance, but something about his despairing expression, like he was on the verge of tears, drew me to him. He seemed startled by my presence at first, but then composed himself. I asked him about his troubles, and he revealed that his father was insisting he abandon his tertiary education, citing the high unemployment rate among graduates in our country. Instead, his father wanted him to pursue a career as a carpenter or mason, like he had done before marrying his mother.

However, the young man's passion lay elsewhere - in journalism. He was determined to pursue a career in journalism, despite the challenges and negative stories he had heard about the field, such as delayed salaries and unlicensed operations. He believed that journalism was not only his passion but also a vital service to the community, as it provided the news that informed our decisions and shaped our understanding of the world.

He continued, explaining that his mother had supported his education, much to his father's dismay. Now, four years after graduation, he still hadn't secured a job at any media house, and his father had been tormenting him relentlessly. I was taken aback, recalling how it took me two months to land a job after my own struggles. As I reflected on my past and present, I realized what journalism truly meant to me. It wasn't about promotions or salaries; it was about passion and hard work paying off.

I thanked the young man for the epiphany and promised to call him the next day. When I showed up at work, my boss was surprised, but I shared the truth with him, and he simply smiled and shook his head. I introduced the young man to my boss, who agreed to give him a test before considering him for a job. I have no doubt that his passion will shine through, and he will pass the test with flying colors. 

The end.

Apan Jesica Abena BASC27004