An Extra Zero

A lot of people spend what they do not have to buy what they do not need to impress those who are not even interested in or looking at them. You will be amazed how many people bear unnecessary burdens to look good and fit into a false norm.

I am reminded of a beautiful experience that happened to me in elementary school. It is one of the few that have stuck with me over the years, and you will understand why. That experience, even at a very young age, taught me a lot and shaped my perspective on the price of unnecessary burdens.

We were learning the number system in elementary school. My teacher, as usual, wrote the homework for the weekend on the chalkboard. " Write from 1 to 200"

I don't know how. I can't remember that part well. Maybe I was busy playing with my friends at the back or over-excited because it was Friday. I was certainly not paying maximum attention.

I mistakenly added an extra zero. I wrote in my book " Write from 1 to 2000."

I didn't know the gravity of my mistake until I got home and showed it to my mum. She was surprised that the school would give a young child such a huge task but took up the challenge. 1 to 2000 it was...

I spent the entire weekend writing and writing with my mum's guide. All my Saturday was spent writing. My Sunday afternoon was spent writing and writing. I returned to school on Monday feeling tired and worn out, only to realize that while I had up to 27 pages of homework to submit, everyone had just 2 to 3 pages.

I felt worse when the homework was graded. The teacher turned to the third page, where I had 200, and scored it "Excellent," just like she did for others.

Didn't I deserve more?

Actually, I didn't.

Many of us make mistakes by adding Extra Zeros to our lives and making life more complicated than it really is.

It is okay if you like challenges and intentionally add those extra zeros to push yourself forward.

But it is not okay whether by comparison with your friends or in you trying to impress others, you add them by mistake.

Take some time to reflect today. Is there any current activity that does not benefit your person but is only there because others are doing it or because another person you hope to impress likes it. I love what the bible says in Matthew 11:28-30.

"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

That verse is simple. It means that if you are on this path to Heaven as a Christian pilgrim, and you feel yourself bearing a heaven burden ( Trust me, it happens ). You need to stop and check again that your burden is really of Christ Jesus. Because if it is, it is supposed to be light.

@Farayola Praise: Farayola Praise is an analog design engineer who is trying to grow once again his once-loved passion for writing. When he is not designing integrated circuits (Chips), he is either writing codes (python), designing graphics, or spending time with God and Family. He is blessed with a lovely wife and a wonderful daughter. (farayolapraise@gmail.com) (03/08/2024)