OBSTACLES

The thrust of this book, -Obstacles- is the message captured in the aphorism which says “Obstacles are no obstructions but distractions”. This book drives home the truth that most obstacles in our life are no physical roadblocks but seductive, alluring and captivating distractions. The novel reveals the tragic consequences of the choices of a young man, who had a very bright start and good prospects in life, but fell badly to distractions that took advantage of his loss of focus and/or concentration. A man with two good and energetic legs opted instead to undertake a very essential and crucial journey by using borrowed and unreliable crutches. He was a man, who though had a perfect sight with 20/20 acuity; chose to wear and move around with borrowed fractured lenses and faulty frames. The disastrous consequence of poor and suboptimal choices made by Oluwarotimi (Rotimi) led him to experience a very bad fall; resulting in uncontrollable great crash; a devastating dash on the ground. “Obstacles” also reveals the tragic consequences of subverting principles and /or abdicating ethical values; choosing to rationalize and go for existential things – what works and not what matters. Trying to be like the Joneses does carry dire consequences in its baggage. A fundamental lesson taught by the Novel is to BE YOU. Obstacles are the fundamental and monumental threats shaping our individual future. Obstacles will derail dreams, abort visions and constrain the full development of a man’s potential; what is in You. The greatest battle to fight in life is to be nobody else than to be yourself; the real You. It is the only panacea for overcoming life’s obstacles; life’s distractions. A man of strong character surreptitiously abdicated all the good things (principles) he hitherto stood for. He paid the price by tumbling from the pinnacle of success and achievements. Rotimi lost fortunes, sapped and drained physically and emotionally as well. His social network, which used to be wide and extensive, was cut back to the size of a matchbox. He lost self esteem and finally came face to face with a very uncertain future. Lonesomeness became his companion. The turn of events was like a bolt from the blues, a very humbling experience. Reality descended on him like locusts and vagabonds. Suddenly, he was to learn and understand the wisdom in the aphorism, which says; “Be wary of falling when you think and believe you are standing firm”. In the face of all of these challenges, Rotimi took a dive into the world within him; he dug inside to rediscover himself, retraced the road he had missed, rebuilt his strength of character and reinforced the weakened personality structure that had been badly shattered. Finally, he reclaimed the lost Self. This challenge was to be a long walk from home; a journey that was to be very weary. But personal forgiveness, sincerity of purpose and a refocused life saw him emerging a wholesome piece from the end of the dark tunnel. Rotimi learnt from the truth that whatever begins with certainty will surely end in doubt; but whatever begins with doubt will end in certainty. These themes are the imports of this Novel - Obstacles. This novel, therefore, is a career guide per excellence. It provides a blueprint towards career and retirement schemes. “Obstacles” is’ a directional arrow, pointing the way to achieving a fulfilling life. It’s like a harbour pilot (tugboat) that ensures safe movements in and out of harbours for big ocean vessels, thus preventing the ships from running aground by enabling the ships to avoid shallow waters and/or underwater obstructions that could cause it great damage or harm. “Obstacles” also emphasizes the need to believe in your-self and resist being distracted by how others conduct their own affairs. Self confidence is fundamental to a successful life because he who is unfaithful to himself will be unable to be faithful to others. Before another person can be a serviceable servant to you, such a person must first and foremost be his own master. Without being the master of himself he cannot be a dutiful and resourceful servant to any other person. The Book,” Obstacles”, is targeted at the young generation, the youth who are in dire need of direction on fundamental issues, on decisions and/or choices they are making; decisions on career and other important future plans. To fail to plan produces the same adverse result as planning to fail. “Obstacles” reveals that only focused and purposeful living can provide the needed antidote for avoiding the baits (distractions) of life. The truth that our life is all about management of self in the face of ubiquitous booby traps and landmines strewn along the path of our destiny also resonates on the pages of this book. Only circumspection and discernment can enable us to see these dangers far away and to avoid them like plague (deadly contagious disease). This novel, Obstacles, underscores the critical role our choices and/or decisions play in how our future is being shaped. Our life situation today is the sum total of all the decisions and choices we have made in the past, either consciously or unconsciously. Our future circumstances or life situation will be predicated on those choices and decisions we are making now, today. In other words, we shape our future by our choices; by the power of our freewill. “Obstacles” also sheds light on the fundamental truth that the dynamics of life does not permit its being managed mindlessly or being flown on autopilot that requires no personal maneuvering. That you made it yesterday or have succeeded so far is no guarantee that the next challenge will not trip you over and you find yourself sprawling on the ground on all your fours. To sustain achievements and successes in life will demand self renewal every day. Complacency is the archenemy of stellar achievements in life. When you are standing firm be conscious of the possibility of slipping and falling. Principles are the building blocks of character strength. Abdicating principles is to commit character suicide; it would result in a predictable fatality that a snail will experience when it dares to taste the table-salt. Abdication of principles will result in character dehydration, leading to high degree of vulnerability and inexorably, dysfunctional behaviours with all the blues that are its natural co-travellers.