A journey of a thousand miles starts with the first step says a timeless adage. It seems just like yesterday that we talked about the ‘Holy Month’ and what it could mean for the world and for our country where two of the world’s main religions are contesting for spiritual turf. Ramadan and Lent are two important seasons in the Islamic and Christian faiths. They are seasons that call for deep spiritual reflections, denials and altruism. The symbolism of the two starting on the same day could have been taken up and used to foster unity and brotherhood. It could have been used to reinforce the belief that we are serving the same God. The least, the absolute minimum one expected was a calmer, more reflective and therefore, more peaceful month. What we got was the exact opposite. Nigeria’s North-east, the heartland of Islam in the country, was hit by destructive explosions by people purporting to propagate Islam and seeking to convert souls. Yet, they violated one of the most important pillars of their religion by engaging in violence during Ramadan. Then last week, on Palm Sunday, worshipers were attacked in a predominantly Christian State in Central North, by terrorists masquerading as religious activists. Palm Sunday is the beginning of Passion Week, otherwise called Holy Week. It is the climax of the Lenten season.

But it gets worse. Israel, the country where the footprints of the two dominant religions are deepest joined forces with America, a country that loudly proclaims God and Christianity, to start a war on Iran, another deeply religious country. And in the Holy Month!! The irony is inescapable. A world one expected to be sober at least for the season was at its most volatile and destructive. Thousands were killed including school children and innocent souls who knew nothing about this geo/political war. More thousands were displaced during a season that was supposed to be the season of fasting and charity. What should have been a season of peace and love became a season of war and enmity. I am not sure if there will be any long term winner in this senseless war which leaves me deeply depressed. The deeper effects of this war economically, emotionally and spiritually on humanity as a whole, will continue long after a ceasefire would have been reached.

The Spiritual season is effectively over. Ramadan finished two weeks ago. Lent is finishing today. It is obvious that leaders, both home and abroad, missed the opportunity of the spiritual confluence of the period to have a national and global re-orientation and reset. Easter for Christians is a day of triumph. It is a day of victory over the forces of darkness – after the gloom of Good Friday comes the joy of Easter. For all, it is a day of celebration. But the number of those who can celebrate is dwindling every year due to economic pressures. It will be worse this year in our country since little measures have been put in place to reduce the economic impact of the war on the poor. APC claims to be a progressive party but it seems to be running a capitalist government in everything but name. It is unfortunate. There is seems to be a disconnect between Abuja and the rest of the country!

There are many people who see beyond the festivities that Easter represents. People who use Easter for spiritual evaluation and stocktaking. I am one of them. I shut down during Lent and concentrate mainly on basic survival necessities. I have been doing that for decades. It is my season to recharge my spiritual and moral batteries. So while Easter offers a relief that the discipline and abstinence of almost seven weeks are over, there is still the need to evaluate and decide on what I need to reduce or increase in order to become a better version of myself going forward. This is even more pertinent as I grow older and realise the futility of a life of vanity and acquisitions. Many of the things I thought were indispensable in my youthful years are no longer deemed important, or sustainable. I now find joy and gratitude, in things I took for granted in my busy, frenetic years. The exuberance of youth has given way to the thoughtfulness of age. Fortuitously, a ballad was recently posted on a music platform I belong to which encapsulates my thoughts – I have since seen it on a few platforms, mainly of the elderly. I will post the words for those who know the song to sing along and for those who don’t to learn from its lyrics. Its titled ‘Another Day Old’ by Eddie Dalton.

‘I don’t move as good as I used to. Some days, it takes me a minute or two. But the world keeps turning like it is meant to do. Time don’t wait just to carry you through. I have had good days. And a few just slipped away. Had a few things work out in different ways. But if you live long enough, then you see it is true; that things worth keeping take time to come through. We just pass through time like the wind through the pine. Just small, little pieces in a bigger design. The older I get, the more I know; there is nothing wrong with being another day old’

‘There is a long stretch of road. And a sky full of blue; and radio playing the old worn out tune. Used to drive like I had somewhere better to go. Now, I just let the miles roll easy and slow. I used to think youth was the best place to stay. Like the best of life might fade away. But the older I get, the more it shows; not everyone gets the chance to grow old. I won’t take things for granted. I won’t forget my past. Will look forward and make it last. Time don’t stop and it don’t rewind. Go around every corner, there is something to find’. ‘The older I get, the more I know; there’s nothing wrong with being another day old.’ This is a song that should resonate with a lot of people who have left their most active years behind.

Another important day in my life is my birthday. It is the day I review the passing years while planning for the coming ones. It is the day I celebrate life while reflecting on its essence. Tomorrow, both Easter and my birthday come together as it does occasionally. It is double celebration. It is double reflection. I agree with the song. I may not move as good as I used to. But nothing wrong with being another year old.

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