For one of my early birthdays (before puberty, the good
ol' days), my uncle got me a very special gift.

A video game console. My very first video game console.

It was a 16 bit processing Sega Mega Drive console which ran 2D games from cartridges.

Specs aside, it was one of my most treasured possessions and I played it until both of the pads fell apart.

I used to play Soccer on it. Dazzling everyone (mostly my younger sister) with my mesmerising soccer skills.

I also played Shoot The Duck and Track and Field on it (Never managed to break any World Records though, or win the Olympics back to back to back).

My favourite game by far though, was Super Mario.

A pirated port (Super Mario was developed by Nintendo, I owned a Sega😂) but no less engaging than the original.

I remember learning to play the game.

After several painful "deaths", I finally got to that elusive green pipe that signalled the end of the level. I was ecstatic, celebrating like Nigeria had won the World Cup.

After my excitement had subsided a little, I sat down to tackle Level Two confident that I could brace this one with a lot more ease.

Six or seven lives later, I realised that this level was a lot tougher than the first one. Sure, I had leveled up and had gained more experience, this level was still incredibly hard.

I've realised that a lot of times, Life(especially my own) is a lot like this.

No, I don't fight evil crocodiles or enter suspicious looking pipes or rescue pretty princesses (although I wouldn't mind that😉).

I'm talking about the thing with Levels.

You finally beat an insurmountable challenge, only to find that there's another one waiting for you.

Sometimes, it's really frustrating. It almost seems like all the progress I made in the previous level counts for nothing.

Well, I've learned that Life really doesn't owe us anything. Weeping over the way it is won't change it. So, if I have to go out every day and prove myself all over again, then I'll put Bob Marley's "Jamming" on repeat and prove myself.

In conclusion, let me congratulate myself on "Levelling Up" again, but there's another Level to beat.

Until we meet The Final Boss (Y'all
ready for that, by the way?), Stay cool!