Since the beginning of creation, man has been known to make mistakes. We all agree it is part of our makeup. Some are with grave consequences and some, redeemable.

I believe we can all relate to human fallibility, no question, even though they come in different shapes and sizes base on our individual differences.

However, there is a particular error that we are all – if not all, then most – guilty of. We just exist, we don’t live.

It took me a while to discover this; that I was just in a constant pursuit without taking time to enjoy every moment.

As I achieved or moved further in life, I got tired of that particular position soon enough and couldn’t wait for the next level. Now after more than two decades of my life, I have come to the realization that I practically lived my life in a blur in my continuous quest for the next ‘big’ thing.

Life is regarded as a race and maybe it is. But unlike an actual race where there is no room to stop and catch your breath, in life, we do not only have that opportunity but it is necessary or we will get worn out.

It is not by happenstance that the Creator, apart from resting on the seventh day, stepped back after every day’s work – which if we study, was in stages – to access it and saw that it was good.

We need to take our cue from Him and learn to enjoy every step we climb in life because it only comes once and once it’s gone, you can’t have it back.

You don’t need to be in a race all the time, there is really no hurry, enjoy where you are at while it lasts.

Now don’t get me wrong, I am not saying you shouldn’t have ambitions or pursue your dreams because as a matter of fact I believe any man (woman inclusive) without ambition is “okay, my mama taught me not to say anything if I have nothing nice to say.”

But enjoy every step and little achievement you make on the way, it won’t last forever.

If you are in primary school, play, have fun, be a child. Mothers please, at this age, let your children be children. Don’t rush them to grow up, let them be children in peace. Most young mothers of this generation cannot wait for their children to be adults and end up making that child lose the fun, not to mention innocence of childhood.

If you are in secondary school, you are most probably in your teenage years, that period of confusion between childhood and adulthood. It really only comes once, don’t pass through it in a blur. Enjoy the confusion of shifting back and forth from being a child to being an adult.

In university, oh please relish in the fact that you don’t have a time-table that runs back to back from 8am to 1 or 2pm, enjoy having lesser courses to deal with, have fun dreaming of the beautiful life after school.

If you are a junior staff, enjoy having lesser responsibility. You might have more work to do but you really do have less weight on your shoulders.

If you are single, enjoy all the freedom it accords without anyone breathing down your neck, asking for time you probably can’t even afford to spare.

And if you are married, enjoy having a companion to whisper beautiful nonsense to.

What I am saying in essence is don’t waste every moment of your life wishing for something else.

There is a silver lining in every situation; you just have to find it. Have goals, don’t be lazy, work at them but enjoy every moment on the ride along.