This is a true story that I'd be sharing with you in a bit.
Recently, I was invited for a talk show audition somewhere around Magodo, Lagos. I applied to audition as I wanted the little cash gift that came with the offer. I prepared, went to get a clean hair cut and was anticipating the day to come.
The D-day finally came and I stepped out of my house looking all 'pengged'. I kinda found it difficult to locate the venue, so I decided to take an Uber vehicle to the venue believing that what I have on me would be able to cover the cost of the transportation fare.
I was shell shocked when we (the Uber driver and I) got to the venue of the auditioning and the driver told me how much I'd have to pay (it was calculated by the kilometers we drove, the fare was three times what I had on me.
What would I do now? This was the question that I kept asking myself. By this time, the driver was already suspecting that something was wrong. I hated public embarrassment so I had to tell the driver to turn around so that I'll be able to get to the atm machine we saw just at the estate gate.
I had to withdraw all I had in that account as I don't know how I'd get back home. By this time, I had enough to pay the driver. We drove back to the venue and I alighted. As I was starring at the big brown gate of the venue, I reminded myself how great I am, then I stepped in.
I met other young guys and girls all looking flashy and classy who also came for the same thing and immediately, inferiority complex began to overwhelm me. I began to feel inferior because I was putting on a simple blue and white checkered shirt, a navy blue pants, a black shoe and an ash coloured suit. I felt uncomfortable. I had to keep reminding myself that 'I am great', 'I am a better person', 'I am above and not below', ' I am the head and not the tail' etc. I suddenly felt better and very comfortable.
I was there for about 4 hours doing practically nothing as people were much and I came in real late. The convener then asked me to come the next day as he likes my composure. I accepted his offer to come the next day, so I left. After about 2 hours on the road, I got back home feeling tired, hungry and felt this slight headache. I went to bed that night hoping for a better day ahead.
Fast forward till the next day, I prepared myself again and set out to the venue of the auditioning. This time around, I decided to use the public transport system. I boarded the wrong bus today, Oh My God!!!
I consoled myself with the fact that I'm going to get a spot in the talk show and I'm going to be given the cash gift for participating. I smiled within myself as I retraced my way to the exact location. This day also, I got there late and as I entered, the convener saw me and welcomed me.
He began to give us tips to the questions that we are going to be asked. This is when I realized that the program has a lot to do with alcoholic drinks and they were interested in people who are alcohol takers. I had this unpleasant feeling in my stomach instantly as I've vowed never to take alcohol again.
At this point, I've lost every enthusiasm, and all I wanted was to go home; picked or not. The convener then told us to lie about who we are. He told us to paint a VERY BIG picture of ourselves before the judges of the audition. Kai! I thought to myself 'is this life?'
Eventually, we were led to the auditioning room. It looks really cool though. It had the setting of a multinational conference room. They even served us cold bottled water. The audition then began.
Everyone was asked to introduce themselves, this is where I began to hear big lies upon lies. These other guys for the program can lie o, they were just saying big big things that were rather too impossible to believe.
I had to tell myself to be truthful. If they can't take me for who I am, then they shouldn't take me for who I'm not. It got to my turn and I told them the truth about myself. I was happy saying it and I felt contented within myself. After the introductions, I was asked to step outside the room to be addressed only to be told that though my composure was awesome, but I have been dropped because I said I was a blogger, teacher and a public speaker.
Everyone who heard it was like; bro, you should have said you are a lecturer or a banker or something like that, but I told them that I can't lie about who I am. Its either they take me for who I am or they drop me. Also I cannot take alcohol.
I felt contented even though I was rejected. I felt at peace even though I spent more than my budget to get there.
That very evening before I left the venue, the convener saw me and was like; bro don't worry, I have a better job that you would prefer than this. I just don't know why I like you than most of the other guys, but for this next job, you wouldn't have to audition. I'd make sure you're chosen.
Today, I am telling you this story to encourage you to never conform to the lies of this world just for peanuts. You are made for greater things.
If they can't take you for who you are, then they're not worth your time.
See you at the top.
Recently, I was invited for a talk show audition somewhere around Magodo, Lagos. I applied to audition as I wanted the little cash gift that came with the offer. I prepared, went to get a clean hair cut and was anticipating the day to come.
The D-day finally came and I stepped out of my house looking all 'pengged'. I kinda found it difficult to locate the venue, so I decided to take an Uber vehicle to the venue believing that what I have on me would be able to cover the cost of the transportation fare.
I was shell shocked when we (the Uber driver and I) got to the venue of the auditioning and the driver told me how much I'd have to pay (it was calculated by the kilometers we drove, the fare was three times what I had on me.
What would I do now? This was the question that I kept asking myself. By this time, the driver was already suspecting that something was wrong. I hated public embarrassment so I had to tell the driver to turn around so that I'll be able to get to the atm machine we saw just at the estate gate.
I had to withdraw all I had in that account as I don't know how I'd get back home. By this time, I had enough to pay the driver. We drove back to the venue and I alighted. As I was starring at the big brown gate of the venue, I reminded myself how great I am, then I stepped in.
I met other young guys and girls all looking flashy and classy who also came for the same thing and immediately, inferiority complex began to overwhelm me. I began to feel inferior because I was putting on a simple blue and white checkered shirt, a navy blue pants, a black shoe and an ash coloured suit. I felt uncomfortable. I had to keep reminding myself that 'I am great', 'I am a better person', 'I am above and not below', ' I am the head and not the tail' etc. I suddenly felt better and very comfortable.
I was there for about 4 hours doing practically nothing as people were much and I came in real late. The convener then asked me to come the next day as he likes my composure. I accepted his offer to come the next day, so I left. After about 2 hours on the road, I got back home feeling tired, hungry and felt this slight headache. I went to bed that night hoping for a better day ahead.
Fast forward till the next day, I prepared myself again and set out to the venue of the auditioning. This time around, I decided to use the public transport system. I boarded the wrong bus today, Oh My God!!!
I consoled myself with the fact that I'm going to get a spot in the talk show and I'm going to be given the cash gift for participating. I smiled within myself as I retraced my way to the exact location. This day also, I got there late and as I entered, the convener saw me and welcomed me.
He began to give us tips to the questions that we are going to be asked. This is when I realized that the program has a lot to do with alcoholic drinks and they were interested in people who are alcohol takers. I had this unpleasant feeling in my stomach instantly as I've vowed never to take alcohol again.
At this point, I've lost every enthusiasm, and all I wanted was to go home; picked or not. The convener then told us to lie about who we are. He told us to paint a VERY BIG picture of ourselves before the judges of the audition. Kai! I thought to myself 'is this life?'
Eventually, we were led to the auditioning room. It looks really cool though. It had the setting of a multinational conference room. They even served us cold bottled water. The audition then began.
Everyone was asked to introduce themselves, this is where I began to hear big lies upon lies. These other guys for the program can lie o, they were just saying big big things that were rather too impossible to believe.
I had to tell myself to be truthful. If they can't take me for who I am, then they shouldn't take me for who I'm not. It got to my turn and I told them the truth about myself. I was happy saying it and I felt contented within myself. After the introductions, I was asked to step outside the room to be addressed only to be told that though my composure was awesome, but I have been dropped because I said I was a blogger, teacher and a public speaker.
Everyone who heard it was like; bro, you should have said you are a lecturer or a banker or something like that, but I told them that I can't lie about who I am. Its either they take me for who I am or they drop me. Also I cannot take alcohol.
I felt contented even though I was rejected. I felt at peace even though I spent more than my budget to get there.
That very evening before I left the venue, the convener saw me and was like; bro don't worry, I have a better job that you would prefer than this. I just don't know why I like you than most of the other guys, but for this next job, you wouldn't have to audition. I'd make sure you're chosen.
Today, I am telling you this story to encourage you to never conform to the lies of this world just for peanuts. You are made for greater things.
If they can't take you for who you are, then they're not worth your time.
See you at the top.