BURN THE BRIDGE!

“If we must wrest the best from life, we must be prepared to cast away all thoughts of ease or inertia. Grow or go. Struggle or stagnate. Resist or die.” – Robert Heap

It is human to fear when one is in dilemma. If not faced and conquered, fear (a dangerous archenemy of progress) has the capacity to rob its victim of conquests yet-to-be. When at a crossroad, should one ignore the risk(s) and forge ahead or retreat/stagnate? This write up will attempt to answer the question.

There is an age-long but potent strategy (which comes in different variations) that comes to mind – ‘burning the bridge’. The strategy was used by Hernan Cortes (1485-1547), who burned and sank his boats, so no other option was left than to advance into Aztec territory. Xiang Yu ‘broke the woks and sank the boats’ (ordered his troops to destroy all cooking utensils and boats after crossing a river into the enemy's territory) during the Battle of Julu in 207 BC to commit his small number of soldiers to a struggle to the end with the Qin forces led by Zhang Han. The Muslim commander Tariq ibn Ziyad, upon setting foot on the Iberian Peninsula in 711 AD, ordered his ships to be burnt, so that his men had no choice but to thrust forward and conquer the peninsula. The same strategy was used by Julius Caesar when he invaded (led his army across the Rubicon River in violation of law, thus making conflict inevitable) Ancient Rome on January 10, 49 BC. (Facts culled from www.wikipedia.org). Also, there are numerous instances in the Holy Bible where individuals had to ‘burn the bridge’ to carry out instructions. For instance, Elisha killed his yoke of oxen, boiled their flesh and shared to people before following Elijah. I believe he did this so as not to be tempted to return to plowing with his twelve yoke of oxen. Thus, he was able to minister to the needs of Elijah from that time till he was taken away by a whirlwind into heaven without looking back. (Read 1 Kings 19: 19 – 21, 2 Kings 2: 1 - 11). History is full of success stories borne out of this "no-retreat" strategy.

I personally use the strategy whenever I want to leap forward in an imperfect situation. I used it recently when I left Nigeria for UK with little or no preparation (I couldn’t wait to effectively prepare for the trip as I would have loved when I got the visa because I had been starved visa for too long). To succeed with the migration even with the little preparation, I decided to ‘burn all the bridges’ (I left my employer without notice and I gave away all the possessions I had in Nigeria) that could give me a soft-landing in Nigeria should I be tempted to retreat if settling down in UK got tough. Once I “crossed the Rubicon” (left Nigeria with a paltry sum of £700 and one(1) small bag - containing 70% books, 20% certificates, 10% clothes), I was left with no other option but to survive and thereafter thrive in my destination.

I got into the UK in the middle of the recession and in retrospect I must confess that I underestimated the recession. All the money I had on me was only enough to rent a studio flat for one(1) month. All I thought I knew was challenged; I was forced to unlearn and relearn. I learnt new things (like personally shaving my hair to save costs to the admiration of barbers - laughs), I also learnt better ways of doing the things I already knew; migrating to UK was indeed the beginning of my education. Eating, clothing (in the middle of winter), transportation, the next rent and other essentials were luxuries at that time (laughs). Although I didn’t get my first job immediately, I was not thrown out of the flat for inability to pay rent, I never starved neither did I die of cold. Supplies preceded my needs - new friends, old friends, family members and acquaintances offered help without begging. I never got stranded. This humbling experience reminds me of the words of William Murray, I quote:

“The moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issue from the decision raising in one’s favour all manner of unforeseen incidents, and meetings, and material assistances which no man could have dreamed would come his way.”

In spite of all the initial gargantuan challenges I faced while settling down, quitting was never an option as there was no where else to go. It was tough, but I held on till I broke through the initial challenges. It’s all history now. Although I am not where I want to be yet, but I am certainly not where I used to be. I judge God faithful.

Have you been retreating when you should be moving ahead in life? What is your deepest fear? What is holding you back from pursuing your dreams? How many more compromises will you have to make? Still waiting for the right time?

Everyone has dreams in life, but few are prepared to take the risk(s) that can take them closer to their dreams because of the fear of failure. By tarrying, opportunities are missed, standards are lowered, capacities dwindle, destinies are destroyed/short-changed. There will never be a perfect time to take risks and there is no amount of preparation that can suffice; you may have to force yourself into the next level. Arise, go conquer some more.

Focus on that goal. Plan all you can. Burn the bridges - destroy other options. Face your fears. Leap forward. Fight while constantly keeping in mind the picture of victory. Breakthrough!

BY STRENGTH SHALL NO MAN PREVAIL.

"Wilderness explorers hire guides, life explorers seek God."- Anonymous

There is a twist to my previous post that I must share, else my account will not be complete. Be blessed and inspired as you read on…

After several visa denials, even with the right documents and several fruitless consultations with spiritualists, my strength failed me. I knew I had to change my approach and I was willing to change but I had no idea of what to do as I had exhausted all known methods. I was humbled by the humiliating defeats (I must confess that pride had set in before then as I had succeeded in many daring pursuits in times past; I was even dwindling into paganism at some point. I believed strongly that I could succeed in any endeavour by just following the natural laws that govern our Universe.).

After a visa denial in March 2008, I decided to try God totally (Although I was born into Christianity, I was far from being a practitioner.). So, I joined a Living Church in my area to put God to test. In one of the Church services, I heard the testimony of someone who put God to test and who obviously was embarrassed with miracles. Being an adventurous lad, I decided to run with the revelation. I combed the Bible for an anchor scripture and I discovered some verses quoted below where God gave (and still gives) man the express permission to put Him to test:

"Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do, says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test! Your crops will be abundant, for I will guard them from insects and disease. Your grapes will not fall from the vine before they are ripe, says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. Then all nations will call you blessed, for your land will be such a delight, says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies." Malachi 3: 10 – 12, The Holy Bible – New Living Translation.

I must add that I was paying my tithe as a religious act before then even though I did not fully know my rights. Armed with the anchor scripture quoted above, I decided to enter into a covenant with God by increasing my tithe to 20% (instead of the 10% God requires of me) of my income and paying same till I die. He has asked that I put Him to test, however I was prepared to provoke Him with my giving. In return, I asked God for the visa to explore the world He created.

I started paying the tithe as I covenanted and I reapplied for the category of visa that I was earlier denied. Behold, my application was granted. God showed Himself strong despite the fact that I was still wallowing in sin then. I was humbled. God became so real to me for the first time in my life. I was also forced to admit my folly - if wilderness explorers deem it wise to hire guides, why was I trying to explore life without seeking the help of my Creator? The humbling experience has changed the course of my life. I have further consecrated my life to my covenant-keeping God and in return He has surpassed my expectations; I judge Him faithful. (If you want to know more about my Omnipotent-God, please send me an email via: succour@ibukunolu.com. I received salvation free, and freely will I share.)

Beloved, the philosophy that “one can succeed in any endeavour by just following the natural laws that govern our Universe” is flawed with numerous limitations. Most importantly, the philosophy is often overturned by the Creator of the Universe to confound the wise. In doubt? Haven't you heard of successful people committing suicide before? Haven't you read of the mighty falls of financial giants and nations before? Haven’t you heard of educated derelicts before? Is our world not flooded with unsuccessful geniuses? The list is endless. Life is reduced to a mere guess work when the help of the Creator is not sought. To succeed in any endeavour in life, to remain successful, to die a success and to be translated into glory after death requires Divine Help.

Most successful people in the world today are not succeeding by their strength alone as they make the world believe. Most of them belong to various occults; some even trade their soul for fame and wealth. Talent and luck alone cannot suffice. There are even wicked principalities and powers that contend for the destiny of mankind and it is only with the help of a Super-Power that you can successfully wrestle against them.

Why are you struggling on your own when help is readily available? Stop short-changing yourself. The Creator of the Universe, who created you and the world you are living in, has the ‘Master Plan’ and the ‘User Manual’ of the Universe. He is willing to help if only you will acknowledge Him and seek His help. He created you for a purpose. He has a plan for your life and a path which you must take to fulfil destiny.

Don’t make needless mistakes, get it right. Go for God.

PERSISTENCE IS OMNIPOTENT.

“Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan 'press on' has solved and will always solve the problems of the human race.” - Calvin Coolidge, the 30th president of the United States.

I hibernated from the blogosphere exactly two years ago. I hibernated not because I did not have amazing stories to share but because I was waiting for the manifestations of more miracles before I would share to bless and to inspire as I only write proven and practicable non-fiction.

At this time of the year when new resolutions need to be pursued with tenacity, the idea to write on the subject comes as a welcoming idea. The subject also depicts the victory I had over a challenge after years of pursuit. Be inspired as you read on…

I was born in Nigeria and I had lived in the country all my life until December 2008 when I migrated to United Kingdom. Before then, I had wanted to travel abroad since I was a child (I honestly do not know where the desire for success, freedom and adventure came from, I must have been born with it.) but all my efforts were futile until then especially because I had a very humble background. My dream was not to travel abroad, rather, travelling abroad was the key to my dream and since my dream was big enough, I was prepared to do whatever it would take to attain the objective. The desire was so strong that I secretly sold some properties of my parents without their consent (and I am ashamed to share that I was prepared to sell more at the time) to elope to Europe with some daring friends via Sahara Desert at 15+! The plan did not work, but I remained undeterred. After secondary school, I proceeded to the university. While in the university, I also tried severally to travel abroad illegally but the plans were unsuccessful. I then resolved to go via the legal route. In 1998, I stepped into an embassy to apply for visa for the first time in my life and I was refused. Over the later years I tried with several other embassies in different visa categories but I was unsuccessful in all occasions. After graduation, I took up a job and I kept trying but was unsuccessful still. I went back to school for a second degree and I kept at it with no success. After my second degree, I took up another job but still wanted to travel with no success. During the trying periods, I tasted defeat firsthand, got more knowledge on how it could not work (such that I even became a ‘travelling consultant’ to many at some point), I changed strategies and improvised many a times (I promise to share some details later), amongst other experiences and lessons. And finally in year 2008, after ten(10) long years of spending incalculable resources and painful denials via the legal route, I obtained a visa to United Kingdom. I have since relocated there and many great things have happened to me as a result of the migration that would never have happened had I given up on travelling abroad. Defeat is painful, but victory soothes - I have since forgotten all the challenges I went through while trying to migrate, they are now testimonies.

What is the meaning of life without aspirations? That is the first question that comes to mind when I think of the numerous reasons why ‘success-dependent’ goal(s) should never be relinquished. Man is prone to advance by nature (otherwise he will be static and if he is static, retrogression will inevitably set in and thereafter ‘spiritual’ death - even physical death in some cases). The cause of advancement is goal(s). The picture of victory oils persistence. And the taste of victory enhances further advancement(s). Such is the cycle for progress.

Persistence is an invincible force failure cannot resist for long. One of the stories that inspired me while growing up is that of Abraham Lincoln who through doggedness maximized his potentials. I encourage you to read more about him, however find below some of his heroic statistics:

Abraham Lincoln failed in business at 22 years old;
He was defeated in legislator election at 23 years old;
He failed in business again at 24 years old;
He lost his sweetheart at 26 years old;
He had a nervous breakdown at 27 years old;
He was defeated for speaker at 29 years old;
He also got defeated for elector at 31 years old;
At 34 years old, he was defeated for congress;
At the age of 46, he was defeated for senate;
At 47 years old, he was defeated for vice presidency;
He got defeated for senate again at 49 years old;
He finally won the battle at 51 years old when he was elected as president of the United States of America.

Persistence, indeed, is omnipotent.

Have you given up on goals that matter to you in times past? I charge you to re-strategize and re-try. Are you tired of pursuing an objective without success? Hold on, your efforts will eventually pay off if you persevere. Are you scared of pursuing that objective because of the fear of failure? Face your fears and tackle that challenge, it will eventually bow to your doggedness.

Year 2011 can be likened to a new canvas, ensure you paint a masterpiece. Good luck.