We watch her entered the hall. Walking in calculated steps as her hips sway from side to side. When she mounted the podium. She flashed an alluring smile, genuflected in greeting and positioned the microphone. She looked around the hall as if to absorb the number of audience before she began to speak. She was fluent and her voice, high pitched. Her sight was a grace to behold. Lady Maya!
People were busy making videos and taking pictures of her including my friends Elena and Josephine. I was seated in my chair and looking at the lady who I had grown to admire. How did she get to this stage?
“I was born with no silver spoon in my mouth… she began to speak. I was surprised.
“I grew up in a slum where you must fend for yourself. I was exposed to all sort of living but I was not dismayed. This was because there is a dream in my heart. The fire in my soul was burning fiercely and I cannot afford to live in the gutters all the rest of my life. She paused.
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“Do you remember the beautiful words of Oscar Wilde? “We are born in gutters but some of us are looking to the sky”. Jesse Jackson also said, “I was born in a slum, but the slum wasn’t born in me”. I carry those words in my heart as I navigate through the daring path of life and emerged a conqueror.
“You must be brave, girl”. Just a soul is enough to change the narrative and break the chain of poverty. Be the light in your family and shine brightly so that the world can feel your impact. Come on, girls… Don’t you want to sign autographs? Don’t you want to be in the spotlight as among the top influential women? Don’t you want to go places? Don’t you want to achieve your goals? Don’t you want to command the world to stand aside to let you pass? Don’t you want to be a role model to other women? The time is now. Get up!
I was literally weeping when she finished her beautiful speech because I was inspired. Before she left, she talked about the indispensability of prayers in our journey of success. I carry them in my heart like a life guide. I tried to get her attention but her body guards didn’t allow us access. She continue smiling and waving at us until she left the venue.
I sat speechless on my chair, ruminating over her inspiring speech. I made up my mind there and then to become a better version of myself.
Five years later, I was listed among the top 50 influential women. I smiled. My name has been counted before Lady Maya. Two weeks later, we were seated discussing on a business project.
YOU CAN!
