By
Patrick Ogungbola
MD/ CEO, BLUEHEDGE REALTORS
We welcome you to the beautiful and loving month of February 2017.
The use of the word ‘loving’ is deliberate, as February 14 of every year is regarded worldwide as ‘the Saint Valentine’s Day’ also known as the “Lovers’ Day”. This is the season everyone shows and proof their love and affection to those that really matters to them.
Now, talking about love. The word ‘love’ means different things to different people. It is one of those words that can’t really be explained but can only be expressed and experienced. Love is an action word; it’s only potent after it’s been demonstrated. In other words, true love is appreciated when it is shown and not just said, no wonder they said action speaks louder than words.
One of the most abused words in this generation is ‘love’. Many people say ‘I love you’, without even thinking of the underlining meaning. The common emphasis has always been on ‘romantic love’ – deep affection shown to your partner which in most cases comes with the expectation of reciprocity. However, there’s a higher dimension of love – care and passion for those you do not have any form of relationship with, and who may never repay you, and in most cases, these set of people do not even have the capacity to repay you. It is this kind of love that makes the world to go round, and makes the wealthy to remember the poor in their plans and decision making, for ‘the poor will always be among us’. There are a number of kind-hearted individuals and organisations who had established charitable foundations for this purpose. Some of these are The Bill Gates Foundation, Kanu Heart Foundation, Mother Theresa, amongst several others.
Someone once said that you can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving. The true test of love is in giving. “For God so loved the world that He gave…”
The famous American Philosopher and Psychologist, late Professor James Williams once said that ‘The value of life is computed, not by its duration, but by its donation’. In other words, it’s not how long you live but how well. The true value of a man is not in what he has, but what he gives. Remember, “…for a man’s life consists not in the abundance of the things which he possesses”. We will be remembered for either of two things; what we did or what we didn’t do.
As good and fantastic as love is, it is sad to know that some (or even many) have never experienced the true meaning of it. They have experienced repeated failed relationships, and for this reason, they do not want to take any chance again,…not again. One of those things I have learnt over the years is to give and show what you want to others; this is in relation to the law of sowing and reaping – this is simply sowing what you want to reap. For instance, if you want money, give money. If you want happiness, give happiness. And also, if you want love, give or show love to someone else. If you smile at someone, it is only natural for the person to smile back at you.
Endeavour to love without the intention of getting anything back, but surely you’ll get love back. The problem comes when you have high expectations and undisclosed intention towards the other party. True love is natural, you cannot force it; just as it’s dangerous to fall in love as a result of desperation. True love is unconditional; once conditions are attached, then it will amount to a love transaction or arrangement.
In a society as ours, where hostility and selfishness is the norm, the question is ‘can we really express and experience the true love, with no string attached?’ The answer is obvious. However, let us imagine a world where we all love each other unconditionally, that is, selfless love. If this were to be the case, this world will be a better place for us all to live in. It is the lack of love that breeds every form of evil we experience in our world today, such as corruption, war and every other forms of violence. True love is boundless and knows no limitation, nor does it discriminate on the basis of class/ social status, religion, tribe, culture or colour.
This kind of love is patient and kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. This love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).
If there’s a better time for our country to be united and imbibe the virtue of true love, it is now. True love emphasizes the dignity, respect and sanctity of fellow human beings. It also preaches the concept of OBI (Others Before I) as against IBO (I Before Others). Let us love and value each other in the true meaning of the words, for therein lies many benefits beyond measure.
As usual, we want to remind you that we care so much about you, and that when it comes to your real estate investment, we are always here to give you the very best service you can never get elsewhere. That is our promise, and will always be.
We wish you the very best in the month of February 2017.
Thank you, we appreciate your continued patronage.
We remain;
Very truly yours,
