Growth is not hypocrisy📶

 I wonder why people are so used to nailing you to what you were once known for even after knowing you've moved.

There's this elderly friend of mine. He was a panelist in a finance workshop. He asked if I could make it to the event that day and I replied in the affirmative.

The discussion was really an eye-opener for me and I commended him immediately after the session. Just as I was still standing by him, a man whom he described as one of his friends in the college came over and said ''if it had been someone else talking, I might have agreed, when did you become so serious about money of a thing, you used to be so extravagant at spending.''

My friend didn't take offence at the rude remark, he just smiled at him and said ''thank God you said I used to, not anymore''

The man went away shaking his head in utter disbelief. Well, I entered into his thoughts and I realized he was thinking that someone that had such prodigal nature shouldn't advocate against it now.

Do we even understand there is a big difference between then and now? 

What makes you think I shouldn't be able to speak against prostitution now just because I was once one?

Or do you think the notorious armed robber then, Shina Rambo that is now a renowned pastor can't preach against stealing and robbery? He sure can and he will preach against it over and over again.

Many of us are so guilty of this, we find it difficult to remove name and identity tags. Maybe we don't even believe people change. Remember, change is the only constant thing in life.

How about this scenario? (I want to personalize it) I've been so addicted to smoking, weeds and alcohol, I got to read and hear the benefits of staying away from the lifestyle that wreaks havoc on health, I stopped it gradually, I went to a rehabilitation centre for few months, schedule appointment with my therapist once a week, my pastor and I continually pray over it, and now I'm a better version of myself.

Meanwhile, I met with one of my guys that we club together then, he asked that I was served my favourite alcohol drink and I declined, he laughed and said ''ogbeni wetin do you?(guy, what's wrong with you?'' I said I no longer take that and he was like ''na lie jhor (It's a lie)'' I didn't want to argue with him and I told him we'll see next time.

For emphasis, just because you were wrong in times past doesn't mean you can't warn against it now.

Alot of people think it hypocrisy, they assume you're still living that life and just trying to dissuade them.

Growth is a concept we're meant to embrace. We've grown out of what we were known for and yea, it's for better.

Don't use someone else's past to invalidate their new better lifestyle. It is unfair and dangerous at the same time.

How would you feel if you were a truant in your primary school days about 15,20,30 years ago, you bumped into a class mate and he said ''I hope you don't loiter at work like used to do back then in primary school?'' 

This should stop!

My WAS shouldn't interfere with my IS.

What had happened is different from what is happening. So, if I try to correct you on what you knew me for back then, don't be so defensive about it. 

Virtual hugs fam🤗🤗🤗