Steemit Engagement Challenge S5-W3: If Only

Greetings everyone,

Greetings to everyone in this community as the Steemit Engagement Challenge Season 5 weeek 3 is here and this is my entry for the theme of this week's contest from this community.

_{Designed using Pixellab App.}

---

INTRODUCTION

We've all done things at some point in life that we later regret. We've also done things in life that make us very proud of the people we've become. Nonetheless, there are still several other things in life that we hope to do. All of these things make us who we are, how we've come to be ourselves and how we hope to be in future. In all this, we occasionally had like to change some things we did in the past because of regrets, this in turn gives room to the phrase "If Only".

---

THE CONCEPT OF "IF ONLY"

The phrase If only... is an idiomatic expression used when someone wants to say how doing something differently would have made it possible to avoid something unpleasant. This is an expression used to express a strong wish, specifically when you know that what you want cannot happen, this phrase is used primarily in a regretful way.

---

MY STORY

These past few years have been some trying years for me as a person. A lot of events had sent me tumbling down a road I wish I had never taken. I have had a lot of "If only" moments which occasionally had me severely depressed.

A photo of myself and a friend

During my entire childhood years, I had always craved the desire to grow up. As a young child, I dreamed of all the “great things” that came along with being an adult such as driving a beautiful BMW car, owning a magnificent building and having lots of money. I mean, who wouldn’t love being able to make their imaginations about life, the desire of being your own man and not having to listen to anyone tell you what to do?

My elder ones tried to advise me not to run faster than my legs can carry, that I should rather strive to improve myself and take things as they unfold. They would always say “Enjoy your youthful years while they last because you will never get them back.” If only I had listened! As I became older, my desires led me astray. My overzealous habit of wanting to be a man of my own got the best of me.

It was on a faithful Sunday evening. I was on my way to a friend of mine when something unexpected happened. A Young man around my age, not much older than I was approached me looking all shiny and bright. He told me he wasn't from around this neighbourhood but that he has a lucrative business to benefit me, so I developed an instant interest in him cause I wanted to surprise everyone that I lived my dream. Since he wasn't from my neighbourhood, I suggested a hotel along the road where he can lodge for the night.

At the Hotel room, he sat on the bed, opened his briefcase and behold there in it were dollars well arranged in rows. He said to me that someone taught him the act of making dollars so if I'm interested, he is willing to teach me and that it requires only a chemical and I would become a millionaire. If I am willing, I should bring the sum of Ten thousand Naira (NGN 10,000) (aprox. 57.5 steem) to purchase this chemical. I went home with a jubilant heart, in my mind is am going to be a millionaire. How to raise the money became an issue, then I said to myself, nothing is going to stop me, so I took my out savings, and added to it some cash given to me by my Dad for school purposes to raise the Ten thousand Naira (NGN 10,000) (aprox. 57.5 steems) meant for the purchase of this all-important chemical. Off I went to my newfound friend who is about to make me a millionaire. He took the money from me and asked me to come back the next day as it was late to get the chemical. I went home dreaming of how I have achieved my dream and that my life would change forever.

I came as early as the crow of a cock the next morning, the hotel room which he had lodged a night ago was opened with no one inside, nobody knew or had anything to say about my friend’s whereabouts and my Ten thousand naira (NGN 10,000) (aprox. 57.5 steems) was gone. There and then, my dreams of adulthood shattered with my only line of thoughts being If only I had known or listened, I wouldn’t have fall prey.

My Nephew having fun	My little Niece asleep

Here I am, an adult, wishing I was a kid again with no worries about what am going to eat or wear, how to earn money or take care of the family, but just to eat, play and sleep while mum and dad carried all the worries for me.

---

CONCLUSION

Somebody seeing this story could consider me a lazy person for doing what I did and that I sought a shortcut to success. Yes, did that and I do not disagree with anyone seeing me for that, but you must also realise that such events have made me who I am today.

They say, "A man who is not ready to accept his past, is not ready for his future".

---

I wish to invite @Ruthjoe, @fredquantum and @Patjewell, and any other persons who would like to participate too to CLICK HERE for more instructions.

---

All Images were shared from my Gallery

---

NOTE: Always have a smile on your face, as you are never fully dressed without one.