Facing the knife

By Simon

Every morning, some guy is quick to update in thick writings the number of days, hours, minutes and seconds left?before the exams are behind him.

He can’t wait for December 6 when he will put away that ink-pen, clip board and geometric set and go to that leavers’ bash where he may get to kiss that girl he has admired for the last three years, but is yet to get the courage to tell her.

If she only knew how troubled he was, how many nights he has dreamt of her, how much she means to him and how much he longs to hold her hand.

Don’t worry too much buddy, she already knows but that’s?a topic?for another day.

In addition to these, there is one more thing the dude wants so bad, but it is sending cold shivers down his spine — one to two weeks after December 6, he will have to face the knife.

?Many questions

Is it painful? How long will it last? Will you cry? What if something goes wrong? How long will it take to heal?

The list of questions is endless. Again, you don’t have to worry too much about this. This is just one of many situations you will encounter in your life. Your friends probably share the same anxiety, but nobody is showing it.

?Everyone says that circumcision will change you from a boy to a man and naturally you can’t wait to ‘become a man’. What you don’t know is that you are already a young man, so the process of circumcision will only make you a circumcised young man. It is the things you do that will set you aside from all the other circumcised young men and transform you into a gentleman.

Your actions and decisions will make others appreciate that you have truly been transformed into a gentleman and they will then give you the respect you deserve. The things you do should be based on: Taking responsibility, respect for yourself and for others and acquiring important life skills.

?Taking responsibility

Being a man doesn’t come easy; it comes with certain responsibilities. In the absence of your dad, it is your responsibility to take care of the family. When they are retiring to bed late at night, you should be the guy who checks to see if the gates are locked, that all the windows are shut and that everyone has a place to sleep (when you have guests). If something is needed from the shops late at night, you should be the man they can count on to get it. In addition to this, it is important that you become a role model to those behind you (brothers, sisters, cousins).

?Respect for yourself and others

Respect is a virtue that will always give you good rewards. Respect your elders as well as your juniors. Learn the magic words (please, sir, madam, thank you, kindly and excuse me sir/madam) and be generous with them. As you do this, build in yourself the courage of a lion yet have the humility of a dove.

?Acquiring Life skills

This life is communal. It requires you to always interact with others and it is, therefore, important to learn how to do it well. Dealing with others starts with self-awareness (knowing your strengths and weaknesses) as well as knowing others (their strengths and weaknesses). Learn to think quickly and ask for advice when you feel stuck. However, identify with caution those people you can rely on for sound advice. ?

Finally, accept and appreciate yourself as you are. You may not be like so and so, but you have all it takes to be successful.