#Never a dull moment

Never a dull moment By Judith Dandison

NEVER A DULL MOMEMT: Responsibility Breeds Character.

Character as referred to here is in the sense of positive strength. Years ago when I was about 16 Years old, straight out of High/Secondary School. I had the idea of picking up a small job, not that I knew the kind of Job I wanted, or that I wanted the job because I had an Idea of what I could earn or that I actually understood the value and need for money. I was just naive, I just wanted to get a Job because that was what every of my fellow classmates said they would do once we graduated. On arriving home after a day long journey from my school, as I schooled several States away from Home, I told my father that I would start searching for a small Job the next day which I would do till I secured admission in the University. He did not utter a word. The next day, I woke up in the morning dressed up and matched to my father and said; “Dad, I’m ready to go and look for the Job”. He looked at me as if he was hearing it for the first time and answered in his usual stern voice, ” Work where? I have a Supermarket downstairs, go and be a sales girl there and I’ll pay you monthly”. That is how I began a serious and demanding Job that I did for the next 3 Years before I was able to secure an admission into the University to study law. Ironically I was only paid for the first one month and thereafter I was not paid again. Lessons learned from this Stint. My dad has always been a strict father, who does not allow for unnecessary socializing, lazing about and expects one to give every Assignment his/her best. His slogan is ‘Never a dull moment’. He rarely gives you money but expects integrity. The journey was not easy ‘at all’ but it molded my Character. I became stronger and more determined than most of by peers. I became very bold and a leader because at a time I was in charge of running the Supermarket and the Beauty Salon which demanded a lot of tough skin and confidence. So till date, I strive to do well in everything I do, not putting money first. I am satisfied and fulfilled when I get good results and I tell you this good results have been paying with both recommendations and money. In my work as a legal practitioner, this Strength of Character has been my most priced tool. I am grateful to God and my father for the experience and opportunity as I am a strong believer that things rarely happen by chance.