Letters: The Trajectory of Life – 3

Dear friend,

Last week, we concluded the second part of our series, the trajectory of life. We continue today.

The trajectory of life is an insanely broad concept that could fill a book; though not yet formal, it exists, and if you have been carefully following this series, you will begin to see how it has been playing out in life.

I will touch on the genetic aspect of this concept, while in the next episode I will write about the environment.

Now, in case you don’t know, there are certain strengths and limitations deposited into you that affect your overall orientation in life, which you may not be aware of.

‘Your proclivity to lean towards certain things.’

(Some have a proclivity for sexual lust, yet are business-minded… Ever seen a wealthy man who is a womanizer and spends heavily on women, yet he is successful in business… How was he able to do it? That’s where understanding your gift and curse comes in)

Even your perception of life is, to a high degree, shaped by your genes. Regardless of education. You have to understand these forces, as I wrote earlier, to uproot those limitations and work on them.

Genetically, you might be ‘destined’ to die young, even if you have big dreams. (Many escape it though) i.e., Sickle Cell patients. Ever wondered why some people live very extravagant lives, nonchalant to medical advice, and still manage to live above middle age, and sometimes, live into their old age? That’s the trajectory in play. It tosses everyone and everything around. It's unorganized and fair in its giving. For some, their genetic limitations are pronounced, maybe due to their environment; hence, they may have a hard time becoming successful.

Now, just imagine if Lionel Messi had been born 300 years ago with his gift for football. What would have been his fate? He either uncovers a gift suitable for his time or he perishes…

Some are gifted with eloquence, some with great penmanship, others with exceptional swordsmanship, some with the gift of prescience and philosophy. Some are naturally admirable, make friends easily with a superb physique; others might be gifted with wit and craftiness. Some with business acumen.

Alongside, everyone has a curse, or curses.

Some with grave anger, some with irrationality, some with paranoia, some with physical defects, some are naturally unserious and ever sluggish, some with excessive greed, some with inhuman dictatorship.

Every man is gifted and cursed at the same time; it is left for him to find that which he has, and that which he requires. This gift and curse counter each other; whichever wins, dominates.

• If it warrants you to do medical tests, do.

• If it warrants digging into your ancestral history, please do so.

• If it means studying your extended family members, please do.

Study your gene pattern, the blessings it has given to you and the random curses it has also thrown to you; they are capable of unconsciously influencing your actions and thought patterns, thereby either putting you at a disadvantage in life or advantage.

Do not join the WhatsApp group or WhatsApp channel of ‘what killed my parents will not kill me’ or ‘what brought my parents down can’t bring me down’.

Your genes are powerful. It is a strong force that can substantially tilt your life onto a path you won’t necessarily like.

If, genetically, you are greedy in your family, you are prone to have that trait. Keep an eye on it. Keep it in check, lest greed destroy you. There are things you cannot engage in physical battles with, and they are not your spiritual battles.

It was Frederick Douglass who said, “Knowledge makes a man unfit to be a slave.”

Rooting for you, and I trust you too are rooting for me.

Best Regards,

Joseph Chisom Ofonagoro.

Till I write next, Goodbye!