by Harmony Levin
“Society has a way of stifling our small victories even when our life’s effort has gone into a task”
If you are part of the group that has never won a million dollars lottery; you never felt what it’s like to come out tops in class; you probably have never broken a record or you simply have never celebrated any victory, then this is for you.
Growing up I was made to believe that a victory isn’t worth celebrating if it doesn’t break an already existing record. I was told that the worth of one’s success is measured by the amount of effort one put into attain such. Now this, as far as I know, is a universal belief, one which we came in to meet and are obligated to follow its patterned tenets.
Because of this overrated societal tenets, the rest of us are required to stand and cheer at those who earn “real victories” while our little efforts are best left in our memories. But ever wondered how equal our world would be if all our victories – whether real or less real – are celebrated? (forgive me, I always gloat about equality)
I have come to know that society has a line-up of expectations from us all, and we are considered failures whenever we “fail” to meet society’s standards. We fail to be celebrated even when our life’s efforts have gone into a task, society sidelines us.
I have delicately decided to use the pronoun “us” because I stand in this group of “failures”. I never took the first position in my elementary school neither did I ever win the race at my school’s sports day. But one thing I know for sure is that my effort was all I put in achieving whatever results I gained – and I f_king need to be celebrated too.
I’m learning to celebrate my victories no matter how small they may seem, and boy, have I made significant good at it. At the turn of the new year I had one of such occasions and this piece would be incomplete without me sharing. Now I always have a hard time sticking through with my New Year’s resolutions past the 1st of January. This year was different, with great commitment and dedication I was able to abide by these resolutions up till 7th of January, which even appeared weird to me. That to me was a huge victory. It may seem little or small but I broke my own record; I felt really good being able to keep to my resolutions that “long”.
Society has a way of stifling small victories, but good enough I am not one that conforms to societal beliefs. Hence I am writing this piece in honour of all those whose efforts “aren’t good enough”. Those who finally wrote a stanza of a song after so many trials; those who finally get 10 likes on their picture on Instagram; those who finally turn in their reports before the deadline; even those who finally manoeuvre the crazy traffic to work; I celebrate your small victories.
I also celebrate myself who got a shout out from a Lagos broadcaster on one of my many articles. I wish the world to have a shift and celebrate these victories. And if your small victory wasn’t mentioned, please buy a champagne and pop to your victory.
I celebrate you! Cheers!
Harmony Levin(20) is a writer, speaker and social commentator. An undergraduate student of the University of Uyo, studying History and International studies, a feature writer and editor of Diplomatic Access. A creative director and idea innovator, with high stakes in literature, lifestyle and religion. He is on Twitter as @mactorrr
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