At Do Something Club (@dosomethingLIFE), May is our month of opportunity. We are actively seeking opportunities to make impact in our world.

On Tuesday, one of the cleaners at the office walked up to me looking desperate.

“Any problem?” I asked him.

“Nothing. Just be say your car dey very dirty, na ‘im I wan ask whether make I wash am,” he answered.

“I for talk say make you wash am, only say I no too get money on me,” I said to him.

“No wahala. I go still wash am.” He replied.

“Okay, I dey come, make I come open the car for you,” I concluded.

But I was very preoccupied with what I was doing that I didn’t remember to unlock the car for him to have access to the carpets and all.

At the close of work, I walked towards the car, and observed a bucket next to it.

“Oh fine man. This guy must have washed the car,” I said in my heart with a genuine smile.

“How come the tires are still dirty?”

“Oh maybe he knew I was still going to drive out, hence didn’t bother washing the tires.” I answered myself.

I was very shocked to find out that nothing had happened to the body of the car. The guy didn’t even touch it with water. The bucket of water was still next to the car. Untouched.

I got in, and before I drove off reflected upon the cleaner’s missed opportunity to do something good for himself. Even if I didn’t give him money on the spot, he could have still washed the car. That way, it will be me owing him, a thing he was sure I could take care of the next day.

Many times, we miss opportunities to do good for ourselves simply because we are not fully assured of instant gratification.

Friends, this ought not to be so. Let us learn to pay it forward, and see things work out for our best.

Always seize an opportunity to do something!

Ike Amadi

@ikeamadi on Twitter

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