If there is one thing I’ve come to know, it’s the fact that many times, the most complex problems usually require the simplest answers. We think that just because an issue is big and bogus, the solution will be big and bogus as well. But that’s not always the case. Sometimes, the answer can be as simple as the push of a button.
Many times, we’re just the ones who make things hard for ourselves. When we should be looking at things from a basic point of view, we complicate them and make it harder for ourselves. Then we go ahead to complain when it doesn’t work out. No matter how you look at it, humans will always remain the ones who complicate things for themselves. Whether intentionally or not.
I had a similar situation yesterday. I tried turning on my generator, but it was just proving stubborn to me. Back in Lagos, I was usually the one fixing my generator. I knew the basic maintenance and when it started acting up, I knew just what to do. The only time we outsourced was when the problem proved to be bigger than me. However, as long as I could do it, then I did it.
However, all that changed the moment I returned to school. I just no longer had the time to work my generator anymore. So, when it got faulty, I didn’t even bother to check it out myself, I simply called the mechanic to do it. While he fixed it, I focused more on my work or school, depending on what I was doing at the time. I got so used to calling him that for a long time, I didn’t even open up my gen. I didn’t even change something as tiny as the spark plug by myself. I always had to call him.
Anyway, that was then. Now, things are different. I was a bit less busy yesterday, I had less work to do and since we’re on holiday I didn’t have any schoolwork to bother me. I decided to try working on my generator myself. Since it was just refusing to come on, I went through the basics of checking the oil level and cleaning the spark plug.
The oil was dirty, so I changed it. I had to empty the oil tank and pour in new oil. Then, cleaning the plug, I took my time to make sure that I got rid of all the soot and I even used petrol to clean the top, just to make sure that it was properly cleaned. However, when I tried to turn it on again, the generator refused to come on.
I kept pulling the choke front and back as I drew the starter, almost ripping my arm off my body but the stubborn engine remained dead. Next, I looked at the carburetor and made sure that it wasn’t floating. All was well. I put in everything I knew, and in the end, when I drew the starter, the engine finally sputtered to life and my room was flooded with light.
However, it didn’t last. The generator went off less than ten minutes later, and just like before, it refused to come back on. That’s when I realized that there was one thing I hadn’t considered; my spark plug. Yeah, I know I cleaned it and all. But I began to suspect that it wasn’t just dirty. It was bad and needed changing.
So, I went off to buy a new spark plug. The price of the plug would have sent lesser men into a heart attack, but I’m not a lesser man. I bought the plug and replaced the damaged one. It took a few tries and eventually, the generator came on. This time, it stayed on. It came with lots of smoke, but that cleared out eventually.
So, what am I trying to say about this happy story? Many times, the solution we’re seeking is staring us right in the face, but just because we don’t know of it, we’re overlooking it. However, with time, it will surely come to you. I guess this rule can apply to other areas of our lives as well. It doesn’t matter if you’ve tried everything you know and they didn’t work. Just give it time, what you’re meant to do that will change everything will surely come to you.
Never be too impatient with yourself. The only person who will suffer for that is you. so, let’s try to do better. Shall we?
