...THEN YOU WILL BE GOOD ENOUGH

Growing up like other kids, we like you had different thoughts and many aims and ambitions. We had dreams of many things we would love to turn out to be. Even though we never know how we will get there but one thing we knew was that we want to be what we envisioned ourselves to be. Most times we tilted our ambitions or plan as the days went by and we grew up. But ultimately we wanted to be successful and flawless. We wanted to be as good as it gets and be good enough for all to see.

In our minds we flew jets, traveled all over the world, walked on the moon, stood in front of millions to talk, sing or preach, we were signing autographs, became the huge successful singer or the irreplaceable actor, great and convincing  preacher, we owned more than we probably would need for ten generations. We smiled why fans cheered, took a bow when others screamed their lungs out. Camera lights flashing, paparazzi struggling to get a piece of us. Strive to be better and much more good enough though we had our doubts unknown to many yet we appeared good as it can get and we probably emerged to all as good enough.

Watching the funeral of Whitney Houston on CNN a few days back, lying on the sofa of my living room, as I watched and thought of what could have been or what could have been done differently to save a life, so encapsulated with few struggles but more of success in a chosen career. I envisioned in flash back how she must have, like you and me, thought of being an iconic pop star, topping billboards charts  and winning several awards (of which she eventually won about 350 awards) in a career rivaled only by a few. I can not but reflect ‘…oh what an achievements until one certain Mr. Kevin Costner read his speech and suddenly another thought flashed through my mind… Even the best had some fears and asked one question…WILL I BE GOOD ENOUGH?

Like Whitney, we all as little kids grew up with this question among some other questions, irrespective of whatever our dreams and ambitions were. We had this question not just as little kids but even as grown and growing adults, some even in the midst of achieving those dreams. We sometimes draw tears from our steamy eyes just even after we just took a glorious bow, or after a resounding applause and cheers  for a supposed job well down, sometimes even after winning an award… we still wondered if we were good enough. Not just because we are obsessive or unabashed purists, we asked ourselves before… Will I be good enough? Sometimes after an appearance or routine we still ask …was I good enough?

Sincerely, this question might never go away no matter how good, successful and adored you are. Whether you eventually achieve few, most or all of your dreams and ambitions yet this question has a way of hanging and haggling somewhere, lurking in a corner of your mind and often saddled you. Even if you don’t achieve your dreams and most times feel like a failure or loser, these questions may never be answered, as even the very best of us in our best state is still human. You cannot live your life to despair and put yourself on hold or quit trying because like Kevin Costner's Last statement at Whitney's Funeral “… WHEN YOU GET UP THERE BEFORE YOUR FATHER IN HEAVEN THEN (AND ONLY THEN) YOU WILL BE GOOD ENOUGH”.

Dedicated to Whitney Houston and everyone who always thought if they will be good enough one day...



Written By: Seth Ogungbemi
February 2012
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