In Our Titles

Me: Congrats, Cee. That was a good fight. (With a teasing look at the loser)

Cee: Thank you. ( while panting for breath)

Me: How do you feel like the new 'village' champion, after beating our former title holder?

Him: Errrh! Please, please, stop it.
Am not the village champion. I am not interested in your titles. Just let me be. That guy was a bully and was misbehaving. And he needs to know his level...

That's was a mock report from the village playground account, years ago.  

That Friday, the unassuming lanky and agile Cephas, floored a well fed and stout looking Kofi, who carried himself as the unbeatable Village Champion for years.

But after his defeat, he learned how to be humble, at least when the new champion was around or passed by.

Today, it's common for you and me to spot similar characters like Kofi, who parade themselves on our streets or carry themselves around as champions in their respective disciplines.

This is not to say it's bad introducing ourselves and telling people what we do or to acquire certain credentials or status in our studies or service.

Often time, some of these titles of honour and distinction become mouthful, burdensome and somehow a challenge for us to pronounce.

With a traditional system adorned with titles of honour, appellation, and expressive culture, these practices could be excused, since they are meant to symbolise honour in service.

But the instance where these unceremonious titles cloud or embellish our names and impose a certain aura of pomposity on us, and defeat the original idea for the honour, then we have to watch steps.

As a student of life, one of the hard lessons I have learned is humility through a humbling experience.
In a hospital setting, I saw how vulnerable the most powerful and the least powerful could be. And I also saw where we probably could be laid when we draw our last breath. In those moments, I realised our titles or the power we exude cannot deliver or save us.

It's a worrying phenomenon when the dishonourable deeds of our honourable sometimes, make us question or doubt the honour in their titles.
It's disturbing when our leaders who are supposed to serve our common good, serve the interesting greed of their cronies and cohorts.

But on this fair Friday, perhaps it is still vital for us to remind ourselves of the need to remain humble in our deposition and in the use of these titles.

May the use of our titles, essentially remind us of our duty to serve one another, with respect and honour. This is because, beyond these titles, we are basically human beings.
May this day be favourable to you and your family. TGIF.

Greetings.
#KYB ✍🏿®#