Growing up, I heard a lot of phrases that, even now, have not left me. Phrases like "Pride goes before destruction", "Ignorance is a deadly disease", procrastination is the murder of all plans", and many more. Even after many years, I will say these phrases still form part and parcel of my life.
The first time I came across the phrase"pull up your stocks " was when I was around 12 years old and that word came from my mother. One of the things I knew about my mother is the fact that she is a woman of wisdom. She did not speak much but the few words she was says carries so much wisdom in it.
That fateful day when she said the phrase "pull up your socks" was a day filled with experiences I will not forget. On that fateful day, my school have just vacated from the third term. I have just received my report card from my class teacher and the result that filled up the report card was actually so disappointing.
I can't forget what my class teacher remark said about my result. "This boy has the potential to be the best only if he is serious"
Getting home and presenting my report card to my mother at that particular time, I was ready for whatever might come up. The first time I presented the report card to her, she didn't say anything and walked away.
Later in the evening that same day, she called me to the dining table after she was done cooking. Her hand folded, and she looked at the report card once again that I had presented to her earlier in the afternoon.
"Ade, do you actually know what this means? She was pointing her finger at the report card and the remark my class teacher made about the report card.
At that particular time, I didn't know what to say. Either to say yes or no. I just kept mute.
"What this results me is that you should have performed better than this if only your heart was there". She responded.
"Ade, I have known you for long; you have always run away from responsibility. If you continue your life this way, you will not go far. Time for you to pull up your socks". She said.
I was shocked because I didn't understand the meaning of the statement. I gather a little bit of courage even though I still have that disappointing look on my face. "Mom, what do you mean by I should have pulled up my stocks?"
"I am talking about you doing that which you need to do at the right time. Ade, it is time for you to face your study. This is a disappointing result. What do you think your dad will say if he sees this result?" She responded.
At that particular time, I knew what she was saying. I can confess that for some while, I have been running from taking responsibility academically; I actually believe I should have done much better than what I did that semester.
Not only that, she was right. My father will definitely be super angry if he sees my result. At that particular time, he was not around as he needed to travel based on his work demands.
That particular words my mom said made me realise the need for me to change at the earliest stage of my life now. From that day, I make sure I begin to put in the effort that I need to for my academic results to turn around. Till now, that phrase is what forms a big part of my present life.
