Five life lessons 'Romeo and Juliet' taught me

 

I am watching an adaptation of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet as I write this. Well, not really. Sad stories are not really my thing; especially the ones where young people die unsure of their eternal destination. I stumbled upon it just a few minutes ago and decided to write this. I wanted to start this article the way I started that’s why I haven’t changed the channel yet. Thankfully, the movie is over now. Like I said, I didn’t really watch it, but I’ve read the book. Or at least the Exam Focus summary of it.

 
Two people fall in love. Their families hate each other. One person fakes her death to make it work. The other person thinks its for real and kills himself. The other person is distraught and kills herself. It’s a crazy story, really. Which is why I wonder why people are  quick to use Romeo and Juliet to describe couples that are in love and that they actually mean well for.
Anyway, there are a lot of lessons ‘Romeo and Juliet’ taught me, and I would like to share some of them with you:
 

1. Never make long term decisions based on short term occurrences

 
Whether it’s in relationships, business or life in general, you cannot afford to make long term decisions based on short term experiences. Someone breaks up with you and you want to kill yourself. You lose money and your relationships don’t matter anymore. You decide to date someone simply because of the way they look. You decide to have sex with someone against your beliefs simply because  you want to save the relationship. Don’t do it. Stop. Think. Don’t act…not yet. Take a deep breath and pray before making a decision.
 

2.  Only one relationship is worth dying for.

 
I once knew a woman who to protect her daughter during an explosion, shielded her with her body. Now, that’s a sacrifice worth making. But when you stay in an abusive relationship, you’re just being unwise. If that person kills you, you’re not doing him a favour because he or she will go to jail.
The sacrifice of Jesus made sense. He gave his life for us. If need be we will give ours for the cause of the gospel.  But getting someone to fall in love or stay in love with you is not worth dying for.
 

3.  This parental consent thing.

 
Dear mummy and daddy who wants the best for your child. You must have figured out that because someone comes from your tribe does not necessarily mean he or she is a good person. In the same way, someone coming from another tribe doesn’t make them a bad person. You are not the one that will stay in that marriage, neither will your kinsmen or ancestors(that would be crreepy). There is one consideration you must not compromise: Is he a Christian? If you refuse to give consent to your child’s marriage or relationship, let it not just be out of sentiments, but with good reason. I don’t usually advise people to go into relationships their parents don’t approve of, but I want to plead with any parent reading this to be considerate and reasonable in situations like this.
 

4.   Suicide is never the answer

 
No matter what you might be going through, I want to assure you that suicide is not the answer. It doesn’t solve anything. Also, bear in mind that no matter how long and painful your life here on earth is, it cannot last as long as eternity. Trust God, live for Jesus and hang in there. God has a plan for your life, and he is bigger than your pain.
 
 

5. Wisdom is smarter than emotions

 
Don’t listen to your heart. It is desperately wicked, fickle and feeble. True wisdom comes from the spirit of God inside you, his word on the outside and that lick of common sense that must have gummed your brain when your mother was bringing you up. Lead with wisdom, emotions will follow. If you lead with emotions, wahala will follow.
 
Thanks for reading. Any lesson I missed? Please share in the comments section.
 

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5 Comments

  1. Esther Bakare December 28, 2016 at 10:16 am

    This is really inspiring if only all young couples can read this

    Reply
  2. Moses Lucky Chisom December 29, 2016 at 9:16 am

    Your Review To The Book “Romeo & Juliet” Are Lessons Many Of Us Never Thought Of As We Read Or Watched The Documentary. Thank You

    Reply
  3. Jyeesmuis January 3, 2017 at 2:27 pm

    This is Wisdom… thank you sooo much MA

    Reply
  4. Favour koroma January 3, 2017 at 4:29 pm

    Ma’am God bless you. Thank you so much

    Reply
  5. Tolu January 12, 2017 at 11:18 am

    I’m relieved to know that I’m not the only one who is slightly put off by the story. I don’t mean to belittle Shakespeare’s works, but I simply do not buy the turn of events in Romeo & Juliet.

    Reply

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