Necessity is the mother of invention

Rephrase : Necessity is the mother of activity!

I sat down for lunch with a friend who explained to me the greater benefits of living, studying and working in the UK compared to the limited opportunities in South Africa. In that moment he reminded me of what I have forgotten and what I should be grateful for.

I had lost the attitude that came with me from homeland. If you needed something you worked hard for it. My first year in the UK, I wanted a bicycle. When I knew that I was not going to get it from either of my parents, I started a paper round to save money up and asked people I met on my round with a bicycle if they had a second hand bicycle that I could buy. My first bike was an Apollo mountain bike, costing £15. It was my pride and joy. I rode it, maintained it, and constantly took care of it. The same attitude continued with me till I arrived in university and the loans started coming in and I became complacent.

Human nature has a drive. We are driven by need. It is important to find a need, even when there appears to be none. If we look hard enough, we will find. Otherwise we may end up complaining that things never go the way we want it to go, becoming bitter or anxious, seeking approval or praise from others, listening to gossip or believeing that you are less than you actually are and that everyone else has it better than you. I'm sure there are many others you can think of.

But when I have a need, my idle mind becomes occupied. I come alive as I grab hold of a vision, that I am determined to fulfill. No matter how long it takes me, I will carry on with the persistance of a teenager after their first bicycle.