Skip to main content

Lessons from Doris Lessing’s ‘The Golden Notebook’



Have you ever felt like there's something you're meant to do, but you keep putting it off? Maybe you're waiting for the right time, the right place, or the right circumstances. Doris Lessing, in her book "The Golden Notebook," has a powerful message about this very human tendency to wait for the perfect moment: "Whatever you're meant to do, do it now. The conditions are always impossible."

It's a simple yet profound piece of advice. Lessing is telling us that if we wait for everything to be perfect, we'll never get anything done. Life is messy and unpredictable, and conditions are seldom ideal. This quote is a nudge to stop procrastinating and start doing, because the truth is, the 'right time' might never come.

In "The Golden Notebook," Lessing explores the life of Anna Wulf, a writer who is trying to piece together her fragmented existence. The book is a reflection on personal and political chaos, and how we try to impose order on our chaotic experiences. It's about the struggle to find authenticity in a world that often seems to work against it.

So, what can we take away from Lessing's words? Well, it's a call to action. It's a reminder that we have more power than we think. We can't control everything, but we can control our actions. And sometimes, taking action is the only way to move forward, to grow, and to make a difference.

Whether it's starting a new project, changing careers, or even making a lifestyle change, the message is clear: don't wait. Start where you are, use what you have, and do what you can. The conditions will never be perfect, but that shouldn't stop us from making our mark on the world.

It's therefore imperative for us to take Lessing's advice to heart. we should do what we're meant to do, right now, because the conditions will always seem impossible until we prove them otherwise.


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Kwara State Polytechnic Mass Communication Graduate Emerges Best Fellow at the 2024 Young Communication Fellowship

As I read about Mosunmola Esther Ajibade’s recent achievement, lines from the Kwara State Polytechnic anthem echoed in my mind. The anthem is more than a song; it captures the heart of the institution’s mission: "Our Citadel Of Excellence, Great Minds Have Come Out Of Thee. Our Blessed POLYTECHNIC That Nurtures Talents, Fulfills Dreams, Destinies, Hopes And Aspirations. We Love You For You Are The Haven Of Bright Mind With Great Ideas. Your Products Are Found Everywhere, KWARAPOLY, Your Praises We Sing." These lines perfectly tells the story of Mosunmola. A graduate of the Mass Communication Department, she has excelled across various fields as a voiceover artist, OAP, red carpet host, and writer. Her latest feat as the best fellow at the 2024 Young Communication Fellowship, organized by PR Nigeria in partnership with Image Marketer Promotion (IMP), adds another feather to her cap. Mosunmola entered the fellowship as an alternative candidate but emerged as the bes...

Golden Charity Foundation Spreads Christmas Love at City of Refuge Orphanage

The Golden Charity Foundation (GCF) brought festive cheer to the City of Refuge Orphanage Home on December 26, 2024, as part of their annual Christmas project.  Led by Publicity Secretary Kolawole Abdulakeem Oluwadamilola, the GCF team, including Financial Secretary Aishat Motunrayo Yusuf and other executive members, delivered bags of clothes, assorted provisions like biscuits, Indomie noodles, milk, and fresh fruits. The children's faces lit up with joy as they received these gifts. Program host, Miss Tomisin welcomed everyone and set a positive tone for the event. Kolawole Abdulakeem Oluwadamilola, standing in for the founder Miss Shukurat Temitope Ibrahim, emphasized the power of love and the importance of making others happy. Aishat Motunrayo Yusuf offered inspiring words, encouraging the children to believe in themselves and actively participate in society. Games and activities kept everyone entertained, further spreading joy. The orphanage management...

Corps Member Tackles Unemployment in Gombe with Fish Farming Training

A bold new project aimed at transforming the lives of 100 young people in Gombe is underway, as Ishaq Abdullahi Shehu, a dedicated National Youth Service Corps member from Kano State, turns his agricultural expertise into a community development program. The initiative focuses on modern fish farming techniques designed to combat youth unemployment and boost local food production. Ishaq, a graduate of agriculture from Kano University of Science and Technology Wudil with specializations in forestry, fisheries, and wildlife, is committed to changing the perception of farming. “Agriculture must be seen as a viable business, not just a way of life,” he explains. His program centers on the innovative Recirculatory Aquaculture System (RAS), a method that recycles water through mechanical and biological filtration to allow for high-density, sustainable fish farming while minimizing the use of land and water. Gombe, like many parts of Nigeria, is grappling with the dual challenges o...