The crowd effect had a way of making you lose your personality and become someone you might not recognize.

Whenever am less busy I keep my mind occupied with constructive thinking.

I tend to retrospect on past events alot that’s how I come about my stories and attach lessons to them.

I remember vividly towards the late 90’s , 1999 precisely.

It was one of those run back to your village for safety for igbos in the northern part of the country.

I came back from the north with my uncle and his family, but they left me behind while returning back.

I was to stay with grandma for one or two reasons.

The school session resumed and grandpa took me to the mission school in my town.

I was from the city so I was dressed as such.

I was on a nice dress, with my Cutina and stockings ,then my school bag strapped behind me.

Grandpa left me all by myself and it was so hard for me.

Trying to communicate was hard as I speak English and them igbo.

When ever I reach out to any of my classmates the response I get is OSINO GINI (what is she saying?)

I was mocked for wearing Ade big shoe(Ade is from our English test book then).

Was mocked for carrying a school bag while others were carrying walking talking (Polythen bag) and other kinda bags.

To cut the long story short, because that made me lonely and I needed to blend in, I threw my Cutina away for a flip-flop  till grandma bought a rubber sandal for me.

I also ditched the school bag 🤦🤦for walking talking, learnt igbo anyhow and get mixed up with them.

I got so mixed up that every trace of the city almost evaporated from me.

Thank God for the timely intervention of Father pepper , the new dean of our school.

He revived and transformed the school into a beauty.

It was hard for some but was restoring to me.

He made me find me again and set me right back on track.

We didn’t like him because his methods were out of the usual ( imagine someone making you wear a medal with the inscription “I am an igbo speaker”) and flogging you 12-24 lash for being the last person to wear it.

But then today we are grateful he saved us, me especially.

I would have been so igbotic and lacking.

The crowd effect is something we tend to fall into at anytime of our lives if we are not careful and intentional.

Variety they say is the spice of life, if we can stand firm in our resolves and avoid wanting to BELONG or fit in, our lives will be so spiced up.

Any person or organization that won’t accept your uniqueness is not worth the hassle.

Don’t be scared to stand out even if it means standing alone.

The effect of the crowd can be damaging and can easily become a norm to you till your personal identity is completely lost.

Imagine looking in the mirror and not recognizing who you truly are.

If you must join a crowd, look for a life impacting crowd .

These kind of crowd will be like Father pepper of our time.

I’ve had sense since the days of Father pepper but now I have greater sense and even smarter now.

I hope you learn to stand alone till you find the right crowd.