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.the little things.

You know how kids see opportunities and then use them without second guessing themselves? They know that there's no going back, it's now or never because if the adults come to the pARTy, they'll spoil it. Back in Primary School when I was staying with my gran, I'd try to pull stunts without victory because you know, that woman is smart. I remember during Pension Grant Days, you're excitement begins the day before because tomorrow you'll hit the jackpot - hopefully. The Pension Grant Point was literally in the school's backyard, given that, you wanna sneak over there and be the bridesmaid behind your gran's good Pension Grant Day dress. The aim is to score an apple, maybe two bananas if you see an extended family grandfather or maybe an uncle, if you're lucky you'll get out R2 richer as well. See that, that's the goal, the price. You look for an opportunity to hit the jackpot hard every month on Pension Grant Day. I wish! My gran was just too tactical, firm, and she meant business. "Ke ho bone fela ko pheying, o tla ntseba botse ko hae" - If I see you at the Pension Grant Point, you're dead when we get home. That day, you don't even go to the shop that was the school's front yard. You stay away! Make it a point that she doesn't see your dungaree flapping past for even a second. Her reasons: 1. kids should know their place and stay out of 'adult areas'. 2. I do not have time to entertain kids when I have my own business to attend to. 3. Your job is school and that's where you're staying. 4. Just because the other parents want their kids pacing behind them, it doesn't mean I delight in such... The list is endless.

Lesson: From being jackpot-blocked by my gran, I learnt discipline. Be where you're suppose to be and do what's expected of you, then you'll never have a problem with anyone or yourself. Being denied what you desire doesn't mean you won't get what's due to you. Again, don't take pride in being part of the crowd because when all is said and done you'll be on your own, reflecting - and you don't want regrets. To this day, that's one of the lesson amongst many from my gran that stands out. The are times of course, where you feel like being a rebel and decide to do as you please. That, 'I-deserve-better-and-I-won't-take-shit' attitude. Sure, you need a thick skin every now and then, but that doesn't mean you abandon your duties as if someone else will attend them. You have to suck it up at times, get up and face shitty people and situations in order to get what you want. Things won't always go your way, that's inevitable. You just gotta be smarter than yourself and brave through this life thing. Yes, it's not easy, whoever said it should be?

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