I believe the folk I am writing to are adults, and we all have a high degree of independence. We choose many things daily, ranging from the food we eat to the clothes we wear. Now, imagine what people experienced during the time of slavery. Decisions were made for them—from the food they would eat, to the tasks they would do, and when they would sleep and wake up. Slavery is horrendous, and it goes beyond the survival of the fittest. I have seen a number of films about slavery in America, and it is sometimes hard to believe it ended less than a century ago.

I know the ability to choose and decide about the basics of one’s existence should be a right. However, when you think about this critically, you will see this is not a universal privilege for many. Imagine the number of daily choices those living in war-torn and underdeveloped countries—or people with critical illnesses and disabilities—have. Some people from those countries don’t even have the opportunity to go to school or pursue a career. Your ability to choose to do different things at any time is indeed a privilege. It’s an era of possibilities, partly because people can go for what they are passionate about. What a time to be alive!

Your good health is a privilege God has given you—even if you are not yet able to buy or accumulate the material things you want. Imagine this scenario: suppose you do not have gold or diamond rings and watches, and there is someone else who is bedridden but has tens of those in their closet. Don’t you think you are better off?

Somehow, I am a future optimist, and I believe that I only need a good brain, time, and some energy to command relevance and attract the wealth I desire. Now imagine those with brain paralysis or stage 4 cancer. I submit this: if you have not been terribly sick and helpless before, you may see the gift of good health as a casual offer.

By the way, I have been watching a medical series partly with my wife, and in many of the scenes I’ve watched, I realise there are different kinds of things that can terminate our lives. Have you noticed that some things you could do as a teenager are no longer possible? This is because, as we age, our body systems deteriorate. I was shocked when a guy within my age range told me he cannot bend properly. I often wonder how God has preserved many lives in Africa from some illnesses through a strong immune system. Many people in the Western world cannot survive malaria or typhoid, but you have conquered them many times. Your health holds enormous value.

Some are born orphans. Some people have no idea what it means to be loved and cared for. There are many people who have helped you directly or indirectly to be where you are today. Don’t cease to see this as a privilege. You are not self-made—accept that and appreciate those angels.

To be honest, our parents did a lot for us (it only takes becoming an adult to fully realise this). For instance, my parents did their best by spending the limited time, money, and resources they had. They ensured I had a good education based on the standards of my locality and their affordability. Now, imagine where you and I would be if we had no parents or any of the support we have received over the years from siblings, relatives, and friends.

A colleague at work from India told me his parents are retired professors and had left him a nice inheritance to fall back on when he returns home. He went further to say he came to the UK because his parents told him to go make something out of his own life. In short, they wanted him to succeed so that he wouldn’t rely only on their wealth. What a privilege to have parents like that.

Some have risen to the peak of their careers not necessarily because of superior ability, but because someone gave them a hand, a platform, or an idea. This cliché should not be dismissed: no doubt, some of our greatest assets are the people around us.

Do you see the opportunity to have people in your life as a privilege? Do you appreciate it, or are you abusing it?

The rate at which information flows these days is incredible, and the pace at which new technologies are being developed is amazing. When you observe Gen Z, many of them know so much. Years ago, this was not possible, as people mainly got informed by reading books from libraries and newspapers. Now, a 5–10-year-old can lecture you on something if you are not staying informed. It is a new era!

There is little excuse to remain uninformed or have limited access to opportunities. You and I have daily access to an enormous amount of information.

The rise of artificial intelligence has accelerated productivity—whether in software development, generating ideas, or solving assignments. I can’t believe the length and complexity of code I have prompted AI to create. This has also improved the quality of my research.

Look at transportation, for example. People spent months travelling across the Atlantic Ocean decades ago, but today we do it in a few hours with aeroplanes. What about your phone? You can literally reach anyone in the world if you have their number. Is the abundance of information today a blessing or a curse to you?