The Little Things

There's always something special and exciteful about the first time you earn money and it does not even matter how small it may have been. For some people, it may have come from selling something, helping someone out or doing a chore at home. Whatever it was, it usually carries that excitement of "Wow, I earned this myself. ", that feeling of doing something for yourself and getting rewarded for it.

I made my first earning after completing my WAEC, while waiting for admission into the university I wanted. My dad had always wanted me to go for a career in computer science, so as soon as I finished my exams, he signed me up for a computer training course. His intent was for the course to give me additional knowledge and skill beyond what I had learned in secondary school, which would prepare me for when I got into university.

The course was supposed to take three months to complete, but due to being a fast learner, I finished the program in two months. Even though I finished early as well as helped the new students when they were having trouble, by offering them ways to do it easier, I wasn't expecting anything because I simply enjoyed doing it.Then one day, my instructor who was also the boss of the place, called me aside. He asked me if I wanted to work with him at their second location, a cyber cafe, instead of just staying at the training center or sitting at home after the duration of the course comes to an end. Before he even mentioned that I would be getting paid, I was already excited about it and the thought of being trusted enough to be able to help out in the other shop was thrilling.

When he told me what the amount would be, I was in shock. Right now, the money wouldn't be considered a big amount, but at the time and to me, it was a large sum . I remember holding it in my hands by month end, as I did not have an account by then, and smiling like I had won something. That moment and feeling was unlike anything I had experience before. It was not about showing off or feeling like I had to buy something expensive quickly, it was the fact that I had worked hard for it and that it belonged to me.

Working there, somehow, felt grown-up even though it was simple. I helped customer with whatever they needed, assisted new learners and gradually learned the little things that made the place run smoothly. The most exciting feeling was knowing that what I did was significant, and the feeling of being trusted and capable. I can still remember the first time I purchased something with some of that money. It felt nice, I felt the thrill of doing something for myself, particularly because I had bought it with my own money. I also remember showing a friend ad laughing about how "rich" I felt. It might have been minor but it made me feel independent.

Looking back, I can see that it was not just about the money I earned, but more importantly, the sense of responsibility and pride, it instilled into me. That cyber cafe job showed me that I could take initiative, do something useful and receive some type of recognition for it.

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