DEAR GENIUS,
You’re here because “good enough” was never your standard.
This newsletter is your weekly compass—packed with growth hacks, boundary-pushing insights, and the tools to unlock what’s truly possible.
Today’s Focus:
Special International Youth Day Edition.
⏳ 8-minute read | 📂 Last edition
If there is one passage among the many verses in the Bible that has spoken volumes to me, it is this chapter in the book of Lamentations. If you’ve been in the faith for a while, you have probably heard this verse quoted countless times, mainly when addressing youth. The reason this passage is so important is that it reveals profound truths about how life operates.
Humans live within the bounds of time and seasons. One day you’re born; the next, you’re an adult. Before you realize it, old age arrives, and at that point, you begin to count down toward the journey’s end. You’re fortunate if you reach this stage feeling fulfilled and ready. I believe this is the core message of that particular scripture.
You probably know which verse I’m talking about. Let me save you the trouble of guessing any longer:
"Remember my affliction and wandering, the wormwood and the gall. Surely my soul remembers and is humbled within me. Yet I call this to mind, and therefore I have hope: Because of the loving devotion of the LORD we are not consumed, for His mercies never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness! 'The LORD is my portion,' says my soul, 'therefore I will hope in Him.' The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD. It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is still young. Let him sit alone in silence, for God has disciplined him. Let him bury his face in the dust—perhaps there is still hope. Let him offer his cheek to the one who would strike him; let him be filled with reproach." Lamentations 3:19-30
It is crucial to read the entire context to understand what is being said, rather than mindlessly quoting fragments out of context. Here was a prophet experiencing a significant life crisis, similar to what most young people face today. You can read between the lines to see his struggles and the hope he’s holding onto.
Most times, we hear the phrase “a young man must bear his yoke when he is young,” and we quickly assume it means hustling and working hard while you’re young. We take that part of scripture out of context and don’t read further to understand what the prophet truly meant.
There has to be more to it than mere hustling. I have observed that older adults often work harder than young people. I have also seen people who struggled throughout their youth but have little to show for it now that they’re older.
This indicates the passage goes beyond mere labor. Fortunately, the answer is in the following verses: “Let him sit alone in silence, for God has disciplined him. Let him bury his face in the dust; perhaps there is still hope.”
The Good News Translation captures this beautifully: “And it is best to learn this patience in our youth. When we suffer, we should sit alone in silent patience.”
The Power of Patience
One of the biggest obstacles for many young people is their lack of discipline and self-control over their actions. As a young person, one crucial virtue to continually cultivate is patience. If you reflect on your life journey, you will identify moments when a little patience would have saved you from making costly mistakes.
Speaking of patience, if you’re reading this in August 2025, you’ve probably heard about the incident involving a particular lady and an airline saga. This situation reminds us of the timeless principle: “Patience is a virtue.”
As is my custom, I won’t bore you with all the details; everything you need to know is public knowledge. I also avoid taking sides on issues where I lack complete information. However, there are valuable life lessons you can extract from this episode.
Not to sound preachy, but it’s essential to understand that while building a life of options, there are certain pitfalls you must avoid. A seemingly minor impulse can set your life back decades. In this case, legal consequences and public scrutiny have been permanently attached to this woman’s record.
Right now, that might seem abstract, but it becomes disturbing when you realize the lasting impact. This woman began her day without knowing how it would unfold. What started as minor discomfort became a national conversation.
I don’t believe she is a bad person lacking big dreams. Like you and me, she has ambitions for greatness, but one moment of lost composure wrote a script she never anticipated. The tragic part? She’s only 26 years old. Imagine carrying this story for the rest of her life and the impact it will have on her family and friends who know her.
You must realize that your actions affect not just you, but countless others. This brings the ancient words of the prophet to mind: “And it is best to learn this patience in our youth. When we suffer, we should sit alone in silent patience.”
Avoiding Third-World Demons
Let me introduce you to a concept I call “systemic traps,” the cultural and psychological patterns that influence young people’s actions without them realizing what’s happening. Credit goes to John Obidi, who first opened my eyes to thinking about these invisible forces.
This isn’t about spirituality, but rather the psychological conditioning that has eroded the values and wisdom we once held in high esteem.
Earlier this year, a woman’s video went viral expressing frustration over being denied U.S. entry because officials reviewed her social media accounts and found her ineligible. This followed reports that visa applications would require applicants to make their social media profiles public.
The game is changing fast. Your digital footprints are now your passport to the world you dream of accessing. Everything you do, say, and associate with online or in public becomes either an asset or a liability.
In the case we discussed, you probably never knew this woman existed until this week. You had no idea what she’d been doing for 26 years—and you didn’t need to know. But now you’ll never forget her because of this incident.
Before you freely share opinions, remember: people you don’t know are watching and forming judgments. When it matters, they won’t hesitate to reference old posts, even from years ago.
As someone with global aspirations trapped within limited opportunities, you cannot afford to be careless, insensitive, or impulsive. The moment you come of age, you must urgently clean up past foolishness.
Don’t comfort yourself with “My past doesn’t define me.” In many ways, your past can come hunting for you. Some people will never give you a chance to clarify your history.
Now that you can control what information about you is available, why take that responsibility lightly?
Your Strategic Framework
Here’s what nobody tells ambitious young people: invisible forces are working to derail your progress. Call them systemic pressures, cultural traps, or what I’ve learned to recognize as third world demons; systems designed to trigger impulsive decisions that set you back years.
You must stand your ground to repel them. Here are a few ways to navigate through the barrier.
Stop Jumping on Every Trend
Don’t feel compelled to comment on every trending topic. It’s perfectly acceptable to observe without sharing your opinion, particularly when you lack the necessary facts to form a balanced viewpoint.
Conduct a Social Media Audit
Isn’t it telling that within 12 hours, people had excavated videos of the woman in our story to justify assumptions about her lifestyle? Take time to review everything you’ve posted online thoroughly. There are tools available to simplify this process—use them. Don’t allow others access to content you wouldn’t want to be public. This includes posts that may reflect ignorance, pain, or immaturity; you no longer stand by them.
Be Present but Don’t Register
As the story developed, some people took it upon themselves to circulate the controversial video. What they forget is that people will accord them similar distrust. If you’re not a certified journalist, why has your page become the promoter of every trending issue?
I see and follow thousands of posts, but I rarely engage with content that is controversial. My name shouldn’t be associated with every drama. I may appreciate your thoughts, but commenting on that post could impact my public image.
This is how successful people think. They observe everything but remain unobtrusive. Some go as far as disclaiming that “retweets don’t mean endorsement.”
You, who are building a global reputation, we see your comments on gossip blog posts, and you wonder why serious people aren’t taking you seriously? Check their content, react privately if you must, but never drop comments on posts you won’t be proud to defend completely.
Keep Private Matters Private
Social media is not your diary; stop sharing more than necessary.
While others may support you today, they could later use your story against you. If you’re facing problems, seek solutions through proper channels. If you feel compelled to go public, ensure you have a well-defined strategy in place. Avoid just turning on the camera and ranting to thousands of people who may not genuinely care about your situation.
The Decision Framework
Before joining any conversation or taking any public action, take a step back and honestly evaluate:
Who are the parties involved?
What verified information do I have access to?
How does contributing to this conversation affect my goals?
What approach would best represent my values?
Would my silence make any difference in the outcome?
More often than not, we find ourselves in situations that have no direct impact on us. In a world where keyboards click faster than brains think, you must exercise restraint.
You don’t have to share opinions on every matter you encounter. Sometimes, your silence is wisdom. That is how you effectively navigate these systemic traps and protect your future.
Until I write to you again, don’t stop being a Genius!