Final Destination

The DESTINATION

Where will it end?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Author: Chidiebere Moses Ogbodo.

E-Mail: insights.chidiebere@gmail.com

Chidiebere Moses, the Author of Final Destination, is Editor-in-Chief at Insights Success Media Tech LLC., a technology enthusiast, with 10+ years hands-on practice in Growth Market Research and Communications.

A First-Class Honours Degree holder in Bachelor of Computer Application (BCA), The Best Graduating Student in 2017, and a Multi-Year successful

Students Organizations Leader. An Expert in Engineering Sustainable Growth, Excellent Brand Discovery and Positioning Strategist. He is sitting on the board of multiple companies and has served as Manager, Business Growth Consultant for startups and leading brands.

Always Positive and Optimistic!

Table of

Preface Acknowledgement

The Final Destination, is a book on

reection of life, today, and events afterlife. It ponders on where it will end, and what is the purpose of life. Are your actions, business, life, and relationships taking you to where you ultimately should be at the end? Will it all make sense and be fullling when you arrive at your anticipated destination?

While writing this short story, I met with several professionals, leaders, and clerics and asked for their opinions. You will nd their

exciting answers in the pages below. The clerics included; Christians, Muslims, Hindus, and Buddhists. Everyone had their opinion of the nal destination, the place where it will end ultimately.

If you have ever asked or have this type of question on your mind, then this short story is for you. Read and note down your thoughts; hopefully, a summary of your notes will give you an answer to your question, especially if it is the same as mine; Where will it end?

All thanks to God for the inspiration, strength, and wisdom to dream about this book and be able to put the pieces together into the truly inspirational book that it has become today. I would like to acknowledge the amazing support from my family, especially my Father, Mr. Elijah Monday Ogbodo, who stood by me throughout. The biggest accolade goes to Insights Success Media LLC, and its wonderful team of experts for helping me during the reviews, revisions, designing, printing, and distribution of this special storybook. The people involved in this project and, more specically myself for never giving up and staying focused on the goal; to deliver a life-changing book to the readers. Without their support, this book would not have become a reality. I am grateful.

NOT LIKE A DREAM

AAfterahorribleexperienceoftheday;Iwaspunishedforoverthinking

andworryingtoomuchaboutthefuture.Earlierthatday,Icalledmy mentor,CharlesYatChuWong,andaskedseveralquestionsranging from;whatdoesthefuturehaveforme,willImakeitbiginlife,willitbebig enough,oristheresomethingelsebeyondthislife?Helistenedcarefullybefore proceedingwithanunexpectedanswertomyquestion.

Mymentorkeptonshouting,andremindingmeoftheimportanceofpatience, self-control,andacknowledgingtheessenceof; time answereth all things.(I believethatitis“bettertobefloggedthantobeverballyscolded”. Unfortunately,thelatterwasmycase.)Hisreactionsleadtomebeinghitbya seriousheadache.Ithoughtofasolution,tohealfromtheheadache,butwasleft witheitheroftwooptions;Gotosleeportakeapainkiller,Ilaterdozedoffinto adeepsleep.

Afteramomentofclosingmyeyes,Ifoundmyselfinanunfamiliar environment,somecallitadream,andotherscallitthespiritrealm.Atfirst, everywherewasdark,withnosignsofalivingbeingormovements.Iturnedto myright,andnoonewasthere,andtotheleft,noonewasthere.SoonasIlifted myeyestowardsheaven,Inoticedabeamoflightthatisgraduallyilluminating

thecloud,andinshortwhile,ithad expandedtothewholeplace.

Thehighertheintensityofthelight, thebettermyviewoftheenvironment; loandbehold,therewasan uncountablenumberofpeopleround aboutme.Iwassurprisedand somewhatscared.So,Iasked,who theywere.Amildvoiceechoedfrom thethinwind:Theyarerighteous!

Afterawhile,Istartednoticingthat someofthefacesinthecrowdare familiar,thepeopleIusedtoknowin andaroundthetownwhereIlived.At somepoint,Ididnotknowwherethey allwentinreallife.ButhereIcould findtheminmidstofanunknown multitudeofpeople.Notbeinga judgingtyperightfromimmemorial,I thoughtthesepeoplemusthavehada goodpartofthemwhileonearth,and thatiswhytheyarecountedinthe crowdoftherighteous.

Moment of Reflection

OnceagainIaskedthevoice;what aretheydoinghere?

Thevoiceechoedback,theyare journeyingtotheirfinaldestination.To takerest,livewiththeKingofGlory, andwaituponthelastday.

HereIbecameabitconfused;Theking Iknewwas,HRHEzeUjam-Oko,the kingofAkegbekingdom.Heisakind man,whotookcareofhiscommunity andthepeopleinhistownandnearby town.Hewasalivingexampleofgod tohispeople.ThemoreIthinkabout theanswerfromthevoice,themore curiousIbecame.Thismademyheart immediatelydesiretounderstandone thing;couldtherebeamanwhois biggerthanmyKing,calledKingof Kings.Finaldestinationtomealways means“death”andIdearlyhopethatit isnotthecasehere.

Previously,IarguedwithmyUncle,askinghimwhatisthetrue meaningoftheword,“righteous,”andhowcanyouidentifyor distinguishwhoistrulyrighteousfromthosefakingit;those peoplewhomaybedoingthesamegoodactsthatyouaredoing. DoeslisteningandobeyingmyUncle’swordsofadviceaccount forbeingrighteousanddoesitmakemeanybetterthan everyone?Although,Iattendallreligiousactivities,givegiftsto thehungry,supportmyfriendswiththeirnecessaryneeds,and evengooutonthestreetslookingforthosesleepingunderthe bridgetohelpthemasmuchasIcan.ButIdidnotknowifall thosethingscountedtowardmakingmearighteousperson.

SoIaskedagain,Whatdoyoumean by,thefinaldestination?

Thevoicereplied,theirfleshisdead, andtheirsoulsareresurrected.The menandwomenyouseearenolonger thesamepeopleyouseeinthemarket, onyourstreets,andinthechurches. Thesearethesavedsoulsbecausethey arewiththeirfather,inhisheavenly palace;thatistheirfinaldestination. Theplacewhereeverythingmakes senseandfeelscomplete.

Atthispoint,Ididnotwanttocontinue theconversation,becauseIwas

beginningtounderstandthat,thismust beadream,andmaybeIwassleeping. Because,Icouldseethatthesemen andwomenaremajorlyolder generations,includingtheyoung peoplethatIhavenotseeninthepast fewyears.Also,Ihopedthatitwasnot areality,becauseIdonotwishtobe there,atleastnotatmyageatthetime.

Atthispoint,Ibecamesoscaredand worrygrewhighandhighinmytender heart.Adropofatearfrommyeyes mademycheekfeelsochill,thatwoke meup.

Note To Self:

APPRECIATE LIFE

OOst nMondaymorning,1

January2010,Iwaslistening toapodcastonmyhandset. Thetopicwasfocusedonthetheme; RememberingThePeopleinYourLife. Ithasjusthappenedinmydream, whereIrecognizedseveralfacesofthe peopleIknew,amongthose,werethe peopleItooktheirkindnessfor granted,loveasanentitlement,and supportasaright,notaprivilege. Thesepeopleactuallyneverowedmea thing,buttheywerethere,andalways showedmelove.

Thisisthesituationwithmanypeople today,wefailtoappreciateandonly keepondemandingmore;soIremind youtodaytoappreciatethelivingand thelittletheyoffertoyoutodaybefore itistoolate.Youmaynevergetthe opportunitytoseethemagainnorwill yougetthechancetoshow appreciation.

Laterintheeveningofthatday,Iwent tomeetmyclosefriend,Lazarustotell himaboutwhathappenedinmy dream.Onreachingtohishouse,we greetedasusual,ahandshakeandhug, withawarmpatontheshoulder reassuringourselvesofthegreat relationshipthatwehave.Before tellinghimaboutmydream,hesaid thereisastorythathewouldliketo tellmeabout,thatjusthappenedafew daysago.Inoddedinaffirmationfor himtogoahead,andhestarted...

Ilistenedtohisstory,wherehewas justwakingupinthemorning, preparingforagreatday,andhe lookedoutthewindowofhisroom, andrightthereinthemiddleofthe streetoppositehishouse,peoplewere gatheringinlargenumber,boththe richandpoor,dependentand independent,barrowpushersand snackshawkers,etc.Itwasnot ChristmasoraPoliticalcampaign,so whatishappening?Heaskedhimself.

Oncloserobservation,hecouldnotice thattheireyeswerealltowardheaven. Atfirst,hethought,maybetheywere watchingadroneexhibitiondisplayor admiringtherainbowinthecloud,but thatwasn’tthecase.Everyoneseems tobeexpectingonethingortheother, someforrain,othersforsun,whilea greaternumberofpeopleare murmuringaprayerinwhichhecould hearthemsay; Oh savior please come and take me away.Amajorityofthe crowdbelievesthatthelifetheyare livingisnotwhattheydreamtof, hencetheywishforeitherabetterlife oranexitfromlifeitself.Hopefully,a saviorwillappearandleadthemtoa safeheaven.

Suddenly,thecloudstartedchanging, likeitisgoingtorain;asifahurricane ishappeninginthesky.Aftera moment,asymbol-likestarappeared, increasinginsizeuntilitoccurredto everyonethatitwasahumanfigure.

Thehumaninthecloudappearedtobe sostrikingthatthewomenscreamed, aww!Themengiggled,andthe childrenfeltthegloriouspresence.He wasdressedinapurecotton-likerobe, staffinhand,curlybeards,looking directlytowardsthecrowd.Alltheir attentionwasontheman,hissparkling eyes,standingsotallandstrongthat notevenapieceofhisclothmoved duringtheheavywind.Thedarknessof thecloudcouldnotstophisshining. Avoicefromthecrowdshouted;ishe Jesus?Nobodyanswered.Those peoplethatknewwhothemaninthe cloudwas,weretherenomore.The hawkers,preachers,men,andwomen continuedadmiringthemaninthe cloud, but nobody noticed the sudden disappearance of the person next to them.

Thatwaswhenitoccurredtohimthat whatlookedlikeameredreamcould behappeninginreallife,rightbefore hiseyes.Heraninsidethelivingroom andcalledonhisaunttocomeand witnessthesamething.Onreaching thelivingroom,hediscoveredthatshe wasnolongerthere. Thenherushedtothetelephonetocall hisfriends,onlytoberedirectedto voicemailoneveryattempt.The policeareparanoid,firerescue agenciesarescared,andthe governmentisbusybuthasnoresults tostopthedisappearanceofthepeople. Itisjustsointensethatthegentleman begantoquestionwhyhewasstill

standingthere.Athispoint,henoticed ataponhisleg,andtherewashisAunt MrsMargaret.WhenLazaruswokeup, hesighedinrelief.Thedreamfeltso real,thathebelievedithappenedright outsidehishouse.Herushedtothe samewindowtoseeifhecouldfind anyone,butnonewasthere.

Lazarus’sstorymademeask,isit bettertoflywiththosepeoplewho weredisappearingorstaywiththose peoplelookingtowardsthecloudand waitingforthesavior?Iimagined myselfinthissituationandthemoreI thoughtaboutit,thebiggerthefearin me.

Somanyquestionsstartedrunning throughmyhead;whatifitwasreal? didn'tIdoagreatjobwithallmy humanitarianwork,orwasInotdoing enough?

Ihavealwayslivedalifeofserviceto humanity,butIforgettolivefor myselfandtoprepareformyfinal destination.Ilovedandcaredfor everyone,butnotmyself.Thetears thatflowdownmyeyesareforthe painoftheotherpeople,butnonefor thesacrificethatJesuspaidonthe crossofCalvary.Ibegantoreflecton everymoment,time,anddaythatI stayedathomeworkingonmyjob, writingandwatchingmovieswhile missingthetimethatIcouldhavebeen inthechurchofChrist,buildingthe rightandpersonalrelationshipwiththe savior.Thepainwasunbearable becauseIdidalot,butdidnothing.I

leftmyfriend’shousewithouttelling himaboutmyownstory,whichwas verysimilartohisdream.Ibelievehe willreadthisbookandfindoutmy ownsideofthestory.

Whilegoinghome,inthemiddleofthe road,avoicewhisperedinmyear saying, ? Wherewillitend

Formanydays,andyears,thisquestion haskeptmeupandonmanyoccasions, ithasdeprivedmeofmomentsof enjoyment,suchthatIstartedwriting thisbookonSunday,December25th, 2011becauseIneededanswers, but where will the answers come from?

Iresortedtomeetingseveralpeoplein business,politics,technology,and variousreligiousfaithstolearnwhat theirthoughtswouldbe.Wheredothey allwishtheirjourneytoend?What woulditbelikeattheend?Isitenough toleaveagoodlegacy,orshouldthere bemoretolifethanwhatweare alreadydoingtoday?Isthereanylife afterthisoneandisitmuchbetterthan wehaveittoday?

Asyoureadfurther,youwilllearn fromgreatmindsandhopefully,itwill giveanswerstoyourquestions.

Note To Self:

TTheFinalDestinationis

differentforeveryman.Toa Christian,Heavenisthegoal, buttoyoureadingthisbook,where willitend?

Abusinessmanoncetoldme,Ifhe coulddreamofoneultimategoalin life,itwillbetoreachhisdestinyin life.

ThenIaskedhim,whereisyour destinytakingyou?

Hesaid,toownamulti-billiondollar company,themost-pricedyacht,eat gold-platedmealsandtravelallover theglobeinhisprivatejets.

Thatsoundedsofantastic.Ifeltthatit willmakemesohappyifsuchwasto bemyfateaswell.WhatifIcoulddo allhejustsaid,IamafraidthatImay notliveforevertoenjoythistypeof luxurylongenough.

Thedreamofeverybusinessowneris towineverycompetitionandsurvive everymarketdynamicandchange withoutlosingtotalvalue.Some businessownerswishtobelikeSteve Jobs,whowasanexceptionaldesign thinker.Heleftalegacythatmany wishtocopyandbelike.Butthe

questionis,didhereachhisfinal destinationforreal?

Somepeoplearestillontheroad, plowingthroughtheirroughpaths, withhighhopesofabeautifulpasture andlightattheotherendofthetunnel. Theywanttoownandruncompanies suchasTata,Tesla,Amazon,Apple, Dangote,etc.theybelievetheprice theyarepayingisenoughtotakethem there.Theybelievethatoncetheir companyislikeAmazon,theyhave arrived.Butifanymajorchange happensinthemarket,theybeginto fearandstartsearchingforthenext destination.Theyplantowinbutnone plantofail.Noneplanstobetheloser becauselosingisneveragood destinationforabusinessowner.

Sotheyask,wherewillitallend? Whereisthatultimatedestinationthat willmakesense?Whereeverything willbecomplete.Wherefaithhas fulfilleditsobligationstothefullest. Nomanhastheanswerinthebusiness world.Thatwasthereason,Ileftthe businessman,insearchofananswer.

Note To Self:

C H A P T E R 0 4

FINAL DESTINATION

(TECHNOLOGIST)

WhenIaskedaTechnologist, Wwherewillitend?He remindedmeoftheword, innovation;thepractical implementationofideasthatresultin theintroductionofnewgoodsor servicesorimprovementinoffering goodsorservices.-Wikipedia

Advancementintechnologyhasnoend destination,itisa360cycleofevents thatleadstomorerevolution.Thetech manorwomandesirestoinventanew ideaorrefinetheexistinginventionto agreaterandbetterversion.Whenthat happenshefeelshehasarrived,not

untilsomeoneelsecomesupwitha betterversionofhisinvention.The competitionleadstoeithermore improvementorthedeathofoneofthe competingideas.

Thetechnologistreferredmetogreat scientistsofthepastsuchas;Albert Einstein,MarieCurie,IsaacNewton, CharlesDarwin,NikolaTesla,Galileo Galilei,andmanymore,throughwhom wehavenumerousinventionssuchas Lightbulbs,Vaccines,Wheels,Nails, Compass,Printingpress,Internal combustionengine,Telephone,and manymore.

Whenyoulookatthecurrentday's inventions,youwillseesomany improvementsintheseancient inventions,includingmorediscoveries. Thecycleneverends,butthe inventor'stimehasanend.

Afteramomentofreflectingonhis answerstomyquestion,the technologistloweredhisheadindeep thoughtandhesaidtome;Wherewill itend?

Iforonedidnothavetheanswer, henceIcametohim.Sowhowillhelp ussavetheworldfromthisfate?The peopleareconfused,andtheseemingly mosteducated;technologistsare perplexed.Eventhoughtheydonot wishtoponderoverthisquestion becauseoffearoftheanswer,the unendingpathitwilltakethem.Outof curiosity,theychoosetostartdigging throughspace,discoveringmanymore things,uncoveringmorequestionsand mysteriesthanthereareanswers,and travelingonunendingjourneysto Mars,Space,andMoon.

Afteradaywiththetechnologist,I returnedtothecity,andwentstraight tothelibrary,toreadresearchbookson pastandnewinventions,and hopefully,Imayfindoutanswers. After14daysofintensestudies,I couldonlylearnthat;Technologyhas notchangedtheworld,itonlyhelped

mantodiscovertheirpotentialand arguablyenhancedtheirabilities;inthe discoveryoftheiramazingabilities,is wheretheactualchangehappened.

Thedeepertheygoinsearchofways tobetterthelivesofthepeople,the moretheylearnnewboundariesand constraints.Duringthetimetheyare solvingtheseconstraintsiswherethey findoutnewpaths,thatmaytakethem totheirdestination.Butwhereisthe FinalDestination?Whereisthe ultimatesatisfaction,thefulfilmentthat gladdenstheirheart,thatjoythatwill remainforeverandwillnotevaporate withtheheatofasmallchangein emotions,oreventsoflife

Note To Self:

FINAL DESTINATION

(THE POLITICIAN)

PPowerisintoxicating,but

anyonewhocancontrolhis poweristhemostpowerful. Thecloseryougettobethemost powerful,thebiggerthechallengethat willremindyouthatyouhavealimit. In2019,Covid19brokeoutinthe world,whereAmerica,Europe,and Asiathoughttheyhadthesolutionto almosteveryhealth-relatedproblem,or atleasttheycouldkeepitunder control.Butasthedaywentby,ithas beenoverthree(3)yearsandcounting, andthechallengeremainsathreatto humanexistence.Evenapoliticianis scared,justlikeeverycommonmanon thestreet.

WhenImetaPoliticalleader,Iasked him,didbecomingapolitician,and winningthehighestsitintheworld madehimfeelthathehasarrivedathis finaldestination,andwhatitfeelslike tobewhereheis;hesmiledandsaid,I havearrivedatmygreatestgoal,but thenIrealizedthattherearemany morechallengesahead,morelifeto live,morepowertogain.Itfeelslikeit isnotending.Icanflyonanytypeof aircraft,visitanycountry,dance,and dinewithanylevelofdignitaries,but somethingisstillmissingfromwithin.

Ithoughtthatbecomingapolitician means,havingpower,security,support, andkeytoseveraldoorsinthecountry andacrosstheglobe.Asthedaygoes by,Idiscovertheneedforonemore key,theonekeythatismissing,andit isthekeytothefinaldoor,the Politiciansaid.

Mydreamofbecomingapolitician wasshakenonthisdaywhenIgotthe answerfromthesupposed,most powerfulmanonearth.

Iwroteamailtothegovernment offices,askingthemtotellusthetruth. Whereareweallgoingattheendof

theday?Ihavenotreceivedany repliesuptothisdate.Thepostoffices arestilldeliveringmail,andcourier servicesarestillshippingparcels,but nonehasarrivedwithalettertoanswer myquestion.

Atsomepoint,Ithoughtthatmaybeif Ibecomeapolitician,thenIcanhave theaudienceoftherelevantauthorities, andmaybetheycanopenuptoanswer myquestions.Ithoughtthatitmustbe asecretandthatcanonlybemade knowntoafewtrustedin-house person.Ifthatisthecase,thenIdonot seetherelevanceofDemocracyin governmentsettings,promises,and constitutions.Thereisnorelevanceof Rightstoinformation,andfairnessto thepeopletheylead.

BeforeIleftthepolitician,hesaid; whenachildstartslookingandasking whathappenedintheancientwars, thenthechildmayendupbeinglike theancientpeople,non-existent.

Thatdidnothelpatall,soIfeltthe politicianhasnoanswerstomy questions,andthatthereligiousworld mustholdthekeythatIamsearching for

Note To Self:

C H A P T E R 0 6

FINAL DESTINATION

(THE CHRISTIAN) A

preacheroncesaid,Heaven Aisthegoalofeverybeliever, butitisreservedforthose whofollowJesus.Accordingtothe teachingsofJesusChrist,hesaid:"If anyoneservesme,lethimfollowme, andwhereIam,thereshallmyservant alsobe;ifanyoneservesme,theFather willhonorhim."Thehonoristomake Heaven,whichisthefinaldestination (hope)ofthefaithful.

InChristendom,therearevarious faithful,whobelievethattheirwayof servingJesusistherightpathtothe finaldestination.Onebelievesthatthe earthistheirinheritance,hencethatis theheaven,anotherbelievesthebosom ofMarythemotherofJesusisthe desireofeveryfaithful,whiletheother believesthatGodwilldecidewherehis soulwillrestandthatwillbehisfinal destination.

Onreadingtheaboveinformation,I stillcouldnotgetananswertomy question,becausethemoreIthinkIam closer,thefartherithasbecome.Ihave thought, Has any of these faithful seen the final destination, how does it look, or feel like? What if you reach there and find out that there is another journey to a new destination, what will you do?

Ifamandoesnotbelieveinthe existenceofGod,doesitmeanthathe willnotmakeittothefinaldestination thatpreacherspointtointheir teachings?Ithoughtofembarkingona journeytomeetaChristianpreacher, andwhile Iamthere,Iwilldemanda clearanswertotheabovequestion.

On26thApril2012,Ileftforaseries ofvisitstodifferentChristian worshipingplaces,whereIwaslucky tomeetapreacherwhogavemehis audience,hesaid;

Thefinaldestinationofamanis whereverhissoulfindsrest.Itcouldbe inHeaven,athishome,athis workplace,oreveninthehospital.

Therearestrangeplaceswhereone couldfindrest,eternalpeace,andthe desiretoneverleavethat environment,buttheultimateforthe faithfulisalwaysheaven.Becausea manisneversatisfied,hewill continuesearchingforthefinal destination;soIcontinuedsearching again.

Note To Self:

FINAL DESTINATION

OOnarrivalinIndiaon

th Thursday,October30 , 2014,theworld'smost populatedHindunation.Ivisited severalholyplacesandtemplesto inquireabouttheirgodsandhopefully findanswers,Iwasmadetoknowthat thereisatrinityofHindugods:The creatorisBrahma,thePreserveris VishnuandDestroyerisShiva.SoI wentaheadtolookfortheirtemples

andIcouldfindthatahighermajority ofthefollowersareforVishnuand Shivawithnumeroustemplesallover India,whileadedicatedfewworship Brahma,oneofthedeities.

AtoneofthetemplesinAndhra PradeshIndia,Iaskedarespected Guruthesamequestion;Wherewillit end?Whereisthefinaldestination?He calledmeasideandsatmedownto listencarefully

Hereiteratedthat;humannature,life, anddeathareacycle,whichmeans humansareinacycleofdeathand rebirthcalledsamsara.Afterahuman dies(expires),theiratman(soul)is reborninanewbody(newperson,asa child).Also,rebirthmayhappen directlyatdeath,whileanatmanmay existinotherrealms,thatareoutside thisearthlyobservation. So,therebirthmeansthatthefinal destinationdoesnotoccurbecauseitis inaconstantchangeofenvironment, andstate,evenwhenatmanisinthe otherrealm.

when,andhoweverythingwillfinally cometogetherandend.

IleftthetempleandwenttoNew Delhi,andlatertoAgra,westernUttar PradeshwhereIexploredthebeautyof theTajmahalpalace,Hotels,andIndian gate.Thereweresomanybeautiful placestogoto,foodissurplussuchas Biryani,Roti,Chapati,Dalandmany more.IthoughtthatmaybeIndiawas myfinaldestination.NotuntilIheard myphoneringing.Thatwasmyfriend fromNigeriacalling,Mr.Ali.Heasked me,areyousettlinginIndiaforever?

Tome,thatsoundedrealistic,because, Iambeginningtobelievethat,thereis acontinuouscycle,inwhichnobody hasaclearunderstandingofwhere,

Note To Self:

FINAL DESTINATION

AAliisakind-heartedhuman,

thetypeofMuslimwhowill notletyoudown.Hefights forhisfriendsandgivesuphis resourcestoseethatnobodyisleftout underthesun,suffering.Whenhe askedmethequestion;Areyousettling inIndia;Irecalledtheneedtoreturn homeandusemyknowledgetoserve mypeople.Thedesiretoserve,either asapolitician,orbusinessowner,to employtheyouthandprovidefoodfor thecommunitiesledmeintobelieving thatmyfinaldestinationcannotbe India.Ileftforalongtrip,backhome.

Onreachinghome,Iwaswelcomedat theMurtalaMuhammedInternational Airportbymygoodfriend,Ali.he camewithasmile,andgoodnews. Laterthateveningwewentaheadfor dinner.Whileatit,Ithought,whynot askAlithesamequestionandhear whathehastosay?SoIasked;Ali, Wherewillitend?Whereisthefinal destinationofman?Onhearingmy question,Alismiledandadvisedthat weshouldroundupourmealandthat hewilltakemetohisImam,a respectedandwell-learnedteacherwho hebelieveswillgivemetherightand detailedanswertomyquestion. Weleftforthevisit,andafteralong2hourdrivefromVictoriaIslandto Ikeja,wearrived,andtheteacher, welcomedus.HeaskedAli,whoIwas, andmyfaith,ifIwasabeliever Ali repliedconfirmingthatIdidnotincline withanyfaith,butIhadavery importantquestiontoask,andthe answerwilllikelyhelptoguidemy faith,mostprobablytoreturnasa faithful.

Theteacheraskedwhatmyquestions were.Igreetedhimandinformedhim thatIhadaskedAli,wherewillitend, andwhereisthefinaldestination.

Theteachercarefullystatedin response;Thereisaperiodthatexists betweenlifeandtheendoftheworld calledthelifeofbarzakh.Hefurther statedthatinsearchordesiretoreach thefinaldestination,committing euthanasia,suicide,andunjustmurder asmeansofdeathareallprohibitedin Islamandareconsideredmajorsins. Andshallarighteousdeparttheearth, heshallbewelcomedinJannahthe "paradise,garden",thatisthefinal abodeoftherighteous.

Note To Self:

IIwasgratefultoAli,fortakingme

tohisteacher.Weleftforamovie nightalongwithourother friends,toseeamovietitled;Ong-Bak: MuayThaiWarrior.Inthismovie,I observedtheimmensestrengthofTony Jaaandhiskeenobservationof Buddhism.Healwaysseeksinspiration andactedfastenoughtobeathis enemieswithfiercemoves.

ThereandthenIfelttheneedtofinda buddhatempleandhopefullytheir closenesstoinspiration,couldgivean answertomyquestion.Mycuriosity musthavegottenafinalroadmap.

IhaveheardthatChristianityisof love,Islamisofpeace,andHinduism isofSpirituality.So,Ithoughtsthat BuddhismmustbeofInspirationand uprightness;neverhurtanotherhuman, ifatallafightisnecessary,thenyou mustfirstdefendyourselfandnot attacktokill.

Aftera48hoursjourneytothe mountains,Ifinallyfoundamonk whohadleftthelifeinthecity, Ferrari,Gucci,nicefood,andeven forgottenthethoughtsofmaking childrenandbuildingafamily.He believedthattheworldishisfamily, sohedoesnotneedtohaveasonor daughtertohaveafamily.

Iaskedhim,Wherewillitend,where isthefinaldestination?

Thegentle,yetstrongmanstopped everythinghewasdoing.Hefirst said;Amituofo.Thenhecontinued; LifeandDeathareacontinuum, consciousness(thespirit)isstillona journeyanditcontinuesafterdeath

andispossiblyreborn.So,thedeathof thefleshisalsoagreatopportunityfor liberationfromthecycleoflife,death, andrebirth.

HesaidthattheanswerwhichIseek,is rightinsidemyheart,ifIletthelight shinewithin,Iwillbeenlightened; duringthisenlightenmentiswhenand whereIfindthefinaldestination. TrulyIneededthatenlightenmentand Iwishedtoseekit,butnotinthe mountains.SoImustcontinuemy journeybacktothecity.

Note To Self:

FINAL DESTINATION (THE COMMON MAN - GRATEFUL)

HHaveyoueverseena

drunkard?Thewayhefeels andbehaveswhiledrunk, liketheworld,issobeautiful,no worries,justletlifegoonandon.But thereisareasonthatledtothe drinking,itmightbethefeartoface reality,suchasthefuture,today,or eventoavoidthequestionsthatpeople willaskabouthiscareerandlife.So drinkingmightbehisescape,butit doesnotlastlonganddoesnotanswer thequestion.

Becauseitdoesnotlastlong,thatisthe reason,Ididnotbecomeadrunkard.I neededtostopthequestionfrom returningtomyhead.Ineededto practiceself-controland consciousness,andbewillingtolivein themoment.Idecidedtocontinueto begoodtomyfellowhumans,byfirst beinggoodtomyself.Lovingmy neighborasIlovemyself.Thecharity mustbeginfromhome,me.

Whilereturninghomefromthe mountain,Imetabeggar,hewas lookingveryhungry.Heaskedmefor money,andIgavehimthelittlecoinI had,atfirstitwasanattempttolethim passbysothatIcancontinuethinking, butthenhedidsomethingamazing. Althoughthecoinwillnotbeenough

forwaterorfood,thebeggarsaid; thankyousomuch.Atleast,Ihave hopethattomorrow,someoneelse mightgivemeanothercoin,and maybeonthethirdday,itwillbe enoughtobuyaplateofgoodfoodand cleanwatertodrink.

Istoppedtoaskhim,didyoumeanthat youhavenothadgoodfoodinthepast threedays,hesaid,hehasbeenpicking scrapsoffoodandhopingtobuyafull platethatwillhaveatleastenoughoil andsomeproteinforhishealth.Iasked him,whereisthenearestrestaurant, andthetypeoffoodhewishtoeat,he tookmetoarestaurant,andweate together Afterlunch,heleft,buthis messagehasbeenwithmetodate.

Hewasgrateful.Hisdestinationwas nicefood.Likeeveryoneelseonthe road,theirdestinationcouldbejustto havefoodthreetimesaday,behealthy, weargoodclothesorevenbeableto sleepintheirownhousewithoutthe fearofsecurityconcerns.There,Ifelta hugerelief.Ijustarrivedatthefinal destination.

IfGratitudecouldbecomemyfinal destination,Love,GoodHealthoryour righteousheartdesirescanbeyour finaldestination.

Note To Self:

ENJOY THE ,JOURNEY

BECAUSE THE DESTINATION IS A MIRAGE

The DESTINATION

Where will it end?