THE ADVISOR'S DILEMMA

Hephzibah had always been the one people turned to in times of trouble. Friends, family, and even strangers would call her, pouring out their problems like water into an ever-deepening well. Her advice was always clear, practical, and often miraculous in its results. Yet, Hephzibah carried a secret that only her heart knew she struggled to take her own advice.
One quiet evening, after a particularly draining day, Hephzibah slumped into her favorite chair. Her phone sat on the table, buzzing intermittently with messages and missed calls from people seeking her wisdom. She ignored them, staring instead at the ceiling. The weight of her own unresolved dilemmas pressed against her chest.
The rent was due. Her health was deteriorating. And worst of all, she hadn’t written a single chapter of the book she had promised herself she would finish this year. All the while, the solutions she gave to others—budget wisely, prioritize your health, set small achievable goals—mocked her from the depths of her mind.
“Why is it so easy to advise others but so hard to fix my own life?” she whispered to the empty room.
Just then, her doorbell rang. It was Ada, her neighbor and a young mother of two. Tears streamed down Ada’s face as she clutched her toddler.
“Hephzibah, I can’t do this anymore. The bills, the constant demands. I’m drowning,” Ada sobbed.
Hephzibah listened patiently, her heart aching for Ada. She began to speak, her voice steady and compassionate. “Ada, you’re stronger than you think. Break it down. Focus on what you can handle today, and let tomorrow take care of itself. And stop being afraid to ask for help. It doesn’t make you weak; it makes you human.”
Ada nodded, her tears slowing. “Thank you. I’ll try.” She left with a faint smile, a glimmer of hope in her eyes.
As the door closed, Hephzibah froze. Her own words echoed in her mind. “Break it down. Focus on today. Ask for help.”
She sank back into her chair, her thoughts racing. Could it really be that simple? She’d never truly tried. Fear of failure and a nagging inner voice had always held her back.
That night, Hephzibah made a decision. She grabbed a notepad and wrote down her problems one by one. Next to each, she scribbled a single actionable step. Pay the rent? She’d call her landlord to discuss a payment plan. Health? She’d scheduled a doctor’s appointment for tomorrow. The book? Just one paragraph tonight, just one.
Days turned into weeks, and slowly but surely, things began to shift. She wasn’t just giving advice anymore; she was living it. As she tackled her challenges, she found her wisdom growing deeper and her advice becoming richer.
One evening, Ada returned, glowing with newfound confidence. “Hephzibah, you won’t believe it, I followed your advice, and things are finally turning around!”
Hephzibah smiled, a warm glow filling her chest. “That’s wonderful, Ada. You know, I took some advice recently too.”
“Whose advice?” Ada asked, curious.
Hephzibah chuckled. “Mine.”
Now that we're done with the story, Answer this one question: when last did you take your own advice? 
....
Take a minute to think. I'll wait.
Allow me to take it a step further.
Have you EVER taken your advice? 
Let this be what you consider and I hope that you learn something helpful from this story just as I have.

Until next time,
Ogbonnia H.D.