“When it’s not always raining, when all the parts of the puzzle start to look like they fit”
As I sit and assemble all my thoughts for this Post, half of the year has gone by. July which is the Start of the second Half of the year will be ending in a few days, and I find myself reflecting on the past months and feeling an immense sense of gratitude towards my mentors, family, and colleagues. Their unwavering support and guidance have played a crucial role in shaping my journey, and for that, I am truly thankful.
This year has been quite a journey for me. The first part of the year saw me consciously focus on the concept of simplification in my life. Not just as lofty ideal, but as an actionable task in my day-to-day.
The list of things was quite short. Walk 5km daily, Find a new routine to commit to (joined a Hike group), jump onto any opportunities that excite me ( Volunteer at a Book Club that Reads to Children), meet strangers on the internet ( met Malachi who has helped me in a moment on a few of my Work Deliverables ), change up my personality ( shared my personal photos), be a little more adventurous and outgoing than I normally would ( went to this Karaoke bar and did a turn on FROM TIME – Jhene Aiko), Had Drinks with Strangers while Talking about our Life Stories (Resulted in a Sense of Spiritual Faith Playlist), I also had some ups and downs with writing and reading.
in a few Days I will light the 365 days Candle and try to blow them out, but I am virtuously reminded of what the Igbo people say.
Onye nwere mmadụ nwere ego
That is; He who has a wise person as a mentor possesses wealth. This interprets to the essence of people being a support system, that helps to cover you, that have your back. I must say, being at this point I am is solely because of the people that I have in my corner. People who are looking out for me, who have lifted me out of dark places and those rooting for me. I am a blessed person because of this.
The First part of the Year has seen (MAX, Precious, Winnie and Paul) become my guiding stars, They believed in me, even when I doubted myself, and their support and advice helped me move forward and achieve more than I thought possible. They generously shared their own stories of struggle and success, inspiring me to persevere through the tough times and savor the victories.
My personal life also had its challenges, but I found that regular check-ins with my parents and siblings improved my mental health.
Throughout it all, it was my faith that upheld me. In moments of solitude, I found solace in prayer and reflection, finding strength in surrendering to the greater plan. Faith taught me that even in the darkest moments, there was a glimmer of hope, a reason to keep moving forward. It was my faith that reminded me that life's challenges were opportunities for growth and that I was never alone on this journey.
As I stand here, looking back at the first half of this remarkable year, I am humbled by the growth I have experienced and the love I have found, both within myself and from the amazing people who have touched my life. The journey has not always been easy, but it has been undeniably worth it.
To the Person I was a Few Months ago:
Thank you for not giving up….