2020 Gratitude List.

Bonne Journee!

This is an inspired post.

So, 2020 is slowly winding down and my word what a year it has been. If this year was made into a movie, it would definitely be a blockbuster. (horror or fantasy, or both.)

But we’ve all made it this far, and there’s a whole lot to be grateful for.  So, having seen, and been motivated by  this Gratitude list article by shugarythoughts, (you should definitely check it out).  I decided to give it a go here.

2020 has really seen us experience a paradigm shift like never before. We are now living in a world of ‘new normals’, practically every facet of our daily lives has experienced some form of change. For businesses, adapt or die has never been more relevant. For everyday people, well, what can I say. The Washington Post recently asked people to sum up 2020 in a phrase and this particular phrase below really sums it all up.…

 

We’ve had to adapt to new ways of doing things, working from home especially (this one I can totally get used to, Lagos traffic is not for the faint hearted) has been a revelation! I remember when the idea of working from home was floated at my place of work some time ago before the pandemic, the hierarchy thought it was impracticable. But here we are, working from home into the foreseeable future.

 

 

And what’s an extraordinary year without anti-vaxxers’ conspiracy theories, the occasional Donald Trump meltdown and an incredible tiger woods comeback story. What a year folks, what a year!

So, what are the things I’m grateful for in 2020. Quite a few things actually,

 

A lot of things that we’ve done this year have been in spite of the curve balls that the events of the year has thrown our way.  For this I’m grateful for God’s grace in our lives. I’ve always believed that grace is such an underrated thing.

I’m grateful for the time I spent with my family. Truth is, I can’t remember the last time we spent 4 plus months at a stretch together. So, it was great to spend quality time with the family.

I’m grateful for the friendships that withstood and were even strengthened during these trying times.

I’m grateful for the time and opportunity to learn things about myself. 2020 has thought me that tiny hitches along the way shouldn’t be reason enough to give up entirely on things (this is what happens when perfectionist meets expert procrastinator). There were times during the lockdown that I’d start a 1-month workout routine, miss one or two days for one reason or the other and just scrap the entire thing. It is so important to strive for progress, not perfection.

I’m grateful for the little wins too. This year has thought me how important it is to celebrate the little wins, everything that you’ve put in your time and effort to, and eventually bears fruit, is worth celebrating. We can’t let anyone take that away from us.

Grateful for music, amongst all the uncertainties, music was my one true companion really. Music is indeed the language of soul. One of the hobbies I picked up this year is discovering new songs from soundtracks of movies; I’ve found some gems through this medium. ( and thank you Shazam!). Also shout out to all the friends that send you songs they think you’ll love!

Honorable mention is food. I’m grateful for good food. And I look forward to having greater savory adventures when we get back some semblance of normalcy. How long away that is, nobody can really tell.

I’m grateful for all the healthcare workers around the world, that have put their body on the line, they’ve been at the forefront of this pandemic, and some have paid the ultimate price. They are the real MVPs.

In the past few weeks, I’ve learnt a valuable lesson about doing things ‘as e dey hot’, and not falling into my very comfortable procrastinator’s nest. So, I’m going to use this tweet below to shake some tables. (this one’s for my ‘new year resolutions’ gang)

So, I don’t exactly have twenty, and the points above have been written in no particular order, but there’s my gratitude list!

So, what are you grateful for?

Let me know below!

 

Oh, and this is my mood for the rest of the year!

Wishing you my esteemed occasional readers a Merry Christmas and a blissful new year in advance. Sugar, spice, and everything nice!😉

Some Type of Way: Birthday Musings

 

I woke up this morning feeling some type of way.

I think if there’s one thing we can all agree on at this point in time, it will be that its been a very…eventful year.  Pretty sure no one imagined 2020 would turn out like this. I mean, we should have taken the hint that we were in for one hell of a ride when the year pretty much started with the passing of Kobe Bryant.  And it’s been this or that since then, and we've still got 4 months to go. Welp.

But...we keep it positive.

It’s my birthday today (yaayyyy 🎂) and I had decided yesterday that when I wake up this morning, I’d take out time to reflect on what has been and what is yet to come. On how the events of the year has shaped our lives, the way we think, do business etc. on what the future holds and all those other mushy mushy things like that.

Then I saw the news of Chadwick Boseman’s passing and I just went back to bed. Waking up to read the full story on his very private battle with cancer, really helped put a lot of things in perspective for me, about this year, about life in general, in all its brevity and frailty.

Following the reactions, I started thinking of  how I’ve seen so  much of ‘live your life, life is short’ after someone,  especially relatively  young folks, pass, and how I just have these bunch of ideas on how to ‘live my life, to the fullest’ swirling in my head, and how I, along with a lot of other young people, always fall back in to the fallacy of there being more time.

On the bright side, I got up and was determined to write this, and here we are, a step in the right direction I would say.

On a personal note, my 2020 has been very ‘up and down-ish’.  I’m grateful for some of the experiences that I have gone through, some of them have taken their toll, with very rude awakenings. I struggled a lot during the pandemic-induced lock-down, so I had to do a lot of growing, emotionally, spiritually, physically (bare minimum workouts became a struggle). But I’d like to think I’ve come out of it all with tougher skin, I really do hope the rest of the year takes it easy on us. Lol.

Lessons have been learnt though, imagining, communicating, doing, the list goes on and on. I am learning about how important it is to talk through your emotions, even if it’s with yourself. I am learning how to place better value on time, how to cherish the things that are most important in life: family, friends, building lasting relationships, creating beautiful memories, and above all, leaving a mark, finding, and fulfilling your purpose.

Going forward, I hope to take a leaf from the incredibly resilient life that Chadwick Boseman has lived. Up to this point, he was fighting silent battles, something I know all about, with the biggest smile on his face. He had the MAMBA MENTALITY.  I recently watched two of his movies, one of which was made within the time frame which he was battling his ailment, ‘Marshall’ and ‘42’ ( both excellent movies btw, highly, highly recommend,) and I remember thinking to myself ‘wow, what a performance, this guy puts in work on his craft!’.

To now know what we know about his illness, puts things in a considerable new light. You really do not know the battles people are facing deep within.  Most times, a lot of pain is being masked with smiles. That singular act of kindness to a stranger might just be doing a world of good.

Looking back, I’d like to think that he has lived a life of purpose. He has inspired millions of young people around the world, while doing what he was made to do. In his relatively short stay in this lifetime, he has been able to touch so many lives positively. That is GREATNESS.

 

So, I hope that when you see this, it inspires you to go out there and start getting things done.

Be like Nike and...

 

I speak to you as I reflect on the changes that I want to make in my own life too.

I hope you love and love deeply; I hope you find happiness in every waking moment.

I hope you put in the work to achieve the things you want to, both little and great.

This is my Candid reflection.

 

 

 

On a lighter note,

I’ve received loads of calls and messages today and my heart is pretty filled with Joy. I always try to celebrate my birthdays in any little way I can, but this year, Covid 19 had other plans. But there has really not been a dull moment today, I’ve had the widest grin spread across my face for the better part of today. Thank you. Words of affirmation can really do wonders!

oh and Anon sent a package and I started reconsidering what my love languages really are!😆 (thank you anon!)

I hope you all are celebrated!.

That’s all from my end, till i write ( or record) again. ciao!

 

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