Yet Another 16th June

Photo Credit: Ayobami Akindipe

Can't believe today makes it a year I did the weirdest thing in my life, like who goes Awol on his birthday? Shutting the entire world out of my life for just a day was something I felt I needed, it was going to be my last birthday as an underG, and I was damn scared of the future, I needed time and space to reflect on my life and chart the way forward into an unknown future, and no better day to do that than June 16. Apparently, it was a difficult decision to make as I thought about all the surprise calls, video calls and hangout I was going to get on my special day, trying to explain to my mom and my siblings that my mobile line won't be reachable was quite difficult, and explaining to a close female buddy was awkward, I felt stupid explaining my self, like who does that? who goes awol on his birthday? Popular footwear, brand Nike's slogan was what I needed, so "I just did it!" 

I carefully and strategically mapped out my day, of course I stayed in school hostel, I decided to spend the day with a friend at Independence layout (a high end neighborhood in Enugu). What  was my aim? I needed a break, reevaluating my life choices over the past years of my existence was imperative, call it a feasibility and viability appraisal day and you won't be wrong. The day came for me to execute my well thought out plan, well everything was going according to plan until it didn't, I couldn't resist the temptation of watching FIFA 2018 World Cup in Russia, and disappointedly super eagles ruined my day by losing to Croatia, damn it! 2-goal margin was too much. The only consolation was the Sharwama I ate that day, prolly the best I ever ate in Enugu. 

Expectedly, I spent the next days trying to explain to my cousins, nephews, nephews and nieces, friends, classmates as to why my phone was switched off on that day. Funnily some folks refused to forgive up till now.

Today makes it year, and I've been thinking about the last one year! How the fear of the unknown made me panic, how I felt I was too old for my level, how fear made me think setting aside a day to strategize (plan) my future was going to douse the tension and reduce fears. How I thought I was going to figure out my life in one day, well it's been an amazing one year and I've learnt a few lessons, and I'm happy to share some right here........... 

     Over time, I have always attached my achievement to my age, lately my age has been moving at a fast pace and achievement, ridiculously slow, because of that I've  missed out on celebrating some of the most beautiful achievements I've had so far in my life because I looked at my age. I have learnt over the last one year never to attach my goals and visions to my age, it has hurt me so much. I'm learning how to dream and work toward my goals with the mindset of doesn't matter how long it takes, I'll make it happen. This new mindset now gives so much peace, knowing that I have the world at my feet and I don't have to work according to any timeline, all I have to do is to focus, work and pray. Sincerely this is one of the purest  forms of self love and care, I have also learnt to stop defining myself by my worst moments

I have learnt never to compare my life with another person's life. We all have different paths and destiny in life. I don't have to judge the page 1 of my life based on another person's page 45. I understand that time and seasons are different for each person. I'm learning to trust time, I'm learning to live, because if it's worth it, there won't be fuzz, I won't always get what I want, that's life, if I always got what I wanted I'd be married to my university sweetheart and be a Principal Partner of a Real Estate Firm at my first job... Lmao!! but life's twists and turns brings adventures we didn't think we signed up for. I'm not afraid of what the future holds, I'm seeking God daily and talking to professional mentors. So I'm literally at peace with my future.... I'm learning self care, which isn't about  holidays and food, it's about working on my habit, mindset and healing my past, it is removing toxic thoughts, people and places in my life, it is living intentionally, purposefully and consciously. I have learnt not to allow people influence me into thinking because its 2019, it's okay to do certain things, I'm not boring at all (maybe I am sha😂) and I'm not missing out on anything, (prolly might😄) I just know what I want and I'm not going to find it doing any of those things, the man I am becoming gives me chills and I'm obligated to move differently.  Learnt to always check my inner circle. I've learnt to walk with people with unshakable faith in my ability. No matter how much faith I have, there will be times I will waver. But when I have people who unquestionably believe in me, in my circle, they become the wind to my wings. I stand a better chance of being successful when I'm surrounded by those who can help me  to get more out of life.

However, few things that have refused to change are my love for God, respect and tolerance for all beings, I still respect what Messi has done for Barcelona, but I respect what Ronaldo has done for football, I still can't dance (How I love zanku) and sing, I'm literally tone deaf, my love for Donald Trump is still intact,  If I was American I would unashamedly be a Republican , but I'm from Nigeria, and I love Bubu! My love for Amala is still thriving, despite the fact that I cheat constantly on her with this Mexican Soup.... I still don't know how to knot a tie, I still think I'm an extroverted introvert, my energy levels are often tied to my environment, I'm selectively vocal, I still prefer spending time with people on my terms. For some of us, we just want to love one person, have a few trusted friends, make money, travel, drink more water and stay on our lane.

So to celebrate today,  I wanna go to a nice beach with HER😍😍, lol!  Buy enough food and drinks, take a walk, find a quiet side away from Lagos noise. Talk about life and things that matters, crack jokes,Watch Youtube Videos of my Fav Preachers (Steven Furtick, Michael Todd, Joel Osteen, Baba T.D, Joe Prince et al) tell stories and pray for each other with loads of funny selfies

My birthday prayer is to never be threatened by another man's wealth, to continue to keep Abba first, never be covetous, never be distracted, forgetting what Abba has already provided

This year's wish.I just wanna kill it in my career, travel places I've never been, take a lot of smoothies, look good, text people back on time, love on myself more, enjoy daily refreshing quiet time with Abba and show up as the best version of meee.... All these will do for now 

Hello Bode! Cheers to a new year... I stan!!! 

#bodeLikeNoOther