Surrounded by Love
Hello Special One,
It’s 50 minutes until my birthday. I’m lying in bed, feeling emotional while listening to this classic love song playlist, curated by yours truly. I’m not turning a hallmark age — it’s 21d, as I’ve told you before — but I’m excited. I blame it on being a Gemini. There’s the fact that all the lines seem to be falling into pleasant places for me and for my friends. It’s a great time to be alive; I’m thankful.
It’s now 12 am. There’s a quote that in the middle of being overwhelmed with our personal lives—tragedies and joys—we often forget to look at the world around us. I don’t know where I heard this from, or if my paraphrasing is accurate. I’m having an interesting week, swirling in all kinds of beautiful, fuzzy emotions, but I’m still acutely aware of the fact that there’s a crisis in Northern Nigeria and Sudan, and we must not keep quiet.
I’m at work now, writing this during my lunch break. It’s been a long, beautiful day. Weeks ago, when I realised that my birthday fell on a Thursday, I made up my mind to make this letter about the things I’ve learned in the past one year, the things I’ve achieved and my resolutions for the next one year. It’s too much to compress into less than 1000 words, so I’m going to mention one thing in each category.
Lesson(s)
I could easily say that in the past one year, I’ve learned the value of good health, of saving, of being kind, of tooting my horn etc. — which are all valid lessons. In October 2018, I fell so ill, I thought I would die. Since then, I’ve been taking good care of myself and trying to eat right. The value of good health is a big lesson I just had to mention. The biggest lesson though is on love. It might not seem as important. It’s one of those things we toss around and take for granted. This season and the past one year have been enough evidence of how important it is to have people who love you in your corner, constantly rooting for you, cheering you on. I’ve learned the value of friendship and building relationships in the workplace and elsewhere. I’ve learned how to love: in a gentle, deliberate and compassionate type of way. I’ve learned and I’m still learning.
Achievement(s)
I won a big SA prize! It’s kind of hard to stop at one achievement. When I look back, it seems I might have achieved a whole lot more than I acknowledge. There’s Writivism, the Purple Hibiscus Workshop, Chimamanda, McSweeney etc. There’s also this space: you; consistently writing you these letters for the past few months is a big achievement for me, and I’m thankful that you read them.
Resolution
To stop eating bread, I kid you not. Let’s see how the next few days go. (Arin, I want my waist to be cutie, I beg.) I’m also going to beg Tobi here, in public, to stop tempting me with food. Biko.
On a serious note, I once wrote in my mood diary that I wanted to be kinder. My friend saw it and said, “Ope, how much kinder do you want to get?” I don’t know what I think about that. I always try to be kind and thoughtful. The reason is simple: a lot of times, I (or we humans) don’t know the ways in which I’m (or we are) hurting or harming others; kindness will always be on my list. Other resolutions include being present and mindful, reading more and taking more risks.
Birthday Week Shenanigans!
On Saturday, my friends threw me a surprise birthday party! It was all shades of cool. I’m so grateful for them, as I am for you.
Monday, I had a shoot with Ife (@aifeoluwa). She really outdid herself. You should contact her for all your portrait and professional shots. She’s amazing.
Today, my colleagues celebrated with me in a way that got me smiling so hard. I really love them. It's too bad I'll be leaving soon-ish.
What I was reading the night I turned 21 a fourth time?
I’m so glad you asked this. Lots. I’ve realised that whenever I’m nervous, I overdo things. Yesterday morning, I ate a lot of wheat bread. In the evening, I couldn’t stop reading. Was I nervous about turning 24? Not really to be honest; it’s not 25, at least. A little part of me is like you still have the next one year to wildout. But when has Ope ever wilded out? Not even in University. I think I’m overdoing it right now. There’s something The Mask (from The Mask) always says: “Somebody stooop me!” Really, somebody stop me.
I’m sharing just one thing with you today. It’s the most important thing I read yesterday: Joni Mitchell on Freedom, the Source of Creativity and the Dark Side of Success. Joni discusses so much that I can relate to, that you may relate to: rejection, success, creativity etc. Maria Poopova summarises Joni’s view on growth here: “She speaks beautifully to the idea that the best art comes from the place of self-transcendence and is created for an audience of one.”
Did You Know?
It rains every June 20; call it showers of blessing. I’m very excited that I got a lot of the things on my wishlist, and that you sent me a lot of love too. I like that. I like you. Thank you for making my day special.
Till the next Thought’s Day!