Seven Unusual Things I Am Thankful For

Hey Tribe,

How’s everyone been? Hope you’ve had your fill of Jollof?

Things have been a bit somehow lately and I had lost direction as to some of the more important things in life. I had to re-trace my steps and counting blessings is always a good way to refresh and I am so happy I did.

Disclaimer: All thoughts and opinions are mine except in ‘True talk’ and article excerpts with links which contains only Facts . I have no intention in any way to offend anyone by these words as I appreciate the differences in humans as God’s creation, but I want us to see the beauty in our individuality and be thankful for them.

Without further ado, here are some things that I have been thankful for in recent times:

My dry palms: Kind of odd, you think? I watched a show on TLC called ‘Too Ugly For Love?’ and this excerpt from TLC’s website summarizes it:

‘Stop-motion animator James (26) suffers from hyperhidrosis, known as excessive sweating. The condition takes place particularly in his hands and feet, which makes social interaction very uncomfortable. As James grew up, he noticed that he was often very clammy hands, but he thought that this matter be dealt with. Still, he decided after some online research to go to a doctor; who told him that he had hyperhidrosis. Simple tasks like writing or typing may therefore be uncomfortable for James because he leaves an imprint everywhere. Partly because he’s so aware, he has never had a relationship or dating’

I just kept thinking how we take things for granted in life. Just imagine…Imagine the teens and early twenties… It has to be somewhat uncomfortable , to say the very least. Without much  say, I am just thankful for what I do have.

True talk: In other news, James was really shy but good news.. He found love at the end by the end of the show so… Yayy James!

My ‘not-so-great’ edges: The edges of my hair by certain standards are less than par. Honestly, they are not very healthy-looking, but you know what, I am working towards more healthy hair (and lifestyle, in general).

Its just hair, abi? To burn survivors, cancer patients and survivors, it sometimes means more. Some people do not have the choice to even keep any part of their hair, but I can…I can choose to cut it off or leave it on, edges present or not. So, Desire will be grateful for that.

True talk: 21 million women and 35 million men in the United States alone suffer hair loss.

My ever-so-skinny self: Anyone who knows me knows that I have literally remained the same size since Senior Secondary School. So, if you have not seen me in 8 years or less, no worry, I look the same. I have passed the 50kg line only once in my life, during that dreadful six-month 2012 ASUU strike. Now, I am borderline underweight (according to my BMI. You should check yours too!) , and believe me, I am trying so hard to cross that line. There have been and are still times when I have been looked down on, talked to ‘anyhow’ or been admired and smiled at because of  my ‘size’.

While trying to do cross the line, I am still grateful that I have grown to the young woman baby girl that I am now. Believe it or not, there are people who do/did not had the opportunity.

True talk: Brooke Greenberg (Bless Her Soul) a beautiful phenomenon of God is just one of them. She lived a simple, worriless life and was 20 years when she passed on. Here’s a quote by researcher, Prof. Richard Walker, from this article from when she was 16 years old:

“Her bones are that of a 10-year-old, her teeth are 6-years-old, her brain is less than a year old’.

She has also been considered as a miracle by her Dad, a mystery by her paediatrician, and an opportunity by Richard Walker. I definitely agree.

Check out: 2016: A Year Of Emotions

My ‘Desire’ Coca-Cola can: A few years ago when Coca-Cola started the ‘Share A Coke’ campaign in Nigeria, I went to Shoprite and I was amazed at the number of people searching for specific names, but you know when you are not part of the story, you just waka pass. I knew I would never find my name on a Coke bottle.

One random day, I went to UNILAG and they were basically making custom-made Coke cans so I ran there to get for myself, sisters and friends. Since then, I have kept that can because somehow it reminds me that anything can happen, no matter how random the circumstances might be. Plus, it randomly makes me happy. I would never have found my name on a Coke bottle or can, but guess what, one was made for me.

That’s just how God works sometimes, He can be quite unconventional, but he keeps up.

True talk: In the first year of sales, only nine glasses of Coca-Cola were sold  a day. Today, it has grown to become the most powerful brand and most valuable food/beverage brand in the world (Would you look at that!). Also, the inventor of Coca-Cola, John Pemberton was a colleague of mine, you know, aka, A Pharmacist.

Check out: LIFE: Help!! I am In Limbo

My ‘curved’ fingers: For some reason, my fingers are not straight. It’s a bit weird, actually. I used to hate that, when I was younger, but somehow I just grew to liking them. So, why is this part of the list?… I don’t know, I just like the way my fingers look, I guess.

Yes, I am weird.

True talk: Apparently, this condition it is called Clinodactyly. It is hereditary and could occur in isolation or in combination with some genetic syndromes. Occurs in 1 to 19.5% of the human population.

My ‘Swivasc’ Clocklendar: I got this in my final year from an Industrial Visit to Swipha Nigeria. It gave me a brief insight to the Nigerian Pharmaceutical Industry, its progress and shortfalls. It also made me extremely excited about the future ahead and how I have so much more to achieve.So, apart from being so cute, this Clocklendar (Clock+ Calendar) gives me hope for times to come.

True talk: In 2016, only 4.64% of The Federal Government of Nigeria’s Budget was allocated to the health sector as opposed to the agreed 15% by the African Union in 2001 in the Abuja Declaration. We are a Work-In-Progress.

Our ‘Charlie’s Angels’ Plaque: So, my friends and I were dubbed ‘Charlie’s Angels’ (long story, another day?). We won the Award for ‘Best Female Clique’ in our Final Year Dinner (Am I the only one that hates the term ‘clique’? Anyone?). For now, I have the plaque with me and it just reminds me of how blessed I am to have met these people. These people are true friends, and have always been there. I really do love them.

I am also reminded of my wonderful, one-of-a-kind family that I am sure would give the award for ‘Best Family’ if such a thing were to be.

True talk: These two elements make for the best support system one could ever ask for or need.

Check Out: Out and About: Slay Festival

No matter where, who, what, where, why, if, if not, why not or what not, I continually have to remind myself that there is always something to be grateful, appreciative, thankful for. It is an instant mood booster, trust me! I fall off the radar time and again, but when we fall, no matter how long or what it takes, we find our way to getting back up.

What do you think? What are you thankful for? How do you get yourself to feel better after a slump? Please share with us in the comments 🙂

 I am so glad you found me here. Do bring the fun over here!!

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VENI, VIDI, AMAVI.

DESIRE.