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!

OUT AND ABOUT: WE CAME TO SLAY!!!

Slay Festival is the first of its kind organized by She Leads Africa (SLA), an organization aimed at helping and encouraging young women, like me, achieve their dreams and become all they can and want to be.

Check She Leads Africa out here

Okay, real talk! You have heard this a million times before, and I have too. Every Chinyere, Bose and Hauwa wants to ‘empower’ women, don’t we have enough of those already? Everyday empowerment don do…or not?

Personally, I think not. There is always room to be a source of assistance to others, and there are so many ways to do this. The power in empowerment of people(see what I did there), not women only, cannot be exhausted, and it is so important to realize that as the world changes, people develop, ideas are reformed, thoughts evolve and methods to achieve progress are transformed and the Slay Festival is a testimony to this.

WORDS TO LIVE BY: CHAPTER ONE

Today, we live in a very visual world. People do not seem to love words as much as we used to and it seems the line, ‘A picture is worth a thousand words’ really comes to play in our everyday lives.

Even I have to admit, I would sometimes prefer a couple of pictures telling me a story to reading thousands of words passing the same message. However, words will always resonate with me to a deeper frequency.

I love quotes, verses and short poems, especially when they are aesthetically pleasing. I just do. They can be very refreshing, helpful, thought-provoking, uplifting or just hilarious. So, for those who are partial to ‘visual words’ like myself, this new category for you.

I hope you find something to inspire you today and always!

Oh, and here’s my previous post <—-. Catch up if you missed it. You won’t regret it!

Photo Credit: Instagram, Pinterest

Bring the fun over here!!
Instagram: @desireuba

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VENI, VIDI, AMAVI.

Desire.

SO, I HEAR WE ARE IN A RECESSION…

Africa’s largest economy, Nigeria, has officially entered recession after two consecutive quarters of contraction.

Gross domestic product shrank by 2.06% in the second quarter of 2016, following a 0.36% shrinking in the first quarter, according to data released by the country’s National Bureau of Statistics.

-Business Insider UK; August 31, 2016

Things have been easier on us, to say the very least.I have witnessed the effect of this recession first-hand, so I know exactly how hard it is. Now, coupled with the scarcity of funds, we see a nation in apparent decline. Things do not seem to be getting any better. I mean, the on-the-rise terrorism, increase in the price of every single thing in multiple folds, the case of the ‘absent’ President, the seemingly utter lack of purpose in the leadership is nothing short of appalling, but that is not what I am here for.

In fact, I am here to just be done with that, all of that. I see it, but I know that it is temporary. I don’t know about you, but I AM DONE WITH THE NEGATIVITY!! It has not helped, so how about trying something different?

Now, I agree wholeheartedly that things are not  great. In fact, I agree that with Nigerians that this is not at all what we bargained for with the change in Government, but, It Is Well. However, this is not another article that aims to shame or praise the Government. I would just like us to take some time to look within ourselves, evaluate and learn through the struggle.It’s difficult, but it would be worth it.

In real life, what can we actually do to change things? Unfortunately, complaining day and night won’t do it, and as much as some of us would like to, a change in government less than 2 years in might not be the best thing either.

I found myself wondering what  lessons and attitudes we could take on this period we could learn from this period that would that if applied now, and even to the entirety of our lives would definitely be of help. Here are some of them, do let me know others:

OUT AND ABOUT: My Experience at #EatDrinkFestival

Hey Tribe,

This is different from the usual but I thought it’d be nice to relive this fun experience. The Christmas season has so many events, it is so crazy. Nigerians are so amazing! Everybody complains that they don’t have money, but malls, markets and shows are filled. At the end of the day, God provides and we just want to be happy.

So, I like food, a lot. It may not show, but I really do.

As an avid reader of Eat.Drink.Lagos (EDL), I was so happy and so proud when Nosa and Folly, who run EDL, started the #EatDrinkFestival. (lets call it EDF). So far, I have been able to attend the two editions in 2016- Summer (July) and Christmas (December).

I am so sorry, I do not have a lot of pictures to prove my point and these ones are not the best, biko manage, your girl is learning.

#EatDrinkFestival 2.0 (The Summer Edition )

It took place in Fantasyland, Ikoyi on July 17, 2016. It was quite organized and had 31 food vendors. I saw a lot of people from secondary school I had not seen in years and a lot of bloggers (including Nosa and Folly) in the flesh. It was beyond super cool! Earlier in the day, there were just some people eating and taking pictures, but as the day rolled by, it just became full of people and there was literally no space to walk and people started smoking and extra-drinking. Parking was just…ugggh, and cost us 500 Naira. There were so many people, and more were coming. The venue was past capacity. At around past 5pm, my friends and I left. Through it all, it was a fun experience.

Source: Instagram

2016: A YEAR OF EMOTIONS

 HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

My previous post received so much love, I was honestly so overwhelmed. Thank you so much to everyone who read, liked, commented or shared. God bless you immensely. It means so much to me.

This period is usually one of reflection, remembrance and resolution. I believe it is ultimately important to do this, as it breathes in a new life to your already beautiful self to make you more radiant.

P.S. I still have no idea what I am doing or what exactly this blog is to me, but I just know what God has in store for me through this blog, but I can feel within myself that I ought to do this and I absolutely love it.

As the title says, 2016 was a year of discovery, within myself. I got in touch with my emotional being more than ever, and thinking about it makes me realize that I would not have had it any other way.

I have learnt so much and became so much than I ever have. I hope to write about this in detail eventually. Please sit tight, this would be a long one. I know these might be cliche, but take it from an average Nigerian girl, they are actually true. Some of the major lessons I learnt and I know would be useful in 2017 include;

LIFE: HELP, I AM IN LIMBO!!

I AM IN LIMBO

Yup, I definitely am. I finished my final exams on October 31, 2016. I was ecstatic…initially. It was the end of this seemingly never-ending five year journey. It was a thing of joy, right? My parents called to congratulate ‘Dee-Dee the Pharmacist, the Graduate, their first seed’. They were so proud, if I do say so myself. Then, the bants at school from the students in other levels and classes started, ‘Sorry Ma, I know we are not graduates, don’t be angry *insert smirk*’, ‘Pharm. Desire!! When would we come to eat induction rice?’. These ones are even easier to deal with. The ones that kill me are extended family members and family friends. Some of them have even tried to receive ‘consultation’ from this apparent pharmacist-doctor-nurse person and the endless hails of ‘My Pharmacist!’ Sorry, please, I am just a baby girl. I do not really know what you think I know.

This apparent great moment of joy began to feel like a burden especially because I do not really know where to go from here. What do I do? Where do I go? Who am I now?

Do I get a job? Do I volunteer? Do I learn a skill? Do I start a blog? Or do I just sleep, watch TV and gain weight? Well, at least I got one going 🙂. Then, my parents suggested that I sleep and gain weight. You know, I should actually fit that suggestion in.

The next step is crucial to me. I could do the typical thing of getting a job as a locum pharmacist in any Community Pharmacy and going straight into internship after induction but am I ready for that?

The simple answer is…..

No.No. No. No. I am not ready to do that. I am just not interested, not right now. I mean, much respect to my classmates who hustled to get the jobs they have. I am really proud of them for obtaining jobs so quickly and making money by themselves. I am also in awe that they were able to pick themselves up so rapidly to commit to an 8-5 right now. First, I am too lazy right now, then the lack of interest just multiplied my unreadiness, so kudos to you, my VIN ’16 (UNILAG Pharmacy Graduating Class of 2016) guys!!

However, as it is…

What then, am I interested in? What do I want to do with the next couple of months I have? What do I really want?

I know some of you can relate to being ‘in transition’ like this. The gap just seems mundane and unnecessary, you just want to skip right to the happy part. Bruh, I feel you!That is where I am right now

However, I believe that this is a part of life and growth and that these times could make for great sources of growth in self and relationships. Instead of wishing for happiness, we could actually be filled with joy one step at a time.

In a bid to bring joy, here are some steps we could take to make the time productive to make things better, and life more interesting :

• Get closer to God: During my time in University, one of my greatest goals was to be in a healthy, loving relationship….with God. I did not reach the goals I set for myself, but I did make palpable progress in the past 5 years. I told myself several times that I was too busy, I just did not have the time. Deep down, I knew it was not enough, but at the time it seemed to work. Now, I do not have such reasons and I intend to (and have started already 🙂) really make good use of the time I have, God-willing. We should take some of the time we have now to get closer, it has all the advantages of peace, hope, joy and love wrapped in one good place. Hopefully, His Grace helps us continue and not relent even when time is not abundant as it is now.

• Learn a skill or two (or even more!): I have found myself to be interested in hand crafts like Bead-making and tailoring. I find it somewhat captivating and I really want to learn. I posted learning for a bit (due to laziness 😦), but I finally started learning how to sew a.k.a. The art of tailoring! I also intend to sharpen my bead making skills as I had taken a mini-course about four years ago. I would also like to learn proper culinary skills, but we will take this whole thing small small.

I know it could seem confusing and the logistics may be daunting, but just start with what you have! It is better that you try, at least. It could be anything you are passionate about, or at least interested in. Learn how to play a new instrument, a new language, sharpen your gaming skills, writing skills, whatever you want!

• Read, read, read: I know, reading may seem like it is not really your thing, but if you got this far, you must like reading a teeny weeny bit at least (or maybe you are just being supportive, I really appreciate it!). Read books, read the newspaper, read your old school notes (I know how that sounds, but it would be of great help), read your Bible, just read! It really does sharpen the mind, and builds it soul. It also helps your knowledge base, you know. It is easy, there are e-books, and there are really cheap books all around.

• Eat and exercise properly: It is paramount that we take care of ourselves. Looking good is feeling good. Since there is time, we should take some of it to watch how, what and when we eat. Minimize junk, it is bad for us. Prepare food hygienically, and to your taste. It is amazing to do, trust me! Don’t forget to chip in exercise. Build your strength slowly, but steadily.

• Organize your space: This could be a one-time thing or continuous. After my project defense, I moved out of hostel back home. We had just moved houses, so you can imagine. I decided to take out time to clean up and arrange my room and certain parts of the house to make it look and feel better. It was very satisfying and just made me feel productive. It does not have to be done at once and it does not have to be a big project, but, be like Nike…

  

  I know this is lame, I could not help myself. 🙂

• Form new habits: You know that morning routine you have been wanting to establish for years, yes, that one, start it now! Habits are hard to break, if you have good ones, thay make you a better person so you can have the best results. Start having your bath two times daily, take your meds religiously, take that daily stroll, spend time consciously with your loved ones. Do what you want, but ensure you are consistent It could also be unlearning a not-so-great habit like binge-watching Netflix all day long (especially when we have things to do).

The great philosopher Aristotle said,”We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore is not an act, but a habit”.

• Keep in touch: With friends and loved ones. I am the absolute worst at this, but it is absolutely important to do so. I have had to learn this the hard way. They would brighten a moody day and be strength at times you don’t have enough or vice versa.

• Learn to love and understand yourself: I think most of us do not love ourselves enough, we are quick to judge, scold and look down on ourselves. I am guilty of this at times. take a pen, criticize yourself (pros and cons), embrace yourself, and make a mental and physical note to love You! Work towards becoming a better You, consciously. We expect that it would come naturally, but it does not always come, especially in times of loss, peril, or times like this. Love Yourself! You deserve it!!

There are definitely other things we could do. These are just some of them. Just ensure you are happy in your being. I intend to do so myself. I believe you will too. Wishing you the very best.

We can do this!!!!!

 Any ideas or suggestions you have would be highly appreciated. Let me know in the comments! Thank you.

 Bring the fun over here!!
Instagram: @desireuba

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LinkedIn: Desire Uba

VENI, VIDI, AMAVI.

DESIRE.

Image Source: Google Images, 9gag.com, jimiagbaje.com