Covid 19 , Have we learnt anything?

     The year 2019 is a year that will always remain a memory in my mind. As a matter of fact, it will be a memory on everyone's mind. A year full of heartache, mental health challenges, loss, grief, bankruptcy, abandonment and faith, just to name a few. For those of us that made it to 2022, this is a chance for new beginnings. This is a year to put our affairs in order, a year to stop procrastinating, a year to finally walk in our purpose.

Families were destroyed, legacies demolished, and life for some no longer made sense. For those of us that were not in a position like this, are we still going to live life recklessly? or are we going to prepare? One thing Covid 19 have shown us is that it is no respecter of a person, status, race, age or religion. We are so caught up in our own situations that we do not take the time to reach out to those in need. Are we that selfish?

Looking back at situations past and present, I have seen the good and bad of this pandemic, but I have also seen the good and bad of humankind. I have seen situations where food was prepared for the less fortunate, but those who did not need it partook. On the one hand, I saw finances made available to those that may have lost their jobs or businesses. But on the other hand, those who were financially stable accepted the finances and robbed others of a fresh start.

Let's put things in perspective. Many did not think they would ever be in the situation they are in today. Many others planned for situations like this. But how are we to move forward if we do not teach and help each other in moments of crisis? Are we to make a difference if we continue to be selfish instead of selfless? Let's make a difference. Let's learn from the past for a better future. 

My Honest Opinion

 Social media have become a weapon, platform or saviour. People have become so addicted that their daily lives revolve around TikTok, Instagram, Youtube, Twitter or whatever other social media sites there are out there. So much so that I am beginning to wonder, does anybody wear clothing anymore? No, like really, do they?

             Have you ever noticed the videos when going through Youtube shorts?  Most are usually women teaching you how to get a rich man, the 'buss it challenges', the 'bugs bunny challenge'. Other times of women just being naked or half-naked for no valid reason. Where are our morals and values heading? Where is the modesty?

             Do you remember the days where your mother would always make you wear a jacket or cardigan to cover yourself? What about if you were wearing a short skirt, you would always have to wear tights or, as the Americans would say, 'knickers' underneath? Why is it normalised to be naked? We say, "It is my body. I should wear what I want," but get offended when someone looks at you? Where is the logic? Is nothing private or sacred anymore?

             Now do not get me wrong. I am not bashing women, just stating my observations. Women complain a lot, the me-too movement, the feminists and the men bashers. Think of it, a man will be charged for indecent exposure if he walks out of his home with just his underwear. However, a woman can walk around with a see-through dress and call it fashion? are you kidding me? It is ok to feel up a male, comment on how good he looks in his pants, play with his hair, force yourself on him, but it's labelled as sexual assault or offensive when he does the same? How is that fair?

             Life is not fair, I know, but when will we take responsibility for our actions. We want to be treated equal, but only in some circumstances. We want to be like queens, but we treat others like servants. A question I heard I found very interesting. If you were a young lady/ man dating your son /daughter, would you be satisfied with what you got? Something to ponder upon. Thinking about the answer to that question, I guarantee a majority of you would say no. Let's do better. 

Let me know your take on this post.

Who are you allowing to speak into your life?

    Growing up, most of us were all groomed for three things:- 1. to get good grades, 2. to get good jobs and 3. to have good wives or husbands. Those were all that mattered. Here is the thing, our parents or the adults around us led us to believe that those are the most meaningful things in life. Those are the only things after God that we should all aim to achieve. Fast forward to this present day in my life. I struggled with number one. I am unsure with number two, and I am yet to see number three. Let's go back to the beginning.

    I was always the weird one, never interested in smoking or drinking, and crowds made me uncomfortable, so there was no partying either. However, I was the one who was more sensitive than others, would care more about others than myself and was the most obedient. I was also the one with the most insecurities and the lowest confidence. According to two teachers, I accidentally walked in on the day of the exam results. I was also the least likely to graduate. Keeping in mind, I was ten years old at that time. 

    Moving on to Junior high school, my insecurities grew larger. I was failing just as the teachers had said. I was least likely to graduate. Everything kept declining, and they were right. in senior high school, I failed every subject. I finished school at the age of fifteen (15) years old with nothing. I felt like a failure. I was a huge disappointment. The people I thought were my friends were now treating me like a disease. Here is where my story begins. I have learned, you have to be at your lowest to see where you need to be. Thankfully with the parents I have, they refused to allow my story to end at that point. My story, rewritten. I graduated, accomplishing number one.

    Eighteen years old now, eager to work and make my own money, I am hired to work on a farm. To me, this was the greatest thing ever. I could now start a path to do the things I wanted to do. I was now helping to pay bills. I was independent. Sadly, this was only temporary. 

    A year after, I interned at a Government institution. In the nine (9) months of my contract, I continued to improve myself. Approximately one (1) year after that internship, I started another project at another Government Institution. Here is where I remained. I pursued a Bachelor in Business Computing, completed some other courses while working. I got promoted and later pursued a Master's in Business Management. Through this period, I endured heartache, failures, exhaustion and disappointment. By the grace of God, I accomplished it and graduated. 

    Fast forward to 2021. I accomplished certificates in Introduction to Counselling, Advanced Counselling and a certificate in 'How To effectively lead change'. Who knows what I am to pursue later on. This story is not to boast but as a testimony to prove that God has a better plan even though others may condemn you. You may not have started out doing your best, but keep working, keep praying and keep practicing. 

Thinking Out Loud

We go about our daily lives, not caring about anything or anyone. We place emphasis only on the things that directly affect us, taking no concern or consideration for those around us. It’s only when there is a crisis, we seek to get help, but it’s too late, you have already pushed people away with your lack of humanity, your disgusting behaviour, and your unforgivable attitude. Why do we have to reach to crisis point to realise our bad ways?

These past few months have taught me about humanity, I am one who always looked out for others, but it made me more aware of those around me. It made me realise who I can depend on in times of crisis and who was just a prop or show, who really cared or who was just to deceive. It just goes to show, sometimes it takes a crisis for us to get out of places we should have never been, be it physical, spiritual, mental or emotional.

We depended on the wrong things, the job that you thought could not do without you, guess what, you can’t do anything right now. The people that you thought you could not go one day without seeing, guess what, your day continued. Now you are faced with a dilemma because the family members you pushed away for the job; are the ones you have to go back to at this time. Priorities are beginning to come to the forefront. The thought of losing everything makes you re-evaluate your life choices, doesn’t it? 

So where do we go from here? The earth is healing, nature is alive and bustling once more, can we take an example from nature and being to heal ourselves as well? Your children you neglected, now is that time to mend that relationship, give them hope. The spouse you mistreated and took for granted, the parent/s you shouted “I HATE YOU” to, now is your chance to apologise before it’s too late. And the God you said you don’t need, now is that time to build that relationship with. I am fixing me, are you fixing you?

Have You Ever?

Have you ever felt the touch of loneliness like a knife cutting through your veins? Or the pain of heartache like spikes dragging on the inside of your heart? With each breath you take, it feels like you are drowning in the atmosphere, overwhelmed with the struggle of breaking free. Each tear drop reminding you of the pain, each memory like a gun to the head. When will it end, when will you break free of the chains of these emotions.

For those of us that have gone through major heartbreak, it felt as though the days would not end, the emptiness became so acquainted with our bodies that we became unconscious to the real world. Oblivious to the fact that the world continued turning, while we were stuck in the fantasy of our essence.

Heartbreak ‘the emotions felt after the end of a romance, or grief or disappointment”. This should be for a period in our lives, why do we drag it longer than it should be. There is life after a bad breakup, there is life after a loss, there is life after some bad circumstances, and it’s up to you if you want to live that life or remain in the gutters of your sorrows.

Sometimes loneliness and heartbreak come along to make us stronger, but some of us, instead of taking it as a lesson and moving on, we regress and dig ourselves into a pit of depression and pity. I know it’s easier said than done, and I know that everyone heals differently, but remember one thing, never let the pain of heartache blind you from the pursuit of happiness. You may not see it now, but trust me, everyone has their breakthrough, and it’s up to you to decide how bad do you want it?