As I write this I currently have a running tummy, I hope this finds you better than me. Onwards nonetheless to this beautiful festive holiday created because Zambia turned 55.
Independence at times, especially for us youths, is a party and we know the story as to why it’s a party but most of us don’t really know why, you know?
Tying in to Independence, I had an interview with a lovely lady called Kasy who started Amelia initiative in 2012 where she and her team go out talking to sex workers and offering opportunities to get into a different line of work for those who are interested.
However our conversation was mostly based on the millions of people who are still a slave in one form or another around the world. While I take my freedom for granted in 2019 others are modern day slaves.
In the grand scheme of things we are all going through our own version of hell, realising the freedom I take for granted others don’t experience, and that was a sobering discovery.
To be completely honest, it reminded me to be grateful. Which is something that Independence in itself is a grand gesture of, gratefulness.
Gratitude that others got to fight a fight I will never know and because of their struggles I can have a tummy ache and blog at the same time, without being bewildered by my lack of choices. Grateful to walk without carrying a permit in my own country.
Happy to have the privilege of walking into a foreign store as opposed to using a window for my purchases. Gratitude can be extremely sobering.
In 2019 I’m grateful firstly for the air that fills my lungs. This life is unbelievably precious and the bodies buried in the last year alone is proof of how unpredictable the ticking hands of time can be.
Grateful that in my neighbourhood water is a problem, mostly grateful I have a neighbourhood of my own. The water crisis seems to be the bonus feature that this level comes with.
Grateful that my room gets incredibly hot because the sunsets from my rooms side meaning all the heat is taking in by my room, mostly just grateful I have a room to myself.
My point simply is, if I look closely enough I have a million and one things to be unhappy about but if I peer microscopically I can flip the unhappy state into one of gratitude. There is actually this weird thing that we sometimes do, we compete for who is currently the most broke amongst ourselves.
However, our situations are vastly different, even if we experience the same things, our experiences will not be the same. This is because we are all different, and as such our individual mechanics to gratitude will be different. Because we are different.
Let us not look to compare what seems as benefits of others that we envy to what is beneficial for us in our own lives. This life we have is special and uniquely designed with each individual in mind.
Yes, it’s hard and unfair, if this were a game though, how bored would you be if it all was too easy? Life isn’t a game but a series of experiences intended to prepare us for what we’ve always dreamed off.
Love Yourz isn’t a fancy slogan we get to put on and take off whenever we feel like. Its about owning your truth and being comfortable and happy, regardless the season. Own what’s going on and know that it gets better.
Know that if you love yourself fiercely and you honour that love with patience determination you will find that the journey gets better. Isn’t that what truly counts in the end;
Whether life was witnessed or experienced?
Until next Friday, may you find your share of love in this world and may it move you to spread love everywhere you end up going.
