Initially started with a long narration on being a recently diagnosed diabetic in 2021 because that is the actual premise of how my life turned out in 2022 but it was such a drag that I decided against it.
Now, I am here staring at this laptop screen with no idea how and where to start but hopefully, I get to the point and smartly too.
After my pancreas failed me in 2021 and love followed suit in 2022, I learned crisp new lessons, as usual, learning is one of my favorite things about living - dancing in joy or writhing in pain, a learner nonetheless.
Following my diagnosis, I have lived too many lives which led to tailor-made mantras that perfectly fit every situation I experienced this year because as the saying goes, variety is the spice of life!
Relinquish control
Boy! Am I a control freak! Or I was. Interestingly, I had been oblivious to this. Sticking relentlessly with the inherent narrative was my style. Faithful to the master plan. Life teaches that it is completely okay to cheat on the master plan. Our master plan is necessary but not the ultimate.
You have zero control over outcomes, but, do the work regardless, make solid plans but keep them fluid. Always be prepared to let go.
No loss is too great
No, I am not referring to death but I have seen that you will always get up after falling or being pushed to the ground or after letting go of a hand you wanted to hold forever.
A very personal mantra.
These past two years, I have lost so much, even a body organ stopped performing optimally but here I am, in full bloom. Also, as long as you care adequately and maintain properly, what will stay, will stay.
Time is a healer
I tweeted this a few weeks back when I stopped waking up with a certain familiar heaviness in my heart, bringing that right back;
Sometimes, it doesn’t mean the pain completely dissipates. Time makes you a better handler.
The grass is always greener
If you don’t enforce strong boundaries, anything your eye see take am like that
I have been taken for granted, glossed over, and disrespected for the longest as a result of weak boundaries, and the whole time I identified as a nice, tolerant person.
Experience and pain taught me that what I lacked was strong boundaries and kindness doesn’t require self-abandonment to be valid.
Love IS enough
Snickering as I write, this is quite controversial yet one of my favorites.
Love is not just those squirmy feelings or constant throbbing of genitals when you meet an attractive person. Love is a decision. A conscious choice. A willingness to sacrifice and compromise. Love is selfless yet respects boundaries.
Love says ‘'I am yours even on the days I don’t feel like it’’
Acceptance is key
Oh my! Ever so liberating.
A wise friend once said, ‘'You can deceive everyone but NEVER deceive yourself’'.
I know when I am not wanted, it might hurt but I know and protect myself fiercely.
I know when I am and give myself extensively as well.
Bothering about situations that are not my primary concern are so yesterday. I mean, I do not even worry about some of mine.
I accept my losses as wholeheartedly as I accept my wins.
I had the best of both worlds this year and the only wins I choose to celebrate are; friendships that save and the life I have.
Be kind and soft to yourself and may 2023 follow suit!
This is beautiful!