Hi friends!
It’s been more than a minute since a newsletter dropped in your email. How has life been? Sleeping well? taking care of yourself? Anything new happen? It doesn’t have to be huge like starting a new job, relocating to a new city or country, getting married or having a new car. It could be something as simple as being grateful each day, smiling often, making a new friend or trying out a new coffee blend.
Life doesn’t only happen in the huge moments, even in the insignificant ones; life happens.
For me, a huge thing did happen- I started a new job and it has been exciting so far. I’m in my corporate girlie stage- attending meetings, and answering up to higher-ups. Two things make my day, dressing up and the possibility of rendering a service to someone. I spend a lot more time on the most unproblematic social media platform- Pinterest, to create work-outfit mood boards. When you want to get away from the noise, open the Pinterest app. There’s peace and you might learn a thing or two in virtually all areas of life.
What new thing happened recently?
The books…
I’ve been in the longest reading slump in my life- nothing seems to interest me. I will attribute it to my unsettled mind. Nevertheless, there’s a photo challenge I have been participating in, curated by the lovely Amyn. It has been fun and helped ease me into sharing my love for books.
These are the new books added to my library. My brother heavily supports my reading and never fails to clear the list I send him. It’s a huge blessing for me because the prices of books aren’t smiling. As with the Nigerian economy, whatever goes up never comes down. Inflation affects every area.
Movies and series…
I just finished watching King the Land on Netflix. It gave all the mushy feelings and I learnt a lesson too. The sincerity of a smile can make someone’s day and going the extra mile to meet customer’s satisfaction will set you apart. Sadly, this is a lesson many Nigerian businesses haven’t learned especially online vendors.
I have a line-up of movies I want to watch - romance mostly and K-drama. High up on the list are Love is in the Air, Queen Maker, Destined with You, Romance is a bonus book etc.
We will be seeing the ladies of Serenity soon as Sweet Magnolias has been renewed for another season. I enjoyed the last season - Helen finally realised who Ryan truly was and kicked him to the curb, Dana Sue’s stunning marriage renewal, Tyler and Annie’s slow-burn romance, Maddie and Coach working through their issues and Bill’s first good deed in his entire life. This series gives me joy, warmth and happiness.
I’m looking forward to watching Christmas rom-coms. Despite knowing how the storyline usually goes, it’s the chemistry between the characters I live for. Hopefully, I will not be disappointed.
Well, this is it! I wanted to check in with you all. I hope you’re keeping well in spite of the turns the world has taken. It is easy to be desensitized because of all the killings, bombings and destruction. As a Nigerian, it is a daily occurrence with the BH attacks in the north yet, we must speak up when evil is carried out before our eyes. Sudan, Ethiopia, Libya, Mali, Syria and Palestine are experiencing horrors and nothing seems to make sense. Tasnim’s recent newsletter highlights people, books, events, donations and actions towards helping Palestinians.
Check it out and do the little you can!
November is my birth month and I’ve been introspecting on the past year and all of God’s merciful love, kindness and grace upon my life, family and friends. I’ve been in disbelief about the age I’m turning but, I am excited nonetheless. There’s more clarity and love as I discover who I am.
Getting older can be scary especially if one isn’t where they envisioned. Well, I’m telling you it is ok. You haven’t met all the versions of you, all the people who will love you, all the friendships and adventure life has in store. I say you take each day as it comes - fulfilling tasks, exploring yourself, growing and being open to all the possibilities of friendships, work, travel, community and love.
There’s so much you can be and fear shouldn’t cripple you. I hope you extend grace to yourself and do not let the world rob you of all your uniqueness.
Take care!
xoxo
Ebele