It’s a bright sunny morning, a few days shy of Christmas and the city is resplendent with pomp and color as the world prepares to usher in yet another festive season. It’s that time again, to spread the cheer as thousands make travel arrangements to reunite with their families and unwind in their favorite vacation spots. I cannot wait to drive to shags and Continue Reading
It’s that time of the year and office rumor has it that the Company is organizing a party to wrap up the year in style. You are ecstatic and can’t wait to turn up and flaunt the latest apparel and strut those heels you splurged on. You’ve toiled all year long and what a better way to blow off steam and exhale than attending the much-anticipated party.
So how do you make the best of the moment and steer clear of office party goofs? Here are some tips
As unique as our fingerprints are, everyone is equipped with unique skills and abilities to scale life’s challenges and emerge a victor. We are expected to harness those abilities to lead an exceptional & fulfilling life. But sadly, this is often not the case. Often, we acquiesce to other people’s expectations, get into mundane jobs and end up getting encapsulated in a cocoon of boredom and discontent. But deep down our conscience tells us that there’s more to life; that we should be doing something more fulfilling that resonates with our desires and ambitions. So how can we go beyond the average and live meaningful lives? Here are a few nuggets Continue Reading
In a past interview, she narrated a telling story of the struggle she had to go through while raising money for her ailing son who had been diagnosed of sickle cell anemia, a debilitating condition that deforms the red blood cells with adverse symptoms. A friend of mine has a buddy ailing from the condition. She showed me her photo the other day. She’s standing somewhere along a beach, Continue Reading
Once upon a time you were jobless and dejected. Your wallet was empty and your self-worth plummeted. You hated life. After four years in Campus, your hard work had not amounted to anything. The excitement of graduating long faded and in its place was frustration and misery. Continue Reading
Inside her single room dwelling at Satellite area, she sits anxiously at her bed, elbows resting on her laps, her palms supporting her sullen face and teary eyes fixated on one spot on the floor, deep in introspection. It’s a bright sunny afternoon, but inside it’s dark. Continue Reading
It’s the middle of the year, parched and weary. You are slouched in your office seat, droopy eyes on your laptop and your head gradually falling towards the screen; you might as well be staring at it upside down. Someone turns on the AC but it’s not enough to turn up your energy levels. You’ve ran out of steam and yearn for the president to announce a public holiday for you to collapse in your sofa & shut out all the world’s problems. The year began with a lot of optimism and ambition. You zealously jotted down your new year resolutions on a piece of paper and glued it on the wall next to your bed. You were upbeat but along the way , Continue Reading
Friday morning dawned cold & hazy. It was a day I had been looking forward to with untold anticipation. The sound of freedom beckoned and my imagination danced to its tune. I could picture having my own apartment, a place where I’d be King of my own jungle and make my own rules without consulting anyone. I would come and leave as I pleased, with whomever I wanted, flip to any channel without consulting anyone, dance shirtless on a table , turn my house upside down and satiate all my heart’s fantasies. No more taking orders from my puritan father . I made a little dance .Yes, I was leaving the nest and Continue Reading
Growing up, I had no idea of who I wanted to be in life. I guess nobody really knows who they want to become. It’s only after a certain point in life that you discover what really works for you. And so I jumped on the band wagon of ‘I want to be a pilot, Engineer, Neurosurgeon, Astronaut ………………’ I blame this warped ideology on archaic folks who perpetuate the notion that these are the only respectable professions under the sun. I’m yet to hear someone declare they want to become a politician. I loved music. I wanted to become a pianist. I started learning the keys and would practice zealously. I would pretend playing the piano when listening to songs on radio. God bless music. My authoritative father wanted to check me into a mental hospital. According to him, I was supposed to pursue Engineering. I was supposed to pursue a ‘tough’ course, not ‘cheap’ courses like music. Music was hogwash to him. His son had to be an accomplished and respectable man in the society. At some point he alluded that the only way he would continue providing a roof over my head was to follow his ‘advise’. I got the feeling that he would even change the locks after kicking me out. And so with that, my dreams of becoming the greatest pianist were nipped in the bud. I took Engineering in Campus. I did it to ensure there was a roof over my head and a meal on my plate .I did it for him.
In my 3rd year at Campus, my sister bought me a laptop. It was not a laptop. Continue Reading
Sunday morning, 6:00 am. I’m awakened by the shrill sound of my phone alarm. I’m determined to get out of bed and attend church service but I feel too morbid and unable lift a finger. I snooze for another hour and finally manage to lazily yank my bedding away. As I sit on my bed, I stare at the paint chipped wall and hopelessness engulfs me. For the first time in my life, I feel like a caged bird. Life has thrown me curve balls in a manner I never anticipated. I feel like a hamster in a wheel . The more I try, the more I linger on the same spot. All around me, friends have made it big – holding enviable jobs, cruising around town in sleek rides and exuding flair and success. Meanwhile, I’m stuck with a nickel and dime salary, just enough to pay for basic necessities. Every day is an uphill battle to make ends meet. The nagging thought that we schooled together and graduated almost at the same time gives me a queasy feeling in the stomach. It perturbs me that life turned out this way. I’m angry at God for my current state of affairs and wonder why he let my hand go. Could things have turned out differently if I did this or that? What If I tried the other way? Would I be where I am? A myriad of questions run through my mind. Outside a heavy downpour pelts the earth, further diminishing my resolve to attend Church service. Flesh fails me and without much thought, Continue Reading