Compare and Contrast

In case you missed my previous post, it was my birthday last week! Normal life is slowly resuming but I’m still on a birthday high – it is Leo season after all. When asked what I wanted to do for my birthday, I had a few of ideas. One thing I was certain of was the fact that I wanted to spend my day surrounded by the people I love, who love me too and doing what I love.

As luck with have it, this came to pass.

My birth date happened to fall on a Saturday so I hired a restaurant and planned a party that incorporated my love of literature. The invitations were library cards and everyone came in black (some family in black and white) in honour of my love for the LBD.

My cake was wrapped in my favourite scripture and my cupcakes were wrapped in prose. The cocktails were in my favourite colours (green and red) and everyone received the book ‘One Million Lovely Letters’ by Jodi Ann Bickley, to thank them for coming and I wrapped the books in newspaper.

There were amazing performances on the night; singing from Nia Ekenam, Oluwalinda and spoken word from JustJumi. I also performed as it’s something that I love and wanted to share. Plus, most of the people in the room had never seen me live. It was a truly unforgettable day.

My father’s speech was sentimental, filled with wisdom, laughter and a sense of pride I could never have predicted. The gift I got from my parents and brother totally floored and made me cry. Basically I got my very own ‘My Super Sweet 16’ moment.

The best part of my day was sharing it with special people from different phases of my life. From Primary school (kindergarten) to High School, University and beyond… when I looked around the room, I saw smiling faces.

In the run up to my birthday I thought about my life and everything I have achieved thus far (as mentioned in a previous post). During his speech my father made a key point when he said “everyone runs their own race.” I was proud that I am fully comfortable running mine and staying in my lane. There have been moments where I have foolishly compared my journey to others but I am thankful that those moments are few and far between.

I am appreciative of the fact that in time past and still to this day; when good things have happened to people I know (and even those I don’t know) I can celebrate with them and for them. The gift of joy and the ability to rejoice with others is not one that I take lightly. It is a gift I wish everyone to receive as it makes your heart lighter – this is something my mother taught me.

I often tell myself that when blessings are showering those you know or love, it means Jesus is in the neighbourhood! Therefore, yours is probably around the corner right? With that in mind, it leaves little room for ill-will, jealousy and negativity.

When incredible things were happening to me on my birthday, my friends and family laughed, screamed, cried and were thankful with me and for me. It was overwhelming. It highlighted so many things for me so I thought I would share a few with you now:

1. The way in which you celebrate others is how you will be celebrated when your time comes – I suggest you do so genuinely
2. When people are standing up to celebrate you, take note of who is sitting down – not everyone is happy when you are happy, but that should not diminish your contentment
3. Comparisons can be motivating, but it can also make you miserable
4.  Judgements are inevitable and are something to be managed. Try to be grateful for what you have and be positively expectant for what you are yet to receive
5. Celebrate the little things and pretty soon, they will turn into big things