On the morning of the New Year, I woke up with a very peculiar resolution on my heart: “This year, I want to be happy.” The resolution seemed so dark and light at the same time. But what I did know was that one of the most important decisions in life is to be happy no matter what because life will throw curve balls at you no matter what. About a week later, I voiced out my resolution during a team meeting. Almost everyone laughed but only a few must have truly understood the intentionality and sacrifice required to attain happiness; genuine contentment.
When you’ve been blessed with the opportunity to experience a few wins, most people assume that you’re naturally content. What they may not realize is that your subtle fascination with comparison blinds you from appreciating how far you’ve come. What they may never know is that contentment became a far stretch for you when you stopped practicing gratitude for the cards you’ve been dealt with. What consoles you today is the haven you’ve built in the future but your unpaid dues continue to drag you into an unforgiving past.
As I reflected on my resolution, I stumbled upon a post in which the entrepreneur described his 2022 simply as ‘contentment.’ He was content not because he lacked ambition but because he found PEACE on his journey. The more I pondered the post, the better I understood that when you find peace with the path you’ve chosen, everything you deserve somehow mushrooms together for your greater good. Economists may call it the invisible hand, I call it Divine Intervention.
Most of us have a lucid image of the life we are certain will birth contentment. Until we can attain that dream, nothing seems to suppress the hunger that continues to germinate within. Well reality check; if you can never be content with the little you’ve been given today, you will never be content no matter how much more you attain tomorrow. You can only break free from this cycle of desperation when you discover peace on your own and practice gratitude. ‘Cause fam, being content has everything to do with your state of mind and so little to do with your burning desire. Stress less.
Why Sunday Service?
Throughout my journey, books have consistently led me, grounded me, and provided me with a roadmap. In 2022, I’ve been more intentional about reading books birthed by African writers. Lo and behold, I stumbled upon ‘Directions’ by Gwen Addo. Now I’ve admired Gwen for years; primarily because despite her success in the luxury hair industry, she does not diminish the God Factor in building her empire.
‘Directions’ birthed the inspiration for #SundayService (shared weekly on Instagram). On the chapter about social media, I was reminded that this platform is a place of service- a place to connect. That reminder cut across and upon completing the book, I felt God had just spoken to me. I felt directed to be more intentional about documenting my experiences, in hopes of empowering others. I recall debating with myself, “You’re doing enough to empower others” and then another voice would whisper, “Until you can learn to truly empty your cup, the dregs at the bottom will always dilute your empowerment.”
You see, we often underestimate the medium in which God feels best to capture our attention. However, cultivating a pure heart and learning to hear His voice through our seemingly everyday experiences best positions us to open the door when our breakthrough knocks. It’s no fault of our own; most of us are conditioned to believe that women and men of God are only those who have been called, or in some cases instilled upon themselves, to evangelize the Word from the pulpit. When we grow to embrace the reality that each of us - regardless of our flaws and limitations - can serve as messengers, we begin to operate from a higher place we may never be able to process.
Point in case. On many occasions, I’ve revisited past services and wondered if the words were indeed poured from my well of wisdom. And then it suddenly dawns on me: the moment you go on your knees and ask God to use you, you’ve now agreed to become His vessel. And the more you pour in abundance, the more He replenishes you in relevance. The more you pour selflessly, the more He serves as the compass you need to reach the pinnacle of whom you’ve been called to become. In 2023, don’t hold back.
Repositioning Is The Catalyst
Think back to the time where you felt restless, where someone else’s success brought pain, where you felt a disconnect between where you are and the life you envisioned for yourself. Now think even deeper into how you nursed your state of mind. You must have placed a bandage, but to your displeasure, it ripped off. The pain seemed to have healed but the visible scar runs deeper than what the naked eye can see. On select occasions, you’re reminded by your heart that you’re not where you’re supposed to be. You’re reminded by your surroundings that your limitation is your kryptonite. You’re reminded by the scripture that you’re missing the now in desperation to get to the later…
One of the most inspiring stories I’ve encountered in the Bible is theirs of Zacchaeus. Zacchaeus was a chief tax-collector at Jericho, and as Jesus was passing through the city, he was eager to see who this Savior was. Despite his massive wealth, Zacchaeus’ limitation was his short stature. In the heat of the moment, Zacchaeus ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree where he could get a better view. What’s fascinating about this story is that Jesus could have walked past the tree without noticing him. However, Jesus did not only ‘see’ him but decided to stay at his house- despite Zacchaeus being perceived as a sinner.
In reality, most of us are unable to move because we’re timid of what lies ahead when we reposition ourselves. As we can learn from the story of Zacchaeus, had he stood on the sidelines and observed, he would have missed his destiny. Had he chosen to not leverage a resource in his immediate surrounding, he may not have won the attention of Jesus. Zacchaeus didn’t use his riches, but a resource readily available to all of us. How are you leveraging the gifts given to you to reposition yourself for success? Fam, a simple act you take today can transform your generational curses into generational blessings. Flee away from overthinking your decisions, especially when it feels right because as it’s written in 2 Timothy 1:7, “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”
The Waiting Period
At the closing ceremony of Blossom Academy’s recently completed cohort, we invited an alumni to share his experience. Here’s why: out of Bright’s group, he was the only one unable to secure the 6-month internship that follows our 3-month training. I recall vividly how disturbed he felt; especially since he resigned from a full-time job to enroll in our competitive Fellowship program. His peers all expressed their excitement in his presence and one could only imagine how much his frustration mushroomed.
However, Bright maintained the right ATTITUDE for months. Instead of feeling discouraged, he polished a few of the projects he had worked on in class and deployed them on LinkedIn. As fate would have it, he was contacted by a UK based company looking to set up a branch in Accra. Following a series of lengthy interviews, he was offered a full-time opportunity as their first in-house data analyst. Only eight months into the role, he is promoted to the Manager of Analytics, and entrusted to build a team of data analysts to support his vision.
Now during the waiting period, he must have experienced silent mockery from his peers, contemplated his decision to resign, and even suffered mental anxiety. In this same time, he kept praying for an internship with a local company- just like his peers had secured. But God was rather preparing a full-time permanent career at a global company. Fam- you cannot tell me God does not exist. In our darkest days, we still praise, we still roar!
Sometimes you face rejections because the light placed upon your life is too bright for those in your immediate surroundings to see. Your value is so majestic and cannot be contained by just anyone so most are quick to write you off. But similar to Bright, the outcome you expect is only taking time because the best dishes take intentionality to prepare. What if God is saying “you’re not forgotten but I’m hiding you and do not want to expose you prematurely?” What if God wants you to know what it feels like to be forgotten so you do not forget others when He elevates you? Your obstacles may seem big but never forget your destiny is insurmountable.
We All Go Through It*
“…'cause I can't bear the pressure.” I’ve replayed ‘Holy Spirit’ on several occasions and with each repeat, I’m reminded that judging others based on their portrayed success is simply flawed. We often repeat the words, “Don’t judge a book by its cover” but how many of us can attest to abiding by this advice? How many of us can cast a stone at those who fall short when the verdict calls (John 8:7)?
Being that Stormzy is possibly at the prime of his career, most may be quick to dismiss his vulnerability. It’s human nature. In fact, just recently, a friend expressed that one of my previous actions had hurt him. What’s interesting is I felt hurt too but had never processed the outcome of events from his perspective; until I addressed the elephant in the room. As we ended the conversation, I was reminded that we all possess emotions regardless of how we package our outward appearances. We all have our demons to fight.
Several years ago, I stumbled upon the concept of ‘Black tax’ in Trevor Noah’s book- Born a Crime. In brief, Black tax is money that *some* Black professionals provide to their family every month outside of their own living expenses- usually out of obligation. I reread that chapter not because I felt seen, but because I now understood pressure can morph into varied forms. Imagine meeting someone who hails from a wealthy family. Now imagine you find out she has battled with critical health issues her entire life and cries herself to sleep most nights. Just imagine if she had never opened up to you- wouldn’t you have assumed she is incredibly fortunate? Yet in her case, she hopes to breathe another day…
Now if there’s one belief I’ve embraced over the years, it’s this- knowing when to ask for help and how to accept it when offered can transform the entire scope of your life. It’s no secret that whenever God puts a great purpose in your life, He will put a great problem in front of it. But ultimately, it’s up to you to tackle the problem alone or engage the angels He sends your way to pursue the shared purpose (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12). And when you can pursue the purpose, the promises will never allude you.
Seek Spiritual Rest
We kicked off the month at the United States Institute of Peace building strategic partnerships, transitioned to the World Bank HQ to discuss actionable tools that accelerate learning globally, and then honored an invitation to the residence of the France Ambassador to Senegal- where we broke bread and brainstormed ideas to promote economic opportunities for Africa’s youth. In each encounter, valuable outcomes sprouted from seeds planted years prior. However, as I moved from one setting to the next, I was subtly reminded that although God prepares a table before us (Psalm 23:5), the table will always shake in the midst of the turbulence if we fail to seek spiritual rest…
That initial reminder was ignored. So it manifested in the physical where I abruptly fell sick beyond comprehension. Trapped behind closed doors, I was encouraged to reflect. It became vaguely clear; we often move at speed, pour our energy into transactions disguised as meaningful relationships, and with our expectations tucked up our sleeves. The reasoning behind this is glaring. Our egos often bark, “Be exceptional.” Our spirits often whisper, “You’re automatically the chosen exception when you cast your burdens on Him.” The reality is our societies often prime us to be in control so the ego often wins.
Upon finding the strength to move again, I honored an invitation to encourage 500 young ladies at Legacy Girl’s college in Ghana. Despite the obstacles thrown our way on the drive, the newfound approach and refined mentality never wavered. Pour it all out with zero expectations. Pour it up. Now the irony is the more I poured, the more I felt replenished (Ruth 2:12). The more I poured, the more I felt spiritually rested. The more I poured, the more the pieces came together- things became crystal clear. You see, no matter how much you may sleep, you may still feel empty and strangely tired because you may not have attained full rest. And it’s no secret your enemies will always fight you the hardest when they know God has something in store for you. There’s indeed something in store for you; it’s really not the best time to lose your grip- rest up fam.
It's Not Your Cross To Bear*
“When God calls you, He qualifies you,” the investor echoed in our shared taxi ride. Why would God put a responsibility on your plate if He is not prepared to give you the qualifications for it? Why would God call you to serve if He is not willing to bring others on the journey to complement your skills and talents? Why would God sprinkle small wins at the early stages of the journey if He is not willing to encourage you to keep moving forward?
More often than not, you can tell when someone’s conviction is ego-led versus spirit-led. The latter recognizes that they are vessels; called to bring into fruition something bigger than their ego. One does not need to tell you there is no way the spirit-led will flop. You can just feel it in their energy. You can see the passion glistening in their eyes when they speak. You gravitate towards them without ever comprehending your core reasoning. The secret for them has always been in the knowing.
The knowing: the moment God has called you to move, you must move or ‘someone’ else will. Let’s unpack this. If ‘someone’ hasn’t been called for the assignment designed specifically for you, they will never implement it in the same ministerial way as you have been called to do. And that is a form of disservice.
As we delved even deeper into the conversation, something unlocked within. It’s one thing to pay attention to the signs that draw you closer to your calling. It’s another to encounter insurmountable roadblocks and feel the urge to throw in the towel on multiple occasions. However, the moments you recognize the journey is a spiritual assignment, you begin to accept that ‘it’s not your cross to bear.’
You see, when you are called to transform others, you may either be celebrated or targeted. Working diligently to remind yourself at each checkpoint that you are only a vessel trusted to lead reduces the chances of burn out and frustration. Working diligently to remind yourself that vessels are designed to sail permits you to move with grace. It’s about time you dismount the power of your so-called dysfunction; you have been called to function in abundance- claim it.
Hone Your Craft
One of my friends recently shared content online and was welcomed with an unbelievable amount of engagement. As a creative, this is usually a form of validation that your work is cherished by others. But what’s tempting is we might keep churning out the same kind of content without feeling the need to innovate because after all, we’ve discovered a recipe that works. However, my friend understood that sustained growth is an organic process and honing her craft must take precedent. She understood that the ones who make the most noise are often the ones who are often put on the pedestal at the early stages.
There’s this fascinating story where a woman walked up to Picasso and asked him to sketch an image on a piece of paper. Within 5 minutes, he completed the sketch and charged $10,000. The woman, astounded, protested that it only took 5 minutes. Picasso retorted, “the sketch may have taken 5 minutes but the learning took me 30 years.” Funny how in our digitally connected world, we strive for that 5 minutes of fame when we haven’t injected the years of hard work to sustain that fame or wealth- whichever we deem most important.
For context. At a recent business forum in the states, I listened keenly to a conversation about the role music plays in Africa’s global relevance. As the panelists shared their different perspectives, one in particular told a story where she once voiced out her idea about launching a music platform to a reputed investor. Immediately, the investor offered to write her a $100,000 check. What others may not have extracted from her testimony was the fact that she had spent three solid years writing about music trends on her blog. This gave her credibility and made it easier for someone with reputation to trust her.
It may seem what you’re working on in this season does not make sense. You cannot envision the returns nor smell the breakthrough from afar. But let me encourage you. Sometimes it’s not what you see on the surface level that matters; it’s what you attract based on the purity of your heart and the intentions of your elevation. Keep honing fam- the quick hype always dies down at some point.
November Fuel*
As I flew into Chicago, I sat next to two millennials, presuming both are anywhere from ages 23–25. Drinks were served. Per usual, I got my black coffee and both of them got ginger ale. What’s interesting is the one in the aisle seat also asked for a cup of orange juice. The guy in the middle seat then inquired, “How did you get that?” To that he responded “You gotta ask for it man.” And then added “They charge way too much for these flights anyway.” Such simple statements yet so intriguing.
The challenge most of us face is we just fail to ask. We are afraid of being ridiculed, being rejected. We want the reward but not the struggle. We want the result but not the process. We are in love with the foreseeable victory, but not the fight. It’s no coincidence I’m currently reading “The Subtle Art to Not Giving A F**”. In this book, Author Manson makes the point that “the more we choose to accept responsibility in our lives, the more power we will exercise over our lives.” Which bears the question, “When was the last time you took responsibility over your life this year?”
After this month, there’s one more month (31 solid days) until the year is over. Have you ever pondered on why you may not have accomplished that goal you made in January? Guess what fam, you probably did not want to hear “No!”. Well quit feeling sorry for yourself then. Here’s a sneaky truth about life. It’s very difficult to be an important and life-changing presence for some people without also being a joke and an embarrassment to others. So go out there and break rules! Be joke. Be serious. Be free. Change that November to Yesvember! Don’t settle yet, strive! Strive for more, to improve, to be better than the you yesterday! As Leonard Ravens once said, “The opportunity of a lifetime must be seized within the lifetime of the opportunity.” Mise en place.
You Are Not Alone*
If you are between the ages of 25 and 40, chances are you feel down most times than you feel uplifted. Chances are your chosen (or not chosen) path may not be as fulfilling as you had envisioned. Chances are you are battling with your mental health but struggle to pinpoint the root cause. Therapy? It must have barely scratched the surface. Your anxiety grows fiercer. The multiple bandages you’ve placed on the same internal pain peels off each time you try washing away the pain. Some parts of you remain hopeful but it’s clear your fingers are barely hanging on the cliff.
Call this message nonsense but the fact remains; most people your age who seem to have it figured out often do not have it figured out. Stop looking at them for the way to YOUR breakthrough. The way is within (Read Genesis 1:27 for context). Evidently, this thought process is difficult for most to grasp. So you keep questioning your potential. You cast demeaning words upon your life without thinking of its consequences. You begin to wonder if you’re indeed created in His image; forgetting that over-wondering sometimes evolves into wandering aimlessly. And if you’re not careful, the emotions might gravitate from sadness to bitterness…
…There’s an elder who was once sharing with her grandson, “Every choice in life is a battle between two wolves inside us. The first wolf represents anger, greed, fear, lies, insecurity, and ego. The second represents peace, love, compassion, kindness, humility, and positivity. They are competing for supremacy.” “So which wolf wins?” The grandson asks. “The one you feed,” the elder responds. The one YOU feed.
Now ever heard of Pavlov’s theory? Imagine for a second that you have successfully conditioned the second wolf to salivate whenever you feel signs of emotional suppression. How powerful is that!? The good news is it’s possible through intentionality, consistency, and most importantly, self-love. And yet if I asked you to name all the things that you love, how long would it take you to name yourself? Just a food for thought…or for the wolf you decide on feeding onwards.
Get Your Mind Right
As she shared her well-thought-out insights on the African diaspora, I couldn’t help but intervene; “Launch your own startup- I see an entrepreneur in you!” She chucked (and I paraphrase), “Maybe you should look again. My skills will be best served supporting tech start ups”. I didn’t persist.
Almost a week later, one of my business partners expressed her frustration about an on-going contract. As I sensed her helplessness, all I could say to pacify her anger was; “Starting a company and sustaining it are two different things.” In truth, I too needed that reminder. You see, the first lady had been honest with herself. She may have understood sustainability is usually more important than commencement. The truth is almost anyone can start a company- but to keep it going effortlessly- fam, that takes a different kind of mentality that you have to learn, unlearn, and relearn.
I digress. One of my favorite interview questions is, “If I gave you $10,000, what business would you start?” The applicants I’m always impressed by are those who walk me through their thinking from Day 0 through roadblocks- no matter how tough. From what I’ve found, their initiative serves as assurance that when we step on the gas, and hit that brake pad abruptly for the sharp exit, their seatbelts will already be in tact.
This is not meant to dissuade you but to remind you that intentionality at the earliest stages of building is prevalent. Your loved ones may tell you to “revisit your why” when you cry. Unfortunately, what they may not share is that your ‘why’ changes as you evolve towards perfection. Who knows, the revisitation might rather paralyze your grind. But if you have the determined mindset that you are in for the long haul, the frustrations will not only be ephemeral, but will also be perceived as learning experiences.
Fam, the next time you get the urge to start that company, (1) be honest with yourself and (2) pray for clarity and seek direction. If the revelation does not align with your forecasted implementation, you’ve saved yourself years of stress and pressure. Stay vigilant; the right time always comes- just rarely seized.
What's Yours Is Yours?
On a recent business trip, I met with an inspiring entrepreneur during a gathering. And as we were parting ways, we connected on Instagram, where I saw ‘Forbes 30U30’ in her bio. I passed a joke- “Ah you’re fancy.” She then shrugged; further expressing that she never applied but an anonymous individual nominated her. What she was still in disbelief about was the fact that Forbes could not get in touch with her. They had sent emails and called her on countless occasions. They even messaged her across social media platforms but she was completely off the radar. When she eventually checked her Twitter account, she saw several messages from the Forbes team. The rest, as they say, is history.
What’s fascinating is she never felt the need to be recognized- she simply did the work. Or hold up- was it so ‘simply’? One point we rarely draw our attention to when we reach a milestone is the silent application of favor in bringing that milestone to fruition. Best believe there are doors you are able to enter today only because of your level of favor- and nothing to do with the moves you’ve calculated. In contrary, there are doors you cannot see even if you stood on the shoulders of giants; thanks to the level of your favor. The concept of favor cannot be explained nor should it be questioned. But there’s one thing that happens without fail- favor increases the more you pursue excellence…
…In fact, your level of favor shoots up when you see another’s success as an indication that God is in the neighborhood- you’re up next. Which means you know developing bitterness in your heart, and embracing animosity as the recipe to your consolation, will only lead to stagnation. Fam, your level of favor escalates the moment you accept that God will not hold you accountable for someone else’s blessings. And living out your truth is in fact an act of doing yourself a favor. This, in turn, also increases your favor. What’s even more beautiful is that somebody is always watching, readily willing to contribute to your vision. But let’s assume you do not buy into that principle. Rest assured, God always has His eyes on you- what’s yours is yours.
For Real, Whose Timing Is It?
Seven years ago, I met with a consultant to discuss an idea that would later evolve into Blossom Academy . However, as opposed to helping me think through the idea, she rather misinterpreted my intention. In her feedback, she kept emphasizing, “this initiative is a quest for power.” I was slightly discouraged, but still motivated. Shortly after our conversation, God positioned me on the founding team of Esusu, and the excitement of taking a breakthrough idea and helping breathe life into it eclipsed the need to belabor her analysis.
Fast forward three years later, my team and I revisited the initial idea. The primary difference now was timing. When we piloted the model, we were the first company in West Africa that provided data courses in a structured environment. As you can imagine, there wasn’t a readily available market for our services- we had to create it. And discovering creative strategies to survive despite the curveballs only affirmed that our timing was spirit-led. If we had launched a year prior, we would have failed; a year later, we wouldn’t have owned our niche.
Earlier this year, Blossom was appointed by the Government of Ghana to serve as a stakeholder in the development of the Ghana National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (2023–2033). During the finalization workshop last week, another stakeholder shared a striking point; “If you are not at the table, then you are on the menu.” What’s interesting is we live in a world where not everyone has been afforded the opportunity to sit at the table. Unfortunately, the few globally who are appointed to design strategies and implement decisions on behalf of millions often fail to eat last. But I’m consistently reminded that you and I are at the table because we heard the call to operate on God’s appointed time- not ours.
As I recollect the conversation, I’ve deduced the consultant was right all along. What I lacked was foresight. You see, the more we empower others, the more powerful we become. And when we learn to be God-like, we leverage this power to build more people to rise up, to roar, and to tap into their greatest potential.
Create Spaces For Wellness
Roughly a year ago, I had the pleasure of partaking in an accelerator program, which encompassed some of the most accomplished entrepreneurs I’d ever met. Some were founders with multiple lucrative exits; others had established companies that now shape policies in their home countries. However, there was one super impressive founder from Latin America (let’s assume his initials, KP) who was clearly the golden child in our circle. When my goal was to refine the business model for our corporate division, KP had figured out a flawless strategy and was looking to raise a “small $10M funding round.” He surpassed his goal.
At the conclusion of the program, we all met to discuss our learnings. And as expected, the conversation progressed smoothly until KP opened his mouth and tears began to carve the corners of his cheeks. As a familiar pain echoed each word that managed to escape, we all must have deduced his mental health was at stake. He may have scored the financial capital but was clearly miles away from the emotional capital. You see, the recurring problem across communities is we often forget that intentionally creating an environment for our loved ones to shed tears is how their emotions communicate to the outside world. Imagine leaving salty water in a vessel; it has no other option than to rust.
At that point in our conversation, a powerful shift occurred. Narratives about depression and anxiety flowed from multiple vessels like waterfalls. I learned then that perceiving others based on their outward excellence alone can also be detrimental to our own mental health, sometimes theirs. What we must embrace is to strive towards creating an environment for each other to feel listened to, and not just heard. What we hear, if not digested, can only catapult vanity. It’s no surprise that if you were presented with two options: (1) a $10M investment for your startup and (2) a $300K salary working at a tech firm, you may quickly gravitate to the former- primarily because we haven’t created spaces that position us to comprehend the challenges associated with each route we envision to someday embark on.
Break the Shackles
On a far-away island, a group of fishermen dropped a wire basket with crab feet to the bottom of the ocean. One crab saw the food, jumped into the basket and started munching. More crabs came along and joined the feast. Even when all the food had been depleted, nearby crabs by the allure of the majority continued to jump into the basket and joined the other crabs.
As one of the crabs got the idea to leave the basket since there was no food left, the others tried to knock it off the basket’s wall. When it persisted, they broke its arm to prevent it from climbing any further. Again it persisted, and they ganged up on it and killed it. Shortly afterwards, all the crabs in the basket were brought up for human consumption.
What’s fascinating about this story is that the crap that first got the idea to leave shares a strong human quality you possess. At a critical point on your journey, you will want more- if you haven’t already. But when you attempt to leave the group, they might not break your arm but they will try to break your spirit. They might not kill you but they will try to kill your dreams. As John Boyega cleverly said in ‘The Woman King,’ “if you want to hold people in chains, one must convince them that they are meant to be in bondage.” (paraphrasing- maybe).
In our present day, “the one” often doing the convincing is precisely your loved ones who fear you will be destroyed when you take that risk no family member — dead or alive — has ever dared taken. Sometimes it’s your closest friends who once saw you in your brokenness and fail to entertain your capability to ever operate at an unfathomable level. Indeed, you may have now attained the wisdom to navigate the complexities of taking that leap of faith. But you are also bound to miss the mark if you lack basic understanding. Seeking understanding is the first of many steps required to break free from any undeserved guilt and shame. It dissuades the feeling to complain and elevates the healing to proclaim your throne. It’s time to break free from the shackles holding you still- you are more than enough.
Let the Light Through*
Mother often recounts a scenario in my childhood where I was strolling alone on our compound and glanced upon a darkened image. Immediately, I began to scream. And then naturally, I started running away from this image, as it continued to chase me into the depth of the darkness. Little did I know that the image was my shadow, and only when I allowed the light to pass through me, was when the shadow eventually disappeared.
In the same light, we often neglect the integral role our subconscious minds play in every decision we nurture and every action we conceive. The subconscious is simply power without direction and, according to research, makes up 95% of our brain power. But time and time again, we are not intentional about what we feed it. We keep track of the calories we intake but loose sight of the nature of information we cook up daily for the subconscious. Just like clockwork, we give direction to thoughts planted within the soils of our subconscious to dictate whether we blossom or eventually wither. The byproduct of the latter? We end up welcoming generational curses onto our respective paths.
Now similar to my childhood scenario, the more you run, the more the curses chase you. It traps you in a corner- waiting for your subconscious to be fed with more negativity upon negativity. But there’s hope. Curses are often mitigated when you allow the light to pass through your subconscious. Letting the light through permits you to live a life free of anxiety and remodels depression as elevation. The light repairs your blurred vision and guides you in embracing what you see versus what you retain (huge difference). Now that alone is such a powerful choice to have as a conquerer! Now, more than ever before, is the time to pick up your inner magnifying glass and point it at apex of your subconscious- you must give direction for the light to pass through, magnificently.
Reinvention is the Key - Part 2*
When we make the decision to reinvent ourselves, the hardest part is usually letting go of the old to embrace the new. Letting go does not necessarily mean burning to ashes the image you’ve built over the years. In most cases, it means fleeing away from the expectations others have set for you; learning to disallow others to live vicariously through you at the cost of your sanity; alienating the overwhelming need for approval on the choices you make.
One of my favorite stories in the Book of Genesis is about the wife of Lot (unnamed). In this story, two visiting angels urged Lot and his family to flee Sodom to avoid being caught in the impeding disaster due to the iniquity of the city. The only rule was for them to never look back. Lo and behold, Lot’s wife simply could not let go of the past- she looked back. She turned into a pillar of salt. Similar to Lot’s wife, most of us are salty because we keep looking back while our counterparts forge ahead.
You may be working in a role you detest but cannot seem to loosen your grip. You may be building a business that fails to generate revenue regardless of the countless pivots. You may be in that “perfect relationship” yet you suffocate on more days than you breathe in the aroma of love. Across the board, what often stops us from looking forward is the deeply rooted perception we believe others have of us. We cannot let go of our mare’s nest since we fear we might be judged, or worse, written off by those we seek approval from.
But here’s the painful truth- your real loved ones care first about your well-being (let that sink in). Not about the number of times you have to let go in order to re-strategize to re-invent yourself on the plateau. Now there’s honor in letting go of what you have been committed to for weeks, months, years. Letting go allows you to evolve and jump back into the arena as a revived person. But this time around- wiser, as the lessons always translate. Always remember- tuning out the noise to tune in is the best compass you require to navigate the journey. Forge ahead.
Reinvention is the Key - Part 1*
One artist I’ve been fascinated by over several years is Kanye West. Despite moments in which his actions were clearly questionable, it seemed impossible to just write him off. Now this service is by no means about Kanye but about the importance of reinvention and how it is actually an underrated competitive advantage.
The reality is Kanye could have focused strictly on music and continued to grow his impact however, he kept reinventing himself in a society where doers are quickly forgotten, and our “why” easily withers. Few months back, I stumbled upon “jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy” on Netflix, and was locked in on a rare footage. In this footage, Pharrell said to Kanye; “The power of your work comes from your hunger. So don’t let this get into your head and cause you to loose that.” Such simple words but the few who embrace this truth are precisely those we often hear about at the turn of each decade.
At certain stages in our lives, where the fire in our bellies refused to be quenched by the water bodies in our surroundings, we too possessed that raging hunger to create, to inspire, to empower, to evolve. Yet somehow we allowed the early wins to suppress the long-term vision of whom we have been called to be. We accepted that part of the journey as the entrée, when it was only meant to be a starter.
Without being conscious of this, we ended up giving our hunger the permission to reinvent itself into complacency. And in usual fashion, we too became complacent. We cultivated the attitude of questioning whether we are indeed on the right path. On whether being here is even worth while. Thoughts- unwanted and unscrupulous thoughts- began to creep in. But it still felt impossible to move forward, didn’t it? Because reinvention is often accompanied by a high risk of failure. So naturally, we became timid to even try.
But what if you actually succeeded at the first or second or third attempt? Fam, just picture yourself a decade from now reflecting on the last ten years. Imagine still being in the same place, yet everyone around you may have completely evolved and progressed. Was the complacency truly worth it?
The Last Quarter*
During one of my early morning walks in NY, I overhead two middle-aged men discussing their lack of funds. One randomly asked the other; “If someone gave you $1M right now, will that be enough for you?” The other quickly responded, “I will be the same person.” What’s interesting is that the question was not directly answered. It required a simple yes or no. However, the respondent had been preconditioned to believe $1M is not enough to ameliorate his financial state.
One could presume that $1M is indeed no where close to helping him attain his goals. Totally fair. However, this thought process usually trickles down into many of us feeling stuck in our respective predicaments- despite the seemingly “small” breakthroughs. In fact, the conversation is quite analogous to the amount of time we have all been blessed with. If asked whether the rest of this year is enough to bring our resolutions to fruition, you too may quickly respond, “ah well, I’m sure by the end of this year, I will still be the same person. 2023 will be different though.” Another cycle continues.
The challenge most of us face is that regardless of how much time we have been given, we may never feel it’s enough to catalyze our destiny. We immerse ourselves in flawed thought processes, and accept the status quo as the way things will always be. And this is often regardless of the miracles we know we are bound to receive once we learn to believe.
Fam, it’s about time your mindset evolves. For it’s the last quarter. Which means it’s not too late to learn to rise up early, and operate from a mind-frame of abundance. There’s still enough time to keep persevering without evidence- embracing at your core that the hurdles are only laid on your path to make you a polished storyteller. Stop waiting until next year to restart- you do possess the power to do something extraordinary between today and December 31st. Let’s move!
Embrace Your Past
And when I stood on that stage and cracked open my lips, my voice cracked even harder. I just froze. Mind you, I had spent countless nights memorizing my lines for the school-wide play. The same play where all parents were scheduled to attend, and where I was delegated to play the role of General Kutu Acheampong- Ghana’s Former Head of State. What happened between freezing and being carried out of the stage has been completely blurred out of memory.
Roughly a decade later, I found myself back on stage to perform a spoken word poem. And when I stood in that foreign room filled with unfamiliar faces, I knew there were only two options: (1) Accept that stage fright still defines my present or (2) Prove to that little boy that sometimes we face road blocks only because we have been divinely appointed with a responsibility to serve as an example for others.
Aligning my self with the latter option is what made the difference. And the moment a stranger approached me to express her chills, it was so clear that what happened to that little boy was not coincidental. That moment was necessary so God could prepare a table before me (Psalm 23:5). Now as I have continued to evolve in my career, I’ve been invited to speak on stages across four continents. It recently dawned upon me; what an incredibly small price to pay for pursuing a life of meaning.
You see in this game of life, sometimes what’s put in front of you to cripple your destiny is exactly what you need to dribble your way to your purpose. It’s so simple to tune out your past, and create a whole new identity where looking back is taboo. But what you may be forgetting is that at the end of all your exploring, you will arrive exactly where you started. Now as opposed to letting your past destruct you, you have the power to rather see your past as your greatest competitive advantage. And the moment you can learn to nurture this thought and let Love lead, you will be the invincible person you were once moulded to become.