5 ADDED SPICES — TEE PLUS ONE. “It’s a new chapter of my life”
By: Titilope Banji
Tags: Self Motivation, Focus, Growth, Interests, Networking

5 ADDED SPICES — TEE PLUS ONE

“It’s a new chapter of my life”

My birthday was on the 15th of May and my age changed in number. As I reflected on the past year, I thought I should share some lessons I got from the previous chapter of my life. At this point, I am tempted to tell you my age, but no, at least not yet. I am not ready to let you gauge my thoughts with how long I have spent on Earth.😏

I believe God is writing a beautiful story for my life. In the past one year, I have learned a lot about myself. My interests have gradually started coming together, unlike before when I just had too many things I liked to do. My mentors were very helpful as they channelled productive efforts over some little time to walk me through what it meant to be deliberate about something. You definitely have a special gift and an ability that you have been bestowed with. However, they remain dormant till you engage it. That was what happened with me. The most exhilarating parts of the year for me were those times when I discovered that I was good enough and still could be better. That blend simply told me that all my efforts, successes and failures were never a waste.

Let’s not beat about the bush, I identified 5 spices that were emphatically added to my beautiful life 🥰. Let’s go!

Life can be simple: not always complicated. There’s always this urge to do things and compete with anything and anyone. While it is not bad to use good references and meet up, simplicity can help. I learned to not try to make my life more complex by doing just everything interesting. Focus would only come when you quickly identify the point in something before deciding. The decision there is, “is this for me?” and, “should I keep doing this?”. At a time when everywhere is tough and unpredictable, knowing what to do gives more calm. It does not always have to be tangling to be grand. You can be great in that your particularly simple way. That it is simple does not mean it is helplessly basic, it’s just unique, specific and unclogged. Openness is not always weakness — just so you know. What keeps us (I’m assuming you must have been a part of this act before or now) all locked inside is not always good for us. For the sake of mental health, I learned to speak up when I needed to. Caution applies still! One of my many new quotes (haha, I started motivating myself) stated, “don’t bottle up, but pour into the right vessel”. That you want to be open should not imply that you let out all to just anybody. However, when you find solace, don’t allow things eat you up. For me, I found solace in God firstly, and then in some dear friends. Hearing others does not make them right, but seeing matters via their lens can be very helpful. I could see a box and think it’s all closed up and someone on the other side of it can see a hole and inform me. That information would only come if I draw attention to the box. It works that way. Readiness to learn turns new: and that, everyday. This was one year when I realized that you can never stop learning and learning how to be ready to learn. No matter how much you have harnessed, there’s more to learn. It was when I saw someone’s work one day, after thinking I had gained mastery in it, that I knew there is always a long way to go. Sometimes, life may look plain and easy to tread. Don’t be deceived, there’s still a lesson in all that life brings. You see that person that looks new to the system and may not know much? He has some answers to your questions even though you are supposed to be the custodian of answers. As much as you have a lot to offer, you also have much to be offered. You (I too) can do more — so much. I learned to never belittle myself, even though I can always learn. Top Intriguing Talented Insights (TITI) in me is great, but can achieve more. A concept from my school work that amazes me is that of exergy. I had read about it while I was in 300L and it was more fun when it had nothing to do with grades. Exergy is the term for useful or maximum amount of work a system can do. However, while energy cuts me as potential, exergy strikes me as delivery. You have that energy, you have that skill and you have achieved a lot. Yet, the Apex is never near. There’s still a lot more you can do. It’s good to celebrate your success and like I was saying on Day 150 (see https://www.instagram.com/p/CPmlvwXjsHJ/?utm_medium=copy_link), don’t allow your current success limit you from another success. There’s a power in relationships — seriously! How is it like to just meet someone on the road and he goes “please, give me the book in your hand”. You would most likely first question how he knew you had such book. Next, would be whether or not he was a thief. Then, you would wonder where he came from and who he is. That is because you do not know him from anywhere. You have not established any lasting contact with him. What he has said instantly seems like rubbish. In the past year, one important lesson I learned is that I can only gain the most from my friends and foes (yeah) if I strengthen my relationship with them. Connection is not just about widening network, it is about having a good link to others. One power that comes from relationships is support. Emotional support, physical support, financial support, spiritual support, academic support, career support, all stem from relationships. If anything or anyone would support you, or you would support them, the chain that connects you must be strong enough for whatever load comes. So, make that relationship worth it!

Sharing these things with you does not make me perfect, it is a “come and see the good I’ve found” concept. I hope we grow together. Cheers to greater chapters of our lives ahead!