This is the end

That's it.
It's over. 
This is the end.

2025 was a year of many things. 
I haven't had much time to be alone this year and reflect but from this moment, in the office, alone I'm grateful.

I'm grateful for my job.
It gives me some sense of purpose.
I work on hard people stuff all day and it weighs down on my soul but with each encounter, I feel something intangible growing on the inside. I'm learning patience more, empathy, love.

I'm grateful for my relationships.
Close friends, family, community members.
Family makes you grounded. Whatever you are to the world does not exist when you're with family, or when you are at church.
Being part of different online communities have helped me to stay connected with people and learn from them.

I'm grateful for opportunities.
You miss all the shots you don't take.

I took some opportunities this year with different levels of success but I'm grateful for that.
Past me would not even try. Current me will not only try but put my best foot forward.
Future me is badass.

Onward to 2026
Looking forward, my hopes and expectations are few intentionally.
I would like to practice focus. Do less but with more intensity and consistency.
I would like to be more open to others, talk to people and have more shared experiences with others.
I would like to earn more of course and to invest and build wealth.
I will continue to read and learn and write.

It has been a good year.

-ONWARD!

Soon

This song suddenly popped into my mind, this was the line that I remembered: with unveiled face I'll see him. When we beyond him, we are changed to be like him. The song is by Brooke Ligertwood. I love her.

Soon and very soon my King is coming

Robed in righteousness and crowned with love

When I see Him I shall be made like Him

Soon and very soon

Soon and very soon

I’ll be going to the place He has prepared for me

There my sin erased my shame forgotten

Soon and very soon

I will be with the One I love

With unveiled face I’ll see Him

There my soul will be satisfied

Soon and very soon

Soon and very soon see the procession

The angels and the elders 'round the throne

At His feet I’ll lay my crowns my worship

Soon and very soon

I will be with the One I love

With unveiled face I’ll see Him

There my soul will be satisfied

Soon and very soon

Though I have not seen Him

My heart knows Him well

Jesus Christ the Lamb

The Lord of heaven

I will be with the One I love

With unveiled face I’ll see Him

There my soul will be satisfied

Soon and very soon

-ONWARD!

A Prayer - Brighten my heart

This song captures my feelings so exactly. I have nothing more to add.

Brighten my heart by Sixpence none the richer.

Lyrics:

My heart is as dark as the soil, sodden with winter rains My soul is as heavy as the peat, freshly dug from the bog My thoughts swirl like willow branches caught in autumn winds My body is as tense as a cat's as it stalks its prey Help me open my heart to You Help me open my heart to You Help me open my heart to You, oh Jesus It's what I long to do, oh, to do, oh My heart is as dark as the soil, sodden with winter rains (Lord, brighten my heart) My soul is as heavy as the peat, freshly dug from the bog (Lord, lighten my soul) My thoughts swirl like willow branches caught in autumn winds (Lord, still my thoughts) My body is as tense as a cat's as it stalks its prey (Lord relax my body) Help me open my heart to You (Help me open my heart to You) Help me open…

-ONWARD!

Thankfull

I've been looking at some of the older posts here and a rush of nostalgia filled my heart.

I'm so thankful that some of my life is documented here. I'm glad that I wrote my thoughts on different things over the years. I can see so much growth, some changes and stuff.

I'm at the office here in Port Harcourt, it's raining. It's cold. I have my headphones on in one ear only, but nothing's playing. There are two women to my left and right and one more in front of me to the right. This is our office setup. The window is behind me.  There's another room to the right and next to that is the kitchen. It's a double storey building. I'm not sure why I shared that but there you have it.

I'm thankful for friends, for work, for opportunities, for writing, for every things I have, and for who I am. I'm constantly evolving and changing with new experiences and information. Each interaction with people and communities shifts and bends and blends the concoction that makes up this dude.

I'm thankful for family who are always supportive. I'm grateful to God for my siblings, nieces, in-laws, parents and other close friends who are also family.

Yeah, that's it for today.

-ONWARD!

Managing Expectations

You have heard it said, do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
But I say, yes, do that but don't expect them to do unto you as your have done to them.

It took a while for me to get this.

People will not treat you the same way you treat them. They will treat you any way they darn well please, irrespective of what you do for them and to them.
It was difficult for me to accept this at first and I still struggle with it but I'm learning to accept that people will do whatever they want and there's nothing you can do to change that, really.

So find peace. 

Live your life according to your standards, not as a reflection of what others do or do not do.
Live up to your own standards and maintain it irrespective of what others do.

-ONWARD!