this one is for myself

a letter from me, to me

Daniel. I think you are so amazing. I think you are so cool. Honestly, I don’t think you are the best, but I know that you’re doing so well. Again, you can do much better, but bro, you dey try. Well done, man!

I want to tell you a couple of things that you need to hear right now, and that you should never forget.

1. Guy, give yourself a break!

   For someone who always boldly says that your favorite company is yourself, you really do spend a lot of time criticizing yourself, don’t you? Guy, you really need to be kinder with yourself. Every day, you try to be kind to others. You don’t always succeed, but you try, and I really think you should do the same with yourself.
   The reason why you get tired sometimes is that you’re the one not allowing yourself to breathe. One little error, and next thing you know, you have yourself in a chokehold. Is it fair? We both know it isn’t.
   Have you forgotten the story that your mother has told you a thousand times?

   “A lizard was walking on the fence, and it fell down. Once it hit the ground, it looked left, looked right, and nodded its head as if to tell itself, “welldone!.”

   Can you see that even a lizard is doing better than you? Oya oya, no vex😭 But really, be kinder to yourself, okay?

2. Bro, hold on to God like your life depends on it!

   You know how the last few years have been and what life was like before. You may not be the most knowledgeable, even with all your research. You may not always know what to do, even with all your preaching and teaching. Despite all the praise and acknowledgement you receive, you may not be the most well-behaved.
   But you and I know that before you met God, life felt meaningless, dreadful, and void of hope.
   Remember all the days you cried yourself to sleep out of depression? Remember the days you were so distant from your family because of false assumptions? Remember the days you tried to fill the God-sized void with every possible thing, but God?
   Without too much talk, I know you know how it all turned out. Remember when you figured out that within man is a dire need to discover purpose and identity in something, anything, really. Well, I’m glad you eventually realized it’s not a need for just anything; it’s a need for God.
   All I ask is that it be evident in all that you do and all that you say that there is a God whom your heart constantly seeks to please and to love.

3. Young man, put your foot down and take action!

   I know I asked you to be kind to yourself, but sometimes you actually need hot cane. You know that right? Tell me why your head is always in the clouds while your hands remain motionless. Are you seeing that you are just gaslighting yourself? You do realize that thinking, planning, discussing, and even dreaming things DO NOT equal doing them, right?
   Let me give you a stern warning: If you think more than you act, you'll leave the world a graveyard of unfulfilled potential.
   Everyday you see people doing things that you reckon yourself to be even better at doing but guess what? Too bad for you cause they’re doing, and you are thinking. Okay okay, I’d relax.

   In essence, it’s about time you take action, okay? I know you’re talented. But it’s time you put that to good use, no?

4. Be a friend to your friends

   You see those friends you have? Be a friend to them.
   I see you can tell that they are putting effort. I see you can tell that they love you, and I hope that you are doing the same. It’s unfair to expect them to cry on your shoulders while you drown in tissues. It won’t be fair if your arms are wide open and yet you constantly have a mask on.
   As for the guys, you’re actually doing well. I’m proud of you, really. As for the ladies, show up more. Be more intentional. Be wise, have good boundaries, and just be a good friend (so that you can scrutinize any guy that seems to be interested in them, mwahaha).

5. Don’t fumble the bag!

   Or in more simple terms, love your woman with all your heart. I know you are quite knowledgeable in this area (that’s where they’ll see you). But young man, I repeat: do not fumble the bag. By the time you make your decision, lock in and go all out.
   Don’t leave room for her to guess your intentions, don’t preach communication and practice silence. Settle down and toast this babe well! Let her feel as precious as she is.
   Don’t withhold compliments, don’t hide your smile when she walks into the room. Find out how she likes to be loved and put in effort. Be very, very chalant. You know you already have your way with words, fire that gun well!

   However, give her space to breathe. Don’t rush her either, and be very patient with her. Listen a lot, and talk a lot, too. You know you have a habit of not speaking much when you’re with her, and as cute as you may think that is, you had better open your mouth and talk. She wants to listen to you, y’know.
   One more thing, let your love for her be a reflection of the love that God has for her :)

Daniel, I’m honestly so proud of you. I love how honest and real you are, I love how much your heart loves, and I love how your life is already taking shape. You’re walking in purpose, and it’s so cool to see.
Well done, Daniel. Again, I’m so proud of you, and i’m rooting for you till you breathe your last.

Love,
Daniel.