Dear Old African People👴👵

Our “culture”, says during a disagreement between an adult and a child, the adult is always right. I hope the flaw in this reasoning is realized whenever you boast about it – boast because that is the go-to phrase in an effort to pull rank.

The past generation is a lot different from the present so when references are made to how things were done, I can’t relate. Keep in mind that life is dynamic and change is inevitable. The most dangerous phrase in the language is, “We’ve always done it this way.” Now, that was said by Grace Hopper, who is from generations before you.

I have heard many elders go on and on about how children of this generation are disrespectful. Do you know the meaning of disrespect? Do you really? Disrespect:- IMPOLITE, OFFENSIVE, INSULTING. My father taught me all about respect but he also taught me to stand up for myself. He didn’t raise me to be timid. On the contrary, he raised me to be assertive. Assertiveness never equates rudeness. Oh! I failed to mention, he is from your generation. I have grown to learn that respect is earned, not demanded. I choose to live by this knowledge while realising that respect is a 2-way street.

So, with all due respect, the next time you reference the child-adult boundary, remember: technically, I am the child of my biological parents only. Legally, I have been an adult for a number of years. Granted, the Bible admonishes us, “Honour your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise)” – Ephesians 6:2. The same chapter goes on to say in verse 4, “Fathers, do not provoke/anger/exasperate/irritate your children, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Since we are still on  “child-adult” relationships, let me conclude with these final words of wisdom about temptation and the bearers of such: “It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble” – Luke 17:2.

Raw Material: Palm Branches —>> Finished Product: Broom

This morning, I saw all of these palm branches cut down from two palm trees🌴🌴. Immediately, my mind went into economics mode. I started thinking💭:

1. Will all these go to waste?
2. Can anyone not figure out a way to make these useful?

Then I remembered, brooms are made from palm leaves. So, I hoped that whoever cut these will be smart enough to sell them to traditional “broom-makers”.

BUT!!!!! What disturbed me was the fact that I had to think for about 2 minutes before this basic knowledge hit me. Now, I wonder, “Will my children ever know that brooms can be made from palm branches since all we use in our homes now look like this?”

 

Portugal 😍💙👌

Many will say “curiosity killed the cat” 😺 but so far curiosity has brought me so much fun and some memorable experiences. It is very true that life begins at the end of your comfort zone ( I can testify). Be okay with the unknown and don’t be afraid to explore 🌍. After spending 5 hours+ with Portugal, I can honestly say those few hours are the most insightful hours I’ve spent in a different culture. It was even more relieving because I could be myself while learning that there is more to life.

It started with a meet-up at an ice cream parlour, then a long walk to dinner 🍔. During this walk, I found out there is a relationship between our blood type and our lifestyle (I’ll suggest that you research on this theory. It’s very interesting, a real eye opener). I’ll give the details but this is not a social science lecture 😛

Dinner was great, there were random discussions and directed discussions.  I loved the chitchat 👫. I wished I could be in that moment forever. I could feel genuine happiness within me. Then there was foosball. The last time I remember playing foosball was at Busua Beach during early puberty. It’s impossible to remember my age then but obviously I don’t think I was playing like a pro then. So I got in a game of foosball (MATRAQUILHOS in Portuguese). Although I was on the losing end, I still enjoyed every minute of it (strange huh! For the competitive person that I am).

When it was all done, I went to a condo 🏢 to hang out. A tour of this condo took my breath away. Neat, spacious, well-furnished and magical mirrors (ok now I’m exaggerating). At the condo, I got a few downloads done, while chitchatting and listening to music 🎶. I wanted to dance but Lord knows I got really shy 🙈. I did move my body a little but that was hardly a dance.

Overall, that evening was the best I had in a long time and I hoped it would never end but I got sleepy 😴 and I knew those few hours will become a memory. I’ve recorded it so that this memory never fades. Till I see you again Portugal…