I know, I know things are hard; life is hard. There is the issue of financial instability, the rampant killings around us, ill health and death, or issues that seem too great or too small. Yes, the seasons are tough, and it feels like the world is closing in on you, and no one seems to care, or no one can help you out. No, I do not have the magic solution or “the ten steps to make your life better”; what I do have, however, is a little nugget of reminder of the little things in life.

 When was the last time you danced because the food was nice? These days I doubt we even allow our palates to salivate in the flavours that greet our tongues. When last were you grateful for a meal or snack? We are either too hungry that we consume it fast, or we are so used to having meals that it is no big deal; we forget that somewhere in the world is someone who doesn’t have the opportunity to eat.

You haven’t laughed till you are on the floor with tears in your eyes and the walls of your stomach hurt and your lungs burn. Nothing to make you laugh around? Go on YouTube and watch funny babies, look for a comic film or novel, or better yet, go down memory lane to the times that you can never forget. Don’t go through a day without laughing or at least smiling. You have life; that is enough to make you laugh or smile.

 Yesterday, my friend and I decided to listen to old songs we might have forgotten about (Ijo ya by Weird MC, Gongo Aso by 9ice, Yori Yori by Bracket, and the songs that were released by the likes of Wande Coal, Psquare, and Wizkid around this time), and we laughed at the silly lyrics or dance steps that once were the in thing. Might seem like a waste of energy, but it is better than sitting and mopping or feeling sorry for yourself.

I will never forget the day I said the sky was so blue and it looked so beautiful, and I was asked what was wrong with me; precisely, “why are you so excited over ordinary sky?” but there are people who can not see the sky or have never seen the sky, and yet you call it ordinary. Or the joy of seeing a rainbow and it being referred to as “just a rainbow”. Do not try to belittle the satisfaction gotten from the little things.

We are so occupied by the big moves and the great future we forget about the little steps that make these big moves.

Laugh at your silliness, smile at the sky, dance because you can, be intrigued by the sky or the rainbow, do not forget about the little things that make life worth living.

Yes I know you are ill, or broke, sad or hurting, but breath in and out, sweetheart you are alive, that is a step forward in the right direction, you still have hope, ability and capability, take a step back (mentally and physically) from your issues have a good laugh, rest your mind, have a decent conversation that doesn’t include troubles and come back refreshed with a new perspective to deal with whatever it is.

 Stay Shining Lovelies 🌹

MODEL: Temiloluwa

PHOTOGRAPHER: The blackcribbler