Vuja De – Page 27 – Osasu Oviawe

Declutter

April 11, 2021 No Comments

Today, I woke up to a protracted breakdown on a machine.

When I got there to support, I immediately noticed significant housekeeping issues caused by the team doing troubleshooting. I could tell they were embarrassed to have me meet the machine in that state.

Without putting down anyone, I asked that we stop all restoration, and clean up the area to ensure that we were working in a space that promoted right thinking.

I have read quite a lot about the positive correlation between orderliness of space and effective problem solving. I have noticed it in my life too. Less clutter in my physical space reduces clutter in my mind.

After cleaning, we restarted troubleshooting, and the issue was resolved in less than 15 minutes. There was a lot of work done before I got there, and the housekeeping might not have directly solved the problem, but I believe it gave people time-off to think about their approach, and also see what was deviating from the norm more clearly.

I could see the relief and excitement in the team as we got back into production. No voices raised, no blame game, just a clean work area to get things done.

I am thankful for the clarity decluttering brings.

The first 100 days

April 10, 2021 No Comments

Today, I was prompted to reflect on the first 100 days of this year.

I chose to reflect on my blog, and take stock.

I have written 100 reasons to be thankful under “Vuja De”, including this one.

I have written 81 pages of my first full-length book, with a target of 5 pages minimum every weekend.

I have written 100 reflections under “The Art of Heart”.

I have done 14 Youtube videos under “A Second Look”, to improve my confidence in front of a camera.

I have shared 14 articles under “Let It Be Beautiful “, as a library of perspectives I found intriguing.

I am thankful for the opportunity to tell my stories, one day at a time.

Wandering thoughts

April 9, 2021 No Comments

Today, I had a thought which I would like to explore in the future.

“If we knew the exact date of our death beforehand, we would spend our whole lives trying to change it.”

Birthdays would have been death countdowns, not the current count up of life.

The not knowing might serve a purpose after all.

I am thankful for wandering thoughts that flirt with me now and then.

Faith

April 8, 2021 No Comments

Today, I prayed for the people who first come to mind when I experience a high or a low.

The people I instinctively share my experiences with, otherwise, the experience remains incomplete.

There is one trait common to all of them. They are chronically optimistic.

They celebrate when I win and lift my chin up when I lose.

I am thankful for their faith in me.

Keep swinging

April 7, 2021 No Comments

Today, I participated in a witty exchange of banter in our closed work group.

When you walk into the arena, there is only one rule – keep swinging.

If there is anything that can be thrown at you, it will. Never cower , never stop – keep swinging.

Everyone is watching how well you take a hit, and how swiftly you return with one – keep swinging.

When the dust has settled in the arena, chin up and walk away – still swinging.

Whatever you do – keep swinging.

I am thankful for my days of training in Sapele, Portharcourt, Festac and Benin. I was baptized in the waters and roasted on the streets. Wherever you choose as an arena, we die there.

Passing thoughts

April 6, 2021 No Comments

Today, I read something I wrote a while ago.

“The dead look so at peace, so still; yet so stiff, and so pale.

The living look so at war, so restless; yet so flexible, and so colourful.”

I still do not understand why I wrote this, but it is time to publish it, and refer to it in the future.

I am thankful for passing thoughts, caged on a page.

Heal

April 5, 2021 No Comments

Today, I reflected on a conversation I had with a loved one. One statement lingered in my mind –

“Forgiveness is easy. Healing is hard.”

Some truths jolt me into a realisation of our shared reality. This was one.

The advice to “forgive and forget” is really a nudge to “forgive and heal”.

Without healing, the torture becomes internal. No one else gets it but you. It is hard to explain internal pain, so you resort to groaning.

When you truly heal, the scars might hold a backstory, but the story does not hold you back.

Healing is hard. I pray for the courage to continually do hard things, gracefully.

I am thankful for those who do not just forgive, but have the courage to heal. Because of them, we keep moving forward.

Sacred battles

April 4, 2021 No Comments

Today, I listened to a friend tell a sad story of heartbreak. He mentioned beforehand that it was the lived experience of his cousin. I knew otherwise. It was his story, but he was still too ashamed to tell his story without detaching himself from it.

There are traumatic experiences people should never have. And if you have it, give yourself time to heal. No one ever understands why it takes so long to heal, but trauma is personal and people heal in different ways and durations.

What is even more worrying is that the perpetrator usually makes the victim feel they are taking too long to heal. They play the card of now being the victim because the real victim has neither healed nor moved on.

I see this also in the story of Biafra. Everyone expects the Igbos to heal and move on. But that expectation opens up new wounds.

Back to my friend. I did not reveal that I could see past the veil of his cousin, and see him naked. Instead, I listened and offered my opinion – “Anyone that cannot wait for you to heal is the reason you are not yet healed.”

I am thankful for friends that let me in on their sacred battles. I might not be able to help, but their stories make my journey feel less lonely.

Mindset

April 3, 2021 No Comments

Today, I was at an eatery to follow through on a guilty pleasure.

Standing in line, I heard the most popular question at any POS post in Naija – “Current or Savings?”

The two lovebirds in front of me, who had obviously not yet experienced cheating in their relationship, were so caught up in each other, the lady serving them had to blurt out again in annoyance – “Current or Savings?”

The reply from the female lovebird was what shocked me. She said, “Current of course. My man is rich.” To which they both giggled.

Until that moment I did not realise people who say “Savings” are perceived as poor. Thinking back now, I realise how many times people by default choose the current account option for me and I have to correct them.

I sometimes wonder why all POS machines do not just default to the required account like some do.

But back to “Current or Savings?” It is instructive that in a society such as ours, a savings account is perceived as attributable to poverty and a current account (aka expenses account) is attributable to wealth.

For the longest time, I never used a current account. I just hated the needless fees. All payments to me, including salaries, were through my savings account. I started using my current account when my bank made it clear I could not do some international transactions through my savings account. I grudgingly obliged.

For a current account to be seen as a symbol of wealth is a strong signal of a unique mindset. I do not want to qualify the mindset because it will be demeaning.

I am thankful that I do not have a mindset that equates expenses to wealth.

Good Friday

April 2, 2021 No Comments

Today, I reflected on how Jesus would have wanted today to go, all those years ago.

No sacrificial lamb goes to the altar willingly, but just before the sacrifice, it submits.

The story of events just before Jesus’ arrest was one of struggle with the impending crucifixion.

The story of events after his arrest was one of total submission to what was necessary.

Your struggle before a sacrifice does not compromise the integrity of your intent. It makes you human.

It is what you do when you arrive at the altar that is indicative of character.

“Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”

I am thankful for the example of sacrifice. The ultimate example of love. It is a day of mourning, yet it is a Good Friday.