Tell Your Story

2020 has been an incredible year that would make a perfect backdrop for a blockbuster movie. First the number 2020 conjured up so many images of uniqueness in terms of how often we get to experience such double digits.

Of course the questions were asked, ‘is there a hidden meaning in 2020? Does it relate to vision, seeing better?’

Half way through the year, the one thing we can definitely agree on is this year has been dramatic. Who knew that a virus could shut down the whole world, silence previously terrifying headlines and ‘Zoom’, ‘lockdown’ and ‘social distancing’ would become buzzwords?

Now while we are still grappling with COVID-19 headlines, racial issues have now grabbed the headlines.

It’s not all bad news though. The virus showed us better ways to do life, business, relationships and family. It gave us, our planet and campaigners a break in some regards.

Recent riots have been marred with violence and looting which is a shame but again it’s not all bad news. We are now forced to address a cancerous issue that has been staring us in the face for hundreds of years.

Many of us can no longer deny who we are and what we believe. All it takes is for us to take a hard look at how this issue makes us feel. What terminologies offend us? What are we quick to defend? What are we quick to share?

Are we putting ourselves in the shoes of the victims or do we find it easier to find arguments that turn them into villains, debunk their assertions, underplay their daily struggles or make the perpetrators heroes?

We have an opportunity to press reset on our ‘humanity and world’ views, mindsets, languages, educational system and history. We have an opportunity to tell the truth, accept the truth and challenge the lies that we have been fed and bought into.

People are fighting for their rights to be seen as equals regardless of the colour of their skin. It is a shame that we still have this fight in 2020 but better now than in 2021.

By the end of this year, we will all have stories of how we overcame and how the fight was fought. We need to share them with others and especially the future generations.

Growing up in Nigeria, story telling was what we did every night. These stories were to remind us of who we are and where we came from, intended to teach us good morals that would set us up in life and they taught us about the on-going fight between good and evil.

My father was a brilliant story teller and I got my love for reading and writing from him. As we celebrated the 20th anniversary of his passing yesterday, the 13th of June 2020, I was reminded of some of the lessons I gleaned from his story telling and his life.

My father’s life and upbringing inspired my first book ‘Flying High In A Polka Dot Dress’ and some of the lessons I learnt inspired my second book ‘The Purposeful Life Project’.

Twenty years after his passing, many of my goals and dreams still find their roots in the stories and lessons. Today, how I see myself and others has its root in my childhood and upbringing.

His stories showed me that I could reach for the skies and beyond. He taught me I was as capable as any other human and all I had to do was find my niche and be diligent at it.

At a time when we didn’t have much, he placed images of success before me showing me what it would feel like to go to university and travel the world as an accomplished person. Today I am doing just that.

2020 is a great year for story telling. Many lessons have been offered to mankind on a platter of gold. We have a responsibility to tell the right, true and unbiased story.

Remember, ‘Your story is someone’s survival guide. Share it.’

We owe it to ourselves and to future generations to make sure this year’s headlines truly stay in the past and in history archives.

Thank you for reading my post. Please share it with others and leave your own thoughts about what this year has taught you.