Success is not a destination, it's a journey. (you read it right)

Success is seen as an ongoing process of improvement, learning, and achievement, rather than a fixed point that, once reached, marks the end of effort.

I was on a bus one evening after work, and I started having this feeling that I was going to be really rich someday and have a successful life, and make a huge impact in the world. And I wondered if our now "successful" people in the world had this feeling before they became successful.

Like, is this how Dangote felt before he became rich? Well, I’ll ask him someday

Well, success starts from the feeling of wanting to do something, and from this feeling, you begin to prepare, and from preparing, you begin to execute your plans. And along the line, you must develop an optimistic attitude, so that when you fail at one particular point, you no longer want to give up because you have a positive attitude about yourself.

So, to my future self, if you’re reading this, I want you to know that we did the thing with triumph; we tried and we triumphed. I’m so glad that when the storms kept coming, we did all we could to stay positive, and we succeeded. I’m so proud of us..... With so much love, Teresa…

Here's my August Dump in WORDS 😁

I took my procrastination from 101% to 2% - yeah, you read that right! I still procrastinate, but not at the expense of my passion, purpose, and self-development.

A few months ago, I read 'Atomic Habits' by James Clear, and I owe a huge thank you to the wonderful person who recommended it to me. Before reading this book, I struggled with getting things done on time, which held me back from reaching my full potential.

Here are some key things i learnt from this book:

1️⃣ Habits are automatic: A habit is a routine or behavior performed regularly, often without thinking about it. Think about it like this: you might find yourself developing habits without even realizing it - like, picking your nose in public 🙂.

2️⃣ Small changes add up: Small changes may seem insignificant at first, but they can compound into remarkable results over time if you’re willing to stick with them.

3️⃣ Humility and Learning

James Clear said, " I had never considered myself a master of the topic, but rather someone who was experimenting alongside my readers." This mindset reminds us to stay humble and open to learning.

4️⃣ The Power of 1% Improvement

Bad habits are easier to form because they’re more comfortable, but building the right habits requires focus. By aiming to get 1% better each day, you can achieve significant improvements over time. In fact, if you improve by 1% daily for a year, you’ll end up 37 times better than when you started.
Here’s something to keep in mind: The cost of your good habits is in the present, while the cost of your bad habits is in the future. Let’s work together to build better habits and i highly recommend Atomic Habits.

A girl with a clean slate, waiting to fill these emptinesses with plenty of things that make sense, I guess... A girl whose art reflects God's heart, a rare privilege hard to find. A girl who held big dreams with both hands.

At the beginning of the year, I was determined to let go of my shyness, worry, and procrastination and just wanted to feel fresh and learn. Well, on my journey to feel fresh and learn, a lot of errors were made on my not-so-clean slate 😢... I cried – y'all, I cried so much – and I felt like I should just quit and let it all go.

I had goals like
✨️ Being a consistent writer
✨️ Buying books and reading them
✨️ Taking courses online to develop my writing, and

✨️ Stopping procrastination
I listened to a message about procrastination by Apostle Femi Lazarus (AFL) up to three times. And, you don't want to know the outcome – I even procrastinated before watching it for the second time 🙂... Don't judge me; I'm just trying to learn.

My friend Favour boldly wrote on her affirmation board, "PROCRASTINATION IS THE THIEF OF TIME," so I had to find a way to stop procrastinating.

You: Do you still procrastinate?
Me: Yes, but I've improved; I'm a changed person now 😌.
You: Are you proud?
Me: No, I'm soooo proud.

My mentor recommended a book that actually helped with my procrastination – "Atomic Habits" by James Clear. I highly recommend that y'all read that book.
P.S. If you find reading hard, don't borrow books; buy them with your money, and thank me later 📌.

So, to the girl I was in January, I'm more aware of our destination than before, I'm more open to learning than before, and I'm more interested in writing than before. Our medium audience is growing, and I'm proud. We're doing better than before. I'm cheering for what the remaining part of the year holds, even as June lies 😊.

Happy July✨️♥️

That morning, I checked myself in the mirror before I was satisfied with the way I looked because finding people who can tell you things directly without sugarcoating them is rare to find.

The truth is I sometimes can’t tell you the truth because I fear your reaction. Most people don’t like the truth anyway... Just tell them comforting lies, and they’ll be fine.

I wish I could see the real me in people's minds, not just read their lips. That way, I would look beyond their delusions and understand what they truly think about me.

I wish people would speak their minds more often and tell the truth instead of making things better with lies.📌

If they did, the world would be a better place.We would learn to accept our faults as normal humans do and make genuine adjustments to improve ourselves.

I totally agree to this. Here’s a popular story;

A woman made food for her husband, but unfortunately, the salt was too much. Instead of her husband telling the truth about her cooking, he said, "Honey, the salt is more than the rice oh" and his wife started laughing and understood the message immediately.

Well, I wish I could see into your heart. Perhaps I’ll know my flaws – that my breath stinks, my fashion sense is lacking, my hair is untidy, and I look messy. If people could read each other’s unspoken thoughts, then we’d all grow significantly.

At the beginning of the month, I emphasized that I wanted May to be the auxiliary verb for ability, possibility, and I wanted May to be merry. Well, I had a merry May — my friend birthed my little wonder, endless possibilities I got. But beside the merriment came pain, frustration, and discomfort alongside God’s guidance and hope.

May for me was a month of constant reflection. When my uncle died on the 2nd day of my Merry May, I found myself constantly asking questions like

"Is this the end for him?"

"So, if I screamed his name, he won’t answer?"

"So, I'm never going to see him again?"

"I too will become lifeless someday?"

Yes, these were my silent but most questionable thoughts – that one day it would all be over for me here on earth, and everyone who knew me once might one day forget me, and the only thought they would have of me would be memories.

At my uncle's burial, people kept sharing their memories of him; some were crying, others like me were reflecting on our lives, and some were most concerned about the food and drinks available to consume. During this time, I learned a few things I'd love to share:

1. Ecclesiastes 7:1 (MSG) – A good reputation is better than a fat bank account. Your death date tells more than your birth date. The Word of God has given us a chance to live a life of honor. A good reputation is riches, remember.

2. No one is unforgettable – people get to mourn you for at least one week after you die, especially on the day you die, then maybe three days to your burial and two days after you’re buried, and then everyone continues their lives like nothing happened — it’s the power of hope. Well, i feel this ideology is different with people, maybe. And occasionally, they’ll remember you either positively or negatively; the question is, what would you be remembered for??

3. Negativity slows you down – living a negative life is the easiest and most enjoyable. Remember, laziness is very comfortable, and hard work is uncomfortable, but you get rewarded handsomely for your discomfort.

May for me was indeed merry and reflective.

Dear reader, may we all strive to live a life that leaves a lasting legacy… Amen

Hey May,
Permit me to say
I'd love to picture you as the auxiliary verb for ability
To make endless possibilities.

May, may you be merry
May you feel my heart with jolly
And may my joy Blossom like cherry

After my 'sweet April',
I'll love to have a 'Merry May'

At 6:31 am, the dawn’s awake
Staring at the sky, my hope awake
With smiles, pure and wide
As sunrise paints the morning’s side

Through the window of a moving car, I witness birth
Of daybreak radiance on this earth
Lost in wonder, time slips away
As hours flee, and the day fade away

The sunset wonder
Introduces night, while stars wandered
The night sky dark and deep
An opportunity for the stars to creep

Sad to say
Amidst this beauty, fear resides
Terror and doubt, side by side
But still, the sky's majesty I adore
A wonder that my soul explores

The sky is a masterpiece that touches my heart
A symphony of colors, a work of art
With every sunrise
My hope arise

In the depths of my personal locker room, a unique space exists where past and present meet. This sanctuary is where I store memories, emotions, and experiences – a place where I curate my transformation.

Within this symbolic space, I search through the old and the new, deciding what to retain and what to let go of. It's here that I choose the attire for my next chapter. The locker room is where I prepare for life's various occasions, whether joyous or challenging.

My aspiration is to fill this locker room with positivity and goodness. I picture a space where happiness and joy surpass sadness and pain. By releasing the burdens of shame and heartache, I can transform into a more refined, gracious version of myself.

As I curate this space, I'm guided by the promises of my Creator – a source of hope and inspiration. I believe that these promises will be fulfilled, bringing fulfillment and purpose to my life.

In this intimate space, I'll continue to unfold, embracing the goodness and joy that life has to offer. My locker room will remain a sanctuary for transformation, renewal, and the pursuit of a more authentic, empowered me.

You present yourself with sweetness and charm,
A month of promise, where success disarms.
I recall the adventures we've shared in the past,
The struggles and fights that made my spirit last.

But April, I pray that each new day,
Will bring me strength, joy, and a brighter way.
May every morning remind me of God's favor and might,
And fill my life with sweetness, love, and delight.

May each day in you be a gift from above,
A chance to start again, with a heart full of love.
May your days bring me joy, peace, and cheer,
And fill my life with beauty, year after year.

With Love
Tereesa ✨️

This is my story of navigating those darkest moments, and the lessons I’ve learned along the way

1. Pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional. The fact remains that pains are an inherent part of life's journey. You get hurt by people, experience disappointments, and face challenges. However, to avoid inflicting further harm on yourself, you must choose to heal. Make healing obligatory rather than optional. Don't let your past define your future.

2. Healing is a process. Healing is not a destination, but a journey. It requires time, effort, and patience. It's okay to take things one step at a time.

3. Hope is essential. Hope gives us the strength to keep going, even in the darkest of times. It helps us see beyond our current circumstances and believe in a better future.

4. We are not defined by our past. This is a powerful reminder that our choices and actions in the present define us, not our past.

5. Resilience is key. Throughout my journey toward a healthy mind, I've learned to be resilient, to keep going, and to never give up on my long-term vision. The truth is, we all have priorities and standards for the life we want to build and live. While it may seem effortless in our imagination, achieving it requires considerable effort, including facing setbacks and getting hurt.

6. God's plans are bigger than our pain. Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us that God's plans for us are plans to prosper us, not to harm us. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that our pain is not the end of the story, but rather a chapter in a larger narrative of hope and redemption.

Dear readers, it's time to move beyond our pain, hold onto hope, and trust in a brighter future.