The “Lights On” Entry

Hello everyone!

It’s been a while since I said hello.?

How are you doing? I hope you had an amazing past week and you have an even better week to come.

This past week, I was reminded of an old fear of mine.?

Up until I was about 13, I used to be scared of the dark. Like very scared.?

I had no problem with darkness when there were others in the room with me. But when I was alone? The fear was palpable.

Now that I’m older, it’s hard to pinpoint what exactly scared me in the dark. Was it the uncertainty? A lot of the time, because I was unable to see, I would just think up things that I thought were there and it’s those things that would scare me, not the darkness itself.?

You know how that one chair in your room that looks like a person staring at you in the dark.?

I also had, and still have, a wild imagination, so that did not help at all. On more than one occasion, I would get scared by something, then turn the lights on and realize it’s just an object in the dark.?

There was a particular night I was so sure the wire hanging from the ceiling was a snake. I was too scared to stand up to go call my parents, so I just laid in fear for hours until I fell asleep.?

By the time I woke up, and realized what it was, I felt so dumb. I remember my dad asking me why the first thing that came to my mind was that it was a snake.?

As an adult, I’m not scared of the dark anymore. But there are other ways my fears have expressed their creativity.?

There are lots of new things I’ve wanted to do that my fears have held me down against and made me believe that they would turn out wrong instead of right.?

But, like my battle with darkness, I have chosen to believe only the best things and when I’m not sure, I simply turn on the lights.?

You might be like me.?

You’re scared of some things you have to do this year.?

You probably want to start a business, but what if it fails?

Well what if it succeeds?????♀?

You want to overcome fear? Step one is to turn it on its head. When it gives you reasons to back down, give it reasons to keep going. Then turn on the lights by doing research and finding out ways to make your dreams work.?

Sometimes you might turn on the lights and see that your fears where actually right, but most times their wrong.?

Bottom line is, make sure you look at things in the light first. Don’t let fear paralyze you from what you have to do.?

Turn on the lights of Gods word, the lights of sound advice from those that have gone ahead, the lights of wisdom, etc.?

Never back down from something you have not properly seen. The challenge you see as a mountain might actually just be a pile of clothes on your room??

Don’t let fear stop you this year.?

NOT SO RANOM FACT OF THE WEEK:?The African Cup of Nations started in 1957 and the first tournament was played by just 3 countries; Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia. Since then, the tournament has been held 34 times, including the 2023 AFCON held this year. Egypt has won the trophy the most with 7 wins. The 2 countries in the finals this year, Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire have both won it thrice and twice respectively.?

I’m rooting for Nigeria of course?, who are you rooting for?

I wish the Super Eagles the best in the finals and you the very best this week!

See you next Sunday!

Your trusty growth partner,

Dee?