<p>One of my favourite artistes once said... "in life as in love, you need to remember, there's such a thing as trying too hard". Sometimes , life can go from smooth to rocky, or it could be love, but today, i'm not talking about love. I have seen too many people go through life with so much hardness. I completely understand that sometimes, you have to live like that to survive. As you live though, remember to live a little.
</p><p>My sweet uncle, though very unserious about his future told me one night-
</p><p>"When you know what's at stake, you have a different approach, a different attitude towards the things you do". I figured he had nothing at stake because he hit the bottle with a firm single mindedness, the next day harder than the day before. If you take his advice, life will seem a little more serious, in some cases, desperate, and you'll find yourself focused and ticking things off a full list.
</p><p>This is exactly how I felt when I Opened my eyes at 5:00 am today, to the shrill blast of my alarm. I screamed in my head, "I am still tired", but there I was, sitting up and getting ready to do my usual prayers. Of course, I managed to doze off four times in the 20 minutes it took me to pray. I am certain God understood. I tried those healthy stretch exercises and gave up on the third trial. I hoped I hadn't torn a ligament in my rib cage.
</p><p>Even as one leg hit the floor after the other, I could feel my whole self protesting the inconvenience of being asked, by no one in particular, to get up and be about.
</p><p>My plans kept kicking my ass all over my room in a very loud tantrum.
</p><p>Once the initial battle of getting up was won, everything seemed easier.
</p><p>Thinking about it now, i am certain that today was one of those days when I would have stayed in bed till evening, not minding that there was something called food - Now, there's another battle I'm constantly fighting. How did I not appreciate what my parents were doing for me till now?
</p><p>This adult does not eat until her last life bar is in red and blinking.
</p><p>Food, food, food!!! Please be my friend, so that I can call you up at any time with a flick of my wrist. That's the only way our relationship would improve.
</p><p>My father asked me, "Ada'm, do you eat to live or live to eat?" I smiled toothily like I always do with him and answered, "I eat to live". He chuckled, but I could see the pity for me in his eyes.
</p><p>I owe that man countless roses in his lifetime. He is the one person that knows how to get me to eat. He has my food "mumu button".
</p><p>Gently, he told me- "My daughter, don't be like me (he too does not eat a lot). Old age has made me reduce my eating, but you're young. You should eat very well now. Give your body all that it needs, so that you can be healthy always."
</p><p>Now, this is great advice to someone who doesn't see eating as a chore. Me? On some days, I want to completely cut the stomach off, but life is short.
</p><p>My mantra in life has always been to experience as much as i can. Believe me when i say it has gotten me into more problems than not. I am not stopping though. That is what all the fuss is about. When the day is done, what can we really hold on to? (I know you are single, so, i'm not asking about the who). Your experiences are gold. Live a little.
</p><p><br></p><p>Yesterday, like a fluke, i was scared of too much,
</p><p>What would it feel like to be unable to be touched, heart and mind?
</p><p>Unhealthy is the word that comes to mind all the time.
</p><p>I couldn't bear to not see all the corners i could call mine.
</p><p><br></p><p>Oh, how i love newness,
</p><p>To meet people, to make friends.
</p><p>Eat strange things and try even newer things.
</p><p>call on strange neighbours with that sweet pie in hand.
</p><p>would they throw me out or would i have made up for lost time.
</p><p>Beat up the street bully that calls my friend fat,
</p><p>oh, i'll be armed with a club and my cat ears to render a little mystique.
</p><p><br></p><p>You still think me strange, i know it,
</p><p>when you see the things i want to do, you'll think me mad.
</p><p>far from it my friend, i am just real.
</p><p>Its all on my bucket list,
</p><p>One day i'll show it to you .
</p><p>Those who have seen it think i am weird.
</p><p>I think its all normal, but who defines normal anyway?
</p><p>I just want to be happy, so happy and grateful,
</p><p>for the life I've made and the people who have graced it.</p><p>
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LIFE'S A HAPPY SONG, WHEN YOU SING A LIVELY TUNE
By
Chidera Odom