Wishing You Well

First of all, I want to say thank you to every single one of you who took a few minutes of your time to read my column. I am so amazed by all the responses I get every week, and I really appreciate all of you so much.

It’s been quite a journey, I have to say. There were so many experiences we learnt from this year – love, loss, babies, failed relationships, ‘I miss you’ texts and overall loving yourself.

But I pray that we can all wake up in 2018 and be like – I survived 2017. The same way we survived 2016 when everything went wrong.

As I stepped into this year, I already knew that I was never going to be the same again because I was woken up by an explosion right outside my window. It hadn’t even been three hours of the new year and bam! That happens. Picture a woman in a vest, phone in hand, flailing about in fear as she watches smoke rise in the dead of the night. That kind of vibe.

Ever since then, I’ve made sure to enjoy each moment to the fullest, because you never know, you could die when you’re sleeping peacefully, intentionally avoiding the ‘thrive life’. It’s almost inescapable. Just because someone said December is a lifestyle. Thanks for that, by the way. I’m sure you’ve all read about the spirit of ‘Omunye’ by now – lifting chairs and all, but I’m sure you’ve also read about car accidents, petty bar fights and thievery. “Here for a good time not for a long time” kamma. Before we engage in our tomfoolery, I just want to pass along a few words of well wishes.

I pray that you all make it through the rough roads – travelling is never the same this time of the year. May Jesus literally take the wheel and guide you all safely to your destinations this festive season. May you enjoy Christmas, family time and return home once again in one piece. May oshifima and chicken fill all of your bellies, may the sweltering heat rather grant you the glow of the African sun for your fire selfies, and may the fields flourish with food for all to eat. There is no other place like Namibia, I hope you are all taking advantage of this peaceful land and doing as much sightseeing as your wallet will allow.

I pray that the new year brings you more insight into self-love, care and rest. May you not be overworked. May you enjoy peace, love and happiness as you are supposed to. May money flow into your pocket in abundance (through legal means, please). May your path to the future you deserve be a sturdy one. May your relationships bring more joy to your soul.

And if you have not found the right person yet, may he/she stumble into your life at a time when you need it the most.

And land. Wow. May we rest our heads on pillows in homes that we can proudly call our own.

Down with rape. Down with sexual harassment. Down with the days when a woman can no longer walk in the street by herself and not be attacked. Down with reckless drinking and driving, costing the lives of the innocent. Down with hatred and xenophobia. Down with racism.

The worldwide movements this year taught us, once again, to fight for our rights. Stand up for what you believe in. Stay steadfast in your battle for equality, friend. We will be in a better place some day. We need to be. But most importantly, may God be with you all.

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