Dear Olabanji,

A note to myself (and YOU if you need a shoulder to cry on)

Olabanji, Oluwaseyifunmi.

Omo (the son of) Olalekan Adedayo Ariyo.

Breathe…

Be strong…because you can

Keep your light up, even when it’s hard

Stand by your values, regardless of what’s at stake

Love freely, even though you might get hurt (and you will)

Cry when you’re hurt. You’re human too

Don’t judge yourself by the actions and reactions of others.

Your life is not lived outside — in. Rather, it’s lived inside — out.

What’s not in you cannot come out of you. So, guard your heart.

Stand by your word. And remember the son of Whom you are.

Life is not a bed of roses, not if you make your bed yourself.

Hold on, only to what makes you a better person.

You’ll come in contact with people that will help you, teach you, rattle your belief, shape your growth and contribute positively to you. Some of them will be close to you and others… from a distance

You’ll also come in contact with people that will hurt you, bleed your heart, throw an arrow at your confidence and self-esteem and they will more likely be close (otherwise it wouldn’t hurt)

In some cases, it’ll be a mix of both, because life is complicated and that’s not on you.

The closest people to you might even hurt you but understand that people are complicated (just like you).

Cry if you must but always lead with love and shine like the star that you are.

It might be tough, but so are you.

Oluwaseyifunmi (like my mum would call when there’s some serious matter)…

Breathe… You’ll be okay.