Shine On

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In this journey of mine called life I have had the privilege of experiencing the good, the bad and oh the ugly days. I do what I have to do with each kind of day, from embracing it to enjoying it to facing it to learning from it to moving on from it or to simply deleting it like it never ever existed.

The recent most perfect day that is in my memory was in December last year while I was on holiday. I lay in the calm clear ocean facing the blue cloudless sky, cool breeze blowing, beautiful sun shining upon my skin, glass of champagne in hand. For those few hours my mind was blank, just taking in all the beauty and splendor around me with no cares or distractions. I remember the whole time the thought that kept ringing in my mind was “I am in Heaven.”

There have been the bad days too when say business did not work out or something tragic happened in the family. A while ago I lost all my hard earned savings in one day due to a bad decision. That is one of the ugliest ones I remember.
No matter what happens in life, you need to stay in control and not let life take control over you. Regardless of what the previous day was like, you need to wake up, make up, dress up and show up with your best smile on. Life will fear you. You have to keep moving and don’t give up. At times the situations seem big, but guess what? You are much bigger than them.

Always make the best of the good moments. Do not just laugh, laugh really hard. Dance till your muscles cramp. Love with all you’ve got. Meet new people, see new places, try new things. Do whatever it is that you love to do and cut out the things that make you unhappy. Also, remember the world does not revolve around just you. Be kind to others, get out of your way to be helpful, make someone’s day. Give compliments, share what you have, smile at someone. You just never know how far that will go. There is joy in creating happiness for others.

When the tough times come face them knowing that they shall pass. You will come out a stronger person. Keep pressing on and keep hope alive. It does get better. You look back in time to come and those situations look like some little things that you went through and overcame. Every obstacle is an opportunity for you to learn and to grow. I am learning that the attitude with which you face them will determine the extent to which they will affect you.

I face more difficult situations now than I did in the past and yet handle them in a more mature way with greater strength than before because I tell myself that I am bigger, that the situation will pass and I look out for the lessons there are to learn. One could easily argue that maturity in handling situations comes with age. I think that’s partly true but it has more to do with attitude. If you maintain the same ‘pity’, ‘give up’ attitude even as you grow older, you will continue to be drowned by the storms of life.

Another thing that I have always found very helpful while going through challenges is a good support system: people I can confide in, count on for encouragement and tangible help. Having such people around makes the load much lighter. Remember to also be there for them when they need you and not always be the one on the receiving end.

I used to tackle issues on my own but it was more frustrating, they took much longer to resolve, drained more energy and just caused stress. I realized that whatever the situation there is always someone who is able and willing to help. There is someone who has been through something similar who can advise you, there is someone who has the necessary resources that you may not have to resolve an issue, there is someone who knows someone that could help you. The interesting thing is that these people are not so far away from you. So you should never have to go through anything alone. Look around you: among your friends, family, workmates, neighbors and so on. There is always someone who can walk with you. All you have to do is reach out and open up.

Life is like a basket full of things; some good and others not as good. When your day doesn’t turn out as expected don’t give up. Keep hoping and believing for a better tomorrow. Don’t let life’s challenges get the better of you. Don’t let them change you (for the worse). Don’t let them make you bitter but better. Always be your best self and shine on.

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Published by Angela Ayo-Ogwang

Angela is a Ugandan entrepreneur with a deep passion for new things: faces, places, food, culture.. Name it! She's in love with all things life, people and happiness :)

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37 thoughts on “Shine On”

  1. Loved reading this. It’s a blessing when you get to share with others. It might be just what someone needs to encourage them through a tough spot. I love the bit about a strong support system. Many times we don’t want to depend on others, but I’ve found it to be very useful. Thanks allotted

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      1. Hey Angie p
        It’s amazing how you put all this together. God has given us more reason to celebrate the future and it starts with being mature in how we handle ourselves.
        Living ourselves and being able to enjoy the good times more than tough ones.

        You go girl!

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  6. An invaluable write-up, takes the reader step by step, is refreshingly rigorous & long overdue; stimulating, original & ingenious in its specificity; relentlessly logical, fresh and an important contribution that is very relatable, applicable, engaging, informative, irreverent & with compelling evidence and logic. Wealthy with great advice, succinct, robust, compact with huge amounts of insights into life and how to live better. Replete with enlightenment & has enriched my understanding, just wish you shared that champagne!!! A useful, helpful blog;..love it 🙂

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  11. I am also largely blessed to benefit from the greatest support system of which you form part – family. I definately concur with you. Am looking forward to enjoying a similar holiday though 🙃

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  12. This is very encouraging especially during tiles when one is having an awful day. It’s crucial to summon up all the positive energy and move on from all the hardships and awful moments.
    Please keep on with this, am sure this message provides encouragement to everyone, to go on about life with a smile
    God bless you Sis.

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  14. It’s a good mix in a write of reality to bring inspiration home to many. I love the inspiration Angie. Keep going and living each day.

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  17. Wow Angie this is so beautiful. Thank you for speaking to our hearts. Every human being needs to hear these words that you have written. Some of us can attest to what you have written because you been part of our support system and we really appreciate your view of life. Always happy and full of energy even when we know life hasn’t been all Rosy for you. Please keep up the positive spirit and keep walking with us on this platform. We shall definitely keep following you because you have a powerful message that we yearn to listen to everyday. Will read this piece again and again. Thank you my dearest 😘

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  18. Angie luv, so happy how far you hv come. I’m beginning to understand you better. Keep shining dear🙌

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