27/12/2023
Asido Gratitude Challenge 2023: What are the things I am grateful for?
I look back at the year gradually winding down and I am thankful for many things, even as we expectantly hope, pray and strategize to achieve more, Insha Allah. I am complying with the Asido Gratitude Challenge of listing 5- 10 things we are grateful for, in the outgoing year. Here goes:
1. I am grateful for life - to be alive and in reasonably good health.
2. The gift of family and loved ones – Starting with my parents who bequeathed us a good name and a legacy to live up to. I am thankful every time I hear stories of how they helped someone at some stage or the other in their lives or brought them into our home etc.
Then my wonderful older siblings, as the last born (9th of 9 children by my mother), and having lost her at an early age; they stood in as de facto parents, putting me through school and growing up in their homes at various phases. I would have been lost without you all. My wife and my young men also inspire me to be a better man every day.
3. Mentors who inspire me not to rest on my oars but to consistently strive to be better and to do more. Some of these mentors are here on FB and I have never even met them in real life, while others I have only met once or twice.
4. Senior colleagues, colleagues, friends, my students and mentees who consistently provide positive encouragement as well as critical feedback when I am slacking or going off track. Many brilliant colleagues that I have met all over the world – including those that have truly earned a special place due to their awesomeness.
5. Classmates who are the very best of the very best over decades. From secondary school to the University of Ibadan, where we have become like family over the years. We have been through thick and thin together and there is minimal pretense when we are together. POUCH 98 specially take a bow here….you guys are too much. Rock-solid lifelong friends and family you have all become.
6. The gift of the Asido Foundation (www.asidofoundation.com) and so many dedicated patrons, board of trustees, directors, coordinators, staff and volunteers, and the awesome members of the Asido Campus Network (the student arm of the Asido Foundation across campuses) whose incredible efforts are contributing towards improving mental health awareness and pushing back against shame and stigma in our society. You all make me so so proud.
7. Joy of bi-directional learning as a university lecturer – I derive the greatest joy from interacting with students as a lecturer and listening to their lofty dreams and incredibly creative talents and initiatives. I also hope I can positively impact and shape their views while also sharing my experience and knowledge of psychiatry and mental health with them. Its like cheating to be paid to do something you actually enjoy doing. But don’t tell my employers that please.
8. Working as a clinician in the field of mental health is a gift and a privilege. People share their pains and concerns and trust you sufficiently to help them or their loved ones to feel better and overcome their challenges. It is a humbling experience that I don’t take for granted. I consider it a privilege and something that as doctors we have taken an oath to always do to our utmost best. I am thrilled to be able to do this at the University College Hospital, Ibadan as well as via Anchorage Hospital, which provides private and professional emotional wellness care at the heart of Bodija, in Ibadan.
9. Learning the rudiments of entrepreneurship from many mentors who share freely of their expertise and time to help me learn financial literacy in my old age.
10. All of you, yes, YOU….on this street and elsewhere that have been part of my life this year. I thank you all most sincerely and may we continue to interact constructively and productively for good causes and for many more years to come. Amin.
So, what are you grateful for this year? Reflect on them and share to encourage others too.
