A Beautiful Life

A tale of roses and thorns (AN---- 032)

Jul 09, 2023

I’m experiencing a new phase right now, and it is that which inspires today’s newsletter. My season has changed, finally, and I welcome this new season with the same joy that a deer laps up refreshing water on a hot day.

I feel at peace and truly on the brink of a great revolution, a defining marker of my adult life. I hope that by my words, I might imbue unto you the same peace and clarity that I feel after so long.

hey there ;) welcome to today’s newsletter. i simply cannot begin to accurately describe how much i have missed writing to you. i am back, albeit for a season but back nonetheless.

let us document greatness.

A beautiful life. Today’s heading came to me a while ago, when I first felt the tides change. Still operating in chaos at the time, the idea of this newsletter swayed softly in my mind, like a kite in the wind, before finally settling and firmly taking root as an idea I absolutely had to execute.

It’s the right time for this idea to come to life and that is exactly what I seek to do. May the words take on a mind of their own and breathe life to you, dear reader.

In the months that made up my previous season, the question I pondered on the most was how my life should be lived. It constantly felt like I had to decide what things mattered to me and what the right path was and it always felt like an urgent decision.

It weighed on my mind in the mornings and it sometimes caused me to cry as I went to sleep at night, the thought that I was somehow making a mistake as to how to live and what mattered.

The question persists but I have some answers as well. Here are a few things I have learnt about building a beautiful life. First, let us start by defining what a beautiful life is.

A beautiful life is life lived on your terms. It’s a life of options. It’s a life lived in complete acceptance of the outcomes of your options. It’s a life lived with clarity and purpose. It is one lived with the joy of contentment and peace in the midst of hardships. It’s a life in which the voices outside do not completely confuse the one within. It’s a life full of experiences that enrich and conversations that reassure. It’s a life that blesses you with people to share your journey with. It’s a life in which you’re able to bless others with your lived experiences and wisdom. It’s a heart resistant to the wounds that sojourning through this life leaves on us all. It’s a life of ongoing healing, learning and growth.

A beautiful life is a life that leaves the world better than you met it.

so, what makes for a beautiful life?

1. Community

There are certain people and places that inspire the best version of you. Find them and hold on. Life can be quite difficult at times but I have found that the right people help make things easier on you. Even in the tumultous season I just emerged from, I really was blessed with the gift of people. It was people who held me up on days when I felt too weak to go on. It was people who listened to me rant and helped me find solutions when it seemed like everything was falling apart. It was people who hugged me when i had needed comfort and reassurance during a difficult time.

I can go on and on about how having the right people has been my biggest asset I’ve had.

2. Self-discovery and acceptance.

A lot is often said about self-discovery but not enough is said about self acceptance. It is one thing to know who you are and yet another thing to be accepting of, and true to who you are.

Like self-discovery, self-acceptance is also a continuous journey; a journey in which you’re identifying and accepting the things that make you you whilst still continuously improving.

We currently live in a world that encourages self-acceptance to an almost detrimental degree but I believe there is a healthy balance to be obtained. In a world full of voices constantly advertising a new life and path, knowing and accepting what works for you anchors you. The balance can be tricky to attain though and requires constant introspection.

You cannot fight who you are, but it does take courage to choose to be your authentic self.

3. Joy.

Any life devoid of joy would feel empty regardless of the achievements attained or the quality of life lived.

While it isn’t always easy however, Joy is always an option regardless of the situation. Embracing Joy can be as easy as choosing to see the silver lining in every situation. Humor is also a good way of relieving tension and making way for joy.

It’s also important to learn the right things you ought to give your time and attention to. Learning to deny certain things attention brings peace and makes it easier to be joyful.

4. Purpose

A pretty prominent hallmark of a beautiful life is Purpose. Purpose is what we live for and it’s different for every person.

Finding your purpose and trusting the process to realize it really makes your life full.

There will be challenges along the way but figuring out life and purpose one tiny step at a time is really very fulfilling.

There’s so much more that I could write one but I’ll stop here so this piece is easy to read. I might do a second part though so please leave a comment if you’d like that.

Adedolapo’s Newsletter

Discussion about this post