Trusting yourself is a precious gift!

What advice would you give to your teenage self?

To My Younger Self (thank You)

As a teenager, nothing feels more alluring than the freedom of adulthood, the sweet escape from the watchful eyes of parents and older siblings. I can see this yearning in my six-year-old daughter, who often whispers to me, “Daddy, I wish I were 12.” It’s a heartfelt sentiment that reflects a natural stage in life. Many teenagers, having completed secondary school and entering the early days of puberty, experience a profound awakening of self-awareness and a fierce desire for recognition. It’s as if they are convinced they possess invincible superpowers, capable of conquering any challenge that comes their way. I, too, was swept up in that exhilarating tide.

To my younger self, I would gently say: take a moment to breathe and savor the journey. The excitement to fully embrace life sometimes led me down paths of reckless decisions, choices for which I still bear the consequences today. I often find myself reflecting on my missed opportunities, especially regarding my education. Dropping out due to financial hardship is a regret that lingers, a reminder of the barriers that once felt insurmountable.

To my teenage self, I urge you to embrace life’s moments but to do so with mindfulness. I understand now that the balance between enjoyment and caution is vital. My own youthful struggles, compounded by a strict upbringing and pressing economic challenges, often meant that I had little room for enjoyment—experiences that I now wish I had allowed myself to embrace.

Trusting yourself is a precious gift. I know how easy it is to seek validation in others, and I too fell prey to that vulnerability. My sincerity and openness sometimes left me exposed to others’ intentions. I realize now that believing others would reciprocate my kindness was a lesson learned through hardship—a truth that still echoes in my life today.

Finally, I want to extend heartfelt gratitude to my younger self for persevering through every challenge and for the tapestry of experiences that have shaped the person I am today. Thank you for your resilience and for laying the foundation of the journey I continue to walk.

Water is life!

What is your favorite drink?

My go -drink without question

Water is essential to life—colorless, tasteless, and readily available, yet vital for our existence. It’s my go-to drink without question. We are advised to meet specific daily water intake requirements based on our age, environment, weather, and level of activity; typically, 6 to 8 glasses is the target.

No matter when you choose to drink it, water serves its purpose exceptionally well. Whether it’s first thing in the morning on an empty stomach, after a satisfying meal, post-workout sweat, or during a heatwave, the benefits of water are undeniable. Nothing can rival the satisfaction of a cool glass of water after an intense treadmill run. While we may use water for various reasons—cooking, bathing, cleaning, or swimming—its refreshing quality after a workout is unmatched. Water is not just important; it is indispensable.Water is life.

A dying Nation

Are you patriotic? What does being patriotic mean to you?

Nation that lack patriot

The concept of expressing devotion and support for one’s country is indeed a noble aspiration. Embracing the established laws, regulations, and services is essential for the fabric of any society. As citizens, patriotism is not merely an expectation but a reflection of our free will and commitment to our homeland.

It is important to acknowledge that no child is inherently inclined to dislike their country; rather, it is the prevailing circumstances and the influence of governmental institutions that shape their sense of patriotism. As someone who has cherished his country of origin since childhood, I have experienced firsthand the challenges of economic hardships and limited access to basic social amenities. Despite these difficulties, my desire for a better future for my country remained strong.

However, as I matured, I became aware of the disconnection between the government and the people it governs. Things I had learned about in school and the realities of my community, state, and region. The support and expectations from my country seemed scarce, leading to a gradual decline in my sense of patriotism. The sacrifices of our past heroes appeared to be overlooked, and institutions designed to safeguard citizens sometimes appeared to act in opposition to their well-being.

I have long believed in the idea that “youths are the leaders of tomorrow,” yet, after four decades, it is disheartening to see a continuity of leadership that does not reflect the vibrancy and potential of our youth and the well-being of its citizens

I maintain that true patriotism can only flourish in an environment where a state honors its heroes, protects its citizens, and treats every individual with equality and respect otherwise the people show their noncompliance and indifference. For a nation that lacks patriots is a dying nation.

Time and circumstances happen to everyone!

Are there any activities or hobbies you’ve outgrown or lost interest in over time?

Change; only thing constant.

Losing interest in something is distinct from outgrowing it. Everyone experiences the passage of time and changing circumstances. As I grow as a person, my life continues to evolve through various processes that are yet to reach their final stage. When it comes to hobbies and activities I enjoy in my free time, many factors come into play.

Outgrown, you say? I find that my interests shift because of circumstances. Our preferences can change for many reasons. As a teenager, I loved playing cards, soccer, and Ludo. I had the luxury of time then, being young and single. Yet, as time passed, my desire for those games transformed. It wasn’t an act of outgrowing; rather, I simply found myself with less time due to new priorities.

I discovered a passion for reading and writing. Realizing I could positively impact others while also enriching my own life led me to focus more on these pursuits. Consistency is essential for success, and I strive to enhance my writing and research skills. While I have outgrown some childhood games, I still cherish many from my teenage years. Circumstances have changed, and priorities have shifted, but that’s the essence of life.

Change, as they say, is the only constant.

At some point in life!

What’s your favorite candy?

Everyone loves candy!!!

Given the health problems associated with sugar intake, I find it difficult to eat much candy. I wouldn’t say I’m a fan now, but that wasn’t always the case. Unlike my children, who sometimes cry for candy every day, I wasn’t raised with it. At my age, I can barely remember the names of any candies other than Haribo; surprisingly, I even miss the names of the candies I currently buy for my kids each month. That’s how little of a fan I am.

Nevertheless, my favorite candy is Haribo because it contains less sugar than others and is also chewable. When I have a craving, I often open a pack and take out three or four pieces for myself, leaving the rest for my younger children. I’m allergic to sweetness, especially to high sugar levels, making me uncomfortable whenever I accidentally consume too much.

At some point in live everyone loves candy!

For the past fifteen years, I have suppressed my desire for anything sugary. I even went so far as to drink my tea and coffee without sugar until my doctor informed me that my sugar levels were low. At that point, I began to add a small amount to my teas and coffees. I always got goosebumps when I saw how much sugar my coworkers put into their tea; their reactions to my unsweetened drinks were quite surprising. Although they often complimented me on my choices, I understand their preferences.

Sugar is addictive, much like caffeine and other products, and since the recommended consumption levels are not well-regulated, we often ignore the consequences of excessive intake. Some parents give their children too much freedom when it comes to candy, leading to habits that can be difficult to break later in life. Understanding the importance of managing sugar consumption, I have made it a priority to regulate my young children’s candy intake to avoid the serious health consequences associated with it. Nevertheless, everyone loves candy at some point in their lives.

The downpour soaked us!

Do you need a break? From what?

But also had us washed.

If wishes were horses, then beggars would ride. It’s already ten p.m., and I’ve finally convinced my six-year-old daughter to go to bed after enjoying the excellent noodles I served her for dinner. I’ve been busy all day, having had a very stressful week at work, with today being my first rest day of the week, which I must admit is not a rest day at home. I got up early to drive two of my girls to school, not minding the fact that as a night shift worker, I had to be home after three a.m. Please note that I am not writing to beg for sympathy for my current situation because it is my choice and my duty as a parent. A husband and father.

I am surrounded by love, care, and the duties that come with being a parent because I have two girls, ages three and six, respectively. On my way back from dropping them off at school, which was a fifteen-minute walk away, I recalled that I had a driving lesson at 9:15 p.m. As I hurried home, I noticed my instructor parked next to my house. Unprepared to drive right away, I hurried inside my house to get my sheet schedule and, just for convenience, have my shoes changed. My heart is racing; I haven’t gotten enough sleep or rest, and even though it’s not a workday, I have a full itinerary for the day. I prayed that I wouldn’t make any serious driving errors today.

The class lasted for one hour. Although it was not very easy, I succeeded. I knew that under pressure, my driving lessons seldom went well, but I was stuck with my schedule and had little to no alternative. If wishes were horses indeed, I was relieved when the driving lessons were over. I went home and ate breakfast as quickly as possible. I was reminded of my copywriting assignment from the online course I recently registered in when I noticed my laptop on the table. After completing lesson 04 on storytelling two days ago, I found the homework challenging due to the given directions.

After searching the internet for suggestions and ideas, I saw that it was already 11:45; I had to pick up my three-year-old daughter from school. Oh, hmm. I hissed. I got dressed once more, grabbed my scooter, and opened the door to head out, only to discover that it was pouring. Rain and snow are the day’s weather forecast predictions. You have to fulfil your obligations as parents. I want to avoid giving in to the school administration’s request to pick up my children later than expected, so I take my umbrella and head out into the rain.In spite of the wind and rain, we managed to get home. While it was true that the rain got us wet, we were also washed. When we arrived home, my daughter was ecstatic; despite the rain, she was chanting, “Rain, rain, go away, and come again another day,” lilubally. This time, it was past noon, and after we ate, she fell asleep. I carried on with my copywriting task. I dozed off for an hour because I was so exhausted. It’s already 3 p.m., and time to pick up my first kid from school. I jumped on my scooter and rushed to school for the third time. We arrived home within twenty minutes. My leg shook and my eyes were heavy, my project and blog post were unfinished, and I knew rest was far away.

I apologise to my readers, subscribers, and followers for not posting on untoldrealities.com for approximately a week; it was unintentional and due to circumstances beyond my control. I looked at the prompt questions every day, but I was unable to write. But this is my life right now, and if I ever needed a break, it would be from my job because, no matter how difficult the sacrifices I made for my kids were, I would never regret being there for them when they needed me most. If wishes were horses, I would rather take a lasting break from work than not spend time with my children.

We are our tradition!

Write about a few of your favorite family traditions.

Thanks to Dad and Mom.

(It’s not about the tradition but the Aim of the tradition!)

Traditions are defined as a series of recurrent rituals, behaviours, and activities that have been practiced and passed down through generations. Indeed, family customs can vary by town, country, and continent. It can be both ornate and simple, reflecting family ideas and values. For many people, it includes physical or actual activities like family dinners, camping, family vacations, and extended family games, to name a few. Which is determined by the point of origin. Whatever customs your family has, they are honoured.

However, the idea of writing about this topic cast a heavy shade over my spirit in terms of my family’s priceless memories. It reminded me of my late parents and their insistence on our upholding family traditions.Their efforts to ensure that we all adhere to it continue to this day, even after they are gone. We, like every other family, have an annual vacation ritual; regardless of where we live, we return home every Christmas to spend quality time with our parents. Have a discussion together. We eat together, visit our fields, and go to church together. play and dance together . Both single and married. Even married people visit along with their wives and children.

But the most fascinating part of my family’s traditions isn’t what it might seem. Rather than the yearly vocations, dinner dates, farm visits, church, and dance, my parents’ goal is for us all to follow the tradition, which speaks to the love, unity, and affection that exist within the family. The conversations and outward manifestations of everyone utilising our time together to strengthen the family’s bond against those who would have us do otherwise.

Our parents instilled in us the importance of caring, helping, bonding, and looking out for one another. And their presence kept it in check until death arrived. I feel that any current family custom is primarily dependent on the prospective parents. Their intentions, as well as their vision and presence. I was unable to attend my late mother’s burial last Christmas, and I despised myself for it; as a result, I missed the annual custom of having all of my siblings together for the final time.

As much as it terrifies me that with our parents’ deaths, it may be difficult to maintain the physical annual tradition and rituals that accompany them, but the bond, love, devotion, and care they instilled in us, their children, will always be practiced and retained. However, with each of us having our own immediate families, our parents fulfilled their purposes and course of our tradition because, in turn, we are ensuring that our children have the same bond of love, affection, unity, and care for one another that our parents instilled in us through our family tradition. Permits me to say: When tradition fulfilled its course, it becomes human. We are our tradition.