Gas people up!

Surround yourself with a community that promotes your growth and create such environment for others around you too. Story time:

So earlier this year, I went for a conference with my friends from school and in one of the opening events, there was an open mic night where students were welcome to do whatever, songs, poetry, jokes, all those good stuff. Now I love to sing but didn’t sign up cos I was nervous to sing in front of an actual audience, unfamiliar I might add but I was all out to enjoy the various performances anyway.

One of such was a beautiful rendition of ‘I’m not the only one’ by Sam Smith, who by the way, I think has one of the best voices I’ve ever heard, so here I was, bumping my head to the music and singing softly along. Then this pretty girl who sat next to me kept complimenting me song after song and wanted me to go sign up! First I told her how my friends I came with weren’t able to be there cos they were caught up with one thing or the other and I didn’t want to go alone, she then offers to go with me and promised to hype me all through 😂 Anyway, after a much needed persuasion, I sign up to sing but alas they ran out of time and I couldn’t anymore. Yeah, that kinda sucked but that sweet stranger really touched me, she was supportive 100% and you’d think we had been best friends before then.

All of that just showed me how it really wouldn’t cost much to encourage the people around us, the little efforts matter too. That actually wasn’t all for the night, the best part, my friends I had travelled to the conference with (who later all came out to support me after I signed up) insisted I still sang that night, so in the middle of the night in that hotel room, I still sang my heart out to one of my fav songs by Adele.

Okay I understand that all of this might not sound like a big deal to you but it did mean a lot to me. I’m no Celine Dion but me just being able to do what I love for people who rooted for me mattered.

Yes we’re all busy with our lives but really, we shouldn’t let the hustle and bustle take away our humanity.

Make conscious efforts to live in the moment, appreciate those around you. I recently just learnt to not be a silent admirer. When you see something you like, it’s not enough to make a note in your head about how nice it is, give an actual compliment to the person involved. Tell them how/why you love their art, their music, their perfume, their style, whatever it is, let them know! You never know how far your compliment, your comment could go. And if you ever find yourself on the other end of the table, own it, this scenario sounds familiar ? Someone : OMG I love your outfit You : Oh really? Wow I’m surprised, I got the clothes for real cheap and didn’t even make any effort dressing up blah blah. Really? 😶

Just say thank you and don’t start making the other party feel awkward. I do get that sometimes we feel genuinely flattered or surprised by the compliment neither am I saying that giving a little back story when required is bad but you get the point. Own it

So note to self and to you : Be extra nice onward, give more compliments than you usually do and accept yours when you get them too.

Thanks for reading! Do well to share and drop your comments.

Me: you’re super nice for reading all of this

You: awww thanks

Me: you’re welcome

😉😉

Dammy Adegun Member since May 3, 2020

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Hey there! I'm Dami and I enjoy reading and love to write. I'd love to share what I'm learning with you so hope you enjoy the ride! https://theconversehouse.com

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