After God, fear...

 After God, fear...Men? Women? Children at night after they've had sugar? Being seated in front of a taxi and having to distribute change? Or, how about a month that feels like three for the price of one?!

Januworry is Januworry guys. Sis isn't dropping the team average. Nope. She's living up to the standards of her clan. Holidays are officially over and the reality of adulting is facing us head on.

So, after God, who/what do you fear? How many years old were you when you discovered this danger? What precautionary measures are you taking? Will 2022 be the year when you deal with this fear once and for all?

If you'd asked me this question before I became a teenager, the answer would have been fictional characters from scary tales. Lesilo, Pinky Pinky  and that "waar is my kop?" (Where is my head?) episode on Emzini Wezinsizwa take the cup. Such a long list for my teen years. Okay. Not just long - long and embarrassing. Now...the fact that the process of adulting is irreversible. Yho! Fear adulting! Fear it...

I imagine there will be a couple members of the "fear doesn't exist in my vocabulary" crew reading this. Good for you mntase!

Okay, jokes aside. Let me be a bit serious. These three months of Januworry 2022 have added a few things on that list. After God, fear the possibility of being surrounded by intentions meant to bring you harm. After God, fear the way you sometimes ignore your instincts. After God, fear how quickly the human mind forgets.

Above it all, especially when things are heated in this life thing, make sure that after God you fear your inability to channel self love...

Re tsene!

 Re tsene! Binnnekant! Singene! We are within!

Happy 2022 er'body 🥳

First of all, I've missed you too. This always happens after the letters. 21 days of daily engagement and then...I go MIA. If you didn't know me better, you'd say I'm like a December fling who decided to ghost you after we had a good thing going. Knowing me, you know I've got you. I just needed a break.

The last few days of last year were lit. I attended two ceremonies. Good times! Always is a pleasure reconnecting with who I am and where I come from. When I was younger, this just meant feasting. Now I'm part of the behind the scenes gang who "make things happen" and boy, is that lit. Energy levels were at an all time low after all was said and done. But ke (anyway), asikho lapho (that's not the point).

We're on a new timeline...yay! Guys, we survived 365 days of that other year. She who shall not be named. She who gave us so much hands. We couldn't all be members of Destiny's Child but we are SURVIVORS. Jabba was definitely referring to us when he asked who the boss is. I don't know about you but, I'm crossing all things I am able to and praying that this year is nothing like the last.

Januworry is always in her own league. I'm trying my best to soak in the last bit of rest that I have before jumping on to the treadmill of all things adulting. Blocking out the noise from last year's Ls and shortcomings. Trying my best to let this year just take it's own course.

My themes for 2022 are: The pursuit of peace, To me and Psalm 23.

Thabk you for being part of the Life and Her lessons family. This year, may we not forget that our biggest fans are the ones looking back from the mirror. May we be kind to ourselves. May we be unapologetic for making the most of each moment which brings us joy, peace and love.

Compliments of the new year family...

Letter 21 - Kind regards

 Dear 2021,

I hope this last letter finds you well.

We have reached the "so what Linda?" stage of our conversation. I'm no stranger to this stage. I actually always look forward to it when I listen to people deliver their speeches. In the end, I'm almost always left with how I felt. They were right, people hold on to how they felt instead of what was said.

On your last day, I'm reflecting on how you made me feel. I'm actually zooming into why I felt that way, how I feel today and what I'd like to feel as I step off your timeline.

Firstly, you served me truths I wasn't ready for. You've opened my eyes to perspectives I wouldn't have been exposed to had I remained in my comfort zone. You've toughened me up...

Secondly, you've made me realise that at the end of the day a grateful heart is all that matters. I'd pick grateful over bitter any day. I'm grateful for my village, the rough patches and all the touch downs.

Lastly, you've made me aware that healing is messy but very necessary, that self love wasn't built in one day and that Hope will always be an ally.

The beautiful thing about each last day is how quickly it goes by. So I probably won't notice you slip away 2021 and that's a good thing. I've said enough over the past few days. I'll hold my peace for what's left unspoken between us.

Oh and one more thing, 2021, you've made me value life and her lessons. I'll forever be grateful. Thank you.

Kind regards

Linda  

Letter 20 - Top 10 playlist

 What's good 2021? 

It's that time of the year. The race for the song of the year is on, the social calendars are packed and people are just in celebratory mode. Today's letter continues one of the long standing traditions on the blog. The playlist pays homage to songs that made the year more colourful.

I looooovvvveeee music. You've seen how I use it as a reference in my writing.  Love listening, love butchering lyrics and I love dancing to songs even more. The latter may not have many witnesses. I'm not bad shame. I think. For street cred reasons, however, wouldn't ask my family and friends to vouch for me. 

Music plays such an essential role on the healing journey. It's such an amazing companion. So many relationships I have with people are anchored on songs that remind me of them. 2021, I'm thankful that this is one of the things your timeline hasn't wrecked. It remains an anchor.

Putting this playlist together was a bit tricky. It's been such a big year for Amapiano. The genre deserves a standing ovation of it's own. Wow! If I wasn't careful, it was going to end up being a Yanos hit list. So, I ended up taking the "balance" route and while making my selection. 

Without further ado, get out your dancing shoes and let's have a party! Here is my top 10 playlist for 2021.

1. Nobody - Malome Vector
   This song just makes me so nostalgic. Never mind that I almost mistook the music video location for one of the villages back home. Nobody takes me back to #FeesMustFall - the lighter side of things. It's beautiful to see representations of black love. 
   
   
2. Mukutsuri - Brenden Praise ft. Mpho.Wav
   I liked this song even before I knew what it meant. Still don't know the full meaning. Still butcher the lyrics but, ok'salayo! Something about the way it moved me. Really enjoy jamming to this song. 
   
   
3. Ghanama - Makhadzi ft. Prince Benza
   Heyi! 
   
   
4. Siyathandana - Cassper Nyovest ft. Abidoza & Boohle
   Is there anyone who doesn't like this song? All the combos are communicating here. I've had it on replay so much. Low key reminded me of my self love journey and how home girl has "too much sauce". 
   
   
5. Dream about you - Lloyiso
   Yhoooo. Lloyiso is so talented guyzini. This song is a dream on its own. Yes, pun intended and everything. It has such an old school feel, a soulful touch, and a futuristic element to it. Yeah no, this one is a winner. 
   
   
6. Fire In The Ghetto - Kwesta ft. Troublle 
   Kwesta is a gift that keeps on giving. I've told my friends that his work moves me so much that I think one could write an entire thesis unpacking his genius. This is me putting it out to the universe. This song is proper heat - or whatever is said on the streets these days. 
   
   
7. Adiwele - Young Stunna ft. Kabza De Small
   This one holds quite a few memories on the 2021 timeline. I guess it's a sound track to my stomach in moments. Ndifostile ke kulonyaka (I've forced my way this year). Here's to all those moments when I entered like an elephant...
   
   
8. Asibe Happy - Kabza De Small & DJ Maphorisa ft. Ami Faku
   What a jam! It felt different each and every time I listened. I could go on the whole day about how it has touched and moved me. For the sake of this playlist, however, I'm reflecting on how I got to unlearn what I thought happiness was, redefine what happiness is and accept that these definitions will transition just as the seasons do...
   
   
9. Impilo yase Sandton - Kwenyama Brothers & Mpura ft. Abidoza & Thabiso Lavish
   Ishuuuuuuu. My ultimate fighter this one. I've played this song so much that, if they could, they would have asked me for water. What a song! What a masterpiece! The lyrics! This song just encapsulates my relationship with Hope. 
   
   
10. Osama - Zakes Bantwini & Kasango 
    I've been wondering how I would describe how this song makes me feel for a while now. Then a video of a little girl singing went viral. See how she is? That's exactly how I feel. This song is magic. It moves you. Yer! What Zakes and Kasango did here can never be undone. Ngeke. Hands down, without a doubt, my song of the year. Guys, this is my crossover song...oh hoo hoooooo

A standing ovation for all teams that put these killer jams together. Your work has made the 2021 load a lot lighter. Thank you for the music...