2018 in Retrospect

in front of University of Cape Coast, Ghana.

Yesterday was our Annual Thanksgiving Service at church and it was a perfect time to reflect on the year 2018 and how it's unfolded into many parts with the attendant surprises.

Considering my position at the onset of the year, I'm still amazed at the blessing that 2018 has come to signify in my life.

One of the most significant impressions this year has made on me
is that "anything can happen within a year".

New job. New house. New wife. New perspectives. Better maturity at life. New zeal for the things of God. Better life management. 2018 has been one big blast of life experiences. I wrote down 12 goals at the beginning of the year and I was enabled to accomplish a majority of them and even much more than I outlined.

Undoubtedly, the biggest goal I scored in 2018 is getting married to my long-term partner, Oluwagbotemi who has come to become a proof to me that God answers prayers and wants just the very best for me. Thank you for loving me and agreeing to go on this journey with me.

I have such a strong support system projecting me, and who also have come to represent the backbone with which I am making a success at life and living.

My parents are of the most worthy mention here as they have, and still do push me hard to make sure averageness is very far from me and my brother. They have become our life visioneers and foremost models, always making sure we make the most use of our opportunities and become the best version of ourselves. Without them, 2018 would just be another year in passing.

I have great family members who stand as life models and affirmers, and keep pushing me on in the path I have chosen to follow. It is not "in-coincidental" that my 2 foremost mentors for almost 20 years now are my family members. They are "bam", just like that.

I started a new job in February this year and I'm so glad to be a part of a family that tries to bring out the best in you by providing the right environment to work and function. To my colleagues, I say a big well done. Thanks for the memories of 2018.

One thing I have really wanted to do this year was to have more time for mentees and protégés who look up to me. I wanted to spend more time giving of myself to them and pushing them more towards the accomplishment of their purposes. I wouldn't score myself a pass mark on this. It's topmost of my goals for 2019. 

I have always prided myself in having wonderful friends, with most of my friendships cruising to over 10 years already and still counting. 2018 was one in which my friends came through for me. At the wedding in August, they honoured me with their presence by coming from all over the place, crossing hundreds of kilometres, and crossing seas and mountains to be a part of my big day. Some friends came around in spite of we having not seen face to face in more than 5-10 years. The sacrifices they make to keep this friendship going is worth emulating.

In the outgoing year, I embarked on more adventures outside myself. I took more risks. Spent over a 100 hours travelling by road within and outside the country. Accomplished some points off my bucket list. Did more personal development than I had done in previous years. Increased my annual income significantly and invested more in some assets. Overall, I would call this year a year of increased productivity.

Finally, this is to say a big thank you to everyone who made 2018 worth it for me and for my wife. Words cannot quantify the goodwill we received during the year. We are grateful.
Have a beautiful 2019 ahead.