ACTIONS, NOT MERE WORDS

Someone once asked a question once to the general audience of which I was a part of this, “What is your fantasy?” The truth was, at that point when this question was asked, my mind went completely blank. But I’m not sure why that came back to mind after seeing this week’s #kiss topic. First of all, I’m not a parent yet but it is one of my fantasies to be a parent. Why? Because I have seen so many parents fail and for some reasons, that’s why I want to be one so I can learn from their mistakes and try to make mine work because I still feel hurt on some days when I wake up to meet my reality.

Even before I knew what minimalist was, I have lived as one and I’ll give the credit to the background I’m from. I lived with my dad and my siblings for the most part of my life and despite the fact that my dad was working extra time just to make sure we had food on our table and get the basic things children needed, he always still made sure we didn’t live like we were struggling. He taught us how to focus on what was important and do away with what was not and just because of that, we lived a very comfortable life and we could even share what we had! Actually, my dad is always ready to share and interestingly, we all took after him in that regard.

I’m very sure my dad never taught us these things intentionally. He just lived his life and I think the fact that I was quick to learn these things made it easier for my little brother to adapt too. I was fortunate enough to kind of know what was right and wrong and most times, I made really bad decisions but it got better. It got to a time when it was just my brother and I that were at home most of the time because dad went to work and my sister was back to school. I was literally the mother of the house. I had to be and that made me.

Based on the things I have been able to learn and how to live simple and intentionally, I tried teaching that to my brother because I knew how helpful such a lifestyle was for us. It actually made us stand out anywhere we were. I knew my brother was watching and that kept me on my toes because I know he could easily misinterpret my actions. It was tiring living like that but that is part of the reason I am who I am today. Today, my brother is doing a lot of things because he learnt them from me and it makes me feel happy.

I’m not even a parent yet and I could affect someone’s life that way. The truth is, my brother could have been able to choose the other path but I’m very sure he was convinced of my lifestyle because I didn’t just say it. I worked it. We argued a lot of times but he still listens to me. My little brother is a true definition of simple and elegant and it’s partly thanks to me.

Thank you for reading through. ❤️