Well, for me I believe you will agree with with me that growing up here in Nigeria inspiration is not something you find in books or in motivational/inspirational posters. Here, inspiration is all around, from the hustle bustle of ones everyday life, in your walks, what you see others do, the small wins and all, you find inspiration all around you. So, to the topic, the person who inspired me the most, my first role model, was my mother. And even now, when I think about who or what inspires me, it still somehow ties back to her. She's the one tells me "if it is there, you can get there" She’s more of an unshakable force, one that could be reckon with, one makes who you wants to keep going no matter what.
My mum is the kind of mother who makes you wonder if she has some secret superpowers.
Shes just to hardworking, the way she raised us and all, I just assumed she could do anything. Very early in the morning, even before the crow of a rooster, when everything is still quiet, that was when my mom would be up already, cooking, cleaning, preparing us for school, and somehow still having time to braid my cousin sister hair before we rushed out the door. And she did it all like it was no big deal, she would still make kulikuli and some other things to sell alongside some farm produce she sells, its more like there's this superhuman stuff in her.
I was not just inspired by her work etiquette, it was alongside her kindness, her patience, the way she carries self even when things were tough. There was a year when things got really hard for us as a family. My dad’s in a very tight spot, and money was tight. I remember coming home from school one day and finding my mom making agbado(boiled maize) to sell in front of our house. She didn’t complain, she was just doing all together just to make ends meet, my mum did a lot of things, selling, hawking different things(most of which we helped her with), but she didn’t let us see her sweat. She would just tell us, “a ni jale o, nkan ti a ma we noni yii o"(meaning...we won't steal dear, this is what we will do). And she's never feel to big or shameful to do anything, she will tell you"mi sha jale" (meaning... I am not stealing). Watching her, I learned that no work is beneath you when you’re doing it for the people you love. I learnt that.
Upon growing older, my role models expanded beyond just my mom, but she (my mum) was the foundation. She shaped the way I see things, she taught me hard work, kindness, godliness, and a lot. Today, what inspires me the most isn’t a particular person but the idea of resilience. We(Nigerians), I believe are one of the most resilient people on the planet. We adapt, we push through, we find humor and make fun of even the hardest situations. There’s a saying here that says, “God no go shame us, man no go die, man go survive,” and that survival spirit is what keeps me/us motivated. Those are all what adds up together for me, that even in my worst days, I remind self to get back up and just keep on moving.
I also find inspiration in the little things. The street hawker balancing trays of wares on the head, gets me inspired too, I remember when I do those too, and feel am getting there, its just one step at a time. It reminds me that no matter how hard life gets, you can keep going and become more better than you were yesterday.
And then, there was Mrs. Ade, one of those who had their way of making every child feel seen and important, even the ones who struggled. She believed in me before I even knew how to believe in myself, and that’s something I carry with me to this day. I learnt a lot through her, one of which was that inspiration doesn’t have to come from the big people/places, it can come from the quietest of moments, those people who invest in you when no one else is watching even when you can't really figure it out.
And what ties all these sources of inspiration together was my mum, what a great woman she is, words can't be enough to comprehend the great woman that she is. She (my mum) and more is why I push myself to do better, to be better, to make something of my life. Because if they could do it, then I can.
So, to answer the topic, It’s someone who taught me what strength looks like, and that is my mum, including every one finding a way to smile and keep going through it all. And to you reading this, no matter where you start or how hard things get, you can always find a way to rise, don’t just carry it in your head, it should live in your heart, pushing you forward every single day.
A big shout out to every mother/woman out there, you are cherished, and to everyone who's trying and striving to be better, keep going, stay strong, you will definitely get there.
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