Afrikan Goddess (AG) Online

By: AG Staff (January 4, 2010)

The reason many of us celebrate New Year’s Day is so we have something “new” to look forward. For many of us, it is a time to look forward to the future – our excess baggage and weight behind us. It is also a time for many of us to make resolutions we don’t intend to keep. Maybe it’s because we set the bar too high at times, trying to fit all the things we wish to do in to a single year. Afrikan Goddess brings you random conversations from random African women and their responses to the challenges we face when it comes to our lives and our health.

Enjoy the Humor in Life: Learn to laugh out loud. Research studies (and common sense) have proven that laughter reduces stress and is wonderful therapy for ailing hearts.

"I agree, but I find it hard to laugh at my life. I had planned to be married by age twenty-six. At age thirty-four, I am still single and searching for “the one.” There isn’t much to laugh about – or is there?”

- Evelyn A., 34 year-old pharmacist from Cameroon.

Just the irony of her situation is funny. She had her life planned out but failed to follow through with a plan! She cracked a little chuckle when AG pointed this out. Many of us take our lives too seriously. This year resolve to laugh a lot harder, smile a little broader and enjoy your life as it is. If you’re not happy about it, its time to revamp the plan. Have a positive outlook on life, and you will be amazed how your life will unfold.

Take Time to Stop and Smell the Roses: African women, especially those living abroad, are under immense pressure to face the realities of living each day in a foreign land. As such, many of us have very little time to stop and smell the roses.  

Here is one woman’s answer following the “that’s ridiculous” stare:

“Stop and smell what roses? I have two young children at home. I have to pay the babysitter, pay my mortgage and car loan, then have enough money left over to care for my ailing old parents back home in Ghana. Stop and smell what roses?”

- Agnes B., 33 year-old nurse and mother of two, from Ghana.

Unfortunately, this seems to be the life of many African women living abroad. They are fathers and mothers, daughters and providers, wives and sisters. Many support their extended families back home making it difficult for them to take a break from life. If stopping to smell the roses is a challenge, then try the next suggestion.

Find Time to Enjoy You: It’s wonderful having people around you sometimes. But, sometimes you just want to get away from the crackle and cackle of life and enjoy inner and outer peace.

“I agree, but, with 3 children, that’s hard to do.” Or is it?

- Chika B., 30 year-old stay-at-home mum from Nigeria.

Find a sitter or have the kids stay with a trusted friend for a couple of hours and spend time unwinding. A warm bath, soft music, painting your toe nails or catching up on one of Nollywood’s (Nigerian movies) latest – preferably something funny - will give you a great chuckle and leave you feeling refreshed and ready for the next challenge.

Make Smart Food Choices Daily: This seems to be the greatest challenge for many African women given the hustle of modern life. 

“This as a constant challenge for me. I gain an extra 15 pounds during the period between midterms and final exams because I am constantly up late studying and have very little time to think about what goes into my body.” 

Akosua T., late 20s, full time student, part time worker from Ghana.

Make a conscious effort to love your body by watching what you feed it. If you can’t find time for anything else, you at least need to make an exception for your body and nurture it. Nobody else will.

A few other healthy tips from AG on living a healthy and fulfilling life in 2010:

Care for your heart by wishing others well

Care for your body by having an active lifestyle

Care for your soul by feeding it positive food

Care for your eyes by seeing the world as a beautiful place to be

Care for your breasts by getting your monthly breast self-examinations, preferably right before, during, or right after your menstrual cycle.

And don’t forget those yearly medical checkups, especially those pap smears and breast exams.

And remember to always wear a smile! Happy New Healthy Year!