THE WINNING TEAM

Hello there, Ever-committed and reliable reader!🤗 I promise I didn’t say that to flatter you, but it’s just amazing the way you are always set to click on the link to the post once you get a notification. Can you now see how you earned the accolade? Thank you for always making me rest assured that I can count on you.

Oh my goodness, is that a first-time reader I’m seeing? Heyyyy, it’s such a pleasure to have you here! Thank you for deciding to check out the blog. Please, do well to read through other posts, and I assure you that you will not be disappointed. Cheers to a beautiful reading time!

Gradually, this special month is folding up, but I hope you have been living every day by making maximum use of your time. I also trust that you are living a life of consistent gratitude to God no matter the situation in every corner- be it in your family, career, workspace, relationship, or country. Cheer up, all things are working for your good no matter how bad they seem!

This post is going to be quite short for two major reasons. First, our topic of interest is quite a broad one. Initially, I thought all the points I wish to share with you could fit into a post. But on seeing how lengthy the post is going, and as I do not want to ‘squeeze’ or rush you with points without driving home the message, I thought it was best if we had a sequel.

Here’s the second reason; it’s my birthday on the 28th of this month! Yay, I’m quite excited about it, and I would love to give you a birthday package in the form of a blog post💃. You would love that, right? In light of this, the second part of the post will be available for your reading on the 28th of this month on this same blog. It is surely something to look forward to!

Today, the thoughts are stemming from the theme of Relationships. Courtesy of being on Planet Earth, and growing through all the stages of development and several milestones, we meet so many people who eventually get into different niches, depending on the role they play in our lives or who they represent to us.

We call them families, friends, romantic partners, acquaintances, colleagues, and even strangers! You will agree with me that consciously or subconsciously, there is a way we place a tag on people when we meet and relate with them. Some people warm their way into our hearts and we do theirs, while there are some people that we would rather keep at arm’s length even though they are not our enemies.

Altogether, we do not use the ‘hate’ word on anyone, because we have been called to live a life of love and light. However, we do not have everyone in our inner circle, some belong to the outer circumference. Some people will always be members of the ‘Holy of Holies’ as far as we are concerned, some in the ‘Holy Place’, while some will always be in the ‘Outer Court’.

There is always one or more person that falls into each of these categories at different phases in our lives. Some people even take up more than a space, depending on what links us to them. However, this post is tailored majorly towards this special, irreplaceable, sustainable relationship which also finds its way into all other types of relationships- FRIENDSHIP.

At this point, I might have to run a free movie promotion, smiles☺️. But on a serious note, I am mentioning these two Nigerian series because they have a strong definition and a major depiction of Friendships. Yeah, have you seen either The Smart Money Woman (2021) or Flawsome (2 seasons, released in 2022 and 2024 respectively), or both? Right, you can relate to that beautiful bond, that sense of siblinghood, belonging, and commitment, that aura of peace and love! Well then, let’s talk about it!

Hmmm, when I said to talk about it, I was not trying to give a review oo😁. However, I will state some of the themes from these movies that stood out for me and apply to the title of the post and the message I am trying to pass across. If you are yet to see them, I just gave you two movie recommendations. Have a nice screen time!

When I saw the movies, a major theme I could draw for myself was FRIENDS THAT WIN TOGETHER! You see a group of women who navigate family life, relationships, careers, businesses, social life, and every other major aspect, each aspect coming with its major successes, deepest failures, and sometimes almost-drowning challenges.

However, they keep their shoulders high and united, complementing one another in strength, being a firm support system in times of weakness, and reminding themselves constantly of the power circle that they represent! Isn’t that a beautiful bond to have?

Now that I have successfully painted a picture in your mind, I want you to reflect on these questions; what kind of a friend are you, and what kinds of friends do you have? Are you the kind of friend who rejoices when your friends are hitting their goals, or do people’s successes become a source of headache for you? Are you the ‘we win together’ kind of person or the one with the ‘lonely/alone at the top’ or ‘I am better than you’ mindset? It’s a good time to search your heart, know where you stand, and make a positive change.

Friendship is so beautiful to the extent that even the Holy Bible recognizes its importance. Check this out; “There are friends who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24). How blessed are you to have people who are a part of your life at your highest and lowest points, during your moments of strength and weakness! How much more blessed are you to be a friend indeed to others!

It is really great to be in a company where everyone is thriving, where ideas, as well as burdens, are being shared, where the next set of big projects of every member on the table are being discussed, planned with groundbreaking suggestions, and executed even on paper before the actual deed.

A place where you can pour out your mind without fear of being judged, where you are loved without conditions, where you have a covering, where you become a better version of yourself, and you can reciprocate the same positive energy, an atmosphere you can call home, what a place to be in!

If all that friendship means to you is getting a call when there is a party to plan or attend in the latest Aso-Ebi, the latest gossip news to analyze, or just restricted to fun and vibes, I have to sound it loud to you today that there is more for you in friendship, but of course, in the right one. Get yourself into an association of like-minded people who have the same growth mindset and are ready to tow that future-forward path.

Does that mean you are to only have an ‘all work and no play’ carriage or maintain a stern business-minded look in your friendships? Certainly not, that is not even friendship! Friendship is where all the fun, laughter, vibes, childlike energy, and all that good stuff resides, however, you can obtain this whole package and more great goodies that are relevant to your progress in life.

I won’t forget to mention that it doesn’t matter the course you are running, you need great people as friends. No one can survive or thrive by journeying solo. You need those well-meaning people who will be your loudest cheerleaders and constructive critics. You need those people who will be in the rehearsal room with you, and yet sit in the audience giving you their nods of encouragement when you stand on the largest podium. You need great friends!

Now, how do you ensure you have a Winning Team, and how do you get your circle of friends to be teammates in success? How do you become someone’s partner in progress, and how do you bring your humans into that progress circle? What does a growth mindset require of you?

These and many more questions will be answered come the post that will be released on Tuesday, 28th of May 2024. You sure want to see where this ‘story’ ends, don’t you? Remember to be a Good Samaritan by sharing this link and that of the 28th with your ‘winning team’. Let’s get it right together!

Thank you so much for joining me in this space today. I will be seated while waiting to read your comments, feedback, and expectations for the other part of the post. Till then, I wish you a safe atmosphere. You are loved!❤️