Wisdom

Change is in the Air

Seasons come and seasons go, the only constant in life is change. We Thrive better when we embrace this.
Chidiogo Akunyili

Chidiogo Akunyili

2 Min Read

I am alone, seated on a vast expanse of green grass, my feet buried in the resilient textures of green, white, yellow, purple, a jumble of colours, lengths, textures. I feel close to the weed, a kinship of untamable wildness with our endless textures and colours, growing in rhythm with the elements. The birds keep me company with their purrs, spring blesses all.

Before me rises the Jet d’Eau — a veil fit for the beautiful siren that is Lake Geneva. It feels like so long ago when we played underneath her flowing stream laughing against the thunderous plummets. I smile at what we must have looked like — two children on a cold night dancing with the waters. Mosquitoes flutter around my legs and I smile to notice that I have lost the urge to kill.

Seasons come, seasons go, with the songs of birds whispering their encouragement, the rays of the sun her approval, and the green of the grass the mother’s guidance, I embrace happiness contemplating the mirror that is before me.

I hold space for my pain, I hold space for my joys, I hold space for sadness, I hold space for weakness, I hold space for strength. I hold space for all of me, because all are me. In the glow of the setting sun, I hold space.

Green grass, birds chirping, the lake glistening, the mountain shedding its last coats of frosted snow, I close my eyes and give gratitude for all that was, and for all that is, and for all that will be.

A single blade tells the story of nourishment of water, earth, nutrient, sun, bees, butterflies…so much goes into forming just one stem, one petal of each flower, how much more forms us, how much more are we the product of the magic of creation.

We have everything we need to blossom. We have everything we need to thrive. We have everything that we need to flourish.

Blessed to feel the lightness that the day ushers. Happy to know the quiet peace of truth. With intention, I let go of the last of the dead leaves to compost and fertilize the new sprouts of spring.

*Excerpt from ‘Red’s blossom’ — my book of musings

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Author(s)

  • Chidiogo Akunyili

    Chidiogo Akunyili is the Founder of She ROARs - Reimagining Our Africa Rising — empowering women across Africa to unleash their full potential and that of the continent. She is a writer, storyteller, and movement builder who is impacting global narrative based in her belief and championship of the power of people to change the world. Her philosophy is founded on the humanist African concept of Ubuntu — 'I am because you are. You are because we are’ — upholding and celebrating our shared humanity. Akunyili believes in supporting individuals, particularly women and youth, to reaching their full potential which in turn will serve humanity. Having lived and worked across 5 continents, Chidiogo speaks 7 of the world's languages including Chinese, English, French, German, Igbo, Italian and Spanish — invaluable tools that bridge lives, people and their global realities. She is a World Economic Forum Global Leadership Fellow; and Associate Fellow of Nigerian Leadership Initiative. She was named ‘100 most inspiring women in Nigeria’ by The Guardian; ‘100 most influential Young Africans’ by Africa Youth Awards; ‘100 most Influential Nigerians’ by Avance Media; and ‘Young Professional of the Year’ by Future Awards Africa. Akunyili draws from over 10 years of professional experience in Community building; Business development; Intercultural dialogue; Sino-African relations & Strategy consulting having lived and worked across Africa, the Middle East, Asia, North America and Europe. Chidiogo most recently led the Global Shapers Community — a community of inspiring young change makers — across over 120 Hub cities in Africa and the Middle East. Chidiogo has been published in local and international media including Public Diplomacy Magazine; World Economic Forum Agenda; Institute for Cultural Diplomacy; Trop Libre; Pulse Nigeria; All Africa, The Guardian and The Huffington Post. You can read her stories on chidiogo.org B.A. International Relations & Political Science, UPenn & Sciences Po Paris; M.A. International Relations & Economics, SAIS Johns Hopkins; Executive Leadership Program, Master in Global Leadership, World Economic Forum with certificates from INSEAD, Columbia University, Wharton School, London Business School, China Europe International Business School, and Cornell Tech.