Life takes its own sweet time
to configure just the wound
to stagger us:
So we may never forget
who runs the show in these territories.
-Alice Walker, The World Will Follow Joy: Turning Madness into Flowers.
Hey, friend!
How are you doing today?
It’s the last Friday of the month and honestly, I’m over everything. I’m exhausted. However, I’m currently listening to the new Asa ft. Wizkid track titled IDG. Crackkkk.
I hope you have been well since the last time you heard from me. If not, that sucks.
As promised in the previous newsletter, I completed my contemporary romance reading challenge of the month. Head on to Bookstagram for my thoughts on the books.
Now, let’s get into today’s business!
Over the week, I read Alice Walker's collection of poems titled, The World Will Follow Joy: Turning Madness into Flowers. It's a poetry collection that inspires all this joy, forgiveness, appreciation for the earth and its people. I pulled out several quotes from there, but the one I opened today’s newsletter with stuck.
Photograph by Ana Elena Pena
When I notice that I am getting too worried about a situation, or when life is kicking my ass, I convince myself with words like:
God time is the perfect time
If it’s not now, it’s not right
Everything will end well
The only thing this will take from me is my time
Regardless of whether I’m getting it right with these thoughts or not, the only thing I’m certain of is that they help me calm down.
I’m now accustomed to the fact that sometimes, I just have to WAIT.
I'm better at accepting that things are not going to go my way every damn time. And even though a situation isn't good, it’s not incredibly bad. That’s life.
Dear friends, life truly takes its own sweet time. It does whatever it feels like to remind you who’s in charge. It reminds us that there’s only a little we can control.
If you don’t think so, how can you explain some of these things:
A young couple who has been trying for a child eventually gets pregnant and that pregnancy leads to childbirth complications, and eventually, death.
How do you explain world leaders flexing their state-given powers without thinking of the consequences on the lives of men, women, and children who simply want to live?
All these and many other occurrences make me wonder...
Life or whatever force holding the world together is really something eh?
Books: My current read
I’m currently reading The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina by Zoraida Córdova. It’s giving Encanto vibes and I’m enjoying it so far. ✨💛🦋🌱
I think the similarity with Encanto is the family history aspect, as well as the magic, secrets, and the presence of a Matriarch.
I love the multigenerational storyline, the migration story, and all the back and forth that reveals the lives of generations of the Montoyas.
Podcast updates
I finally edited and published the episode about my love for Taylor Jenkins Reid and what I feel about reading goals in general. You can listen here and follow the podcast on Instagram!
I’m excited about the next episode. I planned to do a long-ass WOULD YOU RATHER episode. I’m compiling very interesting and challenging scenarios. So, hit me up with would you rather questions in the comments.
My gift for you today: A playlist featuring songs by amazing and talented women.
See the screenshot below for some of the songs on the playlist and listen here if you are interested.
That’s all for now friends. Thanks for reading.
Until you hear from me next time, be good and enjoy.
Love,
Yetunde O.