I’ve had one hell of a year and we’re only two months in. It really feels good to be showered by blessings, by blessings I don’t mean material things, I mean real blessings in interactions with good people, friends and family. I found myself introducing myself to new family members and it hurts me knowing that I could have grown up knowing them all along. Family feuds can always be resolved but pride gets in the way and as a result other innocent parties get caught in the cross fire. Much like friendships that frizzle away due to lack misunderstanding of the one party going AWOL. Sometimes all you need is to reach out to get context but we always seem to find the perfect excuse to not extend the first hand.

I feel blessed nonetheless, my choices lead me to this crossroad. My ability to let go of past resentments has allowed me to grow my heart. I have learnt a lot about myself and my ability to forgive. It’s easy to talk about how someone should forgive others when they have done them wrong, but what we forget is that we should be ready to forgive in order for that forgiveness to be meaningful and long lasting. Compassion releases you from your own bitterness towards the next person and allows you to live a better life for yourself.

Someone once asked me, “when last did you do something for the first time?”. It took me a long while until this past weekend. I had forgotten how this actually puts you out of your comfort zone. This is much like saying sorry to someone you wronged. You know you have done them wrong but that admission is just something else, even worse/harder when what you have done is huge. There’s an element of discomfort in in saying sorry. With saying sorry you learn a lot more about yourself and how not to make the same mistake again, well that’s if your heart is in the right place.

It’s amazing to learn something new about yourself. In your many years on this earth you can still be a better version of yourself. You can be a GOAT in your own right or to the people around you.

Location: 2a Simmonds St, Selby, Johannesburg

All photography by Harmonix. To use images please ask for permission.