Happy Birthday, Koye

7 years young.
To aid readability, other pictures are at the end.

As is often the case, my dominant emotion today is gratitude. I am grateful for life, Busola, my family, friends, work, and the progress I have made over the past year.

My birthdays are special to me. I use them to think, plan the new year, and bask in expressions of love from my family and friends. I usually don’t mark new calendar years, and do my reflection and celebration around my birthdays.

My birthdays are also infamous, as the anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Thinking about the people who died on and because of 9/11 reminds me the world is not one big happy place, and that I must do what I can to help heal the world.

I am either making significant progress, or I have convinced myself – as humans often do – that every year has been better than the previous one. One year ago I made a list of things I wanted to have done by today. Except for sky-diving which I chickened out of, I checked everything else off the list. In addition to personal goals, I gave more than in the previous three years combined, learnt much more, achieved my target weight twice, and visited the Santiago Bernabeu. I met many amazing people and made new friends. Most importantly, I married Busola six months ago.

While thinking about the past year, I realized the planning and activity that went into achieving many of my goals spanned years. Because I often record my thoughts in writing, I can go back seven or eight years and see how my activities then have contributed to my current results. That got me thinking about how the things we do today influence tomorrow. There will always be the troubles that blindside us at 4pm on some idle Tuesday, but I believe the best way to predict the future is to create it.

I am very excited about the new year. I am fortunate to be alive and well, to have opportunities to grow, give, and learn more; to show up more for my family, friends, and strangers. There is a big change coming for me and Busola this year, and we are looking forward to every bit of it; details later.

My commitment is consistent: to live, to execute the ambitious plans I make so well, to help others rise above their limitations and achieve their potential, and to step out in faith when God calls.

Happy birthday to my darlings: Chisom (Okoroji) Ezeani, Funto Osinowo, Tosin Afefe, Mrs. Alao, Joseph Agha, and everyone else born on September 11.

Happy birthday, Koye!

END. Pictures below.

Ran a bit more than in previous years. Also decided on running as my preferred way to experience cities.

Busola's husband!

Six months today.

Taking it all in at the Bernabeu

With La Duodécima - Real Madrid's 12th UCL trophy!

Some books from the past year. When Breath Becomes Air left a significant impression.

Some more books from the past year. Read more, but I won't bore you with pictures of all.

Earlier Birthday Posts: 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016.