IT'S ALRIGHT TO CRY by Luke Destiny Manja

Guest Writer's Profile:

Name: Luke Destiny Manja

PenName: Luke Destiny Manja

Genre: ShortStory/SBCC drama/Articles/Poems/Proses

Profession: Social and Behaviour Change Communication

Worker

Location: Lilongwe, Malawi

Period of writing: 9 Years

IT’S ALRIGHT TO CRY

It's alright to cry, to be sad, to be broken and lose it all. It's all fine and believe me we need those so called negatives and lows in our lives.

As humans obviously we want to live a life of bliss, full of happiness, a life void of negative emotions like sadness, loss and pain, but how is that possible in this imperfect world full of imperfect people and imperfections? It is a common agreement that nobody is perfect and no one ever will be so why do we put ourselves under so much pressure and effort to live a blissful life? I know we do that because we are humans and it is in our nature to expect the best for ourselves.

But even in such scenarios I say, it's alright to cry or experience the negatives in life, in fact we need to embrace the negatives as we embrace the positives because we need to experience the negatives just as we need the positives. Some are wondering why in the world we need the negatives, here is my response, in Chichewa there is a saying that says “Mtsinje umalimba ndi miyala” which literally means a river is strong due to the rocks in its course. Our lives are like rivers without the rocks in its course the river is never strong, it is the river that makes what it is. It is the stones that hold the banks of the river not the smooth sailing. So it's alright to experience some negatives in our lives.

Ever came home from a tiring journey and just sat to sip a cold version of your favourite drink as you sit on your favourite couch? How good does that feel? Can you compare it to taking the same drink and sitting on the same couch but not after the tiring journey? I bet the pleasure in the two scenarios wouldn’t be same huh? You see, the negatives that we experience in our lives even make the positives we experience worthwhile. As one Jamaican musician Chris Martin sang, “cause you only need the light when it's burning low, Only miss the sun when it starts to snow you only miss the sun when it starts to snow” negatives in our lives makes us enjoy life’s best moments at another level.

So yes, it's alright to cry, it's alright to be broken, it's alright to struggle financially. What is not alright is to never draw lessons from these negatives to improve our lives. Whatever negatives or lows you are experiencing now, just know it is alright. Whether it is death of a loved one or those close to us, loss of faith, financial struggles even heartbreaks, we need them in our lives. All these teach us to cherish and enjoy the good moments in life and even give us lessons to improve our lives. All I can say is just hold on since the sun will shine tomorrow, for now if you want to cry please cry the loudest, if you are sad be sad, if you are heartbroken be broken no need to suppress these emotions. Psychology even says that just by doing that, we loosen the emotions grip over our well-being. The advantages of doing so are even too many and include that it helps see problems in a new light, makes decision making and problem solving easier, gets rid of the power of the feeling, reduces anxiety and eases depression.

As we start this week reflect on the biblical story of Joseph who was sold by his on relations and eventually became one of the most powerful people in Egypt. As you reflect I hope you will agree with me that sometimes the bad things that happen in our lives put us directly on the path to the best things that will ever happen to us.

Let us live life and love life.

Comments

I LIVE

The phase I was in weeks ago made me question my existence on earth “perhaps, has my time elapsed?” I have escaped a number of accidents for two weeks in a roll. I was on bed rest. Got back on feet and faced yet another accident day after day “I thought my life has come to an end.” “I could barely let food pass my throat; the fear-anxiety and the stress all over it of what becomes of me the next day was too much for my mind” “is death beckoning me?” I asked myself a couple of random questions just to be sure I was on a right spot - safe and sane “I must repent.” “Change my ways, stay sane even in the midst of the rumbling thunder that was ready to take over in my brain.” So I rose up, charged myself up “enough is enough.” My mother had already said a prayer of favor over me. She blessed me right from the day I was conceived. “You shall not die before your time, you shall live to fulfill your purpose on earth; No man anywhere will deny you of your dues, the harvest of your planting

AWAKENING: STORIES UNTOLD, STORIES UNHEARD AND STORIES UNREAD

Chapter one Correct me if I am wrong, but I remember all the words you like to say behind closed doors. She whispered in my ear “I take you as you are and you will be. I won’t try to change you but I will ride out change with you. I see you and I will never ask you to be less or more.” With words so charming and full of meaning, that’s how she destroyed me. I have been awed and terrified by the experience of being in love to the extent that when it’s love, I’d rather close the book and put it back on the shelf. I do not know how to hate no matter how much I have been wronged. I met Tuseke when I had gone for my usual check-up at the hospital. She was there to visit her grandmother who was gravely ill and on admission. She had asked for directions to get to the elderly female ward, that was just the same way to Doctor Mayepi’s office. My all time go to health practitioner. We walked hand in hand and talked about a few things on science and medicine. She hated being a

LETTER TO KAMBANI

Dearest Kambani, I write this note to you for there is an ache in my ribs. Your sugar-coated deceit made its way through and I felt like all the air left my lungs after I heard and read out all your lies. You said; “I will answer you before you even call to me.” Little did I know you were trying to memorize Jeremiah 33:3 on me. You said; “I will be your peace.” But; Don’t be my peace. I already have that. First, be at peace with yourself and everything around you. I know this note will make you remember the warmth of my touch, how it made your heart race, the joy you claimed I brought to you. I had mixed portions of happiness and loyalty between the things I love and you with a pinch of sugar to align the moments. That’s how much I cared. I am blooming in your absence after being trapped in the cage of your lies and deceit, after you sliced me a dose of pain and moments of tears. Leaving you came hand in hand with finding myself – Broken but Functional.

YOUR FOREVER LOVER

I normally don't let people in my space, But when it came to you, it was all different. "How is it that you fit so perfectly in my mind?" I want to love you like there's no tomorrow, And when tomorrow comes, I will love you all over again - Forever. There's no place that I won't go to find you on this earth, I will walk miles to find you. Just like wine and roses, You truly complete me; Never did I understand what true love is until I had you in my space. I will be your lover in sin and virtue from across lifetime.

WHISPERS AND PROMISES

In this story of mine you have always been the best chapter! I’d rather take all the storms than have all the sunshine days without you around! Though emptiness consumes me I surely will wait on time to lead me to you, for you hold the pieces that makes me whole! I met an angel; I saw it in your eyes with whispers and lost in your gaze making myself a promise to never let go of you!

LIVIA'S BOOKLET

Search This Blog