by Dotun Thompson

Even the people perceived to be the strongest; They all fight their wars. Some wars are fought within and others in the exterior.

Some time ago, I decided to start a blog, to tell tales of those things which embody my beliefs and influences as a child. I attempted to shed light on few, but I was not lucid enough to make many readers understand. But, now, I have found at least my strength in telling tales; random tales, which are of love, betrayals,  inspiring moments and of course the times have had to give myself up for clinical depression. I’m used to thinking successful people don’t ever get depressed, so anyone who is ever gunning for success, or merely financial freedom, must at one time or the other wallow in situational depression. That article I read some days back about Ms Chimamanda Adichie’s struggle with depression is enough to get me inspired.

There was a message hidden in that story, quite intrinsic, that if you don’t look deeply, you will never get it. It is an awareness that most times, things happen to people and they don’t ever have control over them. Even the people perceived to be the strongest; they all fight their wars. Some wars are fought within and others in the exterior. This is why, when the struggle gets too intense for some people, they quit living while others soldier on; hoping to get the best.

Some take comfort in their religious activities, associations, clubs, study groups and for some; their addictions. I will try to write about these things, maybe it could mean something to someone. Perhaps, it could also give me a better disposition or fuel my zeal to become a good writer someday.

Most times I do not always have the modern parlance to write a review on any trending issue. They are rather subliminal thoughts, on a very captivating scion of a transient social buzz. I’m still finding my inkling, which is, of improving my writing ability and maybe for once, I had guessed must be innate.

It’s one thing to want to write and the other is to know how to write. But, as a die-hard lover of the Arts I’m willing to try out something different, a leap of faith, maybe, I would call it. To share some experiences,mostly in tales of childhood days, high school habits which I relish greatly. I am not a better man because of what I think I know, it’s what I think I do not know that makes me better.

How does it feel when one is depressed? If you ask me, I would have a hard time thinking. Feeling like I’m enveloped in a shell. A shell where I’m swaddled in a modicum of uncertainty. Where everything seems bleak and opaque. The only thing I see of myself, is just a shadowy figure, less of an apparition. I’m dead but walking alive. I’m lost, far gone but the bond of the homely twine still in a way, connects me with the present. It’s a past seeking redemption with the present. Undoing a lot of misgivings. This reminds me of those good old days, I needed to seek solace in companionship. Back in High school, I was popular with the ladies in my class, but one was remarkably different. She stood out. I intend to share with you some of this experiences in tales. Diaries don’t ever work for me. I tried keeping some, but it was an epic fail. Nah! Not my thing. I never really had to keep one for a long time. I prefer to share experiences because they make me learn more. So, gear up to these tales and I hope you will share yours with me as well in my next posts.

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Op-ed pieces and contributions are the opinions of the writers only and do not represent the opinions of Y!/YNaija.

Emmanuel Chidiogo