Love takes time. I had to master the art of patience and eventually with prayers and God’s grace I learnt to develop a tough skin, put myself first in all I do, make the right decisions for myself and draw this fine line without being selfish.

I lost my father two days before my final year exams at university. I was devastated to say the least but I had to keep writing my exams. What other choice did I have?

At that point, life had served me certain cards leaving me only with an option of survival.

I’m writing this story to ignite a flame in the hearts of hopefuls, I’ve finally found it, I’ve found the solution to achieving success in life and its simple.

Somehow in my most desperate state I was deserted by those I counted on the most. I got to the point in life were I realised in order for me to move forward I would have to love myself. Love myself enough to make certain sacrifices concerning me. Love myself enough to lose all that was weighing me down. Love myself enough to put myself first. Most importantly love myself enough to know the beginning of wisdom is the fear of God.

Just Like Romeo & Juliet or any other love story, it wasn’t easy. Love takes time. I had to master the art of patience and eventually with prayers and God’s grace I learnt to develop a tough skin, put myself first in all I do, make the right decisions for myself and draw this fine line without being selfish. I started to involve myself around positivity and all that inspires me be it music, movies, documentaries, books, bible scriptures or testimonies.

I  summoned the courage and decided to go on with my exams and at the end of my BSc programme, despite the challenge I achieved a degree in Business Economics & Finance from Loughborough University.

I also decided to go on a diet. I conquered the mental and spiritual battle It was now time for me to take on the physical. I had tried very often in the past but failed at numerous attempts. But this time, I went on with the diet and gym workouts. In about 12 weeks I had lost close to 60 pounds. WOW! Isn’t God wonderful? All these great things all from loving myself? YES!  I would like to take this moment to encourage anyone going through struggles to trust and have faith in God for in his name all storms are calm.

I have not always been the guy with many friends in fact in the past I’ve been literally  threatened to either stop chasing my dreams or lose a friendship. I know funny right? But its true. I had to do what was best for me.

I read in a book titled ‘How To Get Out Of Your Own Way’ by Tyrese Gibson about the ‘Circle Of Five’ These are the five most important people in your life be it a lover, family or fiends. The ideology is that the circle of five influences you the most consciously and subconsciously. Since I came to this realisation I started to filter who I kept around me and surrounded myself with only positivity. It worked! and soon I started to flourish because I had happiness around me, love was all over me.

I’ve applied this simple principle in all I do and I can finally say I’ve found FREEDOM! I’ve Found LOVE.

As a nation how can we move forward if we constantly obstruct our own way! If we can’t love ourselves how on earth would we love another. It starts with You! It starts with me! A sacrifice has to be made but it would be one well worth it.

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30 Days 30 Voices series is an opportunity for young Nigerians to share their stories and experiences with other young Nigerians, within our borders and beyond, to inspire and motivate them.

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