Fair Weather or Forever Friends: Conditional Love

You know how you always scroll and skip through terms and conditions when you first download an application? I think people approach fellow humans like applications. They download, see long terms and conditions, skip the details, click “agree,” and jump right into the goodies within. Then, they exit the moment they need to make payments or deposits, just when they should enjoy the premium package. Making deposits becomes the hard part because you now have to be super intentional about what you want out of that app.

Humans forget that beyond the aesthetics, sweet-smelling perfumes, golden smiles, and stunning outfits, there’s an ugly side to every person you find. So, you approach people thinking they’re flawless like angels. How do you forget they’re humans, too, and just like you, imperfect?
Relationships get better when you’ve weathered storms together. A friend who cannot stay through tough times is a fair-weather person, lacking in loyalty and commitment.

It becomes contradictory when people “agree” in the beginning, only to chicken out and show they never really signed up in the first place or exhibit their ignorance that relationships aren’t a walk in the park. They mask their fears with pragmatism or realism, fearing to stay the course — a fear birthed from lack of faith, perhaps, or an easily influenced or feeble mind.

Personally, I take my time when choosing people, I select those I’m willing to do life with. From the onset, I start out with plans to go the extra mile when the need arises — always! If I can’t stick by you, why then am I in your life? I intend to do long-term with everyone in my life, bearing in mind that if the earth quakes, I will stand with you. My approach might be flawed, and it may seem like I’m setting myself up for heart-wrenching times, but who does life without expecting tough times? When hard times show up, we need people who can hold our hands and say, “I’m willing to stay with you on this one” and mean it to their bones, not throw us under the bus when we need to prove the relationship means something.

I am the walrus🎵🎶

Daily writing prompt
Which animal would you compare yourself to and why?

“Just kidding! I bear no resemblance to the walrus—just thought I’d entertain you while you’re here. 🙂 I, for one, see myself more as an elephant, and for good reason: An elephant never forgets!

Funny as it may sound, my love for elephants began in my teens. I had watched Disney’s Jungle Book countless times before, but one day, the phrase hit me differently: “An elephant never forgets!” Maybe I was studying for an exam and wanted to embody that persona—who knows? But from that moment, the words and the idea of the elephant stuck with me.

My love for these magnificent creatures only grew when my aunt gifted me a silver waist chain adorned with elephant charms—the most beautiful piece of jewelry I ever owned… until I lost it. After that, I found myself searching for a replacement, and I was drawn to an ankle chain with the same elephant motif. Why the elephant? I wondered. It wasn’t until I wrote My Honey Bee… To My Daughter, a piece about the essence of the honeybee, that I revisited my fascination with elephants.

It turns out elephants are more than just creatures with keen memories. They grieve their dead, symbolize strength and wisdom, and in many cultures, they represent luck, prosperity, and leadership. Among the Ashanti people of West Africa, elephants are believed to be the reincarnated souls of their great leaders... Too much? 🙂

Now, I’m playing with the idea of getting a tattoo—you can probably guess what it will be. 😉

To me, the elephant embodies peace, wisdom, strength, loyalty, majesty, family, culture, and longevity”- and I am she.

Beast without Burden

From Africa to Asia

with strengths unquestioned