A short story about embracing the unexpected — One of the nagging aspects of life is how each day breaks, bringing with it circumstances beyond our control. This morning, I rose early to start my pre-planned day only to discover that I couldn’t connect to the internet because my Wi-Fi wasn’t working. After repeated calls to the service…

Personal thoughts on our limitations, and practical steps to increase our success potential — Success is personal, but looking through others’ eyes, you never know what you’d see. ~ Mark Anaki I am an architect and a writer. For the past 20 years, I have experienced the highs and lows of this creative life, manipulating space and words. For context, I believe that we…

The fabric in the picture is called aso ini by the Ile Oluji people of South-Western Nigeria. It is a version of aso oke — the colourful loom-spun cotton fabrics traditionally worn by Yorubas for important events. The peculiar thing about aso ini is that it is only woven for…

Why our actions matter more than we can imagine — Love in Present Continuous “Hello mum.” That was how the call started out, but the words that followed would stir strong emotions in both of us, strong enough to push us to the brink of tears. While driving home one day and reflecting on my life story, I called my mum to thank her…

The act of getting angry without causing pain — One of my favourite stories from childhood is about a man that was always afflicted by rage. One day, while in character, he saw a reflection of himself in a mirror in his hallway and he stopped. Staring back at him was a thing he didn’t recognize. As he paused…

How we all fit perfectly together — Where do I start from? A short story perhaps. Select All, Delete. It is the early 2000s, I am checking emails on Yahoo. In a corner of the screen, in bold-type, my inbox calls my attention to over 12,000 unread emails. At the time, junk filtering technology hadn’t matured. In those 12,000+ unread…

My wandering feet thread the hems of these depressive slopes. It is strange territory for me. For one who lapses into pleasant thoughts at will, and conjures burning schemes and visions. One given to words that drown out the most threatening imaginations. One born with rose-coloured eyes. Where did my…

Ikogosi warm spring lies buried deep, encircled by imposing forests and a scattering of motely settlements in Ekiti State of western Nigeria. It is widely acclaimed that warm and cold water flow out of this natural spring source without mixing, despite having no physical barrier separating them. …