Hakuna Matata!… It means no worries…!- Anytime I say or sing that phrase, I remember Pumbaa and Timon from the famous Disney animated movie of 1994/2019- Lion King watched while growing up, the scene where they both met Simba and tried to change his perception about life, from what he was used to in Pride land to the carefree lifestyle the duo lived.

As unserious and nonchalant as that phrase could be; I loved it, so much so that it became my Motto! I loved the philosophy that I chose to live my everyday life screaming, Hakuna Matata!. I thought I was an unserious adolescent having to adopt such a silly slogan for a life’s motto until i stumbled on a passage of my favourite life’s book, the Bible where I read, “Do not be anxious (worry) about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God”– This was indeed the aha! moment; it was so profound that I became so conscious of it everyday!, then I stumbled on this – “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you”– At that point, I knew I was right, I became free spirited, there was a paradigm shift, my mindset changed and this indeed changed a lot about me- You know how they say, “everything starts and ends in the mind”, there was a 180 degrees turn in my life.

Now do not get it twisted, this does not eliminate the fact that challenges or occurrences that would ordinarily cause you to worry will not show up. Life will definitely come with its challenges- big or small, it could be in your career, relationship, lifestyle, kids, etc. ; but our disposition in the face of all these is what makes the difference; by default, as humans we tend to worry, that is our default disposition; however, rather than worry, take a deep breathe and ask yourself, “Can I do anything about this?”, If Yes, then just do it; if No, ask yourself, “Will worry do anything about this?”, the answer is definitely No!, so why worry?. The good book says, “And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?”- So why worry!!!

My friends and family look at me and ask questions like, “Why are you always happy and cheerful?’, “Do you ever bone or get angry?”, “Don’t you have down times?”, etc., some of my friends have even tagged me, “Alayo”, this is a word in a popular Nigerian language- Yoruba which means “Joy dispenser”; and my answer to their questions is “Hakuna Matata!”– I do not stress over things I cannot control, I do my best, try not to lose myself while at it and leave the rest to my creator, having in mind that all things- good and seemingly bad work together for my good, so rather than worry or be anxious, I just say a word of prayer and move on!- It has always worked!- Always!

This is not me saying, Hey!- be laid back, don’t do a thing, cross your legs, don’t fend for yourself, Hakuna Matata… no worries!- bla bla bla– You have a role to play, to occupy and be productive; but should you encounter challenges beyond you, “Don’t Worry!”

There is a correlation between Peace and lack of worry, there is this inner peace you have when you worry not and just cast your burdens on your creator- Its soothing!- First, you have to believe that there is someone that can and has promised to take the burden off you.

Peace is not the absence of storm, but your disposition or attitude in the midst of the storm, said a wise man- This just summarizes all I have said ab initio. Peace takes away fear and timidity, you face whatever it is, knowing you have a backup!

I will end with this, “Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad” says the Bible; I hope this is a good word and it has made you glad and relieved; don’t allow anxiety/worry weigh you down.

Picture Sources- Google

This is me reaching out- do you feel like you can’t handle it all by yourself, depressed, trying to wrap your head around an issue that seems to weigh you down, probably health wise, career, family, going through a divorce, having issues with kids, etc- and you need someone to talk, kindly drop me a mail – kachianitche@gmail.com

Keep being the beacon of light.

‘Kachi