Homegirl,
Nurture: The care, the attention, the training given to someone or something that is growing or developing
When we were newly born, our caregivers constantly, consistently and relentlessly gave us adequate food and water to nourish our bodies, appropriate clothing to protect us from elements of the weather and shelter to keep us safe and secure. If we were fortunate, we also got emotional support, spiritual and formal education, all in a bid to make us grow from a teeny-weeny, helpless baby to a strong, capable adult.
Why, then, do we become adults and neglect the process of nurturing US?
Why do we leave our bodies, minds and spirits to chance?
Yet, we expect these three to show up for us when examinations of life come and there is a prize of excellence to be won.
When they fail, we are quick to blame the devil and all the evil people in our village, when we are usually the orchestrators of our own failings.
Now don’t get me wrong, the devil is real and is constantly waging war against us. There are evil people in the world and only by the Blood of the Lamb and the confessions of our mouths (prayers) can we overcome these ones. But, I will not be talking about that today.
Girl, what’s with you downing bottles of soda (soft drink) every day, and saying you can’t do without it?
Why do you neglect taking time to prepare stuff like ewedu, efo riro or egusi soups, and instead just reach out for meat pies, hotdogs and biscuits because they take less time? There is no time to check time, you say.
I even heard Michelle is now hanging out with girls who smoke and drink, and has started taking a whiff here and a sip there.
Girl, you need to stop it!
I know you have plans to have a family soon. One day, pregnancy alone, not to talk of the arduous task of juggling family, work and societal responsibility together, will demand so much from your body, and if it fails in delivering nutrients, strength and vitality, you yourself will see the results. You will NOT like it.
More importantly, all things being equal, you determine how healthy your child will be in life by what you give him/her from day one in your womb.
Carrier of godly seeds and mighty generations, what are you reserving in your body?
Empty calories? Toxins?
One day, the health status of your family will lie in your hands as the nurturer of the home. What will be in your hands to give?
So, I plead with you to prepare your body and lifestyle for the tasks ahead. Carry your eye from that soft drink and take time to eat oranges or apples or bananas or watermelon!
Fall in love with ugu, okazi, tete, soko, potatoes, iru, egusi, okro, ewedu, orisirisi eja and healthy meat.
They are cheaper than drugs and countless medical tests in the end.
Your nutrient intake is one of the factors that will determine your health and beauty, which will further determine how you feel about yourself and your confidence. Do not let your body fall apart.
Watch what you take in.
And, please, stay beautiful!
Your Homegirl,
Adeyinka Oresanya.
