A Man in Progress
In life, there are moments when the world as we know it flips onto a new axis, spiralling us into unfamiliar territories. For me, that moment was leaving my beloved Ghana for a new adventure Abroad.
I arrived in the thick of winter and as I walked through the lonely cold streets for the first time, a cocktail of excitement and uncertainty filled up within me. In those moments, amid the backdrop of Gothic architecture and almost dead city life, I caught myself yearning for the warmth of the Ghanaian sun and the comforting sound of friendly chatter back home. It’s as if my soul is persistently nudging me, reminding me that I want my old life back in this new space.
On nights when memories make my heart ache, I find myself longing for how things were before. The longing isn’t just for places; it’s for familiar faces, for the ability to strike random conversations on the street without stumbling over words, for the days when playing tennis was just a part of my life, as common as the setting sun.
Life, as I have come to understand, isn’t about fairness. It hands you not what you want but what you can handle. At times, this truth weighs heavy, making the bright opportunities of my new life seem dull and underappreciated in my eyes.
But then, in my clearer, brighter moments, I realise that this emotional conflict is not a sign of failure. Rather, it’s an unveiling, a reveal, a bittersweet introduction to a newer, stronger version of myself.
These challenges are more than mere inconveniences; they are the sculptor’s tools, meticulously carving me into ‘Me v3.0.’ Every struggle with lack of playing time due to logistical issues, the language barrier, every lost-in-translation moment and many others is a lesson, a stepping stone leading me closer to the person I am becoming — resilient, patient, and ever-growing (Kaizen).
I am a human being in progress, not defined by my past or present, yet continuously evolving and redefining myself through my journey.
I will say that patience and consistency have become my silent mentors. They whisper that understanding a new culture, mastering a new language, and finding new friends are not events but processes.
I am learning to be patient with myself, to give myself the grace to learn and grow at my own pace. Because while life may be a race for some, it is a deeply personal journey for me, here and now.
In the midst of all this — the yearning, the learning, the stumbling — there are golden opportunities that I am tapping into. Opportunities for personal and professional growth, broadening my horizons, and deep, meaningful connections that cross the boundaries of language and culture.
For this, above all, I am highly grateful.
I do miss my old lifestyle and routine. I miss Ghana — its vibrant streets, vibes, and radiant sun. Yet, as I make my way Awtsyde (outside), I am also painting a new canvas, one that blends the rich hues of my Ghanaian heritage with the intricate strokes of my German experiences.
In this new chapter, I am learning not only to navigate my external world but also to rediscover who I am and who I can be. This is my opportunity not to replace my old life but to enrich it, to weave my past and present into a tapestry that tells a story of resilience, growth, and unending potential.
So 😮💨, as I take each step in this new country, I carry Ghana 🇬🇭 in my heart, not as a weight that holds me back, but as the foundation that propels me forward into this new, expansive space.
I am here, in Germany 🇩🇪, a blend of past and present, of longing and opportunity, of a person who was and a person who is becoming.
I am here, grateful and growing, learning and living.
I am here, and this journey is mine to embrace.
With these thoughts and feelings, I wrote a piece on patience titled “Time Takes Time”. I entreat you to take a read as well.
