What do you want to do with your life?

Impact or vibes? You choose.

Burying my dad a week ago has made me think about death a lot but more importantly, about the kind of life I want to live. 

Hearing and reading all the amazing things people have said about him has been making me think about my life, not so much about what I want people to say when I die but about what I am doing with it while I can.

I have always cared about living intentionally, with purpose, but lately, its become more important that I live well, that I empty myself out before I leave this earth. More than anything, I want to make God proud of creating me and so I want to make sure that my stint on earth brings Him pleasure and pride.

The passing of the famous Black Panther embodied by the recently deceased Chadwick Boseman is serving as another reminder to live intentionally. Coincidentally, both died of cancer so this latest death has been quite the trigger.

I have been watching his videos since the news of his death broke. As I kept watching them, I noticed something. I saw someone who was living intentionally, with purpose, who was not squandering his life but seizing every opportunity, every minute of his life to do impactful things.

According to the press release, Boseman was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer in 2016 and battled with it privately for the past four years as it progressed to stage IV. ⁣

The incredible thing is that he somehow managed to make movies like 
⁣Black Panther, Avengers, Da 5 Bloods, and one of his last screen performances, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom while undergoing numerous surgeries and chemotherapy. ⁣

chadwickboseman

It is with immeasurable grief that we confirm the passing of Chadwick Boseman.⁣
⁣
Chadwick was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer in 2016, and battled with it these last 4 years as it progressed to stage IV. ⁣
⁣
A true fighter, Chadwick persevered through it all, and brought you many of the films you have come to love so much. From Marshall to Da 5 Bloods, August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and several more, all were filmed during and between countless surgeries and chemotherapy. ⁣
⁣
It was the honor of his career to bring King T’Challa to life in Black Panther. ⁣
⁣
He died in his home, with his wife and family by his side. ⁣
⁣
The family thanks you for your love and prayers, and asks that you continue to respect their privacy during this difficult time. ⁣
⁣
Photo Credit: @samjonespictures

August 29, 2020

⁣Most of these movies were very physical but he did it anyway while battling cancer. My dad’s painful battle with the terrible disease started during his last years on earth. I don't want to imagine what it was like to have this illness and still go film action movies but that's what he did.

I wonder if knowing that he could die soon served as motivation to continue to do impactful work. This is not to glamorise his pain or to form ‘awon aspire to perspire’ gang. 

Nope, that's not my intention. But I am someone who likes to find the silver lining in things and so these deaths have served as a reminder for me to continue to live intentionally.

Sometimes, we get carried away with our challenges and the struggles of life, which is understandable. But living intentionally, with purpose gives you the motivation to push on.

Knowing that your life isn’t just for you, that other people’s destinies are attached to you serves as motivation, as fuel to wake up and do what needs to be done especially when you are not feeling it.

Rex Chapman🏇🏼 @RexChapman

This is courage. This is humanity. Please take 2-minutes and listen to Chadwick Boseman’s words here. Break out the tissues. Also, he was dealing with his own colon cancer at the time. And never said a word. Real-life, Superhero. Rest, Sir.🌎💔

So, I ask you, what do you want to do with your life? In the end, if you are fortunate to get there, do you want to be able to look back and be satisfied with what you see or be filled with regrets?

We only get one life, one chance to empty ourselves, live a life of service to God and humanity as we bless others with our talents, smiles, company, ‘wahala’ and joy. So, act, write, dance, sing, do what you have been called to do because tomorrow is not promised.

I hope this encourages you to take stock of your life, what you have done so far, what you want to do moving forward and do exactly that. Stop making excuses or focusing on what you don't have. 

Focus instead on what you do have right now and what you can do with it. That's exactly what I am going to be doing and I hope you join me in this living intentionally thing. I am rooting for you.

Thank you for subscribing and for reading to this point. This is the tenth issue of the Breakdown. I am so excited we have made it this far. I have to apologise for the inconsistencies during this period. I took some time to bury my dad but I'm back now. 

The eleventh issue will be out on Thursday, September 3, 2020. I will be writing on these annoying things called insecurities. I can not wait for you to read it.

Inem Udodiong| Christian Creative @Inemudodiong

Tomorrow's newsletter tackles insecurities. So many of us are walking around with insecurities. Insecurities that tell us we are not good enough for that job, guy/gurl, car, the list is endless. Tomorrow's letter should provide you with the roadmap to overcome them #insecurities

I would love to hear what you think and what you would like me to address in subsequent letters. Please reply with your suggestions by using #TheBreakdownwithInem online or replying to this email.

Are we friends on social media? We should be https://twitter.com/Inemudodiong

You can expect 2 letters from me weekly on Thursdays and Sundays.