A Poem For August

It's day 213 of documenting 2025.

Happy New Month, my friend 💐

August is here already!

In four months time, we will be saying goodbye to 2025.

Wow wow wow 😄

I've really come this far!

When I started, so many doubts clouded my mind.

I mean, different ways this blog wasn't going to work....but I'm here today, checking into the 8th month.

I'm so grateful to God 🥲 

I wish you a wonderful month ahead, my friend.

I hope this month works out to your favor.... and that you're blessed with many reasons to smile and glorify God.

May the odds be in your favor 🙏🏼

Featured Today...

A short chat on the August mindset, a poem for August...and the usual section, Highlights.

Enjoy! ☺️ 

365 Days With Self-discipline 

📌 On Sudden Trials

"The art of life is more like the wrestler’s art than the dancer’s, in respect of this, that it should stand ready and firm to meet onsets which are sudden and unexpected."

Quote by Marcus Aurelius

Preparing yourself for possible temptations and avoiding situations in which you’re likely to encounter them is a solid strategy, but it won’t eliminate one of the most formidable enemies: sudden and unexpected trials.

Self-discipline is similar to self-defense in this regard. 

It’s one thing to remain self-disciplined when you’re mentally prepared or perform a self-defense technique during training, and a completely different thing to face temptations or on enemy when they’re most likely to emerge — when you’re tired, angry, sick, heartbroken, or depressed.

As hard as it is, try to pay even more attention to your self-control when you aren’t at your best. 

It’s during those testing times that you can learn the most about your weaknesses, as well as your hidden strengths.

To better prepare yourself to handle such negative, unpredictable circumstances, periodically test your character while you’re under the weather.

Hmm 🤔 

What a coincidence!

We're talking self-defense, sudden trials and self-discipline...

A new month...when unexpected events can occur.

It's best to be prepared, yeah?

Moving on....

The August package.

The poem first...and then, the chat.

"The Quiet Flame of August"

August arrives with a whisper, not a shout,  

A golden hush where summer starts to bow out.  

Fields wear sunburnt gowns of grain and gold,  

As harvest whispers secrets the warm winds told.  

It's first fruits and fading blooms, side by side,  

Rainclouds drifting where sun used to hide.  

The skies are quieter, the days less bold

A gentle fire, not scorching, but soulfully old.  

It's back-to-school lists and festival lights,  

Laughter in markets and cool, shorter nights.  

A time between endings and things yet begun,  

The breath before autumn, under a softer sun.

A quiet flame indeed 🔥 

Vacations and gentle preparations for school...

And a transition into the dry season, here in Nigeria.

I actually know someone who will be resuming classes this month.

(Code word: Austin, Masters 😉)

The Chat

Me: Quick question....

What should come to mind when we think of a new month?

ChatGPT: A fresh start, renewed focus, and the quiet invitation to grow.  

A new month is like a blank page...what story will you write on it?

Me: Nice analogy 😌

But what if you know that it may be silent, lonely and difficult?

ChatGPT: Then think of it as sacred soil...quiet, yes, but rich with possibility.  

Even the hardest months can grow the deepest roots.

Me: I agree 🌱

And you just have to trust that those who you left behind will be okay...and that they will understand why you stopped connecting. Right?

ChatGPT: Exactly 🌾  

Some distances are not abandonment; they’re nurturing. Growth often asks for solitude, and those who truly care will understand, even if not immediately.

Me: They will understand....

And as you're in that solitude, what should be your mantra...your reminder?

ChatGPT: “I'm not lost, I'm becoming.”  

Let that be your reminder...growth isn’t always loud or seen, but it’s always shaping you from within.

To be honest, this is the point where I am right now.

And to some people I know, it may feel like I abandoned or left them.

If you're one of those people, just know this:

I've abandoned my growth for so long that my roots stopped growing.

I had to cut off the connection and communication so I could do the inner work that I've always said I would do.

It may take a long time for me to show up again...

Or I might be back before you know it.

This time around, I'm not certain when that would happen.

But I know that what we've built hasn't ended, it's just nurturing.

Take care of yourself for me and I'll do same for you 💜

If you just found this post, you're most welcome 🤗 

I'm not the usual blogger on the internet, this is my corner where I can be as eccentric as I want.

And I still inspire or remind someone out there.

I hope you can stop by tomorrow for a new post....and share this post if you think it's worth sharing.

(If you don't...it's okay 🙂)

I'm Duon Ada.

I'm documenting 2025,

And I'll see you tomorrow.

Ciao 💕