For Linda Ikeji and our Collective Lessons in Vulnerability

[betsyrountree]

<br>Let me very first start this short article by stating that I don’t know Linda Ikeji personally, we aren’t close buddies, and I have actually “fulfilled” her only a couple of times at social gatherings …<br>
<br>Written By:
Francesca Uriri<br>
<br>Published On:
24 Sep 2016<br>
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<br>However with all of that being said, I also have a deep and abiding regard for her. Is that paradoxical? Perhaps. But I have actually pertained to understand that you can disagree with someone on something and still respect them. Whether you accept it or not, Linda has revealed through her amazing journey of being a blogger and viewpoint influencer, that she is an inspiration to many individuals all over the world. She has boot strapped her method to success using a design that was as soon as undesirable and discounted. She’s an Outlier, and manages to motivate, incite and baffle many simultaneously, and with fervour.<br>
<br>I can’t believe of a lot of individuals who have actually run a modelling firm, an occasions company, a magazine and a bunch of other organizations, failed at them, and still kept pressing forward. I likewise do not know of anyone else (a minimum of not on this side of the world), who is lawfully making heaps of money by blogging.
[ad] I imply, before Linda, whoever believed it was possible to purchase a house in Banana Island, and open a string of media-related organizations acquired from the proceeds of running a chatter blog site? If the United States of America has the “American dream,” then Linda Ifeoma Ikeji has the “Naija Dream.” Strong, relentless in its pursuit of happiness and hope, and eventually, successful. Here’s a female who struck ground no eventually in her life, and is back to level 100. You need to respect such grit and determination, due to the fact that as my Sapele individuals will say “E nor easy.”<br>
<br>Linda or “Lin-Lin” as she’s fondly called by those who are close to her turned 36 years of ages a couple of days back; and to mark her wedding, she posted a 14-minute long video on her blog. Within hours of her posting this video, social networks was with all sort of comments and remarks about it – and I knew that I had to see it for myself. 3 minutes into the video, I wasn’t quite sure whether I liked it or not, since it came off as a little insincere and scripted; plus Linda looked a little unpleasant dealing with the electronic camera. However, something changed quickly after – I’m not even sure what. But the veneer of coolness broke, and something more warm, earthy, real and vulnerable spilled out.
[ad] And as Linda began to discuss her failures, her desires, her relationship with God, her belief in the credibility of her dreams, her utter amazement at how her life ended up, and the affirmation that she still “strategies to be around for a long time,” something in me likewise paved the way to the hope and inspiration that she was sharing.<br>
<br>And perhaps it was a psychological minute, perhaps that thing was fleeting, however I recognized it, and I felt it highly. Because it was genuine, powerful and heartfelt. And because one unique minute, I ignored all the times I did not like Linda, or all the bothersome things she had done, and because suspended area, in between my laptop screen and her video, I celebrated with her. I cheered her on, and I desperately desired her to prosper.<br>
<br>So you can picture my irritation when individuals took simply a few seconds of that video – of her preferring an incredible man for a husband – and turned it into an event for unsightly small talk, senseless rhetoric and hurtful remarks. How do you condense ALL she said, and narrow that down to just one sector of her video? What is incorrect if she honestly (and really truthfully I might include), discussed what she desires? Is her desire for a hubby somehow less valid or outrageous because she discussed it outdoors? If she had discussed further growing her business or purchasing another home – would those declarations be satisfied with derisive remarks? Exists not a peaceful strength and self-respect in such a guileless program of vulnerability? When people honestly and honestly open themselves, the least we can do, the least we ought to do as human beings is to accord them the regard and dignity that they should have.<br>

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