Never in a million years did I think I’d develop a keen interest in a building until The Shard came along. The Shard was designed by Renzo Piano. It stands 309.6 metres (1,016 ft.) high. It is currently the tallest building in the United Kingdom and the 87th tallest building in the world. (www.wikipedia.org)

When The Shard was inaugurated in July 2012, I noticed something seemed out of place; an architectural mishap perhaps. The glass panels had gaps in between them. On sunny days, the sky tells the tale of the chemistry between The Shard and the sun, as beams are produced in the sky when the sun’s rays hit its glass panel or its top. Renzo said The Shard was designed to flirt with the sun.

With all the beauty this monument elicits, I wondered for a long time why the gaps in the panels did not close up. I was convinced that the building was uncompleted. To my bewilderment, my assumption was discredited on my first visit to the Shard – Work Christmas Party 2012. Surely my naivety of architectural designs was affirmed.

On arrival, I observed that the glass panels were not made to close-up. There were inner glass panels before the outer panels which were not visible from my observation point. A few days later, I had an interview in a building 0.748 meters west of The Shard. The gaps in the panel were not visible from this location. However, back in my office, the gaps were conspicuous. I have since found out that the panels do not close-up, to allow the building breathe.

The more I observed The Shard, the more I realised that it is metaphorical to people. We tend to have a misconception about people when we observe them from a distance. We often think they have unacceptable shortcomings until we get to know them a little closer.

“Different” is good and we should learn to accept the differences we see in others. God did not design you to be like everyone else. Your shortcomings may look like flaws to others, but the truth is you are complete just the way you are. So go ahead and be you. Love you and live out your dreams.

The next time someone tries to put you down, think about The Shard, remember its outer panels and SMILE. Be the best you there is and let your beam light up the sky!

One final thought about celebrating your uniqueness … “Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out; you formed me in my mother’s womb. I thank you, High God—you’re breathtaking! Body and soul, I am marvellously made! I worship in adoration—what a creation! You know me inside and out, you know every bone in my body; You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something.” Psalm‬ ‭139:13-14 MSG‬‬

#theshard #lifeslessons #uniqueness #different #celebrateyou

Have you ever been caught out in a torrential rainfall? We experienced one in London last week Thursday. It was by far the heaviest downpour I had seen in a while. It reminded me of Lagos rain – heavy and disruptive.

The city of London was submerged in torrents of heavy rain and flash floods which left commuters stranded. It started raining on Wednesday night until the early hours of Thursday. A friend said she thought someone was breaking into her apartment as the rain beat heavily on her window. Well I slept through it all. The aftermath of the downpour was felt by most people in the city and neighbouring towns.

On the contrary, Friday’s weather was noticeably different. The sun was shining in all its glory. There were no tell-tale signs of the previous day’s horrendous weather. The sun had soaked up all traces of the rain.

As I looked out of the window, the quote “After the storm comes the sunshine” came to mind. During the stormy moments of our lives, we should always be conscious that those moments will definitely come to an end. They will not last forever. It is important to develop the right attitude and not be overwhelmed by the challenges. Challenges may come, but there is always at the LEAST One Way Out.

The right attitude and disposition helps us tackle challenges without being consumed by it. I always say to myself “Nike, it’s not over until you win.” It doesn’t matter how long the challenge lasts for, it’s not over until I have my desired outcome.

There is a SUNNY DAY ahead and when that day comes, the present discomforts would be a distant memory. Don’t let your life be in disarray because there is A Storm raging. Storms come and go and the SUN shines afterwards. Don’t be stagnant waiting for the storm to cease. Forge ahead and WIN. Maintain your cool, maintain your calm and be conscious that this too shall pass.

In closing, I’ll like to leave you with these two quotes
After every storm the sun will smile; for every problem there is a solution, and the soul’s indefeasible duty is to be of good cheer. William R. Alger

Times of great calamity and confusion have been productive for the greatest minds. The purest ore is produced from the hottest furnace. The brightest thunder-bolt is elicited from the darkest storm. Charles Caleb Colton

…and finally the scripture “Darkness may endure for a moment but light comes in the morning – Psalm 30 vs 5”

#lifelessons #nevergiveup #theresalightattheendofthetunnel #afterthestormcomesthesun