COUNTDOWN To ALAAFIN GOLDEN JUBILEE ANNIVERSARY
Alaafin Owoade 50th birthday : Journey of Impact, Gratitude, and Philanthropy (1)
By Bode Durojaiye, the Director of Media and Publicity to the Alaafin of Oyo.
The 17th of July holds a profound significance for His Imperial Majesty’, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Engineer Akeem Abimbola Owoade 1.
This year marks a momentous milestone, 50th birthday, a celebration of half a century filled with rich experiences and impactful contributions.
Turning 50 next month, Oba Owoade feels like an extraordinary gift that life has bestowed upon him. He is filled with gratitude pride, and a renewed commitment to want to give back to the world.
Reaching a certain age makes most people begin to take stock of life. Appreciating what’s behind them while thoughtfully approaching what’s ahead-hopefully with more wisdom.
Oba Owoade is aging gracefully by navigating the physical changes, challenges, and transitions that come with getting older. It involves taking care of his overall well-being, both physically and mentally. This could include regular exercise to maintain strength and mobility, a healthy diet with necessary minerals and nutrients, practicing self-care, and staying mentally active through hobbies or learning new skills.
Alaafin emphasizes on the cultivation of qualities like kindness, wisdom, and patience as he grows older, and which requires even more intentionality than aging gracefully. It may require letting go of old reasonings, resentments, anger, or judgments.
The Titan of Yorubaland treats himself and others with compassion, understanding, and forgiveness, thus embracing the wisdom that comes.
Oba Owoade is being less critical of himself, accepting his imperfections, and embracing self-compassion. He extends kindness and understanding to those around him, appreciating their unique journeys and offering supports when needed.
IHe is striving to combine these two approaches- aging gracefully and aging with grace, embracing the benefits of preserving his own peace, as every circumstance does NOT require a response from him. He is earning how to apply and grant more grace.
Everything in Oba Owoade’s life, including his physical appearance, attitudes and relationships with others, and even his outlook on life at 50 is improved and improving. The goal is to glide gracefully into golden years of resilience, contentment, and a genuinely high quality of life.
To be continued……..