Growing up in Ghana, West Africa, the possibility of living, working and growing a family in the United States of America was never entertained. Unlike some of my classmates who had the opportunity of visiting the US and/or Europe at the end of every school term, my brothers and I were consistently reminded by our parents to never think that was our reality.
Fast forward 17 years later, I live in Chicago, IL, work as an Accountant at a Medical Company and have the honor of raising my 2-year-old with my husband. Prior to my move to Chicago, I lived in New York for 10 years. The last 17 years in the US have taught me one thing, it is fine to dream. Dare to dream and when you do, dream big.
SOME THINGS I HAVE LEARNED IN THE LAST 17 YEARS:
BE OPEN TO CHANGE –I majored in Business Secretariatship and French in high school back in Ghana because my goal was to become a Bilingual Secretary working with the United Nations. A couple of months after arriving in the US, my father’s friend requested to have a talk with me about my career path/goals. He advised that for someone who would in the future be seeking work authorization/sponsorship, I needed to major in an area that would make me marketable. He is a Certified Public Accountant working with the State of New York and suggested Accounting. I was open to taking the chance even though I knew the possible hardships and uncertainties I was going to face in taking on this huge task of being an Accounting Major. Let’s just say the Universe has a way of making things work out for your good when you are willing to take the chance.
MAKE THE MOST OF EVERY OPPORTUNITY – Along the way, I have learned that some opportunities only come by once a lifetime and when they do, you need to grab them. Moving from New York to Chicago for a new job in 2011, was an example of such opportunities. It meant leaving behind everything I had known for almost a decade and starting all over in a place I had no family or friends. Turns out moving Chicago is one of the best things that could have ever happened to me.
BE WILLING TO LOSE FRIENDS/FAMILY – I lost more friends than I made in the last 17 years. With each friend I lost, whether it was due to a misunderstanding, a heated argument or just a natural go quiet, don’t link up again situation, I realized that there was a reason and a season for each one of them. I am thankful for them because they added to my life at that point in time. Their purposes in my life were fulfilled and then, they exited. Listen, it is important to endure some loneliness, hardships, joyous moments by yourself because it builds character. If you have a hard time spending some quiet time with yourself and always want to be surrounded by friends/family, you have some work to do.
LIVE LIFE – In the midst of our busy lives, it is important to stop and smell the roses. We love to travel as a family and we consciously make the time for weekend or mid-week getaways whenever the opportunity presents itself. In 2018, we traveled to Los Angeles, Miami and Cancun, Mexico. We can all agree, we work hard so we can enjoy!
17 years later and I am still dreaming. My dream someday is to build an Academy in Ghana that will provide children the resources needed to equip them for the world. In working towards this goal, in 2018, I officially launched a t-shirt line through which I am looking to inspire Africans, especially the young African to know that they are as capable as kids growing up in the United States.
Great read! I'm so glad that you chose to dream big! You are an amazing resource to all of the children in Africa who may think they way you used to. You are a testimony for them that ALL things are possible. I needed to read the "Be willing to lose friends" section. I know "season, reason, lifetime" holds true, but it's still a grieving process when we lose those really close to us during certain seasons in our lives! Can't wait to see what blog you post next! -Xo