So this week my bit of the CDW Challenge is focused on working on one my cons (being hard on myself) and getting to my aspiration which is (self-acceptance|self-kindness|self-love). I’m naturally very hard on myself, I exaggerate my failures and shortcomings to myself and at the very base I suspect that I may be slightly masochistic. Anyway, this week’s aspiration is all about building self confidence by self-acceptance, self-kindness and self-love. And yes, I know it all sounds a bit self-ish. But hey not everyday others, sometimes ME!

SO, I thought that one way to really look inwards and appreciate myself is by considering what people who know and love me think of me! Now, luckily as my birthday just passed I got to hear some really sweet thoughts from people who know me. It was incredibly humbling and warming to realise that although a lot of the time all I see are my shortcomings, the people that love you always see you for not only who you are but who you would like to be.

So here are 10 Birthday Shallas that got me all warm and tingly where the sun don’t shine! #FeelingMyselfLikeILostMyKeys

1.
“This lovely lady (ME!!:)) with me is one of the most beautiful people I know in and out. It always surprises me how she brushes off compliments like they aren’t accurate. She can and has been stunning on many occasions. She affects people’s lives so completely. She is funny, personable, intelligent and empathetic. My wish for you today on your birthday Wendelyn, is that you see yourself the way we proud members of your fan club see you. Please bombard her time line with how you see her and what you wish for her. Love you lots hun! #teamwendi #teamwendy #birrday #birthdaylove Muah!”

2.
“My very own Ekweremadu is a year older today!!! Happy birthday bebe!!! You’ve been such a blessing to me and so many others in your 25 years 😉 and have been a fine example of how we reap the deeds we sow. Here’s to many more years of reaping good deeds #25todaybecausetimestoppedthreeyearsago (hashtag fail buzzer!!). Your infantile denticulation could have fooled us! Lol! #99%Silly #1%cerebral #100%superwoman @wendelynno”

3.
“Happy birthday to this absolute looney toon! Razor sharp wit and sage wisdom this one has. Appreciate you homie!”

4.
“To my sister, my mentor, best friend, confessor…from 3 Onne Road to the Grove to Finchley…I have loyally remained your yansh fly. That’s because even from the age of one the greatness in you was evident. God truly knew what He was doing when He placed you as the head of the WAHIO clan. This is to thank you for listening to the many 1 hour, unnecessary banter, being my shoulder through many heartbreaks and just being a constant in my life. I love you more than words can express and I thank God for making you my sister. God has blessed you immensely: hotness, intelligence, artsy, can sing, write, decorate and cook…dammmmmn who said one person can’t be the total package?! So this year my prayer for you is that God continues to show you just how great you are, that He who began a good work will be faithful to complete it and that God’s grace, peace and favour surround you through life’s journey. Remember I am always here and will always be. Love you. Oh forgot a prayer point/…husband! Lol!”

5.
“Wendelyn, words (especially mine) aren’t sufficient to describe what our relationship is to me. So I’ll just say I love you because you have given me no other choice. Your support, your laughter, your presents and presence, your understanding, our tears, your comfort, your love and love and love continue to overwhelm me. You make me feel like it’s Christmas every time we see! Your generosity and kindness reaches everything you see and your inspire me, motivate me and encourage me in so many ways. Even when we disagree! (Because long before you’ll judge me, you’ll love me). I thought this was going to be short but the moment I started writing, all the blessings I want for you just came pouring out. Happy birthday my darling! I wish you an abundance of everything good this life has to offer.”

6.
“My one and only Nkem, my former London and Abuja partner in crime (you’ve abandoned me 😦 ). Happy birthday. May God grant you your heart’s desires because you deserve it. You only see the best in people and give everyone a chance to prove themselves. Enjoy your day. P.s: You are old.

7.
“Happy birthday to my number one lady of virtue, fish head and lover of all things ratchet. You are a rare and special breed. God bless you immensely Onye’m!”

8.
“Happy Birthday! Often we say these words but rarely have I felt truly happy to see someone grow through another celestial revolution, increase in experience and wisdom, stretch and turn through ups and downs. Rarely have I wanted to hug someone so tight and say happy birthday and many more years and I wish you the best and long life and good health ad nauseam. I still hold out for the day you will declare me your maid of honour so I can gather up your skirts and cry with you. I look forward to congratulating you on all the achievements you will chalk up in the years ahead of you. The summits you will scale in that unassuming way you have leapt from distance to distance in your short life. It’s always a little strange when your birthdays come around and I realise that you might actually be older than I am- I spend a lot of time imagining myself your shepherd, you see, not least because you are my most innocent and sweetest of friends, who might not have a single bitter cell in her body. As you always say, we will be lifelong friends. I know this. Too many confidences have been exchanged between us over time. Too few degrees of separation exist between us. Too little is unspeakable between us. I have always marveled at your wit, your charisma, your bravery, your stoicity, your infinite hospitability to those who might require your attentions, your capacity for cultural and social absorption, being able to slip through different locales without ever withering your own genuine person, your authenticity. Yes, of all my people you are one of the true originals. Happy birthday again Wendy. Thanks for always being there for me. I hope we get to create together, to build a Nigeria that makes sense, to be sources of strength for our families of relations and friends. I hope your legacy continues as it has begun and follows an interminable trajectory into legend. God bless you.”

9.
“Happy Birthday WenDarling I admire you so much, your love for God and how you go the extra mile and how you persevere to be righteous and not just settle to be right, you’re a perfect balance of maturity and being young-at-heart,you beautiful woman of God I love you like a sister, respect you like a mentor and cherish you like cappuccino and blankets on a cold night (highly essential and irreplaceable). I hope our friendship would grow to become what the bible describes in Ecc 4:9-12. Have a wonderful boring-old-woman-free day”

10.
My original cookie! Just wanted to seize this opportunity to tell you how much I love and appreciate you- your quirks, your support, your love. Can’t even imagine what LSE would have been without you??!! You have one of the biggest hearts I’ve seen and you always make time to care about something bigger than you. Very glad you were born on this day so many many years ago 😉 and I hope we share many more. Have fun today! I pray God blesses you and continues to make your life a tesimony in this new year. Happy birthday hun!

*Feeling blessed and loved ALL OVER AGAIN!*