Red Wine Questions

Spontaneity is my forte, this much we know(to my friends that read this and rolled their eyes, I have two things to say, first, some faith in me would go a long way and two, people change). This spontaneous article is courtesy of Ato who I asked a random question the first time we met. The million dollar question which I know you’re dying to know was, “what sets your soul on fire?” I know, I blame the glass of red wine I had just drunk.

I actually wrote down the list on my journal and almost talked myself out of posting this but I’m nothing if not a baddie(should I revisit why writing this made me cringe a little?😅) that rebels against the voice in my head that tries to talk me back into my comfort zone. I journaled on this while on the bus from Accra to Abidjan- yeap, I have become one of those people.

Below, dear reader, is what my reflection somewhere between Accra and Cape Coast brought me to. Here, to name a few, are some things that set Felistus’ soul on fire:

1. Post a call with my mom after I called her with my heart so heavy I could barely breathe—and having the chance to bare my soul to my one true love. In general, the privilege to do life with my mom as my friend.

2. Our 2-hours plus phone calls with Sarah, or when she lets me sit in the mud with her, or when she presents workarounds for our trips, to handle life stages like pregnancy & kids—the privilege of having someone be so intentional with me, with our friendship. Makes me love this life a little more.

3. Ken—that we could fail to talk for up to a year and when I pick up the phone we can just pick right back up.

4. Gyakie’s and Fave’s songs—they really do it for me as a lover girl.

5. The pre-jitters I get every time I’m at the airport right before going on a solo trip, but deep down knowing I’ll come back different in the best way possible.

6. The pump, burn, and pride I feel post an early morning workout. Feels like casting a vote for myself, and I love it.

7. Albeit being a little introverted, meeting new people and just listening to them speak. Sometimes it’s deep, sometimes it’s as little as talking about hobbies, but just the chance to deeply connect with humans without the “pressure” of forever.

8. Getting fully absorbed, immersed and into a book that everything pales.

9. The high post adrenaline activities

10. Girl hangs where we just talk and open up, and in that moment I feel less crazy.

11. Completing a painting from scratch.

12. The buzz after a good dance—in the house alone or a good night at the club.

13. The love I feel for my niece Nalah & my aunt Syuwasya ♥

14. Watching a beautiful sunset—yeap, surprise surprise, I’m a sunset and not a sunrise person. 🌅

15. Being by myself in the house on a weekend, no plans, but just to exist.

16. Seeing myself fall in love with an equally yoked boy who’s equally if not more obsessed with me as I am with him.

The list is not exhaustive for sure and I will continue to fill up my life with more and more experiences, but as I’m about to post this article, lying down in bed at my couch surfing host’s house in Abidjan after I said I was taking a nap till I gave up two hours in, these are a few things that set my soul on fire. What sets your soul on fire dear reader?