When the Ember Months Whisper to Me

People always have different things to talk about, especially during this ember month that we just entered 2 days ago. For me, it always makes me think and slow down. Anyway, it is September; it always feels like time is running out and that we need to do everything on time. The morning always felt calm, and the evenings are more quiet. And the rest of the days from September till December always look shorter than the rest of the other months.  As soon as I enter the ember month, there are a series of questions that usually run through my head: "What have I really done differently so far? Did I achieve any of the things I penned down at the beginning of this year? What has been my level of progress so far? Did I stick to the things I said I would do at the beginning of this year, or have I drifted?" Some of the replies to this question sit well with me, while some, hmmm... It is not really comforting. There are times when I am very happy and proud of myself and celebrate my little wins, and sometimes, I begin to wonder if I am making any progress as expected. I do not know if anyone usually feels like that too. Looking at the place that I come from, these ember months are always significant, and they are more than dates. This is the month when there are a lot of family gatherings, preparations for the December festivals, and plans for a better day. The streets are busier than ever before, the marketplaces are filled up, and all of a sudden, we will start seeing a lot of strange faces that you have never come across before sharing different stories. Yet, there is always an unspoken reality behind all the glitter of these festivities. There are some goals that are yet to be attained, financial pressure, and that untold hidden fear of going into the new year with some old struggles we are facing. However, I have gained a lot of things from this ember month, and one is that life goes beyond the ticking boxes and the things we have been able to archive and that surviving each day is a big achievement that is worth celebrating. Maybe I have been unable to attain all my set goals, but I am making progress in a way that cannot be measured in money. I have learned, persevered, lost, and loved, and still, I have the strength to march on, and I am still on my feet. That alone is victory.  And now that the year 2025 is gradually winding up, I have decided to look beyond the things that I have lost or have yet to attain. I have decided to place my focus on my little wins, count my blessings, the joy I have, the battles I survived, the love I am giving and receiving from my loved ones, and those who are my run-to. Because when I look at it, I realize that and hear the whisper that Ember Month might be coming to an end, but to every ending, there is always something new. --- Thank you for reading. > _{Images created by MetaAi}