EFFORTS NEGLECTED, SMALL GESTURE, BIG IMPACT.

I never understood the impact of small gestures until later in life. I've had people who went to hell and back for me in the past, and I never even considered their efforts talkless the sacrifice and pains they had to endure just to see me happy. The first person who did it over and over again for me is my mother. Growing up, she was always looking out for me especially in my teenage age when I was still in over my head thinking I knew it all. There were times she would travel 9 hours to my boarding school Just to check up on me, but I wasn't having any of it because I thought she was treating me like a child. Or was it the times she ensured I never had to go through the stress of traveling by road, and thus did everything in her power to ensure I traveled by air, I felt it was her duty and there was nothing to be appreciative about.

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This bad attitude of mine went on and on until I entered the higher institution and had a best friend who also went to hell and back for me, but all I kept on seeing were her flaws and things she wasn't doing right. People thought she was my girlfriend because of the things she did for me especially when my parents finances started going from bad to worse in my second year, she ensured that I never lacked anything in school. There were times were we both fed on her school fees while I sorted out ways to pay mine, and times when she would struggle to beg so we could eat, yet all I did was complain and get angry of how she wasn't meeting up with her fees and spending lavishly on things that were not important forgetting that she only spent on us and if there was anyone to complain it should be her.

After my third year, I got to realize that life was more than what I thought, and that was when I started reflecting on the things she did, the things my mum did, the sacrifice they went through for me, and how I made them feel bad about it. To date I wish I could turn back the hands of time, but it's something impossible to do. My best friend is now happily married, but I still promise myself if there's anything she would need that I would be able to do, I would do it without thinking twice because I owe her a life's debt. And for my mum, I try very hard to ensure I make her happy in the little ways I can think of. I still try to make up for those lost times and be there for her whenever she needs strength.

Small gestures are things I have learned to do, a little "thank you" or "I'm sorry" would go a long way in making so much happen. There's a special friend of mine whom I met this year and we instantly became very acquainted because of a small gesture of gratitude she showed. It was during my final year first semester exam, after she was transferred from another school to my school. She came during exams and had no clue what to read or write. I wasn't in her department though (computer science) but I had done most of the courses she was doing in my previous years. Being that I'm not one to easily forget what I have learned, I was able to help her out in the exam hall. She wasn't the only person I helped, as I did even more for others who were around me.

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After the exams I woke up to the WhatsApp message above and to say I was super touched that she appreciated my efforts. We became really close after that, and it felt like I had known her for years. Meanwhile, we've only been friends for barely six months. She's one to show small gestures, appreciating little efforts and also making efforts by going the extra mile for those around her. Seeing everything currently, I decided I wasn't going to make the same mistake I made with my mum and best friend in the past, so I learned to apologize when I'm wrong, and say thank you wherever she does things that require a thank you. I have also learned to just appreciate her out of the blues for just being a good friend, and I see just how much it has helped our friendship.

I can say I'm becoming a better version of myself by the day as I incorporate these little attributes by the day. I remember one time I was having an argument with my friend and in the middle of it, I said I was sorry. Her expression changed and she replied that she never thought I would even apologize because according to her men are often proud. Being who I was before, she was indeed right because I would never have apologized. But that little apology was necessary in ending the argument. Small gestures are powerful tools for building and keeping relationships with people, and I have learned to imbibe them in my daily life.

THIS IS MY RESPONSE TO HIVE GHANA PROMPT FOR WEEK 22