When I was younger, I dreamed of becoming a newsreader. I admired women like Beatrice Aidoo and Selma Valcourt, who graced our television screens with such poise and authority. I never missed the six o’clock evening news at home — it was family time, it was sacred time. I’d sit there, eyes glued to the screen, imagining myself in that seat one day, reading the evening headlines with confidence and grace. And when people told me I looked like the newscaster Loretta Asare, that sealed it for me. But life, as it does, had other plans. By the time I completed my A-Levels, the Ghana Institute of Journalism only offered a diploma course, and everyone aroundme seemed to be chasing university degrees instead. I changed course too — and looking back, I think it all worked out exactly as it should have. Today, I run my own business, and I absolutely love what I do. There’s something deeply fulfilling about being your own boss — making decisions, building something from the ground up, and knowing that what you put in is exactly what you’ll get out. It gives you freedom, and it keeps you accountable. With time, I’ve realised that becoming isn’t just about what you do — it’s about who you’re growing into. I’ve become more open-minded, less judgmental, and more accepting of people as they are. Life has a way of softening you, of teaching you to see beyond the surface. I’ve learned that everyone’s story is shaped by their own journey, and that understanding makes you calmer, kinder, and far less worried about things you can’t control. At this stage of my life, I think — to the best of my knowledge — I’ve seen it all, I’ve heard it all, and nothing really surprises me anymore. I’ve come to realise that no situation is permanent — no matter how great the storm is, it will pass. When life gets tough, I remain calm. In the past, I might have been agitated or anxious, but now I take a breath, steady myself, and remember what my faith has taught me: whatever the storm, it won’t last forever. These days, I don’t stress easily. My faith keeps me grounded; it reminds me that everything comes and goes in its season. I’ve truly learned the power of calm — the peace that comes from trusting that everything will unfold as it’s meant to. Becoming Calm— the gentle art of knowing that every storm will pass. Becoming Calm Calmness is a choice — a quiet strength that carries you through life’s storms. 38 The Birthday Journal
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