Upon finding out about possibly being Bipolar, I immediately thought of every last stigma. I began to think of how people wouldn’t take me seriously, how I couldn’t be a leader, and how I had just started a certification program that I wasn’t going to be able to use. I began to think of how this couldn’t be true. Then I remembered that I thought of how I am a mental wellness advocate and have helped friends and family work through issues preventing their wellness. How could I instantly snap into a “That’s them” attitude? Answer - I can’t. It’s not them, it’s me too!

This one moment, in my 33 years as a member of the diaspora, took the cake. I wouldn’t say it gave me a sense of belonging because from the minute I stepped off of the plane and saw the sea of blackness welcoming me...I felt at home.Years of African American, Black, or American debates were settled upon that first step. They were settled by my DNA test. They were accepted at the naming ceremony. HOW am I African American? I - Afia Akweley, Friday oldest twin girl - belong to the Manya Tribe of Jorpanya - Shai State, Accra. I physically have a home. I have a (new) family. I have an answer.

I definitely decided to go the #OLW route. Fortunately, I have been listening to a crap-ton of podcasts and Audible books about self-improvement so it's becoming less second nature to think positively. However, my one little word came from a negative thing, that has consistently been an issue in my success thus far. I almost chose consistent for my #OLW but I dug a little deeper and had my “Voila!” moment.