On this, Senegal's Independence Day, I remember all of the independence I learned growing up there. So here's a TOP 10 LIST.
1. Going to the boutique for baking ingredients and Ice cold, bottled coca-cola.
2. Taking Taxi's to school.
3. Being independent and eccentric in your style/not caring too very much until its a special occasion.
4. Learning a language {or two or three} on my own.
5. Safely escaping riots and large passionate crowds.
6. Spiritual independence. Taking initiative to really know who and what you believe in. Being in-tune with that realm of life. Making commitments and having a daily routine to affirm and grow your spirituality.
7. Cooking. Can't talk about Senegal without talking about the delicious FOOD! On the day I turned 10, I remember going next door in my umbros & hanes T-Shirt only to be greeted by a head wrap and wrap-around skirt. It was my coming of age and I needed to start dressing appropriately! What else did I receive that day besides modesty? A cooking lesson.
8. Work Ethic. Being self-motivating. Living on next to nothing/Frugality. The men and women alike that I looked up to growing up: Diami, Malik, Demba, Rose, Helene, Tafa... are all the hardest working people you'll ever meet. Fight to provide for your family and maintain dignity and glorify God at all costs, every day.
9. Knowledge. Knowledge like how to pick fruit out at a fruit stand, how to eat a whole fish and not its bones, how to make water filters and how to remove urchin spines from your skin.
10. Confidence: To jump off cliffs, scuba dive, navigate smelly fish markets, smile at anyone, barter for your food and accessories, try out new languages and foods... and so much more.
Senegal, I will forever be indebted to you.
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