I want to visit Dubai. To me, it’s the epitome of stunning architecture, a cultural melting pot, sleek shops, cosmopolitan style, and incredible food. I love watching interior design vlogs showcasing homes there, filled with some of the most impressive art I’ve ever seen—always eclectic yet elegant. I feel the same admiration for African design, especially the bold elements I’ve come across from South Africa and Ghana.
Here is another favorite.
Written By: Chiara Atoyebi
“For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything” Hebrews 3:4
Growing up, I moved around a lot, and I always dreaded the question “Where are you from?” I never stayed in one place too long while growing up, so the question often threw me off. Many people identify home with a person or believe home is where they were born, but for me, home is wherever I am.
In our world, we get so caught up with “repping” things, and in many ways, these conventions are things that can weigh us down and keep us from taking flight in life and enjoying what the world has to offer. For me, life is about taking in as many experiences as possible and making memories, and for a while, I have enjoyed making those memories from home.
When my personal space is tranquil and filled with delicious seasonal smells and laughter from loved ones, I feel like the wealthiest person in the world. If you follow me on social media, every now and then I will mention my love for snacks. In my household, snacks are a big part of making any home feel comfortable, and I go on a snack run daily.
“Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty” John :35
In my past, I was known for going out regularly and I enjoyed every minute of it. However, once I settled in and became a mom, I started to relish my home life. Home is the one place that I consider to be a buffer to the outside world. Throughout my life, I looked for comfort outside, but that was because my living spaces were not comfortable enough. I didn’t invest enough in my living spaces because I always had my eyes on my future home. I was more focused on my future living spaces instead of tending to the present living space that I was so fortunate to have. However, once I made the small shift in my mentality to focus on what I had been given stewardship over, my living space began to transform. I began to think less about getting my artwork into a gallery or a show, and more about showcasing my work in my home. I thought less about going to the latest restaurants and tried my hand at recreating some of my favorite takeout meals and got quite good at it.
Now, it seems like my homecooked food is the better option because of the freshness and love I put into it. When I transformed my mentality, not only did my home transform, but the things I wanted to manifest outside of it were coming into fruition. This is called being a good steward of what we are blessed to have, and the reward is abundance.
In many ways, our homes are a reflection of who we are spiritually and how we view the world. While I am imperfect and fall short of my goals sometimes in my inner and outer sanctums, I strive to build my foundation on solid ground. In doing so, home is wherever I am. If it is not in the condition I desire, then I know it is within me to make it what I desire.
The spirit of the Divine resides in my heart, and I know that I am empowered to create beauty all around me, no matter what the circumstance. Wherever the Lord is, my home is, and I know it is well. So if you get around me and feel comfortable—that is what you are feeling. You are feeling the love and peace of home, and that makes me happy.
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I don t know about you, but since the pandemic, I have seemed to struggle with time. Not necessarily time management when it comes to completing tasks but arriving at places in person on time. What makes it even more of a challenge is that I am pretty comfortable working remotely. Unfortunately, I don’t see myself, especially as an entrepreneur, making a permanent switch to working in person. I am of the mindset that more work gets done in isolation. Yet, I am venturing out again into the world socially, and on the outside, time does matter. Not everyone wants to stay within their own four walls forever. As I started going out more, I found that I was often met with closed doors and canceled reservations because I was late.
Monochronic and Polychronic Cultural Views of Time
Differing cultural views can have an effect on how we see time. In Western society, people are often judged on their ability to be timely. We tend to follow along with and thrive best within a linear, monochronic society. Linear thinking follows a straightforward, cause-and-effect pattern. It assumes that events progress in a predictable, step-by-step manner. Additionally, monochronic cultures like ours, value timeliness when it comes to work, structured workdays, and individual accountability. These characteristics are valued in employees as well as in leadership.
However, this highly structured work environment can create burnout in people. It can be rigid and devoid of flexibility, leaving people feeling discontent and searching for life’s balance. On the other hand, cultures that are polychronic, such as those in the Middle East, tend to have work environments that allow for interruptions, breaks, and social interactions. Employees may engage in multiple tasks simultaneously. While this style of interaction can promote relationship building and greater team focus due to flexible schedules, efficiency can become an issue. I can attest to the latter. Efficiency, takes on many forms and criticisms, especially in a society where productivity can be boosted by AI. I believe that although some work and even employees may not be as timely, as other hard-driving producers, they tend to bring a distinct value that is necessary. Think quality or quantity due to honoring the natural flow of life. We could place them in a category of non-linear thinkers. These individuals tend to take a more holistic viewpoint of life, seeing the system as a whole rather than just isolated parts – they are our creatives and visionaries.
Daily Life and Timeliness
My issues with time date back to childhood. I was the kid they had to move away from the window due to my lack of focus and incessant day dreaming. My parents were in the military and I while I was often punished for my lateness, it seemed to create an adverse reaction to rigid time restrictions in me. I became rebellious instead of focused. At times, I have found myself missing out on time with friends, my yoga classes, and even some important deadlines due to my causal relationship with time. Over the last six months I have worked diligently to get back on the wagon in regard to time and I am seeing great improvements. I still tend to display a Laissez fare attitude towards time every now and then, I have learned to slay this dragon by considering the time of others. When I am late, it also affects others, and that is not a good feeling. Additionally, when you’re on time you can casually walk into a building, orient yourself, and begin your day with ease. When you are late you are rushing, anxious and often wind-up apologizing.
The moral of the story is: Leave early, be on time, and consider yourself and others in the process.
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