One person can change your world

Coucou toi !

I know when you read the title you think about the one, your husband or your wife. But, it can be a a sister, a brother, a cousin, an uncle, an aunty, or a friend.

You just need one person, one.

Love can be found in the smallest things.

I remember a time where I was in Martinique, I was on holiday, and my budget was tight. I called my friend Lara and asked her if we can spend time together. Our favourite place to meet was “la place de Schoelcher”.

It’s place in front of the sea. Many families, friends, singles, couples come to this place just to talk, to be in front of the sea, to play basketball (there are two courts), children sometimes have rollerskates or bicycles, others will bring food and eat there.

Also, some people play “la pétanque”. There are few petanque grounds. Sometimes, you park the car and you don’t go outside. You stay in the car and you just talk. Usually at night because it’s cooler.

“La place de Schoelcher” was less than 10 minutes by car from my mother’s flat in Fort-de-France (Martinique’s capital). I used to go there at anytime. When I needed fresh air, after going to Snack Elysee’s drive (our local fast-food), or to have conversations with my friends or my family.

Sometimes, we go to a restaurant somewhere in the center of Martinique, and after end up there. It’s a nice place to be after work, after parties, or if you just want to be out and enjoy the view. Also, there are restaurants not too far with your feet in the sand if you are hungry. I feel like I am selling you the place, go and visit Martinique lol

As I was saying, there was a time when I was in Martinique and my budget was tight. I called Lara and asked her if we could meet at “la place de Schoelcher”, and we stayed there talking for hours. I can talk with her about everything and anything.

We’ve known each other for a while, and I can be honest with her. I can share with her my deepest things. We don’t need a lot to have a good time together. As long as we are together, anywhere is fine. We can meet in high end restaurants, or just be together in front of the sea, and talk. I feel seen, heard, understood, appreciated and loved for who I truly am. It’s priceless.

In this world, it’s easy to find yourself surrounded by people that do not know you, the real you. They don’t know you, they don’t speak the same language (the language of your heart), they don’t see you (cause they are self-absorbed), and they don’t understand you (cause they don’t listen to you).

I feel this it’s the saddest thing. Being surrounded by people and feel lonely. I know that cause I’ve been there. Back then, I did not know what was lacking, but I know that most of the relationships that I had did not fulfil me.

To be honest, I felt like I did not matter. You would have seen me, and you would have never thought of that.

It’s easy to look like you have it all. I am telling you. People cannot see what it’s in your heart, and people cannot read your mind. It’s easy to judge by the appearance. That’s why I do not envy anyone, cause you don’t know what it’s really going on in their life. They can throw parties, smile all the time, laugh every day, and be miserable when they are by themselves. When there is no one to see them. When they don’t have to perform for the crowd.

I always say to myself “you don’t know what is happening behind close doors”. So, long time ago, I made the decision not to envy anyone. Everyone has “shits” to deal with, whether you are aware of it or not.

It’s freeing and fulfilling when you can be your true self with someone. You just need one person. If you have more than one, you are truly blessed.

Life is different when you walk with others. They don’t have to be in the same country. Two of my closest friends do not live in the UK, but they are reachable. We talk a lot on WhatsApp. We invest time in our relationship. When I meet them it’s like I have never left. I was always there by their side.

I can talk to them about everything, and most important I can share with them my goals and my victories. Many people like you when you are losing, but when you start winning in life they give you another vibe.

If you find yourself minimising your victories in front of people that you consider as friends, you should know that it’s not true friendships. Your friends should be happy for you when you are winning small or big, no matter the season of their lives they are in.

Let’s be honest, it’s rare to win at the same time, and we are not on the same path. I repeat “we are not on the same path”, so no need to compare ourselves cause we are not going to the same destination.

The road of success is not the same for different individuals. So, why comparing ourselves? We are not heading the same way even if we are friends, even if we are from the same country, same city, or same neighbourhood.

So, you need to be surrounded by people that cheer you up no matter the season they are in. Life is different when you are surrounded by people who encourage and motivate you. Life is different when you are surrounded by people who celebrate your victories, and comfort you after losing. I don’t see myself walking alone again. Being surrounded by the right people is priceless.

My life is so much better because today I can say that I have the right people around me. I don’t feel alone. When I am on the battlefield even by myself I don’t feel alone. I know that my friends believe in me. They don’t have to be there physically with me. I know I have people who has my back. I am not alone.

Again, you just need one person, one.

This can also be a family member.

I have a great relationship with my sister. I am the oldest and there is a gap of 13 years between us. I wear different hats in her life, I can be a mother, a sister, or a friend.

Despite not living together and not being in the same country, I always make sure to be there for her.

When she was younger, I flew to Martinique to attend special events in her life like when she went to a new school. The first day, I was there with her. Also, I encourage her and motivate her when needed.

When I am in Martinique we spend a lot of time together. Like I said I like exploring the island, and spending time in nature. She usually comes with me to the beach. On the way, I make a stop at one petrol station.

If I drive to the “nord caraïbe” cost, I will make a stop at the petrol station in Case Pilote. They sell good food there. If I am heading to the south, I will make a stop at one in Schoelcher to buy tuna mayo sandwiches (a baguette with tuna, mayo, carrots, and a chilli pepper sauce) and our local juice “Caresse Antillaise” orange.

Pictures - Case Pilote’s petrol station Esso (Martinique)

Sometimes, you can find people who sells coconut water next to the street. I will stop and buy one bottle. I really enjoy drinking fresh coconut water. I don’t buy the ones they sells in supermarket. I will wait to be home and to buy coconut water. If you live in the countryside, you can have it for free.

Then, once arrived, we will eat together. Then, she will start reading her book or sleep while I am heading to the water.

After one or two hours, I will come back to sleep next to her. You know I like sleeping at the beach with the beach waves. It’s calming.

My sister and I understand each other. We understand our rhythm. Like me she needs time for herself. So, she respects when I need time for myself. We can be in the same house and be in different rooms just to let the other the space needed. We both like reading books, and we speak the same language (the same language of our hearts). We both like learning new languages. She is more into Japanese and Korean, me I am into Spanish and Portuguese. We do understand each other on many levels.

The things that she cannot understand comes with life experiences. She is in her twenties while I am in my thirties. There are things she needs to experience in order to understand where I am coming from on a particular topic.

While I was writing I thought about that. It’s nice to be with people who saw your face in the morning. I don’t know I feel like there is barrier that crumbles when you sleep in the same place. You know we are all put together when we are going out, but in the morning you see me as I am. The simple way. No make up. No hair done. I still try to wake up like a Queen ha ha ha but you get what I mean.

It’s nice to be with someone who knows you, someone who’ve seen you evolving, someone who knows your past, someone who want the best for you, someone you can share your deepest feelings with, someone that appreciates you for you truly are, and may be someone who saw your face just after waking up (it’s optional ha ha ha).

No matter where this person is in the world, you don’t feel lonely.

You know I just love my sister for who she is. Love is.

Last time, we were together was in November 2019. The love is still strong despite the oceans that separate us. I cannot wait to see her again in person. It could be in London, in Paris, or in Martinique. I know new adventures are ahead of us… We’ll see.

This is what I wish for you, to have at least one person in your life to share the deepest things. To have one person that sees you for who you truly are. One person who listen to you, one person who believes in you, one person who comforts you when needed, and one person to laugh with. We need to laugh a lot in this life, cause it’s not easy every day.

One person to go through the good and the bad times. Let’s add ugly times as well.

One person.

You will be happier.

A très bientôt…