Sometimes the simplest things in life are the ones that stay with us the longest.

While travelling through Italy, my friend Mhofu—a man of remarkable intellect and professional renown—sent me a photograph that took me utterly by surprise. Amid Renaissance masterpieces and ancient ruins, there he was, frozen mid-leap against a backdrop of sun-kissed Italian buildings.

At first glance, the picture felt delightfully out of place. This usually reserved, measured man—so meticulous in his speech and analysis—was caught in a moment of pure, uncontainable excitement. It was as if he had shed all expectations, absorbed entirely in the joy of the moment.

Intrigued, I messaged him: “Mhofu, what’s going on in that picture?” He replied, “Do not put off doing the little things in life, for when you get older, you will realise these small things were indeed the big things in life.”

Those words resonated deeply. We so often postpone our own happiness—assuming there will be time later for moments of genuine, spontaneous delight. Yet how often do we actually seize those moments?

Reflecting on my life, I realise it has been shaped not just by significant decisions and monumental events, but also by a gentle stream of smaller choices and fleeting moments. Dancing in the kitchen with someone you love, just for the fun of it. Singing along to Richard Bona while driving across the Namibian dunes. Sharing a laugh with a stranger on an otherwise grey day. These are the moments that breathe texture and flavour into our days.

It is in these little instants that life truly sparkles. Like sunlight dancing on water, they form glimmering eddies in the flow of our existence. Mhofu’s leap in Italy wasn’t merely a physical act; it was a quiet manifesto for life, a reminder that joy doesn’t always arrive with grand fanfare. Sometimes, it sneaks up on us in the in-between spaces, in the pauses between our carefully laid plans.

Thinking about this has given me a sense of urgency—not the frantic urge to crowd every second with activity, but rather a gentle urgency to savour every possibility and wonder in each moment, to remain true to myself even when life demands conformity.

I want to leap more often. Laugh more openly. Let life’s little gifts surprise me. For in the end, when my own current reaches the vast ocean of eternity, I suspect I’ll cherish not so much the roaring rapids of big events, but the quiet pools of contentment where I allowed myself simply to float in uncomplicated happiness.

So here’s to the small things. May we appreciate them for what they truly are, before they become lost opportunities. May we have the courage to leap, even when it feels out of character. In these leaps—these spontaneous embraces of joy—we trace the real contours of our lives.

Life, like a Kente cloth, is woven with bold patterns and the finest of threads. The grand events often command our full attention, while smaller daily pleasures fade into the background. But I’ll never forget one such ‘grand’ occasion: Auntie Kyeku’s wedding on 6 July 2024. I can still picture her now, radiant in a gown adorned with (I think) gold embellishments—wedding fashions often escape me. What remains vivid is how she glowed alongside her tall groom in a blue suit and crisp white shirt. Their joy was illuminated by the daylight, shining through in every glance they shared.

Love, in all its manifestations, is like a river running beneath our lives—sometimes placid, sometimes turbulent, but always carrying us forward. We should clasp every chance to celebrate love wholeheartedly, to hold it close, and treasure it as the singular gift it is.

This is especially true for those we hold dearest. They are our fellow travellers on life’s winding road, merging their streams with ours, weathering storms by our side, reflecting our happiness like sunlight dancing upon water. By joining in their joy, we affirm our own and strengthen the bonds that give life depth and meaning.

So, to you, Auntie Kyeku: may your husband fulfil every dream and more. May he be your true companion on this journey—the one who weathers every storm with you and brings you boundless joy. Know that from this day forward, many hearts celebrate with you.

While leaping with abandon in an Italian piazza or savouring a quiet morning with a cherished book remains important, this wedding reminds me that we must also make room for life’s big moments.

Perhaps it’s not trivial at all to attend a loved one’s wedding. Perhaps the measure of a life well-lived is the sum of all the moments we show up—for a friend’s happiness, for our family’s expressions of love, for life’s small and grand celebrations alike.

Picturing Auntie Kyeku, aglow in her golden gown, I make a silent promise to myself. Embrace every moment of joy, no matter how small. Be there for the truly special ones. Celebrate the myriad faces of love whenever the chance arises. Above all, remember that while private moments of bliss are precious, it is the shared dances in life—when we move in step with others—that truly define us.

For in this vast, shifting river of life, the strong current that propels us is forged by the confluence of our individual streams—in love, in friendship, in shared joys and sorrows. Each time we take the opportunity to honour those bonds—whether through a quiet word or a jubilant celebration—our hearts and souls grow richer, reflecting the true brilliance of our collective journey.