100+ Reasons to Be Thankful & 7 Unexpected Quotes to Start 2025
A Heartfelt Thank You, New Year Reflections, and the Surprising Depth of a 1000-Year-Old Original Vampire
To be specific, I have 121 reasons to be thankful. Last year, almost three years after launching this newsletter, I finally broke that mythical first Substack milestone—100 subscribers.
Thank you so much to all 121 of you. Thank you for sticking with me and believing in the vision of Africa: Not an Afterthought. Thank you for every comment, like, recommendation, share, and encouraging word. Every milestone and every ounce of support meant the world to me.
Those moments of encouragement kept me going because God knows slow growth can drain the life out of you. It whispers lies that you're not good enough, leaving you teetering on the edge of laying down your sword and giving up.
But thankfully, I didn’t. And now, here we are.
As the new year begins, you'll undoubtedly come across countless articles filled with quotes on productivity, inspiration, goal-setting, and affirmations. Those are great. By all means, read them! But let’s try something different.
Let’s kick off 2025 with quotes from Niklaus Mikaelson, the legendary 1,000-year-old vampire from The Vampire Diaries universe. These lines, steeped in surprising wisdom, resonated deeply with me, and I hope they’ll bring you a smile—just as you brought me countless smiles throughout 2024.
#1: The Originals, Season 2, Episode 10
"From all the poems written on the subject of unrequited love, there are so few on the pain of being the object of that affection. The truth is…it’s not love on which the strongest foundations are built, but the decency of merciful lies."
This is fascinating, don’t you think? No, I am not suggesting that you incorporate merciful lies into your love lives this year, but it does make you think about all the little white lies we tell our loved ones to spare them from pain.
#2: The Vampire Diaries, Season 4, Episode 17
"Do not underestimate the allure of darkness. Even the purest souls are drawn to it."
Aaah!
#NoCap
#3: The Originals, Season 3, Episode 9
"There is beauty in the courage of the fragile fighter. Those who persevere, despite all they’ve been through, those who still believe there is good in the world."
This resonates so deeply, especially with the themes of this newsletter. Yes, many African leaders are failing the continent. Yes, Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for 67% of people living in extreme poverty. And yes, climate change continues to ravage the region.
But the almost imperceptible act of believing that things can get better—that there’s still something worth salvaging—is a form of courage. That hope matters as much as the street demonstrations or any other action.
#4: The Originals, Season 2, Episode 15
"In every moment, choice exists. So we can either cling to the past or embrace the inevitability of change and allow a brighter future to unfold before us."
What are you choosing to do this year?
#5: The Originals, Season 1, Episode 17
"They say the passage of time will heal all wounds, but the greater the loss, the deeper the cut, and the more difficult the process to become whole again. The pain may fade, but the scars serve as a reminder of our suffering and make the bearer all the more resolved, never to be wounded again."
I experienced this kind of loss in December last year, and it is partly the reason I spent this December rewatching my comfort shows and avoiding my feelings. Klaus is right—the scars remain and more often than not, they do a number on you.
But if you’re going through a loss or have done so recently, take heart: the wounds do scab over, and healing, however slow, is still healing.
#6: The Originals, Season 1, Episode 6
"A Poison Tree" by William Blake
I was angry with my friend;
I told my wrath, my wrath did end.
I was angry with my foe;
I told it not, my wrath did grow.And I watered it in fears,
Night & morning with my tears:
And I sunned it with smiles,
And with soft deceitful wiles.And it grew both day and night.
Till it bore an apple bright.
And my foe beheld it shine,
And he knew that it was mine.And into my garden stole,
When the night had veiled the pole;
In the morning, glad I see;
My foe outstretched beneath the tree.
Technically, this isn’t Klaus’s original quote—it’s a William Blake poem he recited in an episode.
How chilling is this? That one can nurture their anger into a poisonous wrath and channel it to an apple tree that poisons their enemies and kills them!
#7: The Vampire Diaries, Season 3, Episode 2
"You don’t arm yourself after war has been declared. You build your army so big that no one dares pick the fight."
FYI, building an army does not have to be a huge undertaking. It can be as simple as learning AI skills to arm yourself for the future AI war disruption so that no one dares sideline you in the marketplace.
Takeaway
I had a lot of fun rewatching these shows over the holidays. I hope one or two of these quotes resonated or made you smile.
Again, thank you. And here’s to a fantastic 2025!
Always and Forever.
Signed: The very grateful founder of Africa: Not an Afterthought, a newsletter that leads the conversation on how Africa can leverage tech, the AfCFTA, regional integration, and Pan-Africanism to build a continent that is no longer an afterthought.