“So My Brother Got Married Last Week…”

*-a-4-minute read*

Congrats to the new married couple!

Love was definitely in the air this past weekend for the family— as I had the honour of witnessing a special moment for my blood brother in Christ. There’s something about weddings that remind you what life is really about – family, intention, celebration, and unity. It was a beautiful ceremony, but what struck me most was how weddings—more than just a milestone—mirror the deeper questions we wrestle with daily.

As expected, my mind was racing during the wedding—too many thoughts, too many reflections—and out of all that came a few themes I felt like sharing with all of you today. Love might’ve been in the air, but I’m here to bring some balance to the force with a quick four-minute read full of hate (reader discretion is advised). I swear I’m genuinely happy for the lovely couple though!

Have You Hit Your Milestones—Or Are You Just Showing Up for the Photos?

If you are blessed enough to experience it, a wedding is one of the biggest milestones you could have in your life. Being a part of the groomsmen, I can tell you first hand – you play multiple roles the actual day of and see how much goes on behind the scenes. The day-of schedule, the wardrobe coordination, the pre-ceremony pep talks with the groom. You can’t fake anything at this point. It’s real involvement. It’s support. It’s being part of someone else’s journey.

That same principle should apply to our own lives. Are you actively showing up for yourself -or just posing for the pictures?

With June about to end, now is the time to ask:

  • What have you committed to?
  • What have you truly followed through on?
  • Are you proud of the person who’s been “showing up” on your behalf?
  • And maybe most importantly… have you finally accepted that coconut milk is the greatest milk of them all? (Yes, I’ve switched teams from the Oat milk family. Fully converted and thriving).

One thing I’ve learned over the years is the halfway mark is humbling. It’s like watching the bride and groom read their vows—you can see who’s done the internal work. That same energy is required from us: to reflect, recommit, and continue with intention. We say a lot of things to ourselves and sometimes we can get lost in the sauce (standard abbreviation for led astray from the correct path) quickly and lose ourself along the way.

Positive self-talk is essential if you want to stay ahead. Winners don’t carry the mindset of defeat, and greatness doesn’t come from those who treat failure as the final result. Growth simply can’t happen in an environment where discipline is absent and chaos is the norm.

If the first half of the year didn’t go your way, remember: you can change your outcome. The next three months don’t have to mirror the last three. The change comes from within, you believing there’s better to come and following the game plan all the way through. Or we could all just get married and that might solve everything, who really knows anymore?

Are You Actually Committed, or Just Wearing the Suit?

A wedding isn’t just about looking good. The suits are sharp (especially mine), the dresses stunning, but the real beauty lies in the vows—the promises. The declarations made when no one else is watching. That’s what commitment really looks like.

So now I ask you: What have you vowed to this year? Are you honoring it? Or are you just walking around dressed for success without doing the work?

“If you wanted to, you would.”
We’ve all heard it. And whether you love or hate that phrase, it applies to every area of your life. Especially now.

This wedding reminded me that clarity and vision are non-negotiables. You can’t fake your way through a lifelong commitment—and the same goes for personal growth. Whether it’s your career, health, relationships, or passion projects, the results will reflect your intentionality.

You may find yourself being outpaced by individuals with 50% of your ability—not because they’re more talented, but because they take action while you overanalyze. Others are freestyling and still seeing progress because they are committed to the program. They’ve made a real vow to themselves to show up even if no one is watching. At the end of the day, consistency is what truly makes the difference. The effort and repetitions you put in always carry value.

The truth is: no one will care about how messy your journey started once you reach your destination. People will laugh. The streets will remember. But wouldn’t you rather be the one who tried than the one who lived in denial?

Cut Out The Lies – You Can’t Fake Forever

I understand I have a diverse crowd of people who read my articles and I am thankful for every single one of you for being a part of Timeless Thoughts (I told y’all love was still in the air).

Many of us are on different paths in our journey where we are looking to transition to new jobs, start a family, and, to stay on brand, find their significant other and settle down (I pray for anyone who is doing all three of the above statements at the same time).

In every wedding, there’s a moment—whether during the vows or the reception speeches—where someone breaks down. It’s raw. It’s vulnerable. It’s truth showing up uninvited. And those are often the most powerful parts of the day.

A close friend of mine shared that their New Year’s resolution was to stop lying to themselves. It sounded like a joke at first, but they were dead serious. And honestly, it’s one of the realest vows you can make.

This wedding reminded me that authenticity matters. You can’t commit to a partner without knowing who you really are. And the same applies to your goals.

  • Do you actually want to start a family or do you just a mini-me to play dress up with?
  • Are you ready to support and hold your own in a relationship or do you just want constant attention?
  • Are you building something—or just performing?

The lies we tell ourselves won’t protect us come December. We’ll be standing there—tux off, vows undone, reflection in the mirror—and it’ll all come down to the work we did (or didn’t) do.

While we have talked about intentional freestyling in the past at Timeless Thoughts, I want everyone to understand me clearly – the lies don’t save you in the long run. A freestyle is a form of improvisation where in the right context, is intended to figure it out as you go until you solidify the system. But you can’t improvise a legacy. You need to show up for yourself with the same energy a couple brings to their wedding day—with honesty, intention, and a full-hearted commitment to the journey ahead.

On to the Next One

Thanks for reading, and thank you to the bride and groom for unintentionally giving me all this material to work with (I swear I was paying attention throughout the ceremony).

I hope this wedding reminds you—like it reminded me—that love is just one form of commitment. You don’t have to be in a relationship to start showing up like someone who’s building something meaningful. But you do have to be honest, consistent, and intentional.

If this sparked something in you, share it with a friend. And I’ll see you at the next one—whether that’s another wedding or just the next version of yourself you’re becoming. Answer the question below!

If You Were To Write Vows To Yourself Today, Would You Actually Be Living By Them?

Published by michaeloka

A writer that says it how I see it. Here to bring you a different perspective to something that may have crossed your mind. I also want to introduce you to ideas you may not be familiar with and how I feel about them. Here for a long time and a good time.

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