Let’s Talk To Malik

Written by David B on . Posted in Blog. 1 Comment

David Bondze-Mbir (DBM): Thank you for participating. What name would you want to go by? (It can be your real first name or any other name of your choosing)

Participant 93: Malik

DBM: Hi Malik. How would you describe yourself?

Malik: Empty. The supply of fuel that could drive my ability to take crazy risks and be confident in myself is no longer in service

DBM: How happy are you on a scale of 1 to 10?

Malik: 2

DBM: What do you want to talk about?

Malik: I think my wife has done something to me. I cannot get an erection when I am with another woman. I am only able to keep an erection around my wife.

DBM: How old are you?

Malik: 40

DBM: And, is this an occasional episode or the norm?

Malik: I am unable to get an erection with any other woman except my wife

DBM: Are you an excessive alcohol taker?

Malik: No! I drink occasionally

DBM: Do you do drugs?

Malik: No!

DBM: Are you a smoker?

Malik: I smoke once in a while

DBM: Do you take any sedatives?

Malik: Not really

DBM: Are you on any medications, i.e., antidepressants?

Malik: No!

DBM: Are you on any blood pressure medications?

Malik: My heart is in a good place, no.

DBM: Are you depressed or anxious of anything?

Malik: Yes! I can’t get my dick hard anymore when I am with other women

DBM: Are you under any kind of stress, aside your immediate problem?

Malik: No!

DBM: What is your self-esteem level?

Malik: Very low, because of the problem

DBM: Have you gone to see a doctor?

Malik: No

DBM: Why not?

Malik: Something is telling me it’s my wife behind all this.

DBM: What makes you think your wife could be involved?

Malik: We had a big argument last year, in July. We ignored each other for days when we were sleeping in separate bedrooms. I had a dream in one of those nights about finding money in our trash. My grandma always says, if you dream about accidentally finding money in a pile of trash, wake up from your sleep and check the trashcan. Because you’re in bad luck. It’s a bad omen; you or someone close to you is either going to die or a misfortune would befall you. When I woke up in the morning, I felt a mild but sharp jab in my left hip – like someone had injected a substance into my body. I went to check the garbage can outside the main house, and there was a syringe and smaller-sized needle thrown in it. The syringe had a red substance in it

DBM: Did you confirm the content in the syringe?

Malik: I did not. I just assumed it was blood

DBM: Blood from where?

Malik: I don’t know

DBM: Is your wife a nurse or doctor?

Malik: She’s not

DBM: Where did the syringe and needle come from?

Malik: It should have come from our house because the trashcan is in the main compound of our home. I asked my wife about it and she was acting all surprised

DBM: What if she genuinely, did not know anything about it?

Malik: It couldn’t have come from the kids because they hate hospitals and injection

DBM: So, on what grounds are you suspecting your wife?

Malik: I couldn’t be aroused that afternoon, when I met with one of my girlfriends. She tried every trick in her books to get me hard but it wouldn’t respond. This is a girl I had been having mad sex with for years. I couldn’t even masturbate on my own. The moment my wife returned home from work and I smelled her body scent, I naturally got a hard-on

DBM: That’s strange

Malik: Tell me about it!

DBM: How long have you been married?

Malik: 11 years

DBM: When did you first notice the problem outside your home?

Malik: July 6th 2022

DBM: When did you feel the pain in your hip?

Malik: The morning of July 6th

DBM: I see

Malik: I have three close friends I have fun with. I haven’t been able to fuck any of them ladies since

DBM: Erections are mysterious, and they do have a mind of their own. I think you need to consider seeing a doctor – just to be sure you’re on the safe side.

Malik: My wife has done something to me

DBM: Have you confronted her about your suspicions?

Malik: No!

DBM: What did you argue about last July?

Malik: She came across one of my escapades through WhatsApp and made a mountain out of a molehill. Husbands will cheat, we will get caught. If you can’t understand that a man will ultimately disappoint you, just walk your separate way. What is difficult about this?

DBM: Most women fear to be alone. Reason why some stay in terrible situations

Malik: What is terrible about having a little fun here and there?

DBM: What is your definition of ‘a little fun…’

Malik: David, for me sex is sex to satisfy my urges. I do not have to be in love to enjoy sex. Marriage is marriage. These two can never overlap in my books. It cannot affect my love for my wife. And I have no intention of leaving my wife.

DBM: Good to know! Now that you’re unable to be with other women, use the cuddle and care of your wife to sooth your broken ego.

Malik: What she’s done to me is a crime, and I don’t know how to prove it. After damaging my manhood, she’s refused to be available to me; she’s refused to have sex with me. She doesn’t care and has been sleeping with the children in their rooms. The only person who can give me sex is punishing me by not giving me sex. Why cause me so much pain in the first place and then refuse to take away my pain? I am deeply broken. Women are evil

DBM: Go and see a doctor. That is what you need to do

Malik: Will it change anything?

DBM: It can help you stop impugning your wife for your misery and unhappiness. You are solely responsible for your low self-image. Get yourself fixed.

Malik: If I were a woman, you would have been way empathetic towards my plight

DBM: I genuinely am concerned about you. What I am trying to get you to understand is that, you assumed other women, and not your wife could make you feel good about yourself. And masked your true feelings from the one woman whose opinions should have mattered to you the most. You don’t take a woman for a fool and expect her to open her legs for you that easily

Malik: I am her husband

DBM: Then stop blaming your wife for your failures

Image Credit: Karolina Grabowska

Let’s Talk To Gasm

Written by David B on . Posted in Blog.

David Bondze-Mbir (DBM): Thank you for participating. What name would you want to go by? (It can be your real first name or any other name of your choosing)

Participant 92: Name is Gasm

DBM: Hello Gasm. How would you describe yourself?

Gasm: Currently lost in my personal thoughts

DBM: How happy are you on a scale of 1 to 10?

Gasm: 8

DBM: What do you want to talk about?

Gasm: I had been irritable for some time due to my inability to properly sleep at night. My wife thinks I work too hard that’s why I have been feeling blue, but I don’t. All I wanted was to improve my mental outlook. A colleague from work who had also noticed the changes in me, suggested I tried getting a massage. She told me about a home-run spa service at East Legon, that she frequents. She believed a good massage could help me to relax, and also, ease out the tension in my muscles. I booked an appointment for a Friday evening without any expectations.

DBM: Are you a massage lover?

Gasm: No. Though it was my second time getting a massage

DBM: When was the first time?

Gasm: The day before my wedding

DBM: Okay!

Gasm: Are you a fan of massage?

DBM: Not sure but I have had a few. I suffered from back and neck pain due to sitting for long hours while working. The masseurs helped to ease the pain with the massage, and it actually felt good. Anyways, let’s get back to your story. You booked a Friday evening appointment and …?

Gasm: I turned up at the house; a large home with a big garden and open living room. The windows were large; veranda was big, kitchen was huge. There was a swimming pool and an office with a built-in-library. It had a gym and three or four spare bedrooms. The owner of the property also happened to be the male massage therapist attending to me. He looked like someone in his 40’s. Surprisingly, I wasn’t feeling uncomfortable with that at all.

DBM: Why would you think you could feel uncomfortable?

Gasm: I thought men usually were assigned to ladies and vice versa

DBM: Oh, okay!

Gasm: He was welcoming and very friendly. He talked me through the process and then, settled me in the session room. He handed me a big white towel to change into. I quickly did. The massage table was comfortable, and the surface, very stable. I was lying on my stomach, with my face in the placement when I felt him pouring apricot kernel oil all over my back. His hands rubbed my legs and thighs gently. He spent about 30 minutes on my legs, feet and thighs alone before moving to my back and neck and then, shoulders. Can I be honest?

DBM: If you wouldn’t mind

Gasm: My body started to respond and react

DBM: That is normal, no?

Gasm: I am talking about getting an erection

DBM: At what point did you experience that reaction?

Gasm: When his hands softened and pressured on my thighs. Minutes later, he used his hand to separate my ass cheeks, and fingered, licked and teased my anus with his breath and tongue, blowing warm air into me -while trying to use his tongue to make a circular motion around and over my anus. He used more of his saliva to keep his tongue loose and open to penetrate me. I felt him press his mouth and tongue in my ass aggressively, rimming me till I was lacking breath. I started shooting cum when he dragged his teeth over my anus. He wasn’t biting; there was no pain yet tears began to flow from my eyes and I could not make them stop.

DBM: Why were you in tears?

Gasm: I hadn’t felt this astounding awareness through my entire body before. Sensational if I am to describe it.

DBM: I see. Let’s fast-forward to when you got home

Gasm: No Dave, I haven’t left the Spa yet in my story. He’s yet to turn me over to lie on my back

DBM: What happened when he turned you over?

Gasm: He massaged my chest through to my feet with intense pressure for about 30 minutes, before moving closer to my dick. I was really turned on, I felt so embarrassed, but he wasn’t. He looked me in the eyes while pulling my legs up my stomach, and wrapping his huge arms around my thighs – to suck my dick. He gently kissed the head, fooling with the tip of my prepuce, using his lips and tongue. It was long and slow when he started deepthroating me. I couldn’t stop moaning and tearing up. I was so hard and moving incessantly, I shot a thousand and one cum for the second time while deep inside his mouth. Then, I started to fart. He left the room for about five minutes, and then came back to spray essential oils in the air.

DBM: How long was the massage session?

Gasm: I paid for one hour, thirty minutes but got three hours instead. I thought he was going to stop after the blowjob, but he didn’t.

DBM: Did you have any intention of stopping him?

Gasm: I couldn’t explain exactly what was happening to me. I love women all through and through. I love me some warm pussy with large breasts. A woman’s body has been turning me on for almost four decades of my active sexual life. But after that Friday at the Spa, I have been questioning for a while.

DBM: It is okay sometimes in your lifetime or future, if you feel differently from how you normally feel.

Gasm: But Dave, I am not part of those LGBTQ nonsense

DBM: The ‘Q’ stands for questioning. What is going through your mind right now?

Gasm: I am 100% certain that I am straight

DBM: I am not disputing that fact. However, your desires or orientation as a human being can be fluid. An experience you have today can change who you are attracted to. An experience can influence who else you would want to have sex with tomorrow. This is because only you can describe at any given time, how you truly feel inside and out. Only you know and understand how it feels like to arrive in your full pleasure, and most importantly, to be you.

Gasm: I have been to his house again, after the first visit in February.

DBM: When was the second time?

Gasm: Last month, March 17th

DBM: I see

Gasm: The third was this month, 21st

DBM: Same routine?

Gasm: Yes, but I went overboard to see something

DBM: See what?

Gasm: To test the waters. He unfastened the buckle of my belt after I had dressed up to leave, pulled down my pants, took out my cock, and started performing oral sex on me. I slid my hand in his boxers from behind and fingered him slowly through the back door. When I slid my hand out, he grabbed it and licked the finger I used on him. It was an instant turn on to make me so horny, I bent him over slightly and penetrated him through his ass. I explored every inch of his handsome body for almost an hour. He sat in a chair with his eyes closed, giggling while I dressed up. I couldn’t stop maintaining eye contact with him.

DBM: How much do you pay after a session?

Gasm: The bill I settle for each visit is 850 Ghs

DBM: How did you feel after doing all this?

Gasm: I have never experienced a connection with anyone like that before. I think that’s what is making me feel pleased and satisfied. That, I kissed a man and didn’t puke

DBM: Explain ‘connection?’

Gasm: It was rarely just about sex.

DBM: You’re probably not the only man he is doing this with. You know, right?

Gasm: I know!

DBM: And, hopefully, you did use condom with him?

Gasm: Yes, I did. I want whatever this is, to continue with him

DBM: My concern right now is your wife. Please be conscious of protecting her health. She did not sign up for any of this. If you’re going ahead to meet some of your sexual needs with different people, please protect yourself to protect your dear wife. You owe her that!

Gasm: I will. Do you think she’s going to find out I like this new feeling?

DBM: A person only would know your sexual orientation if you tell them. But as for the cheating bit, if her intuitive antennae is high on alert, she will know you are cheating on her with someone. Imagine her horror, if she’s to find out – it’s actually with your fellow man?

Gasm: Been thinking about that

DBM: Can you ask your masseurs friend whether or not he’d be comfortable speaking with me about his profession?

Gasm: I will ask him.

DBM: Thank you!

Image Credit: Ketut Subiyanto

Let’s Talk To Akorfa

Written by David B on . Posted in Blog.

David Bondze-Mbir (DBM): Thank you for participating. What name would you want to go by? (It can be your real first name or any other name of your choosing)

Participant 91: Akorfa De Sweetest

DBM: Hi Akorfa. How would you describe yourself?

Akorfa: I am a woman with drive, energy and determination. I am friendly, intelligent and educated. I am grounded and secure in myself. I can be relied upon. I am a lawyer

DBM: How happy are you on a scale of 1 to 10?

Akorfa: 7

DBM: What do you want to talk about?

Akorfa: I am in a really good relationship with my man. He loves me to the extent that, there would be moments in my daily activities that makes me stop, reflect, smile, shake my head and realize how much he means to me. He has a silly way of laughing when I tickle him. The look in his eyes when he kisses me in bed with a smile on his face; my boyfriend is there for me all the time. A whole new world opened for me when I listened to his advice to apply to Law School. When I wasn’t sure I could get in, I received an offer to attend law school. I was not prepared for what that pursuit could throw at me, but he was; he was the first man to make me think of my time in school as a job. And he helped me to put in the hours till I was called to the bar. He hasn’t stopped loving me that way till date. I don’t know if you get the picture?

DBM: Crystal

Akorfa: But he doesn’t believe in marriage

DBM: Do you believe in marriage?

Akorfa: I do

DBM: How long have you been dating?

Akorfa: Six and a half years oooh

DBM: What profession is he into?

Akorfa: He is an Actuary

DBM: How old are you?

Akorfa: 32

DBM: How old is he?

Akorfa: 37

DBM: Do you know why he doesn’t believe in marriage?

Akorfa: He says it’s just a status signed on a piece of paper. His parents divorced when he was 14. His sister recently divorced. He doesn’t see anything special about getting married.

DBM: Tying the knot can become a frightening proposition for people whose parents divorced

Akorfa: I don’t think my guy is scared of marriage. He just doesn’t want to do it

DBM: From his actions and everything else, do you see him to be the type that would be willing to at least, consider marrying you down the road?

Akorfa: No! Even though he’s willing for us to grow together as a couple

DBM: ‘Grow together’ as in, have kids, live together, etc.?

Akorfa: Yes!

DBM: Why is it important for you to do the whole ring thing?

Akorfa: Marriage is a life-long commitment to me. It’s a love-something that I can trust to be there for me, and never leave nor forsake me. It is through marriage that I will be convinced I have a life partner in my beau, a teammate. I want to have a strong family with children through marriage.

DBM: And, you’ve shared these reasons with him, no?

Akorfa: I have, but he still doesn’t see himself getting married.

DBM: What are you going to do?

Akorfa: I can’t force him

DBM: No, you can’t! Attempting to directly or indirectly force him to change his stance on the subject can be a recipe for your relationship’s failure.

Akorfa: I know

DBM: Then you also know that you can genuinely, be in a healthy relationship with someone who adores you for you, even though he may never want to settle down in a marriage?

Akorfa: I know, but marriage is important to me

DBM: And an option for him. Question is, how do you both come to a consensus to respect each other’s opinions and desires?

Akorfa: I don’t know. I don’t want to live with a man and raise our kids outside of marriage

DBM: I am guessing you two are having sex?

Akorfa: We are

DBM: And, he’s that much into you?

Akorfa: He is, very much.

DBM: Think of his decision from this angle, he is in love with, and committed to you. He does almost all the things expected to be done to have a meaningful and strong relationship. You’ve given him everything inside and out of you without the commitment of a marriage. What something new is there to be discovered about you? Why should he need rings and a certificate to prove his love for you?

Akorfa: I understand all that, but marriage is not just about rings and a piece of paper; it’s about our families coming together, asking for my hand and gaining the trust and blessings from my family.

DBM: But you will agree you have made it way easier and also placed him in a comfortable lead, not to be married to you?

Akorfa: Maybe, maybe not

DBM: Are you certain you are the woman for him?

Akorfa: I am, Dave. His heartbeat.

DBM: Is he truly the man for you? Because if he were, he would have known what is important to you

Akorfa: I don’t know anyone else out there like him

DBM: How many out there have you dated?

Akorfa: A few. That’s why I know a good man is hard to find these days. I am not ready to go searching for a man all over again

DBM: How do you feel right now in the relationship?

Akorfa: Happy and stuck with anxiety

DBM: Generally, I would feel stuck in a moment when I suddenly begin to assume I should be something else that I clearly am not. You’re thinking your relationship status ought to be different than what it is, even though he makes you happy. He does not want to be married. Can you breathe a deep sigh of relief while focusing on the now instead?

Akorfa: How about WHAT I WANT?

DBM: You have done what you can with what you have. Go easy on yourself and let things be

Image Credit: Cottonbro Studio

Let’s Talk To Nicholas

Written by David B on . Posted in Blog. 2 Comments

David Bondze-Mbir (DBM): Thank you for participating. What name would you want to go by? (It can be your real first name or any other name of your choosing)

Participant 90: Nicholas

DBM: Hello Nicholas. How would you describe yourself?

Nicholas: I understand what commitment means, that’s why it’s easy for me to compromise. I am kind, patient, humorous and good with kids

DBM: How happy are you on a scale of 1 to 10?

Nicholas: 10

DBM: What do you want to talk about?

Nicholas: I think every man must find himself a job that makes him happy, in order to be pleased with his own life. I am a house-husband, and I am loving how I am able to make my wife, children and the home a priority. We decided I stay home to look after the children while my wife goes out to work. And truth be told, I am crushing it like a pro. I think I was born to take care of my family like this. I like it that I am the one to make sure the house is always clean and smelling good; the children get prepared for school while my wife gets to rest and have enough sleep. The only thing I can’t do is to cook, so she prepares a variety of meals during the weekends to last the household for the week.

DBM: Were you working prior to meeting your wife?

Nicholas: Yes

DBM: How long have you been married?

Nicholas: Six years

DBM: And, when did you make the decision to stay home?

Nicholas: It was actually my wife’s idea. Before we married, we talked about the importance of being present for our marriage, and also, in the lives of our children – if we were to have any. We love kids and we knew they would become a huge part of our lives. We wanted one parent to be 100% responsible for their upbringing till they are 18 years age. We weighed our options and concluded I would be the better parent and the best person to sacrifice my time to raise them right. Also, my wife earns three times my salary, and did not see the need for the both of us to be chasing after money.

DBM: So, you’ve been home since you married?

Nicholas: Yes, as the king of the house. It’s actually fun and humbling. It’s a fulfilling job to say the least. Due to this arrangement, I have found a best friend in my wife. She’s the one person I am comfortable with – talking to. Because I realize I can’t do it on my own. I appreciate the little things right now; we get to eat together as a family and talk. I am attracted to my wife daily, and can’t wait to see her return home from work. This experience seriously is turning my life around, and I am becoming the best husband and father I can be.

DBM: This is something you are passionate about?

Nicholas: Family is very important to me, and would not trade it for nothing.

DBM: What do your circle of friends say/think of you when you tell them about what you do?

Nicholas: Some think it’s disgraceful. I used to justify myself but I don’t care what they say anymore. Also, my church no longer invites me to speak to the youth. When I used to work, I was one of their favorite keynote speakers on Finance. Now that I work as a house-husband, majority of them tend to look down on me. They believe I am unemployed. Some call me lazy.

DBM: Do you see this as a real job?

Nicholas: It is a real job for me, Dave. Imagine coming home to a spotless house? There is absolutely nothing wrong with me chasing my dream career. I’m also doing exactly what I love; It’s work. My wife and I are not bothered by her being the one going out to earn money for the house. We are not bothered by me taking care of the home and family. In fact, I’m very good at this. And most importantly, I don’t think it’s healthy for our family to have two parents/adults getting stressed from work. One should be enough, while a calm, handsome, loving, sexy-hot other quenches their thirst after a long day. It’s the sweetest feeling ever.

DBM: Does this situation also not make it a whole lot easier for your wife to control you financially?

Nicholas: Control me how?

DBM: Do you have your own money?

Nicholas: First and foremost, I married a reasonable woman who also happens to be right for me. She respects me and my place in her life. Secondly, we share a joint account. The money in the account has more than one owner. It belongs to the both of us. Also, I work remotely from home. I make my own money to contribute to the pool.

DBM: Would you be prepared for the unknown? I.e., Death of your wife, divorce, wife involved in an accident or is permanently disabled, etc. and the responsibilities are shifted

Nicholas: I am ever ready to shoulder all responsibilities. Being a house-husband prepares you for anything.

DBM: What do you do for fun?

Nicholas: I work out in my free time at the gym.

DBM: Does this make you more critical about your wife’s appearance?

Nicholas: My wife is perfect, just the way she wants to be

DBM: The free time on your hands at home doesn’t make you want to look for some side action? I mean, most guys get in shape purposely for that.

Nicholas: I work out to stay in shape. Nothing else

DBM: You have the last word

Nicholas: I am uniquely equipped to keep my family safe and as one unit. I am not ready to do anything that could affect my family negatively. I am willing to do anything for my wife and for her heart’s sake. My wife’s desire comes first

Image Credit: Cottonbro Studio

Let’s Talk To Peggy

Written by David B on . Posted in Blog.

David Bondze-Mbir (DBM): Thank you for participating. What name would you want to go by? (It can be your real first name or any other name of your choosing)

Participant 89: Peggy is my name

DBM: Hi Peggy. How would you describe yourself?

Peggy: Self-confident, very caring, true to myself, rarely bothered by what people say or think about me; never afraid to stand up for what I believe is right, super productive, extremely hopeful and a go-getter.

DBM: How happy are you on a scale of 1 to 10?

Peggy: 7

DBM: What do you want to talk about?

Peggy: I am still very new to this; I’ve been asked to raise another man’s daughter

DBM: Who asked you to?

Peggy: The mother of the child. She’s late

DBM: Was she sick?

Peggy: Cancer

DBM: Why would she ask of you to raise her child? Has she no family?

Peggy: Not all people feel a close connection to their families. I am certain that her family does not know where she lived; they didn’t know about her pregnancy or the child. She tried her best to fight the battle against cancer, but the chemotherapy process was overwhelming for her to cope. She left her daughter in my care when the doctor informed us that there was pretty much nothing they could do.

DBM: How old is the child?

Peggy: Five years

DBM: Where is her hometown?

Peggy: I don’t know. We were friends for six years, and she never talked to me about her family. She was one of my close friends.

DBM: How was the daughter left in your care?

Peggy: I was at work when one of the staff showed up in my office with her. I asked why she was in my office all by herself, and she said her mother picked her up from school, put a letter addressed to me in her bag, dropped her at my office gate and just left.

DBM: What was in the letter?

Peggy: Authorization to raise her daughter as my own. There was also the name of the child’s father, his contact information and picture.

DBM: The child has a dad. That’s good then, no?

Peggy: Yeah! But the signed letter stated that, I could contact the father to come for her if I felt I couldn’t raise her all by myself.

DBM: Has the father been in the daughter’s life?

Peggy: Not that I know of. He wanted my friend to abort the pregnancy, but she kept it and broke things off with him. He is a married man though. He doesn’t know he has a child.

DBM: Wait, do you want to keep this child?

Peggy: I am considering it

DBM: Why?

Peggy: I am her God-mother. She’s known me all her life, and she loves me. She loves staying at my house.

DBM: How did you hear about her mother’s demise?

Peggy: In the letter, she asked me not to text her phone because she’d deleted all conversation histories and cleared all contacts and call history. She asked me only to call her phone once a month. I called because her daughter wanted to speak to her, but I heard wailing in the background. Whoever answered the phone told me she had passed on.

DBM: How long after dropping her daughter on you?

Peggy: Two days. Her family called back to ask if I knew anything about their deceased daughter

DBM: What did you tell them?

Peggy: Not much

DBM: You mentioned their granddaughter by any chance?

Peggy: No!

DBM: Hmmm!

Peggy: I don’t think I am ‘stealing’ her. Her mother specifically asked me to keep her if I wanted to.

DBM: And you want to?

Peggy: I want to

DBM: Does this kid know her mother is dead?

Peggy: I haven’t told her anything yet.

DBM: When do you plan to?

Peggy: Not anytime soon

DBM: Would this be your first parenting job?

Peggy: Yes

DBM: Do you have any idea as to what you are getting yourself into, in terms of buying groceries, cooking, paying fees and bills, taxiing her to and from school, assisting with homework, helping her nod off to sleep, being a step-mother, etc.?

Peggy: I know how hard it would be, but I can do it.

DBM: I see. Tell me about your plans for the child

Peggy: I am in the process of moving to a really nice neighborhood. My new house is in a safe and respected area, with excellent schools. I want her to grow up with friends who value education.

DBM: I like the sound of that; a great way for her to socially connect

Peggy: Exactly! She naturally loves to read, which is a good thing. Her mother was an avid reader. I am a mathematical genius, so I have started teaching her math skills. I want her to be great in both worlds. I want her to be poised in her capacity to learn and solve problems.

DBM: You really are up for the challenge, huh?

Peggy: I want to try the best I can for her so she can manage her emotions

DBM: Are you financially prepared for this new responsibility?

Peggy: I am intentional about my saving and spending habits. I have always done the best I could to financially prepare me for my future family. I am ready for this.

DBM: I don’t know what to even say; I am happy for you? Lol!

Peggy: You can be happy for me, Dave. It’s scary, but exciting at the same time.

DBM: Well, I commend you not only for the bold step taken, but also your way of approaching this whole challenge.

Peggy: Thank you, sir.

DBM: What is your biggest fear in all this?

Peggy: I have the perfect idea of the kind of future I want for her. I want my baby girl to grow into a strong and independent lady. My only fear is, maybe pushing her so hard when my fantasies about her doesn’t overlap with her interests and tendencies.

DBM: You want my candid opinion?

Peggy: Of course

DBM: Encourage your daughter to study and grow to forge her own path. Allow her to show you who she really is, as a person, before you start putting your own ideas on her.

Peggy: ❤ I’ve got to put my daughter to sleep.

DBM: Alright! Good night!

Image Credit: Kampus Production

Let’s Talk to Whitney and Idris

Written by David B on . Posted in Blog. 1 Comment

David Bondze-Mbir (DBM): Thank you for participating. What name would you want to go by? (It can be your real first name or any other name of your choosing)

Participant 88i: My name is Whitney. Dave, I am doing this interview with my husband. He will also respond to all of your questions.

Participant 88ii: Idris

DBM: Hello Whitney and Idris. How would you describe yourselves?

Whitney: I smile a lot and I am comfortable, pleasant and easy to live or be with. In the context of a wife, I make the life of my husband easy and comfortable. I am a mother

Idris: I am aware of my habits and general personality. I am sure of my actions, without any excuses.

DBM: How happy are you on a scale of 1 to 10?

Whitney: 5

Idris: Three

DBM: What do you want to talk about?

Whitney: My husband is always on his phone, and I have never been able to understand why. He feels bothered if I am to call or text to converse with him. Dave, I cannot get 10 minutes on phone with my husband. He doesn’t have 10 minutes off his schedule to chat or talk with me during the day. How is it possible that someone who is always using ‘busy working’ as his excuse, has time for other things on his phone?

Idris: Why I am less focused on my wife and marriage. I need my ‘me’ time. It’s simple: sometimes, the personal stuff is just personal.

DBM: Does his work involve him being on the phone all the time?

Whitney: No! He is an accountant

DBM: Sir, why is your wife not a priority to you?

Idris: She is important to me, she’s the mother of my children. I’m just tired of her constant need for my attention to make her feel happy. I am a bit exhausted doing that, to be frank; I’m tired of always being the one to compromise for her to feel loved. What about my own happiness?

DBM: How long have you been married?

Whitney: 8 years in August. We have two children.

DBM: Okay! Mrs. why do you think your husband married you?

Whitney: I don’t know. Maybe you can ask him. I am dying to know his answer to that question myself.

DBM: Noted, but to the best of your knowledge…

Whitney: I think he married me because he loved me, and wanted to be with me.

DBM: Sir?

Idris: I felt it was better being with her than staying single. I didn’t want to be alone. Also, having a wife was a cool and responsible decision to take.

DBM: Did you choose your wife because you love her?

Idris: I had grown fond of her

Whitney: Do you love me?

Idris: Yes

Whitney: Are you in love with me?

Idris: I can’t answer that question

Whitney: You can’t or you won’t?

Idris: I am not in love with you. That’s the truth. But it doesn’t mean I don’t love you. I don’t know why I married you to be honest. Maybe, because I felt you were infatuated by me and needed me to choose you. You showed me many times why you love me and I felt validated. You were too much into me, I got confused.

DBM: Are you miserable in your marriage?

Idris: I don’t think I am miserable. I have learned to cope with an unwilling situation. I am just not myself. I feel like I gave in to my wife’s desire to be loved by me

DBM: Meaning, you probably might have not chosen her if it were left to your discretion?

Idris: Yes!

Whitney: Am I not beautiful enough?

Idris: That is not what I am saying

Whitney: Am I not good in bed?

Idris: Do not take things out of context.

Whitney: Do I not bring a mind that is capable of supporting you to find practical solutions to our family’s problems and future plans?

Idris: You do. You are a smart woman. I have told you that before

Whitney: Do I not help our family in times you have no money to contribute to our wellbeing?

Idris: You do

Whitney: Do I not respect you as my husband?

Idris: You do

Whitney: I watch you take strange and mysterious phone calls when you leave the room, whispering into your phone. You delete your chat history before getting home and you want me to believe you are not hiding something from me? You are always texting someone. How would you feel if I was doing that to you?

DBM: Sir, why are you always on your phone?

Idris: My phone is the only moment I get to have with myself to reflect, and think, laugh and feel loved – without my wife around wanting my attention. Does marriage mean I cannot imbed myself in the man I used to be before meeting her?

Whitney: That is bullshit. Why are you sly then when on phone?

DBM: Wait, you don’t think your husband needs a break from you at a point in time to do what he also loves?

Whitney: Dave, my problem is, I don’t feel included in his life.

DBM: Sir, what do you do to please your wife, while pleasing yourself at the same time?

Idris: This fucking interview is a perfect example; I don’t know you from shid, but because she’s a fan and follower, she wants me to participate in this group chat with you so we talk about our personal issues. Knowing very well I don’t like involving people in my business.

DBM: You had the choice to not do this, no?

Idris: She would have taken offense.

Whitney: You will not agree to counseling. This is the best alternative

Idris: Our marriage has been one form of guilt tripping me emotionally into commitments after the other. There is practically no room in my own life to express my very authentic feelings about anything.

Whitney: Our goal was to get married, have children and live a happy life

Idris: Oh, no! Don’t get it twisted; those were your schedules, not mine. I am not happy in this your story. And I am still craving out time that could be entirely mine.

DBM: This question is to the both of you; when you assess your priorities and put focus into perspective, what about you do you think you value the most?

Idris: My peace of mind.

Whitney: My husband, our marriage and children.

DBM: What are your love languages?

Idris: My wife wants to hear how much I love her and want to be with her. I like what we have built in the past eight years, but it’s not serving me right. You miss the mark with me. I miss the mark with you. I don’t think we are compatible. Bossu, this interview unfortunately is not working for me. The longest chat I have had with my wife, I guess. Bye

Whitney: Dave

DBM: I’m still here

Whitney: I think I heard what I wanted to hear

DBM: A man who is excited about you is attuned to what you think and feel. Such men are not burdened at the thought of leaning in carefully to learn and understand all of the ways your genuine desires and concerns aren’t being met. I know you love him, but is he happy about making you happy? Is his life fulfilled and complete with you in the picture?

Whitney: I’ve got to go. Thank you!

DBM: You’re welcome! This life is a never-ending effort to always figure things out. You will figure what works best for you somehow.

Image Credit: Cottonbro Studio

Let’s Talk To Freja

Written by David B on . Posted in Blog. 2 Comments

David Bondze-Mbir (DBM): Thank you for participating. What name would you want to go by? (It can be your real first name or any other name of your choosing)

Participant 87: Freja

DBM: Hi Freja. How would you describe yourself?

Freja: I will describe myself as… a lover of long baths and showers. And if the water is slightly hot, I wouldn’t mind staying under it for as long as possible.

DBM: How happy are you on a scale of 1 to 10?

Freja: I could be 5 or 6 today

DBM: What do you want to talk about?

Freja: I feel like I am grief-stricken because the man I want to be with has been imprisoned, and the pain of loneliness is killing me every day. It doesn’t seem to go away. I can’t stop myself from counting the days until his release.

DBM: How many days to his release?

Freja: 1461

DBM: That’s like what, four years?

Freja: Yeah!

DBM: What is he in for?

Freja: Misappropriating company funds. But he is innocent.

DBM: How much money did he embezzle?

Freja: He was falsely accused by his employer

DBM: How long has he served thus far in incarceration?

Freja: A year

DBM: How old is he?

Freja: 37

DBM: How old are you?

Freja: 34

DBM: And, how long have you two been together?

Freja: We had done three years before prison. I am constantly being reminded of his absence in my life and it’s so difficult for me.

DBM: What do you miss about him?

Freja: I miss how he is always himself and comfortable being a man around me. I miss his wisdom, kindness, his confidence and haughtiness. He hardly would blame situations and circumstances. I miss his sense of humor, I miss how he can quench my thirst in bed, with all the passion and warmth. I miss his love for me in action.

DBM: He sounds like a good heart

Freja: He is a good man

DBM: How often do you get to see/visit him in prison?

Freja: Once or twice a month

DBM: And, how is he doing?

Freja: He’s fine but it’s not the same. He is so far away from me that, everything we used to do together and loved, is now on hold. Each day that passes gets harder.

DBM: Does he feel the same when you visit him?

Freja: I should think so. He doesn’t talk about it. The energy I expect to receive from him is not what is shared. I’ve been very depressed, to be honest.

DBM: He’s also dealing with a lot. Prison is an uncomfortable environment he’s found himself in.

Freja: The other disturbing issue is that, one of the prison officers whom I have befriended, and have been persuading with money to take good care of my boyfriend told me on my last visit, my boyfriend’s other girlfriend has been bringing him food and other stuff. Initially, I thought she was one of his sisters but the name he showed me wasn’t his family. And the capacity in which she visits is his girlfriend.

DBM: Does this surprise you?

Freja: Very much. I thought I was his only girl.

DBM: Did you confront your man?

Freja: I did. He denied

DBM: So, you let it go?

Freja: No! I told him the source of the information, and also, mentioned the name of the woman

DBM: Why do you think he felt the need to lie to you instead of telling the truth?

Freja: I don’t know

DBM: If a man lies about a small thing, he will also lie about something way bigger

Freja: I have decided not to visit him again

DBM: You told him that?

Freja: No! But I made the decision when I got home

DBM: How does this make you feel?

Freja: I am very angry, and I feel betrayed. I am completely heartbroken, and doubt if I can ever trust him again.

DBM: It is rather unfortunate but the truth is, a lot of the time, men cheat and try to hide it for as long as possible to prevent you from feeling this way about them

Freja: It’s not fair

DBM: I know. Everything happens for a reason. If he hadn’t been locked up, you probably would never have found out.

Freja: I still love him

DBM: I can imagine

Freja: I am not sure about the next step to take from here

DBM: You will discover more about the woman that you are with time, and come into the understanding of what you want for you. If there are any changes worth making to enable you keep up with all that is happening around and within you, you would.

Freja: Do you think he’s going to choose me after he is released?

DBM: I think women ought to find their own strengths to decide on when to let go, and then, do it.

Freja: But I can’t get him out of my mind like that. We have a history

DBM: What really is your fear?

Freja: All the men I dated and loved in the past left me for other girls, even when my feelings for them hadn’t changed. What if I don’t find a man who will love me?

DBM: Do you reside in your past?

Freja: My past is part of my life’s story

DBM: But, do you live there?

Freja: No!

DBM: Exactly! What others did to you then isn’t what every man would do to you in the future.

Freja: I thought my current guy was my future. Look at what’s happening

DBM: What he did does not explain the actions of all men. Holding on to these memories that clearly hurt your feelings means allowing them, consciously or unconsciously to become a part of what you believe about yourself. Do you really think you are not good enough for someone who is good enough for you?

Freja: I am good enough

DBM: There was a time it was raining heavily at Spintex, while on the phone with a friend who lives in Tema. He asked if it was raining where I was because he could hear downpour, and I said, ‘yes. Why, it’s not raining at your end?’ His response was, ‘no! the sun is still shining’. It does not rain everywhere. Do not let that foolish narrative work against you.

Freja: I feel trapped by my emotions. It’s all over the place

DBM: A man’s behavior and character is something you cannot control. Holding on to things you hate about him only causes you a great deal of suffering and unhappiness. It can stress you to the extent of keeping you from living and growing into your very best self and light. Do not be attached to what you do not like. Your happiness in life does not come from love and sex and men. True happiness comes from the knowledge of not suffering anymore.

Freja: Freedom

DBM: Freedom!

Image Credit: Yaroslav Shuraev

Let’s Talk To Boris

Written by David B on . Posted in Blog.

David Bondze-Mbir (DBM): Thank you for participating. What name would you want to go by? (It can be your real first name or any other name of your choosing)

Participant 86: Boris

DBM: Hello Boris. How would you describe yourself?

Boris: My woman’s man

DBM: How happy are you on a scale of 1 to 10?

Boris: Seven

DBM: What do you want to talk about?

Boris: I believe in premarital sex; my wife doesn’t due to her Christian convictions. I am a Christian too, and I believe having sex before marriage is one of the best ways to do romantic relationships. We had sex and fortunately for us, got pregnant before our wedding day. We got married not long ago, and I think what the reverend minister who officiated our wedding did, has austerely affected my relationship with my wife.

DBM: Are you interested in anything else your wife offers beyond the bedroom?

Boris: There is more to her than the sex. I invest in her, I prioritize her and make decisions that validate my affection and desire for her.

DBM: What did the minister do?

Boris: He asked my wife before the exchange of vows, whether or not she’s pregnant with my baby.

DBM: Asked in which manner, openly or privately?

Boris: He did not speak into the microphone but he asked in the presence of her Lady of Honor, my best man and the MC.

DBM: In the presence of your invited witnesses?

Boris: Yes, during the ceremony

DBM: Why did he feel the need to ask?

Boris: He felt we tricked him

DBM: Tricked him how?

Boris: Well, her resident pastor requested to meet with us a couple of times leading up the wedding. They asked if we had been sexually intimate, and my wife said ‘no’, which was a lie because we had found out she was seven or eight weeks pregnant as at that time.

DBM: Why did she have to lie about it?

Boris: She didn’t see the need to volunteer any of that information. Secondly, she didn’t want to disappoint her pastor because she’s been told since she was a kid, that premarital sex is a sin. I had no problem telling the truth, but she begged me not to come forward with our private activities if her church executives asked.

DBM: How did the minister find out that she was expecting?

Boris: I don’t know how, but someone clearly told him our business.

DBM: Did he officiate the wedding?

Boris: He insisted we confessed before he did. Unfortunately, while my wife was denying the pregnancy, I was saying ‘yes’ to his question at the same time.

DBM: You both were to present a united front, no?

Boris: Yes, but here is the case people had started murmuring and were wondering what could be going on with us. The pastor looked angry, and would not go ahead with the program till we told the truth.  It was even embarrassing when he kept expressing how disappointed he was in my wife. My wife practically started to weep.

DBM: This is so wrong on every level. On your wedding day?

Boris: If I am being honest here; I wish we hadn’t gone through with the wedding after that whole scene. My wife was not herself right up the questioning before the vows exchange till the ceremony was over. Our professional photos look ugly because we weren’t happy in it. That overwhelming sense of happiness that I was hoping my wife and I could experience was taken away from us.

DBM: I can only imagine

Boris: Dave, I don’t think I will ever get to that point where I can look back on my wedding day with any emotion other than regret, anger and discomfort.

DBM: That’s rather unfortunate

Boris: It’s the truth

DBM: Who do you think is to blame here?

Boris: My wife blames me

DBM: Why is she blaming you?

Boris: She says I didn’t have her back when she needed me the most.

DBM: As in?

Boris: Not going along with the same script.

DBM: But you had gone along with it up till the priest had to confront you all over again at the altar, no?

Boris: She doesn’t see it that way. She feels she cannot trust me. And my wife is the type who would rather love a man she trusts. We have not had sex since our wedding incident. She cancelled our honeymoon plans and went home. It’s been two months since the wedding. Her love and excitement for me is now replaced with fear and doubt.

DBM: I’m trying to understand where she’s coming from, but then again, she’s the one who put you in that uncomfortable position to save face by lying about it

Boris: I had no problem telling anyone we were having sex

DBM: Because you were having sex with her

Boris: Exactly!

DBM: I have a personal relationship with GOD, even though I am no longer a church-goer. And to the best of my knowledge, I doubt if GOD cares that much about what I do with my genitalia. I may be wrong; however, I do know that He is very much concerned about my heart, and exactly where my priorities lie.

Boris: Do you believe in sex before or after marriage?

DBM: I do not equate sexual morality to how long I wait before having sex. Don’t get me wrong; I believe in abstinence. I have two biological sisters who are still keeping themselves pure only for their future husbands, and would not have sex with any man till they are married to them. To me, it’s a beautiful and wise decision they’ve made. But sexual morality, in my opinion isn’t about purity. It is about how I treat myself and the person I am with. If I am genuinely that much into you, and I feel there is a possible future to be built with you, sex would be good for me if it’s that important a bond to increase our emotional intimacy, and also build a stronger self-image for us. And this has absolutely nothing to do with being married to you. That doesn’t make me dirty or impure. I feel that, so far as we are ready, and we both consent to it, one should not feel shame in desiring to be physically intimate with someone they love and trust.

Boris: I agree

DBM: Why do you think your wife agreed to sex before marriage, even though she would have loved to wait till after the wedding?

Boris: I think she craved for it at a point.

DBM: I am naturally not so crazy about sex, even though I love the idea of some good sex. I think I have a low sex drive and can find pleasure in deep and meaningful companionship without necessarily using sex as a key component.

Boris: What do I do about my wife?

DBM: Have you apologized to her?

Boris: I have, but she’s still not having sex with me. She looks at me differently.

DBM: Do you think she will ever get over it?

Boris: No! She doesn’t think I am reliable. She doesn’t share her feelings and personal thoughts with me anymore

DBM: Well, at this point I don’t think there is much you can do. Just trust that she knows what’s in her best interest. Respect her boundaries and be considerate to her needs. Also, have faith in her, regardless of the tension between you two.

Boris: For how long? We’ve been married for more than two months and still, no show.

Image Credit: Carsten Vollrath

Let’s Talk To Luke

Written by David B on . Posted in Blog. 7 Comments

David Bondze-Mbir (DBM): Thank you for participating. What name would you want to go by? (It can be your real first name or any other name of your choosing)

Participant 85: The name is Luke

DBM: Luke chapter what?

Luke: 😁

DBM: Hi Luke. How would you describe yourself?

Luke: I don’t know how to break this complication down: I am legally in a marital relationship with my wife. I have also agreed to work as a hired husband to my employer’s wife, for payment under the contract of employment.

DBM: What?

Luke: Yeah!

DBM: I will come back to this. How happy are you on a scale of 1 to 10?

Luke: 8 + 2

DBM: What do you want to talk about?

Luke: My situation ship. I came across a job advertisement. The job title was Client Satisfaction Manager. The job responsibilities included handling client issues during the execution life cycle in a timely and accurate fashion; compilation of data collected, and basically, knowing enough about each zone of the company, in order to make pertinent suggestions to the client. It also involved a lot of traveling. I applied and got my job interview scheduled. Dave, I needed a new challenge, and so I prepared for my interview to ensure I made the best impression possible. We were about six in number on the day I interviewed. In the course of answering a question directed at me, I saw the only lady on the panel focusing with an intense gaze at me. She picked her phone and texted someone. The owner of the company, who was part of the team interviewing me, picked his phone to read a message, and immediately started smiling. I gazed back at the lady and she was staring at my lips to probably gain further circumstantial cues about the responses I was giving. Well, so I thought. Twenty-five or so minutes later, I left the conference room feeling positive about my candidacy. I missed a call on the phone on my way home, and so I tried calling back. He cut my call and called back.

DBM: Who called?

Luke: The owner of the company.

DBM: How could you tell it was him?

Luke: I could recognize his voice from the interview.

DBM: Okay?

Luke: He arranged a private meeting at a venue, which turned out to be the house address of his wife. They were waiting for me when I arrived. He wanted to offer me a different job but under the title of Client Satisfaction Consultant. He wanted me to become his wife’s husband.

DBM: His wife’s husband?

Luke: I know, right? Creepy. He explained to me that he is unable to meet his wife’s emotional needs. He also said he was pursuing another love interest and didn’t want to divorce his wife because there is too much at stake. He wanted me to become the safe place his could come to when emotionally down. He was going to continue being her provider in monetary ways. However, I am expected to provide her strength when she’s frail, affection when she feels lonely and courage when she’s scared.

DBM: Did they know that you are a married man?

Luke: They knew. I had my wedding band on during the interview and the meeting at her house. They proposed a lucrative salary with all benefits included; pension and social insurance contributions – medical, death, education, annual paid leave and public holidays off. I start work at 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

DBM: I really am following your story, but where is your office be located?

Luke: Per my contract, I report to the company’s headquarters twice a week, from 8:30 to 12:30 pm to do personal assignments, and then complete the remaining hours at his wife’s house. I have been given my own office.

DBM: Which days do you report at the office?

Luke: It’s per my discretion.

DBM: So, the three remaining weekdays, your job station is where?

Luke: His wife’s house.

DBM: How long have you been doing this?

Luke: For some time now

DBM: Can you put a time frame to it?

Luke: Yes, but it may inconvenience me. My wife can easily calculate from when I started job-hunting if she’s to come across this post.

DBM: But your job title equally gives you out, no?

Luke: I lied to her about the job title when I made the decision to accept this offer.

DBM: Aha!

Luke: Sometimes, a man has got to withhold certain truths about themselves or what they’re doing from their wives – just to avoid disappointing them. I know it’s not the best of decisions to make, that’s why I am choosing to shield my wife from pain and other possible consequences.

DBM: What if your wife decides to one day, surprise you at work?

Luke: My wife may consider a surprise on my birthdays or our wedding anniversaries. Those days, I ensure to be at work for the first half.

DBM: You have it all figured out, I guess?

Luke: Yes sir.

DBM: So, tell me how it works when you’re at the contract-wife’s house

Luke: I get home. Greet her with a kiss or hug; ask about her night. She prepares breakfast for us. After eating, she talks about whatever she’d want to talk about. Actually, I used to think my legal wife was a talker but this woman talks way more than my original wife. Anyhow, I don’t mind her talking so much, so I just listen and chat back. Most days in my original marriage, my wife and I argue a lot. But with this contract marriage, my woman and I don’t really argue.

DBM: I am just laughing in awe

Luke: I know. It will sound funny to me too 😊

DBM: How do you greet her when you first arrive at her home?

Luke: ‘Good morning, my Love’ or ‘darling, babe’ or ‘how is my lovely sunshine doing this morning?’ depending on my groove. Most mornings when I am there and I hear the shower turn on, I’ll climb in the shower with her and… Wheew! Those are usually beautiful mornings.

DBM: I can only imagine. So, this is not just some sex gig?

Luke: No, Dave. It’s a real-fake marriage. We would often watch a TV show together, make lunch together, and this is something I never thought I could do with my real wife. Some days, we just keep to ourselves. She would be reading a book and I would be in bed.

DBM: Do you do outings together?

Luke: No! But as I said earlier, we travel once in a while, to other places together.

DBM: Does it get boring?

Luke: Sometimes. And at those times, we both recognize it and keep to ourselves till it’s time for me to go home.

DBM: What is your feeling towards this job?

Luke: Dave, I am in love with her. Being in love only requires me to believe that I am in love. And I can confidently say that, this job has helped me grow to understand love even better. It’s helping me to appreciate my legal wife and children the more. I cannot imagine living the rest of my life without my original wife and work wife.

DBM: That’s good to know. But as at this moment, your wife doesn’t have a clue what you have been up to over the years. Aren’t you barring yourself from showing up authentically at your matrimonial home?

Luke: This secret is weighing me down, that’s why I am revealing it to you instead, so we share its load. I know my wife, she cannot organize her life around this information. I would spare her the hurt, sadness and anger.

DBM: Okay!

Luke: I love my job. Aside the benefits, I am learning a lot about women and how to treat them right. I am learning about love.

DBM: I am curious about one thing; does your wife not see any changes in you to suspect something?

Luke: I watch how I react around her when I am at home. Also, work officially ends when it’s 4:30 pm. Work-wife respects the boundaries.

DBM: Your wife doesn’t smell her perfume or scent on you?

Luke: She doesn’t use any presumes around me when I am at work. But even if she has to wear one to smell good, I’ve bought her my brand of perfumes to smell like me.

DBM: This is one of the interesting chats I have ever had in my life. Why did you choose me?

Luke: David, I haven’t always been your No.1 fan. But truth be told, I think you are using your Facebook to do a wonderful thing. I don’t agree with your prejudiced point of view when it comes to men and women. I can’t seem to wrap my head around why you think women are incapable of doing bad all by themselves. Anyways, that is a conversation for another day. But as I was saying, your platform is clean and sound. You know how to pull some of us out of our shelves to open up. It’s a rare gift, and I believe you have it. Just try not to change. Continue to be in a league of your own.

DBM: Appreciated. Thank you!

Image Credit: Cottonbro Studio

Let’s Talk To Kimberly

Written by David B on . Posted in Blog. 1 Comment

David Bondze-Mbir (DBM): Thank you for participating. What name would you want to go by? (It can be your real first name or any other name of your choosing)

Participant 84: Kimberly

DBM: Hello Kimberly. How would you describe yourself?

Kimberly: I have a positive attitude. I have a soft heart. I am always smiling

DBM: How happy are you on a scale of 1 to 10?

Kimberly: Six

DBM: What do you want to talk about?

Kimberly: I have been constantly treated unfairly and essentially, intimidated at my workplace by my supervisor and some of my co-workers. To the extent that, it is affecting my mental health and stressing me out. Everything I do, is wrong in someone’s eyes. My supervisor demeans my work standards all the time, yet would present them at meetings as his ideas. He does not give me credit for the works I do. He takes the glory for himself and shuts me out totally when the CEO or investors needs briefing on the works I’ve done. The criticisms of my co-workers are always unfair, and they would not stop spreading false rumors about me. They give me poor reviews on my performance, even though they all know I do solid work for the company. I don’t know how to put these things behind me. I am now afraid to even be myself at work.

DBM: That’s awful. I am terribly sorry about that.

Kimberly: I do not understand what I have done to them

DBM: It is not fun; trust me, I know how you are feeling. Kim, some people are like that; they only find delight in disparaging you on a regular basis till you begin to question your own capabilities.

Kimberly: There is an important meeting I am supposed to be attending because it’s my proposal that is being considered to be funded. My supervisor and his cheerleaders have managed to leave me out.

DBM: Are you authorized to be present at this meeting?

Kimberly: They expect me to explain into detail the proposal, but my supervisor called me in his office to do a presentation on my project. He is again, going to present it as his own. I realized he has taken my name off the work and replaced it with his. This is the fourth time he has done this to me.

DBM: He is the one you report to directly?

Kimberly: Yes

DBM: Have you made an official complaint to maybe, HR? Because I see this to be a form of mistreatment

Kimberly: Every time I get into contact with our HR, she brushes it aside or gives a cursory response and moves ahead without any real action.

DBM: I see

Kimberly: Another thing they keep saying is, they all went through the process, and so I should stop whining and just focus on my work.

DBM: Do you believe what they’re doing to you to be right?

Kimberly: No! I treat everyone with respect at work. I smile with everyone, even the cleaners. I try to be nice and spread joy. I don’t understand why they are picking on me.

DBM: What do you do when you feel attacked in this manner?

Kimberly: Lately, I ignore them

DBM: I am used to ignoring people who act that way too. However, ignoring them and letting it continue only gets worse with time. Your silence gives them permission to disrespect you the more.

Kimberly: Just last week at a meeting, I shared an idea, which I believed was brilliant. Even I was proud of myself. My supervisor outrightly ignored it. A hour later, a line manager shared my same concept, tweaking it to sound different. But everyone in the room knew it was my exact concept, and my supervisor congratulated him on his ‘excellent’ suggestion.

DBM: From the way you speak, I’d want to assume you are very smart. This is what I believe, brilliant people are those with great ideas to share. So, keep your ideas and concepts coming, and be willing and okay with giving them away all the time.

Kimberly: Even if people are going to steal them? Because I work really hard to come up with concepts for our company to execute. The least they could do is acknowledge me. It’s really annoying when I think of it.

DBM: This may sound weird, but when people steal something I have built as their own or interpret it differently to suit their agendas, all in the name of being seen, heard, praised or viewed as smart, I take their act as a compliment. You need to understand that, there are people who will go to great lengths to make themselves look important. My little advice would be, keep delivering your ideas, and have fun doing it. Because it does bring meaning to your work life, Kim.

Kimberly: How about the fact that they try to be rude in the process?

DBM: Maybe, you can draw their attention to the fact that, you notice what they’re doing.

Kimberly: I have tried that. They’re still being nasty

DBM: Then, let them for the time being. Continue to be nice to everyone at work. Help your supervisor to get the job done, even if it means him taking credit for your work. Just approach it with an open mind, and see what else he’s capable of. As an employee, your foremost duty is to make your boss happy.

Kimberly: But I am not happy, Dave. I don’t feel valued at my workplace.

DBM: Your happiness is important. If you are not happy, then that’s not a good thing. Are you considering looking into jobs elsewhere?

Kimberly: Yes

DBM: Okay! At the end of the day, your pride, self-respect and esteem; mental, emotional and physical well-being is far more important than the paycheck you get.

Image Credit: Marcelo Chagas

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