Today we’d like to introduce you to Bosa Odiase.
Bosa, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Growing up, I was depressed and suicidal. I don’t think I would have made it if it wasn’t for the hug of a stranger, my senior year of high school. I felt the love of God in that hug. That small act of kindness changed the trajectory of my life forever. I began to see that small acts of kindness could change lives when done with the love of God. It motivated me to want to live a life that was more than just about the major moments. I decided to live a life where I attempted to show up at all times.
After college, I knew there was something more. I felt God leading me to move back to Fort Worth. After some time, some friends and I started a blog. In the blog, we would talk about love and how to love those around us. We started writing a lot about loving yourself. You love your neighbor as you love yourself. As someone who was suicidal, I knew that it used to be hard to love others because at a time I didn’t love myself. I realized there were probably others in that current position. After a while, we wanted to take online connections offline. We began to have monthly pop-up worship nights in different coffee shops around the city. In 2019 we took time to refocus after the passing of two of my cousins. Our goal this year is to diversify our events and continue to empower others to live lives of love.
We are also currently working on curriculum to teach people to love themselves, love others and to love God. Our hope is to launch it by summer 2020. While we build that I recently just wrote a guide called “awake.” which falls in line with heart but is more targeted to the church.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Not at all. The road has been tough. A lot of prayers and long nights. A lot of uncertainty but as a Believer, my desire is to partner with God in all that I do. Sometimes I feel God is leading me to do things I feel unprepared for. My insecurities have may times been an obstacle but prayer tends to realign my heart with truth.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Love Awakes – what should we know?
Love Awakes isn’t a business, it’s a tool to empower others to truly know themselves and love themselves. We do this through different events and plan to use online curriculum to do the same. Our desire is to not only equip others with tools but also provide a space for them to love on others. One example of this are the packing parties that we’ve had the opportunity to throw. Different types of people have gathered to pack sack lunches and essential products for the homeless.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
There are so many people that have come alongside us on the journey! It’s ridiculous. From all those who have come to packing parties or purchased materials for them to those who have attended a worship night!
More specifically, I’d like to say thank you to Pastor Don Couch and New Beginnings International Church in Fort Worth who let us use their building free of charge for our first year of hangs.
Also a big thank you to my mom and dad, my sister Etin, my brothers Nick and Noren, Julie Couch, Terre Garret, Kevin Frazier, Chichi Onyekanne, Brenna Elise, Charles Compton, Emily Miller, Hope Wentz, Emily Meyer, Eric Meyer, Jenny Needham, Darin Vasquez and Sarah Sanders for believing and joining in on the ride at different times over the years!
Also thankful for Savor in Arlington, Serve in Bishop Arts and Bold Love Apparel for letting us pop-up at their spots a few times!
Contact Info:
- Website: loveawakes.com
- Email: bosaodiase@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.
instagram.com/itsbosa
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