FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Bi a l'ogbon ni'nu

Bi a ko lo o

A o di ogberi

Bi a l'agbara ni'nu

Bi a ko lo o

A o di ole

Dia fun awon Eniyan ma b0ologbon rin ma b'osise s'ore

Ti won yoo s'ore ero isale aye

Ifa n ba won wi o ni

Iwo ko ba eni rere s'ore

Ori buruku nii mu ba eniyan

TRANSLATION

If we have inner wisdom

And fail to apply it

We become ignorant

If we have strength

And fail to use it adequately

We become fools

These were the messages of Ifa for those who fail to associate with the wise and hard working people.

And who become instead friends with the scum of the world.

Orunmila rebuked them by saying:

"He who refuses to associate with the wise

And fails to befriend good people

It is only misfortune that his attitude will attract". 

[Chap. 64 -  Idin maluko | Ifa matrix of west african indigenous wisdom & system of knowledge production].

The human ephemeral experience of life is challenging enough to be adding pain & difficulties to each other's burdens. A fundamental reminder from the Ifa perspective on what is from a scientific point of view referred to as epigenetics: we become what we surround ourselves with; reason why it should be everyone's priority to mould and define [within the confines of what is possible by choice & circumstances] their own ecosystems by surrounding themselves with those who make them feel loved, valued, appreciated, who participate to  & encourage their intellectual growth and creativity or simply to feel fine and safe. 

The human ecosystems within which we evolve mould our perceptions, circumscribe our thinking, shape our habits and consequently our behavioral patterns by structuring the relationship that we have with ourselves, others and Nature [as the entire web of life], and as such, it is worth taking the time to properly evaluate whether in alignment with our values and aspirations, in other words conducive to the expression of our inner potentialities & creative power, or not.

Self care is under no circumstance selfish but on the contrary an absolute priority by keeping in mind the following adage: Ènìyàn lásán pọ̀ , ó ju ìgbẹ́; Eni ire é wọ́n, ó ju owó lọ - "There are more worthless people in the world than leaves in the forest; It is more difficult to find good people than money" which we all experience to some extent in our individual experience.

- O.F