Your Better Self with Akanna: 5 Interesting Wise Sayings from My Readers

So, in the last two articles, we’ve explored some Wise Sayings from the Book of Proverbs.  And I asked that you let us know of any wise sayings of your own that have kept you well behaved so far and saved you from a lot of trouble.  They didn’t have to be from the Bible like the ones from my article were, but they could be sayings from someone you considered wise in your life – even from a movie, believe it or not.

Well, I received a few in the comments and decided to highlight them this week. They are very interesting, though, I’m not necessarily advocating that you apply them to your life.  But here are 5 wise sayings by my readers.  Read them, critique them, interpret them, consider my own interpretations of them, chew the meat, spit out the bones, and tell me what you think!

#1  This is from Funmilola.  She said her mum gave her this advice regarding sex.  It goes:

“nkan ki o ni je fa fi ru  mu (do not smell what you’re not ready to eat).”

First of all, not many African parents give the sex talk to their kids – I know I never received one so, I’m quite impressed that her mum did talk to her about sex.  And I think the obvious interpretation here is to wait until you can bear the consequences of having sex before you even go near it.  Don’t let the ‘aroma’ entice you.

It’s a very difficult one.  Where do you even draw the boundary lines?  What consists of ‘smelling’ sex?  Is it hugging, cuddling, kissing?  At what point do you say “if I do this, it will definitely end in the real thing?”

Maybe Funmi can give us some more wisdom in that area.

#2  Number 2 is from Funmilola as well.  She was so gracious to let us in on two wise sayings of hers that day.  This one is from her aunt.  They were kind words to her when she was going through a depressing season in her life.  She was comparing herself to others and her aunt stepped in to say:

“Ma wo alago sise (Don’t set your time using other peoples clocks. Your destinies and journeys are not the same).” 

Wow! The Yorubas must have a lot of wisdom embedded in their culture. These sayings are so deep and rich.

We should always pull ourselves out of the trap of wanting to compare ourselves with others.  And I personally believe what can help us do that is to spend our time figuring out what we are good at, then begin honing those talents or gifts into valuable skills.  Most of the people that we want to compare ourselves to, are usually people on that path of self discovery and we feel they’ve got everything figured out.  No one has got everything figured out.  Everyone is on a journey – a different journey from everyone else.

Figure out your own journey and travel it.  And, while traveling, the people you associate with matter as well.  They should be the kind that don’t make you feel you’re on the wrong path if you’re not doing what they want you to do.

The clock is ticking; the clock is yours and now is your time!

#3  Number 3 kind of continues from, or buttresses, Number 2.  It’s from Didi, who got it from Pastor Chris:

“The best place to be is where God has placed you.  It doesn’t matter if it is in Iran or Zimbabwe, what matters is being rightly positioned and the goodies will follow.” 

This is so true.  If you’re exactly where God has placed you and you’re doing God’s will, you’ll flourish no matter your circumstances.  You wouldn’t need to compare yourself with anyone.  No Facebook or Instagram post by friends will shake you and make your mouth water because you know, deep down in your heart, that you’re secure in God’s will.  And the evidence of that is deep internal peace no matter the chaos all around.  And soon enough, the external manifestations will follow!

#4  This one’s a very interesting one from Ohgay.  I know I’ve heard it before, maybe not with the second part but I thought that part was kind of funny and true.

“Things will come to those who wait, but only things left by those who hustle.” 

Ohgay didn’t tell us where the quote was from but it reminds me of what my eldest sister would say: “No time to stand and stare.”

We have to get going and get productive.  If you have an idea, don’t wait for someone else to come up with it and implement it, just so you can verify that it was a good idea.  Go ahead and implement it because no one else can do it as good as you can.

Purpose will find you, yes.  But it will not find you idle.  Hustle while you wait.

#5  And, finally, number 5 is from one of my favorite ‘commenters’.  I always enjoy reading Ephi’s comments.  They’re usually deep, well thought out, and from a place of security – I sense.

This one simply says: “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time to do so is NOW.”

So never beat yourself up for failing to act or getting delayed on something.  Just pick yourself back up and continue to push through.

Plant those seeds of productivity now and, one day, you’ll thank yourself you did.  “For the vision is meant for its appointed time; it speaks of the end, and it does not lie.  It may take a while, but wait for it; it will surely come, it will not delay.”  And, again, hustle while you wait.

So thanks so much guys for making this wisdom series an interesting one.  It’s not too late to comment your wise sayings so that everyone can benefit from them.   As for these ones up here, let me know what you thought of them too.

Remember to remain wise out there, and I’ll see you next week.