Patience, Time, Chances and People

The words, Patience and Humility have a strong basis in the Yoruba social thought and the omoluabi word-sense. The Yoruba proverb “Suru baba iwa, iwapele oba awure” which literally interprets as: “Patience is the principal character, humility is the mother of good fortune” has a compelling meaning that enunciates the primal place of patience in reaching enlightenment and why the patient invariably get the biggest treat from the pot of gold.

The expression did not stop at the what or the why; it equally dissects the how, such as; “how does one attain enlightenment and good fortune trading with the virtue of patience?”

Good fortune is a universal need; every human being craves happiness, prosperity and the other good things of life. But to have the good things of life one certainly has to be in sync or in good terms with the universal forces that influence one’s actualization of them which include: Time, Chances and People.

People are the actors of the universal script. The social life, religion, politics, science, corporate relations etc are all dimensions of the universal script since they have values and rules that individual actors within the fields are expected to play by. Even though creativity and independence are often desired things, one can rarely excel in a social relation by simply playing by these values.

Chances entail the opportunities or possibilities one is exposed to based on the kind of relationship one has with the significant others in a particular field of engagement.

Time is the specific, finite period these opportunities or possibilities manifest into their equivalent realities. Time can either be influenced by one’s role and purpose or by one’s degree of response to one’s role within a particular social context of engagement.

Generally, people, chances and time happen to us all in that order of magnitude. People hold the key or at least usher you in to your next level of advancement, they influence your chances of rising and falling and equally determine the time taken on your travail. Consider every relationship you enter into as an interface to your next point of development.

The story of Segun broadened my knowledge of how patience and humility are quintessential elements to having a quality relationship with people who ultimately open doors of great opportunities to the favoured individual.

Anytime I visit my Grandma in downtown Oyo to spend a couple of days or so with her, I’d normally visit a pub restaurant which is about five kilometers to our house. I’d visit the pub mostly when I needed to overcome boredom or have a football match to catch up on.

I’d order for myself a bottle of beer and a plate of pepper soup or assorted meat and ponmo. And in about an hour and half I should find myself heading back home.

It was at the pub, I met Segun who worked there as a male attendant. Segun is a very industrious young lad with a luxurious demeanour of calmness and humility. Segun knows how to find his way around you without making you feel uncomfortable. He also has a good customer service and empathy. He served the customers with deft and enthusiasm. He could easily tell what you need and he wouldn’t mind making himself the sacrificial lamb for you to have the utmost satisfaction before checking out.

Segun is very connected and popular among the ladies around and he’s highly favoured and got tipped by many of the male customers who sought his assistance to get thorough to any one of the ladies. I also couldn’t afford to not extend tip to him each time I visited the restaurant. Many times I’d say to myself that I’d love to really help him to better his life if I had the opportunity to do so.

The last time I visited the pub, I learnt that Segun has left for the UK to further his study. He was sponsored by a customer who also appreciated his charm.