I am very careful with Greek philosophy, Greek mythology more so, because I am an ardent follower of Yeshua HaMashiach, whom you know as Jesus Christ. The radical Hebrew man born of a virgin, sent by Jehovah to redeem man from generational curse in perdition, AND exalted post-resurrection to be the Judge of the Living and the Dead at the end of this age. I am wary of Greek beliefs because demons and devils are real, the “sons of God” were fallen angels, and “the mighty-men heroes of old, men of renown” were Nephilim (Genesis 6); nevertheless, I agree with Plato on this:
Don’t try to get anyone to like you
The most important thing in life is not to have the most but to need the least
I grew up at a time when the trending song for children was Bata rẹ a dun ko-ka-ka b’o ba ka’we rẹ, not K’emi ṣa ti l’owo, not Awọn t’emi ń sa’ṣẹ l’oru mọ’ju, so I believe that Maga no need pay but Iṣẹ́ ni oògùn ìṣẹ́. I was not born a genius, I merely learnt to see the world differently, and just before another year begins I want to share with Y-O-U-N-G-E-R folk a few things I learnt along the way not because I have finished my race but so I can have good company on an increasingly narrow path.
- Rent: shelter is a basic necessity for good living and that is why we seldom worry about the percentage of our income that goes into it. For someone who almost never paid rent his entire life (so far), I am able to see clearly that life is easier without it. Next year therefore, depending on which stage of life you are:
a. buy land, even if half plot or quarter; one-eight of a plot is 900 square foot, and is habitable!
b. build house, even if room and parlour with toilet and kitchen; it doesn’t have to start beautiful or complete, it will grow with you…
c. get off the national grid, install solar panels for electricity, rescue yourself from an unrewarding commitment to NEPA!
d. have alternative sources of income, preferably something your children can do after you…
e. plan for your absence, nobody gets to live forever, we are sojourners on Earth, àràgbé l’ayé.
No be only landlord dey collect rent.
- Ego: a lot of our priorities are based on our ego.
a. I live on acres of land, I live on 2.5% of an acre, I cannot sleep in two rooms at once. There is nothing wrong with starting small, even room and parlour, and when you are up to it you will build an estate of multistorey apartments in every major city.
b. With increasing transport costs, distance from school is just as important as (perceived) quality of education. A lot of us who went to cheap schools to become great are now struggling to pay school fees because we want “the best” for our children. If you died today, would your children continue in those schools?
c. Not having a car is not the end of the world. Of course there are times I wish I do, but I still get by eventually as do millions of Nigerians. Shuttle within your means.
d. Giving is best when you don’t relegate your own wellbeing. Those you are trying to impress will not return the favour. Don’t lose your money and lose your friend.
e. Sow, but prepare the land first. God rewards you by keeping you from harm, rebuking the devourer for your sake, AND blessing the work of your hands. Make sure you have work on your hands asides the government or private employment. Allow God to prosper you directly and not only through your employer. You sef can be a blessing to your workplace when your pocket is filling from complementary sources.
No be only narcissist get ego.
- Do not have the most. We often talk about the blessings of Abraham, the riches of Isaac, and the wealth of Jacob, but we ignore the travails that came with the surplus: persecutions. exile. malice.
a. Isaac was chased from one well to another after expending resources to dig them.
b. Whoever is loading you with billing will not die because of you, you are NOT a beast of burden.
c. Dress to cover nakedness, look good, but only as you can afford.
d. Eat to satisfaction, a huge bill is unnecessary.
e. Live comfortably, sleep close to the ground. Don’t break your neck from falling off your bunker.
No be every life battle dey inevitable.
- Need the least. Oh, simplify your life.
a. Get to a point where you don’t miss your salary not because you have excess but because you need little.
b. Always be prepared to walk away with your life. Never become desperate to die there.
c. Be worth your weight in gold — in investments, life savings, and emergency funds.
d. Be an asset that is needed even when hated.
e. Be the àwòdì, a-jẹ’un-èpè-sanra — or not — whether they think you will go far or not…
No be only Tribulation dey trim.
- Know God. Know whom you have believed.
a. Understand all your faith teaches so you are not tossed about by every wave of doctrine but can in fact rightly divide the Word of Truth.
b. My favourite Scripture has become Proverbs 8¹³: To fear the LORD is to hate evil.
c. You cannot hate evil without knowing God lest the forces of darkness gang up on you to deal with you; Yeshua we know, Paul we know, but who are you?!
d. Let evil recognise you enough to flee. Lies should not thrive wherever you are because you embody the Word of Truth! Stealing should not be comfortable in your presence.
e. Command the respect of your colleagues, let your integrity be known to all.
Maranatha! We are in the Days of Noah!
ADELEYE AO
24 Dec 2024
In planning for your absence ask yourself,
- every morning: if I can no longer work, how will I survive?
- every evening: if I don’t wake tomorrow, how will my dependants survive?
- every weekend: DOES the leader of my religion promise to come back for me and take me to the Almighty when I leave this world?
- every month end: am I ready to meet my Maker?
- every year end: have I done enough for my community this year to deserve lifting up if I stumble?
There is still time to plan for the new year.
Happy New Year in advance.
No be only Preacher dey urge NYR!
