The Wisdom Table

Today's episode is a collation of many stories I've told. Yesterday, I shared insights on the quiet life, and today, I'm sharing about the audacious life. The truth is, we all need that level of audacity to reach our full potential. As a storyteller, I've grown to communicate better with stories, and I've noticed that my life has been a series of shifts, each one bringing new challenges and opportunities. For those who've been following my journey, you'll know that I serve in the choir in my local church, and I've moved locations a few times. And with each move, something shifted. Three points I'd like to highlight: what is the story, and what's the relation to audacity? So, when I was in Ibadan, I mentioned that I had a bit of esteem issues in churches because I had a level of pride, and when I saw the wisdom and creativity in others, I doubted all I knew. This made me really quiet in my department, I doubted my skills, I doubted when I had idea...

It's great to be quiet, so I've heard. I've come to realize that being quiet is a double-edged sword - it can be a powerful tool or a hindrance, depending on how you wield it. There are times when being quiet is the charm, when it's the key to unlocking valuable insights and learning from others. I recall a time when a colleague told me, "Try to listen first." Ooh, the shock! I thought I was quiet enough, I thought I was giving others space to speak, but boy, was I wrong! It wasn't until someone else pointed it out that I realized I'd been stealing from myself, missing out on valuable information and insights because I couldn't master the art of being quiet. On the flip side, being too quiet can be just as detrimental. When I moved to a new environment, I was so quiet that people mistook me for being shy. But the truth was, I was just learning to observe, afraid to speak up and be vulnerable. My father always said, "You know the depth of a per...

I remember sharing on my journey series that I moved a lot in a short while. Moving really changes you and prepares you to face headlong challenges. Now, I don't mean moving location alone, I mean even changing the arrangement of your room, changing your style of dressing, moving or changing jobs, moving to a more challenging task... The way the corporate world is designed, it's like a ladder, you know? It's designed for you to rise through the ranks, to be promoted, to take on bigger responsibilities. But here's the thing, it takes a while for many to make that move. Personally, I might have changed locations, but my mind takes a while to follow after. It's like I'm stuck in neutral, while the world is moving in overdrive. But that's exactly why I'm sharing this "Moving Life" write up- to encourage you to take that step, to challenge you to do what you've been fearing, to motivate you that there's something much better on the other sid...

The plain truth is, the weight will keep increasing. Let's look at it like a weightlifter: an average individual wouldn't carry the weight of a champion, and the weight of a champion would crush an average person if they tried. On the other hand, a champion would consider lifting a beginner's weight an insult, because as strength expands, so does the availability of power to do more. But there's a limit. A champion can believe they can carry all sorts of weight, but there's an inbuilt power that, once expanded beyond a certain point, can lead to bone malfunction or even a bone shift. It's a reminder that even the strongest among us have boundaries. Let's bring it home: every individual is structured to lift something, no matter how small. As a child grows, there's an age bracket where they begin to do certain things - so everyone is built to lift something. Inability to do that would require a worried parent to take measures to ensure their child passes ...

We've all been there - when things don't go as planned, and our confidence takes a hit.  For me, it was a day at work when I was asked about a transaction, and I thought I explained it well, but my communication fell on deaf ears. I was so sure I had nailed it, but my explanation was shallow, and I realized that I hadn't communicated the back end of the transaction as clearly as I thought.  The pain of realizing my mistake was like a punch to the gut, and I found myself questioning everything I knew.  Why didn't I clarify?  Why didn't I ask for more information? It's funny how our minds work, isn't it? When someone questions our intelligence or expertise, it's natural to feel defensive. We want to prove ourselves, to show that we're right, and that we're worthy of respect. But in that moment, I realized that my defensiveness was not only hurting me, but it was also closing me off to learning and growth. Many confident and knowledgeable people str...

We often forget that our minds are powerful tools that can shape our reality. I've experienced it firsthand - you get there in your mind before your body gets there. For me, it was a game-changer. When I was in Ibadan, struggling to find my footing, I'd often find myself wondering why success seemed elusive despite my capabilities. I'd cry, asking myself, "What's blocking my pathway?" Part of it was legitimate; I hadn't quite found my groove yet. But that changed when my Pastor's words hit home: I needed to harness my mind's potential. I started paying keen attention to my imagination, crafting mental pictures of success, and visualizing myself in strategic places my heart yearned for. The drive and push came when I used those mental pictures as a template to run with. It felt electrifying to see my aspirations unfold in my mind's eye. Here's the thing: your mind is an internal processor that churns out meaningful journeys. So: - Mentally c...

 We often live our lives thinking there's luxury of time left, that there's always tomorrow, next week, or next year. But let me paint a scenario:  when you were in school, knowing you'd be rounding off in the next 4-5 years, many wait till their final class before preparing for the outside world. Some don't even bother till the opportunity knocks, and suddenly they're left scrambling, wondering where the time went. A personal story: when I entered senior class, my mom told me I'd write GCE in SS1. "What?!" I thought. I barely understood basic science, and now I had to prepare for an exam three times higher than my current level.  But my mom wasn't having it; she was convinced I'd rise to the challenge. So, I did it. I wrote the exam, and my result wasn't great, but I learnt something valuable: despite failing majority of the exams in SS1, I had a better gut that wouldn't fail when the time came in SS3 - and I passed all my papers. The ...

We've heard countless times to have a structured life, to focus on what truly matters, to be intentional, and to contribute to our growth because it would pay off. But sadly, we find ourselves absently scrolling through multiple videos on social media, and the guilt kicks in.  But guess what, the cycle continues in a few more minutes, and it becomes a daily pattern of drifting away and coming back. I say this because I can relate. So what can you do differently? Sometimes, you need structures to help maintain your set structures .  1. Set an hourly alarm: Study it yourself - sometimes we unconsciously scroll reels for about an hour without stopping. So an alarm would jumpstart you to go back. Think about it, an hour is a long time to waste scrolling, and a short time to achieve something meaningful. 2. Have a mental picture: Nothing beats you mentally flogging yourself back to order. We all need discipline, but one that would wake you faster is you. Tell yourself, you are wast...

Lately, I found out that I converse and communicate better with stories. But the thing is, I was not so great in it. I remember clearly in SS1, my final cumulation score in English for that session was a bold red fail, and I remember my mom praying I won't repeat the class if I continue 😅. But I later found that I was exceptionally good in writing and crafting great story lines, and people ask, "How do you do it?"  Guess what - I don't know!  I will say I just was intentional about growing. Here's what I did: - I read a lot of novels to learn from others - I listened to people speak and communicate to pick up skills - I mentally saw myself speaking to an audience to practice - I fought mentally that I needed to be better and put in the work And of course, the greatest factor of all - God, who uses the foolish things of the world to confound the wise (1 Corinthians 1:27). Lessons: - Fight for your growth: Your potentials are harnessed when you put in the work - Br...

 Sincerely, there is always a phase where you're second-guessing what you're called to do - the outcomes you have, the future, the decisions, the job you're doing, even the posts you make, whether they're of value or not. It's like being stuck in a loop, wondering if you're on the right path. I personally believe that this phase would be passed through, irrespective of your achievements. The question is, how do you navigate it? You focus on your assignment, that's what matters. Because here's the thing: you have an assignment, even if circumstances might want to derail you from that path. You have to remember that you have a role to play . This is a message to us all - to jumpstart you from that cage of uncertainty,  that there is work to do, and we cannot afford to play the game of chance.