Hard Work Never Kills

A Yoruba Proverb says "Ohun tí a kò bá jìyà fún, ṣe kí í lé t'ójó. Ohun tí a bá fi ara ṣíṣe fún ní í pẹ́ lọ́wọ́ ẹni". Meaning, what we do not go an extra mile to get slips through the fingers easily. It is those things which we toil for that lasts and serves us well.

In my formative years in Yorubaland, we had the opportunity of learning from the wisdom of the elders and our school teachers in those days saw to it that work culture and sound philosophies were well imparted. How each took to the teaching was another matter entirely. But the raw teachings were there for all.

In my high school days, I had what I then thought was a misfortune of attending a school where the head was a disciplinarian to the core. He made sure we, so to say, "worked our fingers to the bones". These teachings and training changed my life forever. Whatever I have ever had in this life since then, I earnestly worked for. And looking back now, I thank whatever gods may be that made me pass through such stages. For I can confidently say I worked for every penny I ever had and I am proud of every achievements I've ever made. They are all from my sweat.

I know that whichever position I am in today is transitionary. Never think you have achieved. Never think you have "arrived". You can always be better than what you are. To stop being ambitious is to stop being alive. To stop growing means one is dead. There always is a greener pasture just beyond the horizon. Reach for the stars and you will ever be better for it.

Hard work never kills. It can only make us better.