I have been busy, and really in all places: mentally and physically. Do I miss writing to you? Oh yes! I missed all those times I dropped emails in your inbox. Even though I want to scream, "I'm back!" Well—I think I can just say, hello Dear Friend ♡
I cannot believe that I have only written to you twice this year! I am constantly screaming—wow. The truth is, it's been a topsy-turvy period in these past months, and in the coming ones, I am envisioning softness as well as high-paying jobs. Amen?
The thought of writing this mail was eating me up so much this morning after I witnessed something alongside some effects I have seen to be peculiar—perhaps to Nigerians.
I recently came to Èkìtì and I happened to supervise a poultry farm with over 300 chickens. While feeding them this morning, I noticed a scenario:
As I poured into one of the racks, the caged chickens began to eat. Then, one, who is not caged joined them. Immediately, the caged one began to attack the outsider that joined them. I felt sorry for the outsider so I poured food inside a bowl and placed it in its front. This fellow looked at the bowl, ate a bit, and joined those who attacking it. All my attempts to divert its attention to eating separately seem to be futile, so I just left my fellow alone to be attacked since it enjoyed it.
While the chicken scenario may seem funny, I think it's just quintessential of how some of us are in real life. Some of us often find ourselves diverting from our lane and following others in their journey, taking their insults and embarrassments on ourselves, all because we want to "walk with men," not minding how our self-worth is being terribly stripped.
This scenario reminded me of some of the embarrassing periods in my life when I ended up trading my self-worth for friendship, which set me up as an object of laughter.
The question is, Are you an outsider chicken?
I will not be giving you one or two motivational thingy, not because they are overly used or boring, but because I prefer that you pick your lessons from them yourself.
Nevertheless, embrace your difference and walk it with pride. Take note of opportunities and yield to corrections.
No be all your plans get sense, sometimes if people dey tell you say you no dey among, you no dey!
Over the past months, I have been doing deep-dive research, trying to uncover so many issues that we often face in our daily lives and conceptualise them with various day-to-day terms we often say/engage with.
The Concepts
ATM Queue Effect
Being unique is hard. It takes guts to be different, which is why people will rather join others to do the popular thing than stay eccentric. However, sometimes, being unique does not mean you are making sense.
Groceries Effect
It is easier to become an object of ridicule when you try to become like others. Rather than copying others' lifestyles totally, employ David Kord Murray's theory of Borrowing brilliance, which is stated in his book, Borrowing Brilliance: The Six Steps to Business Innovation by Building on the Ideas of Others.
Na Boss I be Principle
In Professor Saheed Aderinto's words (briefly put), "the true worth of self lies in the entirety of your being without the titles and beautification attached to yourself." It is easier to quickly state our position and titles to others in order to think that is where our worth lies, while the opposite is the case.
Idán Effect
In order to gain more prominence, be mysterious. People respect those who are less visible; hence, reaching the Idán apex. This effect is properly dissected in one of the rules of Robert Greene’s popular book, 48 Laws of Power.
Gumbody Principle
Similar to the ATM Queue Effect. Problems attract problems, and a fellow unfortunate person loves to roll with people with similar issues. Having a clique is easier, than staying alone. Collective punishments are always preferable.
I do hope you enjoy yourselves while reading this newsletter, as I've enjoyed writing it as I travelled to and from Adó-Èkìtì—Òmùò-Èkìtì.
Books I am Currently Reading
Ìṣarà-Wọlé Sóyinká
Meditation-Marcus Aurelius
Movies I am currently watching
Game of Thrones.