Esu Multiplies Olokun's Prosperity

Oyeku called Okanran to travel together 
Oyeku said Okanran should follow him on a journey 
Okanran asked: what will we eat there? 
Oyeku exclaimed: Whoa! Me that invited you on a journey! 
 Won't I find you something to eat? 
Right before the journey began 
Oyeku inquired about the trip 
 Ifa asked Oyeku to perform an offering 
 So the person accompanying Oyeku on the journey 
Does not eat more than Oyeku 
Oyeku heard about the offering and performed it 
When they reached their destination 
Oyeku took Okanran to Olokun's house 
Where they saw tons of money 
Oyeku told Okanran that the riches were Olokun's gift to visitors 
Oyeku asked Okanran to gather as much as he could carry 
But instead of Okanran saying: 
Weren't you the one that brought me here? 
Give me whatever amount you deem me worthy 
Okanran ran to pack tons of money 
Okanran disregarded the small valuables 
So Oyeku packed the little ones 
This remaining sand became mountains 
When Oyeku returned home 
Esu pointed his talisman at Oyeku's money 
The money began growing until it filled the house 
Oyeku became rich through patience 
Oyeku became wealthy and popular
- Holy Odu OyekuOkanran

The Importance of manners cannot be overstated. As practitioners of Orisa Lifestyle, we are encouraged to demonstrate etiquette wherever we go. In the old days, we called it home training. Our parents and elders were constantly making note of who had home training and who didn't. Sometimes, they would speak anecdotally; "I saw little Sally at the market yesterday. She was running wild, touching everything in sight. Po' thang! No home training at all!" Other times, they would speak more directly; "I'm sorry but Timothy is NOT welcome in this house until he gets some home training." Either way, many of us grew up with a clear idea about the importance of having good manners. 

To me, it's a lot like knowing proper grammar. When you know the difference between THERE, THEY'RE and THIER, you cringe every time you hear someone use them incorrectly. And if someone's grammar is really bad, it can completely destroy the quality and impact of their message. And so it is with manners. When you know how to demonstrate simple manners - in thought, word and gesture - you are less likely to "wear out your welcome," as my mother was fond of saying. And as the verse above teaches, the ability to practice good manners can also be a key to great prosperity. 

Beyond merely saying "May I, Please and Thank you," manners also includes having an attitude of graciousness and appreciation.  Okanran was invited on a voyage but assumed that Oyeku would not be a good host, which prompted him to ask Oyeku about food. Oyeku assured Okanran that there would be plenty to eat. Then, when Oyeku went as far as to share Olokun's wealth with Okanran, the latter never thought to defer to his host and benefactor, who was responsible for Okanran being there in the first place. And so, Okanran took the lion's share, leaving only crumbs for Oyeku. Fortunately, Esu stands up for those who perform sacrifice. And so, when they returned home, Esu transformed Oyeku's crumbs into heaps of prosperity. 

Giving thanks is the first step towards receiving your next blessing. Demonstrating good manners in everything you do is an ideal way to give thanks to your ancestors, by practicing the good behaviors they have passed down from one generation to the next. In the Orisa Lifestyle Academy Member Site, you will gain access to an array of activities that cultivate good manners and help you to inculcate them in your family at the same time. Get busy today. Live the Medicine!