The Outer Reaches of Inner Space

"Káa tó dé ibi tí à ńlọ, a lè kọ́kọ́ dé ibi tí a ò fẹ́" A person may have to get to where he'd rather not be before reaching his destination. The journey of life - Ijo l'aiye - is all about transformation, which usually includes a considerable amount of pain and discomfort. Not that all pain equals transformation. In fact, too many times, we prolong our pain simply by being immature or downright stubborn. But there is another kind of pain, however, that every traveller must endure in order to become a higher version of himself. I remember the first time I lived abroad; the homesickness was out of this world! The intense longing for ANYTHING familiar made my life seem unbearable. I did NOT want to be in that space at all. But I had to endure that discomfort, with no clear indication of when it would subside, in order to become a more global citizen. Now, as I travel the outer reaches of inner space, I often find myself in places where I would rather not be. All of my frailties, weaknesses, inconsistencies frighten and intimidate me. They are the most fierce ajogun* in the universe! I sometimes lack the courage, discipline and wisdom to confront them but alas, as the years become decades, I discover how patient my internal ajogun really are. They will wait a lifetime!!! And so, transformation remains impossible as long as I refuse to stand firm and face my demons. The challenge is to face them with loving care and total confidence in my destiny. No matter how difficult your life may be TODAY, know that this is but one stop on the road of transformation. A higher version of yourself awaits you. Let the journey continue. Live the Medicine. 

Obafemi Origunwa, MA | www.ObafemiO.com

* ajogun = forces of spiritual adversity