Man Know Thyself

The refrain above is one of the mantra more closely associated with the Greek Philosopher - Socrates- generally regarded as a pioneer of western classical thought. The teacher's admonition to know thyself is borne out of the presumption that a man that is aware of his weakness first and then his strength is a better human being. Indeed, "Socrates is famous for arguing that we must Know Thyself to be wise, that the unexamined life is not worth living". It is often said that fifty percent of your personal problems is solved when you know you have a problem.

Every New Year of my life like today, I generally have two rituals. As many of my friends will testify, I do not celebrate in any grand way. Indeed, the last time I celebrated in any grand manner on the 21st of September was my 8th birthday - many years ago. However, there are two rituals that have been an act of self discovery for the past five years. The first is that I take stock of my friends. Today is the day I generally go through my phone records, delete a bountiful number of contacts as I will do in the next two minutes, and weed out the bad influences and those ones that do not meet my minimum standards of loyalty. Loyalty has always been my number one value. A loyal friend is better than a thousand family members I think. It is just the way I have done it, and it is also an exercise in self analysis and discovery.

This leads to the second ritual- which is one of introspection, question asking and indeed perception. I often carry out a poll of someone very close to me in the past one year to find out how I fare on their friendship scale. This questionnaire is usually made up of two options which might not necessarily be antonyms. Questions like Aggressive or Passive, Submissive or domineering, sympathetic or empathetic, problem solving or critic etc. shows up. The honorable subject generally has an option of both, neither or one. The aim of this ritual is to come out of it knowing who I am based on a secondary opinion, evaluating who I can be based on the predication of my goals and will of my creator and fashion a way to be a better individual in the New Year that resumes in every year like today.

Friend, do you know thyself?

A Good Name is Better than Great Wealth

Born sometimes around 1905 in the scenic Hills of Iragba Community, in Odo-Oro Ekiti in Egbeoba Kingdom of Ikole Local Government of Ekiti State, Nigeria; Chief Michael Oluwagbemi I, the immediate past Elejofi of Odo Oro lived a good life . An hardworker by all accounts (including one that said he cultivated several acres for himself during a planting season and went ahead to do the same for his younger brother). One of five children of his mother and a father (whom he hardly talked about), he was a born leader throughout his lifetime until he passed to the great beyond in November 1995.

Grandfather worked very hard; once Osomolo (trader) with more than 5 apprentices whom dad grew up to know. He used to travel to Ibadan by feet to buy materials in the 1930s. Earlier, he was a labourer in Ile-Ife farms where he became a catholic, baptised in 1928 as Michael. He later dropped Osomolo in 1952 or so and concentrated on tobacco farming the proceed of which he used to build his upstairs: still a regal old fashioned mansion that sits atop a rising crest in Ikole today. One of the best in the town in early 1950s and still by far the most structurally sound older buildings in the area today. From the proceeds of his farming he trained his thirteen chidlren through primary and secondary education. He was a devout Catholic, business man, community leader and great family man.

A good father by all accounts, the only cross in his life was losing many children in infant which forced him to be a polygamist. A very successful and professional polygamist indeed who knew all the tricks according to my father. He later went to devote his entire life to grow cocoa which he used to train all his 13 children. Grandfather albeit was successful and respected: a man known for his generosity (sometimes called foolishly generous by dad) and great courage (speaks truth to power). He was a man of high integrity and discipline. He laid a good legacy passed down to my father: which I am following. Indeed, when people ask me today why I call myself Michael II (or if it is my "real name"), I am always quick to flaunt that I was named after Grand Pa, to whom I bear striking resemblance. Tall, cheerful and by every imagination handsome, Grand Pa left to our family a good name that I am proud of.

Thanks be to God for for his life. Baba rere ni baba wa! Sun re o! Adieu.

Aquadrenaline...sizzle with the nizzles

I am not someone given to taking to much risk; but a little bit of adrenaline rush will not spoil. However, by far the best place to get this rush is the ultimate aquatic environment. As I have said earlier, I am in love with water. As Fela talk- "water no get enemy". The most natural human environment is an aquatic environment with man, land, water, animals and air in synchronized oscillations with one another. I see nature when I see water and it puts me at peace with myself. Nothing more relaxing than a swap of clean fresh air, as you zoom across the surface of fresh clean lake water.

That was why last weekend, I went out with friends on one of those adrenaline pumping Jet ski trip. The location of interest was Just for Fun Marina on Lake Conroe, Texas. It was the ultimate boys time out. Armed with desire mixed with valor we took no prisoners as we zoomed at 35-45mph plus on water to momentary bliss and occasional sagacity. Without waxing too poetical, I must say that it was fun and couldn't have been better.

To have a peek at my Aquadrenaline voyage, hit here. By the way, How have you been? How is life today? Have you said "well done" to someone lately? What have you done for mankind lately? What are you doing next? Remember a life without hope is a life without expectation; a life without expectation is one without a future: a future undreamt of is never been given to mankind or earned by any mammal. Till next time: Peace!