Move Your Feet

“When a way is long you shorten it with your feet, not with a hatchet.” (Oji)

Take your time. The struggles we have seem insurmountable, but it is patience that helps us get through them. Sometimes when we try to force it, we make things worse. Sometimes a shortcut is a mistake. Sometimes going through is the only way to strengthen ourselves and our character.

Right now, I am actively looking for employment. I expected it would be an easy task—the news constantly screams worker shortage—but nothing has really panned out for me. A few weeks ago, I saw an opportunity to freelance as an editor for people’s dissertations. I interviewed, they liked me, and hired me to begin the next day. I was thrilled. The next day, something felt terribly wrong—the company administrator felt shady—but I needed the job and ignored my instincts. Sure enough, it wasn’t an editing position, I would be writing people’s entire dissertations for them. For pennies. I quit by the end of the week and never was paid for that week. My lesson? Stop rushing and looking for something quick and wait for something right. I was using a hatchet when I should’ve used my feet.

Things take time. My ancestors have my back and a true opportunity will come. In the meanwhile, I will write and improve myself until it does. The same can be said for relationships. Keep walking the path and stop forcing things.