The elders consulted Ifa and warned him not travel to California. He came anyway, all the way from Nigeria, leaving a wife and two young children behind, hoping to find a job here when millions of other Americans cannot.
I also told him he shouldn’t come. The recession is ugly, I told him repeatedly. Even well-educated folks are struggling, I argued. Then I sent him news articles about the U.S. economy to prove my point. It was a waste of my time.
These days my friend is in a deep depression. Not surprisingly, he hasn’t found any work since he arrived two months ago and he misses his family tremendously. “I’m lonely and miserable,” he confessed.
He’s going back to Nigeria in January. “I learned my lesson,” he said.
I bet he has. When the Ifa oracle gives you advice it’s best to listen the first time. One of the very first Yoruba proverbs I learned says: “it’s better to listen than to offer sacrifices.” The accuracy of Ifa is amazing, but our challenge is to apply the wisdom of the orisas to our lives.
To be sure, listening to Ifa comes with unique challenges that are designed to help you grow while developing your character.
In February of 2011, I left my 19-year career at Corporate America to dedicate myself full time to this film project. I’m still awaiting funding from investors. It hasn’t been easy, and I’ve had to rely on savings just to survive. Yet, I have no doubt that leaving my job was the right thing to do, just as Ifa said. The experience has forced me to grow in many ways.
Ifa demands that we listen, but the spiritual journey also requires us to step boldly into the unknown at times knowing that the universe and the ancestors have our backs. Even if you can’t afford Ifa consultation, spiritual guidance is always available via your intuition or Ori. Trust it, develop it – it’s free.
What is your intuition telling you right now? Where is it leading you? Who is it taking you to? Who is it leading you away from? What is it saying your next step should be? Are you awake? Are you listening?
Blessings