“Don’t get discouraged.”
“Stay focused and find ways to follow your passion. Eventually it will all make sense.”
This is what Yoruba language expert, Oloye Aikula Iwindara, was saying in a recent FB live talk we had last month.
If you missed our chat, you can check it out here:
Oloye Aikula, was sharing tips for learning the ancient Yoruba language — which is spoken in Southwest Nigeria as well as Benin and other countries.
He amazes me because he’s one of the few people in my spiritual tradition that speaks Yoruba fluently. It’s quite an accomplishment. Oloye Aikula is also an Ifa priest, or babalawo. Some of the wisdom he shared is universal and can be applied to anything you wish to accomplish.
“You must follow what adds fire to your flames,” Oloye says.
I was blessed to meet Oloye in person late last year when I had an opportunity to travel to Florida. Because I also speak Yoruba, it was special to be able to converse with someone who is fluent in one of the languages of our ancestors. Oloye
I’ll never forget that moment — It was spiritually uplifting and rewarding.
Over the years, I’ve discovered that language is more than stringing words and sentences together — it’s also about cultural and spiritual identity. And it’s also about personal growth.
Oloye’s journey to learning Yoruba hasn’t been easy. He’s spent years studying Yoruba in the U.S. as well as in Nigeria. “Language acquisition takes years,” he says.
“Don’t be afraid of making mistakes when learning a language,” he adds. “Be open to criticism. Put your ego aside. Revert back to childhood. Stick with it — even if it’s tedious.”
Don’t quench the fire…
I’ve made a commitment to go deeper into language studies. But even if you’re not interested in languages, you can definitely apply some of the nuggets we shared to your life and other things you wish to explore and eventually master.
So much is possible for you. Another world awaits you.
Here’s the thing, most people give up too soon and way too easily.
At the first sign of adversity, many people quit.
Don’t be the person that quits Be the person that keeps going. Be the person who leaves a legacy others aspire to follow. Your blessing is right around the corner.
This is all for now. Respond to this email and I will write you back asap. Would love to hear your thoughts.
I welcome your comments. Wishing you a great day and week.
Until we speak again, all my love.
James Weeks
P.S. Also, please subscribe to my new You Tube Channel. I will be interviewing healers, spiritual coaches, authors and finance professionals, and I don’t want you to miss out. Here’s the link: James Weeks You Tube Channel.
P.S.S. Still available for spiritual readings: here’s the link: Spiritual Readings. My book, Meditations Across the King’s River is available at this link. Order Book Here.