Jara Philosophy

Jara Philosophy

Hot off the mountain comes the sermon in Matthew 5 verse 41

 If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.

My thoughts today are on going the extra mile. Pushing for more than ‘just enough’. I remember going to the market with my mum to buy food stuffs. She would agree a price, be given the wares but rather than be on our way, she would pause and ask for ‘fisi’. Fisi being the Yoruba word for ‘add to it’. The seller would then express surprise at this request for she was selling ‘at a loss’ already. The whole good natured banter bored me silly for I hated shopping (still do) and I am a firm believer in ‘Just Pay and leave the shop’ school of thought. But some folks always want more, sometimes because they really need more and at other times because they are just plain greedy. Christian teaching appears to suggest that both groups of people should be accommodated (and I am a Christian).

Those in need

This is the easy group to deal with. The need is usually obvious and if there is means to help then one should really help. We all remember the story of Oliver Twist from the Novel of the same name published in 1838. His meagre rations made him ask for more food and all hell broke loose.

Those in greed

Still on Charles Dickens we recall Oliver Twist again but this time as interpreted by Nigerian artist Dbanj.  In the song- Oliver Twist he sings about a desire and love for Nigeria’s most glamorous women on the grounds of being ‘just an Oliver’. Such ‘Olivers’ are the type who greet you with ‘anything for your boys’ for they have sized up your clothes and wrist watch then assumed you have money to ‘dash’ them.  They are the ones who believe they own inalienable rights to your wind fall.

These people have some money but they want more. They have girlfriends and wives but want more.  These people who want extra prey on their victims. They choose those susceptible to having their egos massaged with greets such as ‘biggest bros’ or those who might be soft enough to believe a good sob story. Having a reputation for being kind hearted thus would make you top on the ‘mugun list’. Now there is nothing wrong with being kind hearted or compassionate, however generosity has both rewards and untoward effects.

How would this world operate without people not going out on a limb for others through charity work, donations, advocacy for the voice less and good old financial help to those in difficulty. I suspect that if people stop giving out of the kindness of their hearts those things that are not expected of them for just 1 week, the world as we know it will cease. At every given time in every society, a percentage of people would be helpless. I have been helpless and dependent more than once in the past despite being educated and being in constant work for many years.

 

Personal Matters

Individuals decide if they want to push themselves harder when ambition demands of them going that extra mile. Waking earlier, sleeping latter, watching less TV, doing more exercise, reading more books, paying for classes, the list goes on. Some people do just the bare minimum to stay alive which is take 14 breathes a minute and drink 1.5 litre of fluids a day while others push themselves to the max daily. Everyone to his own; just be happy with your choices.

However, looking at role models one is always struck with how much they pushed themselves beyond the normal call of duty. That applies to every field. Incredible results usually are birth from incredible hustle. Take Winston Churchill for instance. He developed chest pains while staying over in the White House in December 1941 and his physician Dr Wilson (not me, I was attending to other matters at the time) diagnosed a Heart attack. The next day Winston Churchill kept on working. A case of ‘Get Victory or die trying’. The great push themselves to cover more ground. The mediocre take it easy and adjust their speed so that they just about make the one mile mark when it is legally ok to sign off.

 Those who do just what is required spit out these phrases, ‘do you best and leave the rest, Rome was not built in a day or Naija favourites,’ body no bi firework’,’ na who send me message?’ and ‘Man no fit die for government work’.  These are the ones who struggle with a quarter mile talk less or going an extra mile.

We all like people who hang around us to give us an emotional fisi, or financial fisi. Extra miles from friends are pleasurable to receive so it must be a good thing. Being the one going the extra mile for others is the hard job. Yet it appears to be the honourable thing to do. The philosophy of fisi is good. I will hereby go the extra mile and give you another word for fisi. And that my friends is Jara. Always give something extra in all your interactions. Don’t be worried about being called too keen or overzealous (effico). Just keep on giving 200%

Acts 20:35 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'

 

Babawilly

Dr Wilson Orhiunu

 

18-8-2014