A Rolling Stone Gather No Moss – Oyekeye Samuel

A Rolling Stone Gather No Moss - Oyekeye Samuel

A popular saying goes; ‘’a rolling stone gathers no moss’’, the logic behind this rather simple saying is the fact that when a rock (indeed, anything at all) remains in motion, it is impossible for any detritus to attach to it, only objects in stasis can be overrun by ruin. In the same vein, when a person is steady at whatever work they find to do, they ultimately become skilled at it; and there is no surer route to success.

 

A person consistent in work; garners experience, discovers defects, tries to remove them, and ultimately improves at work, the same cannot be said of a person who flits from job to job, very much like the proverbial ‘’Jack of all trades’’ who nevertheless, remains ‘master of none’.

 

While there’s a place for luster and sheen in the execution of everyday business; that is, even in the recognition of the aphorism that variety is the spice of life, the place of certainty and consistence is no less important when one considers the adverse effects incessant change of goal, business, or object of pursuit has on one’s effectiveness and even pecuniary growth.

 

Although versatility is one of the hallmarks of human evolution over the years, it is important to draw a distinction between versatility and inconsistency, whereas with the former you find a person devoting a sizeable amount of time and attention to the learning and perfection of an individual, or even simultaneous business(es), with the latter, you find a person barely scratching the surface of one profession, only to divert an undue amount of attention to the scratching of the surface of yet another. The one provides a person who can quite effectually execute a number of businesses, while the other only turns out a person who has a vague idea of what several ventures are about, and yet another saying goes; ‘’a little knowledge is a dangerous thing’’.

 

To bring home the reality of this subject matter, it would not be a bad idea to consider the situation in which many Nigerians in Diaspora find themselves. While the pursuit of greener pastures is not (in and of itself) a bad thing, you quite sadly find that the driving force behind a lot of migration is greed, and not development; and so you find Nigerians moving from shore to shore, doing unprintable jobs, which only too often make for unjustifiable funds, unstable lifestyles, and certainly unproductive membership of society. And so you find diverse manifestations of rejection from the host society; most poignant, is the rave of xenophobic attacks in neighboring African countries.

 

With the goal of acquiring illicit wealth, you find hordes of Nigerians throwing their lives away; travelling through deserts, crossing the Mediterranean by canoe and whatnot. They say arduous roads lead to beautiful places, yes, but at what point does the price become too high?

 

One has to ask if the Nigerians resident in Nigeria are living so much of a meaningless life that death and an unmarked grave constitute a more viable option. Right here in Nigeria, success stories abound, and these are not merely stories. One has to ask what amounts to success, for if success can at all be described as physical and mental well-being, with room for progressive growth and development, this country still offers ample opportunity for success, for if one translates the level of courage and doggedness people put into trying unhealthy avenues for wealth, into consistent, honest work in Nigeria, one will inevitably acquire adequate sustenance, with no cap on growth.

 

Not to digress and lose sight of the focal point of this piece, I must stress that, although ‘change is the only constant thing in life’, one must be careful to encourage only progressive change, and not wanton flickering with no conceivable direction. Even in children (who are perhaps the most adaptable set of humans), a change in school (unless thought through and progressively made) can stunt a child’s academic and socio-transitional development.

 

In conclusion, this writer must remind you that Rome really was not built in a day, and it is purportedly the law of Heaven and Earth that one reaps where one sows. Where one has planted consistency and dedication in honesty, the inevitable bounty is success, however bleak the horizon might appear to be. To this extent, one must, in making a career choice, exercise utmost prudence. One must endeavor to strike a balance between the pursuit of one’s dreams and practical realities. Ask yourself; ‘can I commit to this endeavor? Not just today, but tomorrow, and all the other tomorrows that come after, can I grow in this?’ there are no exhaustive questions, but the principle is clear; find what works for you, and when you do, work hard at it.

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One thought on “A Rolling Stone Gather No Moss – Oyekeye Samuel

  1. Good day,
    This is a nice article. I’m sending this message out of curiosity. The name attached to the title of this article is actually what drew my attention because it’s my name lol. Just wanted to know if maybe you know someone else that bears it becasue that’s very rare.

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