There are moments when you find yourself asking the hard questions.
Why does it seem like some people find the right path effortlessly, while you’re left trying, failing, and starting again? Why do some locate the right “well” to dig almost immediately, while you keep digging and hitting dry earth?
In those quiet spaces, comparison creeps in. Doubt settles. And slowly, you begin to believe you are behind. But the truth is simpler and kinder: You are not behind. You are just in a different season.
Life do not go on a straight line; it is a cycle. Some seasons are designed to stretch you, drill you deep into wisdom, and test your roots. Others are for gathering, reward, and visible harvest. What truly matters isn’t rushing the clock, but learning the specific lesson that your current season was sent to teach you.
In Yoruba philosophy, life is understood through the symbolic movement of the day: Àárọ̀ (Morning), Ọ̀sán (Afternoon), and Ìrọ̀lẹ́ (Evening). These aren’t just hours on a clock; they are stages of life and becoming.
Morning (The Season of Self-Discovery): This is the stage of awakening and preparation. It’s often uncomfortable because it’s filled with questions: *Who am I? What am I meant to do? It’s a time of inner searching that prioritizes clarity over speed and identity before achievement.
Afternoon (The Season of Persistence): This is where effort meets reality. It is the season of trying, failing, adjusting, and trying again. Many people feel “stuck” here because the work is hard but the results aren’t yet visible. This season isn’t about the harvest; it’s about building the endurance and discipline required to handle it.
Evening (The Season of Gathering and Refinement):For some, this is a visible harvest. For others, it’s a time of continued labor but with greater wisdom and structure. It is the moment where the “why” of the morning and the “how” of the afternoon finally clicks into place.
Transitioning between these phases often feels like a delay. But delay is not the same as stagnation.
Progress isn’t just the big launch or the new title; it is found in the quiet lessons, the small steady steps, and the character built when no one is watching. In the Christian faith, we are reminded that “weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” It’s a promise that darkness is a temporary bridge, not a destination.
A popular Man of God once said, “God did not bring you this far to dump you.” What feels like a setback is often deep preparation. What feels like silence is often preservation.
So, keep pushing. Keep believing. Keep showing up. Even when the ground feels dry and the “well” seems far off, you are moving forward. You aren’t behind. You are right where growth is happening.
