Shades of Insight

06/07/2025

VC: Fr Eric Mah

03/07/2025

27/04/2025

People are often so attached to their heroes that they adopt them as their truth. They will do anything to save the hero, defending his foibles and explaining away his glaring hypocrisy. At times it is so bad they follow him right into decrepitude and get dragged in the mud.

Why is this so? A hero is a figure in the reflected light of whom you can find value and meaning. To see the fall of such a figure will mean the collapse of everything the follower has stood for for many years and made sacrifices and endured the loss of relationships. The longer they have been in the tow, the harder it is to go back because the more the emotional, social and even intellectual investments.

Nothing is harder for human beings than admitting that all along, they have followed something or someone who or which they now know is false. It is so devastating some will rather die that way instead of facing the shame of , 'I did not know it was untrue'.

What will people say? Who will believe me from the on? People will wonder if whatever I say or do afterwards is not another mistake. My sense of judgement will be questioned for ever. How will I face those who went with me and the friends I made there?

Heavy questions all, for those who truly value the truth, there are no issues at all. They will make a clean turn and begin to energetically work against a thing they once backed in error because they now know it is not the truth and it is the truth they seem.

— John Ogunlela

25/04/2025

"Ignorance make people think those that are blessed with financial riches have little or no challenges. There are many things money cannot buy, happiness is one of them.

A lot of rich people who display excessive materialism are using it to mar the deeper pains of the heart and inner struggles. Yet the relief they find is temporal. Money cannot buy happiness.

The most important thing in this life is good health, both physical and mental. If you do not believe me, take a walk to the emergency unit of any teaching hospital. Money is good but it is not the principal thing.

May we not in our riches, find ourselves in a position we would pray in desperation, that God should take away all we have, in exchange for our health or that of our loved ones. It is a stage where a man truly discovers the vanities surrounding earthly riches.

If your health is not threatened, you have one big reason to thank God despite the myriads of challenges you thought you are facing.

May everyone struggling with one health issue or the other find succour and relief. When God has decided to bless us with earthly possessions, may we find enough grace to receive good health.

Riches and good health are both ingredients to a meaningful and enjoyable life, but good health remains the principal thing."

– Femi Akinwumi

02/03/2025

"You now see why you should trust in the Lord and have something bigger than intellectual power and confidence in human institutions? Look at how the much-praised world order has vanished in a flash. Such is the fate of anything planted on just human beings. Those you call friends today may just be enemies in waiting. You have to have something far more enduring to trust and fall back upon. Someone more enduring, more reliable, more real and much more final. In the very end, "Vain is the help of man" Psalm 60:11."

– Ogunlela

09/02/2025

When I was struggling to find a job, there was this older cousin of mine who was always willing to assist. He was very successful at a tender age, working as a treasurer in one of the big oil producing companies, and was a commissioner with one of the military governors at age 27.

He was always available, giving me referrals to banks and all manners of introductions. I could go see him in the house or in the office, and he would make calls and gave notes. I got to attend many interviews through his introductions, but none resulted into a job, until I finally secured one.

He didn’t believe in handouts, I wouldn’t be leaving and he would give some freebies for my transportation. But when I’m leaving he would always encourage me by saying ‘orí á bá e sé’.

‘Ori’ meaning ‘head’ is a yoruba metaphysical concept of destiny, choices made in the pre-life and fate.

His short and kind words would be so soothing and calming, giving me hope, that if a man so successful, could give me such reassurances, I would find a breakthrough. His words more valuable than the freebies I desperately needed at the time.

He later got an international cross posting, and moved to North America.

This was over 30 years ago. Reflecting with nostalgia, I couldn’t but share the sentiments of my older cousin, that there is a place of destiny in a man’s life.

Maybe, by prayers, maybe by providence, there seems to be some supernatural powers that could propel a man beyond his natural abilities and efforts.

To those experiencing one challenge or the other, in any area of life, may your Ori comes through for you.

– Femi Akinwumi

21/01/2025

You know, I think we can learn a lot about people both from how they treat others and how they treat their loved ones. On one hand, seeing how someone treats their loved ones can be really telling. I mean, it's easy to put on a good face for strangers or acquaintances, but when it comes to the people closest to them, that's when their true colors start to show.

But at the same time, I also think it's imperative to pay attention to how people treat others, especially those who can't do anything for them. You know, the people who are just being kind without expecting anything in return. That's when you see someone's genuine character shine through. For me, it's about finding that balance. We can learn a lot from both spectrums, and it's not always one or the other.

Video Credit: Esther Perel

21/01/2025

The absence of proof is not proof of absence. The existence of God is one of life's biggest questions, and I don't think we'll ever have a definitive answer. I think we're all just trying to figure it out. We don't have all the answers, and that's okay. But that's what makes it so intriguing. We're all on this journey together, trying to figure out what we believe and why. And that's what makes life so beautiful – the search, the questioning, the exploring.

16/09/2024

Sometimes, a particular area of your life comes under siege. It could be your finance, health, marriage or business.

It would appear as if some principalities and powers have conspired to bring you down. As you overcome one, another one springs up, and you are completely overwhelmed. Why is it only me? But this is common to man, it is not only you.

All you need do is to stay calm, be resolute in your mind that you will overcome. Good to pray if you believe in spirituality, it is positive when you believe there is a higher power who can lift your burdens, it is highly therapeutic, medical science has proved the efficacy of such beliefs.

Even if you are an atheist and don’t believe in God, your resoluteness that you will overcome your travails can spur you on to scale through.

One after the other, your travails will be lifted when you believe.

You must keep on believing, and keep on walking. What you fear most hardly overcome you when you believe.

In you lies an uncommon resilience to conquer and be victorious.

Remember, tough times don't last forever, but tough people do.

Selah.

- Femi Akinwumi

22/08/2024

"Strange is our situation here upon earth. Each of us comes for a short visit, not knowing why, yet sometimes seeming to divine a purpose ... There is one thing we do know: that man is here for the sake of other men ... upon whose well-being our own happiness depends." - Albert Einstein