RUNNING BEHIND

‘You can run quicker than an old man but for his wisdom and words, you are behind’

After spending some time to learn how to crawl, stand and walk; many children are usually eager to step to the next level (i.e. the level where they can run freely without any natural limitation). In most cases, when children run, they run beyond control, many of them are not even afraid of falling (even if they fall frequently). Whenever children run, they move speedily, staggering, feeling very happy and free.

When a young athlete runs, many things are involved. The zeal, strength, enthusiasm, speed and determination to run are the natural features that motivate a young athlete. There are practically few things that can hinder a young athlete from running.

When comparing the zeal, strength, and burning passion of little children or young persons with the old folks, we could be tempted to conclude that old people are too lazy to run. Yes, they may be lazy to run because at their age, they are expected to have little or no zeal, strength, enthusiasm, speed and determination to run. But in the actual sense, old people can literarily run faster than little children or young folks based on their wealth of experience while running in their youthful days, their wisdom and words of advice. Instead of running, the old folks prefer to sit back and reflect. While reflecting, they determine how far a young person can go in any race.

Also in life, like the little children and the young athletes, there are several things that motivate us to run faster or quicker than our elders. Your physical strength, your education, your exposure, your skills, your technological or scientific knowledge, your creative ideas and your burning passion to excel in whatever you do are the natural features that motivate you to run faster than the elders.

No matter how good or proficient you are in whatever you choose to do today, you can never be more proficient than your elders. They may not have the physical strength to challenge you; their wealth of experience in life will always speak for them. Some elders may not even be involved in what you do, but while growing up, they might have encountered people with similar or common interest with you. So, when you listen to them, you will definitely run quicker in life.

As from today, never hesitate to respect the words of the elders (some may be senseless to you now, you will make sense out of them as you grow older). Always consider the opinion or advice of the elders before you start running with your best ideas in life. Remember, you can run quicker than an old man but for his wisdom and words, you are behind. May you run and never stagger or stumble in life.

Don't start your day without a word from the ancestors...remember, a word is enough for the wise. Sign up with us for a daily feed. Follow @our_ancestors on twitter or email: wordsofourancestors@gmail.com. May your days be plenty!