Being at ease with your decisions

As I was finishing up an article I just posted in my “Why I Do What I Do” section, titled “Little Black Boy Back of the Class”, this proverb presented itself to me:

“When you agree to walk with a child, you agree to walk slowly.”

It didn’t have anything to do with the article that I was writing but it popped into my head anyway. This is another one of those occasions where I don’t know where or when I heard or read the proverb, but here it is, making itself known to me like an old friend returning for a visit.

I like to think that this proverb has more to do with being at ease with the decisions we make. Its’ literal translation sounds nice but the truth lies somewhere deeper. For example, how often have we, consciously, involved ourselves in a project, relationship or venture while knowing full well that others involved are not fully prepared or equipped to match our level of commitment? It’s the old story of the cat that volunteered his time to teach rabbits to hunt mice and was upset when they showed no interest.

We know things in advance but still venture down the path of the inevitable anyway. We have agreed to walk with children but get frustrated when they don’t perform to our adult standards. I’m obviously speaking euphemistically here but I’m sure you all get me.

“Dooni dooni kononi bè nyaga da.”