One of the most treasured items in my home is a piece of artwork from a journey to Ghana. It is a bird with its head turned backwards and represents Sankofa. It is also represented as a stylised heart shape. Sankofa is a word in the Twi language of Ghana that translates as “Go back and get it” (san – to return; ko – to go; fa – to fetch, to seek and take) It is often associated with the proverb, “Se wo were fi na wosankofa a yenkyi,” which translates as: “It is not wrong to go back for that which you have forgotten.” It is a timely symbol and reminder of the importance of knowing the past to understand our future.
“To go back to your roots is to take the first step forward. For it is in the past we find the path that leads to the present. And from the present we move on to the future.”
This is dedicated to our elders and our ancestors who paved the way for us. Their stories are our treasures.
I always say that our elders are living libraries filled with shelves of wisdom and volumes of experience. They are priceless treasures. Take the time to visit your local living libraries while they are open. Once the doors close, they are irreplaceable.” Sheila P. Spencer
Several years ago, I interviewed Melvia Fields, an 82 year old woman for wisdom for a history project. For two days, the videographer and I listened, laughed and learned in the presence of an amazing woman. As I listened to her share from her heart, I realized that my African American was sharing gems.
I began writing this article in one of my numerous journals. As I opened up the journal, I discovered more gems. There were notes from a conversation that my cousin and I had with our late great aunt several years ago.
Words of Wisdom from our Great Aunt Juanita Houston
– “Take care of your temple – physically, spiritually and emotionally. “
Our great aunt was slim, trim and healthy. She encouraged us that it was important to take care of our complete body. She adhered to her regular schedule and consistency was a strength.
Exercise daily in God—no spiritual flabbiness, please! Workouts in the gymnasium are useful, but a disciplined life in God is far more so, making you fit both today and forever. You can count on this. Take it to heart. This is why we’ve thrown ourselves into this venture so totally. We’re banking on the living God, Savior of all men and women, especially believers.
1 Timothy 4:5-7
– Don’t worry – Aunt Juanita shared that so much time in life was wasted on worry: worry about what may or may not happen, worry about what people think. Surround yourself with positive people and be a positive person. Negative attitudes take away and drain your spirit.
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
Matthew 6:25-27 (New International Version)
– Pursue your passions
– God has given each of us talents and gifts. Take the time to invest in what gives you joy. The sooner you find your purpose, the more joy you will have. In the end, you will regret the steps that you didn’t take and opportunities that you didn’t pursue.
So since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ’s body, let’s just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren’t.
Romans 12:5
– Who are the living libraries in your family, community and life? Take the time to visit your living library today.
Grateful,
Sheila P. Spencer
