From Our Mentors: Adejoké on Trusting Things Will Work Out (Mango Season)

Those who know me know that I love mangoes. My love for mangoes is rivaled only by my love for fried ripe plantains - but that’s a story for another day. It happens to be mango season where I live. The mangoes ripen into gorgeous hues of yellow and hang heavy on the trees tempting you to pluck them. And if you’re not quick enough the monkeys might get them first. Some trees have an abundance of mangoes and if you live in a compound with mango trees, it is not a strange sight to wake up in the morning to mangoes all over the ground (see example below).

Not far from my home is a gorgeous mango tree whose leaves and branches hang outside a fenced compound. For several weeks I would walk past it and marvel at how the mangoes were growing and ripening. However, I did not have a stick or a ladder to get them. So I would promise myself that one day, somehow, I don’t know how, but one day I would get a mango from this tree. I recently traveled and upon my return a few days ago, I walked past the tree. To my shock and horror….all the mangoes were gone! I was devastated, especially as it meant that my dream of getting a mango from this tree had been dashed. As I stood at the tree feeling sorry for myself, I noticed a man sweeping away old leaves near his gate. I said good morning and lamented at how all the mangoes had gone and I had been waiting to get one. He laughed and said yes, people came and took the mangoes and that I waited too long. We laughed and I said, “oh what a pity.” As I started to leave he said to me, “well this morning I collected some mangoes from the tree and I would be happy to give them to you.” He proceeded into his home, brought out a bag and put 6 washed and cleaned mangoes into the bag.

In my elation, I thanked him profusely and we embarked on an amazing conversation. You see, this mango tree belonged to this man. It also turns out that he is 94 years old - fit, hale and hearty. He shared with me the following wise words: 1) love yourself and love others; 2) let others be themselves; 3) don’t worry yourself about things you cannot control; and 4) trust that everything will work out. These, he said, were the secrets to his longevity and good health.

Why am I sharing this story with you on a mentoring platform? Well, as I walked away from a wonderful conversation with the nonagenarian, I reflected on the following:

• Sometimes things work out in ways that we cannot understand or imagine.

I set out my intention to get a mango from this tree but I did not have the means or power to get a mango myself. And yet, I walked away with 6 mangoes without even lifting a finger. We have to have faith that what we want will manifest, and it is not by us worrying or forcing things. Have faith that the career you desire can work out and that there will be enough help, enough encouragement, enough support that will come your way even if you cannot see it today.

• When we trust the process even moments of disappointment can turn around for our good.

In this example, I was horrified to see that the mangoes had disappeared but little did I know that 6 washed and cleaned mangoes were waiting for me. Things may not always happen the way we expect or want but disappointments can turn into blessings.

Does this mean that if I set my intention to work at X company it will happen? Not necessarily. But if that doesn’t happen the way I want something better can - and will - come around. I can give you many examples of this in my own career but the chance encounter with the 94 year old generous man solidified this fact of life. Focus on what you can control and don't worry yourself about things that are out of your hands. If you believe in a higher being, the universe, or the cosmos - trust and believe that things can and will work out for your good. Sometimes even better than you can imagine.

See you soon in a free group mentoring session to delve deeper into how you can trust the process in the midst of disappointment and frustration. (My next session is on the 2nd of June - space is limited!) In the meantime, I'm looking forward to enjoying these delicious mangoes!

Remember: with the right network, anything is possible!

Adejoké

Founder, Konseye: The Mentorship Network