17/08/2026
On our way to the train station as we were leaving Paris, I jokingly told my wife: “If we don’t walk faster, we might miss our train—just like we missed our flight during our vacation in London. At this point, then village people are really after us!” 😂
My daughter overheard us and immediately asked: “Who are the village people? Do you mean my cousins/uncles we met last year in Nigeria? How can they influence our travel itinerary?”
My wife and I burst into laughter 😂😂
I told her, well, “village people” is a sarcastic expression. It does not mean people who literally live in village or related to us. Here, it means invisible enemies or bad forces supposedly working against someone.
But that innocent question made me pause and think.
Sometimes, children expose the assumptions we have normalised as adults.
In Nigeria, where the idea of “village people” is deeply embedded in everyday conversations, it can become easy to explain almost every setback by pointing to an external enemy.
Missed a flight?
“Village people.”
Missed an opportunity?
“Someone is fighting me.”
Business failed?
“Enemies are responsible.”
Lost money?
“Somebody is spiritually attacking me.”
Sometimes, of course, life genuinely involves circumstances beyond our control. Other people can hurt us, systems can fail us, and unexpected things can happen.
But there is a dangerous mindset that develops when every failure has someone else to blame.
You gradually lose the ability to examine yourself.
You stop asking:
What could I have done differently?
What did I overlook?
What can I learn from this?
What can I improve before I try again?
If someone else is always responsible for your failure, then you have also given someone else control over your success.
But personal growth begins when you reclaim responsibility.
Missed the flight? Learn to arrive earlier.
Missed the train? Improve your time management.
Lost money in a business? Study what went wrong.
Missed an opportunity? Understand why you weren't prepared.
Made a poor decision? Own it, learn from it and make a better decision next time.
The mature mindset is not: “Who is responsible for my failure?”
It is: “What can I learn from this failure, and what can I do differently next time?”
You may not control the weather.
You may not control other people's decisions.
You may not control the economy.
You may not control every circumstance.
But you can control your preparation, your response, your discipline, your attitude and your next move.
Most times, the biggest “village people” standing between us and our progress are our own excuses, poor preparation, fear, procrastination and refusal to take responsibility 😂
Blame gives you an explanation. Responsibility gives you power.
Choose the one that helps you grow.
Good morning, dear Vanlottians and have a lovely week ahead fans
