This was a message that someone sent to me recently: ‘’Although we didn’t have the best of relationships when I was her apprentice, I have maintained a close relationship with my former boss. I am the one she often calls whenever she needs something to be done for her.  “It’s not always easy to oblige her due to my own busy schedule, but I have never turned her down. There were about nine of us who passed through her tutelage in those days. But I am not sure those of us who still keep in touch with her are up to three. “She was very hard on us in those days, but she is also a very kind person. Some of us who could have dropped out of the apprenticeship due to hardship (lack of transportation fare and inability to afford accommodation nearby) were accommodated in her house, without complaints. “ I was among those who eventually moved in with her. I learned a few things about her while living with her. One of such is that she does not use a bathroom that she is not satisfied with the hygienic condition. “In fact, no matter how late or tired she is from work, once she comes home and does not like the state of the bathroom, she will start washing it, just to be able to use it. “She travelled recently, and because we were communicating while she was away, she told me when she was coming back, and I promised to deliver lunch to her.  The reason I made the offer is that she lives alone now. Besides, she is not the type who likes to eat what other people cook, but she loves my food a lot. “Occasionally, I make stew and soup and send them to her. When I got to her house to deliver the food, I was not surprised when she came out of the bathroom. She told me that she was cleaning it. I didn’t have the mind to drop the food and leave, so I offered to help her. And she did not object. “I stepped into the bathroom and began to clean it. But something remarkable happened. She had already washed the bathroom halfway by the time we finished talking, and I took over, so the residue from the soapsuds had already formed a pattern on the surface of the bathtub. “But what you won’t believe is that, that pattern on the bathtub gave me an idea for the design of a fabric that a client brought to me, which I had been struggling with. I didn’t tell her what had just happened to me because I could not believe it myself, but she must have noticed that I left her place in a different state. “That design was a major boost to my brand because it brought me so much patronage from online views and referrals. When I told her about the inspiration that happened to me in her bathroom, she just laughed. “Our relationship was rocky at the beginning, but I see now that it’s because she saw something special in me and had to be very hard on me to bring out the best in me.  “I appreciate her even more now. Her prayers over my life soothe my spirit. And I am particularly grateful that I did not listen to those who advised me (in the past) to cut ties with her so that my destiny is not spiritually jeopardised. “She always tells me how very proud of me she is. And I know why. None of the other ladies who took up apprenticeship under her is doing better than me in this field. Some of them have gone into other endeavours, though.’’ From Oby… What I have found to be consistent with successful people (fulfilled and joyful) is that they maintain ties with their source (parents, relations, community, friends, teachers, benefactors, mentors, etc.). So, when people are grappling with a certain void in their lives, I do not hesitate to ask them to examine their relationship with these sources. A source is the channel through which your life has been impacted profoundly. Apart from God, who is the overall source, there are human sources through whom your life found its path. Human sources are not flawless, but anybody through whom your life has been touched positively deserves appreciation, generosity and humility from you, whenever you look back. You can’t resent or cut off a source; you should nurture and experience joy or fulfilment in the long run. Always find a way to pay it forward, too. When you can afford to look back just to appreciate or give back and not to prove a point, you have a noble spirit. And joy and fulfilment will not be far from you.