I TOO KNOW (ITK)

 

I was thinking this morning..... I was in the office on Thursday morning when the new SIWES student who recently joined us was brought to my desk for introduction. As she sat down, I asked her her course of study, and she said microbiology. When I asked the courses she had taken thus far, it was like I opened a high-pressure pipe. She started by reeling out the courses and then just went on and on until I stopped her. In my mind, I thought, 'Hmm! This one na ITK.'

In my time and area of Warri where I grew up, when someone talks more than expected, that person is called know-know or I Too Know (ITK). But then, it is too early to judge this young girl and conclude she is ITK, I reprimanded myself.

Reflecting on what happened moments later, I recalled how I had observed adults and children act in my wife's podcast and concluded that what they were doing was so easy. I decided to act in one of the skits and made mouth that it should be a piece of cake. I only heard 'Camera on, Action!' and I forgot my lines. It was then I knew I was ITK. No wonder a Warri proverb says, 'I know too much, I know too much na em make SAN no fit recite National Anthem.'

A lot of times, ITKs talk themselves into trouble. I have found myself in such a situation before and quickly realised thereafter that there is a fine line between confidence and arrogance. I also discovered that ITK behaviour is actually fueled by ego.

It is wrong to look down on what someone does or underestimate the value one brings to the table. The task might seem mundane and ordinary to you, until you try it then you will truly understand the Warri proverb that says 'I know too much, I know too much na em make SAN no fit recite National Anthem.'

Respect everyone and what they do. 1st Cor 8:2 says, 'And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.'

Stay hopeful. God's got our back.

Happy Sunday!

......Just the thoughts of a certain Wey Mey