Born Too Soon:

A Lesson on Timing, Comparison, and the Culture of the Rush

By Muzi Mthethwa

In a world that celebrates speed—fast results, overnight success, and early arrivals—the quiet endurance of nature reminds us that some things simply can’t be rushed.


Take the elephant, for example. One of the most majestic creatures on earth, the elephant carries its young for up to 22 months—the longest gestation period of any land mammal. It’s not a delay. It’s development.


Why does it take so long?


Because that baby elephant isn’t just growing in size. It’s developing a complex brain, strong bones, and the instincts to survive and lead in the wild. If born too early, the calf is underdeveloped, weak, and unlikely to survive. In nature, early arrival often means an early end.


Now ask yourself this:

 The Culture of the Rush

We’ve been conditioned to think that if success hasn’t come quickly, something must be wrong.

  • “She’s already bought a house.”
  • “He got promoted before me.”
  • “They launched and blew up in 6 months.”

There’s a quiet panic happening in the hearts of many. A sense of failure by comparison. A fear that we are being “left behind.”


But here’s the truth: you’re not late—your calling is just being prepared.


Just like the elephant’s baby, your dream needs its full term.

📉 Comparison: The Thief of Process

Comparison culture is brutal. We compare ourselves to people in our circle, and even more dangerously, to those outside our circle people with different journeys, backgrounds, and timelines.

But here’s the danger:

You may not see it, but some of the things that look like “early success” are actually premature births—destinies not fully formed. And just like the premature elephant, without proper development, they struggle to carry the weight of what they were given.


🌱 What If Your Delay Is Your Development?


Think of everything you’re learning in this waiting season:


  • Discipline
  • Resilience
  • Self-awareness
  • Spiritual maturity
  • Strategic patience


These aren’t delays they are foundations.


Final Word: Let It Take Time

The elephant doesn’t apologize for how long it carries life. And when it finally gives birth, what comes forth is strong, powerful, and unforgettable.

So breathe. Stay in your lane. Let others run ahead if they must. You are not in a race, you’re in a refining process.

📝 Share this with someone who needs to be reminded:

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