EMPTY DEBES MAKE THE LOUDEST NOISE.

When we (yes you are also included) were growing up you were told you need/have to be number one in class (ama mtasema hiyo ni stori yangu). The recognized professions at the time were a doctor, lawyer or an engineer anything else was recognized as the rest. There was a lot which was expected of us, we had to become like so & so who was known by name or reputation.

This now became our drive that we needed to excel & get that reputation that puts our name on the map. However, we were never told that when you grow up that the task ahead is no easy fete. The lie of how colourful it is, was not equated to the harsh reality that you shall no longer enjoy the sweet slumber of the morning. 

I am guessing that a good number of you wake up you so early to get to work. You have to rise before the cock crows (Haaa! do cocks still exist in this modern times really). Your are up by 4/5/6am in the wee hours dashing out like a mad person so as to beat the traffic which is never ending unless it is the December holidays. Then in the evening you return in the cover of darkness, like a thief.

Anyway there you are trying to make it in life. Let me tell you, as many of you have had the privilege of facing life head on in the pursuit of that success. The journey as you can all attest is not easy. It is full of tears, sweat, sleepless nights, ups, downs, heart aches & so on. 'Adulting' is no joke & attaining success requires consistency & persistence. 

We all desire to have that one dream, as a friend of mine said, "to sleep & money just comes in". There are those who seem to have an overflow of finances that make you wonder is it that they have subscribed to the "illuminati" movement or they discovered the "cave of wonders" filled with gold & all manner of shiny jewels.

There are times I wonder, what is the meaning of life? Why am I really on this earth? You wake up every day in the morning, hoping & praying that the day will end with coin in your pocket. All the while, the world is doing push ups waiting to traumatize you with unceremonious punches, you go back home all drained & lost wondering is this a hallucination or someone pulling strings in your life. 

There you are pushing deal after deal, chasing a client or two, promises are made but nothing tangible materializes but vanishes like dust. You still at the door step of your house wondering, "who has turned the tides against me/is it that I am cursed destined to suffer forever?" Why is nothing not coming through? Let me tell you, it requires a lot of patience to get to where you desire. Take the likes of Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, Robin Sharma, Les Brown the list is endless.

I have had the privilege of talking to the older generation. Yearning to take a sweet sip of the knowledge & understanding of how they got their wealth, the power, the businesses, the properties & so on. One thing became quite clear that they pushed through the raging storms. They visualized their dream & against all odds never gave up even when things got thick like glue to make them materialize. Also, they exercise humility which I can tell you for free is not easy thing to do (I have tried it & I am still a work in progress).

If you look at the current generation, publicity is the in thing. You eat sumptuous meals at a fancy restaurant the whole world has to get a quick peek through your phone lens. You get that promotion at work, you announce to the whole bar & declare, "drinks on me". You buy a new car, the estate will not sleep. You hit the financial jack pot, no jewelry will stay on the shop shelf (I have nothing against celebrating don't get me wrong) & so forth. 

Success in whichever form it takes in your life is meant to come in a way that it speaks for itself. You are meant to sit back & let it rise to the occasion just like Shaka Zulu in his era.

"When you build in silence, they don't know what to attack"

THE KEY TO HAPPINESS COMES FROM WITHIN.

It is indeed true that joy comes in the morning but at what cost? Can we truly stand by this this phrase, with the way this days you wake up in the morning & it is so cold you wonder is this a sign to resign deeper into the warmth of the duvees & boldly proclaim, "sio lazima niamuke" loosely translated to "it is not a must to wake up". It is at that time your mind all of a sudden jolts you with a reminder of adulthood & the responsibilities that are involuntarily attached to it that you opt to drag yourself from slumber. 

When we walk down the streets/road, smiles are plastered on ones lips you wonder is there no misery/pain/sorrow in this world(I am not saying it is a bad thing)? Why are we so obsessed with what the world thinks of us that we forget we should be the center of our own happiness? Indeed, the pursuit of happiness is easier said than done.

Just 3 weeks shy from now, history was made by one famous runner of the 1:59 challenge like no other I have ever witnessed. Did you see the finish(it is on replay in my mind)? I was left clutching the edge of my seat anticipating & waiting eagerly to see the great fete this legend will achieve. A tear settled on my lower eye lid when at last he crossed that line, an emotional moment is what it was. 

The smile the history maker had, made colossal global impact to all who witnessed this greatness. I can visualize after the run how people on the streets are thumping their chests like a gorilla feeling all motivated, the adrenaline showing you that you can claw through thick mud without breaking a sweat. Feeling like there is nothing which you can't achieve,and repeatedly saying, "no human is limited". 

The way he pushed himself to the finish line & the support he got from all who were there (inclusive of the pacesetters) could make anyone weep (to tell the truth my eyes on that day were watery). Did you know that the gloomy gray sky can deprive the sun of its joyous moments to shine bright across the land but that does not mean that it has stopped shining.

We are meant to be happy souls as we interact with one other, be it when alone or in the multitude of people. I asked a friend what she deemed happiness is all about & she said it is the having the fulfillment of being loved, appreciated & accomplishing what she has set her mind to. This I found quite interesting, considering that most would center on the worldly materials.

Do you remember aladdin(yes the animation), when he took the flying carpet, floating around without a care in the world (the current generation x wont understand who this is). He found his own joy by what he did. Or iike in the lion king, where Timon & Pumba go all crazy with all manner of songs together with Simba & my all time favorite song, was "Hakuna Matata".

The lyrics were quite tongue catching, "Hakuna Matata! What a wonderful phrase. Hakuna Matata! Ain't no passing craze. It means no worries, for the rest of your days. It's our problem free philosophy. Hakuna Matata!" (dare you say we can't learn from animations). This song is so catchy that you can find yourself howling inside a car or while walking singing along to the sweet tunes (aibu kando).

We all define happiness differently & mind you we all make it work in our on unique ways. Others happiness is ignited by being with family, eating good food, hanging out with friends, helping others, getting intimate,travelling & so forth. I want you to know, (yes you the one reading this) that you are the one who makes the difference in your life. One thing I have learned from great people is that you have the ability to create the spark in your own life.

One of my all time favorite motivational speaker's Les Brown is one who stands by the words, "I am blessed & highly favored". It is short & simple sentence but it bears a lot of weight. He also says, "making things happen in your life requires faith, it an ability to believe that is unshakable, regardless of your circumstances". We may worry as to why life is so messy, but I will urge you to remember every breath that you take is a gift like no other & that can be one simple reason to be happy.

We should not let the world define for you what it deems as happiness. An example that is always there is that money can buy happiness. I will not deny it to some extent but what about those who don't have it, how do they get their happiness. All am saying is that when you are on your journey of seeking out happiness remember that it all starts with you. Even a sip from a mug of steaming hot well brewed coffee/tea or a cold drink can put a smile on your lips.

THE LOOSE TONGUE.

Hello, I am hoping that you woke up well(if not that you are off to a good night rest). It is yet another fabulous day, with the sun rising & gracing the horizon bringing with it promises of new tidings. A new dawn has been gifted to us, don't take it for granted. The birds are singing in the air, the wind is whistling by with a slight touch sending shivers down your spine. Where did we go right in this times to be alive?

The tongue is deemed to be the most deadliest weapon that one possesses. What comes out of your mouth has no way of being shoved back in. Hence once you blurt out that which is from the heart there is no rewind button to shove it back down your throat. This is a fair warning, when you are about to open your mouth, think deeply do I really need to say it to him/her/them (is it really necessary to speak or silence will suffice).

It is a known fact that most times we create more of a mess by our words when we opt to colour the world with our unrefined statements. We as a people have a weakness of being talkers instead of doers. We may feel that we have said that which will sooth the heart but find out that our actions are contrary. "I am sorry", one of the most difficult words to say when wrong. A promise of doing better next time, but is still followed with the same deeds thereafter.

When we are on the verge of achieving a goal in life, be it at the work place, in the home, with colleagues/friends/family we fall short by not walking the talk. It is therefore our burden to go beyond the common norm of just saying it shall be done & moving forward & getting it done. If you do not strategize on the course you want to take in life, you shall wander around aimlessly like a vagabond with no clue as to where you shall head.

We make plans for how we shall work hard to get that promotion, how we shall marry at a favorable age, how we shall propose to the right lady(if I say girl I may be lynched), how we shall make our first million(I am seeing wheels turning on this one), how we shall own that house, how we shall make it in life e.t.c. All these hows are well & good, but the real question is what action will occasion this to become a reality?

Is it that we shall continue to be slaves of the sweet tongue unleashing promises that do not have head or tail. Or shall it be a moment where we shall say enough is enough, it is now time to get the tools to get the work done? Or you shall be like Julius Caesar who caused the rise of the roman empire? Or like Judas Iscariot the betrayer who through his tongue wanted to ruin the path of Christ? Ladies & gentlemen (if there are any among you) the choice is yours.

It is high time, you get on your knee & propose to that lady you have been wanting to commit to, work the hours (in a smart way) to rise up the ranks & stop being lazy saying "it was not meant for me", start pouring the stones to build that dream house (after getting that piece of land), start saving as much as you can get to have that cash reserve & so on. It is a brand new day for you to follow through with your promises, don't let them be just sweet nothingness without substance.

When you wake up each day, ask yourself, "where do I want to be today? Do I still want to be stuck in the hours of yesterday or is today the day I move a step forward". As Les Brown says, "you must be willing to do the things others won't do, in order to have the things tomorrow others don't have." Don't fear the consequences of something not working out, as Les Brown also said, "when life knocks you down, try landing on your back. Because if you can look up, you can get up." 

I will conclude by saying this,

"The sweet nectar of life is revealed upon the discovery of the eureka moment. You are the still voice of reasoning echoing in your substratum. Your deep thoughts twisting & turning like the vines which are creeping their way through the cracks in the wall looking for support. In the wake of the Spartans the famed Greece warriors they chose to act instead of wasting words. They conquered & defeated those in the city of Athens. A victory well earned & revered by many. In all you do match your words with your actions".

TIP THE GLASS JUST A LITTLE BIT.

"No Wahala"  this is Nigerian slang meaning "No Problem". Why would I quote that, well for starters let me first go to my childhood days. Do you all remember the lion king (yes the animation/cartoon). Timon & Pumba a globally known pair for their catchy phrase, "hakuna matata" which is swahili meaning, "no worries". Eeeeh, you thought I was all grown up &, only watching serious programmes on TV, you will be surprised what this eyes have seen.

Please don't mind me, am not trying to bombard you with quotes of old. Now, before I begin let me ask, how have you been? How has your week been so far? Is the year taking you politely? Anything new or eventful happen? Why am I asking all this, maybe it is because I have nothing else to do or maybe, just maybe I am just nosy or concerned (who knows). Anyway enough of that, now back to this merry adventure of the day. 

We have this human desire of having plenty, be it money in the bank, cars in the garage, the colourful job, the  palatial home & so forth. We are a people of varying nature, in which we have our own set goals which we aim to conquer. Whenever, we are asked where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years in a more informal session like a social gathering among our peers. Most times we would say, "I desire in that time to own a mansion, driving several guzzlers, a fat bank account, a well paying job e.t.c.

This is the plight of we the people, aiming for the sky hoping to land on the moon (so I have heard). We are so engrossed on getting the rich quick so as to make a name for ourselves. No one in his/her right mind would want to continue living in the same state they are in now or better yet to improve it. Each day that you have been graciously given you should endeavor to make your life better but in a principled manner.

In the pursuit of happiness we easily get selective amnesia as to what is our true goal/direction in life, blinded by the earthly materials. We want to rush past those who have surpassed us in achieving it all by taking every short cut possible. Day in, day out, we plot, scheme, plan like in Alibaba & the forty thieves as to how we shall "make it in life". Admiring lustfully like the greedy hyena at the buffet before us wanting it all for ourselves.

We live in a society of "rub my back, I rub yours". We make it our mission to be a force to be reckoned with when chasing the big dream, stepping on the toes of those whom we find along the way not caring how many bridges we burn. How easy it is to forget that "mpanda ngazi hushuka" this is to mean "he/she who climb's a ladder (eventually) descends".  Greed begets greed & eventually it brings one to his/her knees.

On a daily basis in the news headlines, our country has been wrecked of how billions have been stolen/looted by those with itchy fingers that can't get enough. What a sad state of affairs that has now become the norm to fill one's pocket with coins jingling & not of its belonging. Is it too much to ask each & every one of us to work smart & hard for that which is meant for you & be grateful that which you have sweated for?

"Today I choose to live with gratitude for the love that fills my heart, the peace that rests within my spirit, and the voice of hope that says all things are possible".