IS THAT REALLY YOU?

Arise & shine, for a new dawn has come. I can understand the feeling of laziness pulling you down like a magnetic force as you try to lift your heavy head up from that warm, soft & comfy pillow. The weekend is upon us yet again as is now being pointed out to me that Thursday is the new Friday. How we relish the jolly moments of self indulgence, pinting away to our merry ways & taking up whatever jolt of adrenaline we can acquire.

However with the current cold weather the only actvities of indulgence will be within the confines of our homes or as most will refer to as our places of refuge. Anyway let us now look into the realities of life. How many of you know about the four wheels of mannerism? Anyone? No one? Very well, let me just enlighten you for today, hoping that in the near future they will be at your finger tips.

The four wheels of mannerism are: "thank you, I am sorry, please & excuse me". Ooh you thought it was something more complex, am sorry to inform you it is not. Those are the key & most basic priniciples of mannerism that have existed since time immemorial. How we as the self-centred human beings never take the time to utilise them accordingly & always think that everything is a birth right.

When you are ordering food in a restaurant, hotel, cafeteria or the local kibanda don't you usualy say, "nilete beef stew na mchele na isikae". It is quite rare to hear someone say, "tafadhali nilete beef stew na mchele". We are stewards of all that is in life needs to be done, right now. We don't take the time to be courteous, to us we believe that it is a matter of right & demand the services of others just beacuse we are paying the bill.

When someone has held the lift for you so that you can get in, instead of saying thank you, one will just ignore the gesture like as if it is their own house they are entering. If you want to enter a place & the entrance is blocked by people, I believe the key phrase to use is "excuse me, may I pass". I am guessing that those are quite a cumbersome collection of words for our mere selves to utter, such a shame.

In the spirit of bettering ourselves, let us learn (if we can) to treat others like our equals & not to demean them. You might be highly educated, possess vast wealth or the talk of the town, if you can't treat others right all this will be meaningless. Let us ape the ways of our fore fathers & learn the the neaty gritties of mannerism.

LIAR! LIAR!

I salute you all who have awoken to see this glorious & breath taking day filled withwarm sunshine. Ooh you thought that today was just like any other day, no it is not! A good number of us have not had the sweet privilege that we have of enjoying taking in the fresh, clean air (this is just a mere figure of speech, the air around is quite toxic but am sure you get my drift). This is a new day of the week with a load full of ideas beckoning at the back of minds wanting to be unleashed to the unsuspecting world. Just as the earth revolves around its own orbit, so does karma for what you do to others will circle back to you, not now but soon enough.

Now am thinking, you are all wondering what the fuss is all about. For starters, let me ask you which is easier to say a lie or the truth? I see that no one wants to directly answer that query. It is okay, I am not here to judge you we all have a right to our opinions or views. I simply want to put it across that our every day choices dwell on the end result of what we want to attain. As easily as a lie can roll off your tongue, so should the truth. In this day & age trust is not just handed out like a donation, it has to be earned. Once broken, no amount of glue can hold any form of relationship we may have with others together. 

At times you may find that those whom are hugging us in our time of need aiming to comfort us, are only looking for a soft spot on our backs to stab us with betrayal. Trust is a two edge sword that cuts both ways, there is the giver & the receiver, neither of whom would want the other to go back on their word nor deceive the other. How our human nature is weak that we yield to our dark desires & succumb to the ways of the world. Just like Judas Iscariot betrayin Jesus for 30 pieces of silver (for real, thirty pieces of silver, this dude was quite cheap), anyway we are whom we are.

In the words of William Shakespeare, "to be or not to be that is the question". Why engage in a cycle of lies which is quite cumbersome trying to remember your story line, is it not easier to just say the truth? I am sure you all have your own version as to why you lie, am not saying that I am a saint but when it comes to the people who trust me, I would rather walk in the light than hide in the darkness. Once a lie sees the light of day that will become your unraveling. You shall be exposed to the world for who you truly are, you better watch yourself for the day of reckoning is coming. 

It is better to be hated for telling the truth as it is, than to liked or loved for a lie which we know has dire consequences. You want to feel free like the birds of the air then learn bit by bit to say what you actually mean. Be gentle with the words that come out of your mouth, it won't be easy at first but with time you shall be one with your thoughts. Try as much as you can to maintain the trust that people have in you by valuing & respecting their wishes.

DO YOU.....

"To err is human" how we aimlessly use this phrase to get out of a bind as it quickly escapes from our lips.  We stare blankly at our accusers, wondering to ourselves what did we do to deserve this. Ooh well, that is the aftermath of one opening their mouth to defend themselves from a crime knowingly committed. Laughing at the truth, trying to hide the guilt that is knocking at the door of our consious.

We are indeed quite a unique & one of a kind species that always jumps the gun at the slightest provocation. We have the tendancy of making conclusions on matters without first finding out the true & accurate facts. Going into a full fledged accusation spree, unleashing all manner of utterances without ensuring that all that is being said is the truth. We become tactical like S.W.A.T. in our deceit of our true nature hiding behind a veil.

How as individuals we concentrate so much on bettering ourselves at the expense of others. Unmindful of how our very actions may affect those who see us as allies or friends. Looking down on others & making them feel like nobody's because we have achieved it all. One should learn to put themselves in the other's shoe so as to know how it feels & if it indeed fits our own feet.

Our primal instinct is to lay to waste all that barricades our path, forgetting at times that which we come across in life is a stepping stone to learn the ways of adapting to various circumtances. It is not a necessity that every action in your life or around you requires a reaction. Our course of restrain needs to be strengthened as we are a weak lot that gets easily manipulated by our dark desires.

Before you start assuming about one thing or another that one has done, make sure to learn the facts (but guessing from how you have just snared, I doubt that will be easy). Before you judge someone or a situation, get to first comprehend the reason behind its existence (don't be all amazonic in your approach or unleash your inner spartan, keep cool).

Before you decide to hurt someone, try & think how you will feel if it were you in their place. (some of you are like, yeah righ but let me tell you when it will happen to you, you will not like it). Before speaking what is in your mind, try & think thrice about the repel effect of those words (every word spoken has an effect try to remember that).

BE BLUNT.

Morning, I salute those of you who have had the privilege of seeing this wonderful, sunny & new bright day. Today is a fresh, clean, new chapter in your book of life, for it is indeed a gift for that is why we call it the present. We are a chosen generation, highly favoured & blessed to be alive this very day. It may not feel like it but I can assure you, there is a lot to be thankful for. Having that in mind, today is going to be a good day (that is just my proclamation, as is said 'what you confess you profess'). 

Who do you think will stab you in the back faster, your enemy or your friend? To some it will depend with the circumstances but most times we find that those whom we deem as our friends, will be the ones whom will stick a knife in us when our backs are turned. There is a wave of deceit & betrayal which has become a rampant kill joy, spreading like the black plague. We are no longer interested in protecting the interests of those whom we claim we value, we are rather more inclined to secretly plan their downfall. 

We look down on each other & collude with dark forces to taint the little reputation & image of those in our lives. The notion of 'survive using any means necessary' has become the norm. We no longer care or are concerned with who we hurt in our quest for a better life. Laying to waste all that stands in our path like an atomic bomb, leaving behind a trail of mangled lifeless bodies. It is prudent that we grasp the true meaning of saying what we mean & meaning what we say. 

The tongue is deemed as the deadliest weapon on earth, for the most distractive of wars were merely begun with a single whisper in the wrong ear. Then lo & behold, blood shed became the new normal. I am not saying that we should live a perfect life, am simply stating that if you can't be a true friend don't stick to someone like a leech. The concept of letting go & being free like a bird is foreign to us, as some will claim that the friend they have, has been with them through thick & then. 

I can't argue with those claims but if your very soul is constantly being drained by those close to you, you need to make a choice. Either to remain soulless for the rest of your miserable life on earth by remaining shackled or salvage what little is left of yourself by letting go.

MY POSTS ARE NOT MY LIFE.

Here we are again, where social media has revolutionized the way we currently view our lives. You will get a tweet here, a post there, a caption plastered somewhere, where one did this or that. In the present days we have become so obsessed with the opinion of others on how we live, how we dress, the food we eat, the joints we hang out & so forth. 

Our thinking has become so communal, making me wonder were we not once the pride of our mothers brought up to have the brains to conjure up our own train of thought. Well, it seems that it is quite unfortunate that common sense is no longer that common. Enslaved to the futuristic gadgets that enable us connect to the rest of the world. 

We seek the approval of others whom we have never met & willingly abide to their decisions over our lives. Am not trying to say that you stop posting whatever it is on your social media pages as it is a necessary evil, to me it is merely a platform to offload ones thoughts (that applies to quite a few & not everyone). 

You have a right to post that which pleases you, but so far it has become quite a public spectacle when the world idealizes that your posts are what you are going through in life. This is a forum to jot down those ideas that crop up in the middle of the night, when you are feeling 'inspired', when the light bulb lights & you have the urge to paste them for the world to see.

We are the makers of our own paths & yet we have become bound by the words of others. There is a very common misconception in society that what people post on their social media pages is what is happening in their real lives. However, some of these are true depictions but not always in their entirety

Though that may be the case, we are not to be defined by what write, we are the captains of our ships & onward we shall forge. As is said a picture is worth a thousand words but at other times it is worth a thousand screams. We may have the liberty to express our selves but at times it is wise to share that which can build each other.

YOUR WHEEL HOUSE.

 

There you are, I see that the day has been rough on you. You look all exhausted &  drained from the day's shenanigans. No worries, we all are sailing in the same boat & believe me others even had it worse. At least you are now heading home to take your mind of the happenings of the past couple of hours that have left you devoid of any feeling, your head feels heavy, your feet hurt, your hands ache, your eyes are sore & so forth. 

Right now you may feeling like telling the world to stop you get off but you shouldn't be so quick to jump ship. Have you ever considered that there are others who are envious of your position in society & they consider you lucky. At the moment you may think that I have lost my mind (I may have been dropped when I was a baby) but for just a moment ask yourself, am I favoured in life in anyway?

It may seem like a strange thing to ask yourself, but look at it as a way of self examination. Do I have clothes to cover my nakedness? Do I have food to eat? Do I have somewhere I can lay my weary bones? Do I have a way of earning a living? I am able to use some or all of my limbs? Did I wake up this morning alive & not sick? You see this are just simple basic every day questions & not far fetched ideologies to broaden your scope on living.

In all this am just trying to make you see a bigger picture as compared as to how at this very moment you feel like as if you could take a six months holiday twice. I want you to understand that yes we do have bad & some times disastrous days, but that does not mean it is the end of the world. We are all human beings & we have our own basic needs to be satisfied that are necessary for our functionality to be at a constant.

One of the key things that I have come to realise is that our mind sight is what makes us fall short of our expectations. We dwell so much in the negative aspects of this life we fail to appreciate the brighter side of things. We are so ingrained that things will never improve & that nothing will ever change we become stupified when blessings come our way. Indeed even if the rapture was to happen we will still be doubtful of any positive outcome.

It is that single thought in our mind that can enslave us to be bound by its notion, we may even decline to take any meaningful step towards bettering ourselves. Am guessing those who are now in matatus going home have a frowny face with the excuse that they are tired & from work. Why not a jolly face since you are still alive & have seen yet another evening, but hey each to his/her own.

If you want happiness in your life, it does not start with your outside environment but more so within yourself. Your every thought deters how your day will be like. If you decide to change your mind set you shall eventually see the change that you deserve. What you think can either build you or destroy you. When you want to be happy it will not just happen with a snap of your fingers, this is not Aladdin & the magic lamp.

You have to work on yourself, the company you keep, the food you eat, the books you read, the places your visit, the words you speak to yourself. If you want a different result that will bring something desirous your way, you must take the first step to change your approach on life.

TRUST IN FRIENDSHIP.

Morning world, today am going to share with you a story that I had read a while back & which changed my perception of life as well as those whom we call our friends. I pray that it will be a blessing to you as well as to others & that you shall at least gain some knowledge from it. You have the right to make your personal choice as to whether to accept the moral of the story in accordance to your own interpretation of it.

"During the fourth century B.C. Dionysious a tyrant was ruling Syracuse, a Greek city of Sicily. There was a man by the name Damon who had the courage to speak against the cruelty of the tyrant. When Dionysious heard of it, Damon was seized, thrown into prison & sentenced to death

Damon was courageous & was ready to die because of his belief. But he made one request. He begged for leave to visit his family & bid them farewell before he died. Dionysious laughed at the request saying, "if I allow you to go, you may escape to another country". Damon replied, "I have a friend who is willing to stay here as a captive in my place until I return" & he called his friend Pythias towards him. 

Pythias agreed to stand surety for Damon & to die instead of him in case he did not return. Dionysious was astounded & granted the prisoner six hours of freedom. Meanwhile Pythias was kept in custody by the soldiers. Hours passed, minute after minute. Even after the fifth hour, Damon had not returned & Pythias was led to the execution place. 

Dionysious meanwhile mocked Pythias for his foolishness. But Pythias had complete trust that his friend would return. He said probably his friend must have met with an accident on the way. The ruler sneered & ordered the execution. The hands of Pythias were tied & he knelt down waiting for the executioner to strike his neck with his sword

At that moment Damon breathless & mud stained dashed into the place. His horse had fallen down on the way & he had to struggle hard to get there in time. However he was glad because he had bid goodbye to his family & had reached in time to save his friend.

Pythias pleaded with the tyrant to kill him instead of Damon because he was unmarried while his friend had a family to look after. The tyrant was amazed at this gesture. Never before had he heard of such loyalty, sincerity & trust. His anger subsided & he embraced both of them & asked them to take him a friend". 

I hope you enjoyed reading through the story & that at least you tried picturing yourself in either Damon's or Pythias's shoes or even Dionsyiuos shoes. Just contemplate what this story touches in your life as well your relation with those whom you call your friends, will they risk their lives for you or as commonly put take a bullet for you. Think about it.

A JOURNEY OF SORTS.

Easy is not an option. Going through life is an adventure like that of the pirates of the caribbean & all our destinations are variant. Nothing just comes at your beck & call like a servant. You have to put in that effort to get that which you deserve. What you think is for free has an invisible string attached to it like the loan with an accruing interest. 

There you are sitting looking all pretty or handsome (let me not be deemed biased) & you put it in your head that the good things of life will be handed down to you. You better wake up from your fantasy, for in the real world you will bleed & sweat if you want to get achieve that dream. 

You want to be the C.E.O. of a company & just cause you think you know who is who in the power ladder you will just get the position. Lets just say you get the position, my dear friend you will eventually pay the piper. Am guessing no one ever wants to live a sad, miserable & depressing life & that is a good thing for change must begin with you.

We may want the lavish, chilled out life style that we all see splashed in the glossy magazines but to attain that goal you must play your part. The sad truth however, is that we dream of easy riches that is why you would see many engulfed in the get rich quick schemes which end up back firing like an overused pair of shoes which have seen the end of the road. 

If you want the finer things in life you have to learn to play by the rules of achievement. You must not waste an opportunity, you have to make sacrifices (nothing is just easy peasy), you need to accept there will be challenges along the way & most important of all believe that what you set your mind on you can achieve. 

Most of us are limited by what we think of ourselves & keep on saying, "I can't do that". Who said it will be easy, huh? Don't start doubting yourself, yet you have not even made a single attempt. For one to get the rose you have to go through the thorns. Our expectation that a red carpet would be laid at our feet is a far fetched dream that only happens to dignitaries. 

You must come to terms that to be the best you will go through all manner of trial & tribulations. The thought of the day is that there is no dream that can't be achieved & that you must first awaken from your deep slumber to realise it.

DOUBLE TWICE.

Hi, how was your weekend? I hope & pray that it went down as expected with the usual shenanigans though am guessing from the look on your face you felt it went by too fast. No worries, in a few days time another one will be graced by yourself to indulge in your pleasures. The weekend for me was another moment to learn that everything happens for a reason. You may be wondering what am blubbering about at this juncture. 

You don't have to wait for long, I will enlighten you of the happenings that have given rise to this mental provocation. If I may ask, how many times do you look at your life with a positive attitude or a feeling of bliss? Better yet do you ever think of your life becoming as you dreamed or desire? I don't know about you but for me I see my dreams becoming a reality. 

You wonder how I know this, well I decided to change my attitude on how I approach life so as to enable me live my dreams. Yes, we live in a traumatising world & every day we see what is wrong with the system which out weighs what is good about it. But have you ever considered the fact that you are the ultimate source of your own happiness and actualisation of your desires and goals in life. 

I agree with you that at times there are circumstances that make us question our purpose of living on this earth. We question our very existence of why things are so hard or even at times quite frustrating. I am not privy to the elusive answer to that but what I do know is that how we approach life determines the final outcome of our every day living. 

I have a simple suggestion for you, you have a right to decline to implement it or just try it out to see how it works for you. This is what I had in mind, instead of seeing how cursed your life is, try counting the blessings in you life. I will give you an example in my life: I am blessed to be alive for not every one has seen this day, I am blessed to have food to eat & yet others are starving, I am blessed to have clothes to wear & yet others are naked, I am blessed to have a home, yet others are out there in the cold, I am blessed with an earning yet others are begging in the streets, I am blessed to have people who love me yet others have no one & so on. 

If we learn to appreciate the little things in our lives, our eyes would be opened to the blessings we are fortunate to have. It is all in our attitude towards life, the struggle is indeed real but so are the blessings. 

MOLDED FROM OUR MISTAKES.

"Why am I always so broke before even the mid of the month reaches, is it that I am not lucky? Why aren't things in my life working out, is it that God has forgotten me? Why is it that my colleague has been getting promotion after promotion, is it that am not qualified? Why is ot that I have no man/woman to share my love with, is it that I am doomed to be single?" 

Well then, I am just guessing but I think these are the kind of thoughts that run through our minds, not all the times but just maybe sometimes. The 'why' question rummages through our brain one time or the other. Leaving us questioning our own sanity & the clarity of our thoughts. Let me just tell you upfront, we all make mistakes & you better get down with the program. 

You may think that when something is going wromg in your life, you are the only one. I am sorry to say this (No, I am not sorry) we all have issues & you better learn to accept it. The only question I have for you is, 'what are you going to do about it?' We are all off in our corner crying how life is unfair & that we are deserving of a better life. Let me ask you what have you done to change the course upon which your life has taken?

You may decide to be a whimp & cower in a corner feeling sorry for yourself for the rest of your days. Does that really look like a solution to anything but hey if it works for you then by all means continue. Every decision we make can lead to quite a volatile situation or not for this is solely dependant on you. There are basic steps in every decision we make in life,  the choice, the  challenge & the consequence. 

If you are able to master the art of self elevation from the woes of the world, there is nothing that you can't overcome. Ask yourself each day when you wake up, how am I going to improve myself as well as those around me. Ooh you thought this was only about you! Well nope, this is all about making this earth a better place. You should have known by now that not everyone is meant to be a lone island. 

You better get off that high horse of yours & learn to be there for others. I am not sayimg it is a must, you do that which makes you sleep at night. If we continue to live in the notion of survival for the fitness, I can assure you that we will be stagnant in thought for the rest of our short miserable lives. What I do know is that we are  all destined for great things. If we take the mantle and decide to take the first step, our journey of a couple hundred miles or kilometres depending on your locality would have commenced. 

You are never never alone, no matter how messed up your situation is. We are all meant to learn from the mistakes we make & that ladies & gentlemen is life!

COMING OF AGE.

 

Hi there, I do hope your week has been productive so far.  I have a question for you to contemplate on. How do we face these astrocities of life that make each day a living hell, leaving you bruised & scarred for life?  Think about it for a minute or just take all the time you need to find out the answer then reflect on yourself, how far you have come & what you had to undergo to get where you are right now. 

Adulthood is a stage in life that has its own unique feel, for not all who are adults are mature & not all who are mature are adults. It is indeed quite a discovery that maturity doesn't necessarily come with age. One may have grown old but being mature doesn't just come automatically like breathing. All that I do know is that though the times may be catching up with us how we develop mentally is dependant on us. 

We are not all going to realise our capacity to actualise the reality of having a well informed train of thought. Our backgrounds differ & they way in which each & everyone of us is raised is quite distinct. I have come to appreciate the fact that I can make mistakes which are quite costly & that the prudent thing to do in such circumstances is to man up & own my faults. Hiding behind a sense of seniority & self exaltation will not get you nowhere. 

Thus if you are in the wrong, it is vital to seek for forgiveness & find a way to amend for the wrongs done. We all need each other to make it in this life. It may not seem to you like such a crucial thing but what I have come to learn is that no matter who you are, one day or other you will need a stepping stone to get to where you desire. We all need to remember one very important fact & that is we need to listen more & talk less. 

This will make you be able to understand where someone is coming from & the path upon which they are taking to reach their destination. We are meant to never judge a book by its cover unless we have read the contents within its pages. Thought of the day if I may. When you have made a mistake don't do the blame game rather own up to it. It is worthwhile to lend your ears to others for that is why we have two ears and one month. This was by design so that we can listen more & talk less.

YOU ARE YOUR OWN CHEERING SQUAD.

Hip hip hooray! Hip hip hooray! Hip hip hooray! There you are the lone ranger trying to take on the world as the odds seem quite against you. But you know what! Where there is smoke there is definitely going to be a fire of sorts. What a year full of unexpected surprises to the extent of it raining in January (which is never the case, am guessing new year new things). 

Strange as it seems, I appreciate the uniqueness of this year for it is considered a blessing when it rains considering the dry season that is the usual norm. Here we are perplexed by the happenings of the day, the weather is unpredictable, the days are full of surprises & yet God has given us yet again another opportunity to see each new day. 

Well then it seems we will have to embrace the new world order of things but be forewarned don't get too comfortable. It won't be easy considering the path each & every one of us wants to take to better ourselves. At times you have to be your own motivation to make it out of the crazy twist & turns of the life we live. Life being like a maze you need to know your limits as well as your capacity to figuring things out. 

You won't always have others giving you a helping hand, you need to learn to fend for yourself. Just like the way you want the best of things in life, you need to figure out how to stand on your own two feet. Believe that you have got this & appreciate the fact that come what may you will go the extra mile to achieve your goals. 

Attaining one's dreams requires all sort of sacrifices to come out at the top. No one is going to hand you that which you desire (if they do, there definitely will be a string attached), you have to work for it. You want that fancy big house or that flashy car or those exotic holiday trips you have to pay the piper his dues. 

Never rely on hand me downs they will be the end of you. For you need to paint a picture of that which you  crave in life with your own sweat, blood & hardwork. If you want to take the short cut, well & good, but know that everything has its own price to be paid. Let it be that all that you possess & has your name engraved on it came through your own effort. 

In addition, don't forget that God whom you can’t see is there for you no matter how insignificant you may think He impacted your decisions. Face the world knowing that though it won't be easy you can make it. You have got this!  

DOES IT REALLY MATTER?

 

 

"Behind every successful man there is a strong, wise & hardworking woman" (disclaimer, this is not always the case, am just saying), is one of the world's renown mantra. Just like in the olden times every king was expected to have a queen standing by his side.  All in all, no man is meant to be an island for in the quest to conquer the world one needs to work with others to achieve the most out of a situation. 

Do not be like the doubting Thomases of this world who would like to sway you that you can make it on your own. Let me ask you, do you think waking up each day, healthy & breathing is because of your own will or might? Anyway you don't have to answer me, all that I am saying is that the ladder (not the literal one but am guessing you get my drift) to success involves taking a step at a time. We are meant to grasp the fact that to get to the top you need to have stepping stones.

The same way a family is meant to be a single unit, if all the individuals work together to make it work much can be accomplished. As is said, alone we can do so little but together we can do so much. The way a team plays as a whole will determine its success. You may have the greatest bunch of individual stars in the world, but if they do not play together, the club will not be worth a dime.

Just like the way band members have a special bond. A great band is more than just some people working together. It is like a highly specialised army unit . A unique combination of elements that becomes stronger together than apart. Once the unit is in sync there is no challenge that it can't be overcome. The kind of person you invest your life with, will determine the outcome of both your futures.

Let it be that those whom you share your life secrets, successes, heartaches, joys, memorable moments are worth being in your life. Not every one who is in your life is meant to have a seat at your table. Learn to differentiate that those who are in your life are more valuable & crucial than the material things which you possess.

BE OF CHEER & NOT OF TEAR.

 

Damn it! What is the worst that can happen! Then all of a sudden the gateway to the abyss of doom unleashes all manner of misery & mayhem in plenty. I am guessing some of us have had some experience with really bad days or weeks where everything just goes wrong from the get go. Then lo & behold you are off ranting about how your day or week has been a big, chaotic moment that you wish you hadn't woken up that morning. Well, this is the thing, it is not all times that we will have good or perfect days. 

Sometimes things will go horribly wrong & you will curse like a pirate wondering what did you ever do to deserve this. Other times you will look with despair at the four walls of your house & wish that the ground could swallow you whole. Such is life full of all the misery, pain & torture that it carries like an excutioner. Through it all we are meant to brave the tough times & take our stand like the spartans did in the time of war. No matter how life tries to crush you know that you are meant for a high purpose in life & that even though it may seem that your world is crumbling around you, you are stronger than you think. 

One may ask why do bad things happen to good people, well I can't really say that I know the answer to that but am thinking that life just operates on a different set of rules as compared to what we are normally used to. You need to unsheathe your sword & slay your demons no matter how many surroud you. It will not be easy but if you believe in yourself achieving the impossible then my dear friend there is nothing that can stand in your way. We all have a flame within us that needs the right kind of fuel to ignite it & if lit there is nothing that the fire can't burn. 

You are your worst enemy when you can't accept that you are capable of overcoming every obstacle or walls that pop up in your life. Yes, you do have a right to get angry when things go wrong or when everything around you is crushing to the ground or if no one is understanding what you are going through it is quite unfortunate that is happening. You have to realise that there is a hidden spark in you that needs the right push for you to see that even though all is falling you are never alone. 

Look at it this way, some of us believe in God others various gods but hey that is just the way we live. Out of all this no matter who you believe in, if you know that deep down you are never alone that your God or god is there with you, you are unstoppable. Do not sell yourself short just because things are not working out the way you wanted them to, just relax take your time, it may seem like a life time but eventually everything will fall in place like a jig saw puzzle. Also know that each day is a moment to learn more about yourself & your limits. Most important of all, know that you are blessed & highly favoured.

A LESSON LEARNED.

Hi there, hasn't it been quite an eventful holiday of sorts that we had a few days ago with the Pope gracing our motherland! That was quite a historic moment for us wasn't it, we felt as if a cleansing had descended upon us. I tell you the experience was quite calming & spiritually challenging. The atmosphere was filled with moments to reflect on one's own life & the  choices made. Out of this what I have learned is that each day is a lesson, an opportunity at a new of chapter to either build or crush your life. 

Just a few days ago, I was told by a friend that we should never look down on others for each of us has a different way we impact each other's lives. An example is a guard of a building/property, a house servant, a cleaner, a gardener, the maintenance person, plumber, the elderly at the village & so on, all of these are individuals we never give a second thought to in the current mindset that we have. We are of the opinion that there is no way they can teach us any kind of life lesson nor imrpove our lifestyle at best. 

We are more inclined to listen to the scholars, the educated, the famous public speakers, the learned individuals but when it comes to those whom are beneath our social status there is no time to lend a listening ear to what they may have to say. Well, you will be in for a surprise when those whom you despise become the ones who rescue you from yourself. I will give you an example of the kind of impact or just a touch of imporvement such unappreciated & unnoticed individual may have. 

Lets look at a gardener, when he/she is tending to the garden isn't there a lot of patience involved to ensure the flowers are well prunned, the grass is always green & the garden looks exquisite. The guard at your house/building, he/she may have some courage to watch over your property (though I know we have some who just sleep on the job & it becomes that you are your own security), the cleaner who scrubs those dirty,oily surfaces & if you are lucky enough you will see one who is dedicated & determined in the chores without complaining (even though some may be out to get you) or even the elderly at the village who seem to have all sorts of amnesia, have you ever noticed that they have a trace of wisdom lingering around them. 

Well then aren't the above illustrations a little insight into a whole different kind of life lessons. As is aptly put 'life is a bed of roses' as the proverbial saying goes. Each & every one of us is on this earth for a defined purpose which only gets realised once we encouter the full, yet brutal forces of this life. I do agree there are some who can't teach you a damn thing but at times there are hidden lessons within the conduct of others. In all you do, never look down upon another for it may be that they that you are discrediting are the ones to uplift you or at times bring you crashing down.

THE JOURNEY OF SELF-DISCOVERY.

Look right, look left, look right again then cross the road when it is clear! Every child born in the 80s will remember being told this as it was continuously drummed in our minds. There we were wondering what the fuss was all about with the cautionary remarks. It is when one grows older that the true significance of these words becomes unveiled like a flower blossoming in spring. We all have an unpredictable journey ahead of us & it is only through self-discovery that we will be able unveil its true purpose. Every path in life we take is specifically designed to suit who we are. Many may travel with you on the same road but it is only you who will end up at your own destination. 

Life is indeed a  journey of a thousand kilometers (leave alone the usual miles as commonly put) & yet it all begins when we take that first single step. But do we really like taking any step at all in moving forward? Most of us are reluctant to accept change fearing that they may fall. You need to understand that one never learns when you don't make mistakes. A mistake is meant to be a life lesson that teaches you better. When you fall, if you can look up, you can get up. Living that stress free life is good but if you are used to the same temperatures through out your life you will never unlearn your one mindedness. 

We have to stop with the norm of being afraid of change. You may feel all secure in your pond in life that youhave dipped yourslf in, but if you never venture out of it & always stay put, one thing is certain you will never come to the realisation that there exists an ocean or the sea. This habit of holding onto something that one deems as good for them at the moment may be the reason as to why you don't have something better. It does not matter how long you think you will spend on this earth, how much money you have gathered in your account or how much attention you are receiving. It is the amount of positive vibration you have radiated in life that matters.

One learns that as you get older, the rules are made to be bent & not broken. Be bold enough to live life on your own terms & never apologise for it. Go against the grain, refuse to conform to the ways of the world, take the road less travelled instead of a well-beaten path. Laugh in the face of adversity & leap before you look. Dance as though everybody is watching. Match to the beat of your own drummer & stubbornly refuse to fit in.

"It is easier to live through someone else than to complete oneself. The freedom to lead & plan your own life is frightening if you have never faced it before. It is frightening when one finally realises that there is no answer to the question 'who am I?' except the voice inside oneself".

BE RESILIENT.

Fear is one of mankind's weakness & hindrance in progress, I understand it can't be helped as it is part of our genetic encoding. We all get scared every now & then leading us to shy away from taking bold steps in life. We have become consumed by the fear of 'what if' that even when making the simplest of decisions we can't do it without our adrenaline kicking in high gear. 

Am not saying that it is a bad thing to be fearful but one comes to learn that in this life one needs to be a risk taker if you want to move forward in all you do. I have not heard of any successful individual who didn't take a risk in getting where they are right now in their life. Let us put that aside, by show of hands how many of you believe that your friends have your best of interest at heart. 

Anyone? I see that some of you are only raising your hands half way. It is that bad huuh! From what am seeing it is becoming quite evident that not everyone we are associated is beneficial for our wellbeing. The level of betrayal that has emerged these days  from any kind of relations one has seems so intense as we can no longer trust nor rely on those around us. 

I may seem to have gone off topic but look at this from this angle, who is more likely to drag you down in this current times. Who will be willing to watch you burn to save their own skin? You guessed it that other person who is selfish, self-centred & only seek to build themselves. 

Have you not noticed that those whom you called your friends don't always seem happy when things start working out for you. There is this saying that goes like, "a listening ear is also a running mouth". You need to watch your back not all those whom smile with you are happy for you. I have nothing against having friends, just watch what you say around them. 

Your downfall may just be brought by those closer at heart than you think. All what am saying is that if you come to the realisation that an aspect of your life is likely to bring your life tumbling down, you need to brace yourself to losing one or two people along the way. You need to surround yourself with people who help you see life differently. Know that in life it is not about what happens but more about how you handle it. 

NEVER FORGET WHERE YOU CAME FROM.

 

Welcome to another sunny yet beautiful day of the week, filled with promise, the unexpected & fresh beginnings. We are here to embrace the new dawn & the promise of a better life. Well, isn't it just wonderful that we all want to live a full life with the aspiration of better things to come. You are there at your corner office thinking how you are going to end the year with a big bang & maybe just maybe a fat pay cheque will grace your ever empty bank account. Don't sweat it you still have a couple of weeks before the year closes, your dreams are still valid. 

"Yesterday is but a dream, tomorrow is only a vision. But today well lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness & every tomorrow a vision of hope".

If you are in a high social status worth of talking about infront of your peers never forget where you came & started from. For many of us tend to forget that though we may have come from the bottomless pit we call our former lives we still have a duty to recognise our starting point. Yes, I do agree with you that it is your effort that has gotten you where you are. But ask yourself, if it were not for the guidance from your parents/guardians, the education gotten from your teachers or the lessons learned from the world do you think you will still be where you are today? 

"Unless you attempt to do something beyond that which you have already mastered you will never grow. If you want to grow you better put something out here that you can't easily reach, that is going to make you jump & dig in deep to attain it".

Yes, you had a dream that one day you will be a big name in many households, once uttered it become symbolical of all that you have achieved. In all of it don't forget that as much as you want to be a symbol or a role model many may ape how you conduct yourself. Your every action, words spoken & interaction with those around you will be what others will keep an eye on to see how you got to that throne of your empire. Let it be that when fortune favours you & the Almighty Father has blessed you to get to the seat of power that you get to understand you did not get there all by yourself.

We as human beings have a habit of getting selective amnesia, pretend not to recall who was there for us when we were climbing the steep ladder of life. The ones who gave you their shoulder to lean on in the tough times, a guiding hand when you were lost, words of encouragement when all was falling down in shumbles, a meal to eat when you were hungry, clothes to wear when you had nothing to cover your nakedness, shelter when you had no place to call home. Yet you thanked them with nothing but a snare & a cold shoulder. My friend just know that what goes around comes around, that is the way of life don't let karma get to you it won't be pretty.

"Most people are governed by their habits, their fears & the opinion of others. A lot of people don't try things differently because they have been convinced by people in their lives that they value that they can't do it. They are living in the context that other people have of them".

AGING LIKE FINE WINE.

At last the rains are here with us after so many false alarms. Each day we were being given false hope by the metrologists of the new dawn (shock on us). Then all of a sudden the heavens opened up & out poured the ground quenching miracle water. The dry & dusty grounds had become a norm with our every day living. Well then, the chill atmosphere is just welcoming, making one just want to continue enjoying the sweet slumber & the warmth of a cozy bed. Too bad, we have to rise up & chase this paper otherwise we will be left consuming air burgers. Such is life full of all these twists & turns that we have to unwind to reach our final destination. 

For now we shall enjoy each drop off rain as it soaks the very ground we walk on. Today is a fine day to look at adulthood & its unique aspect. Let me ask, when you were young did you ever think that being a grown up will be like this? Me neither! I had thought that it would be all easy & I will have nothing to worry about. (By the way let me ask, why is it that when we are driving while music is playing & get lost we reduce the volume so as to get our bearing of where we are. Is it that loud music interferes with our sense of direction? Just food for thought). Now where were we, ooh right being an adult in the world that we live in. Isn't it challenging, mind boggling & nerve wrenching experience being all grown up.

You now have responsibilities & duties which you have to act on. Bills to be pay, work to be done, money to be earned, actions to be accountable for & such like. Am guessing you may at least appreciate what your parents/guardians did for you when you were young. They toiled & moiled day & niight to ensure that though you may not have it all you may at least have the basic needs. That being so, when you grow older you tend to keep your life much simpler unlike your partying days back when you were in campus. Now, you count every shilling, making sure that each minute is well spent, eating healthy, working out (if you can) & so on.

In the adult world one comes to the realisation that the fewer friends you have the better & that not every one is meant to seat at the table of your life. For there are others who will lift you high like the eagles soaring in the sky & there are others who will pull you down like the lowered anchor of a ship. One's privacy become paramount, when you make calls you do so in hashed tones, when talking to others it is in whisphers, when asked about your life only scanty details are given. Your present actions & attituted towards life will deter how your future will look like. Take your time to understand how things work, don't be in a hurry you will reach your destination. 

"Haraka haraka haina baraka".     African saying.

Live each moment appreciating what life has to offer, as we say "kutangulia kwa bar sio kulewa wa kwanza"(rushing to the bar doesn't mean you will get drunk first). With every decision you make, let it be that you have looked at it from all angles & come up with a back up plan just in case things don't go according to plan(there are other letters in the alphabet if plan A doesn't go through). Others have been where you are & you are not the only one nor the first who is going through your curent situation. It is said with age comes wisdom. We all deserve to grow old with peace of mind & not all torn apart cause our lives are falling in shambles. Always know, You have got this!

IGNITE THE FLAME WITHIN.

"Twinkle, twinkle, little star how I wonder what you are! Up above the world so high, like a diamond in the sky........". I have no idea where I was going with this, though it seems I was caught up in the time warp of being old & yearning to be young again. Day dreaming of the days far gone when I had no care in the world but the world as my playing field.

Isn't it quite intriguing that all of life demands struggle. Those who have everything given to them become lazy, selfish & insensitive to the real values of life. We get smacked in the face with the reality that constant & persistent hardwork which we want to side step & despise is the major building block in the individual we are meant to be today.

How crucial it is in this walk of life to realise that setbacks, failures & tragedy are a part of life. Whether we manage to find a fountain of happiness & a bucketful of success in the daily strugle of life is largely dependant on our capacity to perserve through in the toughest adversity.

Watch your thought; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become character.
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.

Who we are is defined by what we think of ourselves & not by how the world sees us. Do not conform to the ways of this earth otherwise you will be lost forever in the dos & don'ts of society. Step out into the warm sunny days & bask in the goodness of being alive. Reach out to those around you & endeavour to better them as well, for no person is an island.

It is not hard to decide what one wants life to be about. What is hard is figuring out what one is willing to give up in order to attain the things you really care about. Life is a series of natural & spontaneous changes sparked by the fire that burns within but is never ignited as we fail to fuel the flames.