Hhmm, where to start ….I am feeling like I have been unfaithful to my blog for the last 3 months or so especially because during that period of time I have spent lots of time reading other peoples’ blogs. Some of these were blogs that guys who read my blog asked me to check out and I discovered many great blogs. Indeed, some of them were so great that I found myself thinking if these so called readers of my blog were hinting that I needed to pull up my socks!
Truth is for a while there I was sure my blogging days were over. I kind hoped I would get a good excuse to completely convince me to shut down my blog! I had blogged for over a year and I believed that it was time to move on. I honestly believed my blogging days were gone until last December when I had gone for function somewhere and I was the MC for the day. At the end of the function, as usual I stopped to sign some autographs and as my security team fought of the frenzied fans, a certain young man threw himself in front of my car and said if I was not going to leave my husband for him, there was no point of being alive.
Ok, so I may have stretched the truth a bit… but hey, I need to make sure you are still with me!!
But seriously, I was emceeing the function and after it ended this young man (true story!) asked me if I was really the Mueni of the musings blog. You see, when the host was giving the vote of thanks she happened to mention that how we met online. I was shocked because I never really thought that I had male readers in that age group and so I mumbled yes. Maybe he was from the blog police and was here to arrest me …anything I said could be used against me in a blog of law. Or maybe he would just pinch my nose.
As we began to chat, he told me that he was a poet and had a whole collection of poems. He said I inspired him. Then he asked me how come I have not posted any new blogs in a while. Honestly, I fumbled for an answer and he said something that I will not forget in a long time. He said he read my blog because I kept it real and it had “soul”.
Being the slow gal I can be at times I was not sure if he meant it had “sole” and therefore I should leave the blogosphere …. you know how these young people talk in parables. Well, only after I got home did I realize he had paid me a compliment!
Well, he also said he will bug me till I go back to blogging or at least unfriend him on facebook. I thought it was an empty threat.
I was sooo wrong! Every so often he would send me a message of facebook and ask me about my blog. He told me he was convinced my blogging days were not over. I began a barrage of excuses why I was not up to the challenge of keeping the blog going. At one point I told him the truth, er, the half truth. That I was working on a new project and I really did not think I had enough time to do that and to blog regularly. He argued that he believed I could do both, women were great at multitasking! I told him he could not understand why I cannot do that. Today, I am grateful you did not listen to me Mark!
You see, am on a nine month project that has kept me pretty busy worshipping the porcelain goddess for the last 12 weeks. Get that look off your face, I have not found a new religion, I have just been sick, morning sickness … all day long! For those whose train of thought is still at the boarding station … I am pregnant!!
There have been days when I have been so sick and wondered if and not when the nine months will end but at the end of week 12 things changed and now I am much better. Soon I will be unable to see my toes but I am fine … I will still be able to feel the toes anyway …I-cannot-see-the-air-yet-I-know-it-exists- coz-I-breathe-it-kind-of-thinking :-.
Being expectant has been a reminder of how with God preparation is necessary for potential to be fully realized. Yes, the nine months can be excruciating but they are necessary. If I tried to have this baby at week 4, we would not be talking of a baby. The nine months are necessary for the development of the baby’s entire genetic code – gender, hair color, eye color, height and even personality. How it all fits into my belly I will never understand but it is all part of the miracle of life.
Believing that I will make it through this season is essential. I need to believe that at the end of it all, I shall hold a healthy baby in my arms and when I envision that glorious moment, my current discomfort and the expected short, painless and did I say very short, labor then becomes something I can look forward to because I know how I want this journey to end.
It is the same with whatever dreams you have.
If you allow the obstacles, challenges and inconveniences to overwhelm
you, you will lose hope and the dream will be prematurely terminated. It will become a dream aborted. A destruction of potential before it has a chance to be realized.
Abortion is a tragedy that denies the future the value contained within that life. The value contained within that dream you are carrying.
Sometimes birthing a dream may seem like a long or even a wrong road due to the challenges but I can assure you that God is not caught off guard. He knew that your dream will be threatened all along. He equips you to make it through the storms and sustains you in the midst of the storms. He is right there, spurring you on to be all He says we can be.
I do not know what your dream for 2012 is, maybe it is to start a business but your proposal has been turned down several times, to pursue a course and yet you do not have the fees, to be a singer and another door has been shut on your face again. Someone says you are not good enough, talented enough, educated enough or that simply you are not worthy to want more than you already have. They may have made you feel insignificant and small by rejecting you or your idea.
You must choose to overcome these potential destroyers or they will take you away from your destiny and thwart your future.
Do not let fear, past experiences, current circumstances, disappointments, rejection, criticism, hurt, insecurities, offenses, unforgiveness or ignorance cause you to give up and abort your dreams.
Protect the dream you are carrying!
Happy and blessed 2012 you’ll!
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Stone Soup Story
Someone shared with me this story and I cannot get it off my mind and my heart. I love the lessons and I think it is so real especially for where we are as a country.
Once upon a time, somewhere in post-war Eastern Europe, there was a great famine in which people jealously hoarded whatever food they could find, hiding it even from their friends and neighbours.
Three soldiers trudged down a road in a strange country. They were on their way home from the wars. Besides being tired, they were hungry. In fact, they had eaten nothing for two days.
"How I would like a good dinner tonight," said the first. "And a bed to sleep in," added the second. "But that is impossible," said the third.
On they marched, until suddenly, ahead of them, they saw the lights of a village. "Maybe we'll find a bite to eat and a bed to sleep in," they thought.
Now the peasants of the place feared strangers. When they heard that three soldiers were coming down the road, they talked among themselves. "Here come three soldiers," they said. "Soldiers are always hungry. But we have so little for ourselves." And they hurried to hide their food. They hid the barley in haylofts, carrots under quilts, and buckets of milk down the wells. They hid all they had to eat. Then they waited.
The soldiers stopped at the first house. "Good evening to you," they said. "Could you spare a bit of food for three hungry soldiers?" "We have no food for ourselves," the residents lied. "It has been a poor harvest."
The soldiers went to the next house. "Could you spare a bit of food?" they asked. "And do you have a corner where we could sleep for the night?" "Oh, no," the man said. "We gave all we could spare to the soldiers who came before you." "And our beds are full," lied the woman.
At each house, the response was the same -- no one had food or a place for the soldiers to stay. The peasants had very good reasons, like feeding the sick and children. The villagers stood in the street and sighed. They looked as hungry as they could.
The soldiers talked together. The first soldier called out, "Good people! We are three hungry soldiers in a strange land. We have asked you for food and you have no food. Well, we will have to make stone soup." The peasants stared.
The soldiers asked for a big iron pot, water to fill it, and a fire to heat it. "And now, if you please, three round smooth stones." The soldiers dropped the stones into the pot.
"Any soup needs salt and pepper," the first soldier said, so children ran to fetch salt and pepper.
"Stones make good soup, but carrots would make it so much better," the second soldier added. One woman said, "Why, I think I have a carrot or two!" She ran to get the carrots.
"A good stone soup should have some cabbage, but no use asking for what we don't have!" said the third soldier. Another woman said, "I think I can probably find some cabbage," and off she scurried.
"If only we had a bit of beef and some potatoes, this soup would be fit for a rich man's table." The peasants thought it over, then ran to fetch what they had hidden in their cellars. A rich man's soup, and all from a few stones! It seemed like magic!
The soldiers said, "If only we had a bit of barley and some milk, this soup would be fit for a king!" And so the peasants managed to retrieve some barley and milk.
"The soup is ready," said the cooks, "and all will taste it, but first we need to set the tables." Tables and torches were set up in the square, and all sat down to eat. Some of the peasants said, "Such a great soup would be better with bread and cider," so they brought forth the last two items and the banquet was enjoyed by all.
Never had there been such a feast. Never had the peasants tasted such delicious soup, and all made from stones! They ate and drank and danced well into the night.
The soldiers asked again if there was a loft where they might sleep for the night. "Oh, no!" said the town folk. "You wise men must have the best beds in the village!" So one soldier spent the night in the priest's house, one in the baker's house, and one in the mayor's house.
In the morning, the villagers gathered to say goodbye. "Many thanks to you," the people said, "for we shall never go hungry now that you have taught us how to make soup from stones!"
The moral of the story is that by working together and everyone contributing just a little, a greater good is achieved.
You may be in a situation where you see what needs to be done but we are all looking at our limited resources. Everyone will guard their own resources.
It is time to bring out the stones because it is only by sharing that we may make a feast
So go on, start making your stone soup today!
Blessings y'all!
Once upon a time, somewhere in post-war Eastern Europe, there was a great famine in which people jealously hoarded whatever food they could find, hiding it even from their friends and neighbours.
Three soldiers trudged down a road in a strange country. They were on their way home from the wars. Besides being tired, they were hungry. In fact, they had eaten nothing for two days.
"How I would like a good dinner tonight," said the first. "And a bed to sleep in," added the second. "But that is impossible," said the third.
On they marched, until suddenly, ahead of them, they saw the lights of a village. "Maybe we'll find a bite to eat and a bed to sleep in," they thought.
Now the peasants of the place feared strangers. When they heard that three soldiers were coming down the road, they talked among themselves. "Here come three soldiers," they said. "Soldiers are always hungry. But we have so little for ourselves." And they hurried to hide their food. They hid the barley in haylofts, carrots under quilts, and buckets of milk down the wells. They hid all they had to eat. Then they waited.
The soldiers stopped at the first house. "Good evening to you," they said. "Could you spare a bit of food for three hungry soldiers?" "We have no food for ourselves," the residents lied. "It has been a poor harvest."
The soldiers went to the next house. "Could you spare a bit of food?" they asked. "And do you have a corner where we could sleep for the night?" "Oh, no," the man said. "We gave all we could spare to the soldiers who came before you." "And our beds are full," lied the woman.
At each house, the response was the same -- no one had food or a place for the soldiers to stay. The peasants had very good reasons, like feeding the sick and children. The villagers stood in the street and sighed. They looked as hungry as they could.
The soldiers talked together. The first soldier called out, "Good people! We are three hungry soldiers in a strange land. We have asked you for food and you have no food. Well, we will have to make stone soup." The peasants stared.
The soldiers asked for a big iron pot, water to fill it, and a fire to heat it. "And now, if you please, three round smooth stones." The soldiers dropped the stones into the pot.
"Any soup needs salt and pepper," the first soldier said, so children ran to fetch salt and pepper.
"Stones make good soup, but carrots would make it so much better," the second soldier added. One woman said, "Why, I think I have a carrot or two!" She ran to get the carrots.
"A good stone soup should have some cabbage, but no use asking for what we don't have!" said the third soldier. Another woman said, "I think I can probably find some cabbage," and off she scurried.
"If only we had a bit of beef and some potatoes, this soup would be fit for a rich man's table." The peasants thought it over, then ran to fetch what they had hidden in their cellars. A rich man's soup, and all from a few stones! It seemed like magic!
The soldiers said, "If only we had a bit of barley and some milk, this soup would be fit for a king!" And so the peasants managed to retrieve some barley and milk.
"The soup is ready," said the cooks, "and all will taste it, but first we need to set the tables." Tables and torches were set up in the square, and all sat down to eat. Some of the peasants said, "Such a great soup would be better with bread and cider," so they brought forth the last two items and the banquet was enjoyed by all.
Never had there been such a feast. Never had the peasants tasted such delicious soup, and all made from stones! They ate and drank and danced well into the night.
The soldiers asked again if there was a loft where they might sleep for the night. "Oh, no!" said the town folk. "You wise men must have the best beds in the village!" So one soldier spent the night in the priest's house, one in the baker's house, and one in the mayor's house.
In the morning, the villagers gathered to say goodbye. "Many thanks to you," the people said, "for we shall never go hungry now that you have taught us how to make soup from stones!"
The moral of the story is that by working together and everyone contributing just a little, a greater good is achieved.
You may be in a situation where you see what needs to be done but we are all looking at our limited resources. Everyone will guard their own resources.
It is time to bring out the stones because it is only by sharing that we may make a feast
So go on, start making your stone soup today!
Blessings y'all!
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Tribute to Wangari: Attitude Meets Action
As a country, yesterday we woke up to the sad news of the demise of Professor Wangari Maathai, the first African female Nobel Laureate.
You will agree with me that Wangari never did things half heartedly. She led from the front and did not just say what needed to be done. She had the courage to go out and do it. Her list of achievements and awards is very long and yet, I do not believe that any time she acted it was in pursuit of these accolades. Her message was simple … take care of the environment as nature is unforgiving. I recall in an interview soon after she won the Nobel Peace award someone asked how the two were related. She was quick to point out that many of the wars were as a result of competition for diminishing and / or limited natural resources.
I am at a place in my life where I have concluded that may be I do not need to be learning new lessons. Not because I have reached the epitome of learning but because I am digging up the benefits of the things I have been learning over the years, applying it and am reaping the benefits.
You see, many are the times we get so busy pursuing the latest book, latest movie, latest course, the latest song, the latest inspirational speaker, blogger (hint hint), author and yes, even preacher. We get excited but we never get around to implementing the things we are learning. We store all these knowledge waiting for the “moment” to come when we can implement it. The timing is never right so we do not act. Finally, when we decide our excuses have become old, we begin to look for short cuts, we start chasing the fads.
15 Steps to Wealth
12 Great Ideas to Avoiding Divorce
10 Stages to Lose Weight
8 Ways to Resolving The Past
6 Revolutionary Ideas to A New You
5 Commandments of Parenting
3 Days to Peace
When does this silly chase end?
There is a saying I like, wherever you go, there you are.
Your attitude follows you. You can change jobs, change friends, change partners, change neighborhoods and even change churches but there will be no change in any of these areas until you change yourself. You need to change the man (or woman) in the mirror.
You do not need to hear another sermon, read another book, attend another course or seek yet another mentor because you now need to get up and start implementing the lessons you have learnt so far! OK, you are allowed to keep reading this one blog but not more than 7 times a day :-)!
Do not even get me started on the way we Christians make our excuses sound good by saying we are praying over the situation or we are waiting for a sign from God. I am not saying do not pray nor am I saying do not seek God’s face on an issue. I am saying do not become a collector of prophecies and wear them like charms!
I tell you the truth it does not matter how many times Billy Graham prays for you over the Harvard scholarship that T D Jakes prophesied would be approved the application will not submitted itself!
So this week as many discussions are being held on how best to honor Wangari, a woman who inspired the world in so many ways, it is simple … start where you are and just become a humming bird. Your efforts may seem insignificant but they can make a difference.
Obviously she had faith but she more importantly, it was not a dormant faith, it was a faith backed by action and commitment to the cause. Her attitude and actions were intentional and focused.
For the record, my bible says faith without works is dead. Works means action …ACT!
Infact, that same bible has a book on the ACTS of the Apostles.
Your greatness lies in your attitude and actions.
Rest in peace Wangari Muta Maathai, you who planted many different types of trees so that we may enjoy the shade.
Blessings y’all!
You will agree with me that Wangari never did things half heartedly. She led from the front and did not just say what needed to be done. She had the courage to go out and do it. Her list of achievements and awards is very long and yet, I do not believe that any time she acted it was in pursuit of these accolades. Her message was simple … take care of the environment as nature is unforgiving. I recall in an interview soon after she won the Nobel Peace award someone asked how the two were related. She was quick to point out that many of the wars were as a result of competition for diminishing and / or limited natural resources.
I am at a place in my life where I have concluded that may be I do not need to be learning new lessons. Not because I have reached the epitome of learning but because I am digging up the benefits of the things I have been learning over the years, applying it and am reaping the benefits.
You see, many are the times we get so busy pursuing the latest book, latest movie, latest course, the latest song, the latest inspirational speaker, blogger (hint hint), author and yes, even preacher. We get excited but we never get around to implementing the things we are learning. We store all these knowledge waiting for the “moment” to come when we can implement it. The timing is never right so we do not act. Finally, when we decide our excuses have become old, we begin to look for short cuts, we start chasing the fads.
15 Steps to Wealth
12 Great Ideas to Avoiding Divorce
10 Stages to Lose Weight
8 Ways to Resolving The Past
6 Revolutionary Ideas to A New You
5 Commandments of Parenting
3 Days to Peace
When does this silly chase end?
There is a saying I like, wherever you go, there you are.
Your attitude follows you. You can change jobs, change friends, change partners, change neighborhoods and even change churches but there will be no change in any of these areas until you change yourself. You need to change the man (or woman) in the mirror.
You do not need to hear another sermon, read another book, attend another course or seek yet another mentor because you now need to get up and start implementing the lessons you have learnt so far! OK, you are allowed to keep reading this one blog but not more than 7 times a day :-)!
Do not even get me started on the way we Christians make our excuses sound good by saying we are praying over the situation or we are waiting for a sign from God. I am not saying do not pray nor am I saying do not seek God’s face on an issue. I am saying do not become a collector of prophecies and wear them like charms!
I tell you the truth it does not matter how many times Billy Graham prays for you over the Harvard scholarship that T D Jakes prophesied would be approved the application will not submitted itself!
So this week as many discussions are being held on how best to honor Wangari, a woman who inspired the world in so many ways, it is simple … start where you are and just become a humming bird. Your efforts may seem insignificant but they can make a difference.
Obviously she had faith but she more importantly, it was not a dormant faith, it was a faith backed by action and commitment to the cause. Her attitude and actions were intentional and focused.
For the record, my bible says faith without works is dead. Works means action …ACT!
Infact, that same bible has a book on the ACTS of the Apostles.
Your greatness lies in your attitude and actions.
Rest in peace Wangari Muta Maathai, you who planted many different types of trees so that we may enjoy the shade.
Blessings y’all!
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Smack ....Let Them Go
Sometime back I committed myself to post something on this blog once a week. It was mainly based on the selfish realization that when I share what I am learning, then my lessons become real. I guess it is the logic behind learning how to swim. You can stand at the pool, stare at the water, visualize yourself in the water and even "become one with the water" but until you get into the pool, you cannot learn how to swim! So in a way, when I share my journey, it makes me reflect on the lessons more deeply.
There are times when I need to relearn certain lessons. There are times when I need to bereminded, no, corrected, ok, recharged.
Today is one of those days when I need a smack on my head and after digging up this old gem, I am feeling sufficiently rebuked.
Let Them Go By T.. D. Jakes
There are people who can walk away from you.
And hear me when I tell you this! When people can walk away from you: let them walk. I don't want you to try to talk another person into staying with you, loving you, calling you, caring about you, coming to see you, staying attached to you. I mean hang up the phone.
When people can walk away from you let them walk. Your destiny is never tied to anybody that left.
The bible said that, they came out from us that it might be made manifest that they were not for us. For had they been of us, no doubt they would have continued with us. [1 John 2:19]
People leave you because they are not joined to you. And if they are not joined to you, you can't make them stay.
LET THEM GO!!!
And it doesn't mean that they are a bad person it just means that their part in the story is over. And you've got to know when people's part in your story is over so that you don't keep trying to raise the dead. You've got to know when it's dead.
You've got to know when it's over. Let me tell you something.. I've got the gift of good-bye. It's the tenth spiritual gift, I believe in good-bye.. It's not that I'm hateful, it's that I'm faithful, and I know whatever God means for me to have He'll give it to me. And if it takes too much sweat I don't need it. Stop begging people to stay.
LET THEM GO!!!
If you are holding on to something that doesn't belong to you and was never intended for your life, then you need to......
LET IT GO!!!
If you are holding on to past hurts and pains ......
LET IT GO!!!
If someone can't treat you right, love you back, and see your worth......
LET IT GO!!!
If someone has angered you.
LET IT GO!!!
If you are holding on to some thoughts of evil and revenge.....
LET IT GO!!!
If you are involved in a wrong relationship or addiction... ..
LET IT GO!!!
If you are holding on to a job that no longer meets your needs or talents
LET IT GO!!!
If you! u have a bad attitude.... ...
LET IT GO!!!
If you keep judging others to make yourself feel better......
LET IT GO!!!
If you're stuck in the past and God is trying to take you to a new level in Him.........
LET IT GO!!!
If you are struggling with the healing of a broken relationship. ....
LET IT GO!!!
If you keep trying to help someone who won't even try to help themselves.. ....
LET IT GO!!!
If you're feeling depressed and stressed ............
LET IT GO!!!
If there is a particular situation that you are so used to handling yourself and God is saying 'take your hands off of it,' then you need to......
LET IT GO!!!
'The Battle is the Lord's!'
Blessings y'all!
There are times when I need to relearn certain lessons. There are times when I need to be
Today is one of those days when I need a smack on my head and after digging up this old gem, I am feeling sufficiently rebuked.
Let Them Go By T.. D. Jakes
There are people who can walk away from you.
And hear me when I tell you this! When people can walk away from you: let them walk. I don't want you to try to talk another person into staying with you, loving you, calling you, caring about you, coming to see you, staying attached to you. I mean hang up the phone.
When people can walk away from you let them walk. Your destiny is never tied to anybody that left.
The bible said that, they came out from us that it might be made manifest that they were not for us. For had they been of us, no doubt they would have continued with us. [1 John 2:19]
People leave you because they are not joined to you. And if they are not joined to you, you can't make them stay.
LET THEM GO!!!
And it doesn't mean that they are a bad person it just means that their part in the story is over. And you've got to know when people's part in your story is over so that you don't keep trying to raise the dead. You've got to know when it's dead.
You've got to know when it's over. Let me tell you something.. I've got the gift of good-bye. It's the tenth spiritual gift, I believe in good-bye.. It's not that I'm hateful, it's that I'm faithful, and I know whatever God means for me to have He'll give it to me. And if it takes too much sweat I don't need it. Stop begging people to stay.
LET THEM GO!!!
If you are holding on to something that doesn't belong to you and was never intended for your life, then you need to......
LET IT GO!!!
If you are holding on to past hurts and pains ......
LET IT GO!!!
If someone can't treat you right, love you back, and see your worth......
LET IT GO!!!
If someone has angered you.
LET IT GO!!!
If you are holding on to some thoughts of evil and revenge.....
LET IT GO!!!
If you are involved in a wrong relationship or addiction... ..
LET IT GO!!!
If you are holding on to a job that no longer meets your needs or talents
LET IT GO!!!
If you! u have a bad attitude.... ...
LET IT GO!!!
If you keep judging others to make yourself feel better......
LET IT GO!!!
If you're stuck in the past and God is trying to take you to a new level in Him.........
LET IT GO!!!
If you are struggling with the healing of a broken relationship. ....
LET IT GO!!!
If you keep trying to help someone who won't even try to help themselves.. ....
LET IT GO!!!
If you're feeling depressed and stressed ............
LET IT GO!!!
If there is a particular situation that you are so used to handling yourself and God is saying 'take your hands off of it,' then you need to......
LET IT GO!!!
'The Battle is the Lord's!'
Blessings y'all!
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Responsibility ... Take It Don't Leave it!
The other day I was watching Dr Phil and I was astounded by the issues that there were discussing on international TV. It just felt wrong, kinda like I was peeping into their house, well actually more like their bedroom given the details they were airing. And that got me thinking about how this was no different than what you hear from Maina and King’ang’i every morning. You do not say such things on air.
Such shows just make me want to call my mama coz she will deal with them appropriately … the callers will get a smack on their backsides and the viewers/listeners will not be spared either, she will expect them to find something better to do! And smack you for good measure lest you forget and tune in again.
Please allow me to flog an already dead horse but hey, I have a whip and this is a horse that really needs to be flogged and the fact that it is dead will not stop me! As a country we have seen the repercussions of people refusing to take responsibility for anything. People die and they best they can say is that they were not aware that there were people who did not have food. Or things that are man-made being declared an act of God. Corrupt deals happen right under your nose and you were not aware and therefore cannot be held to account for it. REALLY???
It must be clearly stated that the buck must stop with somebody and if that person is you, will you please do the honorable thing and accept that you dropped the ball?
I wish this malady was unique to government but sadly that is not so. It is in private institutions. It is in our families too. And nooo, it did not end there either, it has infected individuals.
It just seems like there is a certain aversion to taking responsibility for your life. It is always somebody else who is at fault for your actions or lack thereof.
Well, guess what, the word responsibility can be split into two words, response and ability.
The secret is to sharpen, develop and cultivate your response ability to the things that come your way. Do not blame. Do not throw tantrums. Do not waste your energy on things that will not help the situation. Situations may be beyond your control but both your response and ability are all within your control.
Complaining and procrastinating and making excuses will not cut it either.
Seek wisdom that will give you the ability in all situations to exercise good judgment, temperance, discipline, diligence, flexibility, decisiveness and at other times even humility. These will empower you to think at a higher level and make decisions with lasting positive impact.
I have had to honestly look at myself and daily commit myself to successfully change the things that I want to change and improve those that I want to improve. I have also learnt how to request for help and how to graciously receive this help for any situation I may be in.
I am learning that being responsible leads to a multitude of opportunities for new lessons and am discovering the true joy of growing into the extraordinary woman I am created to be. My opportunities are now endless!
I am empowering myself, by taking responsibility for myself!
If you are still stuck, mama taught me how to smack backsides real good and I would be glad to smack you for free!
Blessings y'all!
Such shows just make me want to call my mama coz she will deal with them appropriately … the callers will get a smack on their backsides and the viewers/listeners will not be spared either, she will expect them to find something better to do! And smack you for good measure lest you forget and tune in again.
Please allow me to flog an already dead horse but hey, I have a whip and this is a horse that really needs to be flogged and the fact that it is dead will not stop me! As a country we have seen the repercussions of people refusing to take responsibility for anything. People die and they best they can say is that they were not aware that there were people who did not have food. Or things that are man-made being declared an act of God. Corrupt deals happen right under your nose and you were not aware and therefore cannot be held to account for it. REALLY???
It must be clearly stated that the buck must stop with somebody and if that person is you, will you please do the honorable thing and accept that you dropped the ball?
I wish this malady was unique to government but sadly that is not so. It is in private institutions. It is in our families too. And nooo, it did not end there either, it has infected individuals.
It just seems like there is a certain aversion to taking responsibility for your life. It is always somebody else who is at fault for your actions or lack thereof.
Well, guess what, the word responsibility can be split into two words, response and ability.
The secret is to sharpen, develop and cultivate your response ability to the things that come your way. Do not blame. Do not throw tantrums. Do not waste your energy on things that will not help the situation. Situations may be beyond your control but both your response and ability are all within your control.
Complaining and procrastinating and making excuses will not cut it either.
Seek wisdom that will give you the ability in all situations to exercise good judgment, temperance, discipline, diligence, flexibility, decisiveness and at other times even humility. These will empower you to think at a higher level and make decisions with lasting positive impact.
I have had to honestly look at myself and daily commit myself to successfully change the things that I want to change and improve those that I want to improve. I have also learnt how to request for help and how to graciously receive this help for any situation I may be in.
I am learning that being responsible leads to a multitude of opportunities for new lessons and am discovering the true joy of growing into the extraordinary woman I am created to be. My opportunities are now endless!
I am empowering myself, by taking responsibility for myself!
If you are still stuck, mama taught me how to smack backsides real good and I would be glad to smack you for free!
Blessings y'all!
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
The Knots Prayer
A friend tagged me on this prayer on facebook and it was amazing how it really spoke to me at that point and time. It is such wisdom in such few words.
Troubles are like shadows that follow you around, the more you turn your back to them and the faster you walk from them, the bigger they grow
But turn around and face them, half of them retreat and shrink before your eyes and the other half just get up and go.
I particularly found myself praying that as God unties the knots, may I not tie new ones.
Dear God:
Please untie the knots
That are in my mind,
My heart and my life.
Remove the have nots,
The cannots and the do nots
Erase the will nots,
May nots,
Might nots that may find
A home in my heart.
Release me from the could nots
Would nots and
Should nots that obstruct my life.
And most of all,
Dear God,
I ask that you remove from my mind,
My heart and my life all of the “am nots”
That I have allowed to hold me back,
Especially the thought
That I am not good enough.
Amen
Author Known to God
Troubles are like shadows that follow you around, the more you turn your back to them and the faster you walk from them, the bigger they grow
But turn around and face them, half of them retreat and shrink before your eyes and the other half just get up and go.
I particularly found myself praying that as God unties the knots, may I not tie new ones.
Dear God:
Please untie the knots
That are in my mind,
My heart and my life.
Remove the have nots,
The cannots and the do nots
Erase the will nots,
May nots,
Might nots that may find
A home in my heart.
Release me from the could nots
Would nots and
Should nots that obstruct my life.
And most of all,
Dear God,
I ask that you remove from my mind,
My heart and my life all of the “am nots”
That I have allowed to hold me back,
Especially the thought
That I am not good enough.
Amen
Author Known to God
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Just Call Me Gullible
I am a sucker for sob stories. I have listened to them by the truckload. I have cried over some of these stories. I have gone into my pocket and given. There have been times I have stood in front of the mirror looking for the badge on my forehead that says “sucker”!'
I particularly remember one day in early January, 2008 calm was just returning in the streets of Nairobi after the post election chaos. I was going to the salon to have my hair done when I met this old man who gave me the story of how together with his family they had lost everything in the clashes in Eldoret. He was living in Jamhuri Park with a large family and a new born grandchild. The grandchild bit did it for me. Right there and then I decided my beauty treatment could use some trimming. I gave him some money. The life of a child was at stake!
A couple of months later, I met this guy again. This time his story was that he had travelled from upcountry to see his son but upon arrival to the young man’s office, he was told the guy had travelled and now he had nowhere to go. He had used the little man he had coming to Nairobi and now he had no money to go back home nor did he have a place to spend the night.
Did I ever mention I have the memory of an elephant? May be even the body size of one but hey, my size is not today’s topic!
I asked him if they had moved out of Jamhuri Park. He looked at me puzzled. I reminded him that in January he had lied to me he was an internally displaced person. Then again, he really was an IDP, intentionally dodgy person.
As I stood there looking at him, I was not angry. That was surprising for me. I expected to be angry but I was not! Was I losing my ability to lose it?
Instead, I felt sorry for the guy.
Then I remembered a commitment I made sometime back.I had purposed a couple of years before to listen to all sob stories.
Growing up in Nairobi, street families were a common sight. Large crowds of parking boys were a scary norm. It was common to pass by and given them some coins to buy something. Sometimes to even buy them bread and milk when I felt sufficiently philanthropic. Fast forward many years later and there was a time when hawkers and street families had taken over the alleys in town. One evening as I was coming from work, my watch was snatched, ok more like ripped off my wrist and as I absorbed the shock, I resigned myself to being a statistic of Nairoberry and at the same time thanked God that I still had my bag. The next day, as I was walking home, some guy calls me by my nickname. Now, that is a name only known by guys who grew up in my neighborhood. He told me that he was sure I could not remember him but he was among the parking boys that I had bought for milk and bread in years past. He was now all grown up and was hawker, he even had a stall in town. His name was Zakayo. He had witnessed the snatching of my watch the previous day and he was here to return my watch. So much about hawkers and street families not having boundaries.
It was one of the few times in my life I was left speechless!
So you see, I will continue listening to sob stories. Of course there are those times that I can tell when am being conned. When a story sounds kinda familiar. When I can poke holes in a story. When there is something wrong with the picture.
I decided that yes, I may be conned but what if that one person was genuine? What if their story was real?
I have learnt to decide that if they have conned me out of some coins then that is between them and their god. Between me and my God, I will do what I am convicted to do.
I can openly confirm that people have been very gracious to me in so many ways. People have held my hand. People have given to me in kind and otherwise. Strangers have given to me. Strangers have been used by God to light my path.
It befalls me to light the path for someone.
If someone has ever done anything for you, do something for someone, a stranger or a friend without any intention of collecting on your “investment”.
Human beings were not created to be self-sufficient. We will always need each other. God uses people to bless others.
Nothing you do will be in vain. Do not be jaded by all the fraudsters out there.
I have chosen not to harden my heart.
Forget the skeptics.
Ignore the cynics.
They must not win.
Blessings y’all!
I particularly remember one day in early January, 2008 calm was just returning in the streets of Nairobi after the post election chaos. I was going to the salon to have my hair done when I met this old man who gave me the story of how together with his family they had lost everything in the clashes in Eldoret. He was living in Jamhuri Park with a large family and a new born grandchild. The grandchild bit did it for me. Right there and then I decided my beauty treatment could use some trimming. I gave him some money. The life of a child was at stake!
A couple of months later, I met this guy again. This time his story was that he had travelled from upcountry to see his son but upon arrival to the young man’s office, he was told the guy had travelled and now he had nowhere to go. He had used the little man he had coming to Nairobi and now he had no money to go back home nor did he have a place to spend the night.
Did I ever mention I have the memory of an elephant? May be even the body size of one but hey, my size is not today’s topic!
I asked him if they had moved out of Jamhuri Park. He looked at me puzzled. I reminded him that in January he had lied to me he was an internally displaced person. Then again, he really was an IDP, intentionally dodgy person.
As I stood there looking at him, I was not angry. That was surprising for me. I expected to be angry but I was not! Was I losing my ability to lose it?
Instead, I felt sorry for the guy.
Then I remembered a commitment I made sometime back.I had purposed a couple of years before to listen to all sob stories.
Growing up in Nairobi, street families were a common sight. Large crowds of parking boys were a scary norm. It was common to pass by and given them some coins to buy something. Sometimes to even buy them bread and milk when I felt sufficiently philanthropic. Fast forward many years later and there was a time when hawkers and street families had taken over the alleys in town. One evening as I was coming from work, my watch was snatched, ok more like ripped off my wrist and as I absorbed the shock, I resigned myself to being a statistic of Nairoberry and at the same time thanked God that I still had my bag. The next day, as I was walking home, some guy calls me by my nickname. Now, that is a name only known by guys who grew up in my neighborhood. He told me that he was sure I could not remember him but he was among the parking boys that I had bought for milk and bread in years past. He was now all grown up and was hawker, he even had a stall in town. His name was Zakayo. He had witnessed the snatching of my watch the previous day and he was here to return my watch. So much about hawkers and street families not having boundaries.
It was one of the few times in my life I was left speechless!
So you see, I will continue listening to sob stories. Of course there are those times that I can tell when am being conned. When a story sounds kinda familiar. When I can poke holes in a story. When there is something wrong with the picture.
I decided that yes, I may be conned but what if that one person was genuine? What if their story was real?
I have learnt to decide that if they have conned me out of some coins then that is between them and their god. Between me and my God, I will do what I am convicted to do.
I can openly confirm that people have been very gracious to me in so many ways. People have held my hand. People have given to me in kind and otherwise. Strangers have given to me. Strangers have been used by God to light my path.
It befalls me to light the path for someone.
If someone has ever done anything for you, do something for someone, a stranger or a friend without any intention of collecting on your “investment”.
Human beings were not created to be self-sufficient. We will always need each other. God uses people to bless others.
Nothing you do will be in vain. Do not be jaded by all the fraudsters out there.
I have chosen not to harden my heart.
Forget the skeptics.
Ignore the cynics.
They must not win.
Blessings y’all!
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