Empowering The Mind; 8 Things To Try

It's always the yearning of everyone to make a better and informed choice.

Many things have been suggested to help in the achievement of the same.

My favourite are;

1.Brain Games/Puzzles. 

2.Meditation. 

3.Read. 

4.Interact with wise.

5.Master one subject. 

6.TV (Just enough) 

7.Just take action. 

8.Eat healthy and remember to drink a lot of water.

It's all about how empowered your mind is,when it comes to decision making.

Better Plan For It.

Have you ever;

-Been in a Primary, Secondary school? 

-Failed in a certain subject or a goal?

-Been 16 years? 

-Loved someone or had a crush on someone? 

-Regretted a choice or decision you made? Though you learnt from it, you feel you should have been wiser. 

-Looked at yourself in the mirror, to see how beautiful and handsome you are?

-Have you ever thought that someday you will be 40 just like you were 16...and that your choices now will ultimately affect the subsequent years? 

-Have you put aside some plans  because soon just like you completed high school, you are going to complete campus,you will get married,have kids What will you do? Where will you go?

-Have you ever looked yourself in the mirror beyond the beauty and asked yourself, "Why was I born?" "Why am I here?"

Life goes on with or without our contribution or impact.

The saddest thing in life would be to live it, just flowing through and letting circumstances bombard us into corners we should not be in.

Nothing in life happens by accident, and the moment one knows how to dust oneself and start walking again, then thats when progress will start being made.

Even though we are not sure of our tomorrow,it  so happens it usually finds us.

The best thing is to plan for it in such a way that it will not find us off guard.

There Is More To Life.

The service was vibrant, he thought as he left the gate of the church. The sermon was about being truthful and facing the menace of cults and occults. He had also waited for the Adminstration Police band for some acoustic hymns. Today was thanksgiving service for the harvest the nation has had, organised in conjuction with the Agricultural Society of Kenya. This service ushered in the Nairobi International Trade Fair week. The band took quite a while to perform and as a result he left.

Randy loves instrumental and acoustics - he desires to be hosting such events or just have an auditorium where such music is played. He loves hymns too.

The thoughts of nature, quiet places, gentle music take him to another world - at least in his mind. The ambience such places create is just awesome!

The traffic lights turned green. Randy crossed the road. It's at the junction of Kenyatta Avenue and Uhuru Highway. He enters Central Park and sits at one of the pews, taking popcorns one by one. He watches people skating and skateboarding.

Others are holding hands, as others under the shades have their heads on the laps of the other. He guessed they must be seriously in love. Some families too were there. It's great to be in love.

"People need more of this nature, romance and unwinding places", he thought as he chuckled to the idea of it being a business. "What if one calls it Confessions Events/Nature Trails?" He paused as he relished the thought. Before he realized the pop corns were over. He felt thirsty too. As the ice cream man passed by, he thought he could quench his thirst with one and ordered one. As he melted it, his focus shifted.

Since he got a job, he has had little time with his Bible. He perfectly knows how tricky this can be to his salvation. "The world can brain wash you", he remebered. Opening the Bible app from his phone, he starts reading the book of 2 Timothy, then 1st Timothy. He is challenged.

He looked up towards the pathways as a boy is held his hand by the dad and being trained on how to skate. Randy estimates the boy to be 2-3yrs. What a dad! Randy is awed. He can also hear the Subaru rumble on Uhuru highway as well as the ambulance sirene...'Huuu, life, oooh life, oooh life'...the song crosses his mind.

Life is a strange game. No specific formula of living in the face value of looking at it. I have a feeling there is more to life than just being born, acquiring material wealth and an awesome life here on earth. I am here for a reason bigger than myself, bigger than life, bigger and beyond my imagination.

Randy's thoughts were cut short as a curvaceous woman walks just near him, dressed in a revealing attire.

'This is disruptive...Huuh! I wish this lady can just know what I've read about modesty!

Timothy wrote:

I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes (1 Timothy 2:9-NIV)

As he stood to walk away, he thought of what he had come to realize: There is a lot one can do with their life. Moreover, to learn ones life route takes patience, determination, passion, focus and one deciding that they had better die living life they were meant to live than bitterly live in pain fulfilling other people's dreams.

What Will I Be Remembered For?

She could hear someone coming near her but she couldn't figure out who it was.

 Her eyes can partially see.

Upon opening my mouth, her face glowed as she smiled, warmly stretching her hands to greet me.

"Oooh welcome WaGichimu", she exclaimed in the local language as I sat on the pew outside the house. WaGichimu is in reference to Macharia son of Gichimu, the late grandpa whom I am named after.

She went ahead to complain of how quiet I've been. "...Even phone calls have been rare!" she exclaimed. It was true though I quickly added that my scarcity is the one that demanded my going. It was better for me to appear physically, rather than making a mere call.

She paused, looked closely at me, and even though I was expecting it, it made me burst out in laughter... That, I've become slender like one. The next question was, "Do you eat? Where does the food go to?"

I went ahead to explain that I have poor eating habits. She added that she knows I have a lot of thoughts from studies to planning my life, but then she said I should do something otherwise I would easily fall on the way.

She went ahead to tell me how life has been ranging from general body weakness, how there has been rain blessings, how her grand daughter-in-law had given her hard times, who had passed on...

My mind started drifting. I started focussing on her as a 100+yrs old individual, who could still afford to do basic things on her own.

Grandma is old, with her oldest great grand kid being 19yrs (third generation), and I have a feeling she will live on to see her fourth generation.

She has seen and gone through a lot. Good and bad are on her basket of experiences. The best thing she ever did is teaching her kids.They have given her the best she can ever dream of at her age.

The big question to me oftenly is: How will my life be at my old age? What will I leave behind? I know that one day my grandma will go to a no return journey, but she will sleep a happy woman.

What will I be remembered for? This question always reminds me of the great people of our times who I have admired for fearlessly fighting through and singing the music in their hearts.

The great musicians, scholars, pastors, writers, political leaders, entreprenuers...the list is endless. My heart races when I look at the achievements and impact of such people. It triggers my heart to fight for what I believe in and to always live my reason for life. The moment one knows what they were born for, they starting writing their legacy. 

One day, you and I will go,what shall will leave behind?

The ultimate legacy is here: "I have fought a good fight and I have kept the faith."

Life Is Huge(Graduation Speech-Dec 5,2014)

The Journey It Has Been.

I stand amazed by the might works of God. 

Looking back at the path it has been, I must confess it has been a long way. Stemming from birth in May 11, 1991 with heavy cheeks which have disappeared as I get older, to joining nursery school in 1996 which I was hesitant. To be separated from the love and care of my parents at home was just too much for me. I was timid then. In fact, were if not for my Dad who insisted on retaking the nursery school oral exam I would not be here today, for I would have redone one year after keeping quiet during the test. In his presence I talked, he gave me the confidence, to tell Ms Njoki, and the head teacher what those shapes and colours were and that qualified me to join Kari Primary. 

How can I forget that incident in 1999.I was in class three. I had been sent me a queen cake, unfortunately I didn’t connect the ‘queen’ part of the cake, to me a cake was cake then, and therefore I went and brought a ‘mukonye’(muffin) .She sent me back with it to get a queen cake!, oh my good lord, on going back the ‘queen’ was still not ringing in my head and so I brought an andazi!,Guess what? She sent me back again! By now it would be suicidal not to have remembered the ‘queen’ part of the cake.Ms Mutire, you taught me not to settle for anything less than what we want in life. 

How can I forget Chemistry lessons in Mugoiri Secondary between 2005-2008.To me those 40 minutes or 80 minutes were a chance for me to learn what life is. The teacher could in fact spend the entire session teaching us how to live. I knew so well I could make reference from books for me to pass exams, but where could I have made reference when it came to life? Mr Ndegwa, you came in handy, I listened. I’ve have applied very little of the Chemistry but I’ve applied most of your life lessons. I’ve found issues becoming light by using my 5 common senses as you insisted. I’ve also realized the power of a 6th sense-the conscience, it’s still alive and super alert. 

In 2010, October 12, I joined the University of Nairobi, to pursue Bachelor of Commerce and majored in Procurement& Supply Chain Management, few know how I spent my life there. Let me shed some light on what made me a who I am so far; I made vow with myself on the 1st day not to engage in drugs or be sexually immoral. That vow carried me along my entire campus life. I deliberately chose who and where to hang out and mostly I got involved in Christian Union activities. I also took risks by trying business and vying in campus politics. This will sound bad, but looking back, it’s one of the best decisions I made; spending less time in theoretical class work and attending more of seminars, talks and browsing Internet. I made friends, good friends, I’ve at least one close person in almost all of the 47 counties of this country and lucky enough even outside the country. Meeting transformative lecturers the likes Dr. Bitange Ndemo, XN Iraki, Mr Mulwa, Dr Njihia, Dr Madam Kinoti also had a bigger impact in my life.

From the bottom of my heart.

I’d wish to express my sincere appreciations to the following;

My relatives;

 Grandma, uncles, aunties and cousins. Your words of encouragement kept me going. That prayer from my grandma every time I was leaving from long holiday gave me energy to start the semester. 

Teachers;

Let the entire staff of Kari Primary School know that I’m grateful to all, for the journey they started, filling my empty brain. Let the entire staff of Mugoiri Secondary know, they are part of me, and will forever lift the name of the school high. UoN community, you’ve taught me to appreciate life is huge.

The society and Church

The society back at Murang’a and most importantly those who have made it here treated me like their own son, whenever I did wrong they didn’t hesitate to reprimand or even report me to my parents. May that collective responsibility continue. And ACK Kari Church, thank you for instilling a spiritual direction in me right from a Sunday school boy up to now.

Friends;

At times life hits us hard, our self-esteem tested and confidence wilted but I’ve the best friends. They have always been there when I need them most. Nguma, from playing together since childhood to helping me in areas I was weak in secondary school and the support you’ve continued giving me after campus, you will forever be blessed for your big heart. Mercy, after sharing my passion and goals with you after campus, your one sentence has kept me going, ’I believe in you Sam’, it’s all I needed, you’ve remained special and wise to me. Phinehas, Velma, Purity, Freshiah, Rahab & Kinuthia; the laughter, pats in the back &exchange of ideas made my campus life memorable. Thanks too Jimmy, at times I overspent and your M-pesa came to my rescue. Njoroge, thanks, the computer skills you taught me have been of much help. The list can be long.All those who have taken their time to advise and help in one way or another I salute and respect you.

Parents.

MUM & DAD YOU ARE THE BEST.

You’ve made sacrifices to see me through and ensuring never at once was I sent home for fees. You’ve believed in me right from childhood that even when I left books at Wagakai’s shopping centre, you still knew that somehow your son will pass, even when you left me at the shop to serve customers as early as class three & four and customers thought I stayed there so that I could inform you when they alived only to serve them with diligence and they were surprised, you made me realize there was something unique in me. It made me confident. The freedom you gave me to do anything I wanted as long as I didn’t bring trouble home instilled a sense of responsibility and creativity. It made my childhood memorable and fun. I’m forever nostalgic of my childhood days. And those rib cracker jokes from Dad, waaa, makes me smile even when I’m alone.

I will never disappoint you. God bless you. Thank you. Regardless of how many degrees I will have, I’m still your kid and will always listen to you. John ‘Mageria’ (and family) and Joseph ‘Musiekuna’,( hehe, I know the latter will give me a lecture, haina pressure, see you) thanks for the support, its fun and blessing to have you as my brothers. We are meant to go far as a family, and yes we will.

God

Many others worked harder than me but they didn’t get an opportunity like this. Nobody applied to be born the way they were, or by the parents who bore them or be brought up in a certain way under certain circumstances, for me it has been only God’s favor in my journey. I will always humble myself before Him. It’s not the end He is taking me places.

The Big Question; Now that I’ve graduated what next?

I have started feeling the weight of graduating, huuuu. With so much expected from me, it can be a tricky affair. The glory and glamour of graduating will end in the next few minutes. And the reality of our lives will dawn. The next thing you will be asking is what does Sammy do nowadays? The mindset our system has instilled in us; Go to school, get good grades, get good job, marry a beautiful wife, get 2 kids, buy a car, build a nice house…and then, probably wait to die. Others will expect to be seeing me in suits and tie, with a protruding pot belly,(Hewu,!Tufiakwa! chiniiike me, if I’m unable to tie my shoe laces because of utambi). This can be a limiting perspective, though the above will make our life sweet. But nowadays there is no colleration between good grades/academics (as most Kenyans are easily access tertiary level education making competition super stiff) and success in life (success is broader than riches), I mean haven’t you seen a graduate who is morally, socially and spiritually rotten or struggling financially? Is it not true some of the most learned are the mega corrupt? Do you think the drugs and prostitution cartels are handled by people who have just basic education? 

Well to me life is all about purpose and passion not necessarily material possessions, this should come as a bonus. I’ve been searching for that one thing that I will enjoy doing whether it will pay peanuts or millions, the bottom line is, I should do what is giving me a reason to wake up tomorrow energized. But then we can’t run away from the fact we need money, and lots money for a comfortable life, the cost living is high. In Kenya I’ve realized if one wants to make some serious money enter politics and/or business or go illegal by selling drugs/black market/corrupt deals As a result I’ve made a choice, which I’m passionate about; creating a business system (I need serious money too, ha). A business system in this context is a venture that can make money whether you are present or not, the difference with employment is, for the latter if you are not working you cannot earn. I’ve been trying in a small way, most times I’ve failed, which is part of learning, it’s not an easy choice but I’m willing to do what it takes to have a successful venture. For now, I may even be forced to work when the worse comes to worse but employment is just not my thing. I’ll be happier for one to mentor & support me in this than offer me a job. 

Writing & Speaking message of hope, entrepreneurship and telling the world to live fearlessly and pursue their true calling is also something else I’m passionate about. By the way I’d love if you can take a walk to a public cemetery or remember a close person who died with their dreams and passions fearing what others will say about them, magnifying the problem than the solution, just stuck in something they hated doing….I always ask myself several questions before taking any action, some of them are: Is it against the Bible? What is the worst case scenario of my action? In my deathbed or some time to come will I my conscience haunt me for doing or not doing it? I also remember my younger me, the things I feared doing or talking my mind and heart out or opportunities that passed me because I wasn’t bold enough. By the way, imagine the things you feared when you were 5/10/20/30/40…yrs, do they still scare you? .Some years from now it won’t matter and probably you will sit down and punch yourself why you failed to do or not do it. Let’s be bold and face it fearlessly with passion and zeal because whatever one is going through it will soon pass and life is huuuuuuuuge! 

Finally good people mentor someone. If for example Mr Ndegwa (To me he was and is a life coach) kept quiet from talking about other issues of life apart from books, could I have benefited from his wisdom apart from just passing exams? Life is not all about me. The aspect of individualism has penetrated .Leave a mark, however simple it will be. The society needs you and me, there are people who are disadvantaged they only need someone to tell them, ’Yes, you can do this, ‘Keep on trying’, ’Good job’. Someone to shed some knew knowledge on how to do things better. I stand to be counted, will you?, Will you support me in this?. Ms Njoki go tell Kari pupils I said yes they are not doomed, Mr Ndegwa tell Mugoiri students I believe in them, we made it with Nguma,they are no exception, for we had no magic . Mr Nderitu go tell ACK Kari all is not lost, they is hope…and I tell Murang’a all is not lost. Mercy will you give Kitui hope?,How about Velma? Kakamega is looking up to you, Purity Embu needs you, Rahab Kilifi can’t wait any longer,Phinehas Nyandarua is waiting, Uncle ,Transzioa is waiting…..And all of us Kenya is waiting, let’s go impact and encourage one  another .Lend a helping hand. 

It’s not how the degree I have acquired plus more I will acquire since this just the beginning will help me, but how it can help many, for if my brother is in trouble so do I. 

God bless you.

Live on Love

It's 6pm.

He wore a green short and an orange Netherlands jersey.Rambled from his room and headed to the beach.

They've been here,Kanamai, Kilifi for capacity building and training with one of the NGO's. He sat on the protective wall,that prevented the water from getting into the premises during high tides. 

The sight of the tides breezed,the fresh air was a super relaxer,the whirling sound of the tidal waters from a far thrilled.The view was just magnificent even from the sky as sun went down.It's at such a moment he wished he wasn't alone,he wished for a gentle touch and a hold of someone by the hand,oooh it could have been the best hangout,quietly watching with no words .Indescribable.Too bad he was still alone and to some extent lonely watching all this.

The thought of travelling back to Nairobi tonight sickened,he brushed it off.

'I need to vow with the waters of the life to lead,wished and will work for',a thought crossed.He punched his left palm with his right hand fist and affirmed several things about his life,'...so God help me,most importantly let your will be done',he concluded the affirmation and gently relaxed.He only thought of the most beautiful things in life & the people who smiled,talked courteously,had a nice heart,who never lied,who were apologetic,held no grudge,inspired others,loved their partners,...talk of all the lovely actions of people,he cherished them.

The lyrics of the song  'Mother how are you today' by Maywood,came to live of how a daughter wrote a letter to her mom.

Mother, how are you today?
Here is a note from your daughter.
With me everything is ok.
Mother, how are you today?
Mother, don't worry, I'm fine.
Promise to see you this summer.
This time there will be no delay.
Mother, how are you today?

I found the man of my dreams.
Next time you will get to know him.
Many things happened while I was away.
Mother, how are you today?

He was only left guessing how the daughter must have been excited to get a man of his dreams.

Before long he remembered the Whisky Lullaby-Brad Paisley, Wrong Road Again-Crystal Gayle, Second Violin-Burgatell, Winner Takes It All-Abba….but this time the characters were complaining of Love gone sour, separation & divorces and they were expressing their bitterness.

The latter thoughts were distractive, he wished to dismiss them but he needed a solution of why love turns sour and concluded it’s because people overlook the basic  and forget the founding criteria and ‘checklist’ which is 1^st Corinthians 13.

It was getting dark, he wished to have stayed longer but the 'Oxygen' coach had already been ignited. What was ringing and wished people used the same tune of Devouted to You-Everly Brothers, Vows Go Unbroken-Kenny Rodgers and Forever & Ever-Randy Travis.

‘What am I thinking, it’s early for me to harbor love thoughts, life is big and there are other things to think about other than the lovey doveys’, he paused.

‘If you get wrong on this, the ‘bigness’ of life becomes titchy, you've to get it right from the word go, otherwise one will experience hell on earth with the wrong person, your entire life’,a thought warned.

He smiled and waved goodbye to the ocean and whispered to it,'Some day I’ll come again, but I won’t be alone then.Cheerio'.

Goodbye Employment

There comes a time when you have to make a choice between the ideal reality and the real reality.
Every day we make  choices that will make us who we will be tomorrow.In fact our today is as a result of our yesterday choices and it goes without saying that our tomorrow will be as a result of today's choices.

Some times back in my 3rd year of study in Campus my room mate asked me why I'm studying.Without much thinking I told him,'I'm studying to make myself unemployable'.I hadn't understood what's all the fuss over with employment but I can now guess a few things being faced with such a situation of whether to look for a job or not.Employment is secure because at the end of the month one is assured of a salary to foot off the bills.Job gives one a higher social status.It also offers a career growth.

Having gone through the curriculum,one is faced with several alternatives;Get into trying their hand in business by applying the skills they learnt,Get a job,Self-employment,Invest(few can take this route because of informational &financial constraints),Volunteer.The easiest paths is getting a job,one only needs to apply without ceasing till it comes by and volunteering.

I've chosen to take the path less taken,though majorly in Africa venturing in business is seen as for academic failures or dropouts it bothers me less.It's a choice career I've made,to be an entrepreneur regardless of all the papers I have and will acquire.I must confess it's one of the biggest risk I've ever taken with my life.Family and friends were surprised but have rendered their helping hand.That's all I need, someone to believe in me and leave the rest.

It's  more satisfying for me to rub shoulders with hustlers and look for connections and business networks than be in an Italian suit and bow tie in an elevator,faking a smile while dying inside.It's more satisfying for me to earn little and watch it grow to an empire than be a slave.It's more satisfying for me to fail once ,twice,thrice,struggle to foot off my bills than get reprimands that will never add value to my later life only pressure.

Some may think ooh,this dude has received  some financial back up to start off,ooh,..honestly no,in fact my net-worth as we speak now could be negative,but you know what something keeps telling me I can do excellent in entrepreneurship.And as we know that faith is the substance of things hoped for,the evidence of things not seen,this is enough for me.I have the end in mind and that is what will keep me going despite how rough the journey might be.At times life may even get to that of a Boxer a character in Mumford & Sons song ....but the fighter still remains.

Wish you well my corporate friends and former course mates,I'll be more than glad if you buy one or two of my products.
See you at the top.I'd also appreciate so much to get a entrepreneur mentor via this platform.