We Are Here Now!

I don’t know about you but 2018 seemed to get the worst of majority, if not all of us. We definitely have exceptions for those who enjoyed it best but I’m yet to meet someone who had it all smooth. You choose to share with a friend or colleague what you are going through and they are either going through the same or even worse. Their situations were sometimes so intense that I’d shy off from adding any additional burden to them. Financial strains, relationship breakdowns, disappointments from school, health complications, family issues.. Worst case scenarios were with those facing majority if not all of these.
Personally, I had never experienced such a low status of my life. It got to a point where I found it hard to be myself. I am a person who enjoys motivating other people to go for their dreams but with everything going on around me, I had no strength left to practice what I’d been preaching. I did not understand the value of hope anymore. The Swahili saying “Mganga Hajigangi” (A doctor cannot treat himself/herself) made sense. Nothing I had ever said or written anywhere inspired me to keep holding on. I took a break from this space for the same reason, but we are here now.

We made it to 2019 successfully! A second chance to make things right. The year might look all promising with the famous “Njaanuary” going down fairly fast and amazing for some of us but what’s in store for the remaining eleven months? I recently attended a meeting with some of my colleagues and we were laughing at how we failed to achieve 90% of last year’s agenda. However there were several important things I picked up from 2018 struggles that I can share with you.

Last year, I learnt the importance of adapting to changes in life. We set our targets and attach a time stamp to when we should have achieved them. The problem begins when we realize that things are happening differently from the initial plan. It gets even worse when we have little or no control over these changes. Automatically, we lapse into a state of fear, worry, failure and regrets. Our momentum and will to push forward is crushed.

However; things don’t just happen! Everything occurs with a reason and according to a divine plan. We need to accept the situation at hand and think of how to reinvent ourselves best, to tackle whatever is in front of us. Ordinarily, we take too much time whining about what is happening and playing the blame game; instead of diverting the same energy to working out and executing a plan. It is normal for human beings to be reluctant to change but let’s not wait for occurrences to force us out of our comfort zones. My 2018 was a slow year because I spent most time thinking about my situation asking God, mentors and friends why things had to be that way instead of brainstorming solutions; something I really don’t want to repeat this year.

Lesson Two, we are told from childhood that bad company spoils good morals right? But what exactly is this ‘good company’? It is important to have friends who you are accountable to. People who can stand with you at all times no matter how deep in a situation you are. There are a lot of fake people around. Find those who are worth your space. Remember, you do not need everybody, you just need some chosen few. Friends who are not only there during tough times, but those who also add some spice to your life. People you can have fun with. People who distract you from the lemons that life gives.

Lesson Three, if you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything. Cliche’, I know. But, out here, there will be opinions of how people expect you to live your own life and tackle your own problems. If you have no stand you will be confused on what to follow because everyone has a different opinion. Imagine the results of trying to follow every single thing thrown your way. You need to make independent decisions. Once you start being swayed easily then your stand will never be taken seriously. This goes deeply into your spiritual roots. We all know how powerful God is and how He determines our steps. If it wasn’t for God then I don’t think I would be here confidently sharing this. By the end of the year He will allow me(us) to share testimonies.
AMEN? Now let’s put in that work to ensure we don’t fall short of our goals (again). See you on the other side.