Some Life Lessons

In November, 2003, she posted the following on her social media accounts: “The view of Langata cemetery reminds me that that will be my home too some day”.

Many months later on July 26th, 2014, she posted this: “If only we treated others like we would want to be treated, the world would be a happier place,” on her Facebook account. A day later on her Twitter account, she posted the following: “A man’s dignity is not measured by the amount of tears shed when he dies.”

It was now a week before her planned operation meant to donate a kidney to an ailing uncle. While thousands of kilometers away from home, rather unknowingly left the world with the solemn messages. But with her life, she taught us about paying the ultimate sacrifice for the good of others. Maybe she knew. That as she went under the surgeon’s blade, it would be the last time she would shut her eyes to never open them again-at least in this side of eternity. Some people hold the belief that it’s possible to feel the end of life as it approaches. A lady in the prime of her life, with a determined intent to save a loved one’s’ life and avert the loss of life through a kidney problem. Her story speaks of courage. She must have known the pain too well though, having gotten bereaved of her own father in the previous year and to the same ailment.

She flew out of the country and landed in India for the sake of her ailing uncle. But the cruelty of death struck and took with it the life of Rehema Kanini Muthoni during Kenya’s 16th year anniversary of the 1998 bomb blast in Nairobi. The sadness that followed was as deep as the acknowledgement of her sheer kindness and will.

It’s known for a fact that as time has gone, we have become a world full of egocentric tendencies and individualism is like never before. Sometimes, even caring for one’s own blood-connected relatives is totally lacking. Brothers kill each other for the sake of wealth. Jealousy and other minute matters have been magnified by our own selfish ambition. Love is no longer a verb but a noun. The end, many believe, justifies the means but what if we posed and reflected upon what in life means the most?Silence.

I do not know what you hold dearest in life. It could be your education, your looks or the desires that drive you from one day to the next. Realize we will not be eternally here on Earth. We are just passing by. Make the most of it but remember, sometimes you’re not meant to have it all. If you can breath without the aid of machines, praise God for that. Don’t let selfish ambition drive you nuts as you try to prove yourself. Jesus summed up all the commandments as thus: Love God completely and love your neighbour as you love yourself.

Rehema Kanini is described by her family and friends, as a selfless and compassionate individual. Maybe, just maybe, she heeded to Philippians 2:3-4

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

                

One Day at a Time

In every darkness, there's light at the end

Growing up, we used to watch Family TV a great deal. I got to absolutely look forward to experiencing the big crusades the world over by Benny Hinn. On Saturday mornings though, it was always a tussle between me and small sister who couldn’t afford to miss the Colby Kids’ Clubhouse show while I would prefer the likes of Powerpuff Girls and Courage 60 on Nation TV, before it was rebranded to NTV.  The trick on which station to watch was to entice small brother to be on your side. Democracy was instilled years ago. Our mother-who had veto power, would insist we watch Family TV though. She used to love a show that was hosted by an old but friendly looking woman who would sing amidst nuggets of wisdom and encouragements. Her best tune was titled ‘One Day at a Time’. For some reason, I have never gotten the tune nor the lyrics out of my head. Later on, I learnt her name is Cristy Lane.

One day at a time, sweet Jesus

That's all I'm asking from You

Just give me the strength to do everyday

What I have to do

Yesterday's gone, sweet Jesus

And tomorrow may never be mine

Lord, help me today, show me the way

One day at a time…

The Pursuit of Happiness is a Journey

It’s easy to sing a song, recall a great quote or even memorize a Bible verse. But most times, it’s harder to apply them in our day to day life. The storms that we face from time to time can almost shatter us. Earlier this year, it was a bleak time for me. I remember at church on New Year’s eve, I couldn’t even pray for the situation I found myself in seemed hopeless. But as it’s said, a testimony is preceded by a test and so the days wore on. In moments like those, it’s easy to despair, rebel or wallow in pity. Thankfully, God’s ways aren’t like ours and all along, He had a great plan for me.

Sometimes, we find ourselves on the brink of giving up. That’s why suicide is such a rude reality. But what if we decided to live a day at a time; trusting God to see us through to a better day. Because eventually, we will die. And when that happens, our titles will automatically change to ‘body’. They will say our bodies are preserved in a particular place, our bodies will be ferried to our eventual place of burial and our bodies will be lowered down back into the earth. Soil to soil. Silence.

Before that happens though, why can’t we all accept and embrace life! The world is just but a big stage, we are the characters of a play called life. It’s true that we never chose what place to be born in, but still, we have the ability to make an impact.  There will never be another time on Earth for anyone, so don’t hold back living to the fullest, just do it! A time will come, when our teeth are gone and what we will cherish most are memories. So, what will your memories be? Live it today, and smile tomorrow. I watched an Emirates Airlines ad featuring two football greats-Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known as Pelé who dazzled the world four decades ago and Cristiano Ronaldo, a modern day legend. In the ad, some two guys are speaking behind the latter’s back and he has a big smirk written all over his face but gets a tad embarrassed to realize that they are in awe of the former as he approaches. Then, another guy asks Pele to take a photo as he poses with Ronaldo. The guy doesn’t even know how highly esteemed Pele is held by those who bore testament to his exploits. And it ends with the two legends in an embrace, the hourglass is at par. Life really is a cycle and there’s nothing new under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9).

Everyone has what they consider success. Whether it is personal, corporate, social or even as a nation. We really need to come to terms with what true success is. It would be foolhardy to chase life for the ultimate glory and collapse right at the very end. Each day should be lived such that regrets and disillusionment don’t cloud our happiness. But if having fun will last a day, and happiness last for a season, what is eternal is the joy of the Lord. Seek it and you’ll never be caught up in the viciousness and vanity of this life. As some friends of mine summed up the life of man in a song titled ‘Vanity’,

Maisha haya yatoweka,

Mchangani tutakuweka

Mali yako, hautabeba,

Itakwishia dunia...

Indeed, as Jesus said in various accounts of the Gospel, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” (Matthew 24:35, Luke 21:33, Mark 13:31). Let us trust In Him, but also remember this: You only have one life, so live it right. Do what your heart desires and go for that one thing in the world that will truly make you happy.

I did. And I’m loving it J

Wild & Free