☀️ Ikigai (生き甲斐)

"Your Reason to Jump Out of Bed!"

Find your Ikigai! It's that sweet spot where what you love (passion), what you're good at (profession), what the world needs (mission), and what you can be valued for (vocation) all come together. It's your unique purpose that brings joy and fulfillment to each day.

🚀 Kaizen (改善)

"Little Steps, Big Wins!"

Embrace Kaizen! This is all about continuous, small improvements. Instead of giant leaps, focus on making tiny, positive changes consistently. Over time, these little steps lead to remarkable transformations in any area of your life.

🍂 Wabi-Sabi (侘寂)

"Embrace Imperfect Beauty!"

Discover Wabi-Sabi! It's the art of finding beauty in imperfection and transience. Think of a single, weathered autumn leaf lying gracefully on a moss-covered stone, showcasing the beauty in natural aging and subtle flaws.

✨ Kintsugi (金継ぎ)

"Golden Scars, Stronger Soul!"

Learn from Kintsugi! This is the beautiful Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with lacquer dusted or mixed with powdered gold, silver, or platinum. It highlights the "scars" as a valuable part of an object's history, making it even more beautiful and resilient. Your imperfections tell your unique story!

🌲 Shinrin-Yoku (森林浴)

"Forest Bathing for Your Soul!"

Try Shinrin-Yoku! Literally "forest bathing," this principle encourages immersing yourself in nature. Imagine soft sunlight dappling through lush green leaves in a tranquil forest, with a gentle mist hanging in the air, inviting a deep sense of calm.

🙏 Mottainai (もったいない)

"Waste Not, Want Not, Appreciate All!"

Practice Mottainai! This expresses a feeling of regret when something valuable is wasted. Picture hands carefully mending a torn piece of fabric with colorful thread, highlighting the care and intention to give new life to something old.

🌬️ Shikata ga nai (仕方がない)

"It Is What It Is... Peacefully."

Understand Shikata ga nai. This phrase means "it cannot be helped" or "nothing can be done about it." Imagine a serene, still lake reflecting a cloudy sky, accepting the present conditions without resistance.

💖 Gaman (我慢)

"Dignity in Tough Times."

Cultivate Gaman. This refers to enduring the seemingly unbearable with patience, dignity, and perseverance. Picture a single, strong tree standing resiliently against a stormy sea, its roots firmly grounded.

🌸🍑🍒 Oubaitori (桜梅桃李)

"Bloom in Your Own Way!"

Embrace Oubaitori! This idea comes from the kanji for four trees that bloom in spring: cherry, plum, peach, and apricot. Imagine a painter's palette with distinct strokes of pink, deep rose, soft white, and pale coral blending harmoniously, each color beautiful in its own right.

🧠✨ Shoshin (初心)

"Beginner's Mind, Endless Learning!"

Adopt Shoshin! This Zen Buddhist term means "beginner's mind." Picture a pair of wide, curious eyes gazing at a dewdrop on a fresh green leaf, seeing its simple beauty and intricate detail as if for the very first time.

😊 Omotenashi (おもてなし)

"Heartfelt Hospitality, No Strings Attached!"

Experience Omotenashi. This is the Japanese concept of selfless hospitality. Imagine a steaming cup of fragrant green tea being offered with two hands and a gentle bow, conveying warmth and sincere welcome.

덧없는 Mono no aware (物の哀れ)

"The Bittersweet Beauty of Passing Things."

Feel Mono no aware. This refers to a gentle sadness or wistfulness for the transience of things. Imagine cherry blossom petals gently falling and scattering on the surface of a calm pond, a beautiful yet fleeting moment.

🌌 Yuugen (幽玄)

"Profound, Mysterious Grace."

Contemplate Yuugen. This concept refers to a profound, subtle, and mysterious awareness of the universe. Imagine a misty mountain landscape where the distant peaks are just barely visible through the fog, hinting at something vast and unknowable.

🥗 Hara Hachi Bu (腹八分目)

"Eat Until You're 80% Full!"

Practice Hara Hachi Bu! This Okinawan concept advises eating until you are just 80% full. Imagine a bowl of colorful, nourishing food with a small portion intentionally left unfinished, signifying satisfaction without overindulgence.

⬜ Ma (間)

"The Beauty of Empty Space."

Appreciate Ma. This refers to the artistic interpretation of empty space, the interval, or the pause. Imagine a minimalist Japanese room with a single, carefully placed vase and ample open space around it, emphasizing the beauty of what isn't there.

Which of these principles resonates with you the most today? I'd love to hear how you might incorporate these beautiful ideas into your daily life! Share your thoughts in the comments below. 👇

Stay mindful.

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You may be equally mesmerised to learn that a woman who came up with Father's Day. Sonora Dodd desired to honor her father, who had raised her and her 5 siblings as a single dad.

Much later, in 1972, Father’s Day, which is celebrated on the third Sunday of the month of June, became a national holiday in the US.

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Today is Father’s Day.

Happy Father’s Day to all men, as you represent fatherhood and paternal bonds.

Take a moment to remember your father, alive or deceased, and honor them in the best way you know how.

Celebrate the men who are fathers and represent paternal bonds in your life today.

To the fathers, remember to bless those you have fathered. Remember that when you create something, you must bless it.

My reader, remember to accept your father’s blessing, as the blessing does not come from him but through him.

Finally, God the Father is our blesser. Fathers, be the instruments of God's blessings. You are very privileged to share a name with God- Father.

Happy Father's Day!

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It is a question that echoes through the ages, whispered in moments of introspection and shouted from the rooftops of self-discovery.

You might hear it in job interviews, team-building exercises, or even late-night conversations with friends.

But what does it truly mean? And how do you even begin to answer it?

I have pondered this question countless times, and the more I delve into it, the more I realize there is no easy answer.

It is tempting to define ourselves with a single label – our career, our names, our relationships.

I believe we are far more complex than that. We are a cocktail of identities, each facet reflecting a different aspect of who we are.

Yes, you are a human being, a son, a daughter, a brother, a sister, a father, a mother, a husband, a wife, a friend, or a colleague.

These roles shape your experiences and interactions, but they do not define you entirely.

Beneath the surface, there is an essence that remains constant, independent of external validation.

This realization has been incredibly empowering. It means I am not bound by others' perceptions or expectations.

How you see me is a reflection of your lens, not necessarily the truth of who I am.

Some may underestimate me, others may overestimate me, but the only opinion that truly matters is my own.

Of course, I acknowledge the profound influence of nature and nurture. My upbringing, experiences, and the people I have encountered have all shaped my personality and values.

Regardless, I believe nature plays a more dominant role.

Even if my circumstances were different, I would still possess the same fundamental essence, perhaps with a few variations.

The understanding of who I am and the fact that I am in control of my destiny means that failing in some areas of my life does not mean I am a failure.

Additionally, I can acknowledge that just like I have succeeded in some facets of my life, so can I improve tremendously in those areas that I am lacking.  

Importantly, this understanding places the responsibility for my life firmly in my own hands. I am the architect of my destiny, the author of my own story.

I acknowledge that the responsibility for shaping my life firmly rests with me.

I invite you to embark on your journey of self-discovery. Ask yourself:

Who am I, truly? 

Beyond the labels, beyond the roles, what lies at the heart of your being?

How much have you allowed others to define you? 

Have you embraced people’s opinions (including those of your parents, spouse, or workmates) as your own, or are you ready to reclaim your narrative?

Are you a product of nature or nurture, or a delicate blend of both?

How have your experiences shaped you, and what innate qualities remain constant?

If you could change anything to become a better version of yourself, what would it be?

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Remember, the quest for self-understanding is a lifelong journey. It is a process of peeling back the layers, revealing the hidden depths within.

As you uncover the truth of who you are, you will discover a greater sense of purpose, authenticity, and fulfillment.

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Death: The Uncomfortable Conversation

I am seated here reflecting on a topic we would rather postpone discussing. Most of us cannot have a comfortable discussion around the topic of death, yet it is so real.

I wish I were writing about a simpler subject like rest. Some people die while others rest.

Think about it: a man like Abraham in Genesis 15:15 was promised by God that he would go back to his ancestors in peace and be buried at a good old age. That doesn't sound scary at all.

A different man, Job, in Job 14, acknowledges that he will die and never rise again. He will disappear as water disappears from the seabed. He will lie down and not be awakened or stirred from sleep (Job 14:12-13).

The Finality of Death

In my article about life's constants, I mentioned death as one of them. It is the comma to life, for those who believe in Christ will live, even though they die. In fact, they will not die but sleep (John 11:25-26).

To everyone else, death is a complete stop.

A Personal Loss

Over the Easter season, I took time to mourn my grandmother, who rested peacefully at the impressive age of 102 years. That is a triple-digit age! Will we come close to this abundance of life?

I wanted to consider her passing as a celebration of life, but then how can one celebrate a loss? I held myself strong during the season until the moment her lifeless body was lowered six feet under.

It hit me that I would never see her again, take photos with her, listen to her advice again, and my visits to my village would always be filled with her absence. The sting of death!

Grief's Unexpected Impact

No one prepares you to mourn the death of a loved one. Death hits you like a tornado.

In 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14, the author says that we should not grieve about those who are asleep, for if we believe in the death and resurrection of Christ, then we must hope that God will also raise those who have fallen asleep in Christ.

It's a profound scripture, offering encouragement and hope that believers in Christ do not die but fall asleep with the hope of resurrection.

Facing Our Own Mortality

Talking about the death of someone else, a loved one, or a total stranger may be easier than reflecting on one's own death. I am not sure most of us have even thought about our own death. We should not talk about such things.

Whichever is easier for each individual, I think it is essential to lift that lid and think through death. Maybe we would find more meaning in life by thinking about death. Maybe we would find more purpose when we view life with death in mind.

We would redeem our time. We would love more intensely. We would live fully, knowing the end from the beginning and, even more so, being assured of life when we die in Christ.

Death's Defeat

O death, where is your sting? O grave, where is your victory? 1 Corinthians 15:55.

Questions for Reflection

How does your personal belief system shape your understanding of death?

If you could prepare yourself for the death of a loved one, what steps (practical or emotional) would you take?

Does contemplating death change how you choose to live your life? If so, in what ways?

For those with faith in Christ, how does the promise of resurrection bring comfort in the face of death?

Today, I want us to look at energy fluctuations and explore ways to manage them.

We have all had days where we feel unstoppable – tackling projects, crushing to-do lists, and generally feeling like we could conquer the world.

On the contrary, there are days where getting out of bed feels like a monumental task. The struggle is real! It is like our energy levels are on a wild roller coaster ride.

So, what is going on here? Is it normal to have energy levels that swing like a pendulum? Let me break it down for you.

Why the ups and downs?

There are numerous factors that make our energy levels swing:

1. The Sleep Factor

Think of sleep as your body and mind's power recharge. If you are not getting enough quality sleep, your energy tank will be empty. It is like trying to run your phone on 2% battery. Lack of quality sleep comes with many other health complications, as explained by the NIH.  

2. The Stress Factor

Stress is a major energy drain. When we are under pressure, our bodies kick into survival mode, leaving us feeling depleted. Again, stress will not only drain your energy, but also expose you to various health risks. 

3. The Food Factor

Our bodies need the right fuel to keep up! Unbalanced diets, skipping meals, and overdoing sugar or caffeine can send our energy levels crashing. Check out this article for foods that will boost your energy levels.  

4. The Movement (or lack of it) Factor

Regular exercise might seem counterintuitive if you are feeling tired, but it actually gives you more energy in the long run. On the flip side, too much sitting saps your energy. Indeed, one cannot overemphasize the health benefits of exercising regularly.  

5. The Invisible Factor

Sometimes hidden stuff is at play – think hormone imbalances, nutrient deficiencies, or even underlying health conditions.

Is it normal?

Yes, these energy fluctuations are a totally normal part of being human. Everyone experiences them from time to time. You are not a robot programmed to run at the same power level 24/7. Even robots get their parts worn out if they run continuously without servicing. 

When should the alarm bells ring?

If your energy swings are really extreme, or if your lows are lasting for weeks and are seriously impacting your daily life, that is when it is time to check in with your doctor.

So, what can we do about it?

While we cannot eliminate energy dips completely, we can definitely smooth out those highs and lows by:

a). Prioritizing sleep: You should make non-negotiable time for 7-8 hours of quality sleep every night.

b). Managing stress- You should find stress-busters that work for you – it could be exercising, meditating, journaling, time in nature, or anything else that dials down the stress thermostat.

c). Fueling your body right:- This means focusing on whole foods, balanced meals, and steady hydration. Do you drink enough water daily?

Keep in mind that optimal hydration will slow down your aging, and who would not want to stay young? 

e). Moving:- It is time you aimed for regular physical activity, even if it is just a daily walk to keep your energy levels high. You might think that being physically active will wear you down, but experts suggest the opposite. 

f). Listening to your body:- When you are hitting a low, take a break. Restorative activities are just as crucial as getting things done. Remember, sometimes slowing down helps you power up.

g). Cycle Syncing:- Menstruating women will experience different energy levels based on the phase of their menstrual cycle. You should consider cycle syncing to help you optimize your energy levels in each phase of your cycle.

It is important to remember that it is a journey, not an overnight fix. Be patient with yourself and keep experimenting to see what makes those energy levels tick for you!

Let me know in the comments – what helps you manage those energy swings?

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Sundays are a great day for reflecting on what matters. I like to remember that some things always happen in life. I call these the constants. They are like the rules of the game that we are all playing.

Today, I will share my thoughts with you about what I consider common to us all. Remember to subscribe, share, and leave a comment on this post.

Constants of Life

Birth 

It all starts here. The day you were born is when you joined the adventure of living. Maybe you have a special way to celebrate your birthday, or maybe it is just a quiet day with people you love.

Either way, that date marks the beginning of your story.

Happiness 

We all know what this feels like, even if it differs for everyone. It might be a silly joke that makes you laugh until you cry, a warm hug from someone you care about, or just waking up healthy and strong.

Happiness changes; it comes and goes, but we all experience it. Sometimes, the best happiness is unexpected, like a surprise gift or a word of encouragement.

Sadness 

This is another feeling we all share. Sometimes, things go wrong, or someone hurts our feelings. Sometimes, we are just sad and do not know why. It is okay to feel sad – it is part of life. But just like happiness, sadness does not last forever.

There are always ways to feel better, like talking to a friend, listening to your favorite music, or spending time in nature.

Death

This is the big rule, the one we do not like to consider. However, it happens to everyone eventually.

Endings are part of every story, and while they can be hard, they also make way for new beginnings.

Keep Going and Keep Growing

Happiness and sadness come and go. That is why I try to make the most of happy times and remember that sadness will not last forever.

I try to find the good in every day and appreciate the moments I have. Life is about balance, both the good and the bad coming together.

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These are just some of my thoughts on the constants of life. What do you think is always there, no matter what? Do you think about other things that happen to everyone?

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It’s another reflective Sunday here. Sundays are calm and sober days. A Sunday is a day when all the storms of the week should come to a pause, if not a standstill. I take Sundays to reconnect with myself, my Maker, and my purpose.

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On this beautiful, sunny Sunday, I take time to dig into pertinent questions of life. Who am I? Why am I here?

Have you ever asked yourself these questions? 

Honestly, I don't have all the answers. Some days I feel like I'm just going through the motions, caught in the daily grind. Work, errands, chores...it's easy to forget the bigger picture. But other times, I see a flicker of something more. 

Maybe it's in a kind word from a random person or a significant other, or a beautiful sunset. Sometimes these thoughts catch me when Google Photos brings my daily memories of past days. Those moments remind me that there's something beyond the ordinary.

I've come to believe that my purpose isn't just one grand thing waiting to be discovered. Instead, it's a journey of growth. It's about learning, connecting with others, and trying to leave a positive mark on the world, however small.

It's the little choices I make every day that shape who I am and what my life ultimately means.

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I opine that we are multi-purpose beings. You cannot be defined unilaterally; to someone, you are a son, a daughter, a sister, or a brother. To another, you are a cousin, nephew, or niece. Yet, to another you are a father, mother, auntie, or simply a “relative.” 

Again, you are a boss, an employee, a colleague, or simply a friend to another. You see, you are different things to different people and situations.

You serve various purposes in those diverse hats. You can be great in one role and lacking in another, but that does not invalidate your worth. 

Sometimes, my purpose is simply to be present for someone who needs it. Other times, it's pursuing my own passions and seeing where they take me.

If you think about the vastness of the universe and the myriad of things humans have to handle every day, you are likely to feel insignificant. However, I want to remind you that you are an important part of the universe.

You could be the full-stop in someone’s sentence, a quote in another person’s paragraph, or a prelude in someone’s book. You matter. You count. 

I guess, if I had only hours to live, my biggest regret would be not taking enough chances or not trying to make a difference in my own little way.

What are your biggest questions in life? Have you found your purpose? Where can you find your purpose? 

Let’s talk. 

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My mind races. A swirling vortex of unfinished projects, fleeting ideas, and a thousand half-formed sentences about everything and nothing at all. My Substack post... it stares back at me, an accusing blank page, as if I've failed before the first word is even written.

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This internal chaos isn't unique to me, is it? Is there a man alive who hasn't known this tempest of the mind?

It's funny, isn't it? We're told this is a man's prime. Energy, ambition, and the world are at our fingertips! The reality? It's often a maelstrom. There's work, a relentless juggernaut of demands that never seem to ebb. There's this gnawing need for a sense of purpose to build something and leave some mark. 

And then there are the relationships, those threads of love and obligation that bind us, needing attention, needing presence, and needing us to be something more than we often feel.

This weight of expected clarity hangs heavy. The man who's got it all figured out, in control. Yet inside, that relentless loop of self-doubt plays. "Am I doing enough? Have I made wise choices? Is there more I could be giving, achieving, being?"

Each day presents a relentless tide of information, experiences, and demands. Plans collide with unexpected events. One moment, it feels like there's all the time in the world, and then suddenly, a deadline looms, a crucial conversation needs to be had, and that brilliant insight you had for the article? Poof! Vanished, leaving only a nagging sense of frustration.

Maybe the most challenging part is the silence we men often cultivate—the unspoken belief that wrestling openly with this storm inside is a weakness. We should be able to handle it all, right? Compartmentalize, prioritize and move seamlessly from one task to the next. The reality is messier and more frayed.

The performance and attempt to always look like everything is aligned and under control are exhausting. That's the thing nobody tells you - this struggle, it's part of the deal. It's the tax we pay for being complex creatures with hearts that dream and hands that strive.

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It's tempting, isn't it, to find ways to numb that thrumming current of life? But what if we leaned into it instead of running from it? Turned it into fuel, somehow? What if this storm is what shapes us into something more substantial? And what if the answer lies not in suppressing the churn but in letting ourselves truly feel it?

I don't have solutions, not for myself or you. But there's some relief as I put this swirling mess into clumsy words. Is journaling your way? Or you may find an ancient melody that echoes the tempest in your soul. Maybe it's a long walk where you speak the unspoken to the trees and birds - or the constant noise of the traffic.

Whatever method you find, don't deny this part of yourself. We men are more than stoic action figures. Our strength lies in the struggle and finding ways to channel the storm, express it, and then... maybe we'll finally start to find clarity in the maelstrom.

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Photo: a “baby” Lake Ellis.

Unfortunately, light rains the night before a scorching hot February had turned the forest roads into a muddy mess. Our bus got stuck, forcing us to begin our journey about 3 kilometers from the official starting point.

Photo: Our bus is stuck in the forest.

Undeterred, we started our trek, hearts pumping wildly as we climbed the path towards breathtaking views of Mt. Kenya. The climb tested our stamina, with heart rates soaring to 170 bpm and beyond. Our first destination was the picturesque Nithi Falls.

Photo: Polluters are unwelcome.

The water was chilling, so cold it numbed my fingers after a quick wash. Some daring souls even drank the pristine water, and I can confirm its refreshing power. In that moment, surrounded by the untouched beauty of nature, I was struck by the perfection of God's creation.

From the falls, we continued onwards to our goal: Lake Ellis. The sight of the lake, nestled over 3,400 meters above sea level, was astonishing.

Photo: Lake Ellis.

Its expansive beauty filled me with awe and a profound sense of peace. I imagined the envy I'd inspire back home as I sat by the lake, surrounded by Mt. Kenya's peaks. The sight of hikers and mountaineers camped by the lake only increased my longing to spend a night in this idyllic setting. Kenya is a breathtaking country, and visiting Lake Ellis proves you can't afford to stay indoors on the weekend!

With photos in hand, we trekked back to our starting point, hoping to board our waiting bus and head for a hot meal before the drive back to the bustle of the city. As we descended, I reflected on the serenity of life outside the city limits, in harmony with nature. Hiking is proper multi-sensory therapy. Though descents are always arduous on my knees, I thrive on the challenge of a good climb.

Photo: camping in Mt. Kenya.

Mt. Kenya is a popular destination, and our downward hike was punctuated by encounters with porters carrying gear for hikers from around the globe. At the base camps, tents were pitched, and the smell of coffee wafted. The balance between humanity and nature felt perfect at that moment.

Photo: a Mount Kenya sunset.

As the setting sun touched the horizon, it was a stark reminder of the pollution and effects of climate change waiting for us in the city.

Legs weary but spirits high, we reached the trail's end. Our waiting bus spared us another 3 kilometers, descending in the encroaching darkness. Everyone on our team made it, a testament to our determination. After stretching and changing clothes, we headed out for a well-deserved meal before the 3-hour drive back to the city.

Photo: This is what you are missing by staying indoors.

We conquered our challenges and the mountain itself, all while spending quality time away from urban chaos.

A special shout-out to all the hiking newbies - the cult welcomes you! See you in the next one! 

In the meantime, check my other articles on different subjects like building social capital, reliving 2023, or how I walked 56 kilometers.

If you have not subscribed yet, hit the button below and get notifications immediately after I publish articles. You can also share this piece with anyone else in your circles.

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Thank you for sparing the time to read this article. You are special in my social network.

That’s all. An appreciation note.

Let’s dive into this week’s focus.

In a world filled with digital interactions, we often forget the true power woven within personal connections. That invisible web of friends, colleagues, mentors, and neighbors - that's your social capital.

It's more than just networking; the relationships support us, open doors, and make life richer and more meaningful.

Let's dive into why building social capital matters at every life stage, how to make it happen, and those roadblocks we'll inevitably encounter.

What Exactly is Social Capital?

Think of social capital as the benefits we gain from our network. It's the trust, reciprocity, shared values, and support that flourish within those relationships.

High social capital means having a strong, diverse network to tap for information, opportunities, or just a listening ear when things get tough.

Social Capital Through the Ages

1. School Days: Building the Foundation 

Friendships made in our youth teach us the basics of communication, cooperation, and conflict resolution.

Strong childhood bonds can have a lifelong influence.

Remember that kid from your early years who introduced you to your current career path? Yep, social capital at work.

2. Young Adulthood: Launchpad for Opportunities

In college and our early careers, our network broadens exponentially. These connections offer us mentors, potential collaborations, and leads on that first 'real' job.

Don't underestimate the connections you make during this time; they can shape your trajectory in powerful ways.

3. Midlife: Stability and Support

As we settle into careers and families, our social capital often serves as an anchor. Friends become our chosen family, and professional networks offer peer support.

During challenges, this is where true connection shines and where having reliable people around you feels particularly essential.

4. Later Years: A Lifetime of Connection

Retirement shouldn't signify the end of building social capital. Volunteer organizations, interest groups, and community networks ensure meaningful connections, combat loneliness, and offer ways to give back.

This can be a surprisingly vibrant time for developing new friendships.

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How to Grow Your Social Capital

• Be Authentic and Generous: Don't fake it! It is important to offer genuine interest in people and look for ways to be helpful. You will eventually realize that real connections grow organically.

• Step Outside Your Comfort Zone: Join new clubs, practice your hobbies, and attend industry events. While at it, be brave, join in, and meet people! I am sure you’ve heard someone testify that they got their current job from chatting with a stranger at a social event. They both happened to be in the same industry!

• Maintain Existing Connections: If your social network is waning, consider rekindling old friendships and nurturing your colleagues, past and present. It is easier to invest in those relationships that already have a foundation.

Watch Out! Threats to Your Social Capital

• Neglect: Taking relationships for granted is a huge threat. You must nurture friendships and stay in touch because effort matters.

• Social Media as a Substitute: Group chats, DMs, likes, and comments don't build the same depth as face-to-face interactions. This calls for balancing digital interactions with one-on-one interactions. Show up during social meetups.

• Negative Attitudes: Constant negativity breeds isolation. Therefore, you must maintain a mindset open to support and reciprocation for vibrant social capital.

Final Words

Building social capital is work, a never-ending exercise in cultivating genuine connections.

But remember, it's an investment in a richer life for ourselves and those within our network.

Because, at the end of the day, isn't life ultimately about the strong, meaningful connections we create?

Today's short post is to just remind you that you’re not too late to pick up a new, valuable habit. It's never too late to pursue your dreams. It’s never too late to pursue your childhood goals. It’s never too late to go for your new year resolutions that you’ve been making year in year out.

What have you been procrastinating to do? What had you given up on? Who have you given up on this life? It’s time to start that new thing. It’s time to enroll for that course. It’s time to start that business. It’s time to initiate that relationship. It’s time to learn that skill. The time is now.

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As I welcome you back to my life through my articles and stories this year, you can expect articles from all aspects of life. I hope you’ll spare a few minutes to read my work every time I publish. I also hope you’ll interact with me and other readers more at the comment section. I also hope you’ll share these stories with the people in your circles.

Let’s get started!

Photo: Crossing rivers en route Kimakia Falls.

First, and the obvious, it had 12 months, even if you felt like it was shorter or longer.

Second, it was a year of many firsts. I started this platform, and you subscribed to it with anticipation, reading every post religiously. Thank you.

Third, I set to hike once every month. I only managed to do ten hikes out of a possible twelve. We try again next year.

Reflecting on 2023, I am grateful for the many new things I experienced and the many people I interacted with, physically and virtually. Most importantly, thank you for becoming an ardent reader of my blog.

A special recognition and honor goes to my paid subscribers, who made sure I had a mug of coffee as I sat down to craft the posts. Your cup won’t run dry, ever.

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I could write about hundreds of things as a review of the year 2023, but I’ll only document my hiking and outdoor workout journey from January to December.

Below is a list of the mountains I hiked, with a spice of a cycling race and two half marathons. I will omit the tens of Karura walks done over the year.

I started the year by climbing a monster of a mountain on the 28th of January. The mighty Mt. Kinangop via Mutarakwa was a hard trail covering about 30 kilometers that I walked for about eight and a quarter hours. The high-altitude trail was unforgiving to many.

I was chasing the Ragia waterfalls on February 25th, a magnificent, green, and picturesque trail. The 25-kilometer expedition meant coming close to elephants. It made me question my sanity in hiking.

The chase after waterfalls continued in March, with an easy but wet and slippery trek at Kimakia Falls. The 19.8-kilometer hike on 25th March was easy enough despite being graced by rain in the morning.

Hiking Mt.Satima via the Wandare route on April 22 would come with challenges, leaving the forest quite late and watching buffaloes graze beside us in the dark. It was a gentle summit, nonetheless.

The year was full of waterfalls, as would be marked by the trek to the highest waterfalls in the country, the Karuru Waterfalls. The 21-kilometer hike on May 13th came with a visit to the Queen’s Caves and the Fishing Camp.

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On the same month of May, specifically the 26th, I would join a special group of hikers to Eburru Forest- Western Peak, where we covered an easy 26 kilometers of walking through a green lash of the mountain.

June was an easy month, with an 8-kilometer hike to the Ngong Hills on the 24th. Let’s say this was a day out to eat quality Nyama choma at Rongai.

The following month was also relatively easy, with a hike to Mt. Longonot for the umpteenth time. The 28th of July, 2023, may be my last time hiking Mt. Longonot. I want new experiences.

I opened the month of June by taking position 2 in an easy Madaraka Day cycling competition over a 9.6-kilometer race.

Earlier in the month, specifically on the 2nd of July, I had run a half-marathon during the Nairobi City Marathon. I set my best record yet, clocking 2:00:08 in the 21.09-kilometer course.

Three days later, on July 5, I did a 56-kilometer walk for 10 hours non-stop. You can read a detailed story of the same here.

Indeed, July was the peak month for me.

I took a break in August, marking my first month of no hiking. I wanted to keep going, but maybe my body needed the rest more.

Refer a friend

I resumed hiking on September 30, visiting a hot, scorchy Mt. Olorgesailie. It was like walking in the desert, with all the water I had carried running out, getting lost in a dry riverbed, and suffering the wrath of pricky shrubs.

We’d later learn archeology at Olorgesailie Geological Site, a UNESCO Tentative World Heritage Site.

Photo: A directional sign for the Dragon’s Teeth route.

My last hike of the year was on October 21, with a return to Mt. Satima via the Dragon’s Teeth route. Christened the Dragon’s Teeth-Table Mountain Traverse, the 23-kilometer hike was a tough eight hours of walking, shoes fully soaked in water and alone in the thick forest at night.

I am not one to miss a marathon. The annual Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon came up on October 29, and I was elated to set an individual course record of 2:01:25 over the 21-kilometer course. In my own words, I aced it like a pro.

One more feat was still awaiting: a battle with my cycling demons. We went head-to-head on the 26th of November, where I covered a distance of 62 kilometers cycling in the rain, as documented in my earlier post.

December has been an easy month of resting and reflecting. I hope you have also found time to rest from a busy year.

I look forward to a new year full of new experiences that transcend those of 2023.

Please comment and share your favorite post this year. I also welcome any other comments and, more so, sharing this blog post with your friends and those in your circles of life.

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I write because you read. Spread the joy. Happy Holidays, and have a blessed year 2024.

Oh, wait! There is one more special tea farm tour to Gatura Greens on September 16. This special treat encompassed learning about the history of tea, picking purple tea, and hand-processing purple tea. It was an experiential tea-tasting tour culminating in a sumptuous lunch and downing bottles of tasty hibiscus tea.

Photo: We were preparing to pick purple tea on this expansive farm.

I think you’d love this!

I promise to keep it short and sweet. In my Kumbukumbu edition, I told you about my fear of cycling downhill and the overall phobia of cycling post recovery.

I had sworn to face my fears head on, and here was an opportunity to do just that. I registered for the annual Grand Nairobi Bike Race by Jubilee Insurance no less than a month before the event that took place on 26th November 2023.

Last year, I had also registered for the race hoping to face my fears in an 80 kilometers cycling distance. I chickened out on the last day, having collected my kit and my race number.

This time, I swore to stay true to my aspiration, no matter what. I registered for a 75 kilometer main race, which would feature the elite cyclists. My aim was not to go for a podium finish, but to participate and excosise the demons of fear of cycling and crashing.

I felt unprepared for the 75 kilometers race given that the last time I cycled was in September, exactly two months before this day. I could have used this as an excuse, but not this time.

On the morning of 26th November 2023,I woke up early at 5 am to go to KICC, where the event was supposed to start at 6 am. This was a big day for me.

Despite arriving at 6 am, my race category would start at 10:30 am. It became a long wait of four hours. I had missed a communication email about the schedule. I’d later be joined by my compatriot, Sam Kibiko.

Before then, I’d done a few things like taking a cup of coffee, trying to nap in the car, and buying the much needed energy gels and lunch bars. All wasn’t lost, after all.

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The Grand Nairobi Bike Race is an annual event that is fairy new as this was the third edition. The event had over 1300 participants from over 20 nations across the globe.

The event is also named the Jubilee Live Race, with Jubilee Insurance sponsoring the race for the second year consecutively. The race aims to encourage cycling as a physical activity, promote healthy living and wellness, and encourage emission-free transport.

The 2023 edition of the race had 8 categories, including the main individual elite race event that I was participating. There was also an under 23 individual race covering 75 kilometers.

A similar distance would be covered by those in the team race for corporates, veterans aged between 40 and 49 years, as well as a masters category for those aged over 50 years.

Paracyclists would cover 45 kilometers of cycling, while the Black Mamba riders would cover an equal distance. The family fun ride covered a 12 kilometer distance while the kiddie race was meant for children under the age of 8 years.

The main individual elite race was the last event of the day. At 10:50am, we were flagged of amidst pomp and dance from the spectators. The next close to three hours would turn out to be purely experiential.

As I cruised along Mombasa Road, near Nyayo Stadium roundabout, the heavens opened up and the rains started cooling our heating crankshafts. The rains would do more than cooling us; the roads would become wet and slippery, and the cycling glasses would become foggy. It was the perfect weather condition to make me abandon the race.

If it were you, what could you have done?

The rain was too much up Langata Road. A number of riders had decided to pause momentarily for the rains to stop. Did they have a memo on when the rains would stop? On the other hand, the pro cyclists looked immune to the rains and wet roads. They were already cruising downhill at scary speeds. Completing the five laps and a place in the podium must have been their only focus.

I stuck to my lane, the amateurs lane. I wasn’t comfortable going downhill Lang'ata Road as I looked to do my first 15km loop of the race. I could barely see anything ahead down the road. It was too rainy. El-nino? I had to stop momentarily to avert any crash. Fear gripped me.

After seconds of a self-talk and reminding myself that the rain would not stop for me to ride, I hopped back onto my bicyle and continued with the race. I had to believe in myself. I had to call out the demons of fear. I also had to ride technically to avoid any error and finding myself laying on the wet roads.

The rains continued throughout the second loop before it was sunny and dry once more. At this point, I had garnered enough courage to eat the hills like yams and drop the slopes at 53km/h speed.

Although I did not do the final 15 km loop, I had won. I had won against fear. I had won against negative voices in my head. I had won a physical battle of cycling for 62 kilometers in 2:40 hours. The roads were opened for normal traffic to resume before I could do my final lap. I chose to cut short the race than risk being on the roads with uncontrolled traffic.

A fellow cyclist almost crashed on me at the finishing line roundabout as the race marshal stopped us from going for the final loop. I thank God it was all safe.

I proudly crossed the finish line and acknowledged the cheering crowd. I truly felt like a champion as I picked my participation medal. I also got a 2022 medal, the race I abandoned last year. It was a double win for me.

I couldn’t be more proud of this achievement I am ready to face the climbs and downhills. Bring it on!

A Puncture, Repair, Puncture, and Tragedy

That fateful Tuesday. I should have listened to the inner voice. Sometimes, hiccups happen to warn us about impending danger. It is usually God telling us to pause and think before we act. Two consecutive tire punctures that morning should have been enough reason to cancel the cycling plan that day. Changing the usual 42-kilometer route for a shorter 30-kilometer option seemed reasonable for a day that none of us was in the best shape to cycle. However, we still decided to cycle.

As I tagged behind my friends Benjamin and Engineer Kanyi, I decided to cycle at my pace but not lose sight of the two, who were enjoying a catchup and a chit-chat. Kanyi joined us on this unique Tuesday to experience our early-in-the-week ride before we went to work. As fate would have it, he would be the God-sent angel in the ordeal that found me.

It was all smooth until around the twelfth kilometer when disaster struck. All I can recall was feeling unstable, like someone battling strong winds. I was losing control of my bicycle, and I was unstable.

Next, I woke up to the sight of strangers asking me to sip water and spit blood out of my mouth. There was a sharp pain in my right hand near the shoulder.

At that moment, my phone rang. It was well tacked in my bib’s pocket, but I couldn't reach it. A good Samaritan helped me pull it out; on the other end was Benjamin. I explained that I had crashed just at the corner, sloping down near the old, isolated houses. Benja was in panic mode!

As I waited for Benjamin and Kanyi to arrive, the motorbike rider and a few other people had already engineered a solution to my situation. I could vaguely hear them suggesting to taking me to a nearby dispensary for first aid. Another one suggested I leave my bicycle at the house to pick it up later when I recover. I remember clearly refusing this idea. I wanted to be with my bicycle wherever they would take me 😂.

The good Samaritans helped me up onto the motorcycle, with my bicycle between the rider and myself and my left hand holding onto the right arm at the elbow like a baby. Slowly, we started moving up the small hill to the dispensary.

It didn't take much time, and Benjamin and Kanyi arrived to find me in wreathing pain. I was holding my shoulder, bending on my right, while blood was dripping from somewhere near the elbow. I also had a torn short and bruises on my right thigh.

A Bina Moment!

We had stopped next to the entrance of Migaa, where my friends further assessed the situation and made quick decisions after noticing my situation may have been dire. The decision to go to the dispensary was called off and settled for a direct drive to Agha Khan Hospital. Calling AMREF Flying Doctors would take longer than Bina driving to Migaa.

Off I was helped into Bina’s car, with an improvised sling holding my shoulder and arm together, and pain getting into my nerves as the accident’s numbness waned away.

On the way to the hospital, I noticed my right wrist and a few fingers were swelling, too. My mind told me that it could be more than a sprain. The distance between Migaa and Agha Khan felt short as Bina put her 4*4 to a proper test. She could make an excellent emergency rescuer, given her prompt responsiveness.

I found doctors and nurses waiting for me at the A&E section, having received prior communication from the clinical Benjamin. As Benjamin handed over to Kanyi, I'd witnessed the preciseness and thoroughness of the Engineer as he weaved his way through the hospital corridors to ensure everything went swiftly and I got the best care possible. I was taken through different scans and X-rays after first aid was administered at the reception point.

At the A&E, waiting for radiography results.

An Engineer’s Precision

Kanyi had taken the duty of informing my family and friends about my status, and they quickly thronged me into the Agha Khan emergency wards and helped me wait for the radiography results. Muli was particularly instrumental in relieving Kanyi of some duties.

The results confirmed the worst, as much as they did the best. I had a broken humerus and dislocated shoulder but an intact elbow and no head injuries except for minor cracks to the sinuses. The rest were bodily bruises.

The shoulder was reduced under local anesthesia, while the extent of the humerus fractures called for an operation. I'd be returned to the X-ray room to confirm the shoulder reduction, a point at which Kanyi’s recommended orthopedic, Dr. Mordecai, would advise on the next phase of treatment.

I had pointed out to the doctor that the wrist was still swollen and painful and had not been scanned during the first radiography. The second radiography procedure confirmed a wrist fracture and a minor fracture on the middle finger of the left hand. Was this life trying to show me the middle finger?

It was clear that I'd be taken in for surgery, which would have to be done the next day. I would be admitted for this to happen. Kanyi and Benjamin had taken charge of all this, while numerous other cycling friends had milled in and waited with me until I was given a ward.

The last friend by my bedside, William, would leave the hospital at around 11 at night when I was fully settled in the ward and under the watchful eyes of the well-trained nurses at Agha Khan.

4 Hours in the Unknown

The next morning and throughout the day, painkillers and antibiotics were administered to keep me at ease for the operation scheduled at 3 in the afternoon. I'd had a very early breakfast to prepare for the same.

My family and numerous other friends had also come to see me, while others who'd gotten the news of my ordeal had called in to check on me. Their presence helped me to shift my focus away from my first major surgery. I was eager but tense to go through this and get it behind me.

A sigh of relief hit me when Dr. Mordecai finally checked in, briefed me, and reassured me that all would be well. I was whisked to the waiting bay, ready for theater. When my turn to the operation room came, the last thing I recall was the chit-chat with the doctors and the theater nurses as I lay facing up and surrendering to the anesthetist. Knowing that family and friends prayed for me throughout the procedure, my heart was comforted.

About four or five hours later, I woke up to the bright light of the recovery room. I could feel a numb but intact shoulder, a bandaged elbow, and a wrist on a splint. Nurse Jackie would then help me back to my ward, ensure I was comfortable, and continue to check on me and administer various drugs.

I spent the next two nights in the hospital under the careful eye of the nurses and doctors, interacting with my ward mates and receiving friends and family who were ever so kind to me. My cycling family never missed a day at the hospital.

Watching other patients with similar or worse conditions like broken legs, among other bodily traumas, was a trauma in itself. I'd started longing to go home by the second day's end.

Discharged!

Finally, the doctor wrote my discharge note, and Benjamin and Kanyi, the brotherly duo, oversaw the discharge process, including settling the bill. I bid farewell to the friends I'd made at the hospital, both patients and nurses, and wished them well in their recovery.

Kanyi finally eased me into his Lexus at the parking lot, and off we left for home. I vividly remember him assuring me not to check the bill and wait until I got home and settled down. After all, I was already out of the hospital in one piece, and the bill was the last thing I should worry about.

We were received warmly at home, with gladness that I'd returned home to recover in a familiar environment. Kanyi and Benjamin had taken total care of me. I was coming back home in one piece on this Friday afternoon, just like I'd left on Tuesday morning. I only had injuries and pain to cure, which I was ready to recover from.

We exchanged some pleasantries with Kanyi, got my hospital bill and receipts from him as he left, and off the journey of recovery at home started.

Rehabilitation and Recovery

What would follow was a long journey of weekly outpatient clinics, wound dressing, and carrying a black sling and a squishy blue ball to keep blood flowing in my right hand.

I struggled to find a comfortable sleeping position, having to sleep seated facing up, anchored by a mountain of pillows, and enduring the waning paracetamol in my body. Truly, the first two weeks of recovery were horrible.

I could not find enough sleep sleeping in the same unnatural position for too long, plus I'd get haunted by nightmares of what had gone through. I couldn't wrap my head around what had really caused the accident. I needed closure, but I wasn't coming close to finding it.

It was after about a fortnight when James and Simon drove me to ground zero, where I discovered that I had hit a slight, almost invisible pothole on a downhill, causing me to lose balance and control of the bicycle and leaving me with three major body scars, all on my right side of the body.

I must have landed on the right side of the body. In panic, I must have applied front brakes and flew over the bicycle onto the rough asphalt. The cleats on the right shoe must have failed to disengage, making me lose balance and control and land on the right side. That was it. I'd achieved closure. The nightmares were gone for good. Miraculous, right?

The wound dressing would take me about eight weeks, twice a week and then once weekly as healing progressed. After removing the sling on week five, Mandvi of Inspire Wellness started taking me through physiotherapy rehabilitation for the next two months.

I recovered from being unable to lift a 0.5 ml water bottle to lifting nearly 20 kg of weight. Proper care at home, complemented with a month of gobbling camel bones’ soup generously sourced by Benja, went a long way in my recovery. After about eight weeks, I also managed to take a full shower, having survived a "passport” showering of essential parts. 😂.

Learning to use my hand again at Inspire Wellness.

I would receive droves of people through this process, some coming to pray with me, others to check on me and keep me busy, and others calling and texting to cheer me up.

Joseph and James had mobilized friends and family to raise money to foot a huge bill that came with this disaster.

Two years later, I have fully recovered and resumed physical activities. All my limbs are functional now. I have since hiked over 15 mountains, ran two half marathons, and covered hundreds of kilometers of running and walking.

You can read my experience of walking 10 hours non-stop here. You can also learn what I learned after running 5 kilometers daily for 30 days here.

Presenting the Flowers

The long post was a preamble to the main post, which is about acknowledging and thanking everyone, whether afar or near, who came through for me in one way or another.

Just like Mordecai, your names have been listed in my book of remembrance. I will always remember you fondly and pray for you as well as come through for you just like you did for me. Your acts of kindness to me will linger forever.

I will mention your names in this article so that you remain etched in the books of remembrance. I have tried my best to remember everyone, but should your name be missing, you can always chat with me, and I'll edit to include you.

To those who didn't get an opportunity to come through for me for one reason or another, rest assured your good deeds to others out there also count. Do not get weary of doing good.

In My Book…

Before everyone else, I would like to thank the Almighty God for preserving me through the accident and carrying me to full recovery. God gave me a second chance at life and brought all of you into my life for a purpose.

My book of remembrance enlists the boda boda rider who had to abandon the passenger he was carrying to attend to me first. The boda boda customer who agreed pause his journey and help me first, the neighbors at ground zero, Benjamin, Kanyi, and Bina, as well as your families, I am forever indebted to you. May your cup be filled all the time.

Vien, Benson, Neema, Purity, Zuri, Francis, Amani, Stephen, Daina, John, Moffat, and all that pertain to you, may you be blessed for sticking together for and with me.

Muli, Kahora, Ithondeka, Kibiko, Khamisi, Mboroto, Maviti, Macho Red, Allan, J. Mbithi, Fawzan, and Sang. COVID-19 brought us together for a purpose. You are distinguished men.

William, Janet, Muigai, Bahai, Mathew, and Titus, you will always be remembered for your instrumental mobilization role. You put up a united front.

Ridgeways 2014, you are gentlemen of honor. You remained true to the welfare call. You will go far due to your unity. I am proud to be associated with you.

Kaggz 2003 class, you pulled such a surprise on me. Your generosity was unexpected, thanks to Ezekiel, Jorum, Kabia, Henry, and others who took note that one of them was in need. You exemplified Kabao's spirit. Gentlemen of consolidated intellect.

Githaka, Mutuma, Faith, Mwende, Asiago, Lorna, Doty, Nyawira, and Gaichu, you showed what belonging to the Biomed family means. I am truly grateful for responding to the call.

George, Marianne, and Mbira thank you for empathizing with my situation. Our passion, their future.

Msando, Kanda, and Taprandich, you were more than kind for coming to see me in hospital.

Mugo Gatimu, Njogu, Davison, Edu, Newton, Munyao, Kaguongo S, Wairegi, Ngare S, Gordan, Wachira S, Joy, Jacinta, Idza, and Mugo Patrick, thank you for representing the Atemi solidly. Aya matiui kuhotwo ni ta ki.

E. Muthoni, C. Wanjiku, E. Mukuhi, Sheekow, A. Lime, Damaris, C. Nyambura, Dibo, Cheryl, Edmond, Pendo, Mbeca, Joan, Robert, Naome, Wambugu J, J. Nyang’or, Abigail, Agnes, Melody, Macharia, Lekisaat, Kihamba R, Yego, Wanjohi, Chege, Zipporah, Ngamlana, and Esther. May God replenish and fill you until you overflow.

Thank you for representing the Iron Mark: Divine, Wamonje, Susan, Mwau, Nderitu Xado, Carl, Agent Smith, Edward, and Wanini.

Mainza, Melba, Collins, and the Gathus, you were closer than I ever imagined.

Thank you, Eupa Wanjiku, for working with me to achieve full health through your physiotherapy sessions that I continue to attend.

To everyone else who I have not listed but took time to empathize with me even much later, thank you so much for allowing yourself to feel my pain and suffering. May you continue being sensitive to people's needs.

The Itching Question

I know the itching question is: "Have you gone cycling again?" Maybe a part of this whole experience that I did not share is that while there were broken bones, the bicycle was left intact. If that was not enough clue that it needed me back on it, then I don't know what else it meant.

On 27-09-2023, yesterday if you are reading this article on its publication date, I hopped on the bicycle and did my first road cycling. I had a great time on the bike, including fighting the fear of crashing when going down the road.

I had to keep telling myself I got this, even as I clinched onto the brakes. The winds were not helping much as they were quite strong and rekindled the exact moment I went down. My 22-kilometer ride ended with a flat tire, but not no accident this time. I can't wait to double and triple that distance soon.

We must confront the demons in our heads head-on!

Take Aways

Be Compassionate, especially to the Living.

Go Beyond Tragedies.

God gives you another chance after a tragedy for a reason. Don’t cave to the trauma of tragedies.

Be Appreciative.

People don’t owe you anything in life. So, appreciate those who come through for you and don’t feel entitled to people’s help.

Be sensitive to people's needs.

Numb the self and listen to the cries of those around you. Be sensitive to people’s needs in how you talk, think, and act towards them.

Benediction

May the King lack sleep because of your good deed.

When He orders for the book of the chronicles to be brought and read to Him, may He find this Kumbukumbu.

May He honor and recognize you for being good to me (Esther Chapter 6). May the King delight in honoring you.

May your enemies be impaled on the high poles they set up for you. May your enemies be annihilated.

When did we ever see you sick... and visit you? I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these, my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me! (Matthew 40).

Finally, I welcome comments, feedback, and any other form of engagement on this article. I look forward to hearing from you.

Conceiving The Idea

Have you ever done something, like taking up a challenge, and people around you wonder what could be wrong with you? Well, that was me on the first Wednesday of July. I set to walk a 50 kilometer distance, not knowing what to expect. The only thing I was sure about was that I would finish. After all, most physical challenges are largely mental than physical.

About eight months before, I had done 5 kilometers run daily for 30 days. The experience built some level of resilience in me and triggered a desire to do things that defied logic.

As I was thinking about taking the walking challenge, I shared my dream with a few friends, most of whom were positive about the idea and cheered me on. I felt encouraged. Some even promised to come along in my support, while others vowed to join me in conquering the challenge.

One such person was the high-spirited Joshua. I met my friend Joshua at the gym and told him of the mountain ahead of me. He was thrilled at the idea and immediately bought into it. It was a convergence of equal energies as Joshua was also looking to do something unique for his birthday. Therefore, we settled on doing the walk on his birthday.

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Get Set...

Having given a purpose to our walk, we waited for the big day that was about four days away. On the eve of the challenge, we checked on each other to confirm our walk's plans, and everything was in place. The legs felt ready, while the mind was eager for an experience like no other.

One of the things you want to do when going out for a long day workout is to drink plenty of water, eat foods that are rich in carbs, and get sufficient sleep days to the event. I did all that as standard procedure. You also have to avoid alcoholic drinks if you don't want a dehydrated day.

We set to start our challenge at six o'clock in the morning. There was no need to set an alarm for that as I'd not have any difficulty waking up for a six o'clock plan. About a quarter to six, I checked on Joshua, hoping that he would still be on schedule.

I dressed up quickly and had my bowl of cereal with milk, ready to conquer the challenge ahead. I'd packed on the night before, having armed myself with three liters of water in my backpack, my favorite red sniper shoe, the Sonic Balance 4 by Salomon. I also had a rainproof jacket, leg warmers, and a jolly spirit. We expected a cold-to-rainy day.

Joshua had called to check on me, but I missed his call as I was getting ready. I'm sure, at this point, he thought I'd chickened out. I walked to our meeting point, hoping to find Josh on location. I returned his call, and gladly he was also on his way, having stopped at the local supermarket to stock up some lunch bars, among other necessities.

After a short prayer, we were fully set and ready to start tracking this long adventure. We alerted the security personnel that we would pick up our car after taking a “short” walk, and we left.

I had charted the route we would take, having done my estimates using previous cycling adventures. Therefore, I was certain of the course we'd take, the climbs, the drops, and the finishing.

And Off We Went!

So, how will this long day turn out? What will we be talking about this whole journey?

The first ten kilometers were quite busy with human and vehicle traffic as people set out to make a living and attend to other duties of life. This meant being more watchful of the traffic as we chat about anything and everything about our country, the local economy, the little children walking and driving to school, and the hardworking men and women who keep the country's economic wheel turning.

Photo: The day’s statistics.

The first ten kilometers were covered in about two hours, which gave us an idea of how long it would take to finish the challenge. Clearly, this was never going to be anything below eight hours. The first thirty or so kilometers would involve going up on a high-altitude route. Indeed, we covered an elevation gain of about 700 meters in the 30 kilometers.

The green and cool weather of this section of the walk was very refreshing. Having a fresh breath of air from tea and coffee plantations was breathtaking. The section also had minimal to no traffic, creating an atmosphere for engaging in deeper conversations touching on our lives- work, families, careers, ambitions, and bits of politics.

We kept looking forward to reaching the peak of the uphill walk, which would usher in a return journey (through a loop) of a downhill walk. We reached the peak at around 1 p.m., having covered about 29 kilometers. It was such a relief to be past halfway through the journey.

At this point, we were starting to get hungry, having eaten our lunch bars and dates that Joshua had carried. They were our breakfast and mid-morning snacks, helping us keep walking and conversing. The weather was favorable as it was fully cloudy and cold. However, we did not forget to keep sipping our water, lest we became dehydrated without showing a sweat.

We were thinking of where to eat along the roadside towns without taking too much time sitting around and getting lazy or having leg cramps. We couldn't find a decent place to eat, nor any ready food in the local eating joints.

At one of the food joints, the owner was just starting to prepare to cook at 1 p.m. Joshua, thinking on his feet, decided we grab a soda and some mandazi and then refill our depleting water reserves. It took us no more than ten minutes to gobble two mandazi and a 300 ml Fanta soda, and the journey going back home continued.

The return route had a fair share of traffic but not too much to distract us or make us feel unsafe walking by the roadside. We also remembered that we had not taken a single photo at this point, despite having covered a section that would serve premium photo moments. Truly, men will always be men.

We consoled ourselves that we would get other tea plantations that would afford us a photo session. This challenge had to be captured and live to be told.

Photo: Our first photo on this long journey, at about 35 kilometers.

A kind gentleman offered to take photos of us at the next tea farm we saw. We were quite exhausted, but we still afforded some smiles. The gentleman was very friendly and did the task generously. Finding such people in a world full of stress and exhaustion is beautiful.

At this point, we had started estimating how long it would take us to reach certain significant landmarks on the road, like Kentmere Club and Raini. The downhill to the Kentmere Club was better done with intermittent jogging to change the walk's rhythm and distribute the lactic acid across the body. The one-kilometer jog helped ease the accumulating exhaustion, which kept us motivated for the next many kilometers.

Admittedly, I enjoyed climbing than going downhill. Going uphill has always been my favorite thing. Downhills can do a number to the knees, leaving them wobbly, more so when you're already tired.

At Raini, around kilometer 45, we stopped momentarily to recharge on some fresh, ripe bananas. The lady at the kibanda looked at us suspiciously, wondering what two mono-gloved, miserably looking gentlemen would be doing to make them look so helpless.

I think at some point, she didn't trust us even to afford the four bananas we ate. We paid her in cash, and she afforded a smile of reassurance as we whisked ourselves away. We had about five more kilometers to hit our day's target and 3 kilometers to celebrate Joshua’s big day. This should have acted as a consolation, but even hitting those targets would not leave us at our final destination.

Kilometer 47 finally came, and I had to pause and remind Joshua to record this auspicious moment. He was too absorbed in the walk, or his legs were too spent to think of this significant landmark. This moment meant everything to him as he marked 47 years on this planet in style. The moment also gave us renewed will and purpose to finish the journey.

Photo: Joshua at 47

We were happy to be joined by a few kids going home from school. Truly, this was a whole day’s affair. Children had gone to school and left school as we were still trekking. Workers had checked their 8 to 5 obligations while we were still cruising an endless expedition.

One particular schoolboy seemed to be intrigued by the idea of walking purposely. He was already a long-distance walker in the making, given that his home was quite a number of kilometers away from the school. He admitted to getting used to walking that much daily, all alone.

This moment gave us a chance to reflect on how much privileged many children are to have school transport, but also how many more are missing this privilege, putting children at the risk of reckless road users and strangers on their way to and from school. You'd want to imagine that such a boy will be well-seasoned for life, but is it worth it? Can't children just be children? At the moment, he was enjoying the health benefits of walking.

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The next milestone was fast approaching, just three kilometers away. Our initial target on this day was to trek fifty kilometers, which was a new thing for both of us. We clocked 50 and were filled with joy, ecstasy, and the feeling of accomplishment, knowing that one can achieve whatever one wants. We took a moment to capture a selfie knowing well that we had conquered ourselves. The remaining journey would be a bonus on our target.

Photo: Josh & Pat at 50 km.

As I paused my tracker for the photo moment, I noticed the watch was running out of battery. Previous experiences have taught me the pain of losing your tracking to a dead battery. I was well-armed with my watch charger and a power bank.

There is no way I'd have all my hard work go unrecorded. Not this time. I plugged the charger and continued with the journey, charging my watch until it was 30%. The pedometer kept working, thanks to the power of technology. This confirmed my sentiments that technology should complement your lifestyle.

The aroma of roadside mutura was distractive at some point, reminding us that we were actually hungry, but we had work to do. A man in his forties or early fifties would reminisce his old days as a teacher in his drunk stupor, wailing about an injustice done to him. May he find this justice at some point, and his pain be taken away. His state can't be a welcome one at any home.

The Finish Line

The road at this final section of our journey was narrow, uneven, and not a pleasant place to walk on one's tired legs. The journey to the final destination seemed to be growing longer. Our bodies had received maximum torture, and our brains were slowly shutting down, given that we'd already accomplished our goal of 50. The additional 6 kilometers surely seemed longer than half of a day's journey. The long flat horizons didn't help as Joshua kept asking whether we were anywhere near our final junction at kilometer 54.

My lower back was hurting, with the impact of standing for so long taking a toll on me. I had to ask Joshua to pause as I leaned forward to stretch the back. Children going home from school must have wondered what was ailing me to look like someone who's about to pop out one. We kept going, with a vivid view of our finishing point.

The gleam of hope encouraged us to jog a little to both ease the accumulating fatigue and get closer to the finish line. The 500-meter jog truly did wonders. We were now just a kilometer or less to the finish line. Renewed hope, feeling of accomplishment, and fighting mental and physical fatigue were the three scenes in our bodies. It was 5. 00 p.m. It was actually a full day's work!

We crossed the road to the finish line and stopped our watches, filled with celebratory hearts, but our faces showed none of those emotions.

Photo: The finish line fatigue and pain.

10:31:57 Hours Later

Bloodshot eyes from the day's dust and sweat. Pain on the toes and feet, longing for straightening, and hungry stomachs described us better. Behind all that was total accomplishment. We had walked for 10:31:57 hours, covered 56.69 kilometers, and burnt 4402-kilo calories over an elevation gain of 846 meters. What a day! What an accomplishment! What a duo!

We will be waiting for anyone who breaks our record. The challenge is over to you.

Off we went to stretch, snack, freshen up, share stats and pictures, and relive the day in our minds and with our sporty friends. Happy Birthday Joshua and many happy returns. Remember, you owe me one in no less than a decade.

Take Aways

This is what Joshua had to say about celebrating his birthday in a special way:

I had planned to run on this route for a long time, since 2018, wanting to celebrate my birthday by running the same distance as my age. I knew it was going to be arduous and require resilience.

The 5th of July will forever be etched in my mind. We had a target of 50 km, but by the time we hit the 45 km mark, my legs were tired, and my mind was telling me to give up, but I tried to remember the last time I felt the same and how I reacted. I could only recall a similar feat in 1997. I made it then, and I knew I could make it today.

I learned the value of resilience. When you feel you should quit, tell your brain you have to finish.

I reaffirmed the value of friendship and support. When we walked together, I felt like we were halving the distance between us. I knew we were together in it.

Sharing hard, uncomfortable tasks and undertakings is a way to get a glimpse of other people's character.

This small achievement has put me in a frame of mind to believe that all the things I want to do but haven't attempted to depend on my willpower, determination, and attitude.

At 47, I look forward to life as if it just started.

Closing Remarks

That was our day. Our journey. Our experience is narrated as it happened. I took these points home as I went to unwind and recover from ten hours of standing.

• The mind always carries the body- Your willpower will carry you through difficult challenges. Lack of it will leave you crumbling.

• Never walk alone- You will go fast alone, but not far.

• Don't overthink your plans- Just do it. Do not succumb to analysis paralysis.

• You cannot have everything in control- Be flexible and learn on the journey.

• Physical exercise is self-investment- Take a break from your daily busy life and look after your physical well-being.

• Find crazy friends- Have someone whom you can do crazy things with and for you.

• Celebrate life- Maica no maya.

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On this auspicious day, I am going to share with you the thoughts that labored my mind just two days ago.

This post is inspired by three ladies resting at a non-designated roadside park on a Sunday afternoon. Maybe they're simply observing a religious command to rest on Sunday. They don't seem to be talking to each other, even though they don’t look like they are strangers to each other. Each seems deeply absorbed into thoughts. Maybe retrospection. Maybe prospecting. Maybe regretting. Maybe just zoning out.

Whatever the reason, they have decided to leave their concrete walls and seek the open air to see off the worn-out week. They must be looking for new energy to dive into the cares of the virgin week.

I completely relate with them. Their little escape from adulting. Their intentionality to seek sanity in a busy life is very close to home. To me, it speaks of a yearning for rest. And I think it is beautiful.

Photo: The unconventional roadside park where the three ladies were resting.

I've been in this situation many times. In fact, it defines my daily life. At one point, I wondered whether this was an early midlife crisis. There is a constant hurry to seek after the cares of life. I have wondered whether it gets easier. My friend Mable tells me it doesn't, unfortunately. You only learn to cope.

At this point, I feel like Mable is not realistic. She should be giving me hope, but she serves reality. I think I can trust her experience as she has seen better days than myself. Add to her seasoned career as a psychologist. Trust me; she knows this stuff.

Again, I relook at the three restful ladies. I think they're cooling off their heels from the week's runs. I also realize theirs is not a unique thing. Everyone else in the city seems to be cooling off their week, albeit differently for each one.

Right nearby, some are holding to their cold beers, while several others in the near and far neighborhoods are in theme parks, shopping malls, indoors in their apartments, maisonettes, and hostels. Others are still in church; it's a Sunday, after all.

It's just how life is. A forest has many trees; some are extra healthy, others emaciated. Some are tall, while others are short. Some survive under the shade of the tall ones, while others suffocate from the lack of direct sunlight blocked by the tall trees.

It looks like a contrast of classes; the low, middle, and high classes. Sociologists will tell you it's a widening gap between the haves and have-nots. It's an economic divide. However you look at it, all humanity is suffering from the lack of enough rest. A people yearning for rest.

Where does rest come from, then? What can one do to rest? If there is no promise that it gets better with time, can you, at least, promise me that one can afford to slow down and catch a breath? Is all the hurry in life worth it? I hope you do not expect me to answer these questions. I don't have the right answers yet.

Regardless, one thing I am sure of is that there is a promise of rest. In fact, God has commanded rest for man from His immeasurable wisdom, understanding, and love for mankind. On the seventh day, He rested too. Don't feel guilty about taking a rest. In fact, plan for your rest. Take rests purposely.

Like I told you, there's a promise of rest. And here is the promise: Let us, therefore, be diligent to enter that rest… Hebrews 4:11.

Do you yearn to rest from adulting? What are you currently struggling with that’s keeping you in a constant rush? What do you wish you rested from? How do you take a break from the pursuit of happiness? Please share your experiences and insights.

Thank you for reading my thoughts and celebrating my birthday with me.

Notably, I did two more half-marathons in the course of the month-long program. I clocked 145.46 km of running and 109.76 kilometers of walking. I burnt a total of 19,452 kcal. There were about five days when I could not run, mostly during weekends, but I substituted running by walking a similar distance.

Additionally, I would run anywhere and everywhere I would be. That meant having my workout gear with me every day, even though I barely left the same city. I did not have a specific course to run, as long as it was a safe place, say a road, field track, or a nature park.

Lesson 1:

It’s possible in a day.

It takes about 35 minutes to 1 hour daily to accomplish a 5-kilometer run. The bigger picture here is that you can find time to work out or do any other thing you commit to do daily. In my case of working out, surely, it can fit into a day’s schedule, regardless of how busy you are.

Lesson 2:

Just show up.

Weather cannot be an excuse not to run, or workout in general. There is not a single day that is the same as the other, making the weather very unpredictable for outdoor activities. While you may want to follow your weather predictions as a guarantee that you will not run in the rains or when the sun is shining hot, there is no guarantee that the weather won’t change when you’re in the middle of your activity. The most important thing is to show up. Just show up. Remember that you aren’t ice that you’ll melt in the sun, or salt to dissolve in the rain.

Lesson 3:

The mind is stronger than the body.

Running daily is no mean feat. The body will absorb a good amount of fatigue, while your mind might start speaking defeat. However, you must remember that the entire feat is more of a mental test than a physical test. There will be days you will not feel like it, but your mind has to conquer all negative voices. Keep reminding yourself that the mind is stronger than the body and you’ll be done before you know it.

Lesson 4:

Never Walk Alone.

I am sure you’ve heard about this phrase at least once in your life.  That statement is as true as it comes. Having an accountability partner or group to share progress with can make you go far. While I ran alone throughout the entire program, I was sharing my progress daily with a colleague who was also committed to a similar challenge. The daily sharing about the challenges, wins, emotions, and all that came with running daily would keep us in the rhythm. Knowing that the challenges and experiences that you’re going through are not an isolated case helps to cope.

Lesson 5:

Keep your eyes on the prize.

The first ten days or so were riddled with struggles of aching muscles, sore feet, trying to find the right time to run during the day, as well as speckles of self-doubt. I had to be intentional that there was a goal that was to be met. Running until the 30^th day was my prize. I kept my eyes on that prize. On extremely tough days, I walked or ran at the slowest pace possible. I just kept moving.

Lesson 6:

Build yourself to last.

Sustaining a month-long run required fresh legs and muscles at their best. Achieving this fitness required proper and sufficient stretching pre- and post-workouts. Proper stretching as a warmup or cool down will go a long way in preventing injuries. I learned to build myself to last. I avoided wearing myself out too much on a day in a way that would jeopardize the remaining days.

Lesson 7:

Love yourself enough.

Another way to last long is to love yourself enough into a physiotherapy’s room. Go for physiotherapy sessions to work on your accumulating lactic acid, sore feet, straining leg muscles, and overall goodness. Invest on yourself to be the best you can and to keep giving the best to whatever cause you’re committed to.

Lesson 8:

Invest in your wellness.

Investing in yourself when doing a physical activity involves getting the right gear to avoid unnecessary injuries like black toes from tight shoes, sore heels from the wrong running shoes, thigh burns from the wrong leggings and other injuries like sunburn and frost bites. You cannot go fishing with a hoe, neither can you go digging with a fishing line. You’ll catch nothing.

Lesson 9:

Technology is beautiful.

In a world that is fast-moving technologically, you cannot be found lagging behind. Tracking your workouts might sound nerdish or obsessive, but you’ll love it when you see how much you’re achieving with every effort. I used a smart watch and my mobile phone to track my runs, and that’s why I am able to present to you these statistics as evidence that I ran. Technology is not your enemy. Allow it to complement your life and make work easier where necessary.

Lesson 10:

Your health is your wealth.

You wake up early to go to work and sleep late chasing the bag. There is nothing wrong with that, for sure. We all do. However, in the pursuit of happiness, you must remember that it’s your body that primarily needs to experience that happiness. Keeping that body in good health takes you half there. I enjoyed the health benefits of running daily for a month as I registered my weight goal and my ideal BMI. Moreover, I realized experienced intangible benefits like an enhanced mental health. Just try running and experience the runners’ high for yourself.

Lesson 11:

For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things.

While you put your body to task, do not forget to practice spiritual discipline for it will profit all things. Practice daily prayer and bible study and you’ll be a wholesome being. A healthy spirit, a healthy body.

What Next?

Is it possible to take on such a challenge? Do you have any questions about my experience? Which challenges have you ever tried, and what did you learn? I’d like to hear your views.

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Being consistent means practicing something over and over again, in a regular manner, without giving up. It might be a good habit, such as physical exercise, or a deleterious practice, like betting. It is something close to an addiction.

Remaining consistent requires a high level of discipline at something. It also entails sacrificing one thing for another. For instance, consistently avoiding sugar means you are tempted to add sugar to your tea, but you endure tasteless tea. Eventually, it becomes normal to avoid sugar, and the tasteless tea becomes palatable.

One of the main reasons we fail at consistency is that we do not have a clear end goal for what we are practicing. It is said that if you do not know your destination, any route will take you there. Defining what you want to achieve helps you keep track of your progress, appreciate the gains you have achieved over time, and remind yourself of the remaining journey toward your goal.

Another reason one may struggle with remaining consistent is because of making unrealistic goals and expectations. Remember, the higher the expectations, the higher the disappointment when you fail to reach the goal. For instance, if you set to run 5 miles daily and you’ve never run even 3 miles, then you’re setting yourself up for frustration. You’d be better starting with 2 miles daily and then increasing the distance progressively.

Whatever the cause of your inconsistency, you must rise up and pick up the rhythm again. You are currently reading this article as my eight since I launched The Acing Scholar. I have published at least one post every week. With a 7-week streak, Substack stats show that I was in the top 29% of publishers who published weekly, consistently. May be these numbers show just what an uphill task it is to do something without breaking a pattern.

Where is all this leading to? This article is a reflection of my wins and struggles with remaining consistent. It is a reminder that we all struggle to stay on course. The article is an awakening that it is possible to stay on course, and you belong to the creme de la creme category if you are consistent in your field. Keep pushing even amidst shoves. Reflect on your achievements, whether big or small. Celebrate them as you set new goals.

It would be interesting to read your thoughts and comments about the issue of consistency, whether you’ve struggled with consistency, and the achievements you made when you stayed on course. Share your comments below.

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"Happiness makes up in height for what it lacks in length" -Robert Frost (1874-1963).

The above quote means that although happiness is short-lived, it makes one feel good. The “heights” in the quote may be used to refer to the high level of joy one gets when they are happy, while the "length" of the quote may mean that happiness does not last forever.

I agree with the quote; happiness cannot last forever. Happiness is believed to be a state of feeling good. It is mainly a subjective phenomenon in which the final judge is the individual experiencing it. In this case, telling somebody else's happiness level is difficult.

It is often believed that happiness is not usually achieved but given by God or chance. Ed Diener's theory holds that happiness is subjective well-being and consists of three components: Infrequent negative affect, high life satisfaction, and frequent positive affect.

Given its subjective nature, happiness can only be measured through self-report. Consequently, this definition shows that happiness fluctuates.

Human feelings keep fluctuating, and happiness being among the feelings is not exceptional. The feelings that people experience are, in most cases, related to the activities in the brain.

Different factors have different levels of happiness that last for different periods. For example, a study by Layard1 showed that the happiness index during dinner is higher than when relaxing. However, the happiness during dinner lasts less than the happiness one experiences when relaxing.

What is happiness to you? Do you agree with the above quote? Do you derive more happiness enjoying your favorite meal (or drink) than when you’re relaxed?

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