nilichoandika

Daily writing prompt

Share a lesson you wish you had learned earlier in life.

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I am drawn to mist, not fog- just a little bit of grey, of uncertainty, enough to make you slow down and watch out.

And like everything granted to me, in this realm, at this time, in this body, this form I take; I am learning and wish I learned earlier in life that everything I experienced would pass. For as long as I kept moving, kept hoping, working- getting up and facing another day- that everything, the pain, uncertainty, bliss, people, places, songs, trends, food, events, clothes…everything would come and go, only I would remain.

Daily writing prompt

How often do you walk or run?

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Eh, I walk every day: from one room to another in the house, to the shop, around the office, in the communities I work.

As for running, eh…now that’s the one where I go, “good question!” and walk away.

Daily writing prompt

What’s your favorite word?

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There is something about hearing, uttering, thinking and remembering something –awesome.

Just like “Awesome,” is my favorite word.

Daily writing prompt

Name the professional athletes you respect the most and why.

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Janeth Jepkosgei is the most memorable female athlete to me, she came first at the women’s 800m race in the 2006 Commonwealth Games and became the first female Kenyan middle-distance runner to win Gold in 2007 Osaka Japan.

She ran like she was floating, one second she was at the start line and in under 2 minutes she’d finished the race, this earned her the nickname “Eldoret Express.”

Girl sped so fast, she was likened to one of the fastest buses in Kenya then…perhaps that’s why seventeen years later, she’s among my favorites.

Daily writing prompt

If you had to give up one word that you use regularly, what would it be?

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Whereas most people would say ‘yes’ or ‘sure’ or ‘absolutely,’ I find myself attached to and in love with ‘definitely.’

I could definitely do without it, but the way the word rolls off my tongue, at work, with friends and colleagues-it’s like it’s home in my brain and tongue.

Definitely!

Daily writing prompt

What’s your favorite time of day?

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When all is said and done, that moment when I close my eyes and sleep…not when I hear my neighbor’s child crying, or the cats meowing, or the birds chirping and the dogs barking…worse off the factory down the street recycling plastic…when it’s quiet, outside and in my head…and I just sleep, now that’s my favorite time of day.

Daily writing prompt

Where did your name come from?

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I was born at 1pm when the sun was shining, as a welcome gift, of tradition, my arrival earned me the name Achieng.’ The Luo call the sun Chieng.’

Females get the prefix “A” and males get the prefix “O” and names follow seasons and times in life.

The other beauty I cherish is Isdora, the name that my Grandmother holds and my Mother, shortened it to ‘Dora’ instead.

Daily writing prompt

What motivates you?

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Fear…

I worked so hard to be here, and if I slack I may go back to the place I crawled out of.

Understanding…

Life owes me nothing, I owe myself everything.

Love…

For myself, people, places, things, experiences and memories.

Daily writing prompt

What do you love about where you live?

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This is the place I return to, at dusk-it’s the place I seek shelter from the cold, that I yearned for a roof over my head, the bed I lie in, the ability to decide who is welcome and persistence in making sure rent is paid on time.

Oh, and a space where I can be…still.