Oh to ask the heavens for rain, when you could get thunder, lightning, showers, a torrent, a downpour, the rainbow…they clear blue sky, the dark heavy clouds…
And since you asked this of me, listen, I want to read books:
with bright colorful covers
written by Kenyan Writers
written by women
in hardcover
written by me
with a playlist the author was listening to while writing
by Asian writers
anime/manga
by Jennifer Makumbi
BL themed books
in public library
gifted by friends and family
that I swore I would never read (if you mention Anna Karenina I will punch you in my head while smiling, and don’t get me started on the level of heartbreak I endured reading Wuthering Heights)
Harry Potter series (again!)
by Chinua Achebe (my absolute favorite: Things Fall Apart, No Longer at Ease, and Arrow of God)
So, I am at that age when the giants whose shoulders I stood on take a bow,
C says it’s the age where we bury our parents, friends, and dreams,
But I refuse to acknowledge it as a loss,
For we all live for many days, take many breaths, create memories and to cease to celebrate that because of the one day we cease to be…is a great loss.
Now I am more in love with horizons because what I choose to focus on determines how close or far,
Life! Well, it’s been one rollercoaster and at some point, I felt so overwhelmed by what was happening that I took a break from writing and in that one week, I set aside everything including my NanoWrimo project.
The good news here is that yes, I aced this year’s NanoWrimo and managed to scribble 55,751words. Don’t ask me about what I wrote because it’s all messed up. I know because I checked and nearly lost my wits so I will let it simmer.
2020 goals: This was set to be my year, where I would workout consistently, eat healthy, write more, join a Writer’s network and invest in postgraduate education. I hadn’t written action plans for all these things, except for writing. And in true form I managed to write, edit and publish one book: Zuri: The Chronicler of Enzi. When it became clear that there would be prolonged restrictions in an attempt to curb the spread of covid-19, I found myself slacking on my goals and in the first week of this month as I was reading through my journal, I came across all the things I was excited to do and it hit me that I took in so much that was happening around me that I forgot to reinforce what’s within me.
So, like the rollercoaster we’ve been on, I installed the 30 day fitness app again🙄 and I have managed to set times for working out. I am on day 4 and already loving the “Rest Day.”🧡
On writing: I just have this awesome idea that sprung up on me as I was writing my NanoWrimo project and I live for visuals when I am writing, so here is what is motivating me to explore it.
On reading: This month’s been a thrill and I’ve read a couple of books that made it easier to get lost in the written world.
The Deep End of the Ocean by Jacquelyn Mitchard
Diamond Eye by Arthur Rosenfeld
I am currently reading:
I am learning to write goals, and then break them down to tasks that I can do every day or hour so that I am not overwhelmed by the desire to accomplish them. I call it my 30 day reset and it started with uninstalling the Facebook app from my phone plus messenger so I can focus more.
I have also set a writing schedule so I have ample time to revise my draft and write some more because I love having to write and publish a book over the Easter holidays, it kinda gives my readers and major fans here in Kenya (they’re 14 of them 💛😉) something to read over a 3day holiday break
On education: I am still keen on gaining skills and knowledge and I’ll put it out into the universe, may it bring me my desires and success in my quest to pursue policy writing and formulation in the field of Education here in Kenya. I feel like I’ve been on the ground toiling and working with rural communities to improve public primary schools and it’s a great achievement, however I can scale it up, I can see the need for social investment in children on the value of quality education, across the country and what better way to do this than ensuring the policies written and implemented by the state actually serve this need? I’m all about it and I’ll keep working on it, seeking programs, partnerships, scholarships to see it come to be.
It’s been a hectic month for me, and I am hoping for a better now, tomorrow and to be honest, it’s a working progress and I love that I am envisioning it and calling it into being.
2 quick questions: What are you reading this weekend? What are you setting your heart on right now?
Do you take a bus, walk, sit and close your eyes to get there…or do you find yourself there at dawn, restless, nostalgic, but conscious of how much you’ve done to stop hurting but nothing has worked?
Tell, me…
Where do you go when you’re hurting?
For, the place you seek solace can also be your prison…so, tell me, for my soul yearns to know, to listen to another soul that’s been where I am…
And in all you do, would you please do me a favor?
Wherever it is that you run to, I hope you never let it dim that light in you, because we need it.
And in so doing, the sun will go to sleep and so will the sun within you.
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Never count the lashes they give you,
Your scars will always remind you of how many times they broke you.
Never hold onto the bile in your heart,
It may spread into your soul and once that goes dark,
death looms and there is nothing as worse as the death of the soul while the body still lives.
Never let those who choose to see you kneel before them break your spirit,
Rise up even if it’s one toe at time,
Rise up Child,
For your spirit is from those of old, eons of prosperity and pain, and you only heard of what the phoenix could do, but have you ever asked yourself what the Sun’s been doing every day?
You are it, Child, so fight for it, forgive to heal and rebuild, fight…
I love African proverbs and sayings. While they often hold quite some truth to them, others inspire, challenge, question and others are down right hilarious.
So, here are eight of some of the African Proverbs that crack me up!
A person who sells eggs should not start a fight in the market.
However much the buttocks are in a hurry, they will always remain behind.
When the mouse laughs at a cat, there is a hole nearby.
Anger, no matter how hot it is, can never cook yam.
A goat’s frown cannot stop it from being taken to the market.
You cannot run and scratch your buttocks at the same time.
A flea can trouble a lion more than a lion can trouble a flea.
Look, I am not asking for much, it would be nice to sit down every evening and enjoy a cup of coffee with a beautiful soul.
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Is this too much to ask?
I know there are wars, chaos and other areas that you may be heeding their call right now, and that’s alright, please protect the children…for I know what it’s like trying to undo hate or a thirst for vengeance instilled in one as a child, it’s painful.
I was sitting here, sipping my coffee and watching the latest episode of Red Table Talk when I thought I’d reach out to you.
A warm heart, a gentle soul, one who is love…
I thought, what would it be like to enjoy a warm cup of coffee with a beautiful soul once in a while
Then I thought of the conversations I’ve had with friends, my Mom, my Sisters and a bit of warmth filled this empty house and suddenly, I heard you ask, “May I take your order please?”
nilichoandika 