Your Attitude will Make or Break you

HOW TO WRITE A BOOK IN THREE DAYS!!

2009-12-09T13:26:00.004Z

Now you may think I am just about to pull your leg. Actually I wish I could; then my title would read how to write a book in 24 hours!! I am not implying that writing a book is that easy, (Well it is) I am saying that from my personal experience it can be done in three days!!

My Secret? It has to do with your attitude, knowing what you want and realizing just how bad you want it! Yup plain and simple.

What is it that you really want? To live a full life or to live a life one thinking about what you could have done?

Now I have successfully managed to complete writing my first book, "Say Cheese, Or get Cheesed" (that is awaiting publishing) a book on smiling and how far a positive outlook can get you in life. Now when I decided to write on this particular topic I actually thought it would be easy until I discovered the term Procrastination. Initially when I began my book writing expedition, each time I was asked by a friend, family or colleague, about how far I had gone in as far as its completion, I would quickly reply it was almost done, when in reality I didn't even have a clue how the first chapter looked like.

Now all this changed the moment I met this lady who joined our millionaire circle program (a personal development training program that we used to run at my former employer's company). From the get go, Nancy appeared very confident and aggressive. She later came to prove to be more than just that. Day one she joined the training program, and during class we talked about writing books, and immediately she declared she was starting to write. To my shock and disbelief in a month she was done writing!!

Now you have to see where I am coming from. For a whole month I had been saying how "my 'book' is coming along" and this woman from nowhere comes and completely makes me seem like a joke. OK at least to myself. So a week later following this revelation, I got mad at myself and forced myself to sit and write write write. It took me two days to complete and one extra day to edit the content. Right now I sit in glee at my accomplishment. All that is missing is a few caricatures that I need to add to each of my chapters with the help of a good artist; and then I look for a publisher and I'm done.

You may find this hard to believe, but in those three days I learned a huge lesson. All you need to succeed in anything and everything that you do in life or that you want to accomplish, is an extra dose of motivation and you're well on your way. If it was not for Nancy, who made me feel silly for shouting about a non existent book, I'd still be wishing away.

So really what you need to do right now, right this minute is to get something that will make you feel so terrible about your complacency that you decide to act on those important things that you know you should do but are too lazy to do.

SAY CHEESE BOOK CLUB

2009-11-29T13:38:00.000Z

Do you know I just figured out something silly that I haven't yet done. Can you believe I haven't told you guys yet about my book club???? Silly right?

So here goes: If you're interested and wish to join a group of exclusive readers who are interested in all things fun and love to devour all kinds of books, well put a smile on your face and Say Cheese!!!!!!

At Say Cheese we are all about smiles, so we share books that put a ready smile on your face. Books that teach us about money books that show us where to invest and how to build on those investments, Billionaire biographies and much more. Yes its all about business and money, money and business. Kaching!!!!!!! Doesn't the sound of money just make you happy. Well, it does for me.

But hey, it's not always about the money right??? So for all of you who are feeling left out. I haven't forgotten about you because we also share ALL KINDS OF BOOKS :-)!!!!!!!!!! So Scream!! Yippee:-)

So you wanna join the party please post your comment with your request/ interest to be a part of what you'll soon not be able to live without. So how about it?

Join Now.

Say Cheese!!!!

"or get cheesed"

2009-11-17T06:31:00.001Z

In life there is a general notion well understood by most and ignored by some. A kind of unvoiced 'rule' coined by some theorist from ancient archaeological and anthropological times and embraced as one of life's philosophies by our modern experts.

We must all be aware of this rule: "survival is for the fittest". Whether taught in schools, or in our homes, or heard on the TV, or read off of the internet, or experienced in the business world or outside of it, anywhere, somewhere, everywhere; this is an age old perception, a kind of nirvana.

In a world that is continually expanding with rapid momentum, my opinion is that this rule with time should become law, adhered to by all.

This may come as brazen to most of us in society, but yesterday I was forced to think; and how I hate to think because when I do, I come up with very harsh conclusions that may upset the politically correct.

You see, it was at the end of my daily routine of chasing after the ever elusive 'bread'; a fruitful day in terms of psychological and intellectul achievement; we were all happy that soon our hard work would translate into tangible gains. I was just about to board my 'plane' home, when a personal ally in the business world pulled me aside and politely asked me to help him 'overcome his financial burden'. He needed some 'dough' to get to his final destination.

This was a normal occurrence in our 'team' for we had officially formed the habit of being our brother's keeper; after all if you cannot lend a hand to your brother then how can you possibly do so to a stranger? Unfortunately, I had no 'mula' in my pocket to give, let alone share and I simply stated so, looking to my other 'peeps' for help.

However, instead of accepting my humbling confession, my ally had the nerve to point out the fact (that may coincidentally be true), that i never 'changad' for such occasions. Somehow of no fault of my own but of possible and uncontrollable forces, for a couple of weeks now, I always seemed not to be able to rise to the occasion and donate a few shillings to worthy causes. I never did think that this would become an issue to others. I just never had more than enough for my bare maintenance even in ordinary circumstances. Let's call it 'hard times', which I will confidently assume everyone does go through in life.

So evidently, I found this judgment to be quite careless on the part of the 'beggar'.

Firstly, because what he said was totally insensitive. He may boast to know me up to the point where I cheerfully bid everyone goodbye at the finale of our daily activities, but beyond that he has no clue who feeds me and clothes me, or what the size of my left shoe is.

Secondly, what he said was utterly and notably untrue. He decided to lose his memory. For that instant, he chose to forget that it was I who had passed onto him a few 'bobs' some days ago, so as to buy himself a decent tea at 'Karomainde' cafe on some lonely street in the middle of town.

Thirdly, what he said was plain ridiculous and unfair. For it was he who was now seeking temporary monetary funding and not I. It was he who was now unable to 'changa' for his own relief. What if I had no afore-knowledge of his 'poverty' situation and had chosen to ask him for aid and at the point of being unable to assist me, had concluded that he 'never' gives. Would that be a fair conclusion to make?

His assertions were not purposely uttered to hurt me; that I do know. But Holy Scripture is not wrong to warn us on controling our tongues. Once you open your mouth to speak to all and sundry however unintentional, you can never take back what comes out of it.

And anyway, who said that society demands of me or of anyone, other than himself, to take care of his lifestyle? Was it not he who had used his last penny on an 'expensive' brew just a few minutes ago, while I sipped hot water and lemon for free, very much aware of my own financial predicament? Prior to the drenching festivity, wasn't he already aware of his own situation, and couldn't he have prudently quelled his thirst at a later date?

We as allies in this cold and unfriendly world are such, only because we choose to be so. Without which some of these alliances, if not all, would barely scrape through.

However, amidst these 'kinship' bonds and friendship ties that we so boldly profess to have(which by the way are there for our basic survival), there is an urgent need to create an 'auto reminder' of sorts, lest we continue to leave our memory behind. Perhaps a virtual machine that would once in a while erase the subconscious lies we unwillingly create. Lies we use to help us stay afloat; above seal level. Lies that leave us believing that society owes us.

Aha!! My 'auto reminder' has just flashed a message across its screen; it reads: "Society owes you nothing".

From a Young Blood...

2009-11-10T08:30:00.000Z

What a day! I have just arrived home from an evening out on the town and I am exhausted. I finally managed to escape the multitude of alluring voices urging me to stay on through the night. Oblivious to them, the ravages of my day had taken its toll on my mind and body. I no longer cared to mime and sway to foreign tunes; all I needed was some sleep.

Snuggling in between the sheets fighting to get some warmth, their harsh coolness evident, I knew it would be a while before I finally drifted down dreamy lane. I could hear the rain lashing at my window pane pounding harder and harder, as if trying to remind me I still had a story to write.

When I was younger I always heard my neighbor’s dad talk about money and wondered what all the fuss was about. “Didn’t it come from my mother’s handbag? Or didn’t it appear under your pillow when your tooth came off?” Well as I lay on my bed reminiscing, this naivety was thrown out of the window when I thought of how I too, had embarked on a journey that morning in search of it in the city of Nairobi.

As a young blood we tend to be misunderstood a lot by the wiser in society. We too appreciate that money does not come from the house we call “the bank”. It comes from the fat cats who own the fat accounts in those fat financial institutions without which would be non-existent. For that reason, as we too attempt to emulate the deep pocketed in society, we find ourselves at the brink of insanity and despondency all because the fat bank manager refuses to listen to my skinny budget proposal to seek funding for my minuscule project; which by the way I believe will turn me into a billionaire.

How else does he expect me to dodge the quandary of poverty that exists amongst the youth in Nairobi if he can’t even endorse my ‘fantastic’ business ideas?

As I walked out of the banking hall angry at the negativity surrounding me I bumped into a group of 5 other young bloods seemingly also very disgruntled by the said man who calls himself ‘Mr. Relationship Manager’. How could he call himself that when he had no idea what it meant to embrace innovative and diverse relationships?

A young classy looking lady in the group began to pour out her frustrations to me. At 27, Jill had never been employed and did not believe in the creature. She had been through all kinds of small businesses and money making schemes and even after their impending collapse she still kept going amidst nonconstructive feedback from her family advising her from their “old school” of thought, to apply her skills to some ‘professional’ job.
Her male counterparts had been through the same pessimism, starting all kinds of small failed projects; import-export trading in timber, mining of gemstone in Tanzania, catering ventures, selling cheap cologne and samosas on the streets, you name it; just to earn some bread. Now after 6 months of constructive brainstorming, strategic planning and fool proof structuring of their business plan, some stranger totally ignorant of their potential and blinded by their age and demeanor had just rejected their 5th well put together business proposal.

At that point, I realized the problem was not with the youth in Nairobi and their languor or delinquent demeanor as perceived by society. The problem was with the general mindsets, of those in positions to offer lasting solutions to unemployment problems amongst the youth.

John a young experienced caterer and wedding planner said, “We have good ideas but we lack a bank that is willing to support young people.” Peter a former timber exporter added that even with good ideas, one cannot go very far without good capital call facilities. If those with the brilliant ideas cannot be linked to those with the capital base and see those ideas through, how far will development go in this country? Furthermore, sometimes all one need is a start up capital of Kshs 100,000 but one can’t get it because they have no securities to put against it.

Truth is, the youth may lack experience in business and at times are not exposed to the right information. We have often heard some communications guru pointing out that there is a lot of money to be made on the internet. However, the internet being a door to a lot more than information; without guidance one may find themselves glued to chat rooms, porn sites, scam sites or general addictive surfing with no direction as opposed to looking for genuine trading ideas. Indeed information is power but being exposed to the right information is the true power. Moreover, for the average Kenyan youth sending a simple email is still an overwhelming and daunting task.

We need to be more exposed to the right information where we can learn general life and business skills. An example is if there were more training workshops aimed at educating the youth on how to set up small businesses or how to approach local investors for capital raising and well structured financing.

Perhaps too we could try and emulate our friends from the oriental part of the world, who have venture capitalists or angel investors looking to pump their resources into undertakings that support their youth. No wonder we hear China boasting to have several youth who have hit the millionaire mark.

In Kenya, InvesteQ Capital is one such micro-finance company I know of that assists young people get trade financing at affordable costs and appears to be one solution as opposed to banks. But more needs to be done.

The resounding gong of the hall clock by the staircase pulls me out of my reverie; it’s way past my bedtime and I still have a story to write. With only a few hours left to shut out the world that seems to hate young ideas I think of tomorrow. Maybe I’ll go pay the ‘personal banking’ manager a visit; perhaps this time he will lend an ear and his demands of me will be less personal.

2009-07-26T13:03:00.000+01:00

THIS VICE CALLED: SELF BELIEF.

It’s good to be back on this blog. I have been otherwise occupied with other things including the excess writing work that always seem to sneak up on me, sometimes uninvited.

Several months ago, I met someone new, the man I should blame for this particular entry and who is the source of my inspiration right now. If this is the first time you are reading one of my entries then you may be unaware of my passion for personal development and training; something i have been fervently doing for the last two years. And it has been great road down the learning lane. Nowhere have I had the opportunity to learn so much in just two years about becoming a better person than from what i do. So its no surprise that I was slightly peeved at this young gentleman who in a 10 minute sitting, tore into what I believe in and what I have been sharing with others every chance I get inside and outside of my work. By the time the young Rwandan chap walked away from the table that my friends and I were sharing over a coffee date, I was slightly stunned and felt somewhat misrepresented; not because I had not gone out of my way to explain and defend the intricacies and objectives of my work, but because I had even bothered to do so.

For starters I believe in what I do and not because its partly how i make my living but because today I am a better person because of what I do. I teach people to work on themselves, believe in their abilities to do great and mighty things and to in turn be in a position to help others. In a nutshell I teach self belief and how this self belief can help one achieve their wildest dreams be it monetary or otherwise. And what’s more i have seen people who have gone through our trainings grow phenomenally, realizing their potential and in turn become better people than when they first arrived at our doorstep. There's a saying that if you help well enough others get what they want, you in turn will get what you want.

So yes, despite not revealing my reservations to my friends, that afternoon I left the coffee house quite rattled by the young man’s criticisms.

However, today I awoke feeling bright and enlightened. As does happen every morning, a sort of peace and sobriety had set in and I thought back to the previous day’s events. Perhaps I had judged my young friend too soon. I do not agree with what he said; not at all for he like many others before him, do not understand the nature of what people like myself do and why we do it and my point is not to make them understand. Nevertheless I can now see where he was coming from.
Having survived a genocide acknowledged by international bodies and nations across the globe as the worst atrocity ever encountered upon humankind: man shooting man, neighbor maiming neighbor, child slashing mother; all in a horrific and senseless bid to wipe out one tribal nation, undeniably, i could see how this guy could not begin to relate to people like myself who propagate self belief. It is self belief that almost wiped out an entire homeland, it is self belief of ruthless mortals masked in self righteousness and deceit that felt it was doing its counterparts a favor by ridding themselves of lesser beings. I appreciate that it is self belief that propagates corruption, dictatorship, and all other viles in society that we can think about.

Nonetheless, it is also self belief that enables nations plundered by war to rise up and be one again, it is self belief that gives hope to victims such as the "genocide-ees" to believe again in humankind and forgive their neighbors who swore only blood and vengeance, it is self belief that gives hope to our disillusioned youth that one day they too can join the political elite and instead of speaking greed and selfishness, articulate ethnic and social cohesiveness, proliferate morals and values,construct schools, hospitals and put up basic infrastructure. it is self belief that allows a “nobody” have the courage confront his worst fears and discover their purpose for living; mind you it is this fear that prohibits many of us from dreaming and see through our visions to the end. It is self belief that can bring real positive change to the ones who most need it.

So I do understand the young man’s sentiments. He deplores self aggrandizement and the overemphasis of self belief outside of the acknowledgment of a higher power or being. It is true, you cannot do anything alone or devoid of the consult or aid of another; I acknowledge that, but I also refuse to see the glass as half full.

OUR HUMAN NATURE

2009-06-15T17:08:00.000+01:00

Now, it's amazing this thing we call our human nature. What is more amazing is how easy we forget. How easy we forget that we are human beings.

Of no fault of our own, we are not perfect and perfection was never meant for us. OK correct me if I am wrong; but there is nothing and no one as perfect but perfection itself. Fact of the matter is, perfection does NOT exist! Even when we think and feel from the bottom of our hearts that we have done our best, even when we see great results in our performance, there is always that thing..that thing.. that something.. that feeling... maybe a sixth sense, that tells us we could do more. We could do better.

'Yes I am a perfectionist!'

But just so I don't sound contradictory here :-) and confuse all you who are easily swayed for your benefit I will rephrase that statement: I believe that i am a perfectionist. Yes, and so do so many of us out there!!!

But when we really think on it. Is it possible to achieve such perfection that we are completely satisfied and seek no more reason or justification to keep doing better, getting more, learning more?

The biggest lesson I have ever learned (i think) is that, the moment i stop learning and think I have 'gotten it all', then, that's the beginning of the end for me. Because if i cannot continue to learn more, experience more, be more, then really what more is there for me to do than curl myself up in bed, (in this cold and dreary June weather) and just DIE!!

Indeed it is believed that we have a creator; and in His mind whilst He molded us and fashioned us according to His perfect image, we still remain imperfect! Notice the word 'according to..' That may very well mean that whilst we are meant to be perfect, because of our human nature we tend to and are allowed to act according to this nature on occasion and slip or fall.

Then why is it since we do know this; why then do we as 'intelligent' beings at least more intelligent than animals; why do we tend to focus on the wrongs in our lives and never the right?? Why is it that we beat ourselves up every time we mess up forgetting that everyone does mess up and we are not alone in this crazy mind boggling world?

Perhaps if we stopped looking in front of us and looked beyond us, perhaps we would be able to understand that we can only act upon that which is within our control and not beyond our control!

If we practice this notion every day starting today, I believe many of us would have more to say about our lives in terms of achievement and happiness.

The question still remains: 'Will we?'

For more from Lilian visit http://www.saycheeseplease.wordpress.com/, http://www.themodernbusinesschool.wordpress.com/.

Your Attitude will Make or Break you

2008-08-20T20:11:00.000+01:00

Your Attitude will Make or Break you

2008-01-29T17:44:00.000Z

Its amazing how this morning I woke up with a heavy head. (Mind you ,I said head and not heart.) I say amazing because every time I do wake up with a pit at the bottom of my belly, I know for a fact that my hormones are as usual having their field day and raging out of control.

However, this time I knew for sure that the air of uncertainty enveloping me as the light filtered in through my girlfriends apartment window, could not have been as a result of wiry and uncontrollable bodily disturbance. I had tried 5 different outfits and I still couldn't figure out why every thing looked horrible on me. (Mind you I said 20 outfits actually meaning 20.)

Luckily for me, in my state of desperation and utter frustration, in walks my bosom buddy, having just landed a couple of minutes earlier from an exhilarating oriental flight. Beaming from ear to ear, she takes one look at me and immediately senses I

'm in dire need of salvation. You know its really amazing how friends, (Mind you I mean real friends not the ones after your man) can detect danger signals from a zillion light years away.

She digs into her bag and pulls out one of the mementos she had readily hand picked herself at the chinese flea market; a 'scrimpy' looking blouse, that she had concluded, one look at it and my heart would melt. (Mind you my heart did melt, but not because of the scruffy looking little thing that i had already envisioned would turn me into a , red-faced toddler, but because she had spared the time to think about me whilst on her overseas rendezvous with an apparent admirer. )

All smiles she embarks on a trip down 'what's wrong?' and 'who is it this time?' memory lane. I wonder why with women, when one is down in the rubbish dumps the cause is immediately attributed to the breed of male life forms walking planet earth and never to the rubbish itself that litters the mind. Anyway, after a couple of minutes of intense interrogations (Mind you I mean an hour), I manged to 'convince' her, and unconvinced she accepted that my heavy head was attributed to nothing. (Mind you I said nothing and I did mean nothing.)

Hands in the air she let me alone to nurse my mental hangover in the living room staring at the famous box. (Mind you I say famous box when I actually mean a waste of box space) Flipping through the channels I settle on the local news, which has today in my opinion almost lost all social appeal. With all the political mileage given to indiviuals running down our country's economy, the local media; I supposeof no fault of its own, tends to propagate unethical behaviour in its satirical coverage of uninformed, greedy persona clutching at straws in public offices.

And of course the first thing I hear are screaming headlines broadcasting the corrupt and underhand happenings during the week of the recent past World Social Forum hosted in Kenya at the Kasarani International Sporting Complex. This huge world event giving Kenya exclusive international coverage and opportunity to attempt to wipe clean its slate and shine on another scale, by successfully hosting hundreds of thousands of international, was marred by a corruption scandal by local airport authorities.

For everyone the World Social Forum was going to be an event cast in stone by many a Kenyan. A time when none would dare forget how nicely their pockets were going to be lined with the much needed american currency. Due to the large and unprecedented influx of delegates forseen to be landing in the country, local hotels, hostels and other boarding facilities were overbooked and filled to capacity. A national appeal had then been made to Kenyans to offer a room at their private inns to assist manage these numbers. Moreover, for every delegate hosted in your humble abode, pennies (Mind you, I mean dollars) were to be dropped into your empty money bag to help cover running costs and appreciate an individual's kindness.

Well, this is Kenya, a land where only the big fish are allowed to thrive in a sea of small fish. What despicable thing did our Airports Authority officials do? Smelling the money way before it docked at the point of entry they plotted and managed to divert all the delegates on the arrival day to their personal homes and private hotels outside the city. So you can imagine the public outcry that followed. Especially from those who had gone out of their way to refurbish their dilapidated housing and furniture to more comfortably accomodate their ghost guests.

Well by now you must know why I woke up this morning with a heavy head. (Mind you, I was one of the small fish who hoped beyond all hope to be lucky this time). I like many other small fish, had moved to temporarily put up at my girlfriend's flat a week earlier, knowing full well that the end of this week would surely bring more than a few pennies.

And you wonder why I am yet to speak well about our country's public office. What really is there to talk about. But hey I am no politician so I will not get into that. Mine is to just speak my mind via penwomanship. Using my mind. (Mind you, I doubt many up there, have any mind at the overall impact of their actions on an economy, let alone the little goldfish)

2008-01-10T12:22:00.004Z

THE RIGHT TO LEAD

What gives a man or woman the right to lead? What individual characteristic is required for other people to feel the desire to look up to a particular individual for direction?

Yesterday I was reading John C. Maxwell's book titled: "The Right To Lead" and was introduced to a deeper understanding of true leadership. During the Vietnam war US army general H. Norman Schawrzkopf was heading a battalion in one of the worst and most dangerous parts in the world. Colonel Schawrzkopf was known for his love for his soldiers and whenever his men were injured in some troubled spot he would always ensure he was on all the rescue teams sent out on rescue missions.

On one particular mission, without hesitation or forethought to the dangers that lay ahead of him; a possible loss of his own foot perhaps; he successfully made his way through a field layered with booby traps and land mines to save a wounded soldier. This act of selflessness became more apparent when later that day at the military infirmary it was discovered that the injured soldier he had saved was black.

All the while, colonel Schawrzkopf had not even noticed or realized this fact. He been desperate against all odds to save one of his own men.

In my mind this simple story illustrates then what true leadership is all about. The army had given the colonel the power to lead, his knowledge and skills gave him the ability to lead. But his demonstrated character and courage under the most difficult of circumstances had earned him the right to lead; and John C. Maxwell says it well: "Your talk talks, your walk walks, but your walk talks louder than your talk talks."

Needless, for anyone who aspires to lead, let them remember one crucial fact: a leader will never be more or less than the evaluation given to him or her, by those he/ she leads.

As I study leadership and delve into the different kinds, the people themselves; new and old leaders who fight to stay in power, who die to lead a nation, who give everything and all to become boss, I make it a personal habit query myself: "Have these great men and women earned the right to lead me? Are they worthy to be in power? They may have the brains and the technical know how or obvious look, but do they care about the people they are committed to serve? Have I myself as a leader in my personal and business development training company, earned the right to lead those below me?Next time you think of appointing someone to lead your firm, business, department, station or nation, consider this: even in a pack of racer dogs, the dog that stays in front of the pack has to earn the right to lead the ones at the back of the pack.

For Success tips and How To's visit: http://www.shvoong.com/books/1742832-right-lead/

2008-01-02T13:17:00.002Z

KENYA

ELECTIONS DECEMBER 2007

NEW YEARS EVE

It’s been 5 days since Kenyans went to the polls to elect their new president of the republic of Kenya. 4 days since excitement reigned high amongst different political groups as each leader of the political divide: that is, Mwai Kibaki of the Party of National unity (PNU), Raila Odinga of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and Kalonzo Musyoka of the Orange Democratic Movement-Kenya (ODM-K) made final ditch attempts at reigning in their supporters.

By then it was clearly evident to all sides that their supporters nationwide were about to determine their political destiny for the next 5 years with the mark of the ballot paper; and only one of them was going to ascend the much coveted presidential throne.

5 years ago this time, we democratically elected President Mwai Kibaki into office ending a 40 year rule under the now retired President Daniel Arap Moi. The process was not without its excitement, anxieties and suspicions. Nevertheless, Kenyans proved to its African brothers and sisters and the world in general, that they had in fact matured in the democratic process and in turn much of the nation was in triumphant jubilation and euphoria for weeks thereafter.

Today is Monday the 31^st of December 2007, New Years Eve.

The country should be celebrating, a new president has been sworn in by the chief justice at State house. His Excellency, the president Mwai Kibaki yesterday was declared the winner of the just concluded presidential elections by the Electoral Commission Chairman (ECK) Mr. Samuel Kivuitu after 4 long drawn out, exhausting, politically electrifying and emotionally charged days.

Yes without a doubt, we should be celebrating. It’s New Year’s Eve and we have a newly ‘democratically’ elected president. But should we? Maybe; But how can we? How can the whole nation come together in song and dance when deep down something is erroneously amiss?

For the past 4 days political leaders of various political associations and affiliations have hurled angry words laden with accusations of political manipulations of presidential election results; and rigging claims have been thrown at the sitting government. According to the ECK, by the fourth day they were ready to announce the presidential tallying results and Mwai Kibaki had garnered about 4.5 million votes against rival opposition leader Raila Odinga’s 4.3 million votes cast. Kalonzo Musyoka managed slightly over 800,000 votes.

But my focus is on Raila and Kibaki. Even before the elections ODM leaders had announced their suspicion of the sitting government’s plan to get Kibaki back into government by hook or crook. Amid their rigging claims PNU leaders dismissed them as desperate and unfounded attempts at maligning the government and that in the end it was up to the electorate to decide; nothing from their end, would affect the democracy of Kenya.

Voting complete, tallying of ballot papers began and the media, acting as the people’s conduit and polling watchdog kept the nation abreast of all results coming in from various polling stations countrywide and for the initial 3 days according to all government and independent media, ODM leader Raila Odinga appears to be maintaining a competitive lead in 6 out of 8 of the provinces of Kenya. It was slowly becoming more apparent that perhaps, maybe, possibly, despite the close margin between him and his rival presidential running mate Mwai Kibaki, perhaps the people had finally decided.

Day 3, after much media speculation and obvious glaring delays of results from various polling stations, especially it seemed from Mwai Kibaki’s home turf, as well as results from the Eastern Province (Kalonzo’s home turf), tensions began to rise and it was clear that something was just not right.

That evening, Mr. Samuel Kivuitu the ECK chair was about to complete his work an announce the results, but the ODM leaders petitioned him not to announce the presidential results because they believed them to be flawed and manipulated. Upon their examination, they gave their evidence, gathered and seconded by their ODM party agents based in the field who confirmed that what was announced at the ground by the returning officers were not the same results announced by the ECK.

Amidst PNU leaders opposition to any further announcement delays, Mr. Kivuitu conceded and agreed to do a proper analysis overnight, of all the tallied votes from all the 210 constituencies, to look for any discrepancies which he agreed to some extent appeared to be in question. Two party agents from all competing partied were allowed to sit in with the commission that night, during which the scrutiny of the votes would take place. Though he appeared to be under much pressure from opposing invisible forces, it was evident to Mr. Kivuitu that certain results from certain constituencies had undeniably been grossly exaggerated in favor of the sitting President Mwai Kibaki and needed some further scrutiny.

Day 4, Kenyans woke up to await ECK’s final decision on the presidential race. Would the results be nullified and thereby a new election date set (an obvious expensive affair) as requested by ODM leaders, or would president Kibaki be announced the new President of the Republic of Kenya against justifiable rigging claims according to ODM leaders and supporters, subverting the democratic rights of all Kenyans.

At about 5pm, the ECK chair back at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC) took his sit and oblivious to eager ODM leaders who wanted a ‘positive’ feedback, began to read out the final results of the presidential contest which evidently appeared to still be in favor of Mwai Kibaki. Before he had gone too far in his announcement ODM leaders interrupted the process protesting that what was happening was undemocratic and they would have none of it. Their protests, in full view of both local and international live media as well as election observers, completely disrupted the press conference. The military personnel were standing in line awaiting orders to dispel any possibility of fracas and or chaos as the ODM leaders staged a walk out.

Half an hour later all media personnel, election observers and civilians were pushed out of the KICC building by the military personnel as the ECK chair prepared to privately announce Kibaki as president in the VIP lounge at the KICC, and only in the presence of the national broadcaster Kenya Broadcasting Cooperation KBC.

The announcement made, Kibaki was sworn in at State house with the obvious absence of independent media and opposition leaders of government. It is rumored that there was an obvious split within the ECK commissioners monitoring the election process itself on this announcement but nothing could be done to abort an announcement of Mwai Kibaki as president. A deep contrast to his overwhelming glorious swearing in ceremony 5 years ago at the Uhuru Park in Nairobi in the presence of national leaders and ecstatic local wananchi was evident at the state house grounds as onlookers solemnly watched the proceedings. Even government supporters it seemed were not as joyous and blissful as they had been on that memorable day, 5 years ago.

It has been decades since we last saw our country at silent war within themselves.

Within half an hour of the announcement of Kibaki’s presidency, more than 10 people were killed in clashes in various parts of the country. It was like the ice had been broken to let out a torrent of anger and betrayal. Honorable John Michuki the former Internal Security minister who had managed a comeback for another 5 year term, announced a total media blackout of all live political news coverage.

Day 5: for the last 18 hours as per Mr. Michuki’s public decree, there has been no live news aired by any of the local media houses, a tactic adopted with the assumption of giving a political blackout to the ODM, a ploy perhaps seen to avert any further chaos countrywide.

Within this time period the death toll of citizens reported to have died in clashes with police ravaging various towns has been more than 100; again country wide. Rumors are running rampant via short messaging texts that ODM will be swearing in Raila Odinga as the new President of the Republic of Kenya at a ceremony later in the afternoon at the Uhuru Park in Nairobi.

It is however unlikely that this meeting will happen because anti riot police have cordoned off all parts of Nairobi leading to the Uhuru Park where this alleged ceremony will be taking place. Moreover any movement from outside Nairobi into the city has been discouraged in suspicion that these movements could be towards the rally.

The media are now back on, airing prerecorded news broadcasts and reports are now raging that the Chief Police Commissioner Hussein Ali, has resigned, a possible reaction to the current ongoing political events and that the army has in turn split into two for the same reasons. Also it has been mentioned that ODM leader Raila Odinga and his running mate William Ruto, have been arrested.

PNU leaders together with the police have been quick to reject all these claims dismissing them as untrue.

What is true though is that, in just a matter of hours the country has dramatically gotten a new face. A country that has never faced war and has been reveling in abundant peace may soon have to contend with just that as is evidenced by the ongoing clashes. Where before we were laughing and looking forward to the New Year, that brings with it new things, new jobs, new lives, new opportunities, new resolutions, new hopes and dreams, we seem not to be moving forwards, but backwards; and not just politically; economically too.

All shops and supermarkets are closed, businesses are closed. No one is sure yet when it will be wise to venture into town or back to work. Because of these elections some people quit their jobs to see through their dreams of getting to State house. Because of these elections Kenyans have been on holiday for more than a month now, more so mentally and emotionally. Glued to their TV screens day in, day out ingesting all manner of political lingo, economically the country has suffered and we will continue to suffer if we do not immediately resolve our personal, political and ethnic differences.

At his swearing in speech ‘President’ Mwai Kibaki declared the 31^st be a national holiday, understanding full well that Kenyans needed their rest so as to be able to return to their past state of normalcy.

Nonetheless with the two apparent presidents and two self declared governments in power whether legitimate or not; with most if not all businesses at a stand still, with streets emptied filled only by anti riot police and military personnel, who knows when this much needed state of normalcy will return. And will this normalcy apply only to those in power or to the normal wananchi who will soon run out of food and will eventually have to emerge from their safe havens only to be faced by the reality of men in uniform, guns, death and violence all around them.

It’s about time our leaders took a grim look at who in the end will indeed suffer if this state of emergency continues much longer. Fact: The presidency will and can never be bigger than the nation. The earlier individuals of both sides of the political divide understand this verity, the better for us all.

We all make up this nation and its economy. Once known as a working nation it is possible that we are soon becoming a blundering nation. In as much as the wealth of our country is only in the hands of a few as is unmistakable in most capitalist economies, these few bourgeois must very well understand that they too still depend on the bulk of the nation to survive at its helm.

2007-11-07T11:20:00.001Z

Writer's block!!

Aaaaaaargh, I'm looking at my thought that are in my head and you know what? There's nothing!!!!! Ok please don't mistake me, I am no fool. I am just trying to put down my thoughts for the day but you know what? I having one of those days I am sure you've had. I don't know what to write about!!! AAAAAAAARGH!!!!!!

Ok sir/ Madam, you need to understand my frustration here...I am a writer or so i call myself: the author of all things positive and here I am unable to think of anything.

And yes it happens to the BEST of us. Even Mother Teresa I bet had one of those days when its tough!! you just don't know why? nothing major is happening really to ruin your day but you feel dull. Well right about now my thought are dull and I got no juicy stuff to throw at you but you know what, my phones ringing and hello......

I have been invited to lunch. Yippeee!!! Yes this is when I am grateful for the friends who unknowingly save me from complaining I am having a dull day... Well I am off now to tantalize my taste buds, i do hope were off to Bermuda.....ill be back.

Meanwhile please don't get a positive feeling block!!! I need all the positivity!!

MEDIOCRITY

2007-09-08T21:54:00.001+01:00

I may never understand why God or whoever you believe is in charge of creating us humans; decided to give us the right to have a 'choice.' The choice to live mediocre lives!

You must agree: Many of us have too many options.

We have too many options to choose from in life and this has time and again proven to be our downfall because we are too busy having fun instead of getting things done.

For example, we have the option to postpone what needs to be dealt with now, because we have tomorrow or the day after, or the day after that to deal with it. We end up making lame excuses for our mediocrity; not doing what needs to be done in good time and making light of our nature to postpone things that are most important to us.

Instead studying for an exam for example, or completing a task in time at work or at home, we end up cramming our way to success and boasting about our 'intelligence' and our ability to ace papers or 'fool' the boss without much effort. We forget that cramming last minute notes may give you immediate satisfaction but may hinder long term success rates.

If you think of the successful people in this day and age, you will realize that, they lived in a world with no shortcuts. They worked hard as well as smart. These two words must go hand in hand to be successful. You can fastrack your way to success but remember, if you take too may corners you may end up too twisted to unwrap yourself off of mediocrity. What will keep you ahead of the game is disciplined activity. Ask Oprah, Sir Branson, Bill Gates or any great man or woman of our time.

For many of us, even the ones who you may think are 'smart' but really aren't, or the ones who always see themselves as more intelligent than others or better than others; you would be amazed if you dared to live a day in their shoes.

They are the the most disorganized and unpredictable people you will ever come across. But they are also very good at what they do and can easily pull a wool over your head. They are the ones who put on a persona that they are perfect and always do the right thing, always very critical about everything and everyone else and yet, an hour spent with them you will discover, instead of focusing on what needs to be done here and now, they too focus on the reasons why things are not happening.

These are the people I call the 'mediocres'.

They always have explanations for why they seem not to be living up to their promises and commitments. And their reasons are always: OTHER PEOPLE! And, worse is we believe them! We believe them because we too live mediocre lives. We have no idea what to do, so we end up followers of such false men and women.

Instead of finding solutions to our predicaments and our challenges, we act just like them, giving excuses that will make us feel better about our own situations; as if we have forever to live out our passions.

The day we realise that goals are made to be pursued and reached within a specific time period and not whenever we fancy to see them through, many of us who are always talking about going somehere but never really do get anywhere, will start to understand the difference between a trully successful life and a mediocre one. We should not be foolish. Neither should we underestimate our potential to succeed.

Every day we make up an excuse for not doing what needs to be done now, especially if we are in a position to do so; and everyone at that point in time is looking up to us for answers and direction, WE LOSE CREDIBILITY. And the day we lose the credibility that you work so hard for is the day success eludes you.

C'mon, let's work on our attitude people and start living credible lives. How else will you make that difference in other people's lives?

2007-05-02T21:12:00.000+01:00

For the past six months I have been lost on the writer's radar. For good reasons only. I have been caught up in the pursuit of success. More importantly 'My Success'

I apologise in advance for sounding selfish. But aren't you tired of hearing about other people's success?? I am. The more I here that so and so is doing so well, I begin to wonder what people are saying of me: "She's is not doing too badly", or, "She seems ok." I know we are advised not to worry too much about what other peopl think, but I think sometimes people use this as an excuse not to work harder than they already are.

So for the past six months I have been learning from my environment. And my environment has been positive and everything positive associated with it. I have been searching high and low for answers, answers that I can guide me to a brighter path where I can see the light. Fortunately or unfortunately for me, Action Conference has been my tour guide.

What is this Action Conference?

Before I answer the 'What', It is only fair that I start with the 'Why'.

For the past six months I have had the pleasure of mingling with some of the best business minds in the world.

Or so I am told.

You see it is common knowledge that birds of a feather flock together. Well my decision to hang around the millionare's club was made the moment I was made to understand the difference between having money and 'having money'.

The former, I have come to learn, simply means, having just enough to survive; while the latter: having enough to survive and alot more to invest.

What does this mean?? I for one, every so often have found myself fighting to hold on to my last coin at the end of the month. I barely had enough to survive let alone any left over to invest.
And even when I had some to invest I had no idea what to do and ended up always spending all of it on non essentials.

I guess a major reason would be that I just had a bad attitude towards money. Reason being no one ever taught me at home about money or what to do with it. There were no schools where I could learn this. I just knew that one had to learn to make good spending decisons somewhow, on their own, you know kind of figure it out.

Whilst still in boarding school, I learnt this the hard way. Because I had no sound mangement of my measely 'pocket money' Iwould end up broke and starving way before the school term came to an end. Each begining of th eterm i would tell myself I would be wiser and each time halfway through I was crying my ears out begging my folks to send me more.

So back to 'What is Action Conference?'

Well I dont know about you or anyone else but for me it was my plane ticket to the millionare's club.

At Action conference you are taught the recipe to success and it is brought to you through the various programs offered. www.actionconference.com

Because of its founder I have been inspired to write and publish my first in a series of many; "Say Cheese" books. http://saycheeseplease.wordpress.com I am also in the process of setting up my online as well as offline business as a proffessional life coach.

My attitude about riches has completley changed and I now love the concept behind wealth creation. Perhaps yours will too.

2006-11-21T08:36:00.001Z

MASTER THYSELF

Every single day I am bombarded by thoughts of life's predicaments. Some thoughts are novel, whilst others are similar to previous meditations. Today I am strongly thinking on a category of human subjects I have over time for sanity's sake, collectively grouped as whiners.

As always someone has just gotten me riled up about nothing.

One definition of the word, that I came across on the web this morning, is: "To utter a plaintive, high-pitched, protracted sound, as in pain, fear, supplication, or complaint." In this case let us stick to the last term in this simple yet accurate definition, even if just to pleasure me.

I onced dated this guy who could not stand anyone whining about anything however catastrophic the subject; and that included me. He often pointed out that complaining never did anyone any good, especially when nothing is done to eradicate your problem.

This being the reality; nevertheless, as an eloquent young woman i felt this 'law' deprived me of my avenue to let out all steam and let go. So whenever i felt inclined to bang some heads, in defiance I would subject him to untolerable ramblings about this and that. I guess (now when i think about it) that may explain his fast but silent departure out of my life.

Subsequently, as I now peruse my inbox I come across an email sent yesterday by a friend, that is pushing me to objectively consider shifting goalposts to join the the group of "Those against whiners."

This 38 year old man, who seems to have no idea that King David as a little man managed to bring down Goliath the giant with one precise slingshot, is moaning not out of pain or fear, but out of a lack of self mastery, about something that if well thought out, a 10 year old would easily fix, putting him to shame. Let me explain my theory a litle further, perhaps if not to help my friend, to reach out to the dying few.

How is it that Mother Teresa in India with all her frailty and meekeness, managed to somehow bring peace of mind and comfort to millions of poor destitutes living in Calcutta? How is it that our very own forest defender Kenyan Nobel laureate Prof. Wangari Maathai, squarley and successfully faced off local adversity to attain global recognition? Pointing west at our East African neighbours; how is it that millionare Geoffery Semaganda, a Ugandan now living in the UK and founder/CEO of Action Wealth, managed to rid himself of his war afflicted past to overcome memories that if not dealt with in the right manner, would have threatend to deluge his personal dreams and aspirations?

There are several other examples I could use as a point of reference.

Evidently, what comes out of my examples is the answer to questions asked: 'Instead of whining, these different individuals mined their God given abilities and dug up solutions to their problems.'

I mean, complaining about the government eating into your hard earned tax money whilst you continue to vote in the same corrupt government every five years doesn't make sense, or does it? Or moaning that the east are drowning us with their cheap products when we continue to 'refinance' our pockets, so as to lavishly furnish the interior of our homes with western technology, doesn't add up either. Or better still, grumbling that you can't get a particular job because you are 'Black' or African.

C'mon people. Let us start to build some air of certitude and self assurance around us and work on who we are, as we are. No matter what I do or try to do, I will never grow a shade lighter or have a pointed nose, unless I go through the pains that Michael Jackson endured to attain his present image (which I strongly do not recommend.) If I want to get myself into one of those glamourous beauty pageants I will have to douse my mind with a brighter shade of positiveness and stretch my self-confidence and aplomb, beyond my nose's reach.

How else then, (I ask myself in rhetoric) can I assist my 'mon ami' whose email tantrum I am now seriously considering sending to my recycle bin? Well.. fortunately for him and after much taunting deliberation with my concsience, I have chosen not to use this forum to air out his linen; for assuredly, his problem is so obscure as to invite a mass beating. Instead I have bypassed the delete button on my keyboard. So as not to send him to the brink of suicide, I am sending him an encouraging response whilst wittingly guiding him to come read this post.

"Master Thyself...."

For more on "Attitude" visit www.actionwealth.com/lilianokado

also for more of Lilian's postings visit www.ofuntoldstories.blogspot.com

2006-11-17T04:59:00.001Z

Unlike most people of whom I have had the pleasure to make their acquaintance, mornings are my favorite time of day.

For as long as I can remember, I have always been a morning person. Morning for me is the time when my brain goes on involuntary overdrive and my heart begins to pump its blood at a dangerous breakneck speed. I am always amazed that people can sleep past 7am be it a holiday or weekend. What could they possibly be dreaming up or about? Perhaps they could share the secret that will finally rid me of my insomnia?

Back in campus I had a friend who could not be caught dead awake before noon regardless of the day, class or a sadistic professor. I would forever find this very amusing, bordering on irritation, when coming from my extremely involving lectures at 1pm, to find her just heading to the washrooms for her morning ablutions.

Even more amusing was her indifferent tendency to jump into bed at night before everyone else feigning some sleeping disease had suddenly attacked her and she would have to turn in, leaving me even more bewildered by her persona.

Was it really a sickness or just plain laziness? Either way, raised by a father who should have chosen the military as a form of occupation, I personally thought it to be a bad habit. Unfortunately though, I was never quite able to confidently point out this 'obvious' defect to her nor could I ever answer those tormenting and dumbfounding questions, for she always managed to score averagely, if not sometimes even better than the rest of us 'early birds'.

I believe if our dear parents realized the extent of freedom, their 'wise' decision to ship us off to a boarding environment accorded upon us, they would never again repeat such a 'mistake' to another one of their offspring. I say this with a light touch though, for I remember, this same freedom allowed me to think and accept that i do not have to sleep like the rest of the snoozing nation.

Life with my 3rd year roommate was an even more eccentric experience. Her aversion for class was similar to that of my sleep-stricken friend; but her practices were on the edge of mediocrity. I still laugh every time i think of her, both in horror and comforting nostalgia. Though later we did mature into a friendly relationship, her obsession with 'our' mirror greatly overshadowed that of her sleep, threatening at times to confuse our fragile union.

Again and as usual, in the early mornings, I would jump out of my top bunker and the first words that would pop out of her mouth were, "Pass the mirror." Dutifully I would do so, hurriedly scampering off to my wash, resurfacing 15 minutes later to find her still perfecting her image. I would dress up patiently waiting for my turn but after realizing the futility of my wait would dash out frustrated, my features obviously unattended to. Later on when the sun had gone down, still in 'bed' there she would lay , rosy and pink, 'our' mirror in hand.

Well I guess that would explain my present day art, well perfected, to compulsively and obediently scurry out of bed at the cock's crow; as if running from invisible voices trying to entice me to sleep some more. Perhaps I'll miss out on the angels' coming, or I'll find, while I slumbered my eye was gorged out, or I missed out on free pizzas being offered by my stingy neighbor next door.

So for me it will remain; as soon as the day breaks, so will my interest for sleep. OK, I am not saying that I will get out of bed literally everyday at that appointed time, but for sure, as soon as my eyes flutter so will my mind.

2006-11-15T13:06:00.001Z

I am officially harassed. I'm stuck in an office space somewhere in the CBD of Nairobi, rooted to a back breaking seat, my eyes transfixed onto an illuminating screen, totally and without a doubt, harassed to the point of committing irredeemable suicidal damage to whoever dares call me up once more about a deadline or another, that i supposedly have not yet met.

Who said deadlines are supposed to be kept anyway? Who in their right mind expects a mere woman to be successfully tethered to one spot, when it is evident that God blessed us female primates with several talents and abilities? How then does someone expect me then, to in turn veer out the very existence bestowed upon me by 'He who knew best' not to create a 360 hr day, but a 24hr one?

Who may i ask, are these very intelligent white sheep who must stay tethered to some big black rule book of dos and don't, rules i know not their origin? Don't they live in the same fast paced world that I live in? Or are they simply alien to the fact that human nature must at one time in someones life set in, take over and grab what belongs to it? Can't i be allowed to indulge my mind a little; set it free to wander for an hour or more, on a journey where there are no significant pursuits or hot deals to follow up on?

I refuse categorically and unashamedly to be dragged into the pit of 'white sheep' whose wool will soon be sheared by their very own shepherds who wittingly lead them to their slaughter. I will instead allow my mind to wander and think of nothing; silently murmuring to myself, "life's too short," for i am indeed the stubborn one.

I was stubborn for a long time even before i understood or could pronounce the terminology. I remember in my childhood, changing friendships the instant i began to feel ridiculous bounds of kinship beginning to take form in the said relationships. Why should we all of a sudden be obliged to dress in a certain way, or walk in a certain way, or even murmur only to a specific breed of people just because we were one? I refused to worship the 'queen' girl of the group and with it was shunned and labeled different. I was indeed a unique person, a kind of original plan that can not easily be found or deciphered.

My mother always wondered out loud at my strange compulsion to be couped up in my attic bedroom staring outside through the grilled window at my playmates, instead of joining the little girls in their radiant peals of laughter. I instead, preferred to quietly watch and study the little characters, as if in a set play; vowing never to be like them.

In high school, in rebellion i joined the drama team; only because everyone who thought they were somebody thought i'd never make it past the auditions. So i made it my priority to dance like a mad woman and shout like i had irreplaceable vocal chords. (though all through my years' performances i reeked of a nervous breakdown.)

In campus i handed in all my assignments and term essays before their time, way before anyone else could start to blink, or figure out the answers to the elusive questions. I did this, not because my IQ was greater than everyone else's, but just so they could think it was. This worked all through my four academic years and i graduated with my esteemed degree, no one ever suspecting how hard i had struggled through micro economics and calculus.

It should not come as a surprise to anyone who knows my eerie background therefore,my duty that is , however insane to the outsider, is to continue to be big headed, ignoring the screeching phones at my desk that are yet to ruin my eardrums and are seeking an immediate unplugging.

No! For the very life of me I will be dancing to my own directed tune and no other. I will not respond to time lines nor will i be forced to be like the white sheep, who unwillingly and untruthfully act out of character. I will remain true to myself for I am a unique self and i love me to the of core, understanding and embracing my limits! Yes, i am what one may call a control freak; a freak in control of me!

I think its now time i pick up this crazy phone and tell someone somewhere, that I shall be through with the given assignment, or project, or whatever the case, by my agreed time.

After all, I do work for myself don't I?

For other featured blogs posted by Lilian visit: http://www.ofuntoldstories.blogspot.com, http://www.tumbaexpressions.blogspot.com

2006-08-09T10:12:00.001+01:00

It’s been a while since I got my creative juices turned on. Right about now and for no specific reason, I am feeling inspired and only because I’m extremely nervous and just about to head for an apparent "high powered' business meeting." Actually, supposedly I am running the meeting today.

Growing up I always wondered about the fuss ‘adults’ made over “business meetings.” They always made them out to sound so intense and in my mind I would picture important faces talking about important and serious issues only to discover that my reality then, was far from the truth.

In my opinion, business meetings are plain boring. Ok at least the ones i have attended. You are unwillingly coerced by strange forces known or unbeknown to yourself, to sit down or stand, depending on how you intend to go about it, with strangers who you have to suck up to, so that they can buy into your 'brilliant' idea.

It’s funny how I managed to get myself into this boring stuff. I do not know, but what I’m sure of is, if I don’t start making the millions I hear everyone talking about, even from those who don’t know how to make those millions, I will continue to suffer asking myself this same question every single day for the rest of my life.

Look at me now. I hate crowds and here I am as always, preparing myself to go into a room filled with unfamiliar persons, to try and convince them to buy a product that no one seems to have heard or really care about (you wait till I make my millions I’ll show them). For a whole hour, with a difficult task at hand, I am going to be the centre of attraction and I am not looking forward to it at all.

First of all, I know there will be people who have never heard the word network marketing. Then, there will be the category who may have heard the word but hate the idea. Then, there are those who may have heard the rumors of its existence, but have never quite grasped its meaning in entirety and are inherently hoping to do so today. Then finally, there are the ones who for the sake of humor I call the ‘vultures,’ who I staunchly believe, even if I may be wrong, are primarily there to intimidate me quietly, perhaps even for lack of anything better to do with their time, criticize my disposition.

Maybe it will be my bad looks, or my accent, or my age, maybe even my cheap pedicure that is their focus. However, these otherwise ‘intimidating' creatures spanning all walks of life, will only fully reach their goal to destroy me, up to the point when I will open up my mouth to speak. For after that, I’ll become totally oblivious to their silent name calling, bored sighs, and indifference. After a few stutters, I will clear my throat, lift my head up high for all who care to see, then as if to declare my territory, look them straight in the eye and begin to conquer their psyche. For truly, I am indispensable. I am on home turf.

Anyone who will feel disposed to challenge me at this time will be at will to do so after I’m done dealing with their consciousness. Let them be warned, I have my facts straight and they had better have intelligent sentiments to share or I’ll shatter their glass walls and reveal them for who they really are; Uninformed.

I have just glance at my watch and its time. I now must go into the deep waters where there are no laws to protect me.

All I have with me is my heart and my head. My heart, that carries with it courage to face the truth and uncertainty, and my head, that carries with it the data bank of my wit and abilities.

Aren’t these tools enough, to enable me endure one grueling hour of talk, talk, talk, and more talk? Not forgetting the blank and unidentifiable stares…..

Well, off I must go, or ill be accused by my peers of trying to abscond duty.

2006-07-27T14:22:00.001+01:00

Who said money doesnt come from trees? Oh yes it does!!!!

Then why would people from urban towns, holding high political office, be continually standing before commissions of inquiry, defending reckless innuendos instigated against them by their fellow country men, suggesting their hand in the continual hacking down of natural forests in our own backyard for their own personal ideas?

Why would the media and the press then send their overzealous scavengers disguised as reporters, to take stock of looming consequences of impending disasters, should competing local communities decide to burn down whole ranges of green cover in a bid to gain more territory for their basic survival?

Why then did our renowned mother of Africa, listed in both Time and Forbes magazine as one of the 1oo most powerful and influential women in the world, and now a Nobel peace laureate cry 'wolf,' every time a tree was felled.? Why did she bear head injuries and fight wild battles, as if nothing else mattered but this leafy matter?

Why would the world then take their time to set up large independent bodies to speak for that which has no voice nor expertise nor desire to sit down for hours in public and closed door forums to deal with the survival of its species who may not even understand what all the fuss over their ability to nurture and procreate is all about?

And why I sit comfortably under my mugumo tree in my backyard counting its leaves as they whistle in the wind, converting their number into pennies imagining i have just won the lottery and they are about to call me up to go collect that huge prize money that will gift me with that luxurious home surrounded by electric fencing in the heart of modern suburbia.

Why?

Think again.. They lied..Money does come from trees!!..in my case the tree is MY MIND.

2006-07-25T05:48:00.001+01:00

I am sure there are times when you sit down after a long day at work and wonder to your self: "What in the world am i still doing answering phones, chasing after difficult clients, pushing mounds of bills, shouting at the waiter for overcharging me by 2 cents, screaming at the kids for not reminding you about their trip to Bolivia..??"

You sit down on your bed and wish you did not have to wake up the following day to face your boss who thinks you're an incompetent fool and who you think is an overbearing idiot.

Exasperated, you stretch out and lie face up on your bed and you wish you were dead! You think you're in a dead end job, and your world is falling apart.

You hear the raindrops start to fall and you remember you forgot your husband's favorite 'nice shirt' which he had specifically asked to be washed so that he could wear it to the BIG meeting tomorrow..and you figure he needs to deal with the reality that he can only wear the 'ok shirt' which has been in the soak for days. No way are you running out in the pounding rain and risk messing up your expensive hairdo that you couldn't even afford in the first place. You hate yourself for not being a good wife or a better mother.

You think you have failed. You start to blame your mother for having brought you into this complicated world. If she had just not made the mistake of falling for your poor charming father, you would perhaps be born to another lucky family of brainy rich parents and you would probably be at anytime now an heir to the 'Melinda and Bill Gates Foundation'. Then you could Go to Disney World like you always yearned to as an unlucky child, then buy those fancy clothes at WoolWorth's or some expensive store or perhaps dine at the Grand Chateux in France.

But FATE has it that you're stuck with your overweight husband who grunts like a bear, kids who are on constant punisment in pre school, a job that adds no value to your life and.... an empty silence that keeps on droning, a reminder that you SUCK!!!

You grunt and roll over and lie face down on your belly. You laugh out loud.

A self reminder that,CHAOS is what makes the world go round...you lie there and slowly you begin to drift off to sleep. As always,today, yet again, you've let yourself go as you begin to focus on TOMORROW..
The beginning of the rest of your life... because that's what truly counts....

Your mind is a powerful thing! You can use it to break you or use it to make you. You can use it to focus on the NEGATIVES or focus on the POSITIVES. ATTITUDE is the Key to YOUR success. Ask John Foppe or Oprah or any successful man or woman on earth.

for more on your attitude visit: www.actionwealth.com/lilianokado