Celebrating My Dad

As #PapaTaughtMe was a trending topic on Twitter a few days ago, I pondered of the many things that my dad taught me both in actions and in speech. I will list a few of these lifelong lessons for purposes of celebrating this great gentleman ahead of the Fathers' Day.

-He taught me how to pronounce some words like "baba" "teta" (cow) "titiit"(my baby language for a car :D)

-Dad taught me how to walk. He did this by standing behind me, holding both of my hands from up and taking baby steps with me saying "tanda, tanda". No wonder I have an awesome walking style hehe! I salute you sir!

- Papa taught me how to change a car tyre

- He taught me a few algebra sums

- He taught me English grammar and also, how to fill all the crossword puzzles.

- Dad taught me how to be an effective leader. He once stepped in to lead my primary school, as the BOG member, after teachers went on strike.

- Dad taught me how to be a gentleman.

- Papa taught me how to be a family man. He once struggled with a den of robbers who wanted to break into our home when I was a few months old. Heroic demonstration!

The list goes on and on. I have never done this before and am ashamed that in my 20s (nearly 30 now hehe), not once have I ever appreciated this great man for being my childhood hero and mentor. So as the day unfolds, I would like him to know that he is a great man and though we might have had misunderstandings and a couple of beefs when I was growing up, he still is the man I look up to.

Happy Fathers' Day Mr. Wesley. You will always be my hero.

Ps: I will draft a hard copy letter for him to ensure the point is well driven; and then I will attach it here later.

Happy Fathers' Day to all fathers who never quite get any recognition.
Happy Fathers' Day to fathers who go beyond their means to be there for their families.

Happy Fathers' Day to all men and potential fathers who take a brave step of starting a family and being relentless in their responsibilities.

Happy Fathers' Day to men who mentor and care for kids and young adults though they are not their biological children.

They say anyone can be a father but few can be dads.

Fame

The claim for fame is a game
A serious one that has no tame
It renders some incompetent; others brave
Its a game tirelessly played in a maze.

The claim for fame is a notion
A notion that you deserve recognition
A belief that things should be in motion
This belief at times gives you an illusion.

Diligence always pays
However some work hard for fame
Why work hard to get named?
On the top blogs, riding on top lanes?

Well, for me, give me no fame
Let me serve even though not in public domains
I believe in service to humans, goodness for all
This belief long time ago gave me a wake up call.

They say what you give is what you get
And I believe people are good though they may forget
People can be evil when their self-ish nature gets a grip
Make a difference though, let your goodness drip.

©DazzleRhymes™

What am I Doing with My Life?

So yesterday as I was watching Churchill Show, I saw something, a feature, an act that really inspired me. Groove Award-winning gospel artist Kevin Bahati was invited to the show and boy, let's not even get into the details of his talent. He was interviewed by the host, Churchill and Bahati explained how he was brought up in a children's home and how that fact motivated him to adopt three children. Stop right there. This guy is just like 21 years of age and he is already impacting the world over not only with his talent but also with his act of service. I was just humbled to listen to this guy's story and that got me thinking, what am I doing with my life?


Source: funzypics.com

I have read countless blogs and articles that talk about making use of your time and resources when one is in their 20s. I have assessed myself, tried to figure what I was made for and trust me it is a tricky "algebra" trying to do this. I mean, I know what I like, what I hate, what am passionate about and what I comfortably to do. However, I just feel like am not putting my hands on something that will help someone, or secure "a bright future" for generations after. In one of his great speeches, Steve Jobs once said that figuring out what you love doing is winning the war halfway. The war of self-discovery.

I would say the journey of self-discovery boils down to one aspect: acceptance. Just like in the jungle, no monkey can be the king of the jungle. We all know that the lion is the undisputed king. However, a monkey can be the supreme leader of his troops and make a difference in their vicinity. Hope am not losing you with all these metaphors. All am saying is, if I want to discover what am best in, I need to first accept who I am. For example, if I am to be a globally renowned basketball player, I need to accept the fact that am a medium-height guy. I can still do it however hard it may seem, I can rise above limitations and do the impossible. Accepting oneself is core. It is inevitable. It requires complete transparency and above all, being real.

I am inspired today to reach out to greatness. Not through aping others' paths and acts. It is good to have someone to look up to. But if I want to be the best at something, I need to look beyond. To desire more. What distinguishes the great from the mediocres is simply uniqueness. I have to be unique otherwise I will be like everyone else. Why be a wannabe when clearly and evidently you have unique DNA? So, what in the eyes of nature and heavens am I doing with my life??


Source:techtoll.in