Random Musings. . .by Kui Gathua

  “ It is always important to know when something has reached its end. Closing circles, shutting doors, finishing chapters, it doesn’t matter what we call it; what matters is to leave in the past those moments in life that are over. ” ~ Paulo Coelho We are 2 days away from the end of the year 2023. It has been a long one – all 363 days of it. This blog edition marks my 52nd musing of the year; for that reason, I can celebrate having kept my commitment to churn out an edition every Friday of the year 2023. Will I be renewing that commitment in 2024? I don’t know . . . you tell me if you want me to, in the comments. I found a poem that embodies what I feel about coming to the end of this year, aptly titled “At The End Of The Year”, by John O’Donohue. As this year draws to its end, We give thanks for the gifts it brought And how they became inlaid within Where neither time nor tide can touch them. The days when the veil lifted And the soul could see delight; When a quiv...

  “ I would rather have questions that can’t be answered than answers that can’t be questioned. ” ~ Richard Feynman For about a month now, I’ve been mulling over a reflection exercise that a friend shared. The exercise was based on a Bible text found in Luke 9:18-20. It is about a conversation that Jesus had with his disciples where he asked them 2 questions – ‘Who do the crowds say I am?’ and ‘Who do you say I am?’ Based on those 2 questions, the reflection exercise now asks you to ponder 2 questions of your own: ‘Who do people say I am?’ and ‘Who do I say I am?’ These are hard questions to ponder. Do I know what people say about me? I am many different things to many people so who do they know me to be? But, more importantly, who do I say I am? Do I know what I stand for, what I value, and who I am becoming? Do I know me? These are certainly good questions to be considering at this time of the year. We are just about wrapping up in 2023 with 9 days to go. So what better...

  " Angry people are not always wise. ” ~ Jane Austen For the last 2 weeks, I’ve been running around getting many things done. It’s been hectic – the crowds are getting thicker, the jams longer, and the weather erratic. When those three converge in Nairobi, you’re bound to hear an angry word thrown about, a quarrel breaks out or even witness a fight. I read a fable this week that sought to explain why this is so, and I will share it as part of my musings today. Once upon a time, there used to be a saint who went door to door in a certain village, begging for alms. One day, he reached the house of a rich man called Seth. Seth brought some grains and gave them to the saint as alms. Before the saint left, Seth asked him a question. “Maharaj, I wanted to ask you, why do people fight?” The saint listened but remained silent for a while. Then, he replied in a loud voice, “I have come here to take alms, I have not come here to answer your silly questions.” On hearing this, Seth...