My Voyage Through Life

Beautiful Lies I've Told Myself

By Brian Mburu Maina - September 28, 2020

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The Voice of The Child

By Brian Mburu Maina - November 15, 2019

It's no lie that the voice of the child matters now more than ever. With the world at a point at which every voice must be heard, it's no wonder that the youth are fighting for a chance to have their say. Every day, we are seeing young people standing up for the things they believe in. Take for instance the likes of Greta Thunberg who is an activist against climate change and organizations such as Fridays for Future among many others. These are the results of young people who were willing to say what they had to say.

20th of November -- does that ring a bell? It should. On that day every year across the globe, World Children's Day is celebrated!

"World Children’s Day is UNICEF’s annual day of action for children, by children." – UNICEF.

On this day several children and adults alike around the world celebrate the rights of the child. This year, the Convention on the Rights of a Child (CRC) celebrates 30 years making this year's event extra special.

I thought that it would be fun if everybody could participate. In this regard, I encourage everyone to learn a thing or two about the rights of a child. But first, we must define a child. The other day, I conducted a poll and asked people what they thought it meant to be a child. These are some of the answers that I got: (Question: What does it mean to be a child?)

"Fun and Freedom"

"A person whose goal is to change the world"

"A person in the initial stages of discovering who they are"

"It means being innocent (not necessarily ignorant) to the harsh truths of the world"

These are only a few among several other answers that I received. Within these answers, different people have found truth in what it means to be a child. The basic definition of a child is an individual who is below the age of eighteen (18) years. This, though, does not make any of the above answers any less true. In fact, they go hand in hand. Childhood is supposed to be a time for growth; a time that we can allow ourselves to dream and a time that we are meant to enjoy.

Everyone needs to understand that they have rights, especially any child living in the 21st Century. Knowledge is power. Knowing your rights means that they cannot be violated. You can check out UNICEF's website right here and learn some of the rights of a child. It is always good to share knowledge. Therefore, whatever you learn, don't forget to tell all your friends and family about.

If you're a child and you think you have a story tell well then go ahead. Maybe you like acting, public speaking, writing or even singing. My advice to you: tell your story . . . YOUR way. Have a voice. Don't just be an echo in the background. Don't be afraid. Start now! One of my all-time favourite quotes is: Never fear 'starting'; fear never starting.

With this in mind, do the things that you love. You won't always be a child. This reminds me of the Swahili proverb that says 'Ujana ni moshi; ukienda haurudi' which would directly translate to 'Youth is like smoke; when it goes, it never returns.' Now, more than ever, your voice counts. Take your chances.

Another thing that you should know is that being a child also means being supportive of others. Don't forget, you're not the only one with a voice. Even as you try to be heard, don't ever silence the voices of others. What you should be doing is standing right by their side cheering them on.

The voice of the child needs to be heard. And the best part is that every little change starts with you. Don't take your voice for granted. Use it and speak your truth.

I hope you guys enjoyed this blog post. Feel free to comment and share. And don't forget to subscribe to my Newsletter. As always: be happy, stay happy.

Oh . . . I almost forgot, have a great World Children's Day! Don't forget to wear your favourite blue shirt. 💙

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What Do You Want to be When You Grow Up?

By Brian Mburu Maina - November 08, 2019

If there is one question that I probably never had (and still don't have) the answer to, it would be 'What do you want to be when you grow up?' To this question I've given numerous answers over the years: 'pilot', 'engineer', 'entrepreneur', 'journalist'; you name it! Most of these replies were instinctive, automatic answers that I trained myself to give adults or my pals. Otherwise, the real answer would probably be, 'Well . . . I DON'T KNOW.'

I feel as though I might not be the only one who has found myself in this situation. To be honest, this is most likely a question that everyone has come across at some point in their life. Whether you had a direct (and honest) answer or maybe had to scratch your head to figure it out or gave a shrug of the shoulders and didn't give a second thought about it, the fact remains: most of us have come across this question.

Let me begin by saying that it's okay if you don't have an answer to the question. In fact, most people don't. But this made me wonder, 'Are we asking ourselves the right question? Or are we forcing an unnecessary and outdated paradigm* upon ourselves?'

Most sensible questions would have an answer; it only makes sense. If we were to approach this question with a 21st Century mindset we'd encounter one if not many issues. The first being that this question is limiting. The question 'What do you want to be when you grow up?' demands an answer that must be defined in one single idea. It forces a child into believing that they can only truly ever be one thing in life.

The question takes away the diversity of each human being; the quality that makes us human by telling us that in life we can never fully realise our potential as we are defined by our career choice. Psychology dictates that considering the end in mind (the end-point) allows for better clarity. In this sense, we better understand where we are headed. The issue with this is that it devotes the present moment to our expectations or hopes of the future. All facts considered, it denies us what is (the present moment). If we live today for tomorrow, we can never fully experience the joys of the present moment. Life will just pass you by.

We need to consider the fact that most of our lives will be spent working. Asking a child what they want to be when they grow up alters the way they see the world. I know people who want to be doctors because they know a doctor who makes a whole load of money. Work is supposed to be something that we do because we enjoy it not because we gain something from it. And sure, work might not always be fun (at times it won't be) but it shouldn't make you miserable

This question comes along with its own issues. Even then, it doesn't mean that it's the wrong question to ask. Some people answer this question with ease. Some even end up in the career that they had chosen when they answered the question. But in hindsight, it becomes clear that even though this might not be the wrong question to ask, it isn't necessarily the best either.

Let's try something different. If I were to ask you: 'How would you want to change the world?' what would you say? Honestly, everyone would give a different answer. This question actually makes sense. It not only makes you feel unique as an individual but also allows you to dig deep into your soul. It allows you to understand yourself in a way that you never could before as it uses your hopes and aspirations of a better world to form the part that you get to play. Even if someone gave the same answer as you, it doesn't mean that you'll end up doing the same thing. Two people could say, 'I want to make other people happy.' One could become a comedian and the other a chef. Don't tell me good food doesn't make you happy.

Stop asking yourself what you want to be when you grow up. Instead, ask yourself how you would want to change the world. There are endless possibilities. You don't have to figure it out now but you can work on it. Make every second of your life count. Don't live a life whereby you believe at some point in your existence on this earth you'll start being happy. Be happy by doing the things you love.

Go ahead and ask your friend this question. You never know. It might just change their life.

*paradigm - a widely accepted example, belief or concept.

I hope you guys enjoyed this blog post. Feel free to share and comment. And don't forget to subscribe to my newsletter. That way, you'll always be the first to know when a new blog post goes live. As always: be happy, stay happy.

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The Simple Solution(s) to Procrastination

By Brian Mburu Maina - November 01, 2019

Let's face it; we've all fallen victim to the not-so-attractive plague of procrastination. I'd be lying if I said otherwise. In reality, we tend to find ourselves postponing activities to the last minute when we suddenly rush in to do the job that could have been done easily and without all the hassle had we not delayed it.

Understanding the science behind procrastination is key to curing this productivity killer. In hindsight, procrastination varies from person to person. We don't always have the exact same reasons for putting off an assignment or an activity but we can observe certain patterns in the excuses that we give for not doing certain things. Just like many other things in life, procrastination is dependent on situation and context.

We won't always procrastinate in the same way. Identifying the way or manner in which we procrastinate brings us one step closer to solving the procrastination problem that we may have.

When you notice yourself procrastinating, begin with the question: "Why exactly am I putting off what I should be doing at this moment?"

Some of the most common answers describe the type of procrastination that we might be falling victim to. For instance, if your answer is: "I would much rather do something else because this is boring," well then you, my friend, have fallen victim to 'fun-driven procrastination'. This form of procrastination is characterised by the desire to carry out an activity that is of more interest than the one that is required to be conducted. A good example is choosing to binge-watch an entire series on Netflix (guilty!) instead of doing an essay that is due in a week.

Other types/kinds of procrastination include:

Anxious Procrastination - Normally comes about as a result of taking more than you can chew; that is filling your schedule and spreading yourself too thin. Consequently, you end up worrying about whether you can complete all the tasks at hand leading to a whole load of anxiety.

Perfectionist Procrastination - Some people find it difficult to do things due to fear of judgement. In the hope of making their work the very best, they end up not completing the task at hand because they were too concerned with detail. Don't get me wrong, attention to detail is great but when it affects the quality of work, it becomes a demerit.

Deadline-driven Procrastination - When we are given way more time than we need to carry out an assignment or activity chances are that we will wait for the last minute to complete it.

Once you have identified the reason for putting something off, chances are you'll be better equipped to solve your not-so-little procrastination issue.

If you find yourself giving in to leisure well then make it such that you reward yourself for your hard work. Some examples include: 'I will only allow myself to go through my Instagram if I go for a run in the morning' or 'If I finish my essay/book report this week I will allow myself to watch an episode of whatever series this weekend.' But don't overdo it. It has to be logical. You cannot say: "If I exercise today then I'll have a huge burger and treat myself to some ice-cream." Remember, your goals should always be in sync with the rewards that you grant yourself.

If you find yourself worrying often about all the things that you have on your calendar I'd suggest that you lessen the number of things on your to-do list or maybe even spread them out so that you don't have so much to do at a go. Take breaks every so often. That way, your mind remains fresh and you can work at peak performance.

If you're a perfectionist, the best thing to do would be to set clear and short objectives and have an end-goal in mind. The problem that most people face (I share the same issue) is that they spend more time planning than actually doing. Highlighting the objectives and end results that you wish to arrive at clearly and briefly allows you to move on to the next stage. When you do the activity, try to start off small. Build on that and you'll produce great results. If you're writing an essay or a short story, create the first draft not focusing on any mistakes or errors then when you're done, you can make any necessary corrections.

When a deadline is far away from the date an assignment or activity has been given, it's best to plan the time that you will take to carry out the activity. As I said before, spacing out an activity is much better than doing it all at once.

Procrastination may be a major problem that we face in the pursuit of achieving our goals but with the right tools and approach, we can defeat this enemy of productivity. This, I do believe. Procrastination, like every other bad habit, can be eradicated so long as we put our minds to it. Don't be hard on yourself. In fact, don't overthink it. You can check out another blog post I wrote before on not overthinking over here. Baby steps are the way to go. Slowly by slowly you'll see results. Trust me.

I hope this post was really helpful to most of you. If you really enjoyed it, feel free to share it with your friends and family and don't forget to leave some feedback down in the comment section below. To ensure you never miss out on a new post, sign for my newsletter down below. As always: be happy, stay happy! Have a great weekend!

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Where Have I Been?

By Brian Mburu Maina - October 05, 2019

Hello friends. Saying it has been way too long is probably an understatement. I have been gone for two months now without a single word on the blog. On my Social Media handles, I have been offline for nearly a month or so; all with good reason, of course. Now that leaves the question, "Where have you been?"

I'll try to make this as brief as possible while still trying to highlight the main ideas as I go along.

About two months ago, I made a choice to temporarily refrain from writing in order to reframe my ideas and work on myself as an individual. After a month or so, I found that I could not do this with the constant push and pull of the internet world. I needed to do this without any external influence and thus I made a second decision to cut myself off from the internet world by refraining from the use of any social media platforms.

To be honest, this also served as a mental break and I truly felt relieved. For the first time in nearly forever, I could actually take a breather. My mind was no longer somewhere else, it was here – fully here. I was completely present and I could see the world more clearly. It was as though I had put on new glasses for the first time and the world was no longer blurry.

Throughout the period, I did so many new things. For over a month, I kept track of my thoughts and emotions* (that's a record by the way) and I could pay more attention to the world and people around me. I didn't have to divide myself to satisfy being present in two worlds anymore. My undivided attention was always acting in the real world. I read more books than ever before in that period, the most influential being Atomic Habits by James Clear and The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teenagers by Sean Covey which I am sure at least some of you have read (If not, are you really human?). I would suggest both of these books to anyone.

I also got to be more involved when I was at social events (mostly because I didn't have a screen constantly in front of my face). I met new people, made conversation and even shared my thoughts and views. I got to focus more on myself and the things that I wanted to accomplish. I paid more attention to my social life, my spiritual life and even my mental health.

For the first time, I could appreciate everything that I had. I could appreciate things as simple as a sunny day, a rainbow in the sky and that one friend who always has something nice to say. And even things as big as exam grades (good or bad, I did my best, didn't I?), receiving First Holy Communion and even Confirmation** (The last two especially).

One of my biggest highlights of this year so far is my break from the internet. It gave me time to reassess everything. I became more concerned about the things around me (the real world), I met new people and formed new relationships, I did things that I never thought I would do, I became more aware of the things that I hoped to accomplish in life and I chose to live a life that I would enjoy. Life's short. If you don't do what you love, then you'll never get to actually live life. One of the things that I learnt these past two months is: There's a difference between being alive and living. We are all alive, that's for sure. But are you truly living the life that you want to be living?

Thank you guys so much for your support. I really appreciate your feedback. I encourage you to share your thoughts and ideas in the comment section below. As always: Be Happy, Stay Happy!

*I normally use the application Youper (available for Android and iOS) to track my moods. I find the interface quite easy to use and the procedure generally takes a few minutes.

**For those who may not know, First Holy Communion (FHC) and Confirmation are two of the seven sacraments in the Roman Catholic Church.

Subscribe to the Newsletter (also down below) to ensure that you never miss out on a brand new post. Peace!

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Don't Overthink

By Brian Mburu Maina - July 13, 2019

I for one, from personal experience, can tell you that overthinking is something very common in human beings now more than ever. If I'm being honest, I could probably say that most of the times that I missed out on an opportunity were as a result of me overthinking the entire situation I found myself in. But only recently did I realise that this was an issue that I had been carrying around with me for so long. Sure, there's nothing wrong with assessing a situation but at times we tend to take it too far.

A good example is planning to start exercising (and I quote) 'next week.' When you agree to do something of the sort, one crucial aspect to consider is whether it fits into your schedule. Choose a time that best suits you. This isn't overthinking! You begin to overthink when you choose to start shuffling around with the other stuff in your day and stress on the fact that you need to work out for at least an hour a day (by the way, you don't need to work out that long). What normally happens is that on the day itself you wake up and give yourself excuses as to why it wouldn't work out (no pun intended). Example: What if . . . I don't complete my homework on time? I work out and get hurt? I work out too much and forget the clothes in the dryer?

What you don't realise is that you could implement this simple habit into your day by fusing it with another activity. You could choose to take a fifteen-minute walk to clear your mind and still get in some exercise (talk about multi-tasking).

At times when I had to make a speech in school, I would overthink it. I would ask myself questions like Is this example too complicated? or Is this language too basic? In the end, I would postpone writing the speech until the last minute and end up writing it on the eve of the big day. You and I both know that writing things twenty minutes to your bed-time isn't really efficient whereas had I just written what was necessary a week prior to the event, I would have had time to practise the deliverance of the speech.

Overthinking, in addition to causing procrastination, can be a major source of stress. Let's say that your mom asks to speak to you. You could begin to think about all the things that you could possibly have done: Did I do something wrong? Does she know that I've been failing Math? The Principal must have told her. No, it was David! He's upset with me for using his new shoes without his permission. Or maybe she received an alien message! (Yeah, probably not the last one). But yet all Mom wanted to tell you is that she wasn't going to be around this weekend and was leaving you in charge.

Overthinking can really drive you nuts. It might seem like a part of us that we can't get rid of but it's really simple. All you need to do is to realise what your priorities are. You need to know what you want out of a situation and work towards that. In her book How to Be a Bawse, Lilly Singh says "Step out of the complicated maze you've created and take a one-way street to Clarityville. Things can be simple when you take a step back."

I really hope that this has been helpful to you. Please give me your feedback and leave your thoughts down below in the comment section.

CHALLENGE: For three days try not to overthink anything. Do what first comes to your mind. Let your priorities guide you.

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Every Child Deserves an Education

By Brian Mburu Maina - June 02, 2019

Several times I have taken for granted the privileges that I have; more so the education that I am able to receive. Very rarely do I think of the absence of quality education and the drastic effects that it can have on one's life. In actuality, education is something that not everyone gets. And even if one does receive education, it is seldom high-grade.

This topic is of great concern to many and it truly should be. But first, we must define the word education. What is education? In what way does it add value to our lives? These are the questions that we must first answer if we are ever to be able to truly comprehend education.

Education as per the most common definition is the process of receiving or giving systematic instruction, especially at a school or university.

The verb to educate on the other hand means to give intellectual, moral, and social instruction to (someone), typically at a school or university.

In addition to this, education may be divided into three main forms, namely formal, informal and non-formal. In modern society, the most highly recognised form of learning is receiving a formal education. Despite this, the other two forms are still very common in different places, some more than others.

In order to understand them in essence, we must outline the qualities of each.

Formal education involves the use of institutions of learning (schools, universities, colleges), is hierarchical in structure and has the bestowing of certificates and degrees.

Informal education tends to be a bit more practical, contains a diversity of methods, mobilizes local resources and is based on real-life examples. One area of application of this learning method was in traditional African Societies whereby anything taught was based on the communities culture and traditions. It can also be seen in the modern world whereby a person learns their mother tongue or learns numerical characters and letters as well.

Non-formal education is a very long process. The teaching of skills is very prominent in this form of education. Some examples include fitness and wellness programmes, boy scouts and girl scouts. The main area of concern is one's moral and psychological development.

Now, yet another question is raised: Which of the three forms is better? To be honest, none is better than the other. Think of it this way: In our lives, we all learn different things. It could be from our parents, people we look up to in society, our mentors or even certified teachers. We also tend to learn things from our experiences (good or bad, if I may add). Without a doubt, our environment and prevailing circumstances dictate what we must learn in order to survive.

All of these forms of education are mandatory for our growth and development. And yet, even in the 21st Century several younglings, as well as adults, lack formal education. This is an issue that must be solved but it requires the effort of many. I believe that every child deserves to be educated, regardless of gender, nationality or ethnic background.

This is the time for a change; a time whereby we must all work tirelessly towards the education of every child. Children are the leaders of the days to come. They deserve the precious thing that many have taken for granted: education. You and I have the responsibility of ensuring that every child receives what they are entitled to.

Sign the petition on UNICEF's website just like I did and help a child receive an education.

Kindly remember that everyone's opinion matters. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section. I hope you guys enjoyed reading this blog post as much as I did writing it. The rights of all children are dear to my heart. Expect more blog posts like this in the future.

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Beautiful Lies I've Told Myself

The Voice of The Child

What Do You Want to be When You Grow Up?

The Simple Solution(s) to Procrastination

Where Have I Been?

Don't Overthink

Every Child Deserves an Education

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