Nineteen

It’s been nineteen years. Nineteen years of a mixed grill of rough terrain, smooth tarmac, potholes, dirt roads, cattle tracks, foot paths, bush and black jacks; a conglomeration of all kinds of sweet of and sour.

Today I celebrate you. Yes, I am that loud one, with the sharp shrieky voice on the sidelines of the ring; throw me sporadic glances and I’ll know volume iko sawa.

The person staring back at you as you stand in front of the mirror is complete. You have special kind of beauty that does not require layers of makeup, add-ons and twenty shades of hair color to validate. Honestly, thirty years from now, it won’t matter. Sleep will.

Melanin is real, bleach is fake. Keep your hair away from hot combs and harsh chemicals. No need to keep doing first aid on your scalp. Moisture is king, not heat. Flaunt those curves and calf muscles, (with modesty of course). You’re a queen.

Don’t work hard. Yes, don’t. Work smart (time won’t matter). Play even smarter. Learn from those who have gone ahead of you and succeeded. But give closer attention at those who’ve failed. You don’t need to learn from your own experiences. There are loads of real life lessons out there.

Beat your body and make it your slave. Listen to it, but don’t always heed to its incessant demands. It’s crazy, I tell you. Sometimes, if not most, do the exact opposite of what it is saying. Walking away from momentary pleasure will not make you grow a beard, but resilience. Refuse to accept the narrative that you are only a morning person... that’s a lie. You can be a mid-morning, afternoon, evening or even midnight person. I can testify. Remember, it is mind over body.

Don’t play to the gallery with its bright lights, clicking cameras and luscious red carpet. It’s tempting, but it’s also lazy. Create your own stage, write your own script. Be the main character. Direct the show. Go on further and compose your own song. Work out the choreography, lead the dance troupe and hold the mic. It’s your song, it’s your dance. Nod that head, move those hands and tap those feet. Let others join you if they wish. It’s your time to shine.

You owe the world nothing but love, respect and honor. Remember, you live in an ecosystem that is intertwined and co-dependent. That fellow called Karma is always faithful to visit those who taunt him.

Life is spiritual. You are spirit, you have a soul and living in a body. What you see physically was created in an unseen place – in the spirit. Shut your door and pray. Therein lies wisdom.

Happy birthday Kemunto aka Munti.

Cheers to the next ninety.