PERSPECTIVE
Part Two : Which Is The True North ?
By Joseph Lunani
The essence of all adventure is experiencing a journey ’ s sights , sounds , smells , the people and the places . A journey can be your immediate neighbor ’ s abode or far-flung places that takes days of travel . We do take trips for work , as good neighbors or for fun and relaxation .
We all need to get out , either to defend or fend for ourselves . We always are in motion . We move to different places to pursue dreams , visit relatives , pursue rest or whatever else we do . Motion is for the living and nothing can persuade us to be still unless it is rest that we are pursuing . Rest and relaxation often is short-lived . We are jumpy in our thoughts and even when we sleep , we are either moving in our dreams or running in nightmares . Life is for the living and thus the living are alive in motion . For what is life without motion ?
Doing business is a motion for all of us . We are either doing business or working in one . Government is one big enterprise with clear ways of making money to serve her people . Faith based and Non-governmental organizations are social businesses . Their business is charity , touching lives to change and empower them in businesses and beyond . I now understand that government is in the business of creating a conducive environment for her people to be enterprising and flourish in their niche .
Now that we understand we are in constant motion for living ’ s sake then we need to define our true north in all the journeys we take . In my days as a student at Strathmore University , my daily commute was a journey full of adventure . I found relief in taking in the sights , sounds , places and people I encountered through that four-part trip each day . I stayed with my aunt in Kasarani and that meant I had to start my trip early morning to be in school in good time .
My daily routine was to wake up at thirty minutes past four in the morning , get ready within thirty minutes and be at the bus stage by quarter past five . I would then board a bus or matatu at half past five to be in town an hour later . I would then take a second matatu from town at about seven to be in school thirty or forty minutes later . This was the ideal and I am glad it worked out seventy percent of the time in any given trimester .
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In any given team , lets strive to criticize with a view of building up rather than breaking down . A fault by a team member could be a cry for the team to take a break . It could be a symptom of governance failure in the organizations processes or procedures .
The trip was from Maji Mazuri , through Roy Sambu along Thika Road past Racecourse into bus station . Each day had its share of adventure , we had the common figures who always sat in the same seats and we would give each other the familiar unspoken greeting look or acknowledging nod . We had others who I called “ fillers ” as they we were different each day and these were the drama lot . Either too loud , complainers or super loaded with bags .
The sights along the route would be of private motorists strange in their own company , bystanders along the route and the walking population racing from one place to another . I noticed familiar ones and it was amazing how hopeful all were despite the trouble of all our “ motions ”. We all moved in different directions and everyone had their pace . You could see the excitement on the faces of many but also anger , remorse and trouble in others .
A journey to your workplace for the first time would be exciting and thus you would be happy . It is different when you are rushing to visit a relative or friend in hospital or travelling to a funeral . A trip to a difficult work environment would elicit mixed feelings . There would be anxiety for the daily wagers who have to chance their trade at different work sites . There was always something to thank God for , I said many prayers for the different people I encountered and silently observed .
Then there were days when matatus would strike and we would have to walk to Roy Sambu to chance on any other from the neighboring places . We would even hike lifts . That is when the adventure changed , that meant we would be late to get into town and
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