Athi 4x Challenge, Life Lessons

This Sunday, courtesy of my friend, Carol, I attended the Rhino Charge, Athi 4×4 Challenge. This was a way to celebrate her birthday. As always, all Carolyn Mwai plots are so much fun and this was no exception. I was up by 7:30am despite the fact that I had only gotten 4 hours of sleep that Saturday night. Later on, I met up with Carol, Stella, Kihu, Marcellus and we embarked on an exciting trip to the challenge. In the car, we sang along to the songs we knew and at times, even to those that we didn’t know at all. At some point, we ended up getting lost and spending a lot of time on the road but still it was a fun trip. I wish I could travel with the same crew to Mombasa.

The challenge was so much fun. Cheering and moving from one place to another to catch the action was the order of the day. I saw trucks do the impossible by getting through the toughest courses. I even saw a truck literally hanging from a pole. I know reading that sentence, it makes absolutely no sense but I am telling you, you had to be there to understand just how awesome that was!

The Lessons! 

 Perseverance

 Those 4×4 drivers have a lot of heart! I really liked just how much they gave in each challenge. If they failed on the first attempt, they would go back and try again. You could just see the disappointment in their faces whenever they got disqualified. Some simply refused to leave and sometimes, the fans would intervene to help the driver get one more chance. This happened with Kanyali, he got about 5 attempts after fans kept chanting and screaming “One more chance,One more Chance!” and “Kanyali eeehhh Kanyali aaaah”. He gave all he had on that course although he didn’t make it through.

Kanyali getting one more attempt

 

Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after another.
– Walter Elliott

Lesson: it is important not to give up even if you fail the first time. If you want something bad enough, then you have to fight for it. If you fall, get up and try again.

Determination

There were monster trucks and then there were other trucks that were not so big. These little trucks failed to get through most of the courses. However, the confidence and determination of all drivers was equal. Even the smaller cars still put up a good fight until they were forced to leave the course after their 3 attempts.

This truck really gave a good fight…

“I do believe that when we face challenges in life that are far beyond our own power, it’s an opportunity to build on our faith, inner strength, and courage. I’ve learned that how we face challenges plays a big role in the outcome of them.” Sash Azevedo

 Lesson: In life, there are some challenges that look too big. Sometimes, you may feel as if you do not have what is required to even face the challenges. This may force you to give up without even trying. However, like the small 4×4 trucks, you have to face your challenges and give your all without giving up.

Moving On

I am not an ardent follower of Rhino Charge and so I didn’t know who the top drivers were. However, immediately I got on the course, two names came up, Ian Duncan and John Kanyali. You could tell that they were stars even before they got on the course challenge. “Make way for Ian Duncan”, “Ian Duncan is about to get on the course”, I think all the announcers went a little crazy over Ian Duncan hence rising our expectations about the guy. “Sasa Ian ndiyo yule mnoma!” my new friend, Moses, explained to me.

Soon Ian Duncan and his red truck showed up. The truck was covered with stickers from all his sponsors. I think they were about 50 stickers on that truck. He flew through the first courses with such expertise that everyone was left in awe. That is Ian Duncan!

However, at the finish line, something happened! He went up almost through the course and then his truck just stopped. Okay, I don’t speak cars so I don’t have a good mechanical explanation to what happened but whatever it was, his truck couldn’t move and it had to be towed away from the course. He was so close to a win but just like that, Ian Duncan was out of the challenged. He struggled to get the truck off the course and disappeared off somewhere.

Ian Duncan being towed away

“You can spend minutes, hours, days, weeks, or even months over-analyzing a situation; trying to put the pieces together, justifying what could’ve, would’ve happened… or you can just leave the pieces on the floor and move the f. on.”
― Tupac Shakur

Lesson: In life, disappointments are there! You may give all you have to achieve success in something only to end up failing. For instance, you may invest everything in a relationship hoping it will end in marriage (finish line) only to break up with your partner after years of dating. This can happen in all aspects of life. When this happens, sometimes you just have to accept that it wasn’t meant to be and move on. I am sure Ian Duncan is not done racing, he will be back. The same way, moving on doesn’t mean that you never try again. If your relationship fails, give yourself time and then try again. If you tried to get a job so hard but still failed, keep trying until you get your job.

Friendship

“Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: “What! You too? I thought I was the only one.” ― C.S. Lewis

I have noticed a pattern this year. I used to think that I love spending time alone so much, meaning that I am an introvert. However, this year, I have discovered that I have the most fun with my friends. The laughter and all that accompanied that day is what made the experience so much fun. I made new friends that day and got to hangout with the old ones and it was awesome. In addition, I spent the day with one of my very best friends, Carol who I have known for the past 9 years. That is a true friendship; a friendship that stands the test of time, one that I hope will last a life time.

Friends….

Thank you Carol, Stella, Kihu, Marcellas, J.T, Naanyu, J.T, Fei, Mose and Timo, both old and new pals totally made my day!

You have to enjoy your life!

 “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.”
― Helen Keller, the Open Door

There are many times that we get caught up with life that we forget just how good it is to be alive. There are times when we get hurdled by responsibilities that nothing else matters but paying the bills. However, life is precious so enjoy it while you still can.

Happy me, stranger and Kanyali’s truck!!!

This year, I have learnt how to do just that, to live in the moment and simply thank God for life. I am enjoying my life and that day I had so much fun. I was covered by dust from head to toe like a child after a play day but still, I was a happy woman that day.

“The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.”
― Eleanor Roosevelt

Yay!

My prayer for this year

It is a new year! There is something about the New Year that gives people a sense of renewed hope. There is that feeling of whatever happened in the previous year, stays there (Vegas style), that thought of “things will be different this time”. A new year comes with 12 new months, untouched. It’s like getting a clean new slate. I always believe that it’s a chance to do things differently and forget the mistakes and pains of the years past. For instance, if last year I burned bridges when I shouldn’t have, this year I am rebuilding. A new year offers a great chance for a fresh start!

This year, I have decided not to make any resolutions. I never stick to them anyway. However, I have decided to do things a little differently. One of the things I want to do is become more appreciative. I want to stop complaining and instead learn to be more grateful.

Yesterday, I was listening to a sermon on thanksgiving and it dawned on me that I have a lot to thank God for. There are so many things that we as human beings take for granted. We remember to thank God for the major things such as the new big job, or the new born baby or for saving us from a life threatening situation. However, we forget the simple things such as the gift of friendship, the gift of life, family, good health, peace and all the other things that we take for granted.

It is my prayer that this year will be different. I pray that I will have a more grateful heart. I pray that I will be able to see the beauty in every morning and remember to thank God for life and for every single day. I pray that I will be able to appreciate the lovely sound of music, beautiful music (ol skul music in my case) and the lovely sound of laughter. I pray that I will be able to appreciate the sights and scenery more when I walk around. I pray that I will be able to take time and appreciate the fresh air smell of Limuru and the love the beautiful scents that surrounds me.

Time to enjoy and appreciate the beauty of my hood 🙂

I pray that I will be able to thank God for the gift of speech and the voice that I have. It may not be quite musical (actually it’s really high pitched so singing and screaming from me almost sound the same so a music career is definitely out of the question) but all the same I will appreciate it more for I know that being able to speak means that I am truly blessed. I pray that I will remember to be thankful for my job. I remember the time I got this job; I went down on my knees in my living room thanking God for it. However, as months go by, the job has become a part of my daily routine. I pray that I will go back to appreciating this wonderful gift.

One of my best days in 2012, courtesy of my awesome workmates,new friends

I pray that I will be a better friend this year. I will be more appreciative of the fact that I have people in my life who I can count on in times of need. Many are the times that I forget about them and assume that they will always be there when I need them. This year, I will be thankful for the gift of friendships.

Hanging out with my gal Yvonne

I will also be thankful for the gift of family. I pray that God will help me be more appreciative of this amazing gift of kinship. I hope to spend more time with them and learn to thank God for every minute he gives me with them.

This year, I pray that I will be appreciative of the gift of writing. I love to write and when I started this blog, a lot of people contacted me and encouraged me to keep going. At first, I was really excited about it. However, with time, the posts got fewer and far apart. I pray that I will be more appreciative of this opportunity this year and I will be able to use it more.

Take a minute today and write down everything that you thank God for. Even if you feel discouraged right now or feel that God hasn’t blessed you enough. Just sit down and make your list of things that you are grateful for. You can start by thanking him for the gift of eyesight that has enabled you to read this blog. Then keep going and you will be surprised by just how blessed you are.

Once you have your list of blessing. Ask God to give you a thankful heart so that this year and forever you will learn to be more appreciative. Remember, gratitude gives way to a more fulfilling and happy life.

Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God has done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
*Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.
[*And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.]

Not sure how this pic fits into this blog entry but i just love it so why not….