By CAROLINE NJUNG'E
The primary school I went to was located in the city and, often, my elder brother and I would take the bus to school.
If we are agemates, you must remember the Nyayo bus — what we commonly referred to as DAF, those dark green buses that made a brief appearance before fading into oblivion.
Those were the days when overloading was a way of life. Commuters would be packed in vehicles like sardines, and when the groaning and swaying bus could no longer squeeze in one more person, the others would hold onto the open door, a foot precariously planted on the doorstep, actively beckoning death. We definitely have come from far.
Those days, it was sacrilege for children to sit while an adult stood, so we ended up being mercilessly smashed between adults of all sizes. And yet I looked forward to those daily rides.
Every time I boarded one of those buses, I was in danger of suffocating, breaking a rib or rupturing a lung, but this didn’t occur to me, because I was too busy having fun. You’re probably wondering how.
Well, I would simply fold my legs, and since I would be tightly sandwiched between the bigger bodies around me, I would float in mid-air, securely held in place until I got to my destination.
It was great fun, especially when the bus hit a bump or sank into a pothole. While the adults cursed, I would be giddy with the excitement of floating through it all.
I eventually grew up and began to dread public transport, I mean, you have to agree with me that there is nothing amusing about being squashed between multitudes of sweaty people in an enclosed area swirling with carbon dioxide. I also could no longer “float” in these crowded contraptions of death.
My two very different reactions to the same situation made me realise just how differently children and adults view the world. Children are quick to spot the fun, positive bits in every situation they find themselves in, good or bad, while the first thing adults tend to pick out are the shortcomings, ignoring the many other positives there might be.
Think about it: while you’re rushing to get home to escape the rain, your children probably itch to get out of the house when it begins to rain. They don’t care about messing their hair or ruining their clothes and shoes. For them, being rained on and dipping their feet in puddles of dirty water ranks right up there with the top three best experiences in the world.
About two years ago, I recall watching a particular season of that adrenaline-charged reality show, Amazing Race. Out of the big group, two young men, friends of many years, stood out due to their exuberance. While the other teams bickered and sulked their way through the show, these two were having the time of their lives, enjoying the brief stops they made around the world to the fullest.
Taking photos, marveling at the sights, showing an interest in the local people and their cultures. There was big money at stake, so understandably, everyone (apart from the two), approached the game like you would a business in which you’ve invested heavily — with a set of unsmiling face, every waking moment spent discussing winning strategies and relentlessly pushing your employees to deliver.
While the others lost their tempers in frustration and accused their partners of not pulling their weight, the two upbeat men backslapped and high-fived their way to winning the top prize.
I have a feeling that if we approached life like children do — with good humour, a positive attitude, a sense of adventure and determination to make the most of every opportunity that comes our way, we would be happier, and also accomplish much more.
Or is this too much to ask for in a country where most are unable to feed and educate their children, and where armed terrorists can freely walk into a university and massacre innocent students?
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FEEDBACK: Spare me the testimony
I read the article on people invoking God’s name at any opportunity. I think we have used the mighty word so much for selfish interests.
Mwenda
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I disagree with your analysis. You are trying to curtail someone’s freedom of expression. You can question someone’s judgment but not their motive in choosing to walk with the Lord.
Karungo
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It’s annoying and irritating because many flaunt their testimony yet their actions tell another story.
Macharia
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I’m opposed to your argument on the basis that we Christians worship one God and are guided by the Bible, from which all sound doctrine is obtained by true worshippers. Our fights and disagreements in public are fodder for the atheists and critics affording them to trample upon our religion.
Mwangi
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As Christians we are taught to be tolerant. 2 Peter 1: 5-7 outlines qualities required of us: faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness and charity.
Mwangi
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Your article about the faith testimonies was great. I usually don’t know what to do when greetings that I expected to last less than a minute turn out to be a 10-minute talk that I should be shouting amen after every sentence.
Eli
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I can’t agree with you more. Sometimes one feels irritated if not embarrassed listening to “testimony” you haven’t solicited for. All should realise there is time for everything.
Wilson
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Amen. There are those who take faith issues to the extreme. On the other hand, have you wondered why we book seats and listen to “motivational speakers” who feed us personal successes half the time? Or the politicians who feed us crap when we go for a burial?
Given a choice, I would listen to the testimony.
Bor
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Everything done excessively is always a mask to a painful truth somewhere. Let’s be considerate of each other.
Kanyi
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There are people I avoid because all you can talk about is what God has done. I’m a believer but testimonies bore me, honestly.
Mbere