By Ayot Adhiambo
When I think of Kenya, I think of the safaris, the lions, cheetahs, zebras, giraffes, buffaloes and poisonous snakes. However, most recently, through a new Facebook friend Ayot Adhiambo, I got to experience a different side of that wilderness. Of how it’s really like, really living near wild animals. It is through that experience that you learn great respect for their habitat and the way the human species should co-exist with wild animals.
What being home early has taught me for fear of reprisal is Ayot’s 10 Life Principles
- Always appreciate others when I see something of worth in them. Strive to focus more on the positive rather than the negative.
- Respecting other people’s way of doing things just as I would want to be respected for living my life the way I would want to.
- Being trustworthy, dependable in character and honor.
- Being true to myself at all times, not trying to be someone else’s perfect.
- Strive to be courteous and speak kind and respectful words that are clearly pronounced to establish a tone that favors comprehension.
- Have a genuine interest in others
- Being humble and never allowing the spirit of pride to fill my heart.
- Being a woman of self-control who shows great ability in controlling every aspect of my life.
- While being my greatest number one fan ever and having confidence in myself, believing in my abilities always no matter what.
- Don’t underestimate anyone and don’t speak any negativity to anyone, because there is worth and greatness in each person.
Also, when you live near the wild that live on the slopes of Lukenya Hills of Machakos County in Kenya; what could be scarier than an outdoor walk alone in the dark, which could potentially be your last walk alone? Cancer…. So What? I am brave and courageous even more so than in Kenya where it is caught mostly in late stages.
It still shouldn’t alter how people should view life or death. We have our choices and it’s my belief we should read more and become more aware of the dangers that lurk within our environment and what comes from Out of the Darkness!! From Ayot’s Ten Life Principles, I have learnt how one can courageously live near the wilderness .
This strong belief that she has also inspires me to stay as far as I can from the dangers of everyday life! She has also inspired me to have unwavering faith should cancer come into my life I will be a survivor through it all. It’s through her nuggets of wisdom, that I am empowered to overcome whatever life’s obstacles that come my way.