The Mt Kenya Times 
By N. George
Worth Noting:
- On January 29, 1886 a German inventor Carl Benz applied for a patent for his vehicle powered by gas engine and was given patent number 37435 in July the same year the newspapers reported this.
- Over the years when others saw this idea is fit, they have followed suit and numerous manufacturers have come up with companies like Volkswagen, Toyota, Daimler and Ford among others.
- Whatever you do paints a picture of who you are. In 1920’s an advertisement executive named Fred R. Barnard once said that a graphical illustration covey a stronger message than words he used the phrase a picture is worth a thousand words.
In July 2015 the then president of United States of America Barrack Obama came to Kenya for an official visit and stayed in Villa Rosa Kempinski, Nairobi. Receiving such a guest was an extraordinary event the preparations were done in advance to minimize any chance of error.
Kenyans of all walks of life were eager to see how the leader of the world superpower visiting them. They were observant of the news coverage about his visit, his preferred residence location during the tour, clothes he put on, speeches he made and everything about him that they could be able to note, this being firsthand information.
His visit was a success and lasted for two days as earlier planned. His influence however has lasted up to today. From the time he left, the hotel where he stayed in gained fame, many leaders within the country used to visit that hotel ask where Obama sat, request the same kind of food he ate and tried to behave like him in every aspect they could know. Around that location many big buildings have emerged, it became more prime area compared to its previous status. That is how big an individual influence through his actions can be.
On January 29, 1886 a German inventor Carl Benz applied for a patent for his vehicle powered by gas engine and was given patent number 37435 in July the same year the newspapers reported this.
Over the years when others saw this idea is fit, they have followed suit and numerous manufacturers have come up with companies like Volkswagen, Toyota, Daimler and Ford among others.
Whatever you do paints a picture of who you are. In 1920’s an advertisement executive named Fred R. Barnard once said that a graphical illustration covey a stronger message than words he used the phrase a picture is worth a thousand words.
As a parent, teacher or role model of any kind including team leader you do not necessarily need to keep emphasizing to your subjects or those who look upon you on what they should do and how they should behave rather you can live a life that demonstrates the values that you cherish if your life is convincing to them then they would emulate you.
Everyone sincere person who admires the teaching of Epictetus must have a great appreciation of Flavius Arrianus (86AD-160 AD)
Arrian of Nicomedia as popularly referred to was a Greek historian, Philosopher, military leader and statesman. He was a student of Epictetus and is famed for writing down his teacher’s lessons.
Epictetus had a disabled leg which was thought to have broken by his master though there no evidence to ascertain this. He would not fail to opine about this state by saying that sickness is a hinderance to the body but not to your ability to choose, unless that is your choice. Adding that lameness is a hinderance to the leg, but not to your ability to choose. Say this to your ability to that happens, then you will see such obstacles as hinderance to something else, but not to yourself.
Epictetus thoughts on his disabled leg is an indicator of the view he held about life despite challenges associated with it. He chose to concentrate on what is positive about life and that is why instead of lamenting about his weaknesses he advocated for self-management, integrity and personal freedom. He did this through examination of will power and being aware of what is in your power.
Traditional African society did not lay emphasis on formal learning rather they embraced non formal training where the child could train through observation and this proved to be effective to them.
In the current times in Kenya there is overreliance on formal education which is mostly theoretical in nature and they have killed creativity among many students. One learns more through observation and practical doings compared to mere listening to theories in a classroom setup.
Through practical doing of things, you are able to learn faster and with preciseness as with time you try to perfect the work.
In a country like Kenya where mega corruption is an issue of national concern to an extent that there is a body that is legally instituted to combat it one of the best ways to deal with such issues is for society to define what are their ethics.
When the society is made aware of both the short and long-term effects of corruption even without any written law or body that will deal with morality the members of the society are able to discern what is good and what is bad.
The successes of those who do not engage in corruption should be the one to discourage others from engaging in it.
It is not a wonder to find the society wishing to establish the origins usually parents and place of birth and raising up for anyone who does an exemplary service. This is largely due to the need for those people to identify possible motivators to that performance.
As a role model or someone who interacts with other people you need to think twice before you act as your actions or inactions could whether directly or indirectly influence other people to an extent that during your life time or thereafter the public will get interested in knowing more and more about you as they trace the roots of those whom you influenced.
If the influence was positive then you would enjoy honours from the society and many more would like to be associated with you.
On the other hand, if the influence was negative you may live in shame as the society will condemn your deeds.
Humans were created with two eyes that face forward so you may be going on with your ordinary life without thinking that anyone is noticing you as you can only see those Infront of you but maybe someone can see you from above or back and is eager to imitate you only to find someone who behaves like you or hear someone claiming that he learnt a certain behaviour from you. You need to be mindful of whatever you do.
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