My Sabbatical: The New Me

when you need a sabbatical to be new

Recently, I have been feeling as if my life was spiralling out of control… I was mostly irate, lazy, and lacking a sense of direction… no passion…instead of running towards my goals, I had wandered off the path and sat down under a tree of frustration.

No drive. Nada!

I was not participating in my life..just a spectator..watching my life roll by. I had started to do things I used to advise my friends against and frown upon..it was that bad.
I was on a nose dive.

Missed classes, and when I went…I was not a learner-learners look at the board/slide… I used to fix my glare at the wall clock ad dream away..or get into my phone.

Career-wise. Stagnated. No drive to grow.
Church-wise. Sad.

Socially-totally introverted. Etc.

Then it dawned on me.Life was moving too fast past me..and I couldn’t afford to just sit. I had to review my life and come up with a radical redesign..like Personal Process Re-engineering.

So I packed my bag for a weekend away… With myself and God. Only two people knew where I was – myself and a friend (in case I felt suicidal).

Alone for two days… in a semi-dark room, not eating… just coffee, and lying on my back staring at the ceiling. Only pausing to take notes… watching things unfold at the spot I was glaring at.

I reviewed my life, past and present…then came up with a rough strategy of how I will make things work now..and in future.

I made peace with God.Invited Him to walk with me on my new take.I made my promises, and I could see Him nod..and make His promises too.I am expecting something from Him and He from me.

We are now tight buddies, me and God.

I know I’m changed, I have discovered inner peace..and I now have more to take out of this life..and give. I have new rights and obligation to/from God, family, friends and the society.

I am New! Watch me, and pray for me not to dwindle.

And… if anything screws you up… take a break. THINK!

Like in The Alchemist, listen to your heart and your body, because within you lies all the solutions to your problems.
PS: My friend Daisy sent me an email that sums up my sabbatical:

A professor stood before his philosophy class
and had some items in front of him.

When the class began, wordlessly, he picked
up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar
and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He
then asked the students if the jar was full.

They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of
pebbles and poured them into the jar. He
shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into
the open areas between the golf balls. He
then asked the students again if the jar was
full they agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand
and poured it into the jar . Of course, the
sand filled up everything else. He asked once
more if the jar was full. The students
responded with a unanimous “yes.”

The professor then produced two cups of
coffee from under the table and poured the
entire contents into the jar, effectively filling
the empty space between the sand. The
students laughed.

“Now,” said the professor, as the laughter
subsided, “I want you to recognize that this
jar represents your life. The golf balls are the
important things – your God, family, your
children, your health, your friends, and your
favourite passions–things that if everything
else was lost and only they remained your
life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter
like your job, your house, and your car.
The sand is everything else — the small stuff.
If you put the sand into the jar first,” he
continued, “there is no room for the pebbles
or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If
you spend all your time and energy on the
small stuff, you will never have room for the
things that are important to you.

Pay attention to the things that are critical
to your happiness. Play with your children.
Take time to get medical checkups. Take
your partner out to dinner. Play another 18.
There will always be time to clean the house
and fix the disposal.”

Take care of the golf balls first — the things
that really matter. Set your priorities. The
rest is just sand.”

One of the students raised her hand and
inquired wt the coffee represented.

The professor smiled. “I’m glad you asked. It
just goes to show you that no matter how
full your life may seem, there’s always room
for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.”

3 Comments My Sabbatical: The New Me

  1. Charity Wanjiru March 27, 2018 at 12:55 pm

    Very informative. I pray you do not dwindle,..

    Reply
    1. Frankline Mwenda Kibuacha March 27, 2018 at 7:18 pm

      I don’t plan to, Charity! That was back in the days, and God and I have never allowed me to go back there…

      Reply
  2. Amson April 1, 2021 at 1:10 pm

    Had just ordered some cappuccino to sip while enjoying this read …maan! It ended before they even served me!…..come pay please 🤦‍♂️. Was short but like always i loved it….my guy from Gitura village😅! I know you will do even more and write even more…so i will keep on waiting and loving the new you brother…

    Reply

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