“O powerful goodness! Bountiful Father! Merciful Guide!

Increase in me that wisdom which discovers my truest interest.

Strengthen my resolution to perform what that wisdom dictates.

Accept my kind offices to thy other children as the only return in my power for thy continual favours to me.”

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I started writing these yearly posts to celebrate my birthday and growth five years ago, on my 28^th birthday. It’s also an occasion to celebrate the present and the future and highlight plans. It has been such a humbling and graceful experience to see things I hoped for come to pass. It seems there’s some power in writing, and more so, doing so in public! Thoughts on other years: 32, 31, 30, 29, 28.

What is life? If I can’t share my learning, insights and wisdom gathered over the last year?

I am thankful to have made it through the past year. It was such an eventful year. Compared to others, I read the least number of books, i.e., only 22 books. I had read about 62 in 2020. I guess I was busy with other things. I finally published two books I worked on over the last six years. I started working on the electrical book in 2015; it’s a more than 700 pages electrical design book. It can be bought here.’Electrical Services for Buildings: A Consultant’s Guide.’

I also published a novel titled “The Diary of a Seducer“. I highly recommend it, especially for the young who are in relationships.

One major lesson I learned is that you can always get what you want if you’re ‘desperate’ enough to get it. You can be what you want to be if you’re desperate enough to be that. This has very little to do with hard work. Hard work alone cannot take you anywhere.

I learned a lot from Dr Kapil Gupta, MD. You check his website and interviews on YouTube. Very challenging and useful ideas. Very few people will get what he’s saying. I also learned a lot from Naval Ravikant. Get all Naval’s wisdom from the website:  www.navalmanack.com and nav.al

Few thoughts on the following:

Health:

Health is priceless. Without it, everything else is meaningless.

I still try to do some morning exercise every day. However, a friend of mine introduced me to a very useful exercise app. The app is titled ‘Home Workout-No Equipment’ by Leap Fitness Group.”

I completely did away with breakfast and now only take supper. This is completely practical, and it’s what my body demands. I used to feel like I was forcing myself to eat breakfast or lunch. So I now can live well with just one meal day. However, once in a while, I do some lunch, especially in social settings.

Learning & Professional Development:

I read the least number of books in 2021.

My focus on the choice of books is still on business, marketing, psychology, philosophy related books. For a list of the best books I have read in the last seven years, click these:2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016 and 2015.

I registered for my PhD.Electrical engineering in May 2021 at JKUAT. Now am in the thick of it and doing a lot of reading as I prepare to defend my proposal this year and hopefully graduate within the next two years.

I also got licensed as a Class A1 electrician by Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA).

I started learning programming in 2015 but I have never really focused on it. I hope to master Python in three years.

While looking for a car to buy, I almost got conned several times. So I wrote the lessons learned and looked for more resources which I compiled to help those buying foreign or locally used cars. You can buy the guidelines here. ‘How to Buy a Foreign or Locally Used Car in Kenya-a Checklist and a Guide.’

Still, my learning and working model shall be like that of Benjamin Franklin.

Writing:

I still journal daily. I write on whatever interests me. I don’t understand why some people don’t keep journals.

I completed writing two books I have been working on for some years now.

1. A 700 page, practical, real-life electrical design guide book. I started working on it in 2015. It can be bought here, ‘Electrical Services for Buildings: A Consultant’s Guide.’
2. A Novel titled “The Diary of a Seducer“. It can be bought here. It’s a chronicle of a fictional guy recording his relationship exploits in a diary.

Work| business:

I am now starting my 5^th year of teaching at TUK.

I got some good consulting projects last year. I thank God for everything. For electrical works, you can reach out through the link: ‘Electrical Services.’

Also opened a physical bookshop at Juja Square. You can buy all books and stationery even from the site: store.eeducationgroup.com. I am still updating and adding more products to the site.

For electrical and mechanical services: Brendatt Engineering Services: Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Consultants.

Relationships:

Made fewer friends compared to other years. I guess because of Covid-19. I made more friendships through work/business, though.

We rarely keep in touch with old friends or acquaintances. So what happened to old friendships? Is this how it gets when ageing?

I distilled much of what I know about relationships in that novel, ‘Diary of a Seducer’. Knowledge shouldn’t go to waste.

I wrote this last year:

“I still now read and listen to relationship advice but now with a discerning eye and ear. A relationship is a personal journey unique to your situation. Don’t necessarily copy what others are doing or saying. There’s always a deeper, real reason why someone says something.  Many end up doing the opposite of what they say and advise.

I have become less judgemental about other people’s actions and decisions concerning their lives. We only have one life on this current earth, and whatever happens does so for a reason. No matter how it looks for now.”

Finally, she said yes. I should be tying the knot soon. Say what you shall, I posed the question while adrift on a boat, in the middle of a paradise lost lake.

Hobbies:

I am still learning how to play the guitar. I have become better, though. I may start sharing some videos soon.

I still watch movies daily.

Lessons in general:

If you want something, you shall find ways to get it.

Hard work, by itself, plays zero roles towards achieving your goals.

If motivational books and speakers were that impactful, we would all be millionaires with happy families. People change when there’s no other option.

Finally,

Life is for sharing and impacting others. Share lessons you learn with others. We only have this one earth life. What a pity it shall be to be buried with all that wisdom and insight. Ask questions.

Thank you, friends, and readers for being part of my life.