Phrases That Feed Mediocrity: A Reflection on Mindsets That Hold Us Back

 Some phrases are not just words — they are belief systems. Belief systems developed and recycled by those too lazy to rise, too poor in mindset to believe in abundance, and too jealous to celebrate success. Instead of working hard to improve their lives, they cling to sayings that justify their stagnation. Let’s unpack a few:

1. "Aliye juu mngoje chini"

Translation: Whoever is up, wait for him down here.

This phrase sounds humble, but it’s dangerous. It encourages passivity and quiet bitterness. Why wait for someone to fall instead of working your way up? Why anchor your hope on someone else’s downfall instead of building your own rise? Progress isn’t about dragging others down — it’s about climbing higher through discipline, effort, and vision.

Success is not a cycle where the top must always come down — it’s a mountain that anyone willing to climb can reach.

2. "Money is the root of all evil"

This is one of the most misunderstood and misused phrases of all time. The original quote, from the Bible, actually says: "The love of money is the root of all evil." But many choose to distort it as a way to justify their discomfort with wealth.

In Rich Dad Poor Dad, Robert Kiyosaki explains that this mindset keeps people broke. When you believe money is evil, you subconsciously sabotage your ability to earn, invest, and grow financially. The truth? Money is a tool — neutral and powerful. It amplifies who you are. If you're generous, money gives you reach. If you're selfish, money reveals it.

The problem isn’t money — it’s the fear of handling it, the ignorance around it, and the shame people attach to wanting it.

3. "It’s lonely at the top"

This is often used to romanticize failure or to warn people away from ambition. But ask anyone truly at the top — they’ll tell you it’s not lonely when you take people with you. It’s only lonely when you isolate yourself, step on others, or rise without lifting anyone else.

Build community. Network wisely. Collaborate. You don’t have to be alone to be successful. The idea that greatness must come with isolation is another lie sold by those who gave up on climbing.

The top isn’t lonely — it’s selective. And that’s a different thing altogether.

Final Thoughts:

We must learn to interrogate the phrases we casually repeat — because many of them are rooted in fear, scarcity, and envy. If you want to grow, succeed, and leave a legacy, stop parroting mediocrity. Speak abundance. Speak action. Speak truth.

Let the lazy wait. Let the bitter complain. But as for you — rise.

STRONGER IN THE SILENCE

 I held my tongue,

bitten with the taste of goodbye,

words unspoken—

secrets we didn’t have the courage to share.

You posted your love

like a flag unfurled,

bright for the world to see,

while I was the secret,

the hush between the lines.

I reached for you,

a trembling hand through glass—

blocked, erased,

like I never existed at all.

Yet even now,

my heart traces your shadow,

craving the warmth

of a friend, a smile,

just the smallest bridge back to you.

But the bridge is gone.

You didn’t have the words,

and I didn’t want the lies.

So I stand here—

on the quiet side of my own heart,

learning to let go.

Because sometimes the ones we miss

are the ones we must leave behind—

to find ourselves again,

stronger in the silence.

CELEBRATING LIFE: A STORY OF SURVIVAL AND GRATITUDE

 

On November 27th, 2021, my family’s world stood still. That day, a phone call delivered news no one ever wants to hear. My brother, Radhison Komora Dadda, had been involved in a horrific accident near Gede. The caller, through tears, described the severity of the situation and urgently requested funds for an ambulance and a CT scan at Malindi General Hospital. At first, disbelief consumed me. I knew my brother was at home—or so I thought. Desperately seeking clarity, I reached out to the rest of my family. To our shock, the unimaginable turned out to be true.

A kind stranger had found my brother by the roadside, gravely injured, surrounded by onlookers who chose to take photos instead of helping. This Good Samaritan rushed him to Malindi General Hospital, where his condition was critical. He had suffered a traumatic head injury and multiple fractures, requiring immediate transfer to Mombasa for advanced care.

The next days were a blur of fear, hope, and prayers. My brother was admitted to the ICU, spending eight days in intensive care fighting for his life and enduring four days in a coma. His condition was touch-and-go, but against all odds, he pulled through. After a grueling month and a day in the hospital, he was discharged on December 28th, 2021, beginning his long road to recovery.

Reflecting on this journey, I am overwhelmed with gratitude. What seemed like an insurmountable tragedy became a moment of grace and resilience. My brother’s survival is nothing short of a miracle, a testament to God’s mercy and the power of family and faith. It was not just a physical recovery but a spiritual awakening for all of us. Through the pain and uncertainty, we grew closer to God, finding strength we didn’t know we had.

Today, I celebrate my brother’s life—his courage, his will to fight, and the unwavering support that surrounded him. His story is a reminder to cherish every moment, hold our loved ones close, and never underestimate the resilience of the human spirit

A Strange Dream That Lingers in My Mind

 

The other night, I had an unusually vivid dream.

My two younger sisters and I were in an enormous hall, having been kidnapped alongside a large crowd—enough people to fill at least two classrooms, perhaps even more. We were all herded into a single, cavernous room under the strict watch of heavily armed guards, each ready to shoot anyone who dared to escape. Though my sisters and I had been captured together, we were separated in the room.

As I sat silently, a stranger beside me discreetly handed me a book. We had no phones, and the book became my sole escape. I read nervously, stealing glances at the guards, my heart pounding with fear that one of them might notice and punish me for possessing it. But despite the looming danger, I thumped my chest silently and continued to read, determined to hold onto my tiny slice of freedom. Every time I heard footsteps nearing, my heart skipped a beat—but no one questioned me, so I read on.

Suddenly, one of the guards shouted that the building was collapsing—we were, apparently, on a very tall structure. While I expected the boss to dismiss the warning, he instead ordered the doors to be flung open. Self-preservation kicked in: he bolted out faster than even the prisoners. I ran beside him, but my sisters were already ahead of us. As soon as he stepped out into the stairwell, he realized it had been a false alarm. I feared he’d now turn on us, order our recapture, and lock the doors before the rest could escape.

Instinctively, I ran—faster than I’ve ever run before. I caught up with my sisters as they reached the main road, and without a word, I pulled them toward a different path—into the forest.

We sprinted for hours. My sisters begged me to stop, convinced we had lost our pursuers. But I insisted we keep going—"the goal is to get as far away as possible," I told them. I ran ahead, with them close behind. Eventually, deep in the woods, we came across a small settlement of no more than five houses—isolated and quiet. We passed quickly, not daring to stop.

Just as we were leaving, we encountered a woman walking. My sister, Dr. Rehema, recognized her and greeted her warmly, asking if she was a certain doctor. The woman said no, but revealed that she was the daughter of the doctor in question—also a medical professional. Rehema introduced herself, and for some reason, she had a phone with her. I asked her to take the woman’s number, just in case we encountered danger or needed help. She complied, though we didn’t explain what had happened to us.

We continued on until we reached a small town. We had no idea where we were, but saw buses bound for Nairobi, Mombasa, and Zanzibar. I suggested we head to Nairobi first, to regroup and figure out our next move. We couldn’t afford to wait till nightfall, as I feared the gangsters might scour town centers in search of escapees.

So we began the trek to the highway, a few kilometers away, hoping to catch a matatu to Nairobi. But then—ominously—we turned and spotted the lead mafia figure, a white man (unlike the African guards who had held us). I told my sisters, “You see? I warned you.” I hoped he hadn’t seen us, but his quickened pace toward us said otherwise.

We turned back toward the town center—still close enough for safety in the presence of others. As we walked, I was slightly ahead of my sisters. The man passed me and Hajilo, but when he reached Rehema, he seized her. Hajilo kept walking, but I stopped and shouted, warning her that we must fight to free our sister.

We fought with every ounce of strength and screamed loudly to attract attention. Eventually, he released Rehema. As we tried to walk away, he made one last attempt—lunging at Hajilo’s coat. I screamed for her to run, and she dodged him just in time. His hand clutched nothing but air.

We ran toward the town center again—and then, just like that, I woke up.

Reflection: What Could This Dream Mean?

I lay awake wondering: was this dream symbolic of something? Was it a metaphor for a real-life situation? Could it represent my fear of captivity in a situation where I feel watched, constrained, yet still secretly brave enough to seek my own form of mental escape? Or maybe it was a message about leadership, instinct, and protection—my natural drive to shield my loved ones, take decisive action, and outsmart danger?

It could also suggest the illusion of safety, the fine line between false alarms and real threats, and the idea that sometimes, in moments of crisis, the person who holds power is just as afraid as the rest.

Or maybe, just maybe, it was one of those dreams that visits us with no clear message—but lingers because it forces us to confront our own courage, love, fear, and strategy.

What do you think such a dream could mean? Have you ever had a dream that felt like a warning, a test, or a message in disguise? I’d love to hear your interpretations.

 

POKOMO...A RARE GEM IN THE WILD

 So a few days ago I visited an old classmate in Nairobi, and she introduced me to her sister. As we were chatting, she casually turned to her and asked, “Have you ever seen a Pokomo?”

She blinked. "No, I only read about them in Social Studies."

The sister pointed at me. “Well, here you go! This is a real-life Pokomo!”

Her eyes widened like she had just spotted a dinosaur. "Wow! This is the first time I’m meeting a Pokomo in real life!"

Then she hit me with the ultimate question: “Is there any famous Pokomo that people know?”

Now, as a proud Pokomo ambassador (self-appointed, of course), I had to represent. "Ever heard of Danson Mungatana?"

She nodded enthusiastically.

"Well, he’s Pokomo! In fact, He is my relative!"

You should have seen her face—suddenly, meeting me felt like shaking hands with history itself.

Now, this isn’t the first time I’ve had such a conversation. Many times, I meet people from bara (upcountry Kenya), and when I tell them I’m Pokomo, their reaction is always the same:

"You’re the first Pokomo I’ve ever met!"

At this point, I should start carrying certificates to prove my existence.

Then comes the next question: "Where do Pokomos live?"

"Tana River County," I reply.

And without fail, someone will ask: "Is that near Athi River?"

WTH!

Let me set the record straight: I am a Pokomo from Buu Nation, Katsae Clan of Ngao London. I am a proud crocodile eater. We Pokomos are rare gems, an elite league of people who may not be widely known, but we are as real as it gets.

So, if you ever meet a Pokomo, consider yourself lucky—you’ve just encountered a living legend!

Lol 

Stop meddling in my affairs and know your place coz i hate you

Let me just begin with I hate you  and I’ll never stop wishing you the worst life have to offer.

You've caused me pain and tears until it doesn't hurt anymore. And to justify your actions you come up with she said this and  that and you expect me to stop and explain myself? I am past that. You should know the world doesn't revolve around you anymore and bytheway I have better things to do. You can assume any role you want in my life but just know that you mean nothing to me. I dont have any love for you, I dont care about you, I dont care about your feelings... Their's nothing else left in me concerning you, only hate!!! 

So news flash, I hate you. And that is why I have nothing to prove to you. You can believe whatever you want to believe, anything she tells you just assume it is the truth and act on it whichever way you want to act on it. Honestly, did you ever think that I would want to prove anything to you? Whatever you think of me Doesn't count, coz I do not care! and always remember that From the depth of my heart, I truly, honestly and deeply hate you!!!

No, i do no love you, not even one bit, not at all!!! 

I hate you with a passion,

And I really hope that you hate me too... 

You make my heart throb with evil,

Because you are so vain.

And i will hate you beyond my dying days!!!

I WILL PAY THEM IN THEIR OWN COIN

 

I cried!!! 

For they caused me pain,

Tears burned my eyes,

For days I slept in my room,

Crying...

Feeling empty,

Hurt by their actions.

Tears in the mind,

Pain the heart can't share.

Anger wrapped up in deceit,

All because of their actions

 a blow on my esteem it was. 

But i will rise to my feet,

Dust myself, 

wipe out the tears,

And seek revenge.

The hurt, the pain and torture 

deep inside of me,

The scalding pain of hate.

The sadness deep inside my soul,

That was created by the anger.

The anger causes pain inside,

Too deep to understand.

And the pain, in turn, 

will cause,

More malice to my hand. 

As it gives me the psyke, 

To pay them in their coin. 

I will seek revenge

on those who hated me,

I will seek revenge on those who badly treated me,

I will seek revenge on those who berated me

and grated my tender feelings cruelly.

I keep my weapons ready,

for accidental accost, if any

to confront them...

yes...with open arms,

glowing smile,

gracious visage

and lastly

with a heartfelt embrace!

I will be happy to see him begging me please,

To see the fears in his eyes that were once my own. 

He will suffer. 

I will ruefully smile as i see her rolling on the ground,

Crying for what will have befell her.

with an embarassed face

and heart throttling guilt

accepting her total defeat!

I will pay them in their own coin,

Or even worse!!!

now by all the bitter tears

That I have shed for them

The racking doubts, 

the burning fears,

Every inch of pain, 

They will all be avenged!!! 

Or maybe they have forgotten the pain they caused? 

The axe forgets, 

But the tree never forgets, 

I will buy my revenge even if with my soul, 

Just to make them pay!!! 

They say if you plan a revenge then dig two graves, 

I have dug two, 

My own deaper,

Coz I am ready to pay whichever price, 

Even with my own life, 

Just to make them pay!!! 

And I hope... 

one day when the tables turn, 

that I am no longer sitting at them.

They will bear the pain like I did

They've made a grave mistake

I shall pay them in their own coin,

And the game they started,

Will end up in tears,

It will surely end in premium tears!!!

I shall pay them in their own coin