Lessons on my Graduation

31^St July 2015 will remain eventful for me. This day marked the culmination of my basic education. Finally, I was able to successfully graduate with an undergraduate Bachelor’s degree in Business Information Technology (BBIT). I rightly said it- My first degree from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT). The moment of my pride was learning I graduated top of my class with a First Class Honors. That’s no mean achievement.

I looked back and was more than amazed by the number of years I have spent in formal years and can only say, ‘THIS FAR  GOD.’ It was finally the end of at least 17 years of formal schooling. That’s the Kenyan system. Spend 1 year in pre-schooling, 8 years in Primary, and 4 years in Secondary school and another 4 years for a degree course in a college or university. That’s the least you can be schooling if you are luck and do not repeat classes and years.

As it is the tradition world all over, graduation ceremonies are hyped. There are major preparations. And as for the Africans, -where I belong, this celebrations will never be any better without inviting family members, friends and well-wishers both near and far. People join in dancing, feasting, praising and thanksgiving after the main ceremony in the university’s graduation square. God is the center of the ceremony and the center of attention is the grandaunt.

That day, I sat in the gathering of invited and uninvited guests listening to heaps and heaps of praises directed to me. I was humbled by the kind words, love and gifts I received from them. Right from the graduation square where the university management led by the Chancellor and Vice chancellor led the ceremony to confer the awards, the mood, talk and people were fantastic. The excitement could be felt in the atmosphere.

At the end of it all, I was thinking, I have the powers to read and to do what it pertains with the degree how do I become of use to the society- Kenya and the world? This is not a simple question to ask. That’s the subject of another day. Today I look back and identify some of the lessons, I’ve learn t over the years that helped me shape my convictions in excellence.

Success is a right to everyone

Success is a right to everyone but it is not a privilege, favor or priority to some. It is not for a selected few whom the nature has chosen in place of others to succeed. Instead the same natural terrain provides a level ground where all can work and succeed. Anyone can succeed if they so desire to.

Nature demands people of excellence

Nature demands that you work and succeed for a reward of success among other things such as a happiness, satisfaction, financial freedom and freedom to choose what you will do. Those privileges that come along with success cannot be enjoyed unless one succeeds. Only successful people join in the service of kings. The privilege of being excellent will make you step in place you may never get to serving, dinning with princes.

God should be the center of our excellence

When people trust in God in their life, they do not see their limits. They are able reach the level set for their perfection by God. God helps them to view things beyond the horizons of their ability and far beyond what they can conceive with their finite minds. It is because there is no impossibility with God. His grace is sufficient even in the hardest times and his promises yes and amen. I have tasted if this and have found it to be true. With God on your side, you will have comfort when things seem not working. You will not be afraid to start something and you will not be worried and anxious when there are people who seem to dislike you all over.

Understand Seasons of beauty in life

God has made everything beautiful in its time. We should thus strive to understand the season of beauty for every event and thing. Without this undisputed truth, we will act foolishly because failure to fathom this crucial time will see us act out of selfish ambition, hopelessly to see results and of course in ignorance. We shouldn’t be over-anxious for quick results which may be too costly for us in the end. Life has no assurance that in a single fraction of a minute anything planted germinates and matures to be fruitful. Some will be instant while others take long but the fact is that they all come to be harvested at the fullness of time.

Faith it till you make it

This is the last truth for today. Indeed my principle has been, creating perceptions around something and make people believe it is happening even when it’s not till it happens.  This is life and most often than not no one will believe you until they see it. They will demand something to see, touch and feel. You may not have it but make them have a perception it exists. You have to faith it that you are the best until you defeat the best in town. I am own a start up JoinTheDots Stationers & Printers which prepares revision materials for Students. No one was interested in our products we had to create perceptions that that they are highly successive even in its first year so that people can buy them. And its slowly paying off.

Those Five may not be all that I have learn t but that is the beginning. They are vital lessons in life as a successful entrepreneur and academician.

Have a reflective life. Remember to stay in touch with me at jeremiahwakamu@gmail.com or join this conversation on Facebook Jeremiaho Wakamu to keep it going. And again referrals though you social media network/connection and word of mouth is the best you can do for this blog.