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9/25/2024 0 Comments

You Are Not Lazy or Undisciplined. You Have Internal Resistance.

Written by: Hussein Waiyaki
Edited and Reviewed by: Tex Wambui
Internal resistance isn’t a mysterious or malevolent force acting against you. It’s not some kind of dark force like the Dark Side! Rather, it’s a part of you, growing from the same mental space as your talents, skills, and goals.
When you think about it this way, it becomes clear that seeing internal resistance as laziness or lack of discipline is not only unhelpful but inaccurate. Internal resistance isn’t lazy—it’s incredibly energetic! It takes a lot of mental effort to push back on your desire to pursue your goals day after day.
And when we try to use discipline to push ourselves forward, we often make the problem worse. The closer we get to achieving our goal, the greater our fear, and the stronger the resistance becomes. In other words, trying to "discipline" ourselves into action just intensifies the internal tug-of-war, with both sides pulling even harder.
So what can we do instead?1. Recognize That Internal Resistance is on Your SideOne of the hardest things about not taking action is that it can feel self-destructive. But internal resistance isn’t trying to harm you; it actually wants to protect you from pain. You are not sabotaging yourself—you’re just grappling with two conflicting beliefs: one that tells you to do the thing, and another that tells you not to.
2. Get Curious About the Pain Your Brain is Trying to AvoidAsk yourself: What exactly is the pain I’m trying to avoid? Once you understand the specific fear behind your resistance, you can begin working through it. That’s why treating internal resistance as some external, immovable force is a mistake. It responds to reason and alternative scenarios. To reduce its hold, though, you need to understand why it's there in the first place.
3. Negotiate With Your ResistanceYou may not fully understand what’s motivating your internal resistance right away, and even once you do, it can take time to address the underlying fears and worries. In the meantime, try negotiating. Can you convince your resistance to let you work for just 10 minutes? What about 5 minutes? If you can’t get started formally, could you record some ideas into your phone? Maybe brainstorm in the shower or bathtub?
The key is to stop framing the problem as “I need more willpower to stop being lazy” and start thinking, “I’m facing internal resistance—how can I work with it creatively today?”
4. Recognize That You’re Not AloneInternal resistance isn’t some rare force that affects only a few people. Almost everyone experiences it to some degree. Yes, there are some people who seem to produce and create without any struggle. But even they likely face resistance at times. In fact, you might even seem like that kind of person to someone in your life.
5. Listen to Your ResistanceThere’s a deeper reason why it helps to see internal resistance as a form of wisdom, rather than an opponent to be defeated. Your resistance actually carries knowledge about what you secretly believe you’re capable of. After all, your brain wouldn’t be so afraid of the potential consequences if it didn’t think you were trying to do something meaningful.
It’s also worth remembering that the force of your internal resistance reflects how much you want to do the work. The only reason the internal tug-of-war continues is because part of you is still fighting to move forward. The process feels exhausting because it seems like one part of you has to lose, no matter which side wins.
By working to understand your resistance, you can stop the internal battle and address the real fears that lie beneath. Some fears might turn out to be imagined, while others may represent genuine pain or challenges. But either way, once you confront them, they become just one part of the process, rather than a barrier stopping you from starting in the first place.

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9/24/2024 0 Comments

"Surprise!" – The Element of Surprise is an Element of God

Written by: Hussein Waiyaki
Edited and Reviewed by: Tex Wambui
Life, without surprises, would be mundane and lacking gratitude. It is hardwired into our experience to accommodate the unexpected and the unknown.
There is a reason why people who face the unknown with courage are praised. On a deeper level, there’s an even grander reason why we often say "Thank God" when things turn out fine after facing uncertainty.
Surprises are a key feature of life. We all know people who go to great lengths to create a sense of mystery, keeping their next move secret. In war, the element of surprise can determine victory or defeat. And at birthdays, gifts only hold value when they can truly surprise us.
Life rarely unfolds the way we expect, and when it does, it can become lackluster. Genuine happiness arises when things go in our favor after defying the odds.
The universe, or God if you prefer, knows what is happening now and what will happen next. As humans, we are unique in our ability to experience surprises, because we aren’t omniscient. If we knew everything that was coming, life would lose its meaning.
You don’t know what the future holds, whether you’ll succeed, or if people will keep their promises. But when things do go your way, the result is always the same: you’re surprised.
A life without surprises is a life without fun, excitement, or gratitude. When you’re genuinely surprised, what’s the first thing you say? "Thank you!" or "You are God-sent." In most cases, surprise is accompanied by appreciation and joy.
In the game of life, the element of surprise creates profound experiences that nourish the spirit. Facing the unknown is the only way to unlock the surprises ahead.
So, hear me out: Consider creating surprise in everything you do. Don’t reveal your plans; execute them, then talk about them later. Show, don’t tell.
Talking about your plans beforehand takes away the element of surprise—and you might not even follow through.
Are you surprised that I took a shot at explaining the element of surprise?

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9/11/2024 0 Comments

Kenya's Cry for Justice: Are We Truly Free?

Written by: Hussein Waiyaki
Edited and Reviewed by: Tex Wambui
My heart bleeds for my country. This isn’t just another critique of a finance bill crafted by the IMF or the long-term impacts of GMO products. Nor is it about the usual political maneuvering by leaders claiming to form ‘broad-based governments.’ No. This is an appeal far greater than words can express, and it matters deeply for Kenya—our beautiful land, rich in minerals, majestic scenery, and nature trails. Our country is crying out for leadership, genuine leadership, to fill the void that has left us suffering for too long.
I refuse to accept that my great-grandfather was buried alive by colonialists for us to continue facing abductions, killings, death threats, and police brutality. “Kenya is like a beautiful lady married to a narcissist,” said my friend and fellow thinker, Kasmuel Macoure, a sentiment I sadly find true.
I do not wish to meet the same fate as my great-grandfather, yet I feel the weight of the options dwindling. He was a martyr, buried alive upside down for daring to resist land alienation and cultural terrorism. That image sticks with me—his sacrifice, and the question it raises: What have we gained from democracy? Are we truly free?
We face a democracy that falls short of the freedom our forefathers fought for. Headlines about young Kenyans—missing, abducted, or found dead—are all too common. Maybe we are all mad, or perhaps Kenya truly is stuck in a toxic, narcissistic relationship, unable to escape.
I ask again, what is Morara Kebaso doing wrong? Demanding accountability from a system we elected? Isn’t that what democracy should be about?
As Edgar Watson Howe wisely said, we must be truthful in our everyday lives before we can be truthful in patriotism. Democracy was meant to replace outdated, oppressive forms of government, but it seems it works only in theory. We have entrusted power to a few, but that power now assaults the constitution it was supposed to protect.
As Abraham Lincoln once said, “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power.” Kenya's leadership is failing that test, time and again. Intimidation, arbitrary arrests, political witch hunts—this is not the democracy we fought for. The "beautiful lady" Kenya is trapped in a controlling relationship with leadership that refuses to let go.
What happens when our youth—guilty only of speaking the truth—are inundated with threats, arrests, and worse? What kind of country forces its citizens to flee and go into hiding just for seeking transparency?
We are deeply disappointed with a system we once believed in. A regime that came to power through a narrative of ‘hustlers’ and ‘rich versus poor’ has betrayed the very people it promised to lift. We were revolutionaries once, but as James Aggrey Orengo said, sometimes revolutions consume their own children.
This is the crux of my appeal: We, as citizens, must scrutinize the personal and public lives of politicians. If you seek public office, you are asking for our collective trust in your abilities and character. But too many voters lack the information to make informed decisions, and the personal lives of politicians often reveal more about their true character than their public personas.
The truth is a sword and a shield, and I wield it freely. The time has come to hold our leaders accountable and demand the leadership Kenya deserves.

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We are Tex Wambui and Hussein Waiyaki—two individuals passionate about exploring life, society, and the human experience. Through our writings, we reflect on the challenges, hopes, and truths that shape our world. Whether it’s dissecting societal issues, discussing energy, or sharing thoughts on hope and resilience, we aim to inspire, challenge, and provoke meaningful thought. These are words that matter—straight from us to you.

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You Are Not Lazy or Undisciplined. You Have Internal Resistance.

"Surprise!" – The Element of Surprise is an Element of God

Kenya's Cry for Justice: Are We Truly Free?

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