Coincidence? No. Not at all. Do you have a talent, use it. Lets explore how?

You might ask if it was it a coincidence that I landed in America to the hands of the Duffy’s and later the beautiful home of my beloved American cucu, (my native endearment name for grandma). Mrs. Marion Gottesfield a compassionate woman of such grace, understanding and a matriarch of a loving family of givers. A woman whose name is written in my mind as synonymous with real philanthropic kindness.

Why did I arrive to America just when their house was vacant! Was that vacancy
 there so the universe can weave a bridge to my dream? Was it coincidence that Karen Middleton was at her office, smiling and willing to listen to my story at the same time on that Friday so many years ago? Was it coincidence Mrs. Gottesfield wanted me to live at her posh Cherry Creek home only two weeks after my scare of homeless-ness? And was it a coincidence that they all that heard my story identified with my situation in unison? Why did I get attracted to the mid west University that had a perfect place and fit for a woman from a developing country like myself? I weep while I play these questions through my mind and I am awed to how perfectly placed the divine and the universe in general aligns events.

I think that the so-called coincidence is always a synchronous event that takes place because of an inner prompting that spur an outside event. My coming to America and to the University of Denver is my miracle pointer to what is possible when we align ourselves along with our inner most dreams. That was magic. I dreamed everyday of going coming to America and off course graduating with a master’s degree. It never occurred to me that I would not find my way into an American graduate school and off course become a player American and global philanthropic community. My recent social entrepreneurial business ventures have been made possible by the magic touch perfect strangers. I think that I am proud to have joined those business ventures whose mission is making profits while changing the planet and giving individuals a chance to voice their unique talents.

I am so proud for finding the courage to get onto the airplane from Nairobi to America albeit the fact that I did not know anybody nor had a friend in the USA. I found a friend and family in a perfect stranger and strangers. I knew that the world is interconnected when I took Duffy’s initiatives to speak to Karen Middleton, and also took Karen’s advice by writing the heartfelt letter to the Board of Admission at the University of Denver. Dreaming and Doing. They go hand in hand. Indeed they do. Yes, such a bold walk amidst cruel discouraging comments from those that wished me bad, the nay-Sayers and those close to me that perhaps would have wanted to see me fail became comments that build me and made me believe in me even more. I learned that discouragement and discouraging attitude are darts to my tender soul and heart and can create much havoc and adversity in my life. But in the middle of adversity we need go within. My voyage and life in America has made me stronger in the long run

I hope these little sketchy memoirs of my journey will helps you to see that there can be hidden blessings and gifts from the adversities we face in life. May we reach out and extend our arms and our hopes and reach for our dreams. May we follow our hunches and talk to our guides and angels and may we be 'dreamers' and 'doers!' What kinds of adversities have you faced? 10% of you are currently not employed or just lost your jobs.  50% of you who have been married have also been divorced. Many have been through bankruptcy or foreclosure or repossession. All of us know what it means to lose loved ones. Some adversities could have been prevented; some could not. The question is this: “How do you cope?” Joseph of Bible times was rejected by his siblings, unfairly imprisoned and lied to by those who could help him. Yet he overcame difficulties & adversity without becoming jaded or bitter. How did he do it? By going within himself.

Joseph son of Jacob in the bible Dreamed. He was a dreamer who voiced out his dreams even into the face of those that hated him and wished him death albeit they were his brothers. Most of us won’t have vivid and highly symbolic dreams like Joseph had as recorded in the book of Genesis 37:5-10 . But the point is that we can still dream. Just as God gave Joseph dreams, the divine eternal universe has given each one of us dreams…unique talents as well. The challenge I’m posing to you is that you must know what that talent and uniqueness is. What are you passionate about? If money was no object, what would you be doing with your life? Are you aware that you are on this planet for a reason? Are you aware that as soon as you through into the universe the right thoughts there are always a means that the universe aligns itself to meet your needs? When your passion and the divine plan dovetail, you can be assured that this dream is one to pursue. You can do it. Let’s keep sharing stories like this and I hope my story is and will inspire you to get out there and dream.

But one could ask, “What if Joseph would have become self consumed in a pity party? What if he would have sulked and settled for mediocrity?” We probably would know very little about him today. The point is this: he used his gifts and the world around him was forever impacted. What are you good at? What are you gifted at? Do you know the difference? Simply being good at something does not mean that God is calling you to do it. You might be very good at digging ditches, but gifted at encouraging others through tough times. When you are using your gifts, you will experience a power in your life that comes from outside yourself and you will be amazed at your creativity, clarity of mind and energy levels. Joseph was honorable. I wish I could be a quarter what he was in attitude. If his story was a modern day’s man. I bet you it would read like a 21st century soap opera: A handsome young man is quickly promoted to CEO of the corporation. The boss’s wife, neglected by her husband, starts flirting with this young man. He persistently refuses, but her passions are fueled to the point where she schemes to seduce him by arranging a time when they are totally alone in the house. Of course we are talking about Potiphar’s wife and Joseph, Genesis 39:7-13) ) who was eventually imprisoned for refusing her advances. Do you ever use your times of adversity to compromise your values? Do you rationalize that second drink? Overeating? Becoming too friendly with the wrong people?



Always remember the integrity of Joseph. Taking the high road cost Joseph (he was falsely accused and imprisoned) but eventually became the pathway toward the fulfillment of his dreams. Joseph loved and forgave his family. Joseph had every reason to build bitterness against his brothers, but he retained his love for them as evidenced in the tender scene when Joseph reveals his identity to his brothers (Gen 45: 1-4).

Storing up unforgiveness may seem justifiable to you, but will only turn your unforgiveness to bitterness. Someone once shared this quote with me, “Unforgiveness is the poison we swallow hoping someone else will die.”  Forgive. Learn to forgive others as well as yourself also.



Joseph kept an eternal perspective.

Joseph was able to see God’s hand in his circumstances, as evidenced with these words to his brothers, “And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life. For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there are yet five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. And God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. So it was not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me a father to Pharaoh and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt.” (Gen 45: 5-8). I hope this little article of my blog has helped you start a dialogue within you. Please post your thoughts, stories of adversity on this blog and lets all share..