Happy World Poetry Day

 I believe, from studying poetry, engaging poets from all over Africa and studying poetry for my second degree, that poetry is not about the words that you read but about how you feel when you read those words.

This below is one of my favourite poems in the entire world.


I’m Nobody! Who are you?
Are you – Nobody – too?
Then there’s a pair of us!
Don't tell! they'd advertise – you know!

How dreary – to be – Somebody!
How public – like a Frog –
To tell one’s name – the livelong June –
To an admiring Bog!

By Emily Dickinson.

Happy World Poetry Day.

Playing

 Playing.

From ages 5 to 8, I was extremely shy in class and wouldn't say a word, until it came to sports and games.

That's when my powers, lit by the electrifying touch of the playground would surge through my veins.

I became The Incredible Bev.

Tearing off my outer clothes and showing my Cape, I'd fly across, charging with exuberance.

I see that happening a lot in Team Building.  The unassuming and inconspicuous participant suddenly flaps their wings and shocks everyone.

There's so much that can be learned from playing games.

Firstly, you learn that all the organisational strategic planning, social etiquette and lessons on self development diminish. Suddenly,  it's all about winning and everyone has their teeth in the game.

When divided in teams, members are quick to discern that the big office talkers are not necessarily the most agile.

People's competitiveness reaches its peak when they demand a rematch.

The stakes are high. Tempers flare.

People reorganise their teams. Winning is a must. Nothing else matters. They will roll in the dust, jump on balloons and run the three-legged race to win.

And that's when the highest form of team Building is seen. No need for a planning meeting. Just let them play games. Let them rehash their primary sports.

Playing.

So much can be learned. In order to win, to reach your goals, sometimes you have to get all hard and give it your all, poise and perfection aside.

Bless!

Beverley

Women's Day 2024

Some time in 2021

 As a woman, I have often allowed the people who steered the Titanic to guide me, instead of allowing those who built the ark.

I do not always need professional support. Sometimes, I need support from someone who has crossed the threshold of perfectionism and they are living each day by sound faith and judgement. I need to be guided by the person who is willing to be foolish in the name of wisdom because their heart heard the words of God and they will not compromise.

We must have both kinds of people in our lives. Dr. Myles Munroe said that the most important training that pastors should have is Business Management, so that when they gain access to so much money from tithes and offertory, they are more inclined to manage it properly. Business Management and Leadership are the primary courses that pastors for pastors. 

With all our spiritual ability, add a touch of professionalism, too.

As a woman, you need to hear from the person who has surpassed professionalism and their lives are now accelerated by faith.

The one who built the ark built it to perfection and yet in order to start, it took faith. Faith in the face of folly. Faith in the face of  mockery. That's the person we need to guide us, who is not led by their  title but by something much higher and more powerful.

As a woman, not ever person with the right credentials is supposed to be in my driver's seat. Not everyone with the right speech, is meant to be speaking into my life. It's the person who has crossed that threshold and now their journey is just accelerated by faith, because they are in a place where there is no other option but to live by faith. Professionalism alone, is not enough.

That is the person whom I need to guide me.

Happy Women's Day Y'all women

Beverley Nambozo Nsengiyunva

The Diamond Sparkles in the Darkness

The diamond sparkles in the darkness.

In various ways, we have experienced a darkness in our lives, which consumes us like a ravenous buffalo. It shrouds over our thoughts and waking moment.

When we sit down to a task, the darkness hovers over, taunting us like a witch on its broomstick, taunting us while holding the key to our dreams.  

And like everyone reading this post, darkness loomed over me like an irrepressible storm. It came through the numerous failed attempts at launching various projects. The failure was neither due to lack of skill nor lack of willingness and availability. Without reasonable explanation, certain projects failed to launch.

2024 is here and I decided to wait. Not to lounge around in laziness but to wait in expectation. The seeds had been sown. 

Chinese philosophy Wu-Wei encourages us to remain resolute in our purpose by not fretting and allowing ourselves to live in our flow. In other words, instead of stressing over doing so much, just go with the flow, which is your purpose. When you wait and remain unfettered, the flow happens.

2024 is that flow.

And the diamond has begun to sparkle.

May your diamonds sparkle this year.

Bless!

Beverley Nambozo Nsengiyunva

Photo by Spring Media, Ntinda Uganda

I Like Rich People

 I like to spend time with rich people; those who have earned their income honestly. They are usually generous and good listeners. Some have 9am to 5pm jobs, while others have businesses.

By the way, you need to stop listening to people who tell you to quit your job. Do so when you have a plan, or at least when you deeply feel that it is time to do leave. 

The ones I enjoy time with most are those who do not criticize other people’s woes.

For example, scoffing at others who  have faced financial struggles. The faux rich whom I detest are those type, who speak like this.

‘Can you imagine, so and so came to me for a loan. Imagine that!'

These people are defined by their riches and therefore are rather fickle and insecure.

Rich people on the whole, are important in our lives. They make our world a better place because many are able to support their families, communities and they also employ others. They are also able to live a life that is admirable.

Furthermore, I enjoy the company of wealthy people. I like the way wealthy people are usually relaxed.

Wealthy people make the world a better place, especially those who have worked honestly and are ready to extend their favour to others.

Yesterday, 20 February, I received a copy of ‘The Billionaire’s Disease,’ a novel written by Godfrey Kalimugogo, published in 2014. It was his fifteenth novel before his death. Mr. Kalimugogo was also a father to my friend, Pearl.

In this book, Anthony Kagoro has been listed as Uganda’s latest billionaire, a status which drives him into a complex and bizarre state of  paranoia and irreversible mental torture. 

His billionaire status leads him to become trapped in his extreme state of megalanomania, that he imagines himself a target for assassins, as a result purchasing armoured vehicles and hiring expensive security guards for himself and his wife and son. 

Such is his extremity that his wife and son escape from Anthony’s state of delusion, where they have been imprisoned by his absurdities.

The end of the novel is quite revealing of how the inability to control oneself, leads to self-destruction.

The fictional character of Anthony Kagoro reminds me of people who are unable to ride on a safe boda (motor bike used as a taxi), or enter a matatu (passenger taxi for 14 people) , because they are afraid that their self-image will crumble.

There was a time when I was such a professional boda rider that I would even apply lipstick while riding. Not anymore. I matured. (smile). I do know that when I drive a Bentley or disembark from a boda boda, my confidence and honour remain unchanged. 

I will always recommend that for people to receive the beauty of a diverse living, that they relocate to another country or city, even for a month, or start a side venture.

Copies of this book should become available in online and physical bookstores in Kampala.

Beverley Nambozo Nsengiyunva

Kampala

Your Destiny Is In Greater Hands

We do not realize the impact we have as adults, on children?

I had a chat with a friend over the weekend and she spoke of how a certain head teacher was so diabolical and disgraceful towards her that over 30 years later, she still remembered the grief, and recently this friend had the opportunity to tell this former head teacher of the brutal treatment she had meted out to her.

Here I am with my former student of 24 years ago, whom I met over the weekend.

How many people are thrilled to meet their former employers?

Even when you leave an organisation with grace and dignity, some employers are so filled with unscrupulous behaviour that they will not give you a good reference, which makes us all the more grateful for the changing work landscape, giving us more control over our destiny, using creative tools and excellent networking.

Wherever you are as a supervisor, manager or CEO, maintain a firm and consistent behaviour, go by the guidelines and maintain your stance.

You must NEVER EVER make people feel they are not worthy, that they do not belong and that they are of no significance in a place. That breeds trauma and resentment. Always be respectful to people. Even when you may need to discipline them in any way, treat them with respect and dignity.

Kevin O'Leary, a leading entrepreneur with Shark Tank, says that while working in an ice cream parlour, his supervisor asked him to scrape chewing gum off the floor, to which Kevin refused. He was dismissed after this, which led him to determine never ever to work for anyone again.

Now one of the most successful entrepreneurs in the world, he wanted to return to that supervisor and thank her for leading him to a far greater destiny.

Even with an unfair dismissal, or an unacceptable job reference from a former employer, your destiny is in greater hands.

Keep going, 2024 is your year!

Remembered After 24 years

 Yesterday, 17 February, after supporting a team of public speakers and leaders at a huge meeting under Toastmasters,  one young gentleman, a fine speaker, walked up to me.

"I remember you. You taught me at Makerere College School."

He remembered me after 24 years. A number of the students I taught would actually be in their 30s. Am I proud, or what? I am twirling in my teaching experience. My mentoring, coaching and training experiences and impact have extended beyond borders, an experience which a classroom designation would not have given me. 

And so, even though I have hardly spent time as an official classroom teacher, I have built a dream for myself and others.

For my Advanced level at high school, I studied at Makerere College School, one of the finest schools within Kampala City. I was appointed the Head girl too, from 1996.

After my first degree, during my student teacher practice, I opted to train from there. That was in the years 1999 and 2000.

And this gentleman remembered me. I am content, and curious to know  how my other former students are doing.

My first official teaching job was at Rainbow International School Kampala, in 2001. I taught for one year and that was my initial international teaching experience that thrust me into a diverse and exciting world.

For over 20 years, I've consulted,  having visited over 30 schools in Africa, training both students and teachers in public speaking, designing curricula,  supporting their poetry departments and debating clubs. 

In between,  I worked at a radio station for 2 years and an NGO for 2 years.

This has enabled me to remain constantly aware of my strengths and weaknesses, while building strong networks globally.

Here I am, February 2024. Ready for my year.

Beverley Nambozo Nsengiyunva

Kampala