Our field team had a different kind of field day in Njukiiri Forest, Embu – an end of year treat by Climate Pal, our wahifadhi in the Hifadhi Mazingira project.
We climbed walls, walked on a suspended bridge, rolled car tyres, passed each other through a specially constructed ‘spiders web’ — all competitively, in teams. I took home Shs 400 in prize winnings, and a very happy mood.
In the evening, reflecting on the day, I jotted down 10 thoughts:
1. Don’t take life ONLY seriously. There is time to work, rest, play….
2. Working together has challenges, but in the end teams win over working alone.
3. Everyone in a team is valuable. Each has a different gift, strength, role. Even the small and weak count. My grand children, 5 years and 3 years, became favorite team members in at least two events – passing through the spiders web and being lifted by the other team members over a wall.
4. Strategy, followthrough and patience (with yourself and others) are critical success factors in any game or activity.
5. Pain, shocks, disappoints are inevitable, and often more frequent than the brief moments of celebration. Learn to endure.
6. A balancing act calls for coordination and patience but it is necessary to move along a shaky situation.
7. Eat. Drink water. Tie up your shoes. Tuck in loose clothes – it’s called maintenance. It is inevitable as life goes on.
8. Follow instruction. Find the directions. Line up those who go off the path. Otherwise the whole team will become ineffective.
9. Acknowledge defeat and congratulate your opponents! It’s the fair response when life’s turns so dictate.
10. Celebrate even small milestones. It builds the team’s motivation
… And one more, although it does not fit in in the list… Watch your weight, lest you stall both yourself and the team!
Haron Wachira 