Just be idle...its important!

Tweeting on the ferry, blogging on the matatu, chatting in the park, skyping on the bus, emailing at work. We communicate, constantly, everywhere. Every day I see people in Kampala messaging while walking, crossing the street, up and down the stairs, on the elevator, in the bathroom and even while driving (yikes!).
The social urge of communication has grown exponentially in the past decade and is now filling every idle moment of our lives.
Some may argue that this continuous communication is annoying and mostly useless, it makes people unfocused and distracted. Some may say that it is a way of relaxing, of feeling always in contact with somebody. The obvious fact is that these compulsive activities are occupying some specific spaces in our day, spaces that otherwise would be, or would seem to be, empty. 
 In the visual arts, the urge of the artist of filling every empty space with details is called horror vacui, the fear of emptiness. The resulting style is frequently overcrowded and suffocating, and not surprisingly, it is originally the artistic style of mentally ill people.
Perhaps some spaces are meant to be left empty, to give harmony and breath to the whole picture of our day. 
While endeavoring to use every single moment of “blank” time to indulge in addictive and distractive habits, indeed something does get lost.
As an auditor, my work requires intense focus on problems for long periods of time. The more I grow older and (hopefully) wiser, the more I appreciate the few pauses and moments of idleness in my day and protect them from any other casual distraction. When riding the taxi home, for instance, I make it a point to do nothing else, not to force upon myself any phone calls, e-mails, video games or activities other than being aware of my surroundings.
It takes a good self-awareness to understand the importance of doing nothing.

The Extinction of real men!

There used to be a time when men used to be real men. Those were the days when men dressed with style, spoke with wisdom and had a certain code of honour that commanded respect, praise and admiration.
Unfortunately, from the look of things, it seems that those days are far gone. In the place of men of honour, we now have men trapped in adult bodies, but carrying toddlers’ mindset, behaviour and character. Well, before you shout your lungs out. Hear me out.
Someone needs to tell men that sex, a muscular body and an expensive car doesn’t define a real man. Someone needs to tell men that a hot body and a good erection cannot provide for your family or woman. We got too many brothers nowadays obsessed with who they will lay next to the extent that they have forgotten what a real man is all about.
We got too many brothers obsessed with having a six-pack so as to look sexy and attractive among ladies they have simply forgotten what manhood is about. We got too many brothers dying to own the latest car, they are now trapped in unnecessary debts. We got brothers running around with a muscular body but with an empty head, and have no clue on personal financial management, savings and investment.
Brothers, a real man takes care of his business. A real man strikes a balance in his life and understands that family and his woman comes first above anything else. A real man respects and puts his woman first. He understands that life is not a game of sexual conquests involving oiling every cleavage you meet. A real man understands that taking care of his body and health is important. A real man understands that sending his woman to the glory land, if you know what I mean, is equally important and so is owning a nice car. However, a real man also understands that there’s more to life than simply that.
We have so many sisters out there carrying bitterness and resentment towards men because of how they have been mistreated, abused and looked down upon. We got sisters who have simply lost faith in brothers – thanks to some horny, arrogant and ignorant toddlers running around trapped in adult bodies. Women are simply looking for a useful man – a man with substance, value and principles. A man who is focused in life knows what he wants and doesn’t run around as if the existence of the earth depends on his sexual conquests and material possessions. A muscular body and a pimped up ride cannot pay the bills.
Sisters are looking for a man who talks about wealth creation and investment with the same passion he talks about Kim Kardashian’s booty, the English Premier League and latest gadgets. Real women want more than a pretty rich boy. Women want love, respect, commitment and faithfulness. Women want a man who loves, fears and respects God. A man who can prepare a nice delicious meal for his woman and family, open the door for his woman, change diapers for their kids, and more importantly a man who doesn’t treat his woman as if he was trapped into the relationship.
Brothers, it’s time to up our game. Women of today are empowered and independent. So, intimidation and manipulation just won’t cut it anymore. It’s time we become real men once again. Men of honour.Men who have a relationship with God. Men who are determined to be the greatest role models, and inspiration to our generation. It’s time we become men who command respect without having to arm-twist anyone or impress anyone with our muscular bodies, yet have nothing between our ears. It’s time we simply become real men.