The question often is, are you a reader? But the even bigger question is, why aren’t you a reader? Finding the time to sit down with a good book can seem like an impossible luxury with adulting and capitalism on the win. However, as we celebrate World Book and Copyright Day, it’s essential to reflect on the importance of reading and why it should be an integral part of your life. But, beyond that, we also spotlight Qwani, a foundation dedicated to promoting readership and providing a platform for young writers to get published, as it plays a crucial role in cultivating a reading culture among people.

Reading is not just about words on a page; it’s about expanding our horizons, exploring new worlds, and gaining valuable insights into the human experience. In a world where distractions are plentiful, books offer a sanctuary, a place where we can immerse ourselves in stories, ideas, and perspectives that enrich our lives. Lessons without unfortunately learning through experience.

One of the significant benefits of reading is that it enhances our emotional intelligence. Do you ever talk to someone who simply struggles to express their emotions? People who struggle with understanding your emotions? That’s how showy it is when you don’t read. When we read, we are exposed to a vast array of emotions, and we learn to understand and empathize with different perspectives. Books are the windows to the human soul. They enable us to experience emotions and situations that we may not encounter in our daily lives, thus increasing our emotional intelligence.

My biggest red flag in people is a lack of empathy, run away from people who are not empathetic. Reading is a gateway to empathy. When we read, we step into the shoes of characters from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. We learn to see the world through their eyes, fostering empathy and understanding. Through books, we can walk in someone else’s shoes, experiencing their joys, sorrows, and struggles. This fosters empathy, compassion, and a deeper understanding of the world around us.

But, if your excuse for not reading is volume and attention span, consider anthologies like Qwani. Keith Ang’ana addresses this by saying, “…but it is exactly that matter which we’re using to curate the book.”(talking about short attention spans) Qwani’s approach is to provide a diverse range of content, including stories as short as one page long and others as long as eleven pages. “One can, slowly by slowly, start by reading the shorter stories, and then, progressively, get to the longer stories, as they build up their reading capacity,” Keith Ang’ana suggests.

Qwani addresses this by providing a diverse array of content, all under one roof. “We have Poetry, we have Short Stories, we have Philosophy, we have Science, we have Sheng stories, and we also have reviews about Film and Music,” Keith Ang’ana explains. “Furthermore, they are spread out in the book, such that, at no point in time will you cross over from one piece to another both of the same genre or same theme. This, then, helps in making it colourful and diverse, alleviating the initial boredom that encumbers people from reading longer works.”

For anyone trying to get back to reading books, I suggest anthologies like Qwani

As we celebrate World Book and Copyright Day, let’s remember the immense value of reading. Through books, we can expand our horizons, cultivate empathy, and sharpen our minds. If you are writer, please continue to paint the world with your words, and for the readers, may we always find solace in books. With initiatives like Qwani, we have the opportunity not only to enjoy the benefits of reading but also to contribute to a culture of readership that enriches lives and communities. “Qwani is a foundation pushing for more readership by providing young writers with a platform to get published. We’re also aiming to cultivate a reading culture among people,” Keith Ang’ana concludes. And I am happy to watch Qwani soar and achieve this dream.

Qwani-ni hauna copy? Grab yourself the second edition of Qwani’s anthology here.

In a world where everything is moving so fast, there’s something incredibly liberating about letting ourselves cry. Creating time to take deep breaths and cry. It doesn’t have to be a wail or a scream, just a sigh that lets you breathe. It’s a powerful and natural expression of our emotions that plays a crucial role in our mental and emotional well-being. So, grab a tissue, cosy up, and let’s explore why it’s important to embrace those tears.

Someone said to me; that when you do not cry, other parts of you weep. And I thought about it a lot. When we stifle our tears and suppress our feelings, they don’t simply disappear; instead, they seep into the depths of our being, creating a reservoir of unexpressed pain and sorrow. This silent cry of the soul manifests itself in various ways, often without us even realizing it.

One of the most common consequences of suppressing our emotions is seeking solace in alcohol and drugs. Unable to cope with the weight of our unshed tears, we turn to temporary distractions to numb the pain and dull the ache. What starts as a means of escape can quickly spiral into a cycle of addiction and self-destruction, as we desperately try to silence the silent cries within us. Because why do you have to drink so much?

The refusal to acknowledge and process our emotions can lead to chronic frustration and discontentment. Like a pressure cooker without a release valve, our unexpressed feelings simmer beneath the surface, waiting for an opportunity to erupt. This simmering frustration can manifest as irritability, mood swings, and outbursts of anger, leaving us feeling emotionally drained and disconnected from ourselves and others. You know when someone does something and you get so irrevocably mad you can’t even explain why you got so mad in the first place? Chances are you haven’t cried in a while.

So, why is it important to let those tears flow anyway? Because crying is not a sign of weakness; it’s a courageous act of self-care and self-expression. When we allow ourselves to cry, we create a pathway for healing and transformation, releasing the pent-up emotions that weigh us down and allowing light to enter the darkest corners of our souls.

By embracing vulnerability and embracing our tears and that it is okay that sometimes things are not okay, we open ourselves up to the possibility of true healing and wholeness. Instead of seeing crying as a sign of weakness, we can reframe it as an act of courage and strength, a willingness to confront our deepest fears and vulnerabilities head-on.

In the end, remember this: when you don’t cry, other parts of you will weep. So, let yourself be vulnerable. Allow yourself to feel deeply and express your emotions freely, knowing that in doing so, you are honouring the truth of who you are and paving the way for a life filled with authenticity, connection, and joy. After all, as the poet Rumi once said, “The wound is the place where the Light enters you.”

Find out what Becca and her friends think on Men Crying, https://youtu.be/bPjAYBCAAnw?si=AnJNh8tb1z2ykonZ

Adulting is truly a second job. It’s like every day is another round in the ring with responsibilities, bills, that ever-present need to sustain a hustle to keep everything afloat and school. So, I’m here wondering, is it just me who’s constantly tired lately?

But hey, the “Adulting Weekend” or as the Christians would prefer to call it; Easter, is just around the corner, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. From Good Friday on March 29th, which is a public holiday, Easter Sunday on March 31st, observed as an observance day and Easter Monday on April 1st, also a public holiday. A time traditionally marked by its spiritual significance and the promise of renewal offers a much-needed break from the relentless pace of adult life. A sort of renewal on its own.

And you know how Kenyans do it whether it’s Easter or not, give us a reason to celebrate, and we’ll turn it into a party. But, as we dive into the Easter sherehe, from the get-togethers to the sacred moments, let’s not forget to hit the pause button. It’s important to take a breather and rejuvenate. To unplug from the daily and truly rest. As we gear up for the lively and go-getter April, this Easter break is the perfect time – a chance to relax, refresh and recharge.

Take that long nap without feeling guilty, spend quality time with family and friends without peeking at emails, and allow your mind to wander off script every now and then. These small moments of rest are not just acts of self-care; they’re essential for keeping our inner fires burning.

To all of us navigating this crazy dance of adulting while looking forward to the Easter festivities, let’s make a pact to rest and rejuvenate. It’s in these moments of pause that we find the strength to keep pushing forward. Here’s to a chill Easter and a fired-up Aries Season.