Ann Njeri Didn’t Turn Out To Be A Nun, But She’s Still True To Her Calling

Susan notes: I met the beautiful and amazing Ann Njeri at the Initiatives of Change Tools for Change conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in February 2009.

Although still a relatively young (she’s in her mid-twenties), Ann
Njeri bowled me over with her confidence, energy, positive outlook and
wit. Over a period of three days, I had the pleasure of sharing 12
hours with her and a group of about ten other women from around the
world in a Peace Circle led by Jean Brown and Ann Njeri herself. It was
a moving and transformational experience.

Now, Ann Njeri shares her travel and cultural experiences as her life journey continues…

Dear friends (July 8, 2009)
 
“When I grow up I want to be a nun and a nurse” was one of my childhood
dreams. Now that I am grown up, I have become none of that! And there
begins my story.
 
One of the reasons I wanted to be a nun and a nurse was to serve
people. I was brought up in a catholic church and nuns were a common
feature and therefore my dream should surprise no one. I always admired
the nun’s services in the church as well as their heartfelt community
services.

One of the outstanding services was their clinics and mobile
dispensaries- where I got many of my treatments whenever I was sick
since they were economic friendly! The unknown fact is that besides
their service to people, I also truly admired their outfits! Ha!

The very strong call to be a nun disappeared in the thin air when I was in my sweet sixteen moments. I had visited my in-laws over Christmas time and they took me out for celebrations and they made me “sin”! For the first time in my life I drank some wine, and to make it go down my throat, they mixed it with coke.
 
Nuns do not drink (“are not supposed” instead of “do not” suits this era??). I felt that I had betrayed the trust between me and God.
 
And that marked the end of that dream.
 
I never drank again, until I was 20 years and I stopped at 21. Thanks God. But let’s save that story for another day.
 
By the time I was 22, it was all evident that somehow, somewhere…I had lost all my passion for people and heart felt services. I had become commercialized and I had little or no time to contemplate and reflect on my heart’s aspirations and passion. I had no time to listen to the true me, the very noble me who is not biased nor corrupt by the external existence and circumstances.  The ‘me’ who knows and understands too well that my purpose in this life is to serve people, to serve humanity. And by so doing I will be serving God-the one chap that comes second to none in my life.
 
‘You see, we never give God a chance to tell us what he would like us to do. We are always bombarding him with our endless lists of Do’s and Don’s,’ said my friend -whom I consider my messenger from heaven. ‘God always speaks to us if we let him, his voice is always still and clear.’ He continued ‘That voice is within you, it’s always there, just make some time everyday and be in silence …and listen. Write down the thoughts, just incase you forget.’ he explained.
 
Being the “good Christian” that I was, I totally understood a little bit too much of what he was saying.
 
He was sharing with me the philosophy of Initiatives of Change organization (www.IofC.org) – (currently am a high addict of the philosophy – you need not worry!)

That was my turning point!
 
The first thought “apologize to my sister” I was ready to do anything else that God wanted me to- except this! ‘But how will your sister change if you don’t set an example’ the voice kept on! I managed to swallow my pride after several months and that was done! I felt like I had developed wings…..talk of inner freedom and liberation! That was a big block kicked out of my way!
 
The time in silence brought me in contact with my inner self. I was 25 by then and the practice helped me to recapture my enthusiasm and passion for serving people.
 
I now got it (serving humanity) at the core of my heart. I am not ready to let it go away again. It is the one thing that I am ready to be over protective about. Because after all is done, after my life comes to a halt….I want to look back and smile. For I will rest assured that out of my service-as small as it might be- someone got a smile on their face, someone got hope to live one more day, someone got inspiration to think beyond themselves and another probably got the motivation to serve humanity selflessly, honestly, lovingly and purely!
 
‘You would be a funky nun’ said one lovely student from India after I shared my childhood dream with the class. Ha!
 
Though I am not a nun neither a nurse, I can still do what my heart is so reasonably passionate about. Giving love and hope to humanity in big and/or small ways.
Dear friend,
 
“When I grow up I want to be a nun and a nurse” was one of my childhood dreams. Now that I am grown up, I have become none of that! And there begins my story.
 
One of the reasons I wanted to be a nun and a nurse was to serve people. I was brought up in a catholic church and nuns were a common feature and therefore my dream should surprise no one. I always admired the nun’s services in the church as well as their heartfelt community services. One of the outstanding services was their clinics and mobile dispensaries- where I got many of my treatments whenever I was sick since they were economic friendly! The unknown fact is that besides their service to people, I also truly admired their outfits! Ha!
 
The very strong call to be a nun disappeared in the thin air when I was in my sweet sixteen moments. I had visited my in-laws over Christmas time and they took me out for celebrations and they made me “sin”! For the first time in my life I drank some wine, and to make it go down my throat, they mixed it with coke.
 
Nuns do not drink (“are not supposed” instead of “do not” suits this era??). I felt that I had betrayed the trust between me and God.
 
And that marked the end of that dream.
 
I never drank again, until I was 20 years and I stopped at 21. Thanks God. But let’s save that story for another day.
 
By the time I was 22, it was all evident that somehow, somewhere…I had lost all my passion for people and heart felt services. I had become commercialized and I had little or no time to contemplate and reflect on my heart’s aspirations and passion. I had no time to listen to the true me, the very noble me who is not biased nor corrupt by the external existence and circumstances.  The ‘me’ who knows and understands too well that my purpose in this life is to serve people, to serve humanity. And by so doing I will be serving God-the one chap that comes second to none in my life.
 
‘You see, we never give God a chance to tell us what he would like us to do. We are always bombarding him with our endless lists of Do’s and Don’s,’ said my friend -whom I consider my messenger from heaven. ‘God always speaks to us if we let him, his voice is always still and clear.’ He continued ‘That voice is within you, it’s always there, just make some time everyday and be in silence …and listen. Write down the thoughts, just incase you forget.’ he explained.
 
Being the “good Christian” that I was, I totally understood a little bit too much of what he was saying.
 
He was sharing with me the philosophy of Initiatives of Change organization (www.IofC.org) – (currently am a high addict of the philosophy – you need not worry!)

That was my turning point!
 
The first thought “apologize to my sister” I was ready to do anything else that God wanted me to- except this! ‘But how will your sister change if you don’t set an example’ the voice kept on! I managed to swallow my pride after several months and that was done! I felt like I had developed wings…..talk of inner freedom and liberation! That was a big block kicked out of my way!
 
The time in silence brought me in contact with my inner self. I was 25 by then and the practice helped me to recapture my enthusiasm and passion for serving people.
 
I now got it (serving humanity) at the core of my heart. I am not ready to let it go away again. It is the one thing that I am ready to be over protective about. Because after all is done, after my life comes to a halt….I want to look back and smile. For I will rest assured that out of my service-as small as it might be- someone got a smile on their face, someone got hope to live one more day, someone got inspiration to think beyond themselves and another probably got the motivation to serve humanity selflessly, honestly, lovingly and purely!
 
‘You would be a funky nun’ said one lovely student from India after I shared my childhood dream with the class. Ha!
 
Though I am not a nun neither a nurse, I can still do what my heart is so reasonably passionate about. Giving love and hope to humanity in big and/or small ways.

Ann

Related Links:
Ann Njeri Reports on Poverty in Cambodia
Take The Initiative, You Can Make A Difference
Ann Njeri Takes a Pledge of Peace
Initiatives of Change
Action for Life