Faith Is The Only Thing You Can Take Beyond This Life

I was seven when I first heard it. Not from a person, but from God.

“You will change the world.”

It lasted a second.

But I think I have been chasing the meaning of that second ever since, and I have probably just found it.

My name is Titus Kiragu (wa) Kariuki, alias “Carerra.”

I was born in Eastlands, East Nairobi, and raised in Kariobangi. Life then was interesting.

But even then, I felt like I was living in someone’s answered prayer, many at times even.

Now I am 24-soon to be 25, living in America, and 8 year old me would be surprised by where I have ended up. I am not entirely where I want to be (yet), but I am glad I am not where I used to be either.

“Majamaa tumetoka mbali.” I would always say.

And the truth is: Some blessings do not shout. They whisper. And they arrive quietly, disguised as normal days.

So in retrospect, what would be a dream day to my 8 year old self today is a regular Tuesday.

One of the many life lessons I have learned: Confidence and humility must walk hand-in-hand. Be bold enough to believe you are meant for more, but grounded enough to know you do not need applause.

I had a wake up call at my first job. Nobody in the office cares that you were the high school valedictorian. They just want you to do the job, and the job is what pays the bills. That taught me something: Know your place in the grand scheme of things, then rise accordingly.

My former colleague told me something: “Titus, you know how to read the room well.” That showed me I must be doing something right

Man, I have never bee in a relationship, but I have realized not all good girls are wife material.

Some are meant to teach you.

Others are meant to test you.

And some are meant to pass through like rain.

These days, I live by one mantra:

“God’s got you. He has already orchestrated the path. You just have to walk it in faith.”

After all, faith is the only thing you can take beyond this life. All else is rented.

Reminds me of a quote from Marcus Aurelius:

“What are you afraid of losing when nothing in this world belongs to you?”

That hits harder the more you grow.

At this point, I have come to peace with mortality.

I know it is easy to say that until my loved ones are taken, but I still believe it is just another phase of life.

And after you die, life moves on.

(It is August 5th, and Diogo Jota did not come to mind until I mentioned him. It is not even been 30 days…and his replacement was already bought for €90M). See my point?

These days, I optimize for peace: Peace is very expensive.

It costs time, pruning, discipline, silence.

But it is the only thing that makes the noise bearable.

The goal is simple:

Have one good day.

Then iterate it for the rest of your life.

That is how you build a good life.