As I continue to grapple with the concept of my calling in life,
I've been listening to Claire in my INGS tute group campaign from behind her laptop
For the recognition of all human life as being equal,
For the importance of the international human rights movement.
I don't really know her at all but she definitely seems pretty passionate about that HR stuff.
Most of you probably haven't a clue who he is
Unless perhaps I've brought him up in conversation with you in one of my moods.
He is the greatest ever cricketer from beyond the Test-playing world.
Captain of Kenya for seven of his thirteen years in the national team,
He has also shouldered much of the batting responsibilities
And even his part-time bowling has been relied upon at times.
He oversaw Kenya's best-ever result in a World Cup -
Their semi-final appearance in 2003.
In his time he has had to contend with corruption in Kenyan cricket administration,
Eventually forcing positive change.
His presence has coincided with the introduction of inaugural Kenyan Twenty20, 50-over and 2-day competitions.
You're probably asking,
"Who cares?"
Or
"It's just cricket..?"
In fact, that's exactly what I expect from you.
But I'm not trying to stress his achievements.
This is less because of what he has done
And more about what he could have done instead.
He could have moved to England or South Africa.
He could have made more money or received more recognition that way,
But he stuck with country, remained true to his roots
And for more than a decade at that!
Despite the time and effort he has invested in Kenyan cricket,
They are still some way from reaching international standards.
Tikolo has already stepped down from his captaincy
And in 2011 he will retire from international cricket
As he passes the baton on to the next generation.
At the age of 40 he would have already devoted much of his life to a sport that isn't even professionally played in his country.
He may even move into the administration of Kenyan Cricket like his brother, Tom Tikolo.
In the late 19th Century a man called Otto Lilienthal spent his free time perfecting the art of gliding.
His wikipedia page states that he was known for
"Successful gliding".
He built a hill of dirt so he could practise gliding over further distances.
On August 9, 1896, he broke his back during a glide where a freak wind threw him to the ground.
The next day, he died.
He didn't invent the first successful plane - the Wright Brothers did -
Though, Wilbur Wright did later describe him as "easily the most important" experimenter of human aviation in the 19th Century.
Woopty-doo, right?
The human life is a peculiar thing.
In these examples it could be said that passion and interest
Rather than utility
Is enough to lead a fulfilling life.
Humanity, sport, science -
They're all worthy causes to their pioneers
As to them it was worth it.
Indeed, Lilienthal died gasping "Kleine Opfer müssen gebracht werden!"
("Small sacrifices must be made!")
But surely we can still be proud of ourselves
On our own standards
If we achieve what we set out to achieve.
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