The Annoying Bell

Attending a school with three sets of bells meant everything was well-organised and precise. Each bell had its own purpose, but there’s one in particular that still echoes in my mind, even eight years after leaving those gates. You might wonder why I say "gates" in plural; well, it’s because our school had no fence, so anywhere could be a gate. That was probably one of the first traumas, if I’m not exaggerating.

Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce you to the Annoying Bell—the MIGHTY “GOOONG“. It was the assembly and morning prep bell. If you’ve ever watched wrestling, the sound was similar to The Undertaker's bell. Just imagine how intense that was.

The sound of that bell could jolt you awake from the deepest sleep with just one ring. It could make you sprint two kilometres from the farthest field in school. It could even force you to leave the shower with soap still in your eyes. When it rang at 11 a.m., all the teachers had to leave their classes, and students had to gather at the assembly ground. That bell was taken as seriously as a national anthem. Even the cooks and support staff likely stopped in their tracks when they heard it. I’m sure some of you can relate; like hearing the token meter noise at home or the cockpit warning alarms on an aircraft, very annoying.

Sleeping at 11:30 p.m. only to be startled awake by that bell at 5 a.m. was probably every student’s worst nightmare. I don’t know if it’s still there, but if I could, I would have sold it as scrap metal. I’m sure the big tree that held this bell is also traumatised. Honestly, I don’t know how the bell ringers did it without ear muffs.

We’ve all been there! Many of you have had your own version of the annoying bell in real life. Whether it’s dealing with an annoying boss, a noisy neighbour, Nairobi’s infamous traffic jams, a malfunctioning Wi-Fi router just when you need it most, or stepping in a puddle during the rainy season and ruining your favourite shoes, life has its way of testing our patience.

But you’re probably waiting for the positive takeaway. Here’s what this story can teach us:

• Patience and Tolerance: Dealing with something annoying builds patience and tolerance. It reminds us that not everything in life will be pleasant, but we can choose how we respond.
• Mindfulness: An annoying sound can bring us back to the present moment. It reminds us to practice mindfulness and focus on our breathing or surroundings to stay calm.
• Problem-Solving: It encourages us to find solutions. Whether it’s fixing the bell, muffling the sound, or addressing the root cause, it pushes us to be proactive.
• Perspective: Sometimes, what we find annoying is just a minor inconvenience in the grand scheme of things. It helps us put things into perspective and appreciate the bigger picture.
• Adaptability: Learning to adapt to annoying situations can make us more resilient and flexible in other areas of life.

What are your thoughts?

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