Did I ever tell you about Karimi’s neighbour’s quest for a lush green lawn? Sit for this one as I help you, as I was helped, to mind your business and live a queit life.
I call this one: The Greener Grass on the Other Side is Lots of Work or maybe, Stop Keeping Up With the Jonases
You’ve heard the saying, “The grass is always greener on the other side.” Well, let me tell you about the story my friend Karimi told me. It left me forever changed.
Karimi started. Muthoni, I have my neighbour, Mr. Mumo, who believed this saying with all his heart. He would peer over the fence every morning, coffee in hand, and sigh dramatically as he admired my lush green lawn. He swore it was greener than his and decided it was time to act.
One Saturday morning, I woke up to the symphony of heavy machinery. Peeking outside, I saw Mr. Mumo had hired an entire landscaping crew. They were ripping out his patchy, dry grass and laying down rolls of fresh turf that looked like it had been dyed in a factory.
The next day, I saw him watering it with a hose in one hand and a fan in the other (he said the grass needed “wind simulation”). By midweek, he was outside talking to his lawn, probably reciting motivational verses like, “You can grow this!” Meanwhile, I sat on my porch, sipping tea, watching this spectacle unfold.
One week later, Mr. Mumo’s new grass was turning brown. He stormed over, waving an empty fertilizer packet in the air, and demanded to know my secret. I smiled and said, “I water it every day, pull out the weeds by hand, and mow it weekly. It’s not magic—just consistent effort.”
His jaw dropped. “Wait… so it’s hard work?”
I laughed. “Oh, yes. The greener grass comes with a lot of sweat.”
The moral? If the grass looks greener on the other side, it’s probably because someone is working harder on it—or it’s fake. Either way, be prepared to roll up your sleeves because greener grass, much like a fruitful life, is a result of consistent, intentional effort. Or, as Mr. Mumo would now say, “That lawn life is no joke!”
Keeping Up With the Jonases: A Full-Time Job
Let me save you some trouble—just like the grass, keeping up with the Jonases is like running a marathon with a fridge strapped to your back. It’s exhausting, unnecessary, and downright absurd.
Let’s take my fictional friend, Sam, for example. The Jonas family down the street got a shiny new Range Rover last year. Naturally, Sam decided he had to upgrade from his perfectly functional small Toyota car. But the Jonases’ Range Rover had all the bells and whistles—leather seats, Wi-Fi, and cup holders that could probably keep your tea hot for hours. So Sam didn’t just get any Range Rover; he got one with self-driving features. The problem? He couldn’t afford it. He ended up financing it for 15 years. That’s not a car loan; that’s a mortgage!
Not one to stop there, Sam noticed the Jonases put in a swimming pool. Never mind that he doesn’t even like swimming, let alone cleaning leaves out of the water. But Sam, being Sam, got a pool too—one so big his backyard now looks like a waterpark for mosquitoes.
The breaking point came when the Jonases remodeled their kitchen. Sam was determined to top it. He went all out: granite countertops, a double oven (though he only knows how to boil eggs), and a fridge so fancy it texts you when you’re low on milk. Impressive, right? Until his wife pointed out they now couldn’t afford the milk the fridge was texting them about.
That’s when Sam threw in the towel. “I’m done!” he declared one morning, wiping sweat off his brow as he watched the Jonases unpack a trampoline. “Let them keep their trampoline. I’m going to enjoy my life… and my debt.”
So here’s the thing: keeping up with the Jonases isn’t just hard—it’s expensive, stressful, and hilariously unnecessary. The Joneses probably aren’t even thinking about you. They’re too busy trying to keep up with someone else! So, save your wallet, your sanity, and your dignity. Instead of keeping up, how about sitting down with a cup of tea and a good laugh? Life is better when you stay in your own lane… or driveway.
Here are three lessons from the story:
Lesson 1: Contentment Brings Peace
Mr. Mumo and Sam both fell into the trap of comparison, believing they needed more to be happy. The truth is, chasing after what others have only leads to frustration, debt, and exhaustion.
“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.” (1 Timothy 6:6-7)
Rather than coveting what others have, focus on what God has already provided for you. True contentment comes from knowing that God meets our needs and gives us what is best in His perfect timing.
Lesson 2: Hard Work Yields Lasting Results
Karimi’s well-maintained lawn didn’t happen overnight. It was the result of consistent effort and care. Similarly, success in any area of life—whether spiritual growth, relationships, or career—requires diligence and discipline.
“The lazy do not roast any game, but the diligent feed on the riches of the hunt.” (Proverbs 12:27)
Instead of seeking shortcuts or envying others, commit to the process of growth. Faithfulness in small things leads to big results.
Lesson 3: Stay in Your Lane and Live Quietly
Sam’s endless quest to outdo the Jonases left him financially drained and emotionally exhausted. The Bible calls us to live simply and mind our own business, focusing on what God has called us to do.
“Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.” (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12)
Life isn’t about impressing others—it’s about faithfulness to God and living with purpose. When we stop comparing and start appreciating, we find true joy.
So…
The grass may seem greener on the other side, but someone is watering it, weeding it, and working hard for it. Instead of looking over the fence, tend to your own patch with diligence, gratitude, and contentment. God has given you all you need for a flourishing life—right where you are!
So, what book is in my hand today? The Ideal Startup by Nicholas Aruho.
Now, before you sigh and mutter, “Oh no, not another business book,” let me stop you right there. This isn’t your typical jargon-filled, sleep-inducing guide. No, my friends, this book is like a GPS for the chaotic jungle of startups—especially for those navigating the unique challenges of the African business landscape.
Here’s the thing: starting a business can feel a lot like trying to keep up with the Jonases (remember those guys?). The flashy competitors, the trendy offices, the Instagram-perfect marketing campaigns—it’s enough to make you want to curl up under a blanket and stick to your 9-to-5. But this book? It doesn’t tell you to fake it till you make it. Instead, it gives you the practical tools to build something real.
Nicholas Aruho walks you through every step of the process, from brainstorming your business idea to crafting a pitch deck that won’t put investors to sleep. He even tackles the fun stuff—like tax compliance and legal requirements. (Okay, maybe “fun” is a stretch, but at least you won’t end up with a surprise visit from the taxman!)
And because this book is tailored to the African market, it doesn’t just drop generic advice. It’s packed with tips and strategies that work in our context—where raising startup capital sometimes means pitching to your relatives and convincing your aunties that your business idea is better than a goat for your dowry.
Whether you’re figuring out how to lead a team, manage records, or execute a marketing strategy that actually lands clients, The Ideal Startup equips you with the know-how to run a business without running yourself into the ground. So, if you’re tired of merely “keeping up” and ready to start building something meaningful, this is the book for you.
Because let’s face it: greener grass is overrated. A thriving startup? Now that’s worth watering!
Did I mention that The Ideal Startup by Nicholas Aruho is the content of the year 2024 in the African Christian Authors Book Award (ACABA) by CLC Kenya? Oh yes, it earned that title—and with good reason! The judges had this to say:
Judges’ Feedback for The Ideal Startup:
The content of the book is exceptionally rich, providing valuable insights and practical guidance. It stands out as a masterpiece for startups, offering strategies and principles that are not only innovative but also highly applicable for new business ventures. Moreover, the book demonstrates an impressive level of clarity and polish, with no notable errors detected.
While the book does not explicitly reference Scripture, its teachings and principles align well with Christian values. When applied within a Christian business context, the content has the potential to significantly enhance operations and foster Kingdom-focused success.
Now, I don’t know about you, but when a book gets such glowing feedback, it’s like hearing someone rave about a dish you’ve never tried—you know you’re about to add it to your must-have list. The Ideal Startup isn’t just a book; it’s an investment in your entrepreneurial journey, providing practical tools that will set your business up for success without requiring a business degree or a million-dollar budget.
So, if this is your year to step into the world of startups or refine your current hustle, this book is your golden ticket. With Kingdom-focused strategies, actionable insights, and a clear roadmap, you’ll be trading in the stress of “keeping up with the Jonases” for the joy of running your business God’s way.
To find more about Nicholas, and his inspiring work, please visit https://africanauthors.net/nicholas-aruho
With Christian Literature Communications – CLC Kenya
With Christian Literature Communications – CLC Kenya
African Christian Authors Book Award – ACABA
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