In Kenya, Of All Places, I Realized That Nice Guys Win.

Hamisi. A cheerful smile and a good sense of humor can brighten anyone's day.

Mwambeyu. My family is sponsoring him now! He worked so hard. He loved his family so much.

Fredrick. A gentleman.

Dennis. He loved basketball SO much. he played every single day after school for hours at a time. He taught me that being passionate in something makes you stronger.

There is no correlation between Kenya and realizing that nice guys should win. (However, above are some men that taught me about what it means to be a good person.) I just finally pinpointed that WHILE in Kenya. Some amazing insights occurred while I was there. Some which were currently happening in the village, relating to the people and my life--and some other lessons that were taking place at home. Funny how removing yourself from a situation helps you completely clear your head. So for this, I dedicate this to you GOOD guys. Thank you.

This is a tribute to the nice guys. The nice guys don’t often get credit where credit is due. And I wish I could logically explain this trend, but I can’t. From what I have observed on campus and what I have learned from talking to friends at other schools and in the workplace, the only conclusion is that girls often overlook what is right in front of them. Many of them claim they just want to date a nice guy, but when presented with such a specimen, they say irrational, confusing things such as “oh, he’s too nice to date” or “he would be a good boyfriend but he’s not for me” or “he already puts up with so much from me, I couldn’t possibly ask him out!” or the most frustrating of all: “no, it would ruin our friendship.” Yet, they continue to lament the lack of datable men in the world, and they expect their too-nice-to-date male friends to sympathize and apologize for the men that are jerks.I can’t figure out why the connection breaks down between what they say (I want a nice guy!) and what they do (I’m going to make out with this complete jerk now!). But one thing I can do, is say that the nice-guy-finishes-last phenomenon doesn’t last forever. There are definitely many girls who grow out of that train of thought and realize they should be dating the nice guys, not taking them for granted. The problem is that old behaviors tend to override those wants that we truly need deep down.
I have this problem. I am guilty of it. I like Mr. Social. I like Mr. Non Committal. I like good guys, they just are "not ready for a relationship." it amazes me that as I go back and read throughout my journal entries, I notice the trend of a new boy after a new boy after a new boy. And although I may be doing something wrong, it is mostly because they are not the "nice guy" that every one of us girls need.

So, I propose a toast to all the nice guys. You know who you are, and I know you’re sick of hearing yourself described as ubiquitously nice. But the truth of the matter is, the world needs your patience in the department store, your holding open of doors, your party escorting services, your propensity to be a sucker for a pretty smile. For all the crazy, inane, absurd things you tolerate, for all the situations where you are the faceless, nameless hero, my acknowledgement, and my gratitude go out to you. You do have credibility in this society, and your well deserved vindication is coming. Now...if I could just find you, that'd be great.