Undressing youself, The echo effect

Once in a while, it's essential to break away, have a debut in the unmined, and see a poignant reflection on the losses brought about by obstinate sedentation. A chance to peer beneath the surface of the familiar and cultivate a reverse-engineered outlook that melds everyday experiences from moving parts into a new synergy of working parts. Along the way, you encounter the full spectrum of life's emotions: clarity, suspense, dilemma, manifestation, humor, pain, and epiphany. It's a divorce from lingering desires, a moment to appreciate life's subtleties as if measured by a teaspoon, with the finesse of an artist's touch upon tender fingertips. So, step out, catalog the mental inventory of your thoughts, and allow yourself to indulge in the richness of existence to find out what sparks joy.

During a random walk late last year, I encountered an individual who struck up a conversation seemingly out of nowhere. He shared an observation about how Africans tend to overlook and underappreciate the milestones they achieve in life, implying a lack of adequate recognition and reward. While I couldn't ascertain whether this perspective was racially bigoted against African people, it resonated with a certain truth that was difficult to refute entirely. Our dialogue was prompted by the sight of a recent graduate walking home with a female companion. It sparked a conversation that unfolded against the backdrop of a late afternoon stroll, a routine I customarily indulged in at that time of day.

Several weeks after our initial encounter, I crossed paths with the chap again in a different locale, again ambulating. In the unspoken code of men, names are rarely exchanged, so I've dubbed him T Makeli. A moniker that makes you want to list down things when you read or hear that name. Maybe he is a farmer, a mechanic, a potter, a barber, or a caretaker. Upon greeting him, it was clear from his perplexed look that he was wondering why a stranger was acknowledging him. He didn't immediately recognize me or recall our previous interaction. Unlike those who might explain such a situation, I chose not to elaborate, sensing his overwhelming confusion. His look reminded me of the guileless bewilderment of a child who can't quite remember where they've seen you before, despite a sense of familiarity. 

I recall T Makeli sharing with me that their family was accustomed to eating traditional vegetables ("mboga za kienyeji"), and whenever he passed an exam, his mother would prepare omena for them to celebrate the achievement. This was the delicacy they craved, the one they eagerly waited for with bated breath. Poverty might have been their portion, but this simple pleasure was sensational.

In my childhood, being rewarded for achievements was uncommon. My upbringing dictated that attending school and passing exams was simply part of life's routine. A vivid memory I have is of the time I invited my parents to a medium-high-end restaurant, a place we often visited to enjoy the ambiance after school with my fellow pupils. As we perused the menu, my father immediately remarked on the steep prices, leading us to depart in favor of a more affordable eatery, despite his initial agreement to explore the establishment.

In light of this, I concluded that this man was strapped for cash. Luxury was not his portion. His approach to life seemed to mirror his financial situation. Which I assumed was anchored on the hardness of a minimalism and a frugality on steroids. In contrast, I've adopted a different perspective on my life's philosophy. I've embraced a reward system for myself. Whenever I achieve a significant milestone, I prioritize celebrating before considering any repercussions. While these festivities might seem typical, they are intentional and richly merited. They are moments of discovery that transform into cherished memories. They involve going to the club, savoring my favorite whiskey—Jack Daniels—and enjoying it with friends. It's a departure from the usual drinks we're accustomed to, but I find it adds a special touch to the occasion.

Many individuals tend to purchase tangible items. Conversely, I allocate minimal time to such visible entities. For instance, while others have upgraded to smart TVs, I continue to use a traditional television set, which adorns my wall without a connection to an aerial or set-top box. Its use is limited to monthly occasions when I connect it to my laptop, primarily to enjoy music. For yours truly, the true value of a purchase is derived from the immersive experience it provides, rather than its frequency of use. 

Anticipating life's unpredictability is something I've come to enjoy. Despite attempts to plan my days, I find myself drawn to spontaneity and the thrill of unexpected experiences. Structured schedules don't just work. While I appreciate the concept of investing in items that can grow in value over time, I find words to be more captivating given their ability to evoke emotion. My style of composition is variant, sometimes vibrant and lively, other times direct and succinct.

In my opinion, there is a significant correlation between the desire for the fine things in life and the quest for attaining them. Being nurtured in an environment that fosters success often propels individuals towards prosperity, assuming there is no settling for mediocrity. This is the crux of existence. The tendency to fulfill only average expectations is our tipping point. That may even apply to tots. Kids are like sponges, soaking up what we tell them. If they never hear they can achieve greatness, they might just settle for "good enough." And that's how mediocrity becomes the norm. It is our role to make the possibilities appear attainable. And it applies even to adults. 

We often settle for less due to various reasons. It could stem from fear that our efforts won't be appreciated or rewarded adequately. It might also be a result of having a limited mindset or lacking the confidence to ask for what we truly deserve. Many of us find ourselves in this situation because we haven't been encouraged to expect more and strive for better.

Hasta La Vista, Baby.

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Random Musings

April heralds the season of showers. A time when the sky is packed tight with grey, pregnant clouds. The dark afternoon formations suddenly leave a mysterious canvas in the blue sky, and the bright hue swiftly evanescent with no prior notice. The onset of rain brings with it an air of positivity. It's the rhythmic drumming of raindrops for me; how they impinge upon the earth releasing a natural aroma and filling the air with a delicious scent.

There's a palpable sense of delight when you're snug in bed and the downpour begins, your heart palpitates with joy expectant of splendid slumber. It's a sign that you will have an awesome night, rich with the sounds and scents that you long for. The rain ushers in serene peace and sobriety, offering a harmonious blend of calm and a hint of sensuality during the ambrosial hours. A juxtaposed palette of real tranquillity with a sultry feel.

As usual, the rain presents the perfect time to indulge in a steaming cup of tea. One that is delicately light and creamy with a hint of mint, ushering in cherished moments and wrapping around the neck like a warm scarf. The mug that you tightly grip with your hands, and the warmth sinks into the bones. It provides a little solace, with the steam rising across the face to spread warmth on the nose and cheeks. The drink provides a momentary escape, a soothing elixir that transports you beyond the shadows of the past, the discomfort of the present, and the uncertainties of the future. 

Sometimes, I take a gander through the window to observe the straight, silvery, and smooth streaks spiral into a torrent of deluge. How the heavy, hopeless raindrops strike and seep through every crevice, leaving a feeling of adhesion and cohesion. The way flashes of lightning precede a long thunderous sound like some grand piano, then it settles into a continuous soft rumble. The way thunder can terrify with significance and have an overwhelming scope. You feel like the current ebullient regularity should continue irrespective of it giving vibes of a beautiful, delicate crass.

At the year's outset, I found myself striding through the rain. January panned out differently. I had somehow mistaken the gravity of the situation, hardly noticing the clouds were converging in a confident sky. I fondly recall how cool breezes coursed into transparent eddies. The winds shifted from soft to strong in less than a minute, roaming at large like an unannounced visitation.

Vulnerability sets in once the heavens open to let fine drops furiously outpour in an unmetered way. The sudden torrents force you to shelter under an extended balcony, as the narrow streets are further constricted by balconies that jut out, encroaching upon the space ordinarily reserved for roads. As the rain intensifies, people vanish as if by magic, revealing our collective apprehension of the rain. I met a certain lovely young lass, fresh out of high school, who engaged me in a conversation, and she wanted to be employed.

She was an irrelevant teen I felt like I could fall in love with. I had to highlight that part for no apparent reason. She expressed a desire to engage in honest and legitimate work, eschewing the path of illicit endeavors like working as a stripper. My encounter took place in Githurai, a locale unfairly stigmatized by a reputation for crime and substandard housing. Although crime is prevalent in the area, I have always remained unscathed, feeling safe walking on the cabro-paved roads during the day.

After showing signs that the rains would subside, I decided to saunter back to my crib. When it rains for a while, it feels like freshness is poured back to earth, resulting in a new creation. The solemn thunder has tremendous powers in the way it roars, evoking raw power during the aftermath of rain. I had to cover a distance of about 2 kilometres, and I was thoroughly soaked to the skin by the time I arrived in the house.

I chose to straddle back instead of vehicular motion. I didn’t care, though. I took in the sight of how the ivy clustered on the walls of solitary residences and the lurid marsh green grass blades lined the curb. Huge drops of rain smote my face in earnest. The liquid spines soaked my hair and poured down my forehead, running down to blind my eyes and stream from my nose. My lenses blurred and I could not see clearly as tiny raindrops did not provide enough oomph to overcome water’s tendency to adhere to the glass. After it all I went back to the devoted warmth. The well-disposed threat of familiarity of my house. Then I felt the elusive sense of ease breeze in. I realized am not a pluviophile.

Hasta La Vista, Baby.

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Five horses and The Belgian Draught

 The world is a marketplace of ideas and it all depends on how you put across your opinion. If you are convincing and believable, people will buy into your ideas and adopt them as the gospel truth even though they may be full of half-truths, falsehoods, and propaganda. That is the reason why a lie told many times ends up as a credential.

The infallibility of human nature is the reason why we have to allow dissenting ideas that we would not since it would be like being muzzled in a way. I am not an expert in matters of opinion and I would love to learn how people reason. The way you convince others that perhaps this is how matters are and that is how they should be henceforth.

It's the thought process that matters in our endeavors. What you think is what you become and society comes in to assist in propagating that ideology. We make simple the complex and the converse is also true. The rationale with which you approach an issue is the reason why it may fail or succeed depending on the input you put into it.

I won't say that I am lethargic as a person, but I seemingly find myself in a situation where I just do not feel like doing what I should have done prior. Time is moving fast and age will catch up. When it does, you will look back and feel like you should have made strides in your life. Which may be impossible to reserve. For instance, a 60-year-old who would have loved to be a teacher may find herself unable to do so because the circumstances do not allow it due to age advancement.

Every day when I wake up, I have wished I could adhere to the 5 am club rule. I have not yet read the book on how to harness genius-grade productivity and use it as a companion for a life lived beautifully. It does not feature among the books I would love to engross myself to find value and pursue as a life tenet. Maybe I read it and see if it applies in my case. If it does not, like most of the good books I have read, they become gems in my daily composition.

Whether it is me or most people are apathetic, I have no idea. I am one type of person who has to sometimes force myself to do what I do not want yet I have routinely done in the past. It is waking up in the morning, time management, and the whole issue of being disciplined and remaining committed to a course.

Luckily, all is not lost because when I decide to engage, I fully get immersed in the action and forget about the world around me for a few minutes before I think about the need to connect again with the rest of the world. The world is a stage, and we have various characters in it. You resign to the fate that life presents since that is the life you have somehow got used to. Once you have resigned to fate and let the situation take its course, there is a high likelihood you will never fully recover if you take no immediate action.

Sometimes, I find I just want to let go. Sometimes, I lose hope and feel like what I am doing is not worth the struggle. The good thing is that it comes after I have finished what I need to do and pondering on what to do next. The next day, I wake up fresh and go back to start again because it is good to be back to what you normally do. And you passionately pursue the endeavor like you have started afresh.

The worst is when you decide to take a break and create the impression you will consider taking up from where you left. That is a fallacy that we engage in and more often than not the outcome is, that you end up leaving it to the dogs. There is a high chance even if you pick up from where you left off, you will not achieve the same outcome.

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The Job Market Queasiness

Securing my first job felt like stumbling upon a coveted opportunity, akin to discovering a rich platinum deposit. The murky world of employment is laborious and tough. Jobs are transient, and the sheer pith of comfort is what we should strive to overcome. You discover there is more to a career than just a paycheck. You need to be in constant motion. Interestingly, I've observed a widespread appreciation for local cuisine. As a nation, we aspire to have locally curated eateries selling standard recipes. The challenge lies in operationalizing the outfit to transform it into a franchise. This would involve opening multiple branches funded by local investors, akin to how citizens eagerly invest in government bonds and bills.

Honesty and integrity are paramount in the job market. Transparency and a clean professional record are non-negotiable. While practical skills and experience hold weight, academic qualifications often become crucial, especially in competitive scenarios. A degree may seem trivial until it becomes a prerequisite for a desired position. Strong academic credentials not only demonstrate a foundation of knowledge but also a dedication to learning and growth. Education should be seen as an investment in acquiring the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in your career path.

I fondly recall the days when I eagerly aspired to be associated with a corporate entity. This was my take on the typical path; transitioning into the workforce, drawing a salary, and embracing adult responsibilities. Often, the next phase is succeeded by matrimony, followed by family planning. Then come the goals of purchasing a car, building a house, and investing for the future. It's a familiar lifestyle that many of us are accustomed to. 

Landing a job marked the initial stride in my quest to achieve the goals I had set forth. A decade has flown by since my graduation, and the picture is quite different from what I had envisioned. The milestones of owning a car, getting married, and buying a house remain on my to-do list, illustrating that life's journey often takes unexpected turns.

Certainly, I care, albeit not with the expected intensity. There are moments when I ponder if I've missed out on fulfilling certain expectations during the opportune times. There was an opportunity for marriage that I let slip away, hindered by deep-seated apprehensions. Perhaps, at that juncture, marriage didn't seem like the right path for me. As for finances, I tend to spend freely, without much thought. I value experience over possessions. You might be conflicted to think I indulge in excess and enjoy savoring life's pleasurable moments.

Looking back, I realize there's not much I can claim as my own, and surprisingly, it doesn't weigh heavily on my mind. Even the laptop I'm currently using isn't mine; it's on loan from the company. I used to own some laptops but chose to distribute them for free. Now, with this company-issued equipment, I'm restricted from installing software. Should I attempt to do so, it would trigger an alert to the administrators.

If you catch the attention of hawk-eyed admins, they won't hesitate to hold you accountable for violating company policies. And that means being under the radar. The framework that companies employ to safeguard their infrastructure is exceptionally robust and complex. It encompasses a vast array of measures that sometimes I find myself thinking, "I will utilize whatever access rights I have been granted. Beyond that, life continues." 

The primary reason we interview for jobs is to secure a source of income. However, it's considered inappropriate to directly express this to the recruiter by saying, "I'm here for the money." Such a statement could jeopardize your chances during the interview process. Consequently, many candidates refrain from showing too much enthusiasm and adopt a more reserved demeanor until an offer is extended. If successful, you accept the offer; otherwise, decline courteously.

As a corporate employee, I am obligated to comply with the company's rules and regulations. This often entails maintaining a modest and cooperative attitude. In many cases, voicing concerns or asserting oneself, especially regarding compensation, is not advisable unless your contributions are recognized and valued by the employer. If you have demonstrated significant value to the organization, that could provide stronger grounds to leverage for fair compensation. Conversely, if the company has played an instrumental role in your professional development, your treatment and compensation will likely align with their standards and expectations. You have not shown ingenuity in small matters.

There will be a point where, as an employee, you will quiver with revulsion. You may have entered the workforce with high hopes, believing that your qualifications and certifications would secure you a favorable position and pay. Yet, unexpectedly, you find yourself in a role that's worlds apart from what you envisioned, tasked with beginning afresh. At that point shadows of gloom loom over your destiny, far removed from the deal you thought you made. You feel like you are in a conundrum. The intensity of the situation is so clear and so plausible. However, despite the turmoil, there's a sense of calm that settles in when the day is done.

Some, like yours truly, are trapped in a state of inertia, unable to muster the courage to update their resume. The thought of revising it feels daunting and overwhelming, akin to a bitter taste or something apocalyptic. There is beauty in brevity. The entire process of job applications is rife with regret, making it a dreadful endeavor. It has created a fallacy of inflexibility and the danger of being indoctrinated that jobs are hard to find.  You feel like you are in trouble, floundering in a swamp and you need an employer to throw a rope your way to save you from drowning. It can feel like being stuck in quicksand, desperately waiting for an employer to extend a lifeline. In a bid to escape this rut, you might consider hiring a recruiter to revamp your resume and usher in positive energy. There's often the allure that a new employer will offer greener pastures and a better working environment.

Hasta La Vista, Baby.

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