In days like today, I struggle to find meaning in life. I mean, the ‘normal’ person wakes up at 5.30/6 am, prepares and goes to work. He/she then earns his/her pennies and trudges home past 5 p.m. Day in, day out. In the evening, guys pass by their local and have 2-3 beers as they argue about meaningless politics with an elitist undertone; on policies and political ideologies that they have no power to change.
On a Friday or Saturday, when they have a few pennies to spare, they will watch their favorite Manchester United getting thrashed by MK Dons and Sanchez hoofing the ball around. On Sunday, they will tack in and sleep their hangovers off. On Monday, the grind continues; year in, year out.
Routine bores me. It is exhausting. Part of the reason I quit employment after a short stint was the routine. I just couldn’t take it. Nonetheless, the ups and downs of looking for an extra KShs is exhausting. It is as if we are pre-conditioned to spend the best part of our lives trudging on like robots. The only thing we have to show for it is our obese kids, cars that we have bought on loan, and houses we have built in Juja Farm, Ruai and other zones in the diaspora. We fuel our jalopies and visit the villages we were born in and expect to be treated like conquerors. Showing off, talking incessantly about Nairobi’s traffic and the VAT Bill. We do not even want our kids to learn Dholuo, or Kikuyu —or our mothertongue.
If we are lucky, we take a 4 days 3 nights holiday in Masai Mara once a year. We just can’t let our friends live in peace —the photos, complete with obscene filters intended to make us look glamorous, hiding the downbeat faces and the endless creases on our foreheads, are testament to our ‘good’ lives.
I am tired of this cycle. I am not complaining. I just want to do things differently. To experience life. To live, not to exist. To enjoy my time here. This is only going to happen if we embrace what we find purpose and meaning in. I do not mean we ‘tangatanga’ from one project to another; or one business idea to another. Just find your purpose, and in so doing, you will find meaning.
Oh please take me with you! You have done a good analysis of your current situation so I can only conclude that you will come out the other side and land on your feet. I am embarking on a totally different trajectory path in a couple of months time. Scared but excited but I am a known risk taker so I am convinced that I will be v happy.
Danke Sis. I marvel at how things do work out sometimes in life. 2 of my fav bosses are leaving at the end of this month but to pastures new. Me, sometime later to pastures unknown. TBH I would have looked for another post if I was staying so there we go!
This thread came on a day I took off. I was exhausted and burnt out. I usually switch my phone off coz I get millions of calls a day. Drive up hill to the mountain. Get a nice quiet spot and chill for a weekend. Or go to masinga and watch the sun set into the dam. It’s not a bad life but it can be better. I feel so. I can get enough to make me travel the world and see new places. Ive been out some times but not yet enough. Wish you all the best mate. [MEDIA=giphy]asXCujsv7ddpm[/MEDIA]
Great to read that folks here are searching for this very elusive thing called purpose. However, you aint alone i can promise; would someone stand up and show the rest of us some tested formula or something to lead the rest of us to this destination…if its really one. I’ve always loved what i do but at times, i’m in utter doubt if its my purpose. I’ve not struggled to wake up at 4 every morning in the last 3 years and no day to me looks like the other. @Bratheee@Mrs Shosho @Purple
That’s is life…And there’s more we can learn from it. Take a look at how it unfolds:
As soon as a plane lands at the airport, there is another plane taking off from that airport, and others lined up to take off too. They all leave to different destinations and even back to the airport you departed. This is the way life is; When you think you have “arrived” you find others are taking off… Others to where you are coming from and others to other activities e.g. You may have been a housewife for lack of a job, as soon as you land your dream job, you find someone resigning to become a housewife or for greener pastures…You may be basking in all the wealth but have serious deficiencies in health…There are people crying day and night for lack of children and yet others are crying day and night BECAUSE of their children. I have met people depressed for not being married and have met others depressed for being married. There are people who are sick and tired of the lack of a job while others are sick and tired of their jobs…I have seen parents very worried about how their kids will perform in exams while others are worried about how to take care of those who have performed well to the good schools accepting them.
This is life…
We will never have it all and it’s like chasing the wind. Instead of always being in a marathon trying to get it all, it’s important to take frequent pauses and reflect. Learn to be content in every situation. Enjoy what you have and where you are. Live, Laugh, and Love.
Alot of people are locked in the prison of FEAR.
Free yourself from fear and Dare the take a chance.
Purpose is the fruit of going against the norm and following your heart without regret.
It’s topics like these that show Ktalk has a high concentration of brilliant minds… of course bila kusahau kusafisha mecho, and the madness of occasionally derailing threads.
Brathee,
Thanks for your post, as i fully associate with you. Normal routines can easily kill, and that’s why I have taken the initiative of having unlimited fun and bending my schedule all the time. I am also employed, but i have adopted various activities to break my monotony.
For instance, enroll in some sport. A sport that will involve a lot of learning and training. A sport that you have never played before. I intend to start lawn tennis training so that every evering after work, i pass by. You could sign up for some Zoomba dance classes or some sport that will keep you busy and physically fit. Consider cycling as well. Karura forest is a good place to cycle.
Enroll in a language class. Its good to learn foreign languages. it stimulates your brain.
Travel, not expensively, but to different destinations. Explore western, central, eastern and coastal kenya differently. You will enjoy.
Take challenges, cycle the Hells Gate national park,