Play of Life

Day one. The very first day of a brand new year. 2026 is finally here!

There is something so fresh and exciting about new beginnings: a chance to start; a blank canvas and the opportunity to create a brand new world filled with the stuff of our imagination; a slight sense of control.

What will you choose to be the story you write this year? Is it a continuation of what already began, or a completely new tale?

When I contemplate this new start, a phrase comes to mind, ‘Joie de Vivre’. Away from the tradition that puts pressure on us to set the stage for the rest of the year; perhaps a good addition would be to set an intention for how you will move through it, no matter what life throws at you?

A few years ago, I came across the concept of having a word of the year. A theme that runs through the year’s experiences and accomplishments. In many ways it seems to be more like a prayer or a wish. I remember doing it for a few years, having a theme of the year, the last of which was wisdom. I asked for wisdom, and let me tell you, wisdom did not knock on my door. No, it stormed in. Wisdom did not gently tap and wait for me to let it in, it swept right through with such force that I was left spinning. No warning letters, no memo. It was as if I had found that fabled magic lamp with a genie in it, blew off the dust and inhaled it, to unwittingly cast a spell on myself before the genie had a chance to appear and offer me three wishes. Amidst sputters of allergic sneezes, the spell compelled me ask for wisdom. Yes, I am blaming a fictional object for the turn of events I set into motion, while clearly in lack of said wisdom. And so I was gifted a solid dose of one hard truth after another, gently nudged to look within, and to eventually clean out that dusty old closet of ‘untended to’ things. It came in relentless waves that cleared one dusty shelf after another, and shone a light so bright on the mess before me, that ignoring its existence would be a fool’s task.

Wisdom was quite the teacher, and there were times I cussed out the process, times I taunted it and others I almost quit. I had not read the fine print; quitting was not a choice. So I powered through. In the midst of the storms of revelation, and overwhelm at new truths that emerged from this clever fellow, I learnt to find the beauty in the pain and the fun in the game. It was nothing short of an adventure.

In conversation with one of my favourite people, we dissected the idea of asking for the things we want. Those we think we lack or want more of. It was quickly apparent that we can set ourselves up with this idea that we know exactly what we want. What we are, in fact, asking for is the shiny exterior; the final product. Without considering what it takes to achieve that coveted prize. The peace, wisdom, joy, ease, wealth, love, whatever it is we seek. We rarely consider what it will take to get there, what the cost will be; because nothing comes for free.

More often than not, the things we want to be, will gradually emerge as we pass one challenge after another, each one holding an opportunity to test our ability to embody that which we seek. Oftentimes, we will take a while to recognise the pattern, to see that all the little tests are either getting us ready, or testing our resolve. Are we up to the task? Are you up to the task?

My friend decided to approach her hopes and dreams from a different angle, one that would soften the blow. A gentler approach that did not include asking to be a certain kind of person or to live a certain kind of life. I, on the other hand, was still deliberating on which way works best for me. Do I want to be a soldier and ask directly for something specific, for a result? Then prepare for the battle field that would surely deliver results; or trick the universe into offering these treats, without a rough and unpredictable ride? It now appears, that though I appreciate the effectiveness of being direct, (as it offers something of a crash course in achieving our goals without signing off on the package it is delivered in) maybe this time I can try something different.

This time, I choose to start by showing up the way my ideal self would. Ideal because it is a higher version than the one I am familiar with, yet it is within reach. In evaluating my previous responses to challenges, there is now a greater awareness within me, of how I can still feel empowered in my response to life doing what it does.

As 2026 begins, I endeavour to show up and to be playful. To play with life, and not wrestle with it. Can I promise to always embody this ‘joie de vivre’? Perhaps not, but when it starts to feel a little heavy, that will be my reminder to play again. When 2026 ends, I want it to find me with a playful smile, proud of how I showed up when winning and even when it seemed like I was loosing ,but I was actually learning and levelling up.

How do you want to look back on this bright and shiny new year? Let us set ourselves up for something we will smile about 12 months from now.

Happy 2026!

Goodbye, 2020!

sunset image by yours truly

Reflecting on the year that has been

The year 2020 has been one for the books! A lot of us started it bright-eyed, with big plans, hopes and dreams. I remember the Kilifi New Year’s Eve festival like it was yesterday. Walking along colourful curated paths, teeming with eager partygoers, a mishmash of 9-5ers, creative types and edgy fashionistas. No masks in sight, no care in the world.

Yet, it feels like years have passed since the end of 2019. That’s been the paradox of this pandemic year. While so much has happened within the span of 12 months, the majority of it was spent indoors, eyes glued to screens.

Most people started working from home, a novel idea before this year began, others lost their jobs and had to create new ones. We were all adapting to a new normal: zoom meetings, zoom workouts, zoom catchups with family and friends. Zoom had a great year!

On the world stage, paradigm-shifting events took place while a majority of the population watched and reacted through their phones, these little gadgets that have become a vital part of our day to day lives. The Black Lives Matter movement took centre stage when news flooded our TV screens, social media sites and conversations with friends. Police brutality was playing out in our own backyards, alongside stories of the struggles birthed by a sudden economic shutdown. Restaurants closed, and so did businesses. Others found opportunities to create solutions and made millions within months. One man’s meat is another one’s poison.

We all paid attention to what different countries were doing to contain the pandemic. We took notes and copy-pasted what we saw happening miles away. We compared others’ response to the Covid19 pandemic to our own. Some of us passed judgement while others were commended for their swift and successful flattening of the curve. We learnt terms like ‘flattening the curve’.

By mid-March, the majority of airline transport was on a standstill, ticket prices shot up as we’ve never seen before. A lot of us got into a state of panic! Toilet paper ran out of shelves, a most peculiar choice of emergency item to stock in an ‘end-of-the-world’ scenario.

Inhale the future, exhale the past. - Anonymous

When I picture myself decades from now, a well-travelled grandma with a belt of adventure stories from my youth, I imagine that 2020 will feature among the most significant years of my lifetime. It might be the same for many people out there. If anything has brought the world to a halt, nothing in my memory compares to this year and the covid19 pandemic.

Now we are moving on to a new year, 2021, it is wonderful to look forward with hope and enthusiasm for what is to come. The biggest lesson I came out of 2020 with, was to be the captain of my ship. While taking all the precautions possible to ensure a safe and pleasant journey, it is wise to know what to do in the event of a storm. What I plan to do is keep my hands on the wheel no matter what! I hope you do too!

Adios 2020! You’ve been quite the teacher.