Madness of the Malindi variety
Republished from previous blog; 2013 article.
I recently stumbled upon an enthralling letter (and no, I wasn’t snooping). It was from a young disillusioned lawyer who had decided to throw all caution to the wind and decamp to Malindi. He quits his job a day before a landmark case, moves in with a friend spending his days with fishermen and beach bums.
While the rest of the world marvels at his madness, Jay gallivants on sandy white beaches, sleeps under the stars and unlearns all that civilization has taught him.
The letter is addressed to a former beau, Nadia. In descriptive and lyrical sentences he tells her about his recent insanity and the bliss that has come a long with it. Paralleling his care free existence at the timeless coastal town with the hectic buzz of Nairobi life, Jay reflectively criticizes Nadia’s perspectives on life.
As you read his multihued eight-page narrative you realize that Nadia is not the only target of his criticism-you are too, and so is society as a whole.
Allow me to share a few reflections from the missive.
For most of us, life is one big PR campaign. We are forever busy trying to depict the best possible version of ourselves and our situations. Our mantra is the ever so superficial “Image is everything”. Our conversations are laced with press release statements and competitive marketing strategies. We are only successful when we are the envy of all our peers-even if it is to our own detriment. (How else do you explain these lavish and over-budget weddings that leave couples in debt?)
When shit happens (and it does) we are too busy with damage control to confront our true feelings. So the poisonous emotions fester into a cancer of bitterness. Resultantly we become cynical beings, incompetent of genuine happiness. Listen to the morning talk-shows on radio for proof. People don’t confront issues in their relationships for fear of muddying the waters. Instead the lament and toxify the airwaves with their disillusioned beliefs. The cancer metastasizes into a generation that does not believe in true happiness.
Wouldn’t it be much more beneficial if we confronted our issues head on? Perhaps if we stopped focusing on others’ views of us we could see our problems for what they really are. What if we pursued true happiness as much as we chase after pristine reputations? Sure, a few rumors might spread in the process but a little mud never hurt anyone.
Life is lost in the haste. We rise to run, toil, and tire. Instead of smelling the coffee, we pour it down our throats in copious amounts trying to stay awake trough endless meetings. We trample on the flowers in our mad rush from this place to the next. The vibrant majesty of nature passes us by as we flip channels on our wide plasma screens that boast of high definition picture.
Long forgotten is the truth that life is best at its’ simplest. A quiet family dinner, the gilt serene sunset, that warm hug from a loved one, a hearty laughter that gets your sides aching….infinitely precious moments that mountains of money cannot buy.
So let’s get our selves Michuki speed governors. Cut out the extra meetings. Reduce the overtime and up the family time. Spend those extra coins on a gift for a friend, even if it is a carbo-loaded chocolate.
Jay’s epiphany met him during his unplanned retreat to Malindi. As amazing as a vacation on the white sands is, it is not the only route to enlightenment. You too can have a Malindi moment today.
Shut down the PR campaign and give your own rendition of life to the audience that really matters.
When life happens, it happens. Deal with it and cut yourself some slack-you are human.
Strap on your speed governor and fill you lungs with the aroma of whatever beverage you like. Pick some flowers along the way and gift them to others.
Laugh till your eyes water and your sides ache.
Have a dose of Malindi madness.
Seize the day.
