Going To Bed Early – The New Rock and Roll

If my 18-year-old self heard my current self’s internal monologue, he’d probably begin lobotimising in earnest. I’m cocooned within a mosquito net, having read another chapter of my book and am ready to sleep. That in itself is not the problem. Books have always been and will always be cool. The problem is it is … Continue reading Going To Bed Early – The New Rock and Roll →

You Don’t Matter

Since the dawn of human consciousness and rational thought (something that has seemingly yet to occur for some 'Tea Party-goers' in the US), we have hunted for meaning or significance (or maybe just the significance of meaning). The questions are not new: What is the meaning of life? Why am I here? Is there a … Continue reading You Don’t Matter →

Looking To The Future (Then Trying To Ignore It)

All good things must end. So with a month left on the clock here in Kenya, I am reminded that the ‘next stage’ of life looms. At the end of 2009 I took a break from the day-in day-out drive of running a business – partly because I was burnt out, and partly because the … Continue reading Looking To The Future (Then Trying To Ignore It) →

Angling for Simplicity

We’re programmed to do things: Get up early. Read a book. Don’t slouch in front of the telly. Be productive. Get going. Time is money. Life’s too short. Bollocks to that. I read a delightful interview with Chris Yates the other day – which can be found here. Not only did I love the picture … Continue reading Angling for Simplicity →

Ode to Life and Africa

It was with great sadness that I learned that one of my friends passed away last week. Even though I wrote about impermanence recently, it is still hard, so very hard, to know such a colourful life is no more. I remember spending a month sitting on the shores of Lake Malawi next to my … Continue reading Ode to Life and Africa →

Home Is Where the Heart Is – Why You Should Rent

As I write this the sun is hunched over Fort Jesus, casting its glare over the waters of Mombasa harbour. Soon it will slink between the crenulations and vanish fast, as the African sun is want to, precipitating the Old Town across the water from me to light up and the evening prayer calls from … Continue reading Home Is Where the Heart Is – Why You Should Rent →

The Work Life Balancing Act

People should not consider so much what they are to do, as what they are - Meister Eckhart My natural inclination, for whatever rebellious reasons, is to try to avoid ‘work’. As a child, lessons bored me. I always did the minimum needed to survive, get good grades and tow the line. Yet I adore … Continue reading The Work Life Balancing Act →

Simplicity is complex

My experiments with simplicity have resulted a few different permutations, culminating in one of the best years of my life (to date). Yet simplicity is an ongoing journey that brings sacrifice as well as reward and pain as well as pleasure. Since July I have been living one version of the simple life here in … Continue reading Simplicity is complex →

Over-expecting

It's been a while (again) since I last wrote. I've been away (again). After all, Leonardo da Vinci said,' Every now and then go away, have a little relaxation, for when you come back to your work your judgment will be surer'. I've merely dropped the 'every'. My mum once said to me that she … Continue reading Over-expecting →

Development for the past, the present and the future

A photo of yours truly, truly blending in... I’ve recently arrived back from a 2-month holiday. None to bad in anyone’s books and that’s probably partially to blame for my current somewhat dreamy perspective. On return, I wrote a letter to a friend which I felt encapsulated some of my key thoughts about development and … Continue reading Development for the past, the present and the future →