There’s a universal phenomena, particularly noticeable out here on the coast of Kenya. It occurs when we get so used to wonderful things that we no longer enjoy them. In this part of the world it is neatly summed up by the expression; ‘trouble in paradise’. The expression is used when someone has spent enough time on … Continue reading Trouble In Paradise – Retaining Perspective And Enjoyment
Category: Lifestyle
How To Prevent Aging – Working Backwards
“I grow old… I grow old… I shall wear the bottoms of my trousers rolled” – T. S. Elliot In the last week I’ve had two glimpses into old age: One was offered by re-reading one of my favourite books of all time – Any Human Heart by William Boyd. In the book, Boyd tracks … Continue reading How To Prevent Aging – Working Backwards
Achieve More by Doing Nothing – A Laziness Guide
Protestants block your ears, you might want to ignore what follows. I propose we all be a little lazier sometimes. Not all the time in a pizza-box hurling, beer-drinking, playstation tapping, dope-smoking teenage way. But having the gall to go to bed in the middle of the day and watch a movie or have a … Continue reading Achieve More by Doing Nothing – A Laziness Guide
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
A shameless, energy-efficient convenient plug
I've often said that the environmental movement needs convenient actions, not inconvenient truths. Said differently, many of us have a sincere 'will' to change our planet, but are not not sure of the most effective 'way' to do so. When you couple this with the environmental preachers out there, who are quick to chastise us … Continue reading A shameless, energy-efficient convenient plug
Go easy
One of the best ways to determine the positive impact of a philosophy or lifestyle is to take a peek at the lives of those who follow it most closely and examine the result. However, perhaps even more important is the ability for the average person to adopt and maintain the philosophy. Is a philosophy … Continue reading Go easy
Breaking things – taking time off and away
I haven’t posted since the 4th January, as I’ve been on a break. You probably haven't even noticed! Yet for many bloggers, this would be a serious no-no. You have, they chime, to keep posting ‘every day’ or ‘at least once a week’. Your blogs have to be a certain length, or include a number … Continue reading Breaking things – taking time off and away
Patience – part two
The second patience is the one you and I grapple with. The very same patience that allowed me to write and you to (I hope) read the whole of the last story without feeling the need to go and do something else, or be more productive. Although I forgive you, of course, if you think … Continue reading Patience – part two
Simpletom 