Thoughts on the Week #10 – Birthday

It’s my birthday. I am grateful and looking forward to a great new year. Anyone who knows me knows that I am big on birthdays and I tend to go out of my way to make my people’s days special. I usually have a shindig for my birthday with cake and drinks and generally make a big deal over my birthday. Honestly, birthdays are a big deal coz it’s a reminder that you’re still here and what’s a better reason to celebrate than that? This year however, I chose to be laid-back about it (mostly coz I realized I get stressed out trying to figure out what to do and then making sure the plan goes according to plan) and just chilled. Yesterday, I went for a fantastic performance at Kwani? then casual drinks (I didn’t even get a cake) and on the day of (today), I went swimming. I had forgotten how much I enjoy swimming. As a kid, you couldn’t keep me out of the water. I’m the same on vacation, always in the water. For some reason, I hardly go swimming in Nairobi. I love water (perhaps it’s the Pisces in me) and it felt good. When I’m in water I feel so at peace. Light. Like nothing matters. Like nothing can hurt me.

This year I’m just grateful to be here and discovering that a simple life is beautiful. There are many things that I am disappointed about and perhaps my life is not what I thought it would be by now but I am glad to have a life. The journey isn’t always what we envision but it is well-worth it to experience challenges, to learn and to grow. Here’s to another year of discoveries, achievements, growth, love, joy and adventure. Also, my birthday happens to be International Day of Happiness. It’s so fitting!

Side note: Always funny when people find out I have a twin. Yes, I do. He’s a boy. No, we’re not identical. He’s a boy! Happy birthday to us!