Choose Happiness

There's no recipe...

 

My good friend Chris pictured above, (such a good lookin' fellow when out of his sweat pants and Lucky Beer T-shirt)  had a big impact on my life through the simple and somewhat contemptible mechanism known as What's App. In his tag line he said simply:

"Happiness is a choice -- not a result".

And while social media assaults us daily with status updates from acquaintances with similarly wise words invariably posted over a waterfall or somesuch image of natural splendor, this one actually resonated with me. And that is mostly because Chris and his new bride model that adage.You'll note in the photo above Chris is happy & smiling both before taking Ruth's hand and immediately after. Solid proof if you ask me. I can attest to the fact that he was stone cold sober at the time :)

Just to take the idea of choice a step further -- I find that I can sometimes get into a spiral of thinking that is as much a waste of time as it is destructive. It hasn't been until my later life that I have learned to replace "why is everything going wrong" with "how lucky am I?" I think Chris may have handed me the secret to a happy life - but that's just my take...and there's no recipe. I am forever in his debt and genuinely happy for the happy couple.

Hey CB -- what took you so long I asked?

I was fortunate to attend the wedding of another friend who took the hand of a man to become life partners. Chrystabel looked every part the blushing bride in a fantastic gown amidst the smiles of friends and family. I am honored to have been both a witness and a cheerleader for this particular event. She and I worked together for about 6 months -- and kicked a serious amount of ass in that time. What a lucky man Sam is to have found and married this amazing woman. I wish them every success imaginable.

When asked if I wanted my eggs Poached -- I said that I would prefer them legal..

It's my brother's joke actually and speaking of him - he'll turn 50 next week!!!!! My goodness!! I guess I can't call him my little brother anymore. I wish the old guy well no matter how he takes his eggs.

More seriously though;

Back to poaching - and I have to say that the more time I spend in central Africa -- the more aware I become of the pervasiveness of the activity. It is literally happening all the time and all around us. It's like the gold rush or Bit coin mining or any other lusty activity that steels people's hearts and trades integrity for the dreams of what they believe wealth and power can bring. They are fools and despicable ones at that. As we see more and more species at risk of extinction and little response from the international community -- it feels a bit hopeless.

Chris wrote the following article that has now been widely published and I encourage you to have a look as it speaks to the issue of corruption in trafficking of animal parts in an uncompromising manner. It's bold, courageous and forthright. ... like the man who wrote it. Well done Chris.

https://news.mongabay.com/2018/08/the-appeal-acquittal-of-feisal-mohamed-ali-a-victory-for-rule-of-law-a-process-corrupted-or-both-commentary/

And from the BBC today an interesting new tool but one has to wonder if it can be helpful when dollars rule the day.

BBC Poaching Article

Thanks for reading ....Layno!!!

Sun, Surf & Septuagenarians

Mom and Kath discover the magic of the Indian Ocean

Walking the beach in the the early hours as the sun rose over the Indian Ocean I thought about  my absolute delight in sharing my discovery of the Kenyan coast with Kath and Mom. I have described the coast to Mom on numerous occasions but doubt I have adequately conveyed the lure and sheer majesty. The succulent scents carried gently on a warm and welcoming breeze are truly intoxicating. As are the sights that greet you as cast a glace toward the ocean that seems to whisper "... come to me my friend." And that we all did many times. On this morning - I left my clothes on the beach and swam in near perfect solitude toward the rising sun..... connected with earth body and soul but all the while hoping nothing bites my boy bits. :)





Well -- the coast of Kenya is not exactly something I discovered -- nor  did Vasco De Gamma in the late 1400's but the African people who did discover this part of the world were more than happy to share it with us. Mom stands in front of Fort Jesus on a warm rainy day, having just come from exploring the original fort.








The water is wonderful but so too is the rich history of the region. I think both Kath and Mom enjoyed the history lesson shared by a local tour guides at the fort.

As interesting and infinitely more fun was the tour of the Gede ruins with Sysan pictured along side with the girls. Sysan was hilarious, fun and friendly in a way that made the tour so much more than just history. Her warmth and love of country shone through even though the day was ever-so -slightly gloomy.

Thank you to Sysan for giving us such a beautiful gift.














The ruins are indeed a special place transporting you back 6 centuries or so. The Gede ruins are the remains of a Swahili town, typical of most towns along the East African Coast.

 

Care of this unique place is provided by the National Museums of Kenya and with small budgets, the location is satisfyingly devoid of signs, directions, chained off areas and the like allowing you to just wander transported back to a simpler time.

Monkeys play throughout the ruins as the great Baobab trees, monolithic and undeniable threaten to destroy the coral structures flimsy by comparison.

Lessons on the nature of friendship

 

While I enjoyed the history lesson and revisiting the coast, I also learned yet another life lesson from my Mom and Kath. Just when you think you know it all..... 😆



The lesson? Well - I have to say that I  have never in my days met a more enthusiastic couple of buddies. Over almost a month I watched as they chose to be joyful and happy on each and every day. They left a trail of smiles behind them as they went chatting and smiling from one thing to the next.

It's uncanny that they were able to engage with nearly everyone they came across. Pity the fool who doesn't feel up to chatting on the day he meets up with this chatty twosome. Like a dual incarnation of Oprah, they pried and loosened the tongues of all to give up secrets, stories and opinions.

I learned about how to support your friend unconditionally, how to appreciate that happiness is not the result of choices but rather the choice to just be happy. Thank you for the lesson!

My Mom

 

 

 

My Mom is the perfect balance of grace and beauty with a healthy measure of goof ball. Up for almost anything, she is my poster girl for so many qualities important to a healthy life.

Pictured on the left, Mom gamely dons her mask and snorkel and heads for the coral reef. I looked back at one point to see how she was making out expecting her to be on the beach considering the adventure before her. To my surprise she was ahead of me deftly chasing parrot fish and other underwater delights.





There were numerous events where I marvelled at Mom's energy and grace over the days but nothing compares to her joining the nightly entertainment to give an unforgettable lesson in pole dancing. The invitation by the night performers was to do some Kenyan dancing after the pole acrobatics performance closed. No sir - my mother was going to pole dance and that she did to the utter delight of all assembled. Ahhh I love my Mom!!!!

Mom delights the crowd with her astonishingly entertaining pole dancing abilities. Who knew????

I'm so glad that both Kath and Mom were able to join me and share a wonderful travel adventure. It's moments like these when you shed the day to day and delight in the moments that catch your breath and heart and leave an indelibly etched memory to carry with you on your journey ..and connect you in your shared journey with the ones you love. Thanks for coming guys.

Come back anytime.... there are Literally hundreds of people hoping you do!!!



















Thanks for reading....Layno!!!!