“I’m youth, I’m joy, I’m
a little bird that has broken out of the egg” – James Matthew Barrie
New Towns!
I haven’t written in a long time. Most of my new friends
don’t even know of this as one of my hobbies. I had prepared an introductory
paragraph of the reasons why but suddenly I feel I should skip it. Long story
short, once in a while, I will appear as a guest writer probably writing about
anything and everything under the sun and I am so excited about the new found
balance. Hope the boat doesn’t rock!
So I moved to a new town recently. Its temporary but the
lessons are ingrained in me for a lifetime. It is one of those bitter- sweet
feelings, spasms of loneliness yet a deep sense of freedom. Introverts like
myself would call it a moment of reflection and soul searching because most
times, you are alone. Honestly, I got to listen to my thoughts, understood what
I let out to the world and how my words have affected people over the years. I
feel ready now, more prepared for a life of less ‘me time’ and lifelong
commitments.
It was beautiful to know humanity is not lost. People out
here are genuinely nice, some at least. I got a house in a day and settled in
week. Apart from the teething problems, language barrier and homesick, the
people here made it so easy to adjust and I couldn’t be more grateful. I am
more conscious of people in new towns now. I think it’s even far more personal
than I could explain in words. Just be kind. Be the oasis in their dessert or
the cherry on top depending on the circumstances.
I have many ‘stranger-friends’ I call them that because
probability of ever meeting them again is close to zero. One of them in a
matatu heading to school told me I didn’t look like the town I live in. ‘You
should be in the city,” he said. I told him to finish school, have a year out
and revisit his views. I have come to
learn, depending on what you do the place you live is mostly dependent on your
purpose. If you are passionate about community work like myself, you will spend
more fulfilling days in upcountry than in a city or town. It helps though to be
close to an airport, railway route or short distance from town just to have a
breath of civilization or meet up with loved ones. Suffice to say, small towns
aren’t so bad, break the mundane for at least a year and get the fresh scent of
the rural side.
The world is a beautiful space, especially if you free your mind to wonder, release yourself from the comfort zone and live a little, live differently and take each moment as it is, a moment that will never be identical to any!
Lulu Mwakuwona.
