Its “and and and” rather than “either or for me”

 

I recently visited a bookstore in Nairobi browsing away at their collection. I settled for two books. 

One an anthology of African poetry, a blast from my high school literature past. The second, a newish publication of a ever popular genre of new age self-care stuff. 

It occurred to me at the time that my past and the familiarity of stories retold were as potent and vivid to me as the novelty of present day narratives. Both co-exist in their entirety, whether in contradiction or in strings of continuation alike. 

In my observation however, sitting comfortably with this co-existence is not as widespread as I previously imagined. It turns out some people  reject old as outdated, while others wary of newness.

To elaborate my point, I want to symbolise our lives as tapestry. The motions, the ‘ins and outs’ of life much like weaving new threads with old…all touch, complicating, defining and creating an impression of the many facets that we are.

This tapestry comprises of all the threads woven from past and present events, relationships and encounters. 

I do feel we bow to the unnecessary pressure to discard, disconnect and distance the old to make room for new and this, for me, is tragic.

I appreciate today’s modernity and perks of the digital world with many fancy sparkly new ways to ‘connect the world.’ There is also need to gaze away from screens to look, talk, touch and be alive and unfiltered fully present to the people and things happening right in front of us.

I hold onto more dated ways like hand-letter writing and designing postcards to share remain connected with people I care about…I do this with as much ease as dropping them an email. 

Life is limiting and dull in an “either or” world rather than an “and and and” universe.

I hope to experience the joys and pains of surprises and memories. I long to connect with the richness the tapestry our lives have to offer. Exploring many ways to appreciate the different flavours, textures and patterns we are and for me, this is where our connection becomes magical.