When I was little, we'd take our cattle to a communal dip. Every District had one. We'd find a few hundred other cattle there. It, perhaps, was a once-monthly affair.
At the time, East Coast Fever (ECF) was common, and usually fatal. It was an offence to miss it. A bad one.
So, the cattle dip had a large holding area. Over the years, the cattle dips lost relevance - these spaces transitioned into other social amenities - primary schools, et al.
A cattle dip had a perimeter of rails - and, wait for it - this perimeter also served as a pathway to the dipping tank. Basically, a narrow corridor of rails going round. It was long, say, a hundred metres.
The cattle would walk that perimeter, and plunge into the pool. They'd swim the length of it. The other end of the narrow pool had ascending stairs. It worked perfectly. Served hundreds of cattle, seamlessly.
Except, that perfection didn't have any fun in it.
Most cows hated that plunge into the water. They had to be lashed along the rail corridor. Some guy had this as a fulltime job.
But we had this cow - a beautiful, white and brown spotted Ayrshire. She loved the water. We called her Daisy. No kidding.
The moment we left home, she knew it had to be the pool. She'd sprint to the dip's holding area - mooing with glee! Lots of time, the resident vet would think she's on heat. But she wasn't.
She just loved the water.
She'd be the first cow out. She'd literally run the length of that perimeter rail, plunge in with a mighty splash. In a people's swimming pool, she'd be the person climbing to the highest diving board.
She'd swim through - dipping her head in and snorting with happiness. It's a pity that the pool is narrow - she'd try to turn around. She'd climb out of the stairs. Then, she'd try to get back to the holding area. For a second run.
At first, the attendants wouldn't allow her back. With time, they got used to her enthusiasm - then she'd spend the entire day living it up!
Well, lots of people are stuck in a boring rut. The early rise to beat traffic. A bland office routine for years. Then, it's the traffic battle to get home. Day in, day out - it's energy-sapping.
How then, does one find exciting things to spice up a mundane life? Here's five hacks for you:
New places, New people
Run along with what excites you, but the key is to do it differently.
Switch up the routine. A sports fanatic, find new venues to follow your favorite teams. If you take up morning jogs or aerobic sessions - think up a new route - or exercise yard. Seek out new pubs and restaurants to hang out.
While an old routine has you meeting the same people, a switch up affords you a chance to meet new people - more friendships and networks.
Travel
Ignore common misconceptions about travel. It's not a preserve of the rich and the wealthy. It doesn't require much - just a desire - and a bit of forethought put into the planning. Travelling to a new place changes your life's perception.
Set an annual travel goal.
Every month, set aside a fixed amount for a planned vacation. Build up a kitty. Pin up a map on the wall, and highlight a destination of your choice. Each morning, before work - look at the map, and declare: SYCHELLES, HERE I COME!
It can be Diani, Mandera or the Maldives - pick a place you ain't been before. This adds a bit of drive and purpose as you go through the motions at work!
Volunteer
“The best way to not feel hopeless is to get up and do something. Don’t wait for good things to happen to you. If you go out and make some good things happen, you will fill the world with hope, you will fill yourself with hope.” - Former US President Barrack Obama stated.
It's about volunteer work.
This fulfils an innate desire to be part of change in an unjust world. Start locally. An hour in an orphanage helping out is refreshing - stress is quashed. Volunteerism maked it more excited to be alive.
Be adventurous
Life brightens up when you compete with yourself. Do something that scares you. For it's in seeking new trails and challenges that you awaken the dormant side of you. Be bold, and daring.
Have you tried martial arts? is there a swimming pool in your neighborhood? That's your cue. Each day, the adrenaline throbbing through your veins will make you feel awake more than ever!
Live your life
Sounds like a tired cliche, right?
A farmer uses blinkers on his plough horses - to keep them focused on the plough path. In our case, distractions are a dime a dozen - all secondary. Ignore opinions, especially by outsiders.
Embrace your imperfections. Accept and live with it. Avoid complaining - weigh the facts as they are, and seek solutions. That's bad mind energy.
Above all, never compare yourself with others. Each flower blooms at it's own time.
