So, finally, I've discovered, unravelled, bumped into, discerned (insert your choice of terminology here) the junction where my bliss resides.
To explain:
I've been poised to leave my current gig, but I haven't been able to define what I want my next gig to be. It's a very 'wandering aimlessly in no man's land' sort of feeling. Most of the time it's been relegated to the background by a lot of other urgent stuff that's been happening around me and to me. But it's been there.
I've been lucky: I've had an offer on the table for a while from a group of people I love and who have been absolutely patient with me. And I've attended a couple of job interviews besides.
But I've just had the sense that none of these opportunities are right for me. And, over the years, I've learned to trust my instincts.
Except whereas I've had a very strong sense of where I don't want to go and what I don't want to do next, I haven't had a good sense at all of what I want, what the right step to take from here is. Which has been frustrating me no end and making sound like a rudderless bungling idiot to me. Just so you know, I don't much like to sound like a rudderless, bungling idiot, especially to myself.
Then yesterday: Aha moment.
Driving home, turning it over in my head for the umpteenth time, I was able to boil down to a list of four my musthaves for the next gig. And to explain to myself, clearly and concisely, why. With examples and illustrations where necessary, thank you very much.
And I have Nairobi's notorious traffic congestion to thank for it.
Four roads bringing traffic from different aspects of my experience, inclination, personal style and preference, and worldview. And me standing right there at the intersection, at the point where these roads meet.
(If you don't see it, maybe you just had to have been there.)
Sigh. Progress. There's hope for R, yet.
It's taken me only eight and a half months.It's my window, but I don't own the view.

