ANGUILLA DREAMING

Late afternoon, quiet and unpopulated…

We are in Road Bay, Anguilla - A small Island with a small population. Most of the activity around is from tourists, tour boats and cruisers.  There is the faint sound of a dog barking in the background, the wind in the rigging and the birds are chattering up a storm and vying for attention. The rest of the island sounds travel slow and polite, just like the clouds overhead…. It is sedate.

There are very few cars here. Most are for rent and sitting in empty spaces. The main mode of transportation is by foot and the soles of feet are bare to the ground below.

Life is simple, respectful and uncomplicated. 

I observe a young boy at edge of the surf.  He is in his own world and couldn’t be happier.  He seems to be about age ten and vividly reveling in his youth.  He runs up and down the beach; adds a hop, adds a skip, and talks to himself with expressive gestures and an inner smile.

He sees me, and he shyly grins.  He then accelerates his gate as he knows I am watching.  He sprints down the shoreline jumps on, and then over the pier.

He is proud of his speed and a bit of “chest-pumping” shows up in his tender attempt to be recognized as strong and fast.  Little does he know, I DO see it and he is already there.

His carefree play goes on for quite some time and it makes me wonder, reminisce and recall how childhood has this magical allure of nothingness, and that children have the unique way of making into nothing into something - explosive and joyous – it is what they do. 

He doesn’t have a phone in his hand or a toy.  He doesn’t have a playmate or siblings around, he just has himself - and he is content.  It is more than apparent that he has been raised (so far) to appreciate the gifts he has: strong legs, a joyful heart and he lives in a very special place. 

I am making an assumption now, but I would wager a guess his Christmas list is short and has a very small glimmer of expectation – but if the wishes are not met, I believe, he knows that a driftwood stick with a clump of seaweed can do the same thing as a golden toy sword.

Entitlements: They have turned our society inside out. Every time I see a child with a tear or a smile I wonder what kind of a world we will leave them. 

While wants and desires can work in our favor (i.e. propel us to betterment) for the most part we are desperately consuming the media toxicity in and with constant comparison to have, or have not…. and for what?

I don’t want a time machine to take us back to simpler ways or to go forward into the abyss, I just want all children to know their blessings and embrace them as so many so-called “under privileged” souls do.   Because “want” leads to suffering and there is truly enough of that in our world already.

This has nothing to do with religion, politics or geography; it has everything to do with basic human morals – or in one word, contentment. Our pot at the end of the rainbow, our half glass, our purpose and goals will all be met when we find serenity in our present situation (good, bad or indifferent). 

Will life be less problematic? NO.  But getting a giggle out of a quick sprint that ramps up the adrenaline, takes our breath away and reminds us all that our heart beats to many different drums is a sure path to happiness.  Why make it complicated when things are truly and wonderfully simple. 

This is a truth.  Those that deny this, are those that live in deep drama and are on need of a huge dose of gratitude.  Like the child who can see through atrocity, their soul thrives in a smile it is understood that simplicity of wisdom is only complicated when we make it so.

Now ask yourself in honesty, “What is it that you truly want?” (dl)