The Most Important Life Lesson Learned in 2019

Photo taken by Ellina.

Sometimes, my first world problems get the best of me…

Im currently on vacation, having a grand ol’ privileged time.

Truthfully though, my vacation got off on a very rocky start. Prior to my flight departure, I forgot my very expensive water bottle at airport security. Not only did I lose something valuable, but my parents and I got into a nasty fight… basically any vacation excitement I had, vanished.

At least, I was super upset. Once I arrived to Honduras and Belize, some of central America’s poorest countries, all my discontentment for my lost item and my parents, left me.

Why Did my sadness disappear so Fast?

“I’d love to see China one day, but it’s too expensive” Othalie, my Honduran tour guide expressed to me, her dark brown eyes staring at the view across my shoulder.

Her eyes tell me the words unspoken. She knows she will never be able to afford a China trip. On a good day, she will earn around $50USD, whereas a round trip ticket to China is $1200USD.

The average salary of a Honduras teacher is $500 US/month. The iPhone I use to take pictures costs $1100.

i’m The luCky one

In Belize, I get driven around in a taxi.

Outside my taxi window, I see young local men riding diesel scooters on cracked roads, mothers holding their babies on dirty plastic chairs outside their rundown souvenir shops, there’s barbed wires surrounding every building, there’s garbage on the streets, and bums wearing rags walking aimlessly.

In Honduras and Belize, I experience their poverty for one day.

I see their lifestyle, I see the gangs dwelling in the crumbling houses, I see the dumpster fire that is supposed to be “economic development”.

But at 4pm, I will board my multimillion dollar cruise ship, sleep in a clean hotel room, and leave that poverty behind. Everyone who calls that island home, will not have that choice.

The biggest lesson i’ve learned in 2019 is GRATITUDE.

Because even if my parents drive me so mad sometimes I wish I wasn’t their daughter, I still want to hold them and love them. I’m still so grateful they’re in perfect health and able to make a good living.

Even when I feel like a piece of my heart was removed because I lost a material object, I’m still so grateful I have the economic means to even be able to buy, and eventually lose that water bottle without severe repercussions.

how much is “opportunity” worth To you? .

The $35 I pay to them for an island tour I can make back at my full time job. I can even pick up extra work on the weekends. Alternatively, I can go to my government and ask for a student loan to go to university.

I can also start my own internet company. There’s programs and services to help me with that too.

These people’s brains could be used for science, for art, for philosophy, yet they don’t even have the opportunity to exercise that right. They need to braid hair, do taxi tours, and be tour guides to put food on their plate.

It’s eye opening to see the day-to-day of people just south of the border.

The items in my suitcase alone, cost more than the salary of these islanders.

Needless to say, I’m so fucking grateful to life the life I live.

If gratitude was a cup, mine is overflowing.

I’m so grateful for my life in Canada. I’m so grateful I have the opportunity to pursue my dreams. I’m grateful I get to travel. I’m grateful I ended up with the privileged life I have.

If i ever forget my blessings again…

I’ll never forget the energy of Othalie when our tour ended. The life I have Othalie can only dream of for her kids.

I get to go back on my cruise ship, live a lavish life, and Othalie stays on that island. It’s guilt tripping and the memory hurts me. I could feel her energy, her yearning to see the world, to receive the same opportunities I have, but I know she’s stuck.

I will pray for her family.

If I ever forget my blessings again, i’ll just remember that conversation with Othalie, when she told me all she wants to do is visit China.

The biggest life lesson of 2019 for me is unequivocally, Gratitude.

If you’re reading this, you have the same amount of blessings as me. Never forget that.

See you next week.

Liya