What is Paradise?
Because I live in the Caribbean, I’m often told that I’m living in paradise. Oh, and having a bicycle tour/rental company along with all of this makes it sound even more paradise-ish. But what exactly constitutes the creation of paradise?
Looking in from the outside, living in a place like this definitely creates the notion of paradise….but being on a tropical island surrounded by turquoise blue water is not the definition of paradise.
For me personally, a place like this contains a lot of things that I desire…warm climate, laid back attitude, and nature. But there’s so much more to defining this word so many use to describe my location.
My definition of paradise is being surrounded by the things that are most important to yourself. The more of these things that you can surround yourself with, the closer to paradise you’ll be.
When it comes right down to it, paradise exists in our soul….and it’s up to us to unlock the right doors to make sure it stays open.
Let’s get back to me living in this so-called paradise. There are times when I’m on the beach playing with my kids that I totally feel that I’m there. But along with that come things like poor living conditions, backwards ways of doing things, and so mch more. Would you believe that in order to get warm water to wash dishes in the kitchen, we have to fill a pot of water from the bathroom shower? How about the fact that if we were to run out of cooking gas for the stove and oven on a Friday, we’re looking at no cooking available until at least the following Tuesday. Or you want to make something for supper that requires sour cream, and then run around to every store available just to find out the island is out of it until the next shipment arrives. Yeah, and that’s just a couple simple examples of the realities of living the Caribbean dream.
Paradise lies within and around you. Determine what core values are most important to you, and build your paradise from there….Make it Happen.
Let us hope that today we are all able to find our own little piece of Paradise no matter where we are. It is there, I promise you.
Man have I sat on this post for a long time, wanting to find the right words. Hard to add to what you said because I think you hit it. As you know Darryl I spent nearly 40 years on the St Croix. Some aspects were incredibly postive and are burned in my memory, others make me shudder. Physical beauty is what it is and can be found in different forms all over the world. Memories most often come from being with the people you live.
I live in Houston now. I doubt it is on many people top 10 list of Paridise, However ,I am the happiest I ever have been, I have my family (although they are now taking flight), and most of all I have Pamela to share my life and experiences with.
People tend to think that living in the islands is all about sitting in the sand with a fruity drink. It may be that way when you are on vacation paying a ton for someone to take care of you, but it aint so living there. Das jus da haard case.
Thanks for taking the time to get your thoughts together, Eric. I’m so happy for you and the life you have created over there. It’s so easy to see how much thought and attention goes into the life you’re laying out….and I’ve been envious of that many times.
You’re a good man, my friend. Thanks for your beautiful comments.
Funny Becuase at times we are envious of yours. As you well know its the grass-is-always greener thing. And to avoid that rut I think (as I know you do to) that it is all about enjoying what you have, not wishing for other stuff.
Thanks sweetie……you’re right in that Paradise is not a destination. I really feel that is exists in our minds and we have to be able to tap into it on a daily basis.
Great stuff, Darryl. Paradise is all about perspective. One person’s paradise might be living in an igloo in Alaska while another is spending more time with family. Movies keep driving home the cliche that paradise is on a tropical island with a cool drink in hand. That sounds good for a couple of weeks, but then I need to find my own paradise. p.s. Mine involves a road bike.
Cool, Brian. An ingredient to my Paradise is definitely bikes as well.
Great article Darryl, and I totally agree with you. If we are not able to find out, what exactly our own core values and expectations of life are, we won’t ever find our paradise. Some people keep looking for it their whole lives, and I hope I am not one of them;) Living in the Caribbean can definitely be close to paradise.
Thanks Belinda…I appreciate you checking out this post and leaving your comments.
Great piece Darryl. Not just because I agree with you 100 %, but because I believe what you have written to be true.
Thanks for your comment. Paradise is a difficult word to define.