Life and Second Chances

 I was just shopping for a new SKIN COVER for my laptop and saw this saying:

LIFE always offers you a second chance - it is called TOMORROW.

I absolutely love that and it resonated with me immediately.  It caused me to think in a rapid fire manner about why something so simple seems so profound?  I think it is because of how we view life, in general.

I find we tend to think of life as a bundle of events that WILL happen - we will be born, we will make it through childhood, we will become an adult, we will experiences each decade, we will grow old, we will die.  When we think of things that happen as part of that bundle, we project out our beliefs of the impact of any one event, instead of viewing events as something that happened TODAY and TOMORROW has the capacity to be completely different.

We often believe if I failed at something today, I am also doomed to failure tomorrow, and the next and the next.  It is not ever viewed as an activity that occurred that has the same probabilities of remaining the same as it has of changing. Perhaps it is because of how we are taught to look at our lives from an early age.  In the context of the bundle... not just living each day for today as it may be the only day we get.  

It is the only promise we have.  If we want to do tomorrow differently, we can.  Life beyond today is nothing but second chances.  Or first chances at a new way, a new approach, a new thought pattern... 

When Is Enough Enough?

I moved to Honduras 4 years ago this month.  It was supposed to be for just a year... while I figured out myself and my life.  After 6 months I knew it would be for more than that 1 year.  After 4 years I know I will retain some attachment to this island forever.

Today I had a conversation with an island born Honduran.  We were discussing why I stay... and how he feels I am different.  He said to me, "you understand our heart... and you seem to love this place as we do". It made me cry. Literally.  No more true thing could be said.

I do care about this place.  I care about the people, the culture, the struggle that they have.  I worry about them being taken advantage of by people who come to this island to see how they can benefit off the backs of these people.  

I have made life long friends as well as many acquaintances.  I would do for them, and they for me.  They expect nothing but a smile, a conversation, a moment now and then to share thoughts over a coffee, tea, or beer. 

I have learned to value the small things from these people.  And they make me question our societal values and norms.  When is enough enough?  Every year we try to make more money, buy more things, and we as Americans are overwhelmingly unhappy.  We are not a happy people.

When I leave the island is when this is the most apparent.  Our easy going way of life is not a thing in the USA.  The stress for people is something you immediately sense and feel.  And it makes me want to turn right back around to the island every time.

When is "enough" going to be enough for you?

2026 #1 - Welcome To The New Year

Welcome to 2026 (I say mostly to myself at this moment) - time to change up this blog a little.  As each year that ticks off,  I realize that I have a lot yet to do with this "one precious life" (as a favorite singer of mine loves to say).  I am nowhere near seeing everything I want to see, doing everything I want to do, being everything that I can be.  I feel like I have only just begun.

Someone asked me this month while we were discussing blogs, why I have this blogsite.  My stated reason really has not changed from the get go... to talk about things that matter TO ME.  To reflect on things the way I want to reflect. It is for me to have a record of my thoughts and writing in one spot.  For the convenience of me. And in the doing, if anyone else has even a small moment of personal insight, laughter, joy, or an ah-ha moment from coming across it reading, or following - THAT is great!

I love this because it is a moment and space where I get to be the most authenticate version of myself.  So this year I am planning on posting a blog a week -- on whatever.  They will get categorized as we go.  I am also going to go through and post my most epic moments under water.  I have way too much film at this point to catch it all up, but I do want highlights in a specific place.

Also going to start linking out to my book sites (which I have as yet to create) - but these are my lofty goals for me.  

I am still living in Roatan Honduras.  Just closed out year #4.  What an amazing time this has been.  I am fortunate to have made life long friends with both Hondurans, and ex-pats.  I have learned and experienced so much and with Residency, this will always be a place near and dear to my heart.  

So here's to kicking off another year; another season of life.  Looking forward to whatever it brings.