Limits
I've lived here in Anguilla for close to 2 years and I've traveled to the US no less than 15 times.
Assuming I'm a fairly intelligent individual, you'd think by now I'd know exactly what's coming and that I'd be prepared for it, when I go to the US, as well as when I come back here.
But nothing could be further from the truth and I am surprised every time I "stunned" for the first few days after arriving in the "land of unlimited opportunities", or after coming back here.
See, Anguilla is essentially a developing country, with limits all over the place, everywhere you can see.
First off, there are the physical limits of the 30 square miles that is our little island.
Then there are all the things that come along with living on a small island, such as very limited choices with regards to groceries, clothes and anything else you might need to buy such as furniture, vacuum cleaners and car seat covers.
Case in point, not every time I go to the store there is milk and eggs or the type of cheese I might like.
There also isn't always gas for cooking or gasoline for the car and I have to go to another island to get the kids school uniforms.
(Anguilla with view of St. Maarten)
I used to think that having so many limits all around you would make you feel more frustrated.
But the truth is, it only does that right after coming back from a place with limitless choices.
Mainly, after traveling to the US for more than a few days, which is how long it usually takes me to go from "holy crap, look at the overwhelming amount of people/cars/buildings/stuff that is here" to "what's the big deal".
I actually no longer think that living with limits or limitations reduces your quality of life, but that it actually enriches your life with things you can't buy in a store.
Not sure if there is a single appropriate word is for it, but I think of it as innovation, or self-discovery of your own limits, which leads to learning and ultimately - more freedom!
Having limits all around you or living with a limitation actually forces you to grow.... to learn and to adjust and to make up for all those limits.
I saw this day in and out taking care of a handicapped child that had close to no control over her physical body. Both she and us, her caregivers had to adjust and come up with new ways to do simple tasks such as drink from a cup, or take a shower.
I see the same thing in my kids, especially after moving here with only a few suitcases and hence very little toys.
Not having tons of toys like in the States meant having to come up with your own fun and games.
Which is how hermit crab races got started, where two circles are drawn in the sand and one crab per kid is put in the small circle in the middle. Whichever crab makes it out of the larger circle is the winner of the race and the commotion of these races always reminds me of the Kentucky Derby.
Not having toys also is how "coconut babies" were born, which are coconuts that the girls (ok, one of the girls, the other one thinks coconut babies are stupid) used to dress up and drag along everywhere.
And just a little word of advice - don't ever throw a coconut out of the backseat of your car without first asking if it's a "coconut baby" or not, as having a baby thrown out of a car is horrifying for a 3 year old "coconut baby's" Mommy.
Having to come up with something different is also what I see it in me whenever I no longer have 30 kinds of salad dressing and carry-out restaurants available. So instead I make up my own lime and ginger dressing or cook something different, which has often lead to the discovery of a new and delicious recipe.
I also notice myself adjusting whenever the amount of work or help I have changes, usually for the worse.
Such as when my nanny leaves and I'm once again alone with the kids and the house, the laundry and oh yes, my job.
Yes, BondGirl got her dream job offered and is now back in freezing cold Switzerland working for a custom car tuning company. And after being scared and worried about the limits of my own capabilities and the "mere 24 hours in each day" thing, I've adjusted and re-arranged a few things.
It's a relief whenever you realize you won't die from having to deal with a certain limit.
And it's completely empowering to know you can live perfectly fine....perhaps even better than before... with what you got.
Perhaps I should make a sign.... mainly to remind myself..... when coping with limits becomes almost too much....
"Welcome to Anguilla, land of unlimited (growth) opportunities"
Assuming I'm a fairly intelligent individual, you'd think by now I'd know exactly what's coming and that I'd be prepared for it, when I go to the US, as well as when I come back here.
But nothing could be further from the truth and I am surprised every time I "stunned" for the first few days after arriving in the "land of unlimited opportunities", or after coming back here.
See, Anguilla is essentially a developing country, with limits all over the place, everywhere you can see.
First off, there are the physical limits of the 30 square miles that is our little island.
Then there are all the things that come along with living on a small island, such as very limited choices with regards to groceries, clothes and anything else you might need to buy such as furniture, vacuum cleaners and car seat covers.
Case in point, not every time I go to the store there is milk and eggs or the type of cheese I might like.
There also isn't always gas for cooking or gasoline for the car and I have to go to another island to get the kids school uniforms.
(Anguilla with view of St. Maarten)
I used to think that having so many limits all around you would make you feel more frustrated.
But the truth is, it only does that right after coming back from a place with limitless choices.
Mainly, after traveling to the US for more than a few days, which is how long it usually takes me to go from "holy crap, look at the overwhelming amount of people/cars/buildings/stuff that is here" to "what's the big deal".
I actually no longer think that living with limits or limitations reduces your quality of life, but that it actually enriches your life with things you can't buy in a store.
Not sure if there is a single appropriate word is for it, but I think of it as innovation, or self-discovery of your own limits, which leads to learning and ultimately - more freedom!
Having limits all around you or living with a limitation actually forces you to grow.... to learn and to adjust and to make up for all those limits.
I saw this day in and out taking care of a handicapped child that had close to no control over her physical body. Both she and us, her caregivers had to adjust and come up with new ways to do simple tasks such as drink from a cup, or take a shower.
I see the same thing in my kids, especially after moving here with only a few suitcases and hence very little toys.
Not having tons of toys like in the States meant having to come up with your own fun and games.
Which is how hermit crab races got started, where two circles are drawn in the sand and one crab per kid is put in the small circle in the middle. Whichever crab makes it out of the larger circle is the winner of the race and the commotion of these races always reminds me of the Kentucky Derby.
Not having toys also is how "coconut babies" were born, which are coconuts that the girls (ok, one of the girls, the other one thinks coconut babies are stupid) used to dress up and drag along everywhere.
And just a little word of advice - don't ever throw a coconut out of the backseat of your car without first asking if it's a "coconut baby" or not, as having a baby thrown out of a car is horrifying for a 3 year old "coconut baby's" Mommy.
Having to come up with something different is also what I see it in me whenever I no longer have 30 kinds of salad dressing and carry-out restaurants available. So instead I make up my own lime and ginger dressing or cook something different, which has often lead to the discovery of a new and delicious recipe.
I also notice myself adjusting whenever the amount of work or help I have changes, usually for the worse.
Such as when my nanny leaves and I'm once again alone with the kids and the house, the laundry and oh yes, my job.
Yes, BondGirl got her dream job offered and is now back in freezing cold Switzerland working for a custom car tuning company. And after being scared and worried about the limits of my own capabilities and the "mere 24 hours in each day" thing, I've adjusted and re-arranged a few things.
It's a relief whenever you realize you won't die from having to deal with a certain limit.
And it's completely empowering to know you can live perfectly fine....perhaps even better than before... with what you got.
Perhaps I should make a sign.... mainly to remind myself..... when coping with limits becomes almost too much....
"Welcome to Anguilla, land of unlimited (growth) opportunities"
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