Appreciation
As I was sitting on the beach this morning, drinking coffee, waiting for my friend to show up with the World's best croissants, I thought of something....
First off, let me put this place into perspective. It's one of the World's most gorgeous beaches a colour which you have most likely only seen in your dreams. It's stunning. Amazing. Magical!
First off, let me put this place into perspective. It's one of the World's most gorgeous beaches a colour which you have most likely only seen in your dreams. It's stunning. Amazing. Magical!
(click on the pic for a short cell phone video)
I noticed how there were only ex pats and tourists at the beach, and I wondered why.
And from living here for almost 3 years, I wondered why locals that are born and raised here don't usually go to the beach, with many not having been in the water for months or years.
Do locals even stand a chance at realizing how amazingly gorgeous this place is?
That got me thinking about when I was growing up in Switzerland. Did I ever appreciate living there in that stunningly beautiful place?
The answer is no, which is making me question if humans in general even possess the ability to appreciate that, which we have.
That which we are accustomed to and is "normal", readily available.
Or are we not capable of recognizing what we have, until it is gone and perhaps then come back to it?
I know for a fact that I had absolutely no concept of Switzerland being anything special, until I left and arrived in Houston, Texas.
(gulp)
And if we are in fact unable to appreciate our customary surroundings until they're gone.... does that concept apply to relationships?
I noticed how there were only ex pats and tourists at the beach, and I wondered why.
And from living here for almost 3 years, I wondered why locals that are born and raised here don't usually go to the beach, with many not having been in the water for months or years.
Do locals even stand a chance at realizing how amazingly gorgeous this place is?
That got me thinking about when I was growing up in Switzerland. Did I ever appreciate living there in that stunningly beautiful place?
The answer is no, which is making me question if humans in general even possess the ability to appreciate that, which we have.
That which we are accustomed to and is "normal", readily available.
Or are we not capable of recognizing what we have, until it is gone and perhaps then come back to it?
I know for a fact that I had absolutely no concept of Switzerland being anything special, until I left and arrived in Houston, Texas.
(gulp)
And if we are in fact unable to appreciate our customary surroundings until they're gone.... does that concept apply to relationships?
I suspect that may be the case. Ask yourself 'When have I truly been happy and content'.
Another favourite human failing of mine - alpha male syndrome - is where you deliberately (subconciously) screw things up to make it more difficult, in order to demonstrate how good you are.
Deadline queen behaviour is akin to this.
---* Bill
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To me there is a difference between participation and appreciation. We all live our lives in comfortable patterns, and establish those that hit upon the things that are important to us. I live less than 15 minutes from the beach but I rarely go because it's not important to me. You grew up in Switzerland and didn't know you were supposed to marvel at the scenery.
Every time I'm in our historic city center I marvel at the beauty of the architecture and think about what it must have been like when it was all fresh and new. When I'm dining in my favorite restaurant I think about what George Washington must have experienced when he was there over 200 years ago. That sense of history and connectedness is important to me.
I appreciate the culture and beauty of the city I live in, but I don't participate in all the extracurricular activities it offers, and I don't think I have to in order to be fully engaged. I also appreciate my partner and my friends, and I make an effort to let them know. The relationships with all of them is comfortable, and I try not to take any of them for granted.
In your particular case I think there may be some cultural differences, too. The vast majority of the blacks here can't swim at all and *never* go in the water. Many live on off shore islands and there was a tragic accident recently where a ferry overturned and nearly everyone drowned because they couldn't swim. I don't know why, but that is how they are. Perhaps there is some of that going on in Anguilla, too.
And remember they are natives. Their patterns and habits are generational and learned. You're a newcomer and had to create your own all by yourself. It's not that surprising you chose something different than someone living there would. How many people move to Switzerland and go hiking every day, versus locals? You moved to Anguilla because you were excited about it, the people who are born there can't possibly share your sense of wonder.
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Hi there I just found your blog while searching for info on Anguilla for my honeymoon. I was in Anguilla for a day trip while visiting St Martin & your blog going to be my new addiction to help pass the days until I return! Thanks for sharing!!!!
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I am near Toronto for two weeks on business. While I love the city of Toronto; it makes me appreciate my garden at home blooming, birds chirping in the morning and the sun on my face. Appreciation stems from your environment and values, if you are not aware of what you are missing; do you miss it? Likewise, can you appreciate something without comparison? I know as I have traveled and experienced more of the world, I have come to appreciate what I have in my own backyard. It also feeds my appetite for more experiences and adventure.
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