Perspective Piece
By Ramsey Shaffer
Photo by: Knox Kronenberg
This trip to Guanaja has broadened my understanding of life and what it means to truly be living. I will always be grateful for this experience that led me to new and amazing people, significant conversations, realigned views, perspective on the greater world, and of course, the catching of my first bonefish.
The simplicity of life here in Guanaja is something we lack in America and this simplicity, I have found, allows the Guanaja people to prioritize the things that actually matter. Every day I witnessed passion, genuine interactions, and love at the forefront of the Guanajan lifestyle. The constant rush and drive of people at home creates a society with excessive competition distracting from the important aspects of life. People at home are less inclined to meaningful relationships and pure generosity like the people I experienced here in Guanaja.
Walter (security at the lodge) the other night asked me if I knew my neighbors name. In a moment of realization, I said no. How could I not know the person who lives next door to me? At home we are so caught up in our own world as we lead self centered lives. It’s as if people don’t have time for others, but in Guanaja, all they have, and need, are each other. These people have so little materialistically, but are so happy. The support of their close-knit-family-like-community seems to provide these people with all they need to be happy. I always knew about the power of community; however, I had never seen it so clearly as being in Guanaja, where their whole life depended on the relationships and love between one another.
The simplicity of life here in Guanaja is something we lack in America and this simplicity, I have found, allows the Guanaja people to prioritize the things that actually matter. Every day I witnessed passion, genuine interactions, and love at the forefront of the Guanajan lifestyle. The constant rush and drive of people at home creates a society with excessive competition distracting from the important aspects of life. People at home are less inclined to meaningful relationships and pure generosity like the people I experienced here in Guanaja.
Walter (security at the lodge) the other night asked me if I knew my neighbors name. In a moment of realization, I said no. How could I not know the person who lives next door to me? At home we are so caught up in our own world as we lead self centered lives. It’s as if people don’t have time for others, but in Guanaja, all they have, and need, are each other. These people have so little materialistically, but are so happy. The support of their close-knit-family-like-community seems to provide these people with all they need to be happy. I always knew about the power of community; however, I had never seen it so clearly as being in Guanaja, where their whole life depended on the relationships and love between one another.
Photo by: Knox Kronenberg
Being present is something I have been working on ever since I realized how bad social media is. The constant distraction of our phones diminishes the simplicity of life because it constantly floods you with content you don’t need and pulls you away from the present. Currently, I am reflecting on the most prolific days of my life while sitting in Northeast Bite. I can’t help but savor feeling wholly present. It’s just me and the people I’m with. It’s just life - nothing more, nothing less. The chickens are squawking and I can hear the flies buzz and the waves crash. The man I was speaking to earlier was telling me about his chickens, he was fascinated by them. I thought to myself, at home I buy eggs from the store and don’t even think about it and this man lives off the resources he has and is content. He lives a perfectly simple life. I want to take simplicity home with me. I want to reject my stupid frustrations, like my car being cold or the shower not getting hot, and focus on gratitude, realizing plenty of people here don’t even have electricity. I want to stop taking my beautiful life for granted, and I hope my outlook becomes a lot more simple, with the reestablished values that Guanaja has taught me.
Returning home is going to be a reverse culture shock. I want to acknowledge and reflect on this unique and incredible experience when I return, but most importantly employ these lessons in my life. Fishing has always taught me the value of patience, but never did I think I could learn so much beyond fishing within this program. Learning about myself, my values, and life itself, has transformed my world outlook. Guanaja has helped me become more open to things like generosity, sharing about myself, and accepting others. Although these are things the average person makes an effort to do, the values and love in Guanaja has expanded the way I think about it. I can't wait to come back, I 💛 you Guanaja.
Returning home is going to be a reverse culture shock. I want to acknowledge and reflect on this unique and incredible experience when I return, but most importantly employ these lessons in my life. Fishing has always taught me the value of patience, but never did I think I could learn so much beyond fishing within this program. Learning about myself, my values, and life itself, has transformed my world outlook. Guanaja has helped me become more open to things like generosity, sharing about myself, and accepting others. Although these are things the average person makes an effort to do, the values and love in Guanaja has expanded the way I think about it. I can't wait to come back, I 💛 you Guanaja.