I am feeling a little overwhelmed by the negativity I’ve been seeing on social media from those suffering from a loss of power due to Hurricane Irma.  Writing has become my outlet – so here goes! ❤

One of the greatest lessons I learned during my travels is how little I actually NEED to be content and how little STUFF makes me happy.

When living on the road, out of a backpack, you really only have like 30 things to your name.  When packing, leaving it all behind, you question your ability to survive. Here, we are BLESSED beyond belief, with so much STUFF.  I remember pulling out all of the clothes, etc. I wanted to take on this adventure with the idea of trying to be mindful that you have to carry what you bring.  It was also winter which added the challenge of clothes being more bulky. I ended up packing, removing, re-packing, taking more out until I settled on the final bag. (the full list)

All in all, I never needed a thing. It made me question why we have so much stuff; why I always felt I needed more. I had an abundance of clothes and shoes at home.  By the time I got to Africa it was HOT. I bought two pairs of shorts, one dress and a pair of flip flops. My new wardrobe was now complete.  CRAZINESS.  I constantly surprised myself but also this was part of developing this new curiosity that I wrote about recently.

I also didn’t have internet readily available at my fingertips. When I did find it, it was spotty. No television. No air conditioning. No hot shower.

You know what I realized? I WAS HAPPIER THAN EVER.

I had a new found appreciation for the little things.  Waking up to the sunrise; the beauty of nature; the love of fresh food/natural ingredients; the love of human interaction; kindness of strangers.  It was bare-boned living that allowed focus to be on the things that make a life so special. People. Finding your own happiness internally.

I have written about some of these experiences: developing a love of self; improving my self-talk; stepping away from the life of distraction; the joy in simplicity.

All of this has become so relevant, and a focus of conversation for me today, because my state, Florida, was just hit by a disastrous hurricane, Hurricane Irma. Now, my area was spared for the most part.  We were expecting the worst at a cat5 and ended up getting hit by a cat2. Now, it was still damaging… many have been without power for days – myself included. BUT we as a community went from being SO GRATEFUL to be spared – to SO PISSED that power hasn’t been restored.

Deconstructing again.

Why?  What is the root of the problem? Is it that being without power is that catastrophic? Is it that it’s fun to complain? Is it a need to share to help cope? To gain some sort of attention? Poor YOU.

Then I continue.  Do people realize that the Keys are flattened? Homes are gone. People are without power, water, a safe haven for their families. Loss. Complete loss.  First-responders, power companies, tree people, etc. are coming from across the country to help. I saw people from Ohio the other day.

But WAIT. You’ve been without power for 5 days.  You have running water.  Your valuables are in tact.  Your family is safe. Restaurants are reopening. Gas stations are getting gas.  Starbucks is still selling PSL!

I am realizing how little patience I have for complaining. Lack of perspective. Lack of gratitude.

It’s like the more we have, the more we expect. The more we have, the more distractions in our lives we incorporate, the further we get from bliss. The further we get from true happiness.  The happiness that shines from with in. Gratitude for the simple things.

Life shouldn’t be impossible without technology, electricity, or even a hot shower. I mean, certainly, we all love those things. They make aspects of life easier – easier to stay connected, more enjoyable, more entertained. I get it.

BUT without electricity, you realize more about yourself – what you can handle, how resilient you can be. How you feel internally – mentally, emotionally, and even physically.

There is power in slowing down. Power in “just being”.  It’s something we should all get comfortable with. People pay for this experience. Cue “Eat Pray Love!”  

Sadly it seems the more you have, the less you see beauty in simplicity.