Creativity Begets Creativity

The two most important things in the world:


1. The relationships you create with others.
2. Creativity.

Everyday, we have to work with this old senile man (who kinda reminds of my parents sometimes) named Dan. He is the volunteer construction man at Holy Cross Primary School. And he really doesn't do much. As in, he watches us and makes random comments like "Did you know that beans and rice are different then rice and beans?" Then, he'll talk our ears off about how he misses McDonalds. I'm also pretty sure he's partly deaf because whenever we try to speak to him or say something like, "Mr. Dan, that food is for our group, we only have enough for our group," he ignores us or talks over us.

Yesterday, while watching us put the (HUGE) swing set together for the kids, he started rambling again. "I do love the work you guys are doing for these kids here. When I was a kid, we used to build and play with stilts. Gol, I should make some for these kids here." Next thing you know, kids are lining up to try his new stilts. Creativity begets creativity. We need art like that to have a constant flow of inspiration through the world - even when we're inspired to do something that seems as meaningless as making a makeshift pair of stilts. Without creativity, life is meaningless. Humanity would dissipate and no change or attempt for survival could be made. Creativity is our contribution to the world. Because creativity begets (sparks) creativity, and each creative thing we do begets another, it is a perfect illustration of how we are all truly connected and belong to this world as much as it belongs to us. It is similar to the butterfly effect. TIP #8: Do something creative every day. Whether it's cooking, doodling, writing in a blog (cough cough), painting a picture no matter how simple, or putting on a sweet outfit, DO SOMETHING and appreciate what you have done for humanity. I feel weird on this trip with no make up and very few clothes - it's an important form of expression. Thank you, Kim, for advising me to blog.

Sting rays are my new favorite animal. Though, I never really had a favorite before. They are so smooth and chill and graceful. When I was snorkeling, I would just find them and follow them around. Snorkeling after losing my debit card was probably the best thing I could have done. If you try to look anywhere but directly down while snorkeling, you will get water in your mask and probably choke and die. It forces you to focus on breathing and to stay exactly in the moment. I can't think of any better staying in the moment therapy then that. It's positively beautiful. TIP #9: Live like a snorkeler and focus on the beauty directly around you at that moment. The picture is of my current view as I sit on my balcony. In my life, I have come across many a negative person, but never did I think I'd meet one in Belize of all places! I think I respect drunks more then a negative person. To focus on the past and to bottle up anger about any situation is unhealthy not only to yourself, but to those around you. I tend to avoid negative people when I can. However, they remind me so well to live in the moment and to learn and get over things quickly. I mess up enough things all the time - if I didn't live by learning and getting over things, life would surely be lonely and lame. We're in Belize! Its next to impossible for life to be lonely and lame.

I was talking to this woman who owns (the most amazing) custard shop here on San Pedro. She's from Pennsylvania but has lived here for fourteen years. She made me think of something I hadn't before - the reason why there are always so many small children running around the streets. In this city, there are bad people. However, for every bad person, there are at least ten good people watching your back. That and the ultimate mishmash diversity of this place are my favorite things about it. This island is made up of rich foreigners and chill locals and they all intermix with each other. You don't really see that in many places.

Last night, I helped my friend go all over town through at least twenty shops trying to find plantain chips because she was craving them... bad. We came so close once but was told those chips had gone bad. We had almost given up until we finally found them. They joy that spilled from her eyes was like no other. THere really is nothing like finding exactly what you're craving. TIP #10: The effort to find exactly what you want at the time is ALWAYS worth it. Well, what I want is pickles. And they don't exist on this island.

Yesterday was the last day of school that we'd get to hang with the kids. We cleaned up their playground (our construction zone) and watched some of them soak in the joy of the swings. Then, we played soccer against their soccer team. I have never sweat so much in my whole life. Once again, I'll admit that I'm honestly not used to hard work. I'm so glad that I spent my spring break doing it though. The whole world always needs help. If we all spend every vacation just chilling, it may add greatly to our happiness, but adds nothing to our sense of accomplishment or perspective. TIP #11: Everyday, try to make a positive effect on the world. Either by doing something big, like volunteering, or by doing something small, like smiling at someone.

Here comes my last day of work! Time to truly finish this playground.