Lessons from the Island: A Guest Blogger

Today's post is a guest post from another spouse who just arrived here in January, like me. I loved what he had to say and asked if I could share it with you. And without further ado, David McElprang, ladies and gentlemen: 

"So, today pretty much marks my 2 month point of living in Dominica. It also happens to be 1 month from when I fly out to go back to Atlanta for a short break. A few things I've come to realize while here that I feel deserve sharing with others: 

1) everyday spent snorkeling or hiking, is a good day. This island has so much beauty to share, but you have to be willing to go find it. The instances of true beauty finding you while sitting on your porch or hanging out at a bar/restaurant are far less common than when you go actively looking for them. I guess this could be said about most things in life… 

2) just because you can, doesn’t mean you should… this covers so many facets of life on the island, I won’t bother to elaborate, but just think of a situation this could possibly apply to, & it probably does.

3) when the clinic has free de-wormer, just take it… don’t ask questions, just take it. 

4) when you’re spear fishing & you see a large fish that you know would be a good fish to eat, don’t just shoot it in the hope that you will catch it; think logically about the size of the fish & how far out it can drag you before it gets tired enough for you to kill it… don’t ask, lesson learned the hard way.

5) no matter how bad you think your life is, I can personally show you proof that your life is fantastic compared to what some of the locals here live with every day, so quit being a freaking drama queen & appreciate what you have!!! All in all, life in paradise is not as perfect as anyone would like to think it is. You learn to do without a lot of the things you used to just take for granted. You also learn that you can truly do without a lot of the things you used to think were necessary. 

But most importantly, you come to realize that there are so many different people in this world that have such varied pasts & life experiences, that you need to be open to new friends, opportunities, & experiences without our preconceived notions."