My first love was the Earth – Belize. I found serenity in all her landscapes. The sounds of her people striving earnestly to become the finest stewards of her gifts resonated deeply within my soul. And, there are those who, while not native to her, are drawn to her shores to glean her wisdom.
For me, adventure was the first language I learned to speak. I recall the moment when my mother, relinquishing her grip on my hand, allowed me to experience the delicate caresses of the sea waves in the South, where the harmonious melody of the drums resonated with power as forbearing as the ocean itself. On the islands’ beaches, I would run barefoot and unrestrained, feeling a profound connection with the sea that seemed to await my arrival. Even a fractured wrist in a cast failed to deter me from wholeheartedly leaping into the waters of the Rio On Pools. The splendour of waterfalls and pine-adorned landscapes outweighed any perceived punishment.
My spirit manifested in my relentless ascent of ancient ruins. I would repeatedly scale their heights, driven by an unwavering determination to discover what lay at the pinnacle. Each ascension reaffirmed my belief that the view would be as breathtaking as the last. The memory of my body making its first contact with the water’s surface after a daring leap remains vivid. I learned to dive in the waters of St. Herman’s and confronted my fear of claustrophobia while exploring the cave’s depths.
These were days when thought held little sway, and the intrinsic value of experiences eluded quantification. It was, in essence, a child responding instinctively to the call of a nurturing mother.
As I’ve matured, a profound realisation has dawned upon me – I am intricately woven into the fabric of this planet, as much a part of it as it is a part of me, explaining that the unreciprocated consumption of Earth’s offerings is an unsustainable way of existence. It becomes evident that only a handful of communities bear the burden of nurturing our nation’s environment.
The question lingers: is it truly that challenging to recognise the profound value of our home, our nurturing mother? Have we forgotten the tender way in which she has cradled us? Sustainability is not just carrying a canvas bag or sipping through a metal straw. It embodies a lifestyle, a temperament. It entails displaying resilience and unwavering care because, in truth, our existence isn’t solitary. It involves uplifting one another—socially, economically, and environmentally. It demands we extend a helping hand to our neighbours. We are all stakeholders in this collective responsibility; we must embrace this truth and act upon it harmoniously. Only through this effort can we hope to coexist and preserve the delicate balance of our home.
Over time, our society has grown increasingly complacent in its rapid consumption, inadvertently assuming a narcissistic stance in our interactions with the Earth.
I recall a moment while driving along the Southern Highway when I beheld the mountains with reverence. It served as a poignant reminder that Belize transcends my individuality; it is an entity far more significant. Regrettably, many individuals overlook this, forgetting that we are but atoms within the vastness of nature.
“The Earth does not belong to us: we belong to the Earth.” – Marlee Matlin.
We must relinquish our human-centric philosophy and rekindle the childlike wonder void of selfishness. Belize beckons us with exuberance and invites those from around the globe to witness and marvel at her abundant beauty. Hence, I earnestly implore you to embark on a journey of rediscovery—relearning how to wholeheartedly and responsibly love the Earth in all its manifestations, embracing its every sound and motion with utmost stewardship.