I'm quite sure the picture atop this sentence gives away my point today. If you came looking for the next installment of my short story, The Hunt -- never fear, I will be posting it in a few hours.
As I drove in to work today, I began to think about the world I live in and the limited resources that exist. At one point in my life, I lived in Guatemala for two years. I spent these years trying to help and lift the people of western Guatemala--specifically the people in the area surrounding Quetzaltenango and Huehuetenango. Up until that point in my life, I had never encountered true, raw, need for basic resources. While I lived there, I encountered many people living a basic, hand-to-mouth existence. A very specific family comes to mind.
When I first met Jose and his wife, Juana , I was walking along a small path in the village of Olintepeque. I was about five miles from the village center. I passed Jose and Juana on the path and said hello to them. They responded kindly and we began to talk. After several minutes of chatting, they invited me to their home. They were just heading there, they told me. I agreed to visit and we began to climb the mountainside.
You see, in these areas of Guatemala, unlike in many wealthy areas of the world, those who have plentiful resources live down in the valleys and the poor live up on the mountainside--all because of water. Every day, the poor hike down the mountainside to get their daily water from the river that runs nearby. Then they have to pack their water back up the mountainside. It is very hard work. The wealthy live down in the valley, closer to the water source, and so do not have to carry their water very far.
We climbed up the steep mountainside. As we neared the very top of the large mountain, Jose pointed to a small trail that led off the main trail. About ten steps along this trail, there were four sticks holding up one blue tarp. Under this tarp lived Jose, Juana, and their three daughters. The daughters were excited to see their parents and somewhat bemused by the arrival of this stranger (me).
We chatted for several hours and I agreed to try and help them in their needs. They had very obvious financial needs. Because they were living in such poverty, the vast amount of their time was spent gathering precious resources to keep their family alive. Jose would get up early every morning and go down the hill with his wife to gather water for the day. They carried as much as they could, but it was barely enough to provide for their basic needs--never enough to have extra for such things as washing and cleaning. Then Jose would go back down the hill and work making adobe bricks, planting or harvesting corn, or doing whatever day jobs he could find to earn enough money for the daily corn. At the end of the hard day of work, Jose would get paid then exchange this small amount of money for corn. This he would carry up the hill, often in the dark, and give to his wife Juana. She would begin making the daily tamales or tortillas. These were consumed with much joy and gratitude. The next day, they would start the whole process over again.
I'm not sure how much I was able to help Jose and Juana and their children during my stay in Olintepeque. The experience of their lives they shared with me has helped me immensely over the years.
As I think on their circumstances, I am grateful for what I have. I often worry about personal resources. Do I have enough money to provide for my children? Do I have a little extra to buy the kids a treat or a nice dress? I sometimes find myself caught up in the push to earn more and gather limited resources. In reality, compared to Jose and Juana, I am immensely wealthy. I have been blessed with food to eat, water to drink, and clothes to wear. For this I am grateful.
As I have had a bit of time over the past couple of weeks, I have reflected on my experiences in Olintepeque. I have come to realize the most precious resource of all is TIME. Instead of asking myself if I have enough, I have begun to ask myself if I am using the Time I have wisely. This question has helped me refocus my life on what really matters.
What really matters?
To me, it is family and friends.
When it comes right down to it, what matters to me is the amount of time I am able to spend with those I love.
So as this New Year begins, I have committed to make sure I am using my most precious resource, my time, wisely.
Whatever happened to Jose and Juana?
I'm not sure.
I lost track of them in the chaos of the world.
Ever since my experiences in Guatemala, I have tried to help those in need. Specifically those in Guatemala who are in need of precious resources.
One of the best ways I have found to help is through Heifer International. Through them, I am able to donate precious resources, such as farm animals, which allow the recipients to create a more abundant life.
If you have the resources to do so, I invite you to join me in donating what you can to Heifer International.
My novella, An Assassin's Tool, is available for free download right here . You can also purchase it on Amazon for just $0.99 if you prefer.
© 2015, Stone Golem Publishing, All rights reserved--no part of this may be used without express written consent.
**All pictures used are labeled for reuse. They come from Pixabay and Wikipedia.
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Wonderful post! Thanks for sharing your experience while you travelled to Guatemala. For carrying out some philantropic activities, by rendering help to the needy, God Almighty will reward you abundantly. Happy new year. I follow and upvote you.
It is such a lovely country and more importantly, the people are absolutely incredible. So kind and gracious. I loved my time there. Thanks and Happy New Year to you as well.
Very good friend. Good luck always for you guys. I have replied to your comment on my post. Sorry I'm a little late in answering because the internet network is a little distracted here.
Thank you very much @rizasukma.
@bigpanda I think that you are a great human being and to where you go you want to help the others. God blesses you
That is very kind of you to say. Thanks.
Nice insight there, and thoughts of a better world.
A Long Hose Pipe and a Solar Pump could make the pumping of water to a higher place a little easier, but that's easy for me to say sat here in my office.
That's a really good idea.
I am waiting for your short story.
It will be along shortly. I'm working on the final draft right now.
very inspiring article i am impressed really
''I am grateful for what I have.'' it is very very heart touching sentence...
we often do not appreciate what we have in life so Stop focusing on what you don't have.but keep on focusing what we have...
You shared a wonderful article well done dear @bigpanda
Thanks for your kind reply. I agree, life is better when we focus on what we do have.
Waiting for your short story man.... great post... upvote comment resteem done...
finally posted the next part. Thanks for your kind words.
I am waiting your next hunt short story.I love your all stories .Thanks for sharing with us.Nice post.😊
finally posted the next part of The Hunt. Thanks--I'm glad you like it.
It's a great job that you've been able to help people living in Guatemala for two years living in Guatemala is really great
I loved Guatemala. The people there are absolutely amazing. It was a fantastic experience that I am intensely grateful for. It changed my life for the better.
Thank you very much !!! Thank you again and again for sharing this post because you did not just share this post. This post has been written in a beautiful manner by writing everything well.
Thank you!
this post every nice...i love your post,,
Thank you
most welcome my friend..i will wait for every post..please carry on your creativity...
I am waiting your next hunt story.
This story is also good .I love your post.still waiting .....@bigpanda thanks for share with us.I also post a short story today please read in to my blog.
Within the next few hours I will have it done. I should have it posted soon.
ok,i am waiting..
this publication is nice @bigpanda
Thank you.
You got a 33.11% upvote from @allaz courtesy of @bigpanda!
10.55% @pushup from @bigpanda
This post has received gratitude of 3.67 % from @appreciator thanks to: @bigpanda.
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Oh, I never knew that. Thanks for the info.
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Good post
@bigpanda, you have a heart of gold which is rare these days. Weldon!. Waiting for your next post
Great post there, keep up good work !
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💙 Great post. Very good writing,i like this post 💙
🎅 Thanks for Sharing 🎅There is always bound to be two classes of people in the society, the haves and the have not.
Those at the top and those at their mercy.
In order for the society to be balanced, the rich would have to try and share their wealth with those at the brink.
Thanks for sharing.
There are those who have learned to live with those limited resources, only the economic ones, since the cognitive ones are not limited but, unfortunately, in the country where I live these do not make the difference. Help while you can and thanks every day for the happiness you have
Wonderful heart touching post. Thanks alot bigman.
Hi, great post !!