Unlocking Personal Growth: Embrace the Daily Quest for Knowledge
In the fast-paced cadence of our daily lives, a profound yet simple question holds the potential to shape our mindset and enhance our journey: "What did you learn today?" Establishing a daily habit...
I can only imagine
It's your smile The way the new day dawns You don't notice me watching, but I am watching Every detail, every expression A breath of fresh air, I miss nothing I thank God for the moment I feel my...
One Week
I recently watched a movie I really enjoyed called One Week (2008). I enjoy movies that make me reflect. The film is Canadian. The short and sweet of the plot is about a young teacher living in...
Embracing Rejection, A Daily Ritual for Resilience
Written for Arie Hoogerbrugge by Sophia Wisdom In the pursuit of our dreams and ambitions, rejection is an inevitable companion. Whether you're an aspiring writer, an entrepreneur pitching ideas, or...
Stauffer’s Tree Frog
Stauffer's Tree Frog - Scinax staufferi Wikipedia Page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scinax_staufferi A very small tree frog common around the house and sometimes find their way into houses. More...
Belize Part 47 (Oct 4 to 8)
October 4 Life in the Jungle: Waiting for a load of gravel to be delivered I planted seedlings in the coconut field. Saul from the village brought me a yard of gravel from the hardware store. He...
Belize Part 46 (Sept 30 to Oct 3)
September 30 Life in the Jungle: It's amazing how I was so exhausted to do anything yesterday but it took so long to fall asleep last night. I don't know what the temperature was last night but for...
Belize Part 45 (Sept 21 to 29)
September 21 Life in the Jungle: I finally finished the hen house pen. I let out the hen with the oldest chicks to make sure everything would work out well. And everything did. So tomorrow both...
Dreams & Goals – Emptying the Monkey Mind
A few weeks ago, I had an unusual sense about my mood and attitude. I was actually what I would refer to as half-happy. Which I understand is a weird thing to say. Happiness has never been part...
The Power of Being Interested Rather Than Interesting
Written for Arie Hoogerbrugge by Sophia Wisdom In a world that often seems obsessed with self-promotion and the pursuit of being the center of attention, a shift in perspective can make a world of...
Embracing Habit: The Transformation from Novelty to Normalcy
Written for Arie Hoogerbrugge by Sophia Wisdom In the tapestry of our daily lives, habits weave the intricate patterns that shape our routines and define our identities. Often, we find ourselves...
Belize Part 44 (Sept 12 to 20)
September 12 Life in the jungle: Another sleepless night. But I didn't have the motivation or energy to get out of bed and be productive. I think tonight I just won't go to bed until I am sleepy. ...
Belize Part 43 (Sept 6 to 11)
Last week was a very stressful week dealing with Belize Immigration. That blog post link is at the bottom of this post. September 6 Life in the jungle: I slept in quite late this morning. It is...
Simplicity in Action: Breaking it All Down to Simple Processes
Written for Arie Hoogerbrugge by Sophia Wisdom In a world that often seems complex and overwhelming, there's an art to simplifying, and it begins with breaking things down into manageable steps....
Are you interested in living in Belize? Here is an unusual opportunity.
A unique living opportunity in the jungles of Belize Hi, I have a unique opportunity for like-minded individuals looking to live in Belize. My situation is that I am a single 50 year old male...
Striped or Brown Basilisk
Striped or Brown Basilisk - Basiliscus vittatus Wikipedia Page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brown_basilisk Famously also known as the Jesus Christ lizard for its ability to run across water. ...
The Perils of Good on the Road to Greatness
Written for Arie Hoogerbrugge by Sophia Wisdom In the pursuit of success, the concept that "good is the enemy of great" has been a guiding principle for many individuals and organizations. Coined by...
San Pedro Part 2 (Oct 12 – 14, 2023)
This is Part 2 of a recent holiday that I took when I went to San Pedro Town on Ambergris Caye. You can check out Part 1 if missed it HERE. October 12 Life in the jungle: I attended a 7 AM Catholic...
San Pedro – Part 1 (Oct 10 & 11, 2023)
After a grueling 5 months, finally finishing my greenhouse floor and about 9 months since my last vacation, I decided I had earned one. This vacation was a little different. I was determined to...
Belize Part 42 (Sept 2 to 5)
September 2 Life in the jungle: I slept like crap last night again. It rained all through the night and was still raining when I woke up. I didn't even bother bringing my city footwear, I was...
You Are What You Do, Not What You Say You’ll Do
Written for Arie Hoogerbrugge by Sophia Wisdom In a world filled with promises, commitments, and good intentions, the age-old saying, "You are what you do, not what you say you'll do," holds more...
Belize Part 41 (Aug 24 to Sept 1)
August 24 Life in the jungle: I woke up at 5 AM, with the stress of a rotting and costly house deck falling back asleep was not possible. [See photos in last blog post.] I started my morning...
Belize Part 40 (Aug 20 to 23)
August 20 Life in the jungle: Orlando and Joseph came this morning. We finished installing the door on the apartment and we put the roof on the front entrance of the greenhouse. [The door was...
Belize Part 39 (Aug 9 to 19)
August 9 Life in the jungle: Orlando and Joseph showed up this morning. We replaced the larger section of the house roof with the new zinc roofing that was delivered the other week. We got lucky...
Tired
I’m tired. I can’t see my way forward [in this life] but I realize that there is nowhere else to go but forward. And I am not afraid of moving forward. But I feel like I am on a highway, and I...
Belize Part 38 (Aug 1 to 8)
August 1 Life in the jungle: Over two months ago I got sick. This morning I had another cough attack. Everything is pretty wet outside. There is no point in working outside today. Everything...
Belize Part 37 (July 27 to 31)
July 27 Life in the jungle: In four days it will be two months ago that I got sick with a chronic cough and the coughing returned again last night. Another sleepless night. This morning I was up...
Huntsman Spider
Wikipedia Page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huntsman_spider More Belizean Creatures Boa Constrictor Red Eye Tree Frog
Embracing Our Singular Moments: Grey Owl’s Timeless Message
Written for Arie Hoogerbrugge by Sophia Wisdom In the 1999 film "Grey Owl," there is a poignant line that transcends the confines of cinema and encapsulates a profound truth: "Everyone has a moment,...
Belize Part 36 (July 21 to 26)
July 21 Life in the jungle: Somehow my morning got away from me again! But it didn't help that I slept like crap last night either. I did wake up to a reply from the Labor Department regarding my...
Lizard eater or Dryad snake
Lizard eater - Dryadophis melanolomus I don't think these guys are rare but I have only ever found one of them (in my basement). More Belizean Creatures...
The emptiness inside me
An emptiness inside me that won't go away Years and years of desires Looking over the horizon as far as these eyes can see Feeling like the old man on the outside Hiding the little boy in the inside...
Belize Part 35 (July 15 to 20)
July 15 Life in the jungle: I slept in as planned. Today I made two trips to the village. The first one to pick up my cans of paint that I had left at Verna Mae’s the other week and the second...
Belize Part 34 (July 10 to 14)
July 10 Life in the jungle: I ended up sleeping in from a late-night last night. I started my day at the ponds to plant papaya seeds. Twice I dropped the container of seeds. TWICE! I couldn't...
Belize Part 33 (July 3 to 9)
July 3 Life in the jungle: It's Sunday so it wasn't my most productive day. With a late start to my day, I retrieved some more 1/2" PVC pipe that had previously been laid and buried out towards the...
Titan Beetle
Wikipedia page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titan_beetle I only ever found of these guys. Click on image to enlarge More Belizean Creatures Pepper Tree Frog...
Belize Part 32 (June 27 to July 2)
Of note, last week I finally started building my greenhouse. June 27 Life in the jungle: I had a much better sleep last night. Orlando and Joseph showed up this morning. No concrete work today. ...
Belize Part 31 (June 21 to 26)
June 21 Life in the jungle: I slept okay last night but at 6 AM I woke up with a horrible cough. So bad I got up and took a walk around the yard and went back to my hammock and fell asleep until 11...
Belize Part 30 (June 13 to 20)
June 13 Life in the jungle: It rained all morning. My allergies were at their worst and my cough was bad. It took some Jack ass bitters that I had picked last week. Last week Verna Mae showed me...
Embracing Authenticity: The Power to Eliminate Who You Are Not
Written for Arie Hoogerbrugge by Sophia Wisdom In a world that constantly bombards us with expectations and societal norms, it's easy to lose sight of our true selves. The journey to self-discovery...
My confession
I fall to my knees I look away in shame I bury my face in my dirty hands Darkness rolls in The rain drops begin to splatter upon the earth Lightning streaks across the sky I confess, I confess, I...
Belize Part 29 (June 2 to 12)
June 2 Life in the jungle: It rained and thundered hard last night with a power outage. Because I couldn't run a fan during the power outage, I spent the first part of the night in my hammock....
Royal Palm
Wikipedia Page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roystonea_regia# Royal Palms are common in the area and on the farm. I have a local harvest the bark/outer skin of the tree to use for natural and...
Nourishing the Soul: The Transformative Power of Reading 100 Pages of Fiction a Day
Written for Arie Hoogerbrugge by Sophia Wisdom In the hustle and bustle of our fast-paced lives, carving out time for leisurely activities like reading might seem like a luxury. However, there's a...
Now That You’ve Said That Out Loud, How Does It Make You Feel?
Written for Arie Hoogerbrugge by Sophia Wisdom In the ever-evolving landscape of self-discovery and personal development, there is a simple yet profound question that has the potential to unlock...
Central American Wood Turtle
Central American Wood turtle - Rhinoclemmys areolata Wikipedia page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Furrowed_wood_turtle Locally know as Black-bellied turtle. Reasonably common at certain times of...
Belize Part 28 (May 28 to June 1)
May 28 Life in the jungle: It must have rained most of the night and into the morning. The road is drenched and it was a wet bike ride to the bus in the rain. I bussed it to Belize City and then...
Belize Part 27 (May 22 to 27)
May 22 Life in the jungle: I was expecting to wake up to heavy rain. It never came. I woke up and went down to my hammock and ended up sleeping until 10 AM. My day was spent completing my...
Weevil
Wikipedia Page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weevil More Belizean Creatures Green-headed Tree Snake Passion Flower
Cry of the heart
I lie in the darkness Memories drift through the fog of this life A single tear rolls down my cheek In a moment, my eyes are wet with regret Where did it go wrong And where did it go right So many...
Red Eye Tree Frog
Red Eye Tree Frog - Agalychnis callidryas Wikipedia page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agalychnis_callidryas This the first and only (juvenile) Red Eye tree frog that I have ever found on my farm...
Shifting Tides The problem is not the problem; the problem is your attitude about the problem
Written for Arie Hoogerbrugge by Sophia Wisdom In the grand tapestry of life, challenges are inevitable; they come in various shapes and sizes, demanding our attention and resilience. Yet, the...
Belize Part 26 (May 17 to 21)
May 17 Life in the jungle: Because of how I felt last night before bed I didn't set my alarm. While I don't feel sick my allergies are really bad and it feels like I have a cold when I sneeze but I...
The Power of Decisions: What Outcomes to Hope for When You Finally Decide
Written for Arie Hoogerbrugge by Sophia Wisdom Life is a series of choices, and at every juncture, we are faced with decisions. From the seemingly trivial ones like what to have for breakfast to...
Happiness
At some point in early 2016 I thought about the word “happiness”. Happiness has never really been part of my vocabulary. It was a word that makes me feel rather uncomfortable. I don’t want to say...
Alone
Always alone Always have been alone In a crowd, I am even more alone Will always be alone Die alone Written December 10, 2022 I don't trust you I still feel empty
Belize Part 25 (May 7 to 16)
May 7 Life in the jungle: I started my morning chopping in coconut field. It was a very hot morning and even a hotter day with no breeze. I then took a walk out to the ponds. I haven't been there...
Belize Part 24 (April 30 to May 6)
April 30 Life in the jungle: Because of my late-night last night I turned off my alarm. Nery called and woke me up at 6:45 AM this morning from my driveway. Usually, he showed up closer to 9 AM on...
23 Days with no power
In 2010 Hurricane Richard a Category 1 hurricane hit on October 25th. There was tremendous yard damage due to fallen trees. I was without power for one week. Truthfully all I remember is that it...
Don’t remind me of what can never be
I don't want to feel your skin I don't want to taste your lips I don't want you inside my head Better to live with the emptiness Better for the heart to ache Better to just go away We both know I...
Belize Part 23 (April 24 to 29)
April 24 Life in the jungle: I had a dream last night and a girl from my teenage social circle made a very brief appearance. That inspired a quick morning poem called l should have told you. From...
One Full Year in Belize and 2022 in Review
I crossed into Belize on November 23rd, 2021 and I arrived at my home on November 25th, 2021 after spending just over two years biking just over 26,000 km’s to get here. The original plan was to...
Belize Part 22 (April 13 to 23)
April 13 Life in the jungle: I started my morning with some housework in preparation for a fire and health department inspection for my tourist license Airbnb listing. After breakfast, I weed...
An internet connection story
On June 2, 2023, I finally got my own internet connection. This was one of my biggest priorities upon arriving at my home on November 25, 2022. The experience to get internet to my house was...
Scars
There is my childhood one from when my forehead made contact with a door knob during a pillow fight There is the one on my stomach when I ran from killer bees and tripped and landed on a tree stump...
Belize Part 21 (April 5 to 12)
April 5 Life in the jungle: Victor left this morning on his way to the bottom of Argentina. It was strange watching him push his bike through my gate. [Victor was a Warm Showers bike touring guest...
Awake my heart. Awake my soul.
I think about things deeply. Far more deeply than I care to or want to. This forces me to bury most of my life so that I hopefully forget. And usually, it works. I forget, but the soul never...
Belize Part 20 (March 29 to April 4)
March 29 Life in the jungle: It rained last night and through the night and into the morning. The road is a mud bath. This rain has really screwed my immediate working plans. I swear between all...
Turning 50
On May 18th I turned 50. I guess that only happens once in a lifetime (along with every birthday). Some days I feel like I am 20, some days I feel like I am 50 and some days I feel like I am 80. ...
Belize Part 19 (March 21 to 28)
March 21 Life in the jungle: Last night, half asleep coming down from my bedroom loft to use the washroom I decided to step off the ladder a few steps too early. Within a second, I fell and was on...
Tubroos Tree
Tubroos or Guanacaste tree - Enterolobium cyclocarpum Wikipedia page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enterolobium_cyclocarpum The Tubroos tree is one of my favorite trees. I have two very large ones...
Catasetum integerrimum – orchid
Wikipedia Page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catasetum_integerrimum Not exactly the prettiest orchid but it has unusual flowers. One of the more common orchids around the farm. Click on image to...
Yellow Tree Frog
Yellow Tree Frog - Hyla microcephala Wikipedia Page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dendropsophus_microcephalus A common tree frog found around the house and sometimes inside the house. Click on...
Tailless Whip Scorpion
Wikipedia page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amblypygi Very common under my house. Completely 100% harmless. Click on images to enlarge More Belizean...
Green-headed Tree Snake
Green-headed Tree Snake or Mexican Green Tree Snake Wikipedia page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leptophis_mexicanus A reasonably common snake around the farm though sometimes hard to find likely...
Mexican Burrowing Toad
Mexican Burrowing Toad - Rhinophrynus dorsalis Wikipedia Page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexican_burrowing_toad These toads live most of their lives underground and basically can only be seen...
Cane Toad
Cane toad - Rhinella marina Wikipedia page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cane_toad A common toad around the house. Native to Belize this toad has been introduced all over the world with...
Checking In – April 30, 2023
2022 was a really tough year for me. It would be my first full year living in Belize after taking two years to bike here from Canada. Arriving here in Belize I would end up facing challenges that...
White Lipped Mud Turtle
White Lipped mud turtle - Kinosternon leucostomum Wikipedia page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White-lipped_mud_turtle I have ever only found 2 White Lipped mud turtles in all of my time in...
Central American Bark Scorpion
Central American Bark Scorpion - Centruroides gracilis Wikipedia Page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centruroides_gracilis These guys are fairly common underneath my house and I typically find one...
Mexican Masked Tree Frog
Mexican Masked Tree Frog - Smilisca baudinii Wikipedia page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexican_burrowing_tree_frog Mexican Masked tree frogs are easily the most common tree frog I find around...
Breadfruit Tree
Wikipedia Page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breadfruit I have a breadfruit tree in my front yard. The tree bark is quite beautiful. The "fruit" tastes like french fries when fried in the frying...
Pepper Tree Frog
Also known as the Pepper Tree Frog - Phrynopyas venulosa Wikipedia page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milky_tree_frog Probably the second most common tree frog found around the house. When...
Speckled Racer Snake
Speckled Racer - Drymobius margaritiferus Wikipedia page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drymobius_margaritiferus Speckled Racer snakes are actually fairly common but generally difficult to catch,...
Gulf Coast Toad
Gulf Coast Toad - Bufo valliceps Wikipedia page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf_Coast_toad A very common toad around the farm Click on image to enlarge More...
Gaudy Sphinx Caterpillar
Gaudy Sphinx caterpillar - Eumorpha labruscae Wikipedia page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eumorpha_labruscae Click on image to enlarge. Photo of the moth is a random of the internet. [gallery...
Red Earth Centipede Snake
Red Earth Centipede Snake - Tantillita schistosa Wikipedia page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tantilla I never heard of this type of snake until I found this one. Click on image to enlarge...
Lo Moth or Peacock Caterpillar
Lo Moth - Automeris io Wikipedia Page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automeris_io All I know about this species is that is the stinging spines have a very painful venom. Thankfully I don't speak...
Click Beetle
Wikipedia Page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Click_beetle A fairly common beetle on the farm. Locally known as cookeye, dry weather cricket or pine wally. Other Belizean Creatures Mexican...
Life
It's the thought of interacting and meeting the hundreds of people that for one reason or another will cross my path in my remaining time on this planet that will ultimately reveal their true colors...
Opsiphanes tamarindi Caterpillar
Wikipedia page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opsiphanes I only have ever seen this caterpillar once that I know of. More Belizean Creatures Green-headed Tree Snake Pepper Tree Frog
Boa Constrictor
Wikipedia Page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boa_constrictor On previous trips to Belize I rarely came across Boa Constrictors. I now find them quite regularly. I suggest coming back to this page...
I don’t care anymore
I know, an extreme statement and what don’t I care about anymore? What I don’t care about anymore is my life here in Belize. I know that sounds very extreme given everything I have worked for. ...
Belize Part 18 (March 13 to 20)
March 13 Life in the jungle: Considering how hot yesterday morning was I didn't not see this morning’s weather coming. This morning was cool and overcast. I started the morning chopping in the...
Some days I feel so old (and really lazy)
When I look in the mirror I can't tell if I am old. I don't look old. Anyone would tell you that I look very young for my age. Some days I feel like I am in my 20's. But most nights when I go to...
Better Questions and Reflections to Live By – Part 17
Better questions and reflections to live by - Part 17 Over the years in truck I got into listening to podcasts. First a few a week and then depending on the day sometimes listening to podcasts 6-7...
Belize Part 17 (March 5 to 12)
March 5 Life in the jungle: I started my morning chopped the river lot behind my house. Then I went to the hardware store for a final load of 1x4 lumber for the cabbage wood project. I discovered...
Ambition
The standard pace is for chumps I have huge challenges ahead of me which will make my life interesting for sure. But I have no expression of ambition in my life and it's crippling me. Beyond...
I should have told you
Last night I dreamt about you You were still as pretty as all those years ago I should have told you long ago Your long dark hair Your quirky personality Your pretty smile I will never forget your...