Wisdom from an Island Taxi Driver

“Call me whenever you need a ride. No matter where you are, I can be there in five minutes.” So it began…a new friendship with a fascinating islander.

My family recently explored the splendor of Turks and Caicos (a celebration of 20 years of marriage). And as our taxi driver zipped us around town throughout the week, he shared his joyful spirit—as beautiful as our surroundings.

He chatted casually about his adventures and his view on life. And I listened, soaking it all up. What a privilege to hear someone’s story. The story of a full life. The colorful mural revealing the makings of a person. Authentic. Unedited.

After some darn good conversation, I applauded him for persevering down a tough road. A road that would have caused many to turn back… or at the very least break down. He referred to (and promptly dissed) the old saying, “The grass is always greener on the other side.” Reflecting that it often looks that way, but our very own grass can be just as green. We simply need to tend to it. Water it. Fertilize it. Prioritize caring for it and it will grow.

Yes!

With full eyes, he expressed gratitude for a life he worked hard to create. A life he embraced and nurtured, rather than looking with envy at what others had. “I work with what I’ve been given, and you work with what you’ve been given. That’s it.”

His words filled the air with peace—an aha that life is simplified when we focus our eyes on our own stuff. Comparison can suck the joy from our days and make us feel inadequate.

Every journey, with guaranteed imperfections and challenges, has great potential when handled with care. If we embrace who we are, where we are, and commit to making our story the best it can be, we can always find happiness.

When we returned home from our vacation, we found something beautiful waiting for us.

Spring!

Everything bloomed while we were gone. Radiant purple trees greeted us. Tulips and daffodils popped up for a visit. Cheerful colors painted the yards. And I couldn’t help but smile as a quote came to mind, returning me to our wise island cabbie: “A flower does not think of competing with the flower next to it. It just blooms.”

My wish for all of us as we bask in the glory of spring, is to have our very own resurgence. To grow and bloom and smile and thrive. Right where we are—watering can in hand.

“Things turn out best when we make the best of the way things turn out.” John Wooden