Redefine: To be content

The other day I witnessed something that instantly got my attention. Two parakeets arguing.

As they sat there, perched on the branch of the little tree next to our porch, their loud screams penetrated the usual consistent tranquil sound of the the wildlife surrounding us. Their beaks wide open, their stance stern, they were ready to attack and knock the opponent off of the tree. Vicious. I sat there observing and I could not figure out what in the world these two parakeets could be arguing about. Space? Doesn’t make sense. Plenty of branches to go around and there are only two of them. Food? Can’t be. Plenty of fruit just sitting there waiting to be devoured. Mates? Doubt it. They are pets, and the only two parakeets of their kind around here. It just didn’t make sense.

What intrigued me even more, was why this event grabbed my attention to the extent that it did. Argument is such a natural thing. Even considered by some these days to be an art and a hobby. It has been around as long as living things have been around competing for resources and mates. So why did an argument make me stop mid step, put all my activities on hold, and just watch? Well, because in 2 and a half weeks I have not witnessed a single argument or disagreement. I live in a house with 10 other people. However that is truly an understatement. I think about 10 people have beds here. However, considering all of the family and neighbors that visit on a regular basis this place redefines a “full house”. And yet, no arguments. Voices are raised only to call someone over or in a moment of excitement. I have considered that maybe people just argue in private. But who am I kidding. Privacy does not exist here. Though I will save defining that concept for another day.  Different form of arguing? Maybe in this culture people have a more subtle form of disagreeing with each other. Could be. But I spend so much time with this family in such a small space and honestly have never witnessed any tension. People are always conversing, smiling, laughing. To be honest, I have never smiled and laughed more in such a small amount of time as I have here. My cheek muscles are probably going to be stronger than ever. And wrinkles, I am now understanding may not solely serve as an indication of age or the amount of sun that one has been exposed to. Wrinkles may just as well be an indication of the amount of happiness that one has been exposed to. In which case, when I return to the United States, I will be wearing all my happiness wrinkles proud.  

At some point, I needed to simply let go of the fact that I was simply not noticing the arguments here because there exists some secret form of arguing. The reality is, that opposed to the world in which I grew up, opposed to what I have always been taught indirectly by example, opposed to everything that I have come to believe over the past 23 years of my life, there exist places where waking up on the wrong side of the bed doesn’t signify that every person encountered is just another annoyance you must pretend to be excited to see and waste the little energy you have to force a smile onto your face.  There exist families who have one television for 12 people instead of 2 televisions per individual, and they still manage to always agree on what to watch and enjoy as a family.  There exist individuals, who do not revert to arguing every time something needs to be done, or simply because they are bored. To think that I have witnessed arguments because someone was given a moca frapaccino made with fat free milk instead of soy milk.

I am still uncertain what it is about this place. Is it all the nature that makes this people so content. Is it the culture? Though it cannot be a Panamanian thing because I have definitely seen a clear difference between the city and bigger town folk, opposed to the campo people. Maybe it is their lifestyle and the priorities that they have. My family lives in a quaint little place. They have the things they need. Beds, a kitchen with running water and a stove, a latrine, a porch on which they can all share their evenings together, and a television that they can also enjoy in their free time. It is not that I am deciding for them that they do not need anything more. But from my observations they seem very content with what they have. They work as artisans and make all sorts of crafts. However, they never make it appear as work or a chore. It always seems to be just a hobby of theirs, a way for them to pass their time, and often even a way for them to pass time together, chatting as they weave and carve. I have heard them speak about money but never with a note of concern or urgency in their voices. It is truly all intriguing, and I hope to gain a better understanding of it as I continue to get to know them.