What Do You Know About Life?

Poverty teaches lessons wealth can’t fathom. Failure imparts wisdom success can’t grasp. Love reveals truths hatred can’t comprehend. And kindness offers lessons cruelty can never replicate. These words, inspired by Annelise Lords, remind us that life is a profound teacher, offering lessons in every circumstance, if only we take the time to listen and learn.

Growing up in a developing country plagued by instability and scarcity, I’ve learned that life is both a challenge and a classroom. Many people suffer not because of their circumstances alone, but because they lack the knowledge to navigate them. Too often, individuals fail to truly understand the world they live in or the life they lead. This ignorance perpetuates pain, fuels mental health crises, and stifles growth. But when we take the time to understand life, we unlock the tools to thrive, even in adversity.

For decades, my country, Jamaica, has struggled with water shortages. I grew up in a household where water lock-offs were a regular occurrence. As a child, I often had to walk long distances to fetch water. My mother never stored water or planned for shortages. She lived reactively, not proactively. This lack of preparation meant that every water lock-off brought stress, frustration, and disruption.

Yesterday morning, I woke up to find no water in the pipes. Sometimes, the water company gives advance notice of maintenance work, but this time, there was no warning. Fortunately, I’ve learned to anticipate these challenges. I always store water, knowing that in a country like mine, preparation is not just a choice—it’s a necessity. I used my reserved water to cook, clean, and wash. Later, around 2:00 AM, I woke up to use the bathroom and tested the pipe. The water had returned. I washed my hands and went back to bed, but something inside me urged, “Go back and refill the containers. Catch more water while you can.” I listened to that inner voice. It took nearly two hours to refill the containers because the water pressure was low. By 4:00 AM, I was back in bed, exhausted but relieved.

A few hours later, I was awakened by voices outside. A neighbor was complaining that the water hadn’t returned, and her children couldn’t go to school. I rushed to the kitchen, only to remember that the water had come back earlier. Another neighbor confirmed this, saying, “The water came back a few hours ago.”

The frustrated mother replied, “I know, but I was too tired to get up and store any. I didn’t think it would be gone again so quickly.”

Another voice chimed in, “But this is how it’s always been. They rotate the supply so other areas can get water too.”

The mother pleaded, “My kids need to get to school, and my daughter has a job interview in a few hours. Can I borrow some of your water?”

The response was sharp and unyielding: “You mean to tell me that after all these years of water shortages, you don’t store any? How can you live here and not plan for this?”

The mother defended herself, “I never had to. There’s a pipe down the street that always has water.”

“Then why are you here?” the neighbor shot back.

“It’s dry today,” the mother admitted.

The neighbor’s tone grew more critical: “Do you realize what you’re teaching your children by not planning ahead? In a country like ours, opportunities don’t come twice. You have to grab them when they appear.”

The mother, now defensive, replied, “It’s just water!”

A voice laughed bitterly and said, “To you, it’s just water. To me, it’s a precious resource, and I’m not sharing it.”

The mother’s desperation grew. “But my son has an important exam today. His future depends on it!”

The neighbor’s response was blunt: “This is what happens when you don’t plan. You’ve lived here your whole life. You know how things work. Opportunities don’t rebound here. You have to be ready.”

The mother’s plea fell on deaf ears. “It’s only water,” she repeated weakly.

“Then go buy some,” the neighbor retorted.

“The shops aren’t open yet, and my kids need to leave soon,” the mother cried. “Their futures depend on this!”

This exchange highlights the power of taking life for granted. Water, like air, is essential to life. Yet, many fail to recognize its value until it’s gone. This story is a microcosm of a larger truth: a lack of planning and understanding of life can disable opportunities, especially in a country where resources are scarce and chances don’t come often.

In my household, I’ve raised my children to believe that they only get one chance at life. This mindset ensures that they never take opportunities for granted. They understand that in a world of scarcity, preparation and knowledge are their greatest allies. Life owes us nothing, but we owe life everything. That’s why I take the time to understand life—its challenges, its rhythms, and its lessons.

Knowing life is the safest, healthiest, and most sensible way to navigate this often cruel world. It allows us to add value to our lives and the lives of others, rather than perpetuating suffering through ignorance and neglect. If your heart could speak, what would it say? Would it urge you to plan, to prepare, to learn from the world around you?

Imagine a world where everyone took the time to understand life, to live intentionally, and to appreciate the resources they have. How much suffering could be alleviated? How many opportunities could be seized?

Do you know life? Do you take the time to understand its lessons, its challenges, and its beauty? If not, perhaps it’s time to start. Life is the greatest teacher we have, but only if we’re willing to listen.

Thank you for reading. I hope this piece inspires you to reflect on your own life and the world around you. If it resonates, leave a comment below. Let’s start a conversation about how we can all live more intentionally and meaningfully.