The Power of Community

As we continue to settle into our new home in Belize, one thing stands out to us time and time again—the incredible power of community on this small island of only 2000 residents. It’s truly refreshing to witness the residents come to the aid of others on a regular basis. Hearing stories of sincere acts of kindness and community, especially during difficult times like the pandemic when tourism was basically non-existent, adds to the heartwarming experience. This kind of continuous support is rare in the big cities in North America where we come from, and it reminds us of the fantastic things that can happen when neighbors come together and care for one another on a regular basis.

When we reflect on our decades spent living in Ontario, it’s honestly difficult to come up with examples of community involvement similar to what we’ve seen and experienced in our short time living here in Belize. In Toronto, it became clear over time that many people were primarily focused on their own interests, leading individualistic lives as they strived to ascend the corporate ladder. This isn’t necessarily the individual's fault because living in a major city like Toronto is ultra-competitive. The environment drives us away from the “community first” lifestyle. Sadly, I can recall speaking to, reading, and hearing about how newcomers to the city on several occasions, found it very difficult to form new friendships or find a community that made them feel welcome. It’s unfortunate when you consider that three million people call the city of Toronto home. How often have you heard someone say they don’t even know their neighbor? I’ve heard this countless times. 

But we did experience community on the 21st floor.

During the early days of the pandemic, we experienced the true power of community by building strong bonds with our neighbors on the 21st floor of our apartment building in the west end of Toronto. Faced with fear and uncertainty, we formed a close-knit "bubble" to support each other during the lockdown. This was incredibly helpful as we spent time together, helping with grocery shopping, watching each other’s dogs, and offering emotional support to keep our spirits up and mental health in check. It was a reassuring reminder of the strength we find when we come together as a community in challenging times.

We had another incredible experience of the power of community when we relocated to the charming lakeside town of Crystal Beach. The warm-hearted residents of Crystal Beach embraced us with open arms and genuine kindness when we made the transition from Toronto. This tight-knit community consistently demonstrated unwavering support for local businesses and enthusiastically show up in large numbers for community events. As we became a part of this beautiful community, we were amazed by the swift and heartfelt acts of generosity we received, from home-cooked meals to unexpected job offers. It became evident that the people of Crystal Beach genuinely care for and look out for one another, creating a truly special environment.

We aren’t suggesting that there aren't true, genuine, powerful communities in big cities. What we’ve noticed from our experience living in multiple places throughout the years is that it’s much easier to witness and feel a part of a community with a much smaller population than in a big city. Forming a connection with others is naturally easier. Here, on our small island, neighbors know each other by name and wave to each other on the street. They don’t hesitate to lend a hand or offer support when needed.

It’s both powerful and humbling to be a part of a community like this, and we don’t for a second take it for granted.