Tug Of War

My thoughts as I ride through our ranch doing chores

Here in Rapa Nui, the idea of "providing" takes on a vibrant and profound meaning that contrasts sharply with the modern Western experience. For many of us, "providing" often brings to mind the daily grind: commuting to an office, staring at screens for hours on end, and then either cooking at home or grabbing a bite out. While these routines may seem mundane, they are, in fact, luxuries—privileges that allow us to work, travel, and choose our meals. But do these conveniences truly enrich our lives in a meaningful way?

On our ranch, life unfolds in a rhythm dictated by necessity. Each day begins with the care of our animals, the very beings that sustain us. We saddle up our horses to fish for our meals or select a chicken from our flock. We plant, nurture, and harvest our vegetables, sharing our bounty with neighbors who do the same. Here, providing isn’t just a task; it’s a shared journey, a deep connection to the land and to each other.

While our methods of providing may seem worlds apart, the goal remains the same: to nourish our bodies and souls, allowing us to rise and seek sustenance anew each day. It’s a powerful reminder that, despite our technological advancements, we are still creatures of instinct, often losing touch with our basic needs amidst the hustle and bustle of modern life.

In a world obsessed with wellness trends and the constant pursuit of self-improvement, my time in Rapa Nui has gifted me with a fresh perspective. The commodification of wellness has overshadowed its true essence, turning it into a buzzword rather than a genuine state of being. Wellness, stripped of its essence, becomes a checklist rather than a heartfelt appreciation for our surroundings and the labor that goes into sustaining ourselves.

We’ve lost a certain symmetry in Western lifestyles, where hard work often means hunching over keyboards instead of engaging in the physical labor of farming, fishing, and ranching. The disconnect from our basic need to provide has transformed wellness into a marketable concept, rather than the intrinsic experience it should be.

I recognize that living off the land may not be feasible for everyone, and that’s perfectly okay. The modern world presents conveniences that can be hard to resist. So how do we bridge this gap? How can we create a life that meets our fundamental needs while still enjoying the comforts of contemporary living?

Don’t get me wrong—I love a great restaurant meal or the ease of having help around the house! Yet, I find myself in a constant dance between the comforts I’ve grown accustomed to and a deeper understanding of what truly nourishes my soul and body, beyond the commercialized notion of wellness.

As I ride my horse through the ranch, I often reflect on this delicate balance between modernity and the timeless rhythms of life. In times when natural disasters displace cities and people feel lost, I ponder what it means to truly know oneself and to understand what genuinely nourishes us. It’s a journey worth taking, one that reconnects us with the essence of living fully and authentically.

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