Jamaica: Rediscovering My Roots and My Purpose

I decided to go ALL THE WAAAY BACK to the beginning to where it all started, to begin my Journey going forward, I’ll go back. Jamaica wasn’t just a vacation destination for me, it was a HOMECOMING. After the chaos and isolation brought on by COVID-19 and its aftermath, I felt the need to go back to my heritage, to go back to where my ancestors walked and where life seemed slower, richer, more Authentic and more intentional.

The moment I stepped off the plane, I was greeted by the humid embrace of the island air. It was as if Jamaica itself was saying, “Welcome home Mark. It’s time to heal.” The drive to the hotel from Sangster International Airport(Montego Bay) to Trelawny was filled with vivid colors, lush green hills, vibrant markets brimming with fruits and vegetables, and roadside stands offering everything from fresh coconuts to cold Red Stripe Beers to patties.

My days were spent  indulging in the simplicity of life. Each sunrise on the beach felt like a personal blessing, each day feeling better than the day before, I felt my soul being ‘jump started’ as the waves whispered encouragement as it washed against my feet.

 I decided to take a journey away from the resort even though such actions are ‘frowned upon’ at resorts. I simply wanted to get away from the ‘touristy vibes’ and give intentional support and engage with the everyday locals who reminded me of where I was and the culture in which I came from. And boy! I’m so glad I did! I came across an area where the local fishermen hung out, where there were little shacks that cooked and sold food. There I tasted the BEST chicken noodle soup besides my Nana’s Chicken noodle soup and the Fried Chicken and rice and peas was PERFECT. The locals gave a warning not to go swimming in the ocean where the fishermen hung out at, because of some type of whirlpool that had taken the lives of swimmers in that water throughout the years. It reminded me of stories I had heard throughout my childhood growing up in Jamaica, nevertheless, I took heed to the tales of the ocean and kept my feet ashore. Throughout my 2 hour long journey by the shore, a strange dog(to me) followed me and stayed by my side. Whenever I would stop, the dog stopped as well. Whenever I started to walk, so would the dog. Not sure what that was about but as long as the dog wasn’t barking AT ME I was cool with the company. This day, away from the resort , gave me the opportunity to just bask in what was and what used to be through the eyes of a young me, and I relished every moment of it. The Journey had now begun, The Healing was beginning.  

The healing wasn’t just in the sights and sounds around me, it was in the lessons I drew from the land itself. Jamaicans and Island folk as a whole, have a resilience that comes from facing hardship with a smile and a song. This was the resilience I needed to reawaken in myself. The simplicity of life here, the unhurried pace, the emphasis on community equated to ONE LOVE which taught me that healing isn’t something you rush. It’s something you nurture... #PreferredBoarding #BlackfolxsTravel

My Take Away: In rediscovering oneself, you must first reconnect with your roots. There is power in knowing where you come from.

-Please leave a comment and share your thoughts; Hopefully I'm not on this Journey Alone #Love #ThankYou #MyJourney #Transformation #BlackFolxsTravel