Can You Build Paradise?

     Yesterday, in a rather unusual choice of activities, I laid in the hammock for quite some time despite the fact that it was about 48 degrees at the time. Cold by Florida standards. I grabbed the sleeping bag and my headphones and got all settled in for a nice winter nap. I ended up not using the headphones for the first half hour and instead just listened to the wind and the trees. It was a bit breezy on account of the cold front moving in, which brought with it even cooler night air.

Cold day hammock nap. Sleeping bag was the best decision.

     As the wind was blowing I was imagining the same scenario in summer. After I finish mowing the yard or tending to the garden, retreating to the hammock for an afternoon nap in the shade of the trees. I was imagining different areas where I could possibly locate the hammock, thinking if there were areas among what will be many wild looking plants growing fiercely in the sun and rain of the early summer. As I was doing this I imagined what the view from the hammock would look like if my imagination were the only limit. It turns out, my idea of paradise looks an awful lot like my front yard with just a little modification. More banana trees for starters. Lots more banana trees. A little change to the front porch, new paint for the house, some reworking of the driveway to make room for the wife's English garden, and of course room for more banana trees.
     None of these ideas in and of themselves seemed impossible, or even improbable, just not immediate. These things take time and perseverance. I can dream of big piece of land with all the space to roam and experiment, but when it comes down to it, I can picture paradise here just as well as anywhere. I think that is why I believe we can build paradise; because we can picture it where we are. If you aren't able to picture a better tomorrow where you are today, then no amount of planning or resources will allow you to build paradise, because you will not be happy where you are. Paradise is as much about happiness as it is environment. Don't believe me? Think about when you were a kid and miserable in some fantastic location. My bet is you were infinitely happier in you backyard tree fort or at the basketball court. The environment can only take you so far. The contentment comes first, then the realization of what makes things great.
       Can you build paradise? If you are already content, then certainly you can. You just can't do it all today.