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The Unexpected Gift Traveling to Belize with My Family Gave Me
| Traveling has always been a love language for my husband and me, and sharing it with our two little boys makes it even more meaningful. Our recent trip to Belize gave us all the adventure we could hope for—rope swings into the Macal River, snorkeling with nurse sharks at the Meso-American Reef, a night hike in search of tarantulas and scorpions, and tubing down a river we later learned was home to crocodiles.
It was a family trip full of firsts, laughter, and memories we’ll never forget. But what surprised me most wasn’t the adventures themselves. It was something unexpected: I gained time and strength. Not literally—time didn’t stop in Belize. But figuratively, I felt like I had more of it. And while I didn’t suddenly grow stronger in the physical sense, the daily 10,000+ steps helped me maintain the progress I’d been building before the trip. What I truly gained was an inner strength—a calmness that came from quieting my mind, letting go of constant “doing,” and focusing more on simply being.
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Our 8 year old’s picture of his favorite things we did in Belize, rope swinging into the Macal River
White Eagle and The Dalai Lama Were Right
There’s a quote often attributed to the Dalai Lama:
“If you don’t have 10 minutes to meditate, you should meditate for 20.”
The meaning is simple but profound—when you feel too busy to pause, that’s exactly when stillness is most needed. If life feels rushed, crowded, and distracted, meditation becomes even more valuable.
Taking twice the time may feel counterintuitive, but it gives you back focus, clarity, and energy—so the rest of your day flows with greater ease. Slowing down doesn’t literally give you more hours, but it changes how you experience time.
That’s exactly what happened for me in Belize. By being present, I felt as though I gained back time.
Another line from the book The Quiet Mind by White Eagle captures this truth beautifully:
“The secret to strength lies in the quiet mind.”
In Belize, quieting my mind gave me both time and strength—not just the physical kind, but the deeper strength that comes from being fully present.
At the summit of our hike in the jungle outside San Ignacio, Belize—enjoying the scenery… just being
Bringing the Gift Home
Since returning, I’ve been practicing the same principle:
- Airplane mode during family time. Fully present with my kids, savoring the moments with them rather than letting distractions pull me away. Time with them is now a top priority—the little, messy, moody, and magical moments matter more than anything else.
- Time for myself each morning that doesn’t include technology—journaling, meditation, my AG1, and a great cup of coffee to start the day grounded, energized, and centered.
- Prioritizing what matters most, and letting the rest wait, even if it feels a little unsettling.
- Moving and being intentional. Daily walks, active play with my boys, and simple movement routines kept my body strong, while the quiet time strengthened me internally—building focus, resilience, and energy that carried through each day.
The unexpected gift of Belize wasn’t just more memories—it was a lesson in presence, energy, and the true efficiency of time well spent.
And now, I want to pass this reminder on to you: sometimes the best way to gain more time isn’t by doing more. It’s by doing less, with more presence.
“The secret to strength lies in the quiet mind.” -White Eagle
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Remember, self-care is not a luxury. It is a leadership strategy.
Your well-being matters,
Dr. T
Founding President
Movement Rx
SDVOSB | WOSB
theresa.larson@movement-rx.com