As I sit on my back balcony, gazing at the pink sky, I think about how lucky I am. The air is warm, I’ve got a belly full of mango and the jungle is alive. This moment is so perfect in itself, I have to ask myself how I got here. And I laugh when I remember I took a twenty-five thousand dollar a year pay-cut to afford this. That may seem like a lot of money, but I can’t think of anything more valuable than my freedom.
Two weeks ago I moved to Jaco on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. I’ve been living on this “rich coast” for over a year and a half, but only now did I decide to live by the water. And as I said in my very first blog post, “it’s all or nothing for this wannabe tica,” so I got myself a place right on the beach. The rent is a little high at five hundred a month for a two bed with ocean view, but when I’m living in this kind of paradise what else could I need?
Living in Costa Rica has helped me realize that we are not meant to live in luxury, but in an abundance of joy. It can be hard to understand the difference, so perhaps that’s why we feel we need so much. Ironically as it may sound, I think that is the key to a cleaner planet, understanding what it means to live in the lap of true luxury.
Living in Costa Rica has helped me realize that we are not meant to live in luxury, but in an abundance of joy. It can be hard to understand the difference, so perhaps that’s why we feel we need so much. Ironically as it may sound, I think that is the key to a cleaner planet, understanding what it means to live in the lap of true luxury.
When I moved in last week, I sat on my porch looking up at the green mountains, and I immediately felt the lush mist of the rain forest sink into my skin. I can breathe more deeply in the clean air, and my skin bronzes under the soft sun. I jog down to the ocean and dive right in, cleansing my whole body. I feel nourished and healthy. What else could I need?
Just a few days ago I got myself a used cruiser so I could bike around town. For eighty bucks I can now feel the breeze on my back every time I go to grab groceries at the farmer's market. There I stock up on spinach, chard, cilantro, peppers, tomatoes, mangoes, garlic, ginger and avocados for under 10 bucks. I throw it all into the front basket of my limo and head back to whip up spinach tacos for me and a friend. What else could I need?
Just a few days ago I got myself a used cruiser so I could bike around town. For eighty bucks I can now feel the breeze on my back every time I go to grab groceries at the farmer's market. There I stock up on spinach, chard, cilantro, peppers, tomatoes, mangoes, garlic, ginger and avocados for under 10 bucks. I throw it all into the front basket of my limo and head back to whip up spinach tacos for me and a friend. What else could I need?
What is it that we really need in life? The more time we take to ask and answer this question, the easier it will be to discern what contributes to a healthier planet and what takes us one step further away from living in paradise. I try to ask myself that question every day, every moment, like now, as I sit here, sipping wine and watching the sun disappear. I can barely see the keys as I type. But I know how lucky am I, to see, what it is to truly live in abundance.
Just before I go, I have to share this real time moment with you! My BFF Roshaney just now texted me, “There’s an ass sitting next to me. His foot is bugging me.” She’s on a 2-hour bus ride from San Jose to visit me at seven at night on a Tuesday. When she gets here we’re going out for ladies’ night on me! Seriously, what else could I need?
Just before I go, I have to share this real time moment with you! My BFF Roshaney just now texted me, “There’s an ass sitting next to me. His foot is bugging me.” She’s on a 2-hour bus ride from San Jose to visit me at seven at night on a Tuesday. When she gets here we’re going out for ladies’ night on me! Seriously, what else could I need?