One of the highlights of growing up in Costa Rica is that most of the country is coastal. There’s a little strip of land (okay, volcanoes) in the middle, but mostly it is a Caribbean coast and a Pacific coast. Lots of pretty beaches, great surf, sun tans, and sandy toes.

It was an awesome place to grow up. As soon as school was out for any vacation, we would all head to the beaches. Back in the day, when I was a kid, this was easier said than done. They didn’t have paved access to most beaches, and certainly no convenience stores or restaurants at the more remote and beautiful spots.

Posted in acceptance, choices, guilt, Overcoming Challenges, regrets 1 Comment »

Having a Spirit of Adventure will make you feel young and alive. But in order to cultivate that zest for life we need to learn from those who have mastered it: kids!

Kids tend to be full of energy, curiosity, and fearlessness. They don’t get bogged down by all the possible scenarios of things that could go wrong. They aren’t too lazy to get up and play, and they are always looking for something new and fun to do. If you can’t think of something interesting, they will.

About a week ago we went to Stone Mountain Park because Hunter wanted to try the Sky Hike. This is essentially a ropes course with three different levels; the highest is about 4 stories above the ground. You have to wear a harness and clip in to a safety rail, in case you lose your balance and fall off the ropes.

Posted in choices, family, happiness, Spirit of Adventure 24 Comments »

Your joy is your sorrow unmasked.
And the selfsame well from which your laughter rises was oftentimes filled with your tears.
And how else can it be?
The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain.

Is not the cup that holds your wine the very cup that was burned in the potter’s oven?
And is not the lute that soothes your spirit, the very wood that was hollowed with knives?
When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy.
When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.

Some of you say, “Joy is greater than sorrow,” and others say, “Nay, sorrow is the greater.”
But I say unto you, they are inseparable.
Together they come, and when one sits, alone with you at your board, remember that the other is asleep upon your bed.

Posted in inspirational quotes 9 Comments »