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Pura Vida!

Posted By: Randy GageJuly 29, 2011

As I was planning my next trip to Costa Rica for this winter, it got me thinking about some of my earlier visits there.  In fact I became so enraptured with it I once took an apartment there.  It’s my kind of country. 

They had the Mexican baseball league on TV, so I was able to abate the withdrawal symptoms I was suffering from after the World Series ended.  And what’s not to like about a country that sells out the 8 am first showing of the new Matrix movie?

There is nothing quite so spiritual as writing while you are surrounded by mountains shrouded in mist, with tropical breezes blowing over you, and the songs of hundreds of birds caressing you.

Costa Rica is poor, but the people are very rich indeed.  It’s a good and bad prosperity lesson all at once.  On one hand I am sorry for the conditions many people there live in.  Small, cramped houses, surrounded by gates and barbed wire, run down, beat up old cars, and certainly none of the “name” designers to choose from when you’re shopping.   I was at the finest malls in San Jose, but could find nothing I really wanted to buy, with the exception of a pair of Kenneth Cole shoes.  Alas, I wear size 12, and they didn’t stock anything above 11.

On the other hand, people there really have a joy for life.  I spent many afternoons, wandering along the shops at the Plaza de la Cultura, and you’d be hard pressed to find a bunch of people living life more.  The center of the plaza is just off of the National Theatre, and packed with pedestrians, many just stopping for a few moments to eat lunch, feed the pigeons, or people watch.

Family is very important, and they live together and spend much time with each other.   A victory by the futball team is cause for a national celebration.   A plate of casado, some cheap wine, and a few friends are good for a night of delightful conversation, contentment, and joy.

There is certainly a lot of lack there, and much fear-based philosophy.  But there are also some wonderful prosperity lessons as well.

Kind of like the place YOU live, don’t you think? 

-RG

 

20 comments on “Pura Vida!”

  1. I was given a trip to Nassau last year. I walked over the bridge from the casino because I wanted to see where the "real" people lived. I started walking down the side of the road (no sidewalk, just a place where it should have been). I couldn't believe houses surrounded with hurricane fences and razor wire on top. I had never seen anything like that. I live in Maine. I cannot imagine why anyone would want to live where they have to protect themselves like that. I saw an invitation for people to live in Costa Rica the other day. I know some Spanish and would love to live where I could learn more and get some practice. They were talking about how much various things cost. They included a security guard. I cannot imagine living where hiring a security guard is considered normal practice.

  2. Hi Randy, tell me when do you plan to come to Costa Rica and I'll invite you to a great casado, haha
    Tuanis

  3. Absolutely Randy, I love the place I live, even when my country is not reach, even when I know there are a lot of places better to live in. But as always, I appreciate everything I have.
    I have never visited Costa Rica, but I'm sure that it's a beautiful country with beautiful people and beautiful natural landscapes.

    Kisses,

    Ximena

  4. I agree. They sure know how to enjoy life and their national slogan, "pura vida" does reflects their way of living. Its a very special place, and "ticos" are very special people.

    However, I am not sure I agree with the "Costa Rica is poor" statement. They sure have lots of natural resources. As in most of 3rd world countries, I believe its a counciousness issue, not a material one.

  5. We each have our own Costa Rica. Each Costa Rica has its own name, own colors and its own sounds.
    I know what it means to live in the “other side”.
    There are disadvantages- low self-esteem and modesty.
    There are pros –
    passion to live better and a lot of reasons that motivate to improve my life and myself.
    I am grateful to the universe of where I was and where I am.

  6. I wanted to thank you Randy for the reminder to appreciate all the prosperity I have around me. I've never been to Costa Rica but I did live in Samoa. The Samoans are lovely peolpe but they have yet to master many of the same prosperity lessons. Things like power and water outages are common place. I would like to remind everyone to appreciate the things you take for granted. They are easy to over look on a busy day, only curse at the inconveniance when they faulter. But for today appreciate the ability to turn on a light, the ability to have a hot shower and the ability to connect to Randy wherever you are in the world for you are being blessed with these everyday.

  7. Pura Vida - stunning name :))) I do not know if anything here gets lost in translation, but I looked it up and what I got out of it it means "to see clean, complete, whole" That's beautiful!

  8. THE BOY FROM CAHUITA

    Costa Rica of course translates as "The Rich Coast." I have been there several times and loved it. I had the good fortune to experience both rich and poor sides of the country - a phenomenal train ride (I think from San Jose to Limon)which has been descibed as one of the best in the world with the mist and luscious nature as you describe - having my gold chain that my grandmother gave me for my 18th birthday ripped off my neck walking down a street in san Jose. (I stopped a scooter coming down the street, jumped on the back and told the guy to chase the guy who had got away!) A plain clothed policeman had seen it all and had stopped him already! We got invited to dinner at President Arias home. Going out snorkeling with the adorable loal guys who could stay under water for so long, going dancing and being the only white girl in the club - lovely friendly charming local guys, loved the music and local dance scene - surfing in Cahuita, the natural game reserve there, fabulous beach in Manuel Antonio - watching a Miss Costa Rica contest at a hotel on the Pacific coast and then driving a few hours and having breakfast on the Atlantic coast. I used to work for a Costa Rican in Munich, Germany. He came from nothing and became a multi millionaire - and has had the most incredible life. He grew up in Cahuita where the coco plantation was poisoned and none had any work. His father was an alcoholic and left his mother. He started singing for coins at the age of four and with that his mother bought food and cooked for people. He never went to school then tamed wild horses for people and at 13 got a job in San jose with a jeweler who then sent him to Miami - at 18 he was living in Beverly Hills. He is now 65 - for his 60th birhtday he took his personal trainer from Germany to Costa Rica and he ran 60 kilometres and finished up in front of the church he went to with his mother. (Que linda!) He still plays polo and has about 12 children, with a few different mothers. He has been invited to the vatican by the pope - planted trees at the UN, raced his Ferrarai from East to West of USA, has had a truly amazing life and has built art collections for the richest families in Europe and America. He remains the biggest fan of Costa Rica and takes people there all the time.
    ALl that just to say that despite humble beginnings with a vision nothing is impossible. The night we had dinner with president Arias, he kept saying "this man is amazing!" The man from Cahuita.

  9. Hi Randy,

    Yes, like the place I live.

    Also very much like Cambodia, where I am now.

    Plenty of prosperity and poverty conscious lessons here. Many people scare business away, with a lack and limitation type mindset when it comes to the tuk-tuks, etc.

    But in the same respect, the people here get it. It's rained quite a bit over the past week, with some torrential downpours, yet the beach has been packed. Raining quite a bit yesterday afternoon and there were tons of people in the water, celebrating, laughing, partying. Never seen anything like it, in my life.

    After a few drops at the Jersey Shore everybody runs off the beach like a hurricane was on the way.

    The people celebrate no matter what, and don't let a little bit of what we would call "bad weather" dampen their spirits or interfere with their family time.

    Thanks for the important reminder Randy.

    RB

  10. Confirmation! I have been researching Costa Rica since early 2011 for a possible lifestyle change in the very near future and it spoke to me spiritually. The divine abundance is truly magnificent: Mountains for being as close to God as you want, and the people who live in this paradise sound like the true jewels of this paradise.

    Poverty is everywhere, but it does not have to define Who one Is.

    All the best Randy!

  11. Good reading.
    But I love to walk in center of Stockholm in the summer and watch all the most beautiful girls and women in the entire world. Blonde, slim, tanned relaxed, partying on ice cream.

  12. The biggest secret is:
    - Everything is spiritual!

    As an example, what's the value of Randy Gage? And the answer is:
    - Randy Gage!

    “All matter is merely energy condensed to a slow vibration.
    We are all one consciousness experiencing itself subjectively.
    There is no such thing as death.
    Life is only a dream, and we are the imagination of ourselves.”

    Bill Hicks

  13. Yes there is fear based thinking everywhere. Is it real or imagined fear for the Costa Ricans? What are they afraid of?

    Wealthy people participate in fear based thinking too. For instance, I once heard someone wealthy say if there was universal health care, there would be inslaved Doctors. Fear mongoring is horrible, no matter where it comes from.

    For instance, why are so many wealthy people afraid of taxes, when most of them are regressive? Afraid of losing money they have? Afraid of losing control? Afraid some cause or someone will get something, that they in all their infinite wisdom, don't feel they should have. Hmmm....

    And, yes bravo, Prosperity lessons are definitely given by the impoverished. Many beautiful lessons of grace, kindness and the one you have been throwing out there so much lately: Acceptance.

    I am afraid of lies. I am afraid of people who spread lies. I am afraid of people who spread lies and don't even know they are lying, because they are lying to themselves.

    Some fears are real, some are just phobias, or based on anxieties that can be worked out. Fear is sometimes a friend and sometimes a foe, knowing what to be afraid of is important. There are some things out there in this world, that can really hurt you.

    Fear ignorance. Fear false prophets and lying politicians. But, never fear that truth is always there waiting to be heard and seen. That love is always possible and goodness is always available.

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  • 20 comments on “Pura Vida!”

    1. I was given a trip to Nassau last year. I walked over the bridge from the casino because I wanted to see where the "real" people lived. I started walking down the side of the road (no sidewalk, just a place where it should have been). I couldn't believe houses surrounded with hurricane fences and razor wire on top. I had never seen anything like that. I live in Maine. I cannot imagine why anyone would want to live where they have to protect themselves like that. I saw an invitation for people to live in Costa Rica the other day. I know some Spanish and would love to live where I could learn more and get some practice. They were talking about how much various things cost. They included a security guard. I cannot imagine living where hiring a security guard is considered normal practice.

    2. Hi Randy, tell me when do you plan to come to Costa Rica and I'll invite you to a great casado, haha
      Tuanis

    3. Absolutely Randy, I love the place I live, even when my country is not reach, even when I know there are a lot of places better to live in. But as always, I appreciate everything I have.
      I have never visited Costa Rica, but I'm sure that it's a beautiful country with beautiful people and beautiful natural landscapes.

      Kisses,

      Ximena

    4. I agree. They sure know how to enjoy life and their national slogan, "pura vida" does reflects their way of living. Its a very special place, and "ticos" are very special people.

      However, I am not sure I agree with the "Costa Rica is poor" statement. They sure have lots of natural resources. As in most of 3rd world countries, I believe its a counciousness issue, not a material one.

    5. We each have our own Costa Rica. Each Costa Rica has its own name, own colors and its own sounds.
      I know what it means to live in the “other side”.
      There are disadvantages- low self-esteem and modesty.
      There are pros –
      passion to live better and a lot of reasons that motivate to improve my life and myself.
      I am grateful to the universe of where I was and where I am.

    6. I wanted to thank you Randy for the reminder to appreciate all the prosperity I have around me. I've never been to Costa Rica but I did live in Samoa. The Samoans are lovely peolpe but they have yet to master many of the same prosperity lessons. Things like power and water outages are common place. I would like to remind everyone to appreciate the things you take for granted. They are easy to over look on a busy day, only curse at the inconveniance when they faulter. But for today appreciate the ability to turn on a light, the ability to have a hot shower and the ability to connect to Randy wherever you are in the world for you are being blessed with these everyday.

    7. Pura Vida - stunning name :))) I do not know if anything here gets lost in translation, but I looked it up and what I got out of it it means "to see clean, complete, whole" That's beautiful!

    8. THE BOY FROM CAHUITA

      Costa Rica of course translates as "The Rich Coast." I have been there several times and loved it. I had the good fortune to experience both rich and poor sides of the country - a phenomenal train ride (I think from San Jose to Limon)which has been descibed as one of the best in the world with the mist and luscious nature as you describe - having my gold chain that my grandmother gave me for my 18th birthday ripped off my neck walking down a street in san Jose. (I stopped a scooter coming down the street, jumped on the back and told the guy to chase the guy who had got away!) A plain clothed policeman had seen it all and had stopped him already! We got invited to dinner at President Arias home. Going out snorkeling with the adorable loal guys who could stay under water for so long, going dancing and being the only white girl in the club - lovely friendly charming local guys, loved the music and local dance scene - surfing in Cahuita, the natural game reserve there, fabulous beach in Manuel Antonio - watching a Miss Costa Rica contest at a hotel on the Pacific coast and then driving a few hours and having breakfast on the Atlantic coast. I used to work for a Costa Rican in Munich, Germany. He came from nothing and became a multi millionaire - and has had the most incredible life. He grew up in Cahuita where the coco plantation was poisoned and none had any work. His father was an alcoholic and left his mother. He started singing for coins at the age of four and with that his mother bought food and cooked for people. He never went to school then tamed wild horses for people and at 13 got a job in San jose with a jeweler who then sent him to Miami - at 18 he was living in Beverly Hills. He is now 65 - for his 60th birhtday he took his personal trainer from Germany to Costa Rica and he ran 60 kilometres and finished up in front of the church he went to with his mother. (Que linda!) He still plays polo and has about 12 children, with a few different mothers. He has been invited to the vatican by the pope - planted trees at the UN, raced his Ferrarai from East to West of USA, has had a truly amazing life and has built art collections for the richest families in Europe and America. He remains the biggest fan of Costa Rica and takes people there all the time.
      ALl that just to say that despite humble beginnings with a vision nothing is impossible. The night we had dinner with president Arias, he kept saying "this man is amazing!" The man from Cahuita.

    9. Hi Randy,

      Yes, like the place I live.

      Also very much like Cambodia, where I am now.

      Plenty of prosperity and poverty conscious lessons here. Many people scare business away, with a lack and limitation type mindset when it comes to the tuk-tuks, etc.

      But in the same respect, the people here get it. It's rained quite a bit over the past week, with some torrential downpours, yet the beach has been packed. Raining quite a bit yesterday afternoon and there were tons of people in the water, celebrating, laughing, partying. Never seen anything like it, in my life.

      After a few drops at the Jersey Shore everybody runs off the beach like a hurricane was on the way.

      The people celebrate no matter what, and don't let a little bit of what we would call "bad weather" dampen their spirits or interfere with their family time.

      Thanks for the important reminder Randy.

      RB

    10. Confirmation! I have been researching Costa Rica since early 2011 for a possible lifestyle change in the very near future and it spoke to me spiritually. The divine abundance is truly magnificent: Mountains for being as close to God as you want, and the people who live in this paradise sound like the true jewels of this paradise.

      Poverty is everywhere, but it does not have to define Who one Is.

      All the best Randy!

    11. Good reading.
      But I love to walk in center of Stockholm in the summer and watch all the most beautiful girls and women in the entire world. Blonde, slim, tanned relaxed, partying on ice cream.

    12. The biggest secret is:
      - Everything is spiritual!

      As an example, what's the value of Randy Gage? And the answer is:
      - Randy Gage!

      “All matter is merely energy condensed to a slow vibration.
      We are all one consciousness experiencing itself subjectively.
      There is no such thing as death.
      Life is only a dream, and we are the imagination of ourselves.”

      Bill Hicks

    13. Yes there is fear based thinking everywhere. Is it real or imagined fear for the Costa Ricans? What are they afraid of?

      Wealthy people participate in fear based thinking too. For instance, I once heard someone wealthy say if there was universal health care, there would be inslaved Doctors. Fear mongoring is horrible, no matter where it comes from.

      For instance, why are so many wealthy people afraid of taxes, when most of them are regressive? Afraid of losing money they have? Afraid of losing control? Afraid some cause or someone will get something, that they in all their infinite wisdom, don't feel they should have. Hmmm....

      And, yes bravo, Prosperity lessons are definitely given by the impoverished. Many beautiful lessons of grace, kindness and the one you have been throwing out there so much lately: Acceptance.

      I am afraid of lies. I am afraid of people who spread lies. I am afraid of people who spread lies and don't even know they are lying, because they are lying to themselves.

      Some fears are real, some are just phobias, or based on anxieties that can be worked out. Fear is sometimes a friend and sometimes a foe, knowing what to be afraid of is important. There are some things out there in this world, that can really hurt you.

      Fear ignorance. Fear false prophets and lying politicians. But, never fear that truth is always there waiting to be heard and seen. That love is always possible and goodness is always available.

    Leave a Reply to Randy Gage Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


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