April 18, 2022

​It is the final morning (this trip) in Pura Vida world and I am seated at a plastic table poolside of the decently rated, clean and conveniently placed overnight San Jose solution to making my international flight, back to the US today on this, the busiest weekend of the CR calendar.   

I find myself picking at my less-than-usually-appetizing Tico buffet breakfast (always including fresh mango with my cereal; heuvos, Spanish rice, plantains and salsa),  As I become conscious of and attempt to order the thoughts comprising my current narrative, my attention is visually drawn to the colorful external composition that in front of me, is being played out by nature’s orchestra.  I am hypnotized by the constant rhythmical, high-pitched underscoring of cicadas chirping in unison, seemingly conducted by some invisible maestro guiding their vacillating volume - sometimes pianissimo and then, as if manually dialed up (or down again), becomes noticeably fortissimo.  This hum is overlayed by a syncopated staccato of cheeping feathered soloists who are performing an eye-catching aerial interlude on the concrete pool deck.

Without warning, I am startled back to the reality of my imminent Costa Rican departure by the clanging waitstaff, who are cheerfully working hard for their guests on the most sacred of Costa Rican holidays - Semana Santa (Easter Week).

I am clearly no longer in the rainforest jungle of Nosara and as I, again, deep in thought, wistfully gaze up from my generic cup of aromatic cafe con leche, I notice the painted mural of the iconic Monte Verde volcano on the concrete cycloramic wall ahead, that separates this hotel from another, in the concrete jungle of San Jose.  Checking the time, I mentally prepare for the arriving transfer (no Ubers in Nosara, just Tuk Tuks), that will shortly deliver me to San Jose International airport, the final stop before I am shuttled back to my North American suburban living.  Reality sets firmly in - Dorothy is one step closer to Kansas - lion’s and tigers and bears - OH MY!!

….CUT!!!…aren’t those creatures supposed to reside in this mysteriOZ jungle, that life’s tornado unexpectedly plants us in and NOT in the suburban and conventional life we create for ourselves - the one in which I am raising my family?

Director's Note:

My refuge for the past 2 weeks - the place I called "home" - Rufugio Del Sol - Refuge from the Sun!

​It’s all a matter of perspective - we take the jungle beasts with us wherever we go.  Invisibly perched on our shoulder, they serve as our conscious - a constant tacit reminder of who we are, where we come from and ever-present prompting us to dig deep and question.  So, befriend them. Listen to and truly understand them.  But never bestow upon them the power, or grant them permission, to define you.  Do not allow their  embedded voices to hold you back from achieving your greatest potential, your visions and dreams.  For if we could just, somehow, hone the skills of self-awareness and self-belief, I truly believe we would have a real shot at identifying and bravely, yet gracefully, treading (or perhaps even forging) the pathways to the landmarks that provide us, not only with refuge, but that define home, for each and every one of us.

Character Analysis:

​For your character to be authentic - boldly step into their shoes (sparkles and all), firmly take hold of the magic wand and take the time to really understand its powers (for both good and evil).  Live each moment as honestly as possible, drawing on your own life experiences to inform your character’s journey, so that the story we share is one of believability and comes as close to Pura Vida as is humanly possible.

As seen on the bathroom wall at Destiny Cafe ;)

Even the local airline's slogan is Pura Vida - stenciled on the puddle jumper I flew between airports.

Critique:

As the all-encompassing writer, director, cast and critic, I reflect once more on the cinematographic scenes that have played out over the past couple of weeks and the sequels that have unveiled over the past year since my first Costa Rican landing (like an unprecedented NASA space expedition to a Pink Moon).  And amazingly, like a circumnavigating spacecraft is engineered and programmed to find its way back to safety, it dawns on me that, while I have lifted off and experienced altitudes and witnessed views unfathomable, I am still firmly entrenched in the push-pull that, on my very first day ever of my Nosaran “Costa Rican Pilgrimage”  (August of last year), left me feeling trapped and somewhat paralyzed in my Tiny Tree Room moment-one.

This perpetual debate between my heart and my head resides firmly within me.  And instead of trying to drown it out or resist it, perhaps like the messages delivered by those characters who followed the Yellow Brick Road, it's time to acknowledge its deeper purpose - who knows…even embrace it?   

(Side Note):

As Dorothy, Lion, Tin Man and Scarecrow experienced - it’s so much more more enlightening and joyful if we do it together (while singing and dancing ;).  Heck - it’s my story - so I even get to throw in the great backdrop of Nosara and magical sunset lighting!!!)

​I took my first dance class in Nosara with these amazing woman, inspired by Brooke's (in front) theme - The Pink Moon - as it was rising in all it's fullness that evening!

Nosara Adult Choir Singing

Finale:

Like the skillful understanding required of the patient surfers, so as to safely negotiate and master the challenges in size and force presented to them by the ever-changing currents beneath the sun-drenched waves;  Like the vacillating pitch and volume of the seasonal clock-work return of the cicadas relentless call - the signs are all around us, if we just pay attention!  This yin/yan; north/south predisposition is embedded in the most primal core of nature’s very existence and presides over us, if for no other reason, than to act as a constant introspective reminder to us to reassess and reflect.  They call for us to break the constraints of our scripted narrative that began at a time when we can’t quite remember who we were.  Instead, the resounding question is now:  WHO ARE you and HOW can you become the best version of that.

And while committed to the quest of uncovering the truest (and most peaceful and blissfully calm) rendition of “me”, this leading lady still, too often, feels like the embodiment of a clumsy, smiling circus puppet, whose strings feel manipulated in opposing directions.  I am at times, undoubtedly expressively dancing in synchronicity.  But more often I witness myself reactively juggling hats and roles, with a (sometimes self-imposed) unrealistic expectation to maintain the equilibrium, to maintain patience and grace through adversity, as an unfailing example to others and most importantly (to me) as a the illustrious role-model to my offsp(st)rings.

And, just when these strings, worn thin, feel like they may no longer sustain or might snap and ricochet like a shattered tendon; causing lasting, but repairable damage; when the internal (and external imposing) conflicts counter-productively gravitationally triumph, I become uncomfortably aware of the ensuing chaos.  And whether like a prompt standing concealed in the wings inconspicuously feeding me my lines, or more like a booming voice at curtain bluntly reminding to turn off my (internal) cell phone, to refrain from (blinding) flash photography, I am redirected.   I script in an intermission of self-care, so I can once again fulfill the contract  I made with myself and others in order to continue to drive the plot forward.  I find my way back to Nosara - my immersive theatrical open-air, inspirational "play"ground.

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Encore:

So, like any great stage or screenplay-write, director, actor or crew, I am hoping to leave my audience with unanswered, open-ended possibilities as to how this could perchance play out.  Of one thing I am more conscious than ever before: the conclusions you may draw will not only be informed by the story I have written and that you have witnessed, but as importantly (if not more-so), will be influenced (both consciously and subconsciously) by the row and seat number that both choice and circumstance landed you in.Like the skillful understanding required of the patient surfers in order to safely negotiate and master the challenges in size and force presented to them by the sun-drenched waves; like the ever-changing pitch and volume of the predictable clock-work return of the cicadas relentless call - the signs are all around us, if we just pay attention!  This yin/yan; north/south predisposition is embedded in the most primal core of nature’s very existence and presides over us, if for no other reason than to act as a constant introspective reminder for us to reassess and reflect.  It begs us to break the constraints of our scripted narrative that began at a time when we can’t quite remember who we were.  Instead, the resounding question is now:  WHO ARE you and HOW can you become the best version of that.
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• Is there a way to untangle oneself from the self-woven web we have built our foundation on as we travel the journey to find the place of calm and serenity that resides somewhere between the natural jungle, fraught with it’s own sets of challenges and the proverbial concrete jungle with walls we so often damagingly and futilely find ourselves bashing up against?
• Is there a pathway to symbiotic balance that will satisfy the insatiable dialogue between the head and the heart, gifting us a level of internal peace, while somehow managing the demanding external forces over which we have little control?
• Is there truly a way to nurture ourselves - that, while basking in the warmth of our own happiness, could equally serve the needs of those that depend upon us and of those whom we love?
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This Costa Rican story I share is currently a trilogy.  And like the most acclaimed series, my desire is that as you continue on this journey with me, you too are left satiably anticipating a sequel seasoned with abundant satisfying and neatly packaged sub-plots and storylines , while brimming over with magically mysterious adventure, surprise and yet unimagined possibilities…

April 18, 2022

Isn't it Ironic!!!

Just this morning, this came across my neighborhood text feed, shortly after receiving a text warning from our local neighborhood police department. This photo was captured a little over a half a mile from my home in NJ suburbia!!

Lions, and Tigers AND BEARS, Oh, My!!!!!!