Life seems to remind me more and more these days that I sure ain’t no “spring chicken” anymore. I mean there are those little aches and pains that show up each time I try to do anything my body is not accustomed to. At that point we have a choice. Just give in and don’t do them, i.e., “act our age,” or resist and fight the effects of gravity. I choose the latter and I could have chose no better battlefield upon which to wage this war than Costa Rica. I turned 48 in December and the specter of 50 is looming very large on my horizon. The good news is that Costa Rica boasts a very long average life expectancy among it citizenry. Why is that? Experts have cited different reasons. The climate certainly plays a role as Costa Rica has some of the best weather conditions, especially in the higher altitudes like San Jose, than any where on the planet. Almost anything grows here in the rich and fertile volcanic soil, so there is a never-ending supply of fresh fruits and veggies. The pace of life is slower and while that can sometimes ruffle the feathers of us expats who haven’t completely shed our old cultural inclinations, it most likely does contribute to longevity. Of course I hate to sound like a dirty old scoundrel, but all these incredible beautiful ladies tends to keep one at least wishing for youth. I guess all these things contribute to making Costa Rica a great place to grow old in. I will have to say that even though the big “5-0hhhh” is right around the corner and sometimes the muscles, joints and tendons aren’t quite as resilient as they once were, I really don’t feel, well, “old.” On the contrary I feel as if I could live another 50 years…..and that is exactly what I plan to do right here in Costa Rica. The idea that I am getting older just hasn’t occurred to me yet. I mean I don’t try to dress, talk and act like someone half my age…..you know like the over 50’ers with the tattoos, piercings and pony-tails…..but by the same token I refuse to accept that at age 48 I cannot do what I did at, say, age 25, or 30. I can and I will, damn it! Living in Costa Rica supplies much motivation for wanting to stay young. With all that said, getting older can be a satisfying experience. With age and experience comes wisdom and a more perceptive way of looking at the events of life. I believe that is why we “old-timers” like to say that “youth is wasted on the young.” In some ways it is…..I mean if only at age 25 I would have known what I know now. Think of all the mistakes I could have avoided. Yet those mistakes are what gave rise to the experience and the wisdom, correct? I have heard it said that success is the product of good judgment. Good judgment is the product of experience. And experience is the product of bad judgment. It is all about the process of life. A process to be embraced in the good times and the bad. I can think of no better place to do so than right here in Costa Rica.
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