I don’t know about you, but lately this “economic crisis” is getting on my nerves. I mean selling a Costa Rica vacation these days is like trying to sell ice to an Eskimo. It looks like the only way I am going to get business these days is to pay you guys (that is, all my millions of faithful readers) to make a trip down here. I am at the point where the idea I had a while back of doubling as a “street-vendor” selling fake autographed pictures of Barack Obama is beginning to take on more appeal. So what to do in times like these? Well I could throw a fit, but that probably wouldn’t do much good (actually I already tried and it didn’t). I could talk incessantly about how bad it is, since that seems to be the mainstream media solution to the problem. Or, I could get off my ass and do something about it. Ironically the best thing to do at a time like this is to be nice and give something to someone who is hurting more than me. Huh? How could someone even think of such a thing when times are so hard? Because when you do that it does a few things that actually help. First, it provides proof that despite the fact that times aren’t like they used to be, there is still more than enough. Second, it shows you that as bad as it might be, you are still living in a state of abundance that is far greater than many others out there. Third, it proves to yourself that despite the economic hardship you might be experiencing, you can still make a positive difference and that is a very empowering and motivating feeling. I write in this blog every day of the many wonderful things I love about Costa Rica. But the truth is Costa Rica, compared to developed countries of the world, is a very poor country, economically speaking. There are people here that are hurting far worse than me. And for them it is not a temporary crisis, it is a way of life to live in severe lack every day of their lives. There are so many opportunities to give and make a difference. The same is true where you are as well. You just have to take your eyes off yourself and become aware of the need that is all around you. And then stop sulking, bickering, complaining, or whatever it is you do, and do something for someone. Give and then, often, a magical thing happens. What you give comes back to you, sometimes, no usually, in far greater quantities. It is the so-called “law of attraction” in action. There is no greater way to activate that law than gratitude and the best way to show gratitude is to give of yourself. This last miraculous event should not, however, become your motivation for the giving. Do it to empower yourself and others and be that person who was put on this earth to make a difference, because you were. And there is no greater satisfaction than the feeling that comes from lightening the load of another human being. Right now in Costa Rica there are people suffering immeasurably from the earthquake we had a couple weeks ago. In that 40 second time span, people lost loved ones, possessions and livelihoods. People are living in tents seemingly without much hope for a brighter tomorrow. So this day I am going to stop moaning and groaning and do something to help. Economic recession be damned! What can you do today? Think about it.
Pura Vida!
He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses.
Proverbs 28:27 (NIV)
Comments
Steven Roll
If you still have your job, it’s a pretty good time to travel for those living in the U.S. I would imagine there are some good deals in Costa Rica right now.
I found it to be very affordable in late 2006 when the U.S. economy was still humming along. In June, I’m taking a trip to Mexico. If the exchange rate stays the way it’s been, there will be many good deals to be had.