In the immortal words of Kris Kristofferson in the song Me and Bobby McGee, “freedom’s just another word for nothing left to lose.”  Maybe that is why the pain of this economic “crisis” runs so deep. That is, because in the U.S. folks do have so much to lose.  So I guess the question to pose is, are we really free?  Here in Costa Rica, however, it is a different story, materially speaking.  I will have to admit lately the crisis has me down in the dumps, too.  Yesterday, I lost a $5,000 sale because the potential customer shopped our deal to a competitor who shaved off a few dollars. So wamo, what was supposed to be a done deal ended up a gone deal. Yea it hurt.  But then on the way to work I look at the faces of Ticos with far less “materially” than I have and they are a lot happier than me.  That got me to thinking about what I did have, or do have, right now.  I may not have that $5,000 sale, which surely would have made things better.  But I do have my health.  I do have my sanity (well, there are a few out there who might argue about that).  I am the father of the four greatest kids on earth. I am driving La Poderosa.  I live in a great home.  I have a growing business and motivated, trained and experienced employees.  I live in the most beautiful place on earth.  And most importantly of all, I have the choice not to let some @#$% get me down by shopping the hard work we did for a few bucks savings.  I have the choice to be happy.  And the truth is, no matter how bad this recession might be….that is, even if it is the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression or the Civil War or even Noah’s Flood, or whatever, I still have the choice to say %#@ it!  I am gonna be happy!  The Ticos seem to get it.  In the midst of what some might consider material lack, they are generally an extremely happy lot.  They know how to take life less seriously.  I believe that is the genesis of the phrase heard so often around here…Pura Vida!  You can always find a reason to be happy if you look hard enough.  Just like you can find a reason to be miserable….economic crisis or not.  I believe this crisis is just an excuse for a lot of  hand wringing and after all, it does sell a lot of newspapers and it is great for keeping politicians in power.  So today I refuse to be miserable.  I refuse to throw a pity party, like the one we all celebrated at Package Costa Rica yesterday.  The sun is out.  The day is new.  And I am happy, damn it…..

Pura Vida!

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