Pura Vida!!!

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Pura Vida!!!

I was introduced to this expression, which is (literally translated): “pure life“, on my recent trip to Costa Rica. The phrase is used in that part of the world for everything from greetings and farewells, to expressing satisfaction, to expressing indifference to an opinion…

Most visitors to Costa Rica consider the phrase an expression of a laid-back culture and of extending friendliness to the tourist-types; I realized though – after digging into the history of the country and its people – that Costa Ricans truly believe in the concept of ‘Pura Vida‘…that phrase for them is an expression of the philosophy of a strong community, of perseverance, of resilience, of overcoming challenges and difficulties with a smile, of thoroughly enjoying every moment of existence, and of the celebration of the great gift of life…

Pura Vida defines every living moment – all the good therein, all the bad therein, and all the ugly therein – of those who resonate with the essence of that which is ‘Pura Vida‘…

I’ve often been bashed by an entity I know who is very critical of the way I look at (and attempt to understand and articulate) life…the desire to comprehend as much as I can about every moment and every aspect of my existence, the refusal to submit thoughtlessly to hereditary prejudices and opinions, the never ending challenging of those that choose to remain ignorant and of those who choose to resign to the status quo, and the vocal, often blunt, expression of the results of my thoughts in clear form; amount to, in that critical entity’s opinion, an ‘unhappy‘ human being…

While I’ve never claimed to have ever been in the pursuit of ‘happiness‘, I’ve struggled at trying to understand, and then to respond to, this entity’s critical – and inaccurate – analysis of my psyche and state of mind…until now…

Pura Vida!!!

The essence of life – pure life – is in living every moment to its fullest…

The desire to comprehend one’s existence (and all the disparate elements therein) is not an expression of unhappiness, but a desire to experience one’s existence to its fullest…

The refusal to submit thoughtlessly to hereditary prejudices and opinions is not an expression of unhappiness, but the courageous choice of first making one’s OWN decisions, and then living through the consequences of that choice to its fullest…

The challenging of the morally bankrupt, of the ignorant sheep from amongst us, and of those that choose to remain subservient and fearful in every aspect of existence is not an expression of unhappiness, but a conscious effort to fearlessly live according to one’s value system, and to use the opportunity that existence has provided each one of us to lead a meaningful, ethical, moral, and worthy life to its fullest…

And most importantly, the unconditional and uncensored sharing of one’s experiences and opinions is in no way an expression of unhappiness, but the courage and integrity to express the results of one’s thoughts, regardless of how unfavorably they are looked upon by the fearful and brainwashed masses, in clear form; thereby articulating and living one’s existence to its fullest…

Pura Vida!!!

Unhappiness is a state of mind experienced when you choose to live your life on someone else’s terms…when you choose to live your own life, it’s Pura Vida!!!

Unhappiness is a state of mind when the choices you make in life are dependent on the acceptance of others…when the choices you make in life are the manifestation of your conscience, it’s Pura Vida!!!

“On life’s journey faith is nourishment, virtuous deeds are a shelter, wisdom is the light by day and right mindfulness is the protection by night. If a man lives a pure life, nothing can destroy him.” – Buddha

When this illusion annihilates itself into the totality of existence, the form will carry to its grave an expression of contentment, peace, and serenity…this has been my life…and I have found it worth living…Pura Vida!!!

- RD