The reality we face day to day is not a consequence but a choice. When given the choice of where to travel, where to go, where to be, instead of asking “what do I want to do?, I’ve learned to ask myself “how do I want to feel?” … this shift has made all the difference in my decision making.

Arrival to a desired state of mind is not just an awakening, but also an acceptance. After reading books like Waking Up by Sam Harris and The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle, I’ve come to understand that many things I believe to be outside of me are actually within me, dormant, but also subconsciously misunderstood. Awakenings have come to me in the form of the smallest nudge, the faintest hint, and the slightest shift, but only when in a state willingness. Acceptance has come to me in the form of alignment, education, surrender, consent, embrace, and patience.

The knowledge we receive does not have to be applied with intention and immediacy. Sometimes the best is when it shows up unintentionally. Examples include leading without a title, helping a stranger in need, solving a problem not because you have to but because you want to, and surprising yourself with effortlessness and impeccable timing. In this photo, I am pleasantly surprised by the refreshing splash of water and my ability to maintain my pose. It’s in jolting moments like this that show how good I am at standing my ground.

The better you are, the better we all are. As you may or may not know, I’m here in Costa Rica to study Permaculture. It is a set of design principles that work to regenerate, sustain, and vitalize the earth as thoughtfully as possible, not just to serve the present, but to preserve the future. My area of interest is in Social Permaculture, a way forward in lifestyle design and social innovation for the betterment of our communities. This photo encapsulates the beauty of nature, and the parent-child couples that are benefiting from that beauty. Hoping we leave the planet in better shape than when we arrived.

It is in nature that we find answers to our own nature. This photo has captured a life or death situation where the baby turtle needs to make its way to the water immediately after hatching. It is in observing this phenomenon that I am humbled by the determination of this incredible creature. It has made me think twice about my own determination and drive for living.

The questioning is the answer. The fact that we continue to ask deep questions is a good sign that we are curious and spirited about all that life has to offer. Some questions:
- Would you rather be highly productive but dissatisfied or less productive and satisfied?
- How are you expending and restoring your energy?
- What good is novel knowledge if it doesn’t stimulate new behaviours?

Health is wealth, and wealth is best shared. So let’s spread health. In this photo, I’m here helping out my friend who is leading a community garden initiative in Nosara. He is onboarding myself and another, and touring us around his permaculture garden. When thinking about wealth, I am reminded of the quote: “When the last tree is cut down, the last fish eaten and the last stream poisoned, you will realize that you cannot eat money.”

Accomplishments are not milestones, they are reference points. The milestone mentality by which we accumulate progression towards exponential levels of actualization is unsustainable. I used to like to ‘one-up’ myself, and use competition as fuel. But as I grow, I’m exploring other fuel sources for accomplishment and ambition. When climbing up the tallest mountain in Costa Rica, instead of using the typical quantitatives of performance (pace, duration, and speed), I used the qualitatives (feeling, focus, and fun). These act as transferrable reference points that can used to measure my performance in other life pursuits. One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.

You are your own worst enemy, your best friend, and your forever lover. You’re all you’ve got, so embrace sovereignty, and inspire others with that self-rulership. Be kind to yourself on your journey to self-mastery. The more whole we are, the less pleasure we need.

Collect moments not things. I found this photo very reflective of 2020 racial injustices. It’s interesting how it shows up in nature. Thoughts? Comments?

Biodiversity is a reflection of health in nature. Let it be so within our communities and within ourselves.

When you learn history, you learn to appreciate. I visited San Jose as a way to further understand the country. It was by walking the streets, and the halls of the museums that I learned to more deeply appreciate the beaches, forests, and mountains of Costa Rica. The gratitude I have for this country has come from knowing how much suffering and struggle it has undergone.

FOODIES UNITE! Main thing I learned thus far in Costa Rica about nutrition is that fibre is underrated as a component of a healthy diet. Also that ‘fresh’ should be a flavour.

A culture committed to community vitality is the way, and has always been the way in blue zones of the world. Social relationships are the main indicator to human health (especially mental health). Traveling in a blue zone country, it is the commitment to belongingness that I see in people’s hearts that results in happiness and wholesomeness. To me, that’s the best of “pura vida”, Costa Rica’s mantra. These people are just a handful of people I’ve met in Costa Rica that have made me feel like I belong. They’ve gone out of their way to host me, show me around, share with me, and just spend quality time with me. Cheers to making BELONGINGNESS a priority of 2021.