Jan Hart - Enjoying her retirement in Costa Rica
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A Single Woman Retired in Costa Rica 3/4 - Managing the fear.
VIP Member Jan Hart
In 2010 I feel safer and more secure - but not yet fearless.
I still have some personal and universal fears. My significant hearing loss and nerve damaged legs contribute to a feeling of isolation. Often I cannot understand foreign accents or conversation in a crowded group. Sometimes torrential rains smother me in auditory isolation under the metal roof and I feel very alone, very afraid. And I don't like the dependence I have upon my car for mobility off my hillside home. Age-related and medical realities are part of my life. I am dealing with it by having close by my animals, internet, car and telephone.
But the greatest fears I have are world fears I feel powerless to affect. I remain connected to the US -- the home of my children, friends, family, past. I am afraid for my country. Some suggest just not listening to or watching news. Ignore it! But my curious mind won't allow denial. I enjoy expanding my view of the US in the world context through the eyes of Ex-Pats from all over the world. I'm even interested in conspiracy theories because so many of the old ones have ultimately been proven true -- like the Iran-Contra Affair and the Gulf of Tonkin Incident to name a couple.
The fear that worries me most comes out of the mouths of ordinary Americans. I hear the fear mongering rhetoric from Fox News or radio talk show hosts repeated as truth. Lying phrases like 'Obama is Muslim' and 'elderly face death panels to decide who is worthy of care...' and 'Islam is taking over the world' are accepted as truth into the consciousness of ordinary citizens. Why is news distorted and fabricated? Political gain. And it works. It feeds fears that make a terrified populace accept actions like huge banker bail outs, accelerated war and erosion of civil rights. If people are too frightened or tired or depressed to look for the truth, they take in the lies. And the drum roll continues.
To keep from being overwhelmed with universal fear I developed some personal strategies.
- I surround myself with positive people who avoid using fear mongering generalizations like 'Everyone gets robbed...' or 'It is all the fault of...'
- I'm careful about what media news I let in. In the United States 90% of the mass media (TV, movies, books, newspapers, radio, videos, records, wire services), is owned by consolidated media corporations. In 1983 there were 50 corporations that controlled the vast majority of all news media in the U.S. Now there are 5.4
In the US right now we are an extremely divided people. While I believe it is important to look at both sides of any issue, I don't believe that Fox News is 'fair and balanced' just because they say so.
I look for truth outside of American mass media. Occasionally I watch BBC news but I depend mostly upon the Real News Network on the internet where I can read the top stories from around the world and focus on issues that especially interest me like Latin American News, US Politics, Economy. The Real News is a member-supported news network 'focused on providing independent and uncompromising journalism', on critical issues accepting no funding from advertising, government or corporations. Their motto: The Future Depends On Knowing. What a concept! http://www.therealnews.com
Written by VIP Member Jan Hart who is an American artist/teacher/writer living in a little Tico house above San Isidro de El General in southern Costa Rica. Jan has built a studio and two cabinas at her home and offers watercolor workshops and adventure opportunities described on her www.JanHart.com website which you can see here.
Jan's workshops are open to all levels of experience and include opportunities to see and experience the life she lives. Her book, The Watercolor Artist's Guide to Exceptional Color is a widespread favorite among watercolor painters and published in 5 languages. Jan's 200+ page ebook about her first year in Costa Rica, What Do You Mean I Can't Move to Costa Rica? Is available through WeLoveCostaRica.com here.
Looking For Your New Home In San Isidro, Costa Rica? If you have a serious interest in buying a home, a farm or land that's for sale in the San Isidro area, please contact our Recommended Costa Rica Realtors: Daveed Hollander, James Drews and John Wieland, by using the simple form below: 
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