Costa Rica Dreaming – What I Have Learned.

In 1995 I was in a serious car accident and shattered my heel-bone into five pieces.

After surgery I was on disability for about four months. That gave me a taste
of what it would be like to live without working. That has stayed with me ever
since.

About that time, I fell in love with a woman who suggested that we live together and go into business together. So I moved into her home, quit my reasonably well-paying job and about three months later she said she was quitting the business and moving to Oregon…, without me.

That was the beginning of nearly ten years of struggle for me. I was homeless (stayed on a friend’s sofa for a few months), jobless (unemployment, food stamps), and alone. I was without a car for over seven years. It has taken me a long time to pull myself out of the financial disaster, not to mention the depression and the wounded self-esteem.

I started my own business that failed after two years and then after a series
of ‘temporary’ jobs, finally got hired at a decent job again. If that wasn’t
enough, I now am suffering from two hernias and have no health insurance.

Then
I met Lair Davis on a website discussion board and he introduced me to WeLoveCostaRica and my life hasn’t been the same since. I now know where I belong.

I am not a religious person, and I don’t even know what spiritual means.
But I have a gut feeling that sometimes things happen for a reason, and it ain’t my reason. I am beginning to believe that my experiences of the last ten years have been preparing me for my life in Costa Rica.

• I have learned to let go of things.
• I have learned that my needs are simple and few.
• I have learned how to live at the poverty level, and still be happy.
• I have learned that I am a survivor.
• I have learned that my value and self-esteem are not tied to how much money I make or what kind of car I drive (if any!) or how much “stuff” I own.
• I have learned that having lots of possessions is not a joy, but a burden.
• I now believe that even my hernias were given to me in order to draw me to Costa Rica.
• I have learned to accept the truth about myself: that I want my life to be simple.
• Struggling and striving are too stressful, and that’s not the way I want to live. Stress isn’t healthy.
• I have learned to live without a car and rely on public transportation, and as
• a side benefit, that has taught me patience.
• I have learned that living with beauty, joy and love are the top priorities of my life.
• I have learned that my greatest desire is to go to new places and experience new things and have FUN, and I am frustrated because I have been unable to do those things for most of my life.
• I have learned that if life is to be fulfilling, it must be an adventure.
• Take risks and go to new places and experience new things on a regular basis.

That is the way I want my life to be.

And believe me, it ain’t gonna happen in Fresno. It’s going to
happen under the volcano.

On my 60th birthday, I am going to learn how to surf!

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Written by John Sperry who is from Fresno, California. John is looking
forward to his first trip to Costa Rica in July 2006.

Andrew Makarik

to@welovecostarica.com

Andrew Makarik is the main editor of WeLoveCostaRica, a fan of this sunny country. He is also a loving husband and a has a lovely daughter. By being a devoted family man and the biggest Costa Rica fan, he wants to make more people feel at home there. WeLoveCostaRica unites people and helps them find new home or a new travel destination. This website is a friendly community where everyone can find not only information, but also new friends and travel pals. Andrew is also passionate about IT and programming, so he himself maintains a friendly atmosphere in this cozy environment of WeLoveCostaRica.com.