Pura Vida, Everyone!

Today is my birthday. It's a big one. I have never struggled getting older, but this time it feels different. Turning a corner of sorts. My kids are grown. I'm a seasoned professional in my field. My parents are older. I've been married for a while. Frankly, I just feel different...maybe a bit more thoughtful. Certainly, thinking more about time, how I spend it and with whom.

So, it's interesting that I ended up in Costa Rica for vacation, unaware of a simple and very typical phrase: Pura Vida.

Pura Vida literally translates to "pure life." However, it is more than just a phrase or a saying - it is a way of life. It represents the laid-back and relaxed lifestyle that Costa Ricans embody. I saw it firsthand. It's a positive and optimistic outlook on life, as well as a deep appreciation for nature and the environment. It's more about experiences than possessions or ownership. It's a philosophy ingrained in the culture, and I saw it in practice everywhere we went. It was so refreshing!

Pura Vida is an entire way of living that fosters happiness, simplicity, and gratitude. Feels right to say it and mean it - and I plan to live it. Here's to the next 50 years!