Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. & a conversation on sacrifice...

"Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable... Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals." -Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

I recently posted on a facebook page called "Simple Ideas That Can Change The World" the following;

"Make a selfless sacrifice, large or small for friends, family or strangers everyday".

I was then challenged to explain why sacrifice is necessary. Below is the conversation that followed:
I choose to leave these words without names for now. I am attaching a link for the sake of giving credit where credit is due.

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_175035972535614

"What does a sacrifice achieve?"

"sacrifice... Reminds us to think about others, how we are all connected, and what a difference we can make in the world"

"Oh I understand. Wouldn't it be easier to just keep that in mind? Or do something good for someone else every day? I don't see how sacrifice ties in.."

"sacrifice and doing something good for someone else aren't always synonyms, however they can be. whether it's letting someone else take a seat on the bus though you could have taken it yourself, or perhaps NOT buying alcohol this weekend in order to save money to buy a birthday present for your great aunt Thelma...either way, you can sacrifice and do good, be it a physical action or your own mental attitude, it all counts."

"Oh I mean I see how sacrifice can be good. Don't get me wrong. But idk, wouldn't just do something nice work?"

"Doing something nice is nice... but many people stop themselves from doing anything nice unless it will benefit them, or as long as they don't have to give up anything, such as their time. Plenty of people have good hearts and want to help. By making a choice to put someone else's need(s) in front of our own desires, we can begin to realize what is truly important in life."

Today people have been posting MLK quotes to remember the difficult, but necessary contribution King made in an effort to create a more just, equal and peaceful world for ALL people. A couple of these fit well with the above conversation.

"An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity"-MLK

Your thoughts?

One month anniversary - thoughts on socializing/networking

Today completes a month of being in our new location. I am so grateful and amazed at life. I believe more and more everyday, in the importance of being a life learner and open to new people and new experiences. But also to cherish those people and experiences that are already dear to us. There is a balance, as there is in almost everything, between living in the present day, but also remembering where we came from and recognizing how those experiences have shaped who we are today. For our experiences today of course, will be those memories of the past. They are the same, only change with time from one thing into the other.

In seven days I will see friends I haven’t seen in almost ten years. I believe that seeing them again will renew our devotion to one another and develop our friendship, once again changing and shaping our lives and how we grow as people. After they leave, we will have a string of visitors from both the United States and Brazil, and from various circles of friends we have been blessed with. I am so grateful for the opportunity to spend time with these important people again, and further our friendships. I’m sure our lives will continue to cross paths with beautiful people, and I am excited for each new day!

This foundation of relationship and the fruit that comes out of developing relationships is what business people recognize and call networking, and possibly what party goers call socializing. While young people are often scolded for doing too much of it, socializing is a skill that can change our lives beyond imagination. Now to encourage our youth to socialize and work together in community with others, to value each relationship as an opportunity to learn and to grow, and to move forward with this skill in a healthy manner to a productive life.

This is what I hope to teach my children. 

Leather back turtles

September through March, these amazing turtles crawl ashore to lay their eggs, then slowly make their way back into the ocean. Heitor was lucky enough to stumble upon a bunch of them as he and some friendly neighbors searched for a good wave to ride. Hopefully we can have such luck with the kiddos! They really want to see these beautiful creatures. 

Here we are in Costa Rica

So here we are in Costa Rica. A new year, a new adventure, yet it feels like home. It is home for six month at the very least, and then... well - I will inform you all (all four of you) when we get to that point.
Getting here...
We arrived at the PDX airport on December 15th to fly out, only to find that one of the airlines we were flying on had gone under four months earlier. I guess CheapAir thought it would be a fun surprise! But as things always seem to work out one way or another, we found ourselves on a plane the next day and in Costa Rica early morning December 17th. Once again we ran into complications with Heitor's surfboard, but hours later were on our way in our "tourismo" shuttle, through the mountains and little tico towns until we finally pulled into the beach town of "extranjeros" (foreigners); Tamarindo. Hotels were already pricey in preparation for the winter break flow of tourists, and we found that the condos we had arranged to possibly rent were not ready, nor were they that appetizing. So after a quick chat, Heitor ran across the street and made a deal with a sweet lady at Hotel Nahua and minutes later we were hauling our luggage and children down the dusty road a couple stops to a bright and shady little cabina where we could swim, cook and rest a little, while we searched for a home. Heitor quickly set out to make friends and find us a place.
Getting settled...
We also took time to play at the beach, and Heitor got the local ticos to teach him how to fish. Ticos are among the nicest, if not the nicest, people. They also showed him how to scoop up all the little fish (that attract the larger ones) with a net, and we cut the heads off, fried them up and made fish tacos for lunch.
In the end we found a great place with bright walls, a washing machine and a pool right outside our door and the kids have made friends. These condos seem to be mostly empty long term, but filled up over Christmas and the New Year. Our neighbors have been great, and although they may be headed back to Villa Real (10 minutes away) after the busy season, Heitor and I have learned that most people come into our lives for a reason and/or for a season. So we will see.
Kalani & Kaila...
The kids have enjoyed playing with the neighbor's two year old boy. The pool has been where they spend much of their day. Kalani went from not wanting to put his head under water, to swimming under water from one side of the pool to the other, non-stop (10 feet or so?). He has also gone from eating a little, to eating everything and anything he can. He has, on multiple days for multiple meals, eaten at the neighbors and then crossed over to our place to eat again. At the same time, he seems a little skinnier and of course tan. He must be growing up! Kaila has also made progress in the pool. At first she just watched from the side, then she got in (the shallow end is about at her shoulders), then she tried swimming with floaters and now she will float around, even in the deep end. Yesterday Kalani went in the ocean with Heitor and was lifted over big waves at they played together. He has also been out on the board with Heitor as Heitor paddles around, and although he is still nervous about the waves and surfing, he practices and talks about how awesome it is. And talks about everything! And talks with the neighbors and asks them every question under the sun. He is very social and him and Kaila both are starting to use Spanish.
Coming soon...
We are looking forward to having visitors. Starting with a long needed reunion in 18 days!. It seems that someone will be here each month through April. From both the United States and Brazil.
Heitor is working on a place to train and teach BJJ, and we will soon go into Villa Real and check out the schools, once they are back in session. For now, PURA VIDA!