"Still waiting for anything but now." This is a lyric from a Stellar Kart song that has come to mind this week. I think that this kind of thinking can plague our minds if we're not careful. Always waiting, always striving for what comes next. Always trying to get to the side that has the greener grass. "Always waiting for tomorrow" as the songs goes. Unfortunately I find that I am guilty of this a lot of the time. In the months leading up to this trip, I couldn't wait for it. I thought about it a lot and just wanted to fast forward those months so I could go to Costa Rica. I found it hard to be content where I was and hard to live in the moment. Now that I am here, in Costa Rica, I find that when I have time to think, my thoughts often drift to the future. I think about what it's going to be like when I get home, I think about seeing my friends again and finding a job and starting school. I think about all the good things that I get to go back home to.
Thinking about the future in and of itself is not bad, but when it consumes your thoughts and mentally takes you out of the present, then I think it can be bad.
And so, I am faced with a choice. Everyday I need to choose to be in the moment. It comes back to choosing to be intentional; I need to chose to live in the present and keep my mind in the present. The time for me to go home will come soon enough and living here is a once in a life time deal. And honestly, I love it here in Shiroles. I love the way of life and the people. I love the food and the community. So why is it so hard to live in the present? I think because from a very early age we (in North America) are conditioned to never be satisfied. Just watch tv for a few minutes and you will see commercial after commercial of products that claim to make your life better, more fun or easier if only you buy the product. We live in a nation of materialism and consumerism. Where abundance and extravagance is always better. (I am speaking in general terms, I know not everyone thinks like this, but this is what I see that is largely portrayed through media) This is where North America largely differs from rural Costa Rica.
I have learned so much through living here. I've gained a new perspective on what it means to live in abundance and to live in the moment.
At first glance you probably wouldn't say that the people in Shiroles live in abundance. Most houses are small and simple, built out of cement or wood, with a tin roof. The main street is very small with only a police office, a grocery story, a book store (that has no books... I'm not sure what they sell) and a small restaurant.
Yet once you spend time here, in the community and with a family, you will see that they aren't lacking. Rather that they do live in abundance, just not how North America would define abundance. There is not an abundance of money, or stores, or shopping, or electronics, etc. There is an abundance of something much greater. Here in Shiroles the people live in an abundance of genuine relationships and community. There is also an abundance of joy and faith. They may have less things, but they have an abundance of what truly matters. They live with intentionality. They're not in a rush, constantly running and busy, so they take the time to stop to talk to friends when they're walking somewhere. Time spent with family is a high priority. I have also seen an abundance in faith here among the Christians in Shiroles. God has been working here in great ways and it is incredible to see how He has been working in individual lives as well as in the community as a whole. I know I have a lot to learn from this community. To be content with what I have and where I am at. To be intentional in my friendships and to not allow busyness to drive me.
Living here has given me a lot to think about.
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