Life Has a Funny Way of Going On

The last month of the life of one Costa Rica Guy has been, to put it mildly, impactful.

But life has a funny way of going on.

Traumatic events can lead us down diverse paths.

They can close us down…creating phobias.

I appear to have developed one triggered by airports.

Or, they can open us up.

We can retreat into our own private worlds of fear and loathing.

Or, we can be released from the expectation of the worst possible outcomes (called pessimism) and expect and embrace the best ones (the better optimistic outlook).

It’s funny how the worst ones…that is, the worst scenarios our creative brains can muster…never seem to materialize.

Well, I ain’t dead yet!

So, I want this post to mark a new beginning. One that was supposed to have “begun” on February 2nd.

But fate wouldn’t have it that way.

Nope, I just had to have my little detour…now didn’t I?

That’s all fine and good.

I’ve done some living over the last 31 days.

And some learning.

And now I feel ready, perhaps more than I’ve been in the last, say, 54 years…

to start loving…

and, perhaps, leaving a legacy.

Making my mark.

What will it look like?

Well, I’m not altogether sure, but it will be different…

I’m certain of it.

It might not appear to be true…and sometimes I joke around about being “snake bit” and all…

But, fact is I’m a pretty lucky guy.

Despite my foibles, I’m still deeply loved.

Despite having “blown it” about a billion times, I always seem to get another chance.

Despite having been down so goddamn low, that it seems like up to me…

I always find a way to move forward.

And that’s exactly what I’m doing…right now…with these words…on this hopeful morning.

So, I encourage you this morning to stop beating yourself up for your mistakes, or letting others do that for you…

Learn from them. They have the capacity for the deepest of life’s lessons.

Colossal fuck-ups make great instructors…approaching guru-like levels.

And once you’ve learned “the lesson”, get off your ass, or knees, shake off the ashes, and step out of that uncomfortable sackcloth…

Get back into the fight.

The Universe needs you.

And expects you to do no less.

And for anyone out there expecting a different attitude from me…

here’s the thing…

According to my worldview, the Universe doesn’t shine on morosity…

but upon generosity.

Which is marked by the quality of being kind and generous, plentiful and large.