What are the Odds?: The Beginning...

Quotes

"You are what your deep, driving desire is. As your desire is, so is your will. As your will is, so is your deed, as your deed is, so is your destiny." Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 4.5 (Translated by Eknath Easwaran.).

"Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness concerning all acts of initiative and creation. There is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now." Goethe

" I have come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element. It is my personal approach that creates the climate. It is my daily mood that makes the weather. I possess tremendous power to make a life miserable or joyous. I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration. I can humiliate or humor, hurt, or heal. In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis will be escalated or de-escalated, and a person humanized or de-humanized. If we treat people as they ought to be, we help them become what they are capable of becoming." Goethe

"Being committed to place ourselves in an environment that we know will make us grow and teach us about our deepest selves builds character, strength, and courage. We soon find ourselves in the habit of growth and find that "we’ve arrived" by our mere presence on the path. We find ourselves at home in the heat of our own refinement." Scott Moore

"The last thing the world needs is another perfect Downward Facing Dog pose. What the world does need is another open heart." Judeth Lasater

Sunday, September 14, 2008

The Beginning...

Journal Entry 8/29/08

We are here! I mean really here. And I'm tired... The ride was beautiful but half of it was really windy and the last 1/2 hour I decided turning my head to look around and see was no longer a good idea. Carlos our driver was very nice and I was surprised how much Spanish I was able to speak. I realized I allowed Diego make me so self- conscious I stopped speaking Spanish. It was fun to use it again. The volcano is beautiful- smoky and mysterious. Tomorrow we start off with canopy tour- zip line/ horseback riding...

Ready to Board in Houston!! It's not really an adventure if you don't have to run for your plane in the airport. Our flight to Houston landed at the same time our flight to Costa Rica was boarding... on the other side of the airport. Never fear we made it. (so did our bags!)

The roast beef sandwiches expired in December... frightening!

Landing in Costa Rica- We are in love already!

Amy was really excited to have someone to pick us up!

Costa Rican Urban art...

Trying to snap pictures through the window, on a windy road, leaving San Jose for La Fortuna Arenal.

My first meal- and it was good. Chicken and Rice and I love my Horchata... I was really glad to have a break from the windy roads. My head doesn't get along with those kind of rides...