It was a hot dry morning in rural Nicaragua when I found myself waving a “red heart” flashcard in front of group of fifth graders. Jumping up and down and shouting “Heart!”, was my new mission in life. For this moment, it was all that mattered. The next moment I was thrusting a “Green Circle” card over my head and shouting “Circle!”. The children’s answering chorus of “Circle!” sent a wave of chills across my face and down my back.
Should is really a terrible word. I really shouldn’t ever use it. Oh wait, I just did…
The whole concept of should is very imbedded in our culture. There are the little times where you’re talking to a friend about something you like. “You really should try this coffee, it’s amazing!” Fairly harmless right?
Pura Vida means Pure Life or Pure Living. It’s the motto of Costa Rica and anyone who spends any real time here …
My close friends know I’ve spent some time bashing the American Dream. I’ve written words like “The American Dream is not my cup of Tea” and felt the pursuit of the American Dream was wasting a lot people’s lives.
Then I made the mistake of actually trying to define it. I mean, if I’m going to bash it, and build a life based on NOT chasing the American Dream, I should know exactly what I’m avoiding, right?
I was trying to write an actual serious post about my motivations for traveling the world. What I hoped to find within myself, what I hoped to find outside myself, and the impact I hope to have. I failed at the serious, analytical post, but ended up with something else instead.
I’m off to see the wizard, whomever he may be.
This american dream is just not my cup of tea.
I need to have a purpose, I need to have a plan.
I need to find out how I roll, and what rocks in hinterland
I’ve heard about a wizard, who changes peoples lives
I’m off to find that wizard and see just how he jives
Who doesn’t wish they lived in a Fairy Tale? Which of the following is closest to your ideal you?
Do you want to be Prince Charming, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, Beauty, The Beast, The Frog Prince, Hansel or Gretel, Goldilocks, or One of the Bears?
How about if we expand the options to include Legendary and Storybook Heroes like Robin Hood or Gandalf, King Arthur or Merlin?
These are figures that were crafted by the storytellers of old to embody the character traits they wanted to embed in their children. To excite the imagination, to thrill the soul, to inspire longing or challenge a belief. To make us think about the issues that really, truly matter.
