PURA VIDA
Pura Vida is a slogan derived from Costa Rica meaning “Pure Life.” A simple, two word phrase that means a lot. Pura Vida was something I heard three years ago. When I heard this quote, on the travel channel, I simply laughed and changed the channel. Why live in pure life? Why live in the moment? How about we forget about the moment and look on to what’s to come? That’s what I was all about.
The “moment” for me was a horrible time where I hit rock bottom. This was a time I wished I didn’t experience. I focused so much on the past and worried so much about the future, I forgot what was all around me, and who was around me. My past is something I was ashamed of. The future seemed too close and too frightening for me to comprehend, but I didn’t want to be in the “moment.”
So many people throughout my life have told me to live for what’s happening right now. On the contrary, many teachers and professors have told me to live for what’s to come. A small amount of people (mainly myself) told me to live in the past. I soon realized how depressing my past was. I truly believe if you dwell in the past, you’re not going to get further then where you’re at right now. Who you were in the past isn’t who you are now. Live for what’s to come seemed the best possible way to live my life. It’s a life where you could prepare yourself for what’s to come and be there when it hits you like a ton of bricks. If you look too far into the future, you lose sight of what’s important right now. I am a firm believer of living somewhat in the future, but once you get hooked on the deep space of the future, you become lost and only expect things which “might” happen.
Living in the past didn’t work, and will never work. Living in the future gets you lost in things which might come true. Too even things out, live for today. You shouldn’t totally forget about the future because it’s coming and we can’t stop it. But as long as we’re here waiting, how about we live for today? As said before, Pura Vida directly means “Pure Life.” What does pure life mean? Well, to me it says a couple things: 1. Live it up!!! 2. Live your life to the fullest!!! 3. Love where/who you are. It means all these things, but one thing is for sure. Remember who you are and where you come from. Even if you came from a bad place, look where you’re at now. You’re here for a reason and have made it this far. Be thankful for the blessings you have. Many people across this world have it much worse then we do. So be thankful for what you have, and just remember one thing; PURA VIDA!!!