158. la neblina
up in the mountains at volcán irazú
tiny wildflowers and a soft carpet of grass become the edges of the road
a fence made of branches
gives monumental scale to the ancient tree
a silent, standing, patient witness to the curtains of mist
showering the earth below
157. canicas
a playful metaphor of the universe
an explosion set in motion
by a child’s flick of the wrist
each marble a planet, a star, a galaxy
in orbit with the baby blue chalk rings
upon the gray concrete space
the glass spheres collide with each other
particles crashing
sent forth in every direction
beautiful, random, spontaneous chaos
contrasting with the ordered, predesigned framework
appreciate life
by seeing and feeling opposite forces at play with each other
without chaos, could we understand order?
153. san francisco national cemetery
life
a metaphor of our own
as the fleeting butterfly beats its own wings
so does the heaving chest expand and contract
moving the same air
in and out
sending it forth
all the triumphs, all the failures
in, out
let them all be sources of wonder
every thought
every feeling
every moment
let it be
152. golfo de nicoya
out at sea
thoughts process in different patterns
not the familiar, solid earth underneath your feet
deep waters meet the skies above
the horizon stretches out
beckoning your gaze beyond what the eye can hold when on land
you see far, yet you walk little
the contradicting situation grants you a moment
to sit still and contemplate the vastness
to remind oneself of the smallness of you
of the limitlessness of life
and the fact that you are part of it
thus, in fact, you are not small
you are endless
151. poró gigante
a wild pigeon contemplates the horizon at the top of a giant poró
this enormous, graceful tree paints the costa rican landscape with its vibrant colors
each bright brushstroke is a petal from a curvaceous flower that the tree so elegantly displays
nature gives us this beautiful masterpiece in a bright sunny day
a silent reminder of the miracle and endless wonder of life
i am grateful for sharing space with this creation
146. gratitude
getting together
breaking bread
sharing memories
laughing out loud
holding the space
living in love
giving thanks
for every breath
for every one
for every moment
is a gift we get to live
in love, of love, for love
thank you
gracias
namasté
145. family
what makes us kin?
is it blood, is it likeness? is it closeness, is it kindness?
what are the bonds that tie us together?
once we see that we are all one
then we can see our selves as we are
all connected, all woven together
we are the threads that make up this rug that is the universe
one love
one family
144. keep it weird
an oasis of free spirits in a land of mostly outdated, backward, petroleum-fueled thinking
this city is best described by its motto: keep austin weird
good food, live music, perfect weather
a thriving biking culture, brave to ride amidst reckless gas-guzzling suv’s
beautiful people, inside and out
i felt a sense of place and community that is rare to find in this country
this grassroots, earth-rammed bike park was packed with austin’s finest and most eclectic
a fitting irony, that the capital of texas is now one of the most progressive and liberal cities in the united states
143. rain
just like sun, we need rain
without the wet, there is no dry
if it was never cold, gray, tempestuous and dark,
how could we ever understand and appreciate bright, sunny, hot, breezy days?
neither is better
both are essential
opposite elements in nature give us a clue as to what opposite forces live within us
rain invites us to go inside
dwell inside to contemplate our self
go to the opposite places in your mind, heart, body and soul
know them well
with this knowledge, you can live in the middle
live in love
rediscovering the love that always is, you are in complete balance
thank you rain
142. the great wall
snaking along the northern asian mountains
the great wall of china still stands
a testimony to the lack of unity in mankind
a reminder that we must all get past history
past our differences, shed all fear
that biggest of illusions, that impedes us
from remembering that the only reality is love
that we are all part of one loving one
the great monument is not the stones, the parapets, the steps
it is the majestic mountain range
undulating the surface of the earth as far as my eyes can see
that display of nature’s magnificence is greatness, beauty, awe
humbled by the great mother
gratitude for life fills my soul
141. la carreta tica
my grandfather tito
whenever i asked him “¿cómo estás?”
he would always reply the same way,
“empujando la carreta” (pushing the ox cart) he would say
a national symbol and icon of joy for all ticos,
a tradition that embodies so much of who we are
no two carretas are the same
always uniquely hand-painted according to the creativity of the artist
they are put in motion thanks to the efforts of a graceful animal
the wheels are a costa rican mandala
you can observe them forever
meditating on love and beauty
the carreta is a humble reminder of a life more connected with the natural world
140. sunset in alamo square
sunrise, sunset
sun rises, yet again
a beautiful gift, one more day
one more time
one more chance
one more gift we receive to give love
to live life
what a blessing
what a miracle it is
that we get to live every single day
one more time
use this gift
make love, give love, be love
139. trees
head in the heavens, feet firmly rooted, deep below the earth
dancing, swaying, celebrating with the wind
sequestering what is superfluous
turning it into what we need
giving out all that is good
being a habitat for life to thrive
striving, reaching out for the sun
let us learn from these patient, noble, loving beings
138. gandhi
whenever you think your task at hand is too overwhelming, remember gandhi
he did not stop at words, concepts or theories
turning thought into action
he set his intentions on peace, freedom, rights and equality for all
through the tools of satyagraha – holding on to the truth, and ahimsa – nonviolence
he moved the hearts and minds of countless beings, opening the world’s eyes to remind us of the oneness of everything
let us remember we are all one
as such, let us be only love
have only love to give and receive
in mahatma’s words, let us be the change that we want to see in the world
137. mom & dad
i love talking to my parents
not just because they are my best friends
since they still live in costa rica, i get to hear about what is important in life back home
down there, the big news is not about the latest stock or gadget
the big news is that it hasn’t rained in two days during rainy season
the big news is that the avocado trees in the yard are giving so much that they’re giving them away and still there are too many
the simplicity and beauty of life is what i am reminded of when i talk to them
this view of the rising sun over the mountains was taken standing on the roof that my parents built for us to live and thrive in
i now am able to grow, standing on the foundations that they built
without their love, support and encouragement, these images and words would not be meeting your eyes today
136. el caricaco
the beach nomads
hermit crabs protect their vulnerable tails out of found objects in the sand
when they outgrow their mobile home, they get together and make a line by size
then, in an act of cooperation, they let go of their shell and take the bigger vacant one
dancing a conga line together to survive
we call them caricacos in costa rica
they love coconut and, like kids, will swarm to anything sweet
i saw a giant one the size of a bowling ball when i was a kid
i was so amazed by its size
i then understood that anything in this life is possible
just one of the beautiful inhabitants of our beaches
a mentor for all who are willing to learn
observe nature, endless answers will then unfold
134. talamanca
the first rays of the sun caress the mountains and dance with the clouds
a new day begins
light comes in through our eyes, into our hearts and minds, warming our body and soul
igniting us to wake up and embrace the gift of a new day
no matter what came before, or what will come after
only what you have right now, within you
let it shine and light the world up with love
133. children
the little ones are the wisest of mentors
they teach through their actions, effortlessly wading through the waters of life
they care only for what matters: love
(and its countless manifestations, including laughing, smiling, playing, jumping, climbing, dancing, singing, hugging, kissing)
the older i grow, the bigger the child in me becomes
let us learn from the tiny masters
embrace the one within you, aching to come out and play!
carry out your day in service with humility, compassion, and all the powerful love and action your soul abounds with
and, most importantly,
have fun!
132. create
seek to consciously be with your creation
you are always creating
you are a creator, whether you intend to or not
consciously or subconsciously, you are creating your world around you
seek your art, discover it, work it, explore it, share it, give it to the world
do not let yourself be stopped by obstacles
distractions and diversions will always be there
pour your love into your creation
let your light shine and let it be a guiding force for you and everyone around you
131. go forth
get on the boat and navigate
sometimes you sail
sometimes you fail
but every single time you live and learn on the trail
every moment of life is a precious gift
a chance to grow that is only there at this present moment, so live in it
be it
make it
live it
do it!
130. park(ing) day 2010
last friday, communities all over the world gathered around to put people first, cars second
we took two parking spots, and made a public park for a day, with picnic benches, plants, balloons, laid back chairs, people and pizza
biking back home that day, i stumbled on this beautiful metaphor of a parking spot
a red sports car, covered in earth and grass, with a pig playing on top
imagine the possibilities
imagine the beauty that our cities could bring to our life
if instead of being surrounded by ominous machines, having our sidewalks embraced by grass, benches and art coming to our soul’s rescue.
to see our park(ing) spots, go here
129. pura vida
yesterday costa rica celebrated its independence
we are one of the smallest, yet happiest nations in the planet
we only cover 0.1% of the planet’s surface, yet hold a brilliant, beautiful and diverse 5% of the world’s biodiversity
25% of our country is revered and protected as national parks, most of the rest of it still looks like one
we are the only country in the world to not decrease or sustain, but increase our forest coverage, 100% in the last 20 years
95% of our energy is provided by our mother earth, from wind, hydroelectric and geothermal sources
we are the first nation to abolish its army, and public education is free and mandatory
our wealth is not measured in money, skyscrapers, or possessions
our wealth is measured in our ancient trees, rivers, waterfalls, mountains, volcanoes, beaches, frogs, butterflies, birds, dolphins, turtles, monkeys, whales, humans, the list goes on
our way of life is encapsulated on our most famous saying, ‘ pura vida ‘
so if you ever find yourself drawn to our nation, please visit it with respect for its people and places
support and visit the places that are ecologically mindful, and do not spend a cent on those huge hotels that are scarring the face of our coasts
we must send a message to everyone on this planet that it is being in relationship with nature what really matters in this life, not owning it and looking down on it to do as you please with it
support, play, celebrate and participate with our people, biologists, artists, campesinos and so many more that love our mother earth as much as they love love itself
paz, amor, alegría, pura vida costa rica!
128. creation
just as the sky forms beautiful sculptures out of thin air, reflecting all colors, shapes and sizes, so can you be the sculptor of your own reality
work with what this world has given you
accept everything you are and everything you are not
give thanks for everything that has been given and taken away from you
create not for you, but for the joy of creating
create for everyone!
let your creations be in service to light and freedom, love and laughter
go, play!
in the words of mark whitwell, stop looking, start doing
127. off the deep end
there is a time for everything in this life
most times are for being balanced, safe and sound, warm dry land underneath your feet
yet every now and then comes a time for diving on to the cold water, into the unknown
if you have an open heart and mind, these are the times that help you grow
to be fearless and lovefull
taking the leap, steadfast in your love, in the present moment, at one with all
being truth, light and joy
these times, when anyone else would just but see darkness and cold, are the moments when you illuminate and thus bring light into this world
photothought 