This journal entry is from a post in my “Testing the Power of Intention” blog. I am adding it to my Costa Rica Travel Journals in answer to many of my readers’ inquiries on what my life is like, here in Costa Rica.

       This morning I woke up to the soft murmur of rain. I’ve grown to feel a comfort from this warm, familiar sound of the tropics. It enticed me back to sleep for a little longer, which was good. I’d been out dancing, carousing and having fun, last night, ’til three a.m.. Life is a gas!

       I can’t tell you how much I have been enjoying life these days. Words can’t convey it. It can only be felt. I walk through the world finding joy and delight in just about everything. And it’s not because I live in Costa Rica. Nor is it because I won the lottery or found my soul mate. (I didn’t.) It is simply and completely due to the fact that I have found the secret of life. Yes, that’s right. I know the secret of life and I use it, to my advantage, almost every moment of every day. It is becoming a habit, as natural as breathing. Would you like to know what it is?

       It is so simple – you may not believe me. (I have evidence. I’ll tell you later.) The secret of life is giving love in every moment, to everyone and every little thing around you. Now, this is not some lofty ideal and you don’t have to turn into Mother Theresa. All you have to do is walk down the street, look up at the sky and say, “Oh, what a lovely color of blue.” Then you turn and smile at the person walking by. Who cares if they see you? Who cares if they smile back? You smile and think a good thought. “How tall and grand of stature he is…..What a cute little dog she has…..That kid could be a great soccer player.” Keep your focus on the good and soon something good happens to you. You run into that guy you’ve been wanting to get in touch with and he’s right in line with your new idea. Or maybe you find a dollar on the sidewalk. Then you think, “Wow, I found a dollar. This is my lucky day.” and every day becomes your lucky day. It is really that simple. For us humans, giving love comes naturally. All we have to do is open our hearts and let it flow.

       I am fully convinced by my own experience, that appreciation (which is giving of yourself – giving love) is the secret of life. Like attracts like and the more you find to appreciate and take pleasure in, the more happy opportunities come your way. Recently, I set the intention of meeting and connecting with the man of my dreams. I gave thought to what I wanted, made a public announcement of it and then let it go, shifting my focus back to the enjoyment of my everyday life. Since that time, new men have been popping up everywhere and I’m getting many glimpses of my kindred spirit. There’s been Juan, Drew, Alejandro, Jean, Roberto, Natanael and Hubert. These are all interesting men whom I’ve met since the time I set my intention. Each has some of the qualities I am looking for and none have them all. It’s been great fun, just looking. I’ll give you the run down.

        Jaun is a local hotel owner, introduced to me by friends on a Salsa dancing night. He doesn’t dance. But what fascinating conversation we had. The man lives life surrealistically, moving from the physical dimension to metaphysical realms. His dynamic thoughts and ideas are a contrast to his more ordinary demeanor.

        I met Drew on the beach. He’s a chef from the States, who works all summer in a white water rafting resort and spends winters traveling the world. This fifty five year old guy, cool, relaxed and tanned, with his tousled hair and tattoos, looks just like one of the surfer kids 20 years younger. He too, has a refreshing outlook on life. He does Tai Chi and studies the Dao, but what you really notice about him is that he’s such a happy guy. And he should be. He’s living the “life of Riley”!

       I met Alejandro on the shore of the vast and beautiful Sixaola river. He was getting ready to catch a boat across to Panama. The “Wild Peace Maker” as he calls himself, works with local farmers to promote fair trade and sustainable living projects. This intelligent and very professional man is a transplant from Spain. He is devoted to his cause of making the world a better place.

        Jean is Tunisian, born of French and Italian parents. French and Arabic were both his first languages and of course, he speaks Italian and English, too. At age seventy two, he is far from my envisioned heart throb, but he seemed so interesting, I had to accept his dinner invitation. As a young man of only sixteen he began his world travels. Stories of backpacking in Istanbul brought exotic visions to mind, like old movies of chase scenes through the Turkish markets. At twenty one, he married a woman sixteen years his senior and they are still together. (Seemingly due to an “open marriage” type agreement. They each do what they want and he “visits” her in Paris, frequently.) At this moment I believe they are spending their fiftieth anniversary, under the stars of the Tunisian desert. Jean got his doctorate in mathematics at age twenty six and for many years worked as a university professor in France. Now retired, he was in Costa Rica on business, with a friend who just opened the Caribbean’s first five star hotel.

       I had to laugh, as I discussed the situation with my friend, Ed, who was visiting. Just a few days earlier I got a crush on my masseuse, who is twenty years younger than me. It was just a fleeting fancy and nothing more, passing quickly. To Ishmael, I was just another client. But to Jean, I was a potential girlfriend. It had to be the guy twenty years older that hit on me. I couldn’t get out of there fast enough!

       Right after dinner with Jean, I met some friends for drinks in town. That’s when Roberto walked up to me, as if to say, “Hello, I’m your new boyfriend.” The attraction was instant. Roberto is a very handsome man. That may well be his best attribute but it was enough for the moment. We spent the evening dancing, talking and walking on the beach. It was exciting to be held in the strong arms of such a fetching man. I kept thinking, “Wow! Someone to kiss and hold my hand. This is so much fun!” It had been over a year since I’d tasted that pleasure.

       Life is full of contrasts just to keep us on our toes. My next glimpse of mi media naranja came from Natanael. My friends, Connie and Aaron, are getting married on the beach, next week. Our mutual friend, Gina, called me. “Come on over, Connie wants you to meet Aaron’s adorable brother, who is visiting. He’s an artist. You’ll like him.” Natanael, Aaron’s little brother, was indeed adorable – and young. He was only twenty years old! Why in the world would someone that age be interested in me – and vice versa? Well, it seems Connie had been getting desperate for a distraction for her brother-in-law. Their house is quite small and she wanted some alone time with her honey. Being the good friend that I am, I complied. It might be fun. Natanael was devoted to his art and he was a musician, too. He spoke no English, so I’d get some good practice with my Spanish. I offered to take him along with me to take photos of a mural I’d done. Then we went to the beach. What a wonderful day we had walking the shoreline and climbing the muddy paths of the jungle of the Gandoca Preserve. We found we had in common, los ojos de un artista – the eyes of an artist. When I talked of the many different colors of blue I could see in the ocean that day, he understood. When he pointed out the tiny mushrooms growing on the jungle floor and gave me the vibrant orange and purple ocean sponges that he found, a heart felt kinship was born between us. We finished the day, learning each other’s language by writing in the sand. He sang and played guitar in the sunset. Un dia precioso!

        Last on my list, but not least, was last night’s dance partner, Hubert. Another one who speaks no English, but is nearer to my age. He’s a Tico (Costa Rican), an artist, a fantastic dancer and charming, handsome man. “I’m honing in.” I thought, “Getting closer to what I’ve been looking for.” And indeed, this guy had potential, until I noticed those big red flags he was carrying. One was attached to a large bottle of rum. Still, the dancing was great fun. He swung me and flung me around the dance floor. “Esto es más divertido que pasear en un parque de atracciones.” I told him. (This is more fun than rides in an amusement park.)

       As you can see, I’ve been enjoying and appreciating life. But it’s not just with men. I liked painting the sign I just did, for a friend, for free. I am so happy, getting my little place ready for another visitor from the States. I love the community cat I call “Baby”, who is about to have some herself. And I relish in the warm sun on my face and the sound of the rain. The truly magical thing about the secret of life is that it entertains you in the moment and you never even think to hold on to an experience. Each new moments brings another, even better one. This letting go, lets you love and appreciate people and things for their intrinsic value, not for what you can get from them. When you love and let go at the same time, you give others the freedom to be who they are and then you can really see them shine. Maybe they stay in your life, maybe they drift off. Either way, it’s all good. Another moment is on it’s way I and I just can’t wait to find out what will happen next! Pura Vida!