Moving To Costa Rica. “I was scared too, but I just kept paddling.”

I sit here watching two baby monkeys wrestle one another outside my window. It reminds me how lucky I am, how rich I feel.

It doesn’t cost me a dime and can’t imagine how a material object can replace this feeling I have now. My life (ironically, at a time when owing few possessions), is so abundantly full I can’t imagine anything that I want to buy. So it got me thinking…, how much is too much?

Why would a billionaire – someone with all the resources to live a life of immeasurable privilege – steal another couple million?

For example, take Tyco. That CEO made over 100 million dollars a year but had the company illegally fund his extravagant lifestyle. And it wasn’t just private jets with cute flight attendant serving Cristal. He went the extra mile. He had the company pay for a $6,000 shower curtain and a $15,000 dog umbrella stand.

But just when I thought this guy really knows how to live, for his wife’s birthday (disguised as a shareholders meeting) the party featured an ice sculpture of the Statue of David urinating Stolichnaya vodka. I can do without that umbrella stand, but a urinating ice sculpture is as close to heaven as you are going to get in my opinion.

Warren Buffet just announced he pays 17% in taxes and is asking his wealthy friends to pony up and contribute more so we can dig ourselves out of this economic crisis. I try to imagine where they will have to cut their budget, surely not their kid’s college fund, or refraining from getting that latte every morning.

Would it mean one less Gulfstream flight? Would they have to rent out their Hamptons house for the month of August? It all feels so excessive to me – and isn’t that how we got into this mess in the first place?

Does the love from your family feel any different if you had a billion dollars?

Would these monkeys look any more playful if I had a few million in the bank?

Surprisingly, I was the happiest in my life when I had the least. And my sweetest memories are usually small things, like that weeping willow tree in my grandma’s backyard that shaded us during those hot summer afternoons.

I live in Costa Rica for around $1,000 a month. Some might need $2,000 and some might need $10,000. Perhaps they want to take their helicopter to the farmers market. All I know is that I love living simply, and I’m content with my calm mornings drinking a cup of coffee.

I’m actually excited to start my day. I remember those crazy mornings when working, hitting the alarm clock and trying to summon the strength to put my two feet on the floor. I don’t take my life for granted anymore; Costa Rica has a way of reminding you of that.

People will always tell you how to live and what to own. I’m sure someone told the Tyco CEO that the $6,000 shower curtain was infinitely better than one bought at Target. But there comes a time when you have to jump into life.

Just look at my friend Erin’s dog, Pelulu in the YouTube video above. He’s a little apprehensive of the water, but that doesn’t stop him from paddling. He’s ready even before he gets wet. He reminds me a lot of when I landed here…

I was scared too, but I just kept paddling.

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You can order Nadine’s new book, Happier Than a Billionaire:

• You can buy Nadine’s paperback on Amazon.com book here.
• Buy Nadine’s Kindle book on Amazon.com here.
• You can order Nadine’s book at Barnes and Noble here and …
• Order her book in other digital formats on Smashwords here.

Andrew Makarik

to@welovecostarica.com

Andrew Makarik is the main editor of WeLoveCostaRica, a fan of this sunny country. He is also a loving husband and a has a lovely daughter. By being a devoted family man and the biggest Costa Rica fan, he wants to make more people feel at home there. WeLoveCostaRica unites people and helps them find new home or a new travel destination. This website is a friendly community where everyone can find not only information, but also new friends and travel pals. Andrew is also passionate about IT and programming, so he himself maintains a friendly atmosphere in this cozy environment of WeLoveCostaRica.com.