Retreats Costa Rica www.retreatscostarica.com

Women Get a Lift in Costa Rica

The Author at Xandari Resort in Costa Rica.

"A woman's life can really be a succession of lives, each revolving around some emotionally compelling situation or challenge and each marked off by some intense experience" Author unknown

We are making final preparations for this year's Annual Women's Retreats in Costa Rica (August - October).  These retreats are certainly a highlight of my teaching and coaching year, as we take A VIP Group of Women on a luxury tour of Costa Rica to exotic tent camps, Costa Rica's beautiful beaches and Rainforests.  It's a chance for the women to combine the vacation of a lifetime with a jump-start of mind, body and spirit.   In short, a just in time, Life-Lift!  In the past, some of our participants have experienced a recent life change (death, divorce, empty nest) and use this week ,in a completely different environment, to relax, renew and re-charge for their next chapter.  Other's simply need to escape the rat race and are duly warned to  leave their Blackberries behind. Tours, Workshops, One on One Personal Coaching and Yes, Pampering are part of the retreats as each participant works on 3 personal goals to create a (MAP) Mission Action Plan for the year ahead. 

Costa Rica, as you might know ,is already considered a mecca for a life-lift of a different kind---- plastic surgery, with state of the art cosmetic procedures at a fraction of U.S. Prices!  Indeed Medical Tourism is on the rise in Costa Rica with new hospital wings and recovery centers being built just to accommodate the growing demand of our Nip/Tuck society.   U.S. and Canadian visitors like the idea of recovering in Costa Rica's tropical paradise and returning from vacation really looking like a new person. I have worked with several women while they are recovering here and they have recognized that working with a life-coach might be a critical piece in their self-esteem make-over. 

Or as Rosalind Russell once noted"

"Taking Joy in life is a woman's best cosmetic"    

For Information on Costa Rica's Women's Retreats, visit www.retreatscostarica.com

"Blessed Unrest" By Paul Hawken " A Theory Alive and Growing in Costa Rica's Volunteer Organizations"

"Blessed Unrest How the Largest Movement in the World Came into Being and Why No One Saw It Coming."  by Paul Hawken

"There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique.....You have to keep open and aware directly to the urges that motivate you.  Keep the channel open.  There is no satisfaction whatever at any time.  There is only a queer, divine, dissatisfaction, a blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive than the other"

  Martha Graham to Agnes de Mille, " /Blessed Unrest by Paul Hawken 

This book is a must and inspired read for anyone involved in grassroots change and volunteerism who has occasionally shaken their head in defeat and thought "Does this really make a difference?".  Written by Hawken, an environmentalist, entrepreneur and author, we are exposed to the harsh reality of our global pain (pain being a needed ingredient toward any change or movement)  yet we are offered hope in his chronicle of worldwide initiatives to heal the planet and improve the human condition. As Hawkins notes "While so much is going wrong, so much is going right"   His documentation in "Blessed Unrest" is eye opening.   An estimate of one or even two million organizations working toward ecological sustainability and social justice may not scratch the surface.  Accounts of Heroism, Passion, Growing Organization and Volunteer Spirit makes this required reading for today's Volunteer/Community Leader.   

I see Hawken's observations alive and well and indeed growing in my adopted country of  Costa Rica. Individuals and alliances are working one school at at time, one community at a time, even one child at a time to make a difference.  I also am happy to see the growth of this movement with Tourists visiting Costa Rica. They increasingly seek to do more than sip their Pina colada by the pool and rather combine their vacation with a  Volunteer Project and learning experience.  One such opportunity is through  Travel Adventures that has 2 week volunteer projects that include working with schools,  conservation and wildlife (iguana and sloth protection) and projects to benefit Costa Rica's Indigenous Groups.   www.MyTropicalAdventure.com.

This week I just learned about "Helping Hands Costa Rica" An  organization that in a country roughly the size of West Virginia,  is bringing Costa Rica's  grassroots organizations together in a strategical alliance and community partnership. Of course that's my phrase, not theirs.  For them it was just "A Pancake Breakfast" to help one of the member foundations.     As Hawken notes, the success of the new volunteer movement will "be defined by how rapidly it becomes a part of other sectors of society.  If it remains singular and isolated it will fail".  I couldn't agree more. 

In my own work with volunteer organizations and corporate teams seeking to go from Now to WOW tm, positive change and results always begin with a "Blessed Unrest" that then creates a pivot point and call to action.  From that dissatisfaction, we also see the bonding of human spirits, followed by a forward movement and growing synergy, where it seems the right pieces and players come together to become a True Force of NATURE!   

To read more ...check out these sites:

wiserearth.org or wiserbusiness.org.

A "Gift from the Sea" Xandari - Costa Rica On The Pacific

                                                                                                   

"The waves echo behind me.  Patience, Faith, Openness, is what the sea has to teach.  Simplicity, Solitude, Intermittency.  But there are more shells to find.  This is only the beginning"

Anne Morrow Lindbergh

"Gift from the Sea"

It was perhaps the "SECRET" that led me to discover a hidden paradise in the mountains of Costa Rica several years ago, created and designed by California architect, Sherrill Broudy and his talented, artist, wife Charlene.  I had purchased Charlene's art at a Charity Auction in Costa Rica and wanted to know more about this incredible local artist who had created a tapestry that moved me in a profound and mysterious way. So I sought her out on the internet and discovered that this incredibly artistic couple had together created a luxury, boutique hotel and tropical paradise, that my husband and I almost dared not tell others-should the "secret" somehow spoil our secret jewel. Xandari became our Valentine's Getaway and number one recommendations for friends and clients who wanted that "perfect villa experience in Costa Rica"

Little did we know it was only the beginning.  We have  just returned from the recently opened Xandari by the Pacific-- already rated one of the 100 most romantic hotels in the world.

While it may be the  sea that calls your soul to Xandari, the Architecture and Art inspired by the movement of the sea, will keep you enchanted for days with colorful murals, paintings and mosaics.  With consideration for the environment, while maintaining luxury standards, Xandari by the Pacific can't help but delight couples, families and business groups!  The  incredible architecture, pools and landscaped gardens  will jaw drop even the most  discriminating travelers.  Note: Air-conditioned Villas and Wireless Internet, perfect for writing as you look out over the Pacific from your Villa, is just one reason, I will be using Xandari Pacific for Executive Coaching Sessions as well as my own writing sabbaticals.

Note:  Barry and I moved from New York City/Philadelphia.  We are World Travelers and have  lived in Costa Rica for 9 years.  Frankly, It's hard to impress us.  Take it from Locals: 

Xandari should not be missed when visiting Costa Rica.

Go Wild! Go GREAT!  Go to Costa Rica's New Gift of the Sea: Xandari.  PS:  The Broudy's care about Costa Rica, The Environment and their Community and perhaps that matters most to us.   

Pura Vida

www.gowildgogreat.com

www.retreatscostarica.com    

      

Listening to Your Own Voice: Lessons From Beluga Whales

While at the American Society for Training and Development Conference in Atlanta, I had the breathtaking experience of witnessing the graceful beauty of Beluga Whales at Atlanta's new aquarium---Yes, it's the largest in the world! 

Belugas are known as "sea canaries" because of their songs and chatter, which can even be heard above the water.  The Belugas are amazing, magical and graceful creatures, able to navigate deep and murky waters . They find breathing holes in a solid  arctic ice sheet via listening to their own voice-- echolocation and with the help of their incredible communication system with other Belugas. Beluga songs include an incredible variety of clicks, whistles and squeals used to communicate in Beluga pods-- what we would call our personal support system.

As I watched these graceful (3,300 pound creatures) in a ballet and concert of harmony, I though that perhaps we need to take some advice from  the Great Beluga---relying in large part on our  own voice to guide us through life's murky waters,  while also turning to and supporting each other in our Community Pods.  Research indicates that one of the characteristics of people who handle stress well is they have at least a 5-member support group, yet many people rely on only one person . That is why death and divorce can be so devastating and cause off the charts stress.  Hey, when your life revolves around just one other person, and you experience the loss of that person........you are alone in the murky waters

So our thought for the day inspired by my face to face encounter with a pod of belugas is;

1) Do you listen to your own voice/instinct? 

2) Do you have a least 5 individuals in your pod who in crisis can help you find your breath again?

Learn Lessons from Nature in the Costa Rica Rainforest--Personal Growth Retreats in Paradise.

www.retreatscostarica.com

    

Building a House and Building Life From the Inside-Out

We just returned to the city from 3 days at the Samasati Nature Reserve, situated near the town of Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica.  After 9 years in Costa Rica and having owned several homes in both Escazu and Arenal, we have begun work on our first Caribbean beach house, overlooking the town of Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica.

It seems as Costa Rica becomes increasingly discovered by tourists and developers .Yes, The incredible  4 Seasons Hotel even found a home here. My husband and I run from the tourists and civilization to the unspoiled Costa Rica we first fell in love with over 15 years ago.   Mind you 15 years ago, we were enchanted with CB Radio communication in a small beach town, the fun of a  community book exchange and the fact that the locals named their visiting bats and monkeys.   Now, we have Direct TV, Wireless Internet,  Hugo Boss, and even Tony Roma's in our bustling Central Valley Metropolis.  So while we have our civilized and comfortable existence in Escazu, Costa Rica, we also leave the city in search of a peaceful retreat to recharge and connect with Mother Nature.         

We found that peaceful sanctuary at the Samasati Nature Reserve, known for several years for their Yoga and Nature retreats on what has been called Costa Rica's "Wild Caribbean Coast".  HUA! 250 acres of tropical forest!  Yes, we wanted to Go Wild Again and be where jungle meets the sea and where there's still more monkeys than people.  Perhaps more importantly, there is a community that will live in harmony with nature.  *A limited number of residential sites will be built on the reserve with strict guidelines to protect the environment.      

  As we arrived at Samasati on this initial visit to design the house, the  Howlers and White Faced Monkeys did not disappoint as they frolicked above our heads in the rain forest canopy.  Two Toucans alerted us to their presence with their distinctive squeaky wheel bird calls and Morpho Butterflies seemed to almost dance for us in the sunlight. The  Leaf-Cutter Ants showed us the true meaning of team work as they carried loads twice their size in a unified march to their destination.  We're hoping our building crew will be nearly as efficient .

We are following our designer's advice and creating our Retreat House from the "Inside-Out". It occurred to me while answering design questions about our core values and preferences--Yes, we are Going Green as much as possible, that this basic design principle for building a home is one we should also seek to follow in building a life of integrity and purpose .

Creating a personal vision and path based on our inner voice and value system, rather than relying on those who might look from the outside-in. But do we always do that ?    Or do we allow others to look into our windows and judge how we should design our home and even live our lives?  As we mature, we often learn to trust our own vision and voice and create a home that we're proud of because it comes from our heart.  Oh but those moments of still worrying about what other's think as they look inside our window, which yes , sometimes get dirty.

So what's all this mean?   I guess perhaps....Close The Damn Windows, Look into your heart from the Inside-Out and the next time a "Peeping Tom" looks in with advice or criticism, ask them if they have taken a look at their house from the Inside/Out?   Maybe they need a little Windex!                     

I'll try to keep you posted on our adventures in design and building as we continue to Go Wild! Go Great! in Costa Rica.

Planning a House/Planning a Life From the Inside-Out!

Pura Vida,

Rosemary