When Scott built the first website in 2011 for my studio, Simply Yoga MD, our theme was Simplify Connect Enjoy. It represented what we wanted to get back to, because somewhere along the way we had picked up a lot of “baggage” in thinking what we needed to be happy. By 2008 we thought a certain dollar amount in the bank, new garage doors & redecorating the family room was what we needed (and I’m sure once these were checked off the list redoing bathrooms, pool deck and more would have been added).
In the past 10 years Simply Connect Enjoy has continued as the theme running quietly in the background like an intention or prayer. I would label 2011 – 2020 as our chapter on Simplify. At times in simplifying there needs to be a little chaos in the process. We’ve moved 3 times and are now settled and truly feel at home. Scott’s settled at a new insurance brokerage firm Maury, Donnelly & Parr which took a year of moving his book of business. And then there’s covid. It initially felt like a wrench in the works and now feels like it was another opportunity to Simplify. This past year we have had many conversations about “wiping the slate clean” and no longer doing something because “it’s the way we always do it”. Scary at first and then exciting as many new ideas and possibilities surface.
Returning to Costa Rica for the sixth time this February seems to be the beginning of the Connect chapter for us. We met locals, Lily & Dani, who are now our “boots on the ground” in Nosara and also a couple from Houston, Jennifer & Eddie, who have been living between Houston & Nosara for 10 years. They had all of the “insider” scoop on the town, its history and growth. Jennifer had a way of speaking that just made you want to connect with her – a bit of charm, spice and an infectious excitement over little things like banana pancakes. She shared with us that they were on a journey to “simplify”.
On our daily walks to the beach or in restaurants we met people from Switzerland, France, Argentina, Nashville & LA. Scott heard two women speaking Swiss German and began a conversation asking where they were from. The next day when we’d meet again it felt like old friends passing. Or at my new favorite Argentinian restaurant, La Brasa, hearing French we leaned over to the table next to us to learn they were from southern France and “escaping” for a month or so.
One evening watching the sunset we were drawn to a toddler yelling to his father, “Can’t catch me!” as he fell into the sand at his feet. This little guy was our introduction to meeting their crew of singer songwriters from LA & Nashville. Check out the music of Britney Spencer (Baltimore gal making it big in Nashville!) and Emily Brimlow. Both are on Instagram, Spotify, Itunes etc. Music is always a great connector and I hope you enjoy them as much as we have.
Of course a highlight is returning to Bodhi Tree Yoga Resort. Melanie who works behind the scenes welcomed us back with not just her charming smile, but with hugs. We’ve all needed to recreate ourselves this past year and she shared how Bodhi was doing the same. It was also exciting to share experiences with other teachers who we had met in years prior and as we connected there was joyfulness. Not just joy in the moment, but also a feeling of joyful expectation as we talked about plans for 2021 & 2022.
Costa Rica is the land of Pura Vida – it’s more than the translation “pure life” it’s a way of being – living simply and knowing the best things in life are when we do just that - Simplify.Connect.Enjoy.
