Paradise Redefined (in four parts)

PARADISE (I)

Growing up, I attended Saints Peter and Paul Grade School and Andrean High School (named after Bishop Andrew Grutka). It was a big deal for me to go to Catholic school. My parents scrambled and worked long hours to pay the hefty tuition for my private school. They had five children and not much money to spare. My parents, immigrants with very little formal schooling, drummed into my head the value of my education. From a young age, I knew how hard they labored to give me the schooling they never had and I took my school very seriously!

In my Catholic schooling and home upbringing, I was taught a definite idea of Paradise. Paradise was a place. Paradise was where you went after you died, but only if you were a good person in this life. Paradise was sunshine, clean air, birds chirping, angels singing, children playing, and happy people hanging around eating watermelon, potato chips, or buttered popcorn (my favorite things on earth).

Later, I learned that you can create paradise on earth. For the last twenty years, Rick and I created paradise at our home in Ocean Shores, Washington. We diligently drove out every possible weekend. I went often enough, but Rick never missed a weekend. We held scores of home-style weekend retreats. We hosted countless weeks and weekends of family and friend gatherings. I cooked hundreds of meals. I planted a vegetable garden every year. The paradise we created demanded work and more work. We called our paradise Little Renaissance. It was a sanctuary and wildlife reserve, in addition to being a second home. I wrote “was” because we sold our paradise one month ago!

BUT wait! This is a happy story! Since selling our second home, we feel FREE. We have not felt this free in years. Going through twenty years of things, purging, thinning, selling, donating, and giving away items has left us light and free. Consolidating our lives to one home feels so simple, it makes us giddy. We now know that paradise is a state of mind, not a place! Our home now is in a small gorgeous condo overlooking Green Lake. I wake up and see the autumn leaves of Green Lake looking back at me. Soon the leaves will fall from the trees and we will have our winter view of the lake. We carry paradise inside our hearts, inside our minds.

Anemone I took this photo on my last day at Little Renaissance:

The Most Precious Find While emptying out the house, I finally found this misplaced precious photo of my parents’ hands. The photo was taken by my nephew John Urbano. I love this photo.

MAKING PEACE (II)

And I believe Paradise Redefined is making peace with someone who was irrationally mean to me! Yes, I bravely Facetimed my uncle today (with the help of my nephew John) and had a pleasant conversation with him for the first in years! See what freedom does? Feels GOOD to make peace with a 92 year old guy. I wrote about my uncle years ago (BLOG LINK)

I love him so much. Always have. Always will.

FALL, GLORIOUS FALL (III)

Not having to spend hours in the car every weekend driving out to Little Renaissance, I now have time to walk Green Lake daily with Rick. We never tire of Green Lake. Paradise is right outside our door. The lake and the park is cast in a different light every day. And I now have time to hike on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. Soon the hiking will give way to snowshoeing and cross country skiing. “I love my life!” as my Women’s Spiritual Circle shouts every time we meet.

The following photos were taken on our Lake Serene hike:

COSTA RICA (IV)

Lastly in this blog post, I want to let you know that registration is open for a fabulous Spring retreat in Costa Rica. Yes, Costa Rica is another kind of paradise. Instead of watermelon, you will be eating the exotic fruit of Costa Rica. I know, here I am reveling in Autumn, but I have to plan for the Spring Retreat now. I offered this retreat last year and it was fabulous. I loved having Laurie Leonetti on board with me to lead water aerobics and cardio workouts. We have a few nearby outings and one optional day-long trip to Cano Island to snorkel (alternatively, some may opt for bird watching on this day). There are skilled body workers at the resort, too, so you can treat yourself to a relaxing massage.

I sent out a Newsletter last Monday, and have since opened up an additional week. So here’s the skinny:

Week One: March 21-28, 2020 (Five Spaces Available)

Week Two: March 28-April 4, 2020 (Two Spaces Available)

WEB LINK for Refresh Your Soul Hatha Yoga Retreat in Uvita, Costa Rica. Check out my web link for details. I’d love to have you there! The Retreats are all levels Hatha Yoga held at the boutique hotel Vista Celestial.

Our evening yin yoga sessions take place on this area of the resort, where we watch the sunset and are silenced by the cacophony of birds and cicadas.