Friday, January 8, 2010

The Happiest Place on the Planet


The word is spreading: Costa Ricans are the happiest people on Earth, according to several different measures. The information comes from a very credible source, The New York Times, in an article that cites several different international studies which attempt to measure overall contentment. Please check it out for yourself: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/07/opinion/07kristof.html?emc=eta1. Having spent the past two weeks here at the beautiful Flamingo Beach Resort & Spa in Playa Flamingo, Guanacaste, I can assure you, I have not experienced a single unhappy moment. On the contrary, every evening as I watch the sun go down over the Pacific Ocean, the sheer natural beauty of these sunsets makes me feel exceptionally blessed. And words cannot fully describe the sense of health and well-being one experiences while walking the expansive white crescent of beach, feeling the ocean breezes caress your skin while breathing clean, fresh, unpolluted air. Now, spending a day at the beach makes most people happy, I guess, so what is so special about Costa Rica? First of all, in this country they take sustainable environmental practices seriously. Where else would you have a moratorium placed on all development just so they can study the nesting habits of marine turtles to determine where all further development should be completely prohibited for the good of these gentle sea creatures? Costa Rica has set aside 25% of its land for protective parks and reserves that safeguard its lush natural beauty and great diversity of flora and fauna. With an estimated 5% of the world's biodiversity found in this small nation, many scientists and naturalists from around the globe refer to Costa Rica as the "world's living Eden." The Tico's cultural values also set them apart. First of all, democracy is Costa Rica's most treasured institution, and the ideal of personal liberty is strongly cherished. Costa Ricans are very proud to be members of one of the world's most stable democracies, and show it on the eve of the Independence Day, when the whole nation comes to a halt to sing the national anthem. Secondly, Costa Ricans are peace-loving, warm and friendly. It is easy to make friends here, no matter where you come from. Ticos are consistently helpful and polite. They are typically laid-back and thus worry little about deadlines. They do not live at all by the clock and therefore tend to be chronically late for appointments--a quirk notoriously but affectionately known as living on "Tico Time." Costa Ricans are non-confrontational. Faced with a difficult situation, they tend to laugh and use humor to diffuse the problem. Costa Ricans are extremely family oriented. Spending time with family and friends is of utmost importance, and multi-generational gatherings are the norm. Many Ticos even prefer jobs that will allow them more free time to spend with family and friends, even if it means sacrificing a higher pay grade (Hello, USA, are you listening??) Spend some time here in Paradise-On-Earth at the Flamingo Beach Resort & Spa, and believe me, you will soon understand what I am talking about and share in the sense of peace and well-being that seems to envelope this blessed little nation.