Costa Rica: Exploration, Encouragement and Endurance
A vacation is an excellent way to gain perspective. I am grateful to have been able to experience a special one recently, hiking amidst the rain forests in a number of national parks in Costa Rica. In this post I will highlight three ideas which are necessary for success in life, whether it be on the trail or writing software code.
Exploration
On a meandering hike near Monteverde, Costa Rica one day, I let curiosity lead the way.
I made a wrong turn down a private driveway, then stumbled across a mountainside plantation. A friendly man waved and invited me to take a look around. He explained that he was caretaker of the elegant property, containing many coffee trees with green berries intermingled with big leafed banana trees. The view was stunning, overlooking the green valley below.
After a short tour of the beautiful garden and a quick peak inside the home, the caretaker reappeared.
“Don’t miss that trail.” he said as he pointed to the somewhat hidden trailhead sign. A map, carved and painted in wood, showed a glimpse of the Valle Escondido Preserve below.
The sendero weaved its way on the side of a steep canyon ledge through a jungle, linking many miradors and vistas and other sights. Trail outlooks poked from the dense forest, providing multiple waterfall vantage points along with a series of magnificent views. Birds, monkeys, butterflies and and other critters greeted us periodically.
It was during this hike that I began to fully appreciate what I was seeing in nature in Costa Rica, a truly special place on earth.
Curiosity drives us to explore and see new places and learn how to do new things. It is key to stay open to possibilities and experiences, to take advantage of opportunities when they appear.
Encouragement
The hiking trails in Manuel Antonio National Park were not too difficult. Mostly, they were flat and paved, perfect for spotting sloths, toucans, and iguanas. Midday on the trail, the main route forked. There was a downhill path, leading to a beach. Many hikers headed that way. The other direction lead uphill steeply, with plenty of stairs leading to a lookout. Light rain began again. I pulled over my jacket hood and started up.
At the top, a beautiful 360 degree view of the park, its beaches and the Pacific Ocean greeted me. I snapped a photo. A sliver of blue sky could be seen in the distance.
Then, the rain started again, heavier. I gathered my pack and headed back into the jungle, down the wet staircase. After a while, I ran into a fellow hiker who looked a bit tired, headed up to the lookout.
The young girl asked, out of breath, “Is it worth it?”
I hesitated a moment, then said, “Oh yes, definitely. It is only 5 more minutes. There is a flat stretch soon, good for a water break.” Actually, it was maybe 10 minutes more to a landing, then another 15 minutes of stairs to the lookout.
We smiled, she took a breath and continued up the staircase. I am pretty sure she made it to the lookout at the top.
Sometimes it is best to focus on the next intermediate goal, breaking things down, rather than focus on the entire difficult task ahead.
Endurance
Of the many fascinating animals in Costa Rica, one in particular caught my attention multiple times because of its seemingly never ending energy. In a place where everything is flowing, leaf cutter ants contribute to the movement happening all around by gathering nutrients, hauling leaves back to the colony to feed their fungi gardens.
These little moving green trails abound. This particular group was moving over the trail near the Arenal Volcano Observatory Lodge. Thier endless energy, motivation and hard work is a reminder of what it takes for success. The idea is echoed in the following verse, which popped up on YouTube after I returned home from the trip. There are many videos about the mighty leaf cutter ants, earth’s first farmers.
Go to the ant; consider its ways and be wise. It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. How long will you lie there? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man.
PROVERBS 6:8–11
Unwavering motivation and a strong effort each day is maybe the most important attribute of a seasoned software developer. More so, through hard work, one can overcome other deficiencies. It is the essential energy all successful projects need.
Encouragement, exploration and endurance are three important attributes of a successful life. Whether it be in the context of a jungle in the rainforests of Costa Rica, or in the midst of a difficult software engineering project, bringing these ideas into reality is a good fork to take.
