In english, Pura Vida means pure life. In Costa Rica, the short phrase means so much more. I spent three weeks in Costa Rica in areas such as Santa Clara, Quepos, and Sarapiqui. While I looked forward to my trip for the new experiences (educational and otherwise), I didn't think Costa Rica would change me. I don't know if I appear different, but I now think about my future differently.

I heard Pura Vida time and again and saw it on every piece of tourist merchandise. Tour guides often said "Say Pura Vida" before snapping a shot of our group. I thought it was just something they played into for tourists' sake. Eventually, I realized that everyone says it all the time. It's used for greetings, salutations and you can use it to answer practically any question. It's more than a phrase for tourists or words to put on souvenirs. The meaning I found in Pura Vida is something that surprised me and its something I'd like to live by.

Pura Vida means go with the flow, take it easy, don't freak out about the little things. I love this phrase. Living by these words can defeat so many stressors that I and everyone around me deals with here at home everyday. Why do we need to rush through our lives putting stock into small everyday issues? Stress has no positive affect on our daily lives. Eliminating stress caused by minuscule things is an improvement to quality of life.

Pura Vida means enjoy all the beauties the world has to offer. Costa Rica is a place filled with natural beauty and adventure. Its the perfect place to learn to explore your surroundings. For the first time, I went on a canopy tour (lots of zip-lines), repelling, white water rafting, and surfing. Each of these activities were stress free and liberating. I didn't worry about grades, future jobs, or relationships. They taught me me to break out of my narrow way of living life to make room for new exciting adventures. Even though I can't go surfing or repelling down a cliff everyday, I know that there is a new journey to come. So, don't fret about getting to work ten minutes early, what classes you're going to take two years from now, or why the chicken crossed the road because...Pura Vida.