Last days on the beach in Anamabo

11/30-12/4
Right now, I’m reading “The End of Povery” by Jeffrey Sachs on the beach, as we relax and rejuvenate during these days before our last batch of exams. Let me tell you though, this is “the life”.

We wake up early since we go to bed early (the sun sets before 6:00pm each night), and make the most of each day, basking in God’s creation. We sleep in tents on the beach, with no electricity after dark, and play in the ocean all day. Every morning we enjoy an all-you-can-eat breakfast of 2 eggs (cooked to your liking), baked beans, Cornflakes, watermelon and pineapple, toast, and freshly squeezed orange juice, and after breakfast, we grab our chairs and lay out under the sun while reading our books. The day proceeds with ocean-wave jumping as we try to body surf big waves, followed by rinsing off in a freshwater shower, more reading, soaking up the sun, and so on. Jack Johnson must love living this kind of life.

Random thoughts while reading “The End of Poverty”…
-Malaria is completely curable (I knew this already, but just THINK about this statement)
-Maps of malaria-affected countries/areas correspond almost EXACTLY with the maps highlighting the world’s poorest countries
-It costs/would cost $50,000 to run a clinic with 1 doctor treating malaria and other clinical diseases and sicknesses---WOW. I would love to be that clinician/doctor one day.
-I never knew that there was such thing as a "malariologist"...hmm...or the Colombia Earth Institute. It amazes me how much a person can learn from reading.
-I want to make it a personal life mission to dedicate my time, talents, and resources to eradicating extreme poverty, and that is possible. Sachs says it's even possible by 2025-we will see.

I'm here with Maggie and Kenz. We're all swapping books and enjoying long days and long conversations. Now, I'm on to reading "A New Earth" by Eckhart Tolle. I thought I should check out this crazy phenomenon fueled by Oprah herself. Although I disagree with some parts of the book and its approach, Tolle also reveals valid points.

A few tidbits from "A New Earth"...
-Sometimes "letting go" is an act of far greater power than defending or hanging on. Jesus said "if someone takes your sight, let him have your coat as well." (page 41)
-In the proximity of death, the whole concept of "ownership" stands revealed as ultimately MEANINGLESS. ("Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.") (page 43)
-"Body awareness strengthens the body's immune system and the body's ability to heal itself." (page 53)
-Find LIFE in LOSS. The choice is yours. "If the shutters are closed, the sunlight cannot come in." (page 58)
-"Non-reaction is not weakness, but strength. Another word for non-reaction is forgiveness. To forgive is to overlook, or rather to look through. You look through the ego to the sanity that is every human being as his or her ESSENCE." (page 63)
-Grievance is the baggage of OLD thought and emotion (page 66)