living is hot, it's fast, it's often brutal

There is only one way, really, to get into a state of living, and that's live! There is no substitute for an all-out, over-the-ramparts, howling charge against life. That's living. Living does not consist of sitting in a temple in the shadows and getting rheumatism from the cold stones. Living is hot, it's fast, it's often brutal! It has a terrific gamut of emotional reactions.

If you are really willing to live, you first have to be willing to do anything that consists of living. Weird. But it's one of those awfully true things that you wonder why one has to say it. And yet it has to be said.

- L. Ron Hubbard

This guy's legacy is nothing if not controversial (but, then again, so was "heretical" Christianity two thousand years ago). Irregardless, Hubbard's contributions to greater human consciousness are worthy of contemplation, analysis, and debate. After all, it's glaringly obvious to The Aware that the one thing the world's legacy 'organized religions' have in common is that -- without exception -- they are all based on science fiction, fairy tales, astonishing delusions, repulsive manipulation of the ignorant, and mind control through fear. Surprisingly, there are a few nuggets of useful wisdom to be gleaned from each of them. "Even a stopped clock is right twice a day."

positive energy

Jan and Melissa, the fabulous new divemasters at Tropical Island Divers. Paya Bay partners with TID to offer scuba diving as an optional adventure activity. Whether you want a full week of diving or just a few dives, Paya and TID can make it happen for you.

Photo: Mindi & David Little

life through gold tinted lenses

This afternoon I presented my friend Lisa the gift of some cool, mirrored, Speedo swim goggles in honor of her love of the sea and swimming (Lisa tries her best to swim in the ocean every single day! An admirable and healthy habit I'm trying to emulate). My good-natured mother, Lurlene, tried on the goggles for a silly, humorous moment. I've always LOVED my mother's trademark sense of humor!

Photo: (The One and Only) Lisa Bronkhorst

sun salutations

Prior to this afternoon's yoga session, Alexis, an angelic little guest, demonstrates her mastery of the sun salutations at the Ananda Pavilion.

In the last photo she looks at her dad with a quizzical, "Well?... How did I do?"
So cute!

Nirvana continues to manifest at Paya Bay.

completing the trail

Paya Bay team member Cesar Villanueva (see first photo) has been leading the effort to complete the last section of the Paya Trail (the section that goes right to the tip of the Alligator Head rock formation). Beautiful work these guys are doing.

Click on the resort map to see where this work is taking place.

that is all

We live in illusion and the appearance of things. There is a reality. We are that reality. When you understand this, you see that you are nothing, and being nothing, you are everything. That is all.

- Kalu Rinpoche

brick by brick

Miguel Padilla, Paya Bay's most excellent full-time master builder, stands proudly at the construction site of the new restrooms that will serve both Bliss Beach and the Ananda Pavilion.

be a ray of sunshine

Write down all the great things about everyone you know. Make a huge list of all the wonderful things about you. Compliment people wherever you go. Praise every single thing you see. Be a ray of sunshine to everyone you meet, and make their day better for having seen you. Say "Thank you" at every turn. Walk, talk, think, and breathe appreciation and gratitude.

When you do this, your outer life will change to reflect your inner state of being.

- lessons from The Secret

payarazzi

Special multi-visit guests Bob and Kathy were first to arrive at today's Wine & Cheese Welcome Reception at Paya's Ananda Pavilion. They granted me permission to take this awesome photograph. Great lines and symmetry in this capture. I love how the natural patterns of the wood floor stand out.

More photos from this afternoon's welcome reception...

roatan international

I ran across this great photo of Roatan's airport (airport code RTB) on the website airliners.net. The runway at RTB measures 2,240 by 45 meters (7,349 × 148 ft) allowing the island's airport to service aircraft as large as Boeing 767s. During the European high season, charter flights from both Milan, Italy and Spain use equipment of this size. The most common large aircraft observed here, however, are United's and Delta's Boeing 737-800s regularly used for their respective non-stop service to the island from Houston (IAH) and Atlanta. In this picture, the Mahogany Bay cruise terminal can be seen in the background.

It is my understanding that this world-class airport infrastructure was largely financed and built by Spain. Yes, Spain! Perhaps the Spanish have recently felt twinges of historical 'guilt' for having plundered (some use the perhaps more appropriate word raped) their former Central American, South American, and Caribbean colonies of many valuable, easily-harvested natural resources (gold, silver, valuable minerals, precious stones, exotic tropical timber, cash crops, etc.; carrying out this brutal, savage, blood-soaked exploitation nearly always in combination with the unspeakable, Church-condoned and -enabled true abomination that was slavery and other forms of forced human labor).

Just a smidgin of historical knowledge of the horrors of the colonial period in the Americas makes one realize that the massive number (up to 95% percent in some areas) of indigenous New World people who rapidly succumbed to the region-wide epidemics of 'European diseases' were the lucky ones. The word genocide barely begins to describe the soul-shattering hell that was colonial North, Central, and South America for the native (pre-European) people of these lands. When the natives were decimated by massacres, disease, and/or relentless labor, the carnage continued with their replacements: West African slaves.

Perhaps the humanitarian Scandinavian and the perpetually guilt-ridden German diplomats in Brussels have influenced (twisted the arms of?) Spanish EU officials into acknowledging their nation's colonial "wrongs," and suggested the Iberians initiate the necessary karmic process of attempting to somehow make amends and somewhat neutralize these unfortunate historic grievances. The more bitter and cynical among us might also conclude this beautiful airport is simply the result of a multinational conspiracy of political corruption and multimillion dollar contractor kickbacks (Wall Street-style capitalism?). As always, the answer is, at the very least, some combination of 'All the above.'

Regardless of the reason, in the last three decades, successive Spanish governments (from both sides of the political spectrum) have made significant reparations-type infrastructure investments in various 'offspring states' in Central and South America. These actions of recognition, solidarity, and brotherhood with the largely 'out-of-sight, out-of-mind' inhabitants of their former colonies have given me a newfound respect and esteem for the Spanish people. In the particular case of Roatan's airport, one thing I know absolutely is that I'm grateful.

Gracias por nuestro hermoso aeropuerto, hermanos españoles!

Photo: Nelson Mejía.

quote of the day

Don't worry about what people think about you, because they aren't thinking about you.

- unknown

paya landscapes

Just came back from a walk on Paya's nature trails. Still testing and getting familiar with my new camera. These walks always remind me why so many people fall in love with this extraordinary place that is my home.

Photos taken today at Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras.