[vc_row row_height_percent=”0″ override_padding=”yes” h_padding=”7″ top_padding=”3″ bottom_padding=”2″ overlay_alpha=”50″ gutter_size=”3″ shift_y=”0″][vc_column column_width_percent=”100″ position_vertical=”middle” align_horizontal=”align_center” overlay_alpha=”50″ gutter_size=”0″ medium_width=”0″ shift_x=”0″ shift_y=”0″ z_index=”0″ width=”1/1″][vc_custom_heading text_size=”h3″ text_space=”fontspace-731609″ text_font=”font-762333″ text_weight=”500″ text_transform=”uppercase” text_color=”color-jevc” separator=”yes” separator_color=”yes” sub_reduced=”yes” text_align=”text-center” text_serif=””]As I was paddling out
for my next wave..[/vc_custom_heading][vc_empty_space empty_h=”2″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner column_width_percent=”100″ position_vertical=”middle” gutter_size=”3″ overlay_alpha=”50″ medium_width=”0″ shift_x=”0″ shift_y=”0″ z_index=”0″ width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]in the distance I heard IZ’s rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” begin to play. Up until that moment I felt everything had been perfect, but hearing that song at that exact time, put me on another level. There I was surfing the sunset session off the gold coast of Costa Rica, with a gorgeous Norwegian girl on a board next to me, and IZ in the background providing the soundtrack to what felt like a dream.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space empty_h=”1″][vc_empty_space empty_h=”0″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row row_height_percent=”0″ override_padding=”yes” h_padding=”2″ top_padding=”7″ bottom_padding=”7″ back_image=”51855″ back_attachment=”scroll” back_position=”center bottom” parallax=”yes” overlay_color=”accent” overlay_alpha=”55″ gutter_size=”3″ shift_y=”0″][vc_column column_width_percent=”100″ position_vertical=”middle” align_horizontal=”align_center” expand_height=”yes” overlay_alpha=”50″ gutter_size=”3″ medium_width=”0″ shift_x=”0″ shift_y=”0″ z_index=”0″ width=”1/1″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row row_height_percent=”0″ override_padding=”yes” h_padding=”7″ top_padding=”2″ bottom_padding=”2″ overlay_alpha=”50″ gutter_size=”3″ shift_y=”0″][vc_column column_width_percent=”100″ position_vertical=”middle” align_horizontal=”align_center” overlay_alpha=”50″ gutter_size=”3″ medium_width=”0″ shift_x=”0″ shift_y=”0″ z_index=”0″ width=”1/1″][vc_empty_space empty_h=”1″][vc_custom_heading heading_semantic=”h3″ text_size=”h3″ text_space=”fontspace-731609″ text_font=”font-762333″ text_weight=”500″ text_transform=”uppercase” text_color=”color-jevc” separator=”yes” separator_color=”yes” sub_reduced=”yes” text_align=”text-center” text_serif=””]It sounded too good to be true.[/vc_custom_heading][vc_empty_space empty_h=”0″][vc_column_text]
[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space empty_h=”2″][vc_empty_space empty_h=”0″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row row_height_percent=”0″ override_padding=”yes” h_padding=”2″ top_padding=”7″ bottom_padding=”7″ back_image=”51857″ back_attachment=”scroll” back_position=”center center” parallax=”yes” overlay_color=”accent” overlay_alpha=”65″ gutter_size=”3″ shift_y=”0″][vc_column column_width_percent=”100″ position_vertical=”middle” align_horizontal=”align_center” expand_height=”yes” overlay_alpha=”50″ gutter_size=”3″ medium_width=”0″ shift_x=”0″ shift_y=”0″ z_index=”0″ width=”1/1″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row row_height_percent=”0″ override_padding=”yes” h_padding=”7″ top_padding=”2″ bottom_padding=”2″ overlay_alpha=”50″ gutter_size=”3″ shift_y=”0″][vc_column column_width_percent=”100″ position_vertical=”middle” align_horizontal=”align_center” overlay_alpha=”50″ gutter_size=”0″ medium_width=”0″ shift_x=”0″ shift_y=”0″ z_index=”0″ width=”1/1″][vc_empty_space empty_h=”2″][vc_empty_space empty_h=”1″][vc_custom_heading heading_semantic=”h1″ text_size=”h3″ text_space=”fontspace-731609″ text_font=”font-762333″ text_weight=”500″ text_transform=”uppercase” text_color=”color-jevc” separator=”yes” separator_color=”yes” sub_reduced=”yes” text_align=”text-center” text_serif=””]Over the next month I
became close with people
from all over the world.[/vc_custom_heading][vc_empty_space empty_h=”2″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner column_width_percent=”100″ position_vertical=”middle” gutter_size=”3″ overlay_alpha=”50″ medium_width=”0″ shift_x=”0″ shift_y=”0″ z_index=”0″ width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space empty_h=”2″][vc_empty_space empty_h=”1″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row row_height_percent=”0″ override_padding=”yes” h_padding=”2″ top_padding=”7″ bottom_padding=”7″ back_image=”51854″ back_attachment=”scroll” back_position=”center center” parallax=”yes” overlay_color=”accent” overlay_alpha=”75″ gutter_size=”3″ shift_y=”0″][vc_column column_width_percent=”100″ position_vertical=”middle” align_horizontal=”align_center” expand_height=”yes” overlay_alpha=”50″ gutter_size=”3″ medium_width=”0″ shift_x=”0″ shift_y=”0″ z_index=”0″ width=”1/1″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row row_height_percent=”0″ override_padding=”yes” h_padding=”7″ top_padding=”2″ bottom_padding=”2″ overlay_alpha=”50″ gutter_size=”3″ shift_y=”0″][vc_column column_width_percent=”100″ position_vertical=”middle” align_horizontal=”align_center” overlay_alpha=”50″ gutter_size=”0″ medium_width=”0″ shift_x=”0″ shift_y=”0″ z_index=”0″ width=”1/1″][vc_empty_space empty_h=”2″][vc_custom_heading heading_semantic=”h6″ text_size=”h3″ text_space=”fontspace-731609″ text_font=”font-762333″ text_weight=”500″ text_transform=”uppercase” text_color=”color-jevc” separator=”yes” separator_color=”yes” sub_reduced=”yes” text_align=”text-center” text_serif=””]At Dreamsea Costa Rica living in the moment is the default lifestyle.[/vc_custom_heading][vc_empty_space empty_h=”1″][vc_empty_space empty_h=”0″][vc_column_text]
[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space empty_h=”1″][vc_empty_space empty_h=”0″][vc_button button_color=”color-jevc” radius=”btn-square” italic=”” button_style=”light” icon_animation=”yes” icon=”fa fa-book2″ link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Fdreamseacostarica.com%2Fvolunteer%2F|||”]Learn More[/vc_button][vc_empty_space empty_h=”2″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row row_height_percent=”0″ override_padding=”yes” h_padding=”2″ top_padding=”7″ bottom_padding=”7″ back_image=”51863″ back_attachment=”scroll” back_position=”center center” parallax=”yes” overlay_color=”accent” overlay_alpha=”75″ gutter_size=”3″ shift_y=”0″][vc_column column_width_percent=”100″ position_vertical=”middle” align_horizontal=”align_center” expand_height=”yes” overlay_alpha=”50″ gutter_size=”3″ medium_width=”0″ shift_x=”0″ shift_y=”0″ z_index=”0″ width=”1/1″][vc_custom_heading heading_semantic=”h1″ text_size=”fontsize-502225″ text_height=”fontheight-554561″ text_space=”fontspace-102651″ text_font=”font-762333″ text_weight=”700″ text_transform=”uppercase” text_color=”color-xsdn” sub_lead=”yes” sub_reduced=”yes” text_align=”text-center” text_serif=””]Volunteer Today[/vc_custom_heading][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row unlock_row_content=”yes” row_height_percent=”0″ override_padding=”yes” h_padding=”0″ top_padding=”0″ bottom_padding=”0″ back_color=”color-jevc” parallax=”yes” overlay_alpha=”50″ gutter_size=”3″ shift_y=”0″ row_name=”#blog”][vc_column column_width_percent=”100″ style=”dark” overlay_alpha=”50″ gutter_size=”3″ medium_width=”0″ shift_x=”0″ shift_y=”0″ z_index=”0″ width=”1/1″][uncode_index el_id=”index-197106822234″ loop=”size:all|order_by:date|order:DESC|post_type:post” auto_query=”yes” style_preset=”metro” gutter_size=”0″ post_items=”media|featured|onpost|original,title,spacer|half,sep-one|reduced,date” page_items=”title,media,text,category” product_items=”title,media,text,category,price” portfolio_items=”title,media,text,category” carousel_v_align=”middle” screen_lg=”800″ screen_md=”800″ screen_sm=”800″ single_text=”overlay” single_width=”6″ single_height=”3″ single_overlay_color=”color-wayh” single_overlay_opacity=”70″ single_text_visible=”yes” single_text_anim=”no” single_overlay_visible=”yes” single_overlay_anim=”no” single_h_align=”center” single_h_align_mobile=”center” single_padding=”5″ single_title_transform=”uppercase” single_title_dimension=”h4″ single_title_family=”font-377884″ single_title_weight=”700″ single_title_height=”fontheight-554561″ single_title_space=”fontspace-102651″ single_border=”yes” single_css_animation=”zoom-in” single_text_inline=”yes” filtering_menu=”inline” single_text_hover=”yes” single_block_click=”yes” single_title_serif=”” single_title_divider=”yes” single_no_background=”” items=”eyI0MjM3X2kiOnsic2luZ2xlX3dpZHRoIjoiMTIiLCJzaW5nbGVfaGVpZ2h0IjoiNCJ9LCI0MTkzX2kiOnsic2luZ2xlX3dpZHRoIjoiMTIiLCJzaW5nbGVfaGVpZ2h0IjoiNiIsInNpbmdsZV90aXRsZV9kaW1lbnNpb24iOiJmb250c2l6ZS0zMzg2ODYifSwiNTE3MjNfaSI6eyJzaW5nbGVfaWNvbiI6IiJ9fQ==” single_title_bold=”yes” single_half_padding=”” single_image_size=”thumb” footer_position=”left” carousel_rtl=”” order_ids=”4193,4231,4247,4252,4225″][/vc_column][/vc_row]
for my next wave..[/vc_custom_heading][vc_empty_space empty_h=”2″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner column_width_percent=”100″ position_vertical=”middle” gutter_size=”3″ overlay_alpha=”50″ medium_width=”0″ shift_x=”0″ shift_y=”0″ z_index=”0″ width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]in the distance I heard IZ’s rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” begin to play. Up until that moment I felt everything had been perfect, but hearing that song at that exact time, put me on another level. There I was surfing the sunset session off the gold coast of Costa Rica, with a gorgeous Norwegian girl on a board next to me, and IZ in the background providing the soundtrack to what felt like a dream.
Two thoughts were going through my head:
- How is this real life?
- How did I get here?
You get the picture, I wasn’t happy. The problem was, internally I knew that tons of people would feel blessed to have my lifestyle. I felt guilty for wanting more. Why couldn’t I just be grateful with my current situation?
Nights were often spent lying awake thinking about the past year and a half since graduating college. Time had flown, yet what had I accomplished? Besides work, what was I living for? Music, girls, parties? None of that truly satisfied my soul.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_width_percent=”100″ gutter_size=”3″ overlay_alpha=”50″ medium_width=”0″ shift_x=”0″ shift_y=”0″ z_index=”0″ width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]
When it comes to depression there is a wide spectrum of severity. But in a broad sense, I think it can be categorized into two groups: You’re either excited about life or you’re not. Most days I wasn’t excited. I was sick of going through the motions. I needed some fucking adventure! A radical change had to happen.
On one of those December nights, I decided to take a leap of faith into the unknown. I bought a one-way ticket to Costa Rica. In January I informed my boss of the impending decision, and the next thing I knew it was February and I was boarding my flight. The excitement for life was back and stronger than ever.
After landing in San Jose, it was on! Determined to learn how to surf, I soon found out about a place called Dreamsea Surf Camp.
An international surf camp where people from all walks of life come together to create a community? I was prepared to do anything to get there. Turns out all it took were a couple emails back and forth and everything was set. Stoked would be an understatement!
Upon arrival I was greeted by a friendly staff, outgoing guests and volunteers, and a family of howler monkeys. The place was surreal. After a short tour around camp it was obvious why “Dream” was in the camp’s name.
After only a day I already felt part of the family. Campers are constantly coming and going which made forming friendships quick and easy.
became close with people
from all over the world.[/vc_custom_heading][vc_empty_space empty_h=”2″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner column_width_percent=”100″ position_vertical=”middle” gutter_size=”3″ overlay_alpha=”50″ medium_width=”0″ shift_x=”0″ shift_y=”0″ z_index=”0″ width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]
One of my goals for my backpacking trip was to have at least one meaningful conversation every couple of days. The type of conversation where people let their guard down and speak from the heart. To my delight, these conversations were happening multiple times a day.
I discovered it didn’t matter whether English was your first language or your third language, there were people from all over the world who thought and felt just like me. Although many of our core beliefs about life were the same, the perspectives I was introduced to were brand new. Connecting with people and hearing their unique stories became addictive.
What I eventually realized was that surfing served as the pretext for going to this camp. In reality, it was the heartfelt connections formed between people that made the experience life changing.
Dreamsea attracts a certain type of person because their message is clear:
“Collect moments not things”.
As a backpacker, I had already prepared to give up the comfort of all of my possessions. What I didn’t yet know was how to immerse myself in each moment and truly live it to the fullest. I’m talking mind, body, and spirit. It’s not something most of us are naturally good at, let alone are taught how to do.
As a result of the aligned philosophy, I’m convinced it’s the closest I’ll ever get to living in a utopia. Leaving Dreamsea was tough. How do you say goodbye to a lifestyle of surfing twice a day, living with 40 of your closest friends, eating family style meals morning & night, and continually meeting & learning from new people?
As Bob (my soul brother from Holland) and I boarded the bus for our next adventure, we both agreed that we would consciously bring the Dreamsea spirit with us wherever we went. As a result, the six ensuing hostels all got to experience a sliver of the Dreamsea magic.
After five months of backpacking, I came back to the States a different man. On the plane ride home, I noted in my moleskin a sentiment that was first learned at Dreamsea, and will remain a guiding principle for life going forward:
“Slow down and appreciate the beauty in each moment.”