Can any of us still see this or are we to jaded

This is from a Philippine Forum:


[quote="Philippine Forum"]The writer is 80 years old that he admits. was laying in a nursing home in the states pretty much marking time until he died. He had a dream and at 80 pursued it. He has been making periodic postings about his first year there, really didn't sound that much different then my first year here. But do any of us still hold the dream?


The first year anniversary of my arrival in the Philippines is November 7th
2006 I ask: What have I discovered in just one year? Is one year sufficient to
declare Paradise real or just my dream? How does the reality compare to my
dream? I wonder how does my Paradise compare to the Paradise of others? I
also reflect on my unusual good luck. I did what I suspect few other 80 years
old have done or are able to do. Independently, I made a life changing decision
and secured the support of my grown children. My decision was my decision.
It is doubtful that my children would have made the same decision for me or
for themselves. In the final analysis, right or wrong, I am doing it my way!

I dreamed of an island paradise of white sands, balmy breezes, blue skies and
majestic mountains mirrored in crystal a rainbow coalition of fishes. All
serving as a backdrop for beautiful golden bodies offering themselves to the
sun. As idyllic and fanciful as this may sound, it is not far from the reality
of the Philippine Paradise. I have not experienced it. But the dream is still
alive.

If I have not experienced this dream, what have I experienced? I feel like
the small boy who wants to go out to play but his parents will not let him
because they have better things planned for him. I cannot start my roaming in
search of those fanciful locations because of my health. My health has confined
me so my perception could focus on the reality of my environment. Another
dimension of Paradise has been revealed to me. I have become aware of the true
beauty of this country its 'people and its' culture, a Paradise on this planet.

I have been exposed to exceptional loving care, which exceeds anything I ever
expected or could have experienced in the USA. I discovered what I really
needed. I could have had the same health problems in the USA, but could I have
had this same level of 24/7 unbelievably loving care and attention for a year?
If it exists, could I have afforded it?

From biblical times, the creationists' story reveals Adam and Eve, the first
inhabitants of a Paradise were shacking up (no preacher) but then appeared
Satan in the form of a snake. There goes the neighborhood! ! Property values
immediately plummeted. Eve ate the apple, (could it have been a joint?) shared
it with Adam, as any good mate would, and they were busted and evicted
forthwith. (Now if DEA had only done its' job in the beginning, this story would be
different.) Thus our first homeless couple without birth control or safe sex.
The pattern for all times to come was thereby established. The kids of this
family were the first delinquents, creating moral offenses like jealousy,
incest, murder, theft for starters.

No offense or disrespect intended. It is the story as I read it. My
interpretation is the product of my warped mind. I am receptive to reliable
correction based on historical accuracy.

Paradise today cannot completely escape the influence of history no matter
what the source of that history. It is a history that has been planted in the
human gene and passed on through all generations.

That is to say that Paradise is not and never has been perfect and oftentimes
it is we who determine the dimensions of its imperfection. Perhaps the
saying that "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" Might be paraphrased to say:
"Paradise is in the mind of the dreamer"

So, now we have settled that! My perception of Paradise has been expanded
beyond the superficialities of my dreams. I have come to a more profound level
of perception. This Paradise too, has its' snakes and bad fruit but they will
not spoil my Paradise unless I embrace them.

Now I do not dismiss the images of my early dreams, I now blend them with my
new vision for an even deeper perception. I have come to the country but I
have not seen the land, the white sand beaches, the mountains mirrored in the
crystal clear waters, the shapely golden bodies gracing the beaches but I know
they exist. I have come to the country and I have seen and felt the
compassion, love and warmth as deep as the ocean. The great Roman general, Caesar who
was word stingy said: "Veni, Vidi, Vici!โ

You know I already have it, but I have to admit there are days that I no longer see it.