Rayner Smith
Chief Story Teller
What Rayner Smith is Passionate About:
In short, I am passionate about living an authentic life. Now, that can mean different things to different people, but to me it means several things:
Time. I often say that it’s time and not gold that’s the ultimate commodity. I feel that people, and more specifically Americans, don’t get this. Life goes by insanely fast and any time spent doing something you don’t want to be doing is tragic.
Family. I love nothing more than spending time with my family. To spend time with a child is to know them in a state that they will never be in again. I believe that if you pass up any opportunity to hang out with your kids it is foolish, as that opportunity will never present itself again. I am a father and I look at my family as a team, each with our own individual roles with an unbreakable bond.
Travel & Adventure. Life is short and it is a big world out there with so much to see and learn. Time in the outdoors and abroad are the most special times for me. I got my open water scuba license at 16 and my private pilot license at age 18. I have no plans to stop exploring and experiencing new things every chance I get. I have moved 36 times and visited or lived in 36 states, 18 countries, and counting.
Minimalism & Simplicity. It is hard to be a minimalist in today’s society. Many don’t understand this passion and they ridicule it, but ridding myself of anything that I deem unnecessary is a natural instinct to me. The absence of excess and clutter is what enables me to spend time on what I feel is important. The things you own end up owning you, as the saying goes.
Music. What else is there to say? I love music. I almost always have it playing, though I do enjoy silence. I am the guy that turns up a song I love way too loud, and if I happen to be at a red light during that great song with my windows down… I do my best to listen to and accommodate those around me. Thanks for pointing this out Dave.
What TICO* Means To Rayner Smith:
The literal term ‘Tico’ (feminine tica, plural ticos, ticas) is a colloquial term for a native of Costa Rica. Costa Ricans are usually called ticos by themselves and persons of other Spanish-speaking countries, in place of the more formal costarricenses.
Costa Rica has a special place in my heart. I can easily say that it is where I feel I belong. Descending through the clouds when the lush green landscape reveals itself, I can’t help but say to myself ‘welcome home’. There are two parts in the magic ingredients that come together to make this such a special place… the unfairly beautiful landscapes and the Tico culture that is summarized in the local mantra of ‘Pura Vida’.
At first, I thought ‘Pura Vida’ (pure life) was a national advertising tagline, much like like Texas’ “It’s like a whole other country”. Shortly after spending time there, it is hard to not hear the locals say this… a lot. I remember briefly thinking that everyone was using it as propaganda, but quickly realized that it was a natural part of their dialect that represented their dedication to living a healthy, pure, natural life. They use it in place of common phrases like ‘thank you’, ‘you’re welcome’, ‘good bye’, ‘good luck’, and ‘have a nice day’.
For me, the term ‘Tico’ represents more than just a person from Costa Rica… it represents a lifestyle where passion for living a pure life is constantly present. It is a mind set, and it defines what we do here at TICO*.
Rayner Smith’s 6 Favorite Lyrical Quotes:
Don’t criticize what you can’t understand. – Bob Dylan
Oh, look at me in my fancy car and my bank account. Oh, how I wish I could take it all down to my grave, God knows I’d save and save. Man, take a look again take a look again, things you have collected. Well, in the end it all piles up so tall to one big nothing, one big nothing at all. – Dave Matthews
Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery. None but ourselves can free our minds. – Bob Marley
I went on the search for something real. I traded what I know for how I feel. – Avett Brothers
In Catholic school as vicious as Roman rule. I got my knuckles bruised by a lady in black. And I held my tongue as she told me,”Son, fear is the heart of love.” So I never went back – Death Cab For Cutie
My choice is what I choose to do, and if I’m causing no harm it shouldn’t bother you. Your choice is who you choose to be, and if you’re causin’ no harm, then you’re alright with me. – Ben Harper