Wednesday, March 21, 2007

UN NUEVO COMIENZO...


Un nuevo comienzo


Y una vez más llegó la primavera…Las resoluciones de año nuevo realmente deberían hacerse en la primavera, tiempo en el cual todo reverdece, florece y despierta del adormecimiento natural y cíclico de todo lo vivo. El mundo comienza a parecer activo de nuevo, lleno de vida y energía y feliz de experimentar un nuevo comienzo. Mi alma se contagia de los aires frescos de la primavera y respira la novedad en el ambiente, naciendo de nuevo, saliendo del invernadero para convivir con todo una vez más. ¡Qué bueno que llegó la primavera! Recuerda respirar y absorber la vida que nutre a todos y que nuevamente se hace latente en el aire y en las cosas.

Hoy vestiré de verde mi alma y me uniré al trino de los pájaros en celebración de vida, la vida que nunca termina, la vida que siempre vive y nunca desaparece aunque así lo aparente; la vida que se transforma para siempre darse en todo su esplendor nueva, única y especial.



Y la Vida Continúa…



Pensando en el ciclo de la vida y cómo ésta se manifiesta interminable, siempre resurgiendo, nunca acabando, siempre siendo, veo cómo en el fluir continuo de la vida lo que al parecer termina nutre un nuevo comienzo. Las cosas tienen principio y fin, pero realmente no tienen ni principio ni fin. La vida es una continuación constante de cosas que van y vienen, que aparecen y desaparecen, pero no por ello la vida se acaba. Lo que apreciamos como el fin de algo siempre significa el comienzo de lo nuevo o la continuación de lo que ya habíamos comenzado pero pausamos. En ese momento del final, en el cual parece que la vida se detiene, es el tiempo que necesitamos para cambiar nuestra mentalidad y darnos cuenta de que debemos proseguir o recomenzar. Tenemos ilimitadas oportunidades para vivir y revivir el ciclo incesante de la vida, ya sea viendo este ciclo como uno lleno de comienzos y finales o como uno que perpetuamente se renueva pero que ciertamente no tiene fin, y por ende no tiene primicia.



Me Llamarán Poeta



Aquí dejo un poema de mi preferida, Julia de Burgos. ¿Qué dirán de mí cuando muera (si alguna vez lo hago)? Bueno, ojalá que, como dice Julia, me llamen poeta



Poema para mi muerte



Ante un anhelo


Morir conmigo misma, abandonada y sola,

en la más densa roca de una isla desierta.

En el instante un ansia suprema de claveles,

y en el paisaje un trágico horizonte de piedra.


Mis ojos todos llenos de sepulcros de astro,

y mi pasión, tendida, agotada, dispersa.

Mis dedos como niños, viendo perder la nube

y mi razón poblada de sábanas inmensas.


Mis pálidos afectos retornando al silencio-

¡hasta el amor, hermano derretido en mi senda!-

Mi nombre destorciéndose, amarillo en las ramas,

y mis manos, crispándose para darme a las yerbas.


Incorporarme el último, el integral minuto,

y ofrecerme a los campos con limpieza de estrella,

doblar luego la hoja de mi carne sencilla,

y bajar sin sonrisa, ni testigo a la inercia.


Que nadie me profane la muerte con sollozos,

ni me arropen por siempre con inocente tierra;

que en el libre momento me dejen libremente

disponer de la única libertad del planeta.


¡Con qué fiera alegría comenzarán mis huesos

a buscar ventanitas por la carne morena

y yo, dándome, feroz y libremente a la intemperie

y sola rompiéndome cadenas!


¿Quién podrá detenerme con ensueños inútiles

cuando mi alma comience a cumplir su tarea,

haciendo de mis sueños un amasijo fértil

para el frágil gusano que tocará a mi puerta?


Cada vez más pequeña mi pequeñez rendida,

cada instante más grande y más simple la entrega,

mi pecho quizá ruede a iniciar un capullo,

acaso irán mis labios a nutrir azucenas.


¿Cómo habré de llamarme cuando solo me quede recordarme

en la roca de una isla desierta?

Un clavel interpuesto entre el viento y mi sombra,

hijo mío y de la muerte, me llamará poeta.

Julia de Burgos

Friday, March 02, 2007

THE MEASURE OF STRENGTH


"A woman is like a tea bag. You never know how strong she is until she gets into hot water."-Eleanor Roosevelt.



Strength is a word that only has meaning in dictionaries until we are faced with situations in which we are called to rely on our inner strength to stay afloat. We think we know how strong we are, however, most of us do not fully realize our own resilience until life brings the unexpected or the expected that we fear to even imagine. Usually, individuals assure themselves they would not be able to survive, withstand, or cope with extreme pain and extreme fear, however, many of us have inner strength that is only unleashed on the face of adversity, and is there for us to use, sometimes effortlessly.

Two weeks ago the person I knew all my life as my father passed away. I had been dealing with health issues a couple of weeks before his death, so lets just say it had been a less than pleasurable beginning of 2007 even before this trying time. I had been thinking for a while how would my father pass and how would I be able to deal with his physical absence. Well, I don’t have to wonder anymore. My father’s passing was fast, but I cannot say it was unexpected. Our only certainty as humans is that our physical bodies will cease to exist at some point in our lives, whether we allow ourselves to think about it or not. When our loved ones leave their physical forms we are left with deep pain and sorrow that can be devastating. Many of us, though, are able to rely on a strength that comes from a source that is pure and stronger than we are to make our life ongoing, happier, and one worth celebrating even more, even after an event that causes us so much affliction. I grieve my father’s passing because I will miss his smile, voice, touch, the way he always looked at me and how his sight filled up with light every time he saw me, and the loving words I kept hearing from him for 35 years. He was the man who has loved me the most, and because of him I learned how to love. This is a happy sadness as I remember my time in this earth with him, and I will live the rest of my life celebrating his life.

Now I know the meaning of the word strength.

Thursday, February 15, 2007

ABOUT PUERTO RICO AND PUERTO RICANS

This text was sent to me by two Puerto Ricans (of course) and being Puerto Rican myself I could not help to feel deep pride in all this! Now I share it with the world. I am sure each country has treasures like these, worth bragging about. In case you did not know, here are some things to brag about about Puerto Rico.

Why Puerto Ricans are so cool...

We are a mix of the best of every race.

We can't care less what other people think of us.

We are not only bilingual but we can speak "Spanglish"

Our women are the most beautiful in the world, (5 Miss Universes)

We are LATINOS, and yet AMERICANS

Mofongo (that's all I have to say)

In PR, any road will take you to a beach..... or a pub.

We are the only "territory" of another country with our own Olympic teams.

We do everything under the sun... because we CAN!

Because even though we are a territory we are still a whole NATION.

We don't need to take vacations to be in a tropical paradise.

In PR everything is really close.

I can call you sir ("USTED"), and insult you in the same sentence.

Our Spanish is completely different than any other Spanish speaking country.

We all have cool nicknames.

We have the best athletes in the world.

We make some of the best coffee of the world.

WE CAN DANCE!!!!!!!!!

They come from around the world to hire our engineers and scientists.

We are the country with the most roads by square mile (and there is still traffic).

We have the longest swimming pool in the world (Cerromar)

La "Calle del Cristo" (San Juan P.R.) was the first road of "The New World " to be paved.

86% of the rum drunk in the U.S. is from Puerto Rico.

We have more female engineers than any other country. (and you still call us machistas?)

We know how to party, without absurd curfew laws.

We are the major RUM manufacturer of the world.

The bats for the Movie Batman Forever were filmed in Las Cuevas de Camuy, P.R.

We invented the MayoKetchup!

We kicked the DREAM TEAM's ass.

Puerto Rico has one of the world's highest productivity ratios.

Salsa music was the fastest growing genre in the last 20 years.

Four Puerto Ricans received the Congress Medal of Honor: Eurípides Rubio, Carlos Lozada, Héctor Santiago y Fernando Luis Ledesma García.

Only 4 baseball players have 2 Home Runs in the same Inning; 3 of them are Puerto Ricans (Roberto Clemente, Roberto Alomar and Carlos Baerga)

Tito Trinidad never went to the Olympics but defeated 4 gold medal champions.

A Puerto Rican, Nellie Toledo, designed the 1984 Camaro Berlinetta.

We were the 5th country in THE WORLD to have a radio station. (before Washington D.C.)

Junior Cordero (Puerto Rican) won the Kentucky Derby 3 times.

There is only 7 fluorescent lagoons in the world; we have 4 of them.

Giovanni Hidalgo is considered the best percussionist in THE WORLD.

Jose Feliciano is in the top 3 guitar players in THE WORLD (don't forget he is blind).

The Discovery 500; Solar car designed by the Mayaguez College won 41 awards en Sunrayace , Iowa in 1993.

We established the first lottery system in the New World.


NOT TO BAD FOR A 100 X 35 MILES ISLAND...

Author: Unknown

Tuesday, January 23, 2007

A MOMENT IN LOVE


A Moment in Love

Yesterday my son woke up in the morning and I went to get him out of his crib, as usual. I usually ask him a silly question when I enter the room: “where is a little boy?” to what he responds: “here mommy!”. I then approach his crib and laugh as he begins to tell me something about what he is doing at the moment, which is usually playing with the stuffed toy of choice that morning. I proceed to pick him up and hold him, asking him if he had sweet dreams and what did he dream about, to what he usually responds that he had pretty dreams and names the friends he dreamed about. I sometimes get an invitation to get into his crib and have a “picnic”, lay down and talk, or some other pretend play. I usually get into his bed without hesitation and play, looking at him as he imagines a world in which things are pure, simple, magical, and without worries.

Yesterday, after I picked him up from his crib, I told him: “lets sit down and love”, as I usually tell him after I begin holding him in the morning. He accepted, and we sat down in the rocking chair in his room. His room was dark, and I had the song A New Day from Celine Dion playing in the background coming from the computer. The moment could not have been more magical. I held him for several minutes, smelling him, looking at his little head against my chest, caressing his whole body, gently squeezing his flesh, and kissing him in every place I could. In that moment I decided that nothing else was more important than that special time with my child. There was no place I had to be that could rush me to break the magic. The whole world could wait, as that moment, that little moment of tightness, abandonment, and quiet and overwhelming love was ours to enjoy for a brief time, and only our submission to it would make it eternal. I closed my eyes and let my child be a part of me, strong and subtle, as always, as ever, just being. After about five minutes of that stillness I broke the silence and said: “OK, lets go” to what he responded: “no mommy, not yet”. I could not help but to give in and honor his request for more time. I enjoyed his words so much that they resonated in my head long after the moment had passed.

I stayed with him for a little longer, this time with a smile on my face. The music was gone and all there was was silence and the quiet love between us. In that moment I was greater than myself, as the power of the ultimate surrounded me, transpired me, and got stronger in me. In that moment there was nothing else in the world but our love and our presence, as a magnified togetherness, more apparent and factual than when he was in the womb. He laid on my legs, stomach, and chest, much bigger than when he lived inside of me, however, he was more present and real now, but with almost the physical connection we shared when he was still unborn.

As I was holding him, still caressing, squeezing, kissing, smelling him, he broke the silence and the magic with the sweet words: “mommy, I am done!”, he broke the embrace, escaped my arms, and started running to play as I watched and an even greater smile showed on my face. His toddler energy caught up with him and he realized the world had more interesting things stored for him than being on mommy’s lap all morning. I felt grateful that he was the one who broke the moment; I would have hated to do that, and I probably would have kept it for as long as I could.

I am not sure what that moment meant for him, but for me it meant the world. I felt pregnant again, full of love and light, whole and happy, serene and holy. I wish that he would always take that moment with him, which he probably forgot already, and realize the immense love and gratifying moment we spent together, and realize it is never-ending. As for me, that moment will stay in my memory, heart, and soul for as long as I can feel and remember, and I will use it when gray strikes and when the sun is shining. I am thankful for that moment and for being able to feel love so true and deep, without boundaries and time.

Having yourself is a blessing. Having a child is a miracle!

Tuesday, January 16, 2007

EYACULACION FEMENINA

Encontré este artículo del libro A New View of a Woman's Body y me pareció sumamente interesante su contenido. En nuestra cultura se nos enseña a mirar el sexo como un tabú, y esto emana de las percepciones de género que se nos imponen durante la socialización y que limitan a la mujer en su fase sexual. Los mensajes que escuchamos durante nuestra crianza, o el libreto, enfatizan cómo debemos ser comedidas, señoritas de la casa, buenas niñas, y además de todo esto significar el callar nuestras emociones, procurar el bien de otros más que el nuestro, cuidar a otros, etc., también significa inhibirnos a la hora de expresarnos sexualmente, o, mejor aún, no validar nuestro ente sexual. Por tal razón, a la mujer se le coarta de su esencia sexual y la expresión de emociones o sentimientos a través del sexo, o a utilizarlo de manera afectiva o recreativa. Recuerdo cuando crecía y, criada por mi abuela, ella intentó instituir en mí el “pudor” y la negación total del reconocimiento del sexo como parte de la vida normal del ser mujer. Esto les ocurre a muchas mujeres de mi cultura, y espero que esta lectura les sea de aprendizaje, reflexión, y un poco de gracia. Como diríamos en Puerto Rico: ¡que venga el chorro!”.

Fluidos Corporales Femeninos


Antes de discutir la eyaculación femenina comentaré algo sobre los fluidos corporales femeninos en general. Nuestra sociedad, así como muchas otras, ve a todas las formas de líquido que produzca el cuerpo de la mujer con gran desdén. A las mujeres no se les permite llevar a cabo la mayoría de las funciones corporales normales; no es visto como femenino. Los fluidos corporales femeninos son vistos incluso dañinos por muchos; hay sociedades en las que se piensa que las mujeres durante la menstruación arruinan los cultivos y hacen morir el ganado. Esto crea una barrera significativa para su placer sexual.

Se espera que las mujeres mantengan una apariencia seca y perfecta, independientemente de sus actividades físicas. Las madres decían a sus hijas que no era atinado involucrarse en deportes porque los muchachos podrían verlas sudando y desarregladas y esto era visto como poco atractivo. Aún hoy, los anuncios de desodorantes y antitranspirantes persiguen la idea de "no dejar que te vean sudar." Se les dice a las mujeres que necesitan desodorantes especialmente fuertes, hechos sólo para ellas. Los avisos de tampones y toallas íntimas enfatizan la capacidad de sus productos para "ocultar" la menstruación de la vista de los demás más que su tarea original que es la de absorber el menstruo. La mayoría de las mujeres preferirían que les arrancaran sus uñas una a una a ser vistas teniendo un "accidente", esto es, menstruando en público. Hay chicas y mujeres que aprenden a disgustarse con la idea de orinar en un baño público, aguantando su orina todo el día hasta que llegan a su casa. ¿Quizá tengan temor de ser vistas menos puras?

Los hombres sudorosos son vistos como sexuales, viriles. Su masculinidad se mide por su capacidad de producir grandes cantidades de semen. Escriben su nombre en la nieve utilizando su orina y miran quién puede eyacular más lejos. Que el hombre ensucie todo con su eyaculación es visto como inevitable, normal, y nunca se cuestiona. Incluso se idolatra en películas para adultos. Los hombres pueden eyacular en la cara, en la boca, encima y adentro del cuerpo de su pareja, y esto es visto como normal. Si la mujer lleva sus fluidos corporales sobre su pareja, ella ha hecho una chanchada. Una interesante doble pauta. Si el hombre puede cubrir a su pareja con sus fluidos corporales, la mujer debe poder hacer lo mismo.

La sexualidad femenina se estropea por estas leyes no escritas. Es difícil relajarse y disfrutar del sexo si usted está preocupada por sudar mucho o por producir demasiada lubricación vaginal. Se ha sabido que las mujeres que producen grandes cantidades de lubricación vaginal, sudor, y que eyaculan evitan el sexo más que exponer a su pareja o a ellas mismas a estos fluidos. Como las mujeres no poseen control sobre la liberación de estos fluidos durante las actividades sexuales, algunas directamente evitan el sexo en vez de arriesgarse a ser vistas como menos femeninas por su pareja. Aunque el deseo de la mujer por el sexo pueda aumentar durante su período menstrual ella puede no tener relaciones durante este tiempo porque teme hacer una chanchada y está indeseable. Las normas sociales referidas a los fluidos corporales de la mujer pueden limitar significativamente la sexualidad y el placer femeninos.

Antes de que una mujer pueda aprender a eyacular, a disfrutar de eyacular, o a disfrutar del sexo en general, debe aceptar como normales sus fluidos corporales. No debe cuestionar la naturaleza o cantidad de su humedad, sea ésta sudor, lubricación vaginal, menstruación, eyaculación u orina. Estos fluidos son una parte normal y natural de las vidas de las mujeres. No hay nada que sea inherentemente malo en ellos. Una mujer no podrá permitirse eyacular y experimentar orgasmos que potencialmente hagan añicos la tierra si ella no puede dejarse ir cuando surge la presión o las ganas de eyacular. Señoras, dense permiso para gozar y disfrutar del sexo.

Monday, January 15, 2007

UNCOVER YOUR TRUE FACE

Es oficial: El Nuevo año está aquí. Ya la algarabía de los festejos y las celebraciones quedó atrás, y ya la vida ha vuelto a la normalidad. Ya ni parece que estamos comenzando un año, sino que ya se siente como que todo ha caído en la rutina de antes y la novedad pasó. Sin embargo, recordemos que aún quedan 350 días de este año para hacerlos lo que deseemos de ellos…!vamos a aprovechar todos y cada uno!

Me llegó este artículo hoy de una de mis publicaciones preferidas: The Daily OM. He escuchado muchas veces estas aseveraciones: cómo utilizamos nuestra máscara ante los demás para complacer, deleitar, alegrar, no incomodar, acomodarnos y hacer sentir bien a otros. Aunque trato de siempre ser yo y mostrarme fiel y tal cual soy al mundo, también he usado máscaras. Lo importante es saber que debemos procurar quitarnos la máscara y dejar ver lo que somos para el deleite de los demás, pero sobre todo, para nuestro propio deleite y paz interior.

Algo en qué pensar hoy…

DailyOM
January 15, 2007
Uncover Your True FaceUnderneath the Mask
Many of us know the feeling of being stuck in a particular role within our families, as if we are wearing masks whenever we see the people we love. Maybe we are the good daughters, expected to always please others, or perhaps we are the family clowns, expected to be jovial and make everyone laugh. This same scenario can play out within a work situation or a group of friends. We may be so good at our role that we hardly even notice that we are wearing a mask, and yet, deep down, we know that we are not free to simply be who we really are. This can leave us feeling unseen and uneasy. There is nothing inherently wrong with wearing a mask or playing a role. It is a natural part of any social dynamic and it can even be creative and fun. It only becomes a problem when you feel that you have no other choice than to wear that mask, and this is especially challenging if you realize you are never without one. Perhaps you have forgotten who you really are—a vast and unrestricted being of light—and have identified yourself completely with a role. You may be the dutiful, caring son who keeps his parents’ dysfunctional marriage intact. You may be the angelic wife who enables your husband to continue on a destructive path. You may be the cheerful daughter to a deeply depressed mother. Whatever the case, knowing the motivation behind your performance—the function of your mask—can help to uncover your true face. Anytime we find ourselves stuck behind a mask, it is an indication that we are entangled in a dysfunctional dynamic in which our true self cannot be seen. We have been placed in this situation for the purpose of our own healing and, in some cases, the healing of others. From this perspective, life can be seen as a series of situations that call us to remove our masks—gently, and with great compassion for all concerned—to reveal the beauty underneath.

Sunday, December 31, 2006

Don Omar - Dile

One of my favorites. Enjoy!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

And once again a year is “all gone”. Time flew and today is the last day of this time lapse we call year. Another cycle of 365 days and nights, mornings and afternoons, sunsrises and sundowns is finished today only to start a new one. There is a feeling of anticipation for the new, hope for the future for some, relief for the closing of another year for others, while our sights focus on the upcoming year soon to be among us. Although the new year may seem as a new road for us to walk on, a new place for us to be, we really have plenty of opportunities to renew and start again: we have new days everyday of our lives.

A lot of individuals make new year’s resolutions and I used to be one. I don’t do that anymore. I rather not wait until the new year to promise myself I will do a million things that will probably never get accomplished. I rather live day by day and strive to ride on the road to myself the best way I can. In the new year I want to make each day count, be closer to becoming my best, and be true to my calling. I intend to treat each day of the year as a new day full of possibilities and new beginnings. I want to make each night a new year’s eve and a new day a new and fresh start, a new day available for me to do and to be. I only promise to love more and to show it more, everyday, for myself and those whose lives have merged with mine coincidentally through my walks. I want to spark fireworks in my heart each night as I count my blessings and wake up exhilarated and happy about the beginning of a new day, everyday. I want to dance more, sing more, eat more, kiss more, hug more, laugh more, breathe more, and learn from all things. I want to eat in my “special china” more days out of the year, dress up to celebrate each day, and spread the joy.

Happy New Year!

¡Feliz Año Nuevo!

Nuevamente nos acercamos al final de un año. El tiempo voló y hoy celebramos el final de un lapso de tiempo al cual llamamos año. Culminó otro ciclo de 365 días y nohes, mañanas y tardes, amaneceres y anocheceres, y comenzará uno nuevo. Existe en el aire un sentimiento de anticipación por lo nuevo, para algunos simbolizado por la esperanza y para otros el alivio de que cierra este año. Lo cierto es que tenemos muchas oportunidades para renovarnos y recomenzar todos los días del año.

Muchos inidviduos escriben sus resoluciones de año nuevo; cosas que tal vez nunca realizarán. Yo solía hacer una lista de resoluciones pero vivir cada día tratando de maximizar en esa única oportunidad para llegar a mí misma de la mejor manera posible. Cada día quiero verlo como uno lleno de posibilidades para nuevos comienzos. Quiero ver cada día como uno de renovación y hacer de cada noche una despedida de año. Quiero amar más, a mí misma y a los seres que son parte de mí. Quiero que mi corazón estalle en luminarias cada noche y despertar alegre con cada nuevo día. Quiero bailar más, cantar más, comer más, besar más, abrazar más, reír más, respirar más y aprender más de todas las cosas. Quiero comer en mi vajilla especial más días del año, vestirme de fiesta para celebrar cada día y compartir mi alegría con todos.

¡Feliz Año Nuevo!

Thursday, December 21, 2006

MUJER DE FUEGO

Mujer de Fuego

Calor exuda mi cuerpo
al tenerte frente a mí, solo una mirada
enciende en mi centro pura braza
que quiere consumirme por entero.

Voraz va creciendo abrupto fuego
que quema en mi ser, y tan ardiente
crece, devora, en mí se siente
el ardor que emana desde mis adentros.

Me consume la llama que por ti albergo,
me derrito, y en mi cuerpo de ti ausente
me palpita el ser mujer, mi cuerpo y mente
desaparecen a merced de este amor ciego.

Llamarada que funde el pensamiento
es tu presencia siempre presente en mi existencia
que me quema, me consume sin clemencia
y me obliga a ser tuya sin quererlo.

Quemas mis ojos, mis labios, mi pecho...
De pensarte me abro a ti, y por ti ardo,
por un roce de tus manos, un abrazo
estallo y en cenizas me convierto.

Y luego de convertirme en ceniza, el viento
me lleva otra vez hacia el olvido
a donde vuelvo a encenderme en mi delirio
por la pasión que hace de mí fuego.

Tangie

En una noche de ganas...

Wednesday, December 13, 2006

DE QUIEN?

Cómo puedes ser de alguien cuando ni siquiera eres tuyo(a)? Conquístate a ti mismo antes de conquistar a los demás, entrégate a ti mismo antes de entregarte a los demás, sé dueño de ti mismo antes de regalarte a los demás.

Saturday, December 09, 2006

NUEVAMENTE


Una nueva ausencia. Nuevamente me voy, receso, pongo un alto a una vida para transportarme a otra. Llegaré a la otra vida siendo yo y tal vez regresaré siendo la misma con otra añadida. El tiempo forja, la distancia cambia la perspectiva de las cosas. Hasta mi regreso…

NUEVAMENTE

Cedí, dejándome arrastrar por la corriente de su ser perpetuo.
Como la arena que se arrastra sin voluntad, muy mar adentro.
Como roca en el río, durmiente, dejándose arrastrar con desacierto,
buscando el océano, el delta que lo libere del tormento.

En sus ojos vi el tiempo sin tiempo de los años traicioneros que se fueron;
todo el pasado, agolpado en su rostro, anclado en su cuerpo.
Mi razón se perdió, sin explicación, ilógica y dormida, despertada del recuerdo,
durmió mi ira, y se levantó el amor que albergué en alma y cuerpo
para dárselo completo nuevamente, como en antaño,
darle todo en un momento.

Lo vi…y me perdí de mí misma
huyendo de la realidad invisible como el viento;
del amor que albergué y protegí del destierro.
Como flor que se aferra a la vida e intenta crecer en el desierto,
supe de este amor que silente crece, duerme y vive, siempre eterno.

Wednesday, December 06, 2006

MIRADA DE MUJER









Through the eyes of a woman you can see the world. Women are so involved in the details of daily lives and in those of a future they dare to dream and envision. Women are always busy loving and caring, thinking about the well-being of others, and hopefully taking care of their well-being as well. Women are amazing creatures, I have already said that many times. We have capabilities beyond our awareness and our souls soar deeper and higher than our minds dare to. When we know the measure of our soul we can translate that into actions that will materialize our deepest self for a better present and future. Let our eyes be a true reflection of who we are and lead us women into the vision we have for ourselves.

Thursday, November 30, 2006

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT...

When you ask there is a 50/50% chance you will get what you are asking for. When you never dare to ask there is almost a 100% chance you will never get it.

Algo para pensar hoy…

Cuando preguntas existe un 50/50% de probabilidad de que conseguirás lo que persigues. Cuando nunca te atreves a preguntar existe casi un 100% de probabilidd de que nunca lo consigas.

Wednesday, November 29, 2006

WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU LEMONS

Cuando la vida te da limones…Ya sabemos cómo va el resto del dicho. Contando mi historia nuevamente en un programa televisivo la audiencia no puede evitar experimentar sentimientos encontrados acerca de la misma: horror, tristeza, lástima, admiración, sorpresa…Mi historia, la que se puede contar en tres minutos y los detalles que falta el tiempo para divulgarlos, me parece fascinante e interesante, pero sé que hay miles de individuos en el mundo que han hecho de situaciones difíciles y desgarradoras fuentes de inspiración y motivación para superarse y evolucionar con entereza, valor, fuerza y sensibilidad. Es normal sentir desacierto y dolor, angustia y tristeza, preocupación y dejadez. Estos sentimientos pocos placenteros, y posiblemente el resultado de vivencias amargas y difíciles, pueden servir para ponernos en contacto con la energía para el cambio que necesitamos. La comodidad nos sienta bien en tanto y en cuanto nos sentimos completos y realizados. Cuando la comodidad o el miedo nos obstaculizan para movernos hacia delante en una nueva dirección que nos permita alcanzar un estado de bienestar y plenitud, éstos se convierten en nuestros enemigos número uno.

Las cadenas emocionales que atan nuestra conducta y perpetúan situaciones negativas en nuestras vidas son fuertes y difíciles de romper, pero muchas veces el cambio llega a raíz de eventos no gratos, cuando nos damos cuenta de que tenemos que pasar por el fuego del cambio para emerger de él en mejores condiciones.

La historia que ya se escribió en mi vida es como una película a la cual miro ahora sentada en mi sofá. Falta mucho de ella por escribir y contar y espero siempre poder aprender de ella, de mi vida como principal maestro de lecciones importantes para evolucionar plena.

…We know how the rest of the say goes. Telling my story once again for a talk show, the audience was sad, heartbroken, and surprised to hear it. I find my story fascinating, the one that I can tell and the details that I cannot share for lack of time to do it, is one of endurance and survival, but as interesting as my story sounds I know there is a lot of people in the world with more shocking and amazing stories to tell; events that have made them re-emerge stronger, wiser, and more sensitive in spite of all the ugliness and painful circumstances. As it is normal to feel angst, uncertainty, and sadness, we have to realize that many times those feelings arise to tell us something: something has to change. Many times comfort and fear work against us in pursuing a better state, to evolve whole. Let unpleasant situations and feelings be the catalyst you need to take action to change.

The piece of my history that has already been written is like a movie that I watch now sitting from a comfy couch. There is still much of it to write and tell, but I hope my life can always be my most valuable teacher.

Monday, November 27, 2006

VIOLENCIA CONTRA LA MUJER

Visitando el blog de Seoman me enteré que el pasado sábado, 25 de noviembre se celebró el Día Internacional Contra la Violencia de Género. La fecha pasó desapercibida para mí, sin embargo, hoy sabiendo de tal celebración, me cuestiono por qué siquiera tenemos que tener una fecha especial dedicada a recordarle a las personas a no maltratar a las mujeres. Me parece barbárico que aún en el Siglo 21 tengamos que recordarnos a no agredir y victimizar a la mujer, y que aún esta problemática esté lejos de ser resuelta en el mundo.

Las causas de violencia contra la mujer son muchas. El gran problema es cómo se perpetúan estos círculos viciosos de generación en generación, siendo aceptados por ambas partes (agresor y agredida) como norma y estilo de vida esperado y modelado y enseñado a generaciones futuras.

En un artículo pasado leí que las jóvenes Latinas están en gran riesgo de caer en relaciones abusivas durante sus años de escuela, y al preguntárseles por qué aceptan este tipo de relación responden que sus parejas actúan agresivamente por el amor tan grande que les tienen. Muchas mujeres llegan a la adultez con este mismo paradigma y continúan aceptando la violencia como algo aceptable para sus vidas y una validación y prueba contundente del amor de la contraparte para con ellas (¿qué pasó con las flores y las serenatas?). Algunas mujeres definen maltrato como abuso físico severo y no se dan cuenta de que el maltrato tiene muchas formas y caras, a veces sin llegar a la agresión física.

Es triste que una mujer crea que el amor duele, lastima y tortura para ser real y tangible. Es triste que una mujer cuando se da cuenta de que el amor no tiene que doler piense que no tiene alternativas para salirse de una relación en la cual la agresión y la violencia imperan. Mucho más triste es que los agresores se sientan con la potestad y el derecho libre de utilizar la violencia a su antojo en contra de sus parejas. Ninguna mujer debe tener que vivir en una relación de maltrato. Ningún niño debe presenciar cómo su papá llega a la violencia física o verbal contra su mamá. Ningún hombre debe sentirse con el derecho de poder agredir a su pareja.

La violencia de género se detiene con educación y concientización, para que las mujeres entiendan que no tienen que vivir la vida en pareja llenas de temor o aceptar el maltrato, y saber sus opciones y alternativas. El esfuerzo tiene que ser conjunto entre todos los componentes de la sociedad para levantar nuevas generaciones con una visión positiva hacia el respeto mutuo y la sana convivencia. Mensaje: El maltrato no es amor.

Sunday, November 26, 2006

Joy


Luego de la ausencia vuelvo a mí. Nunca me voy, ciertamente, y cuando regreso así parece, que nunca me fui, que siempre he estado aquí. Viendo la vida desde varias perspectivas, las mías y las de otros, me inspiré a escribir esto. Se me antojó escribirlo en inglés porque me sale mejor así. Este escrito habla de la alegría, la que a mí siempre me acompaña, aún en los momentos en los cuales las sonrisas son tenues. La alegría es una decisión, una elección. Que sea tuya y así nadie te la podrá quitar.

"Tengo alegría que el mundo no me ha dado y que el mundo no me puede quitar". Esclavos Negros en el siglo 19.

“I have joy that the world did not give to me, and joy that the world cannot take away”. 19th Century Negro Slaves

Wow!! How powerful this is! Joy is like water that comes out of a fountain, refreshing, welcomed, needed, and much appreciated. To live with joy is to find contentment and cheer in the very little things of life as well as the big things. As Dr. Robin Smith says, joy is a choice we make whether things go right or wrong, whether things go our way or not. A joyful person always irradiates good energy and vibe that attracts others and gives the beholder a positive perspective of life. To be merry is to have the certainty that all that happens in our lives happens for a greater purpose and offers us the opportunity to learn, no matter how harsh the circumstances might be. Joy gives us strength to face difficulties and look at our possibilities with the confidence that at the end our joy will be even greater than before.

I have met a lot of fantastic and amazing people in my life. I have met those people who, no matter the situation how difficult their lives are, they always have a positive approach to life and a smile on their face. There is time for everything in this life, and even when crying, let the tears wash away the blues when it’s time to reveal an even stronger, deeper and more appreciated cheer, just like the rain reveals a bluer sky and sometimes a beautiful rainbow. Let joy always be with you, within you, and show it proudly. It is contagious!

Friday, November 10, 2006

BEING A MOTHER


As a mother, especially as the other of a son, I can really appreciate this story. I would like for my son to value and treasure our relationship way beyond his childhood. I hope he is never too busy to spend time with me when the walks of his life take him away from me to new worlds and new people. I hope he evolves to remain the loving child he is today in his adult body. Mostly, I hope he is always aware of the immense love I feel for him, one that could never be duplicated, tarnished, or diminished.

The story below was sent to me by my mother-in-law, mother of three boys. Fortunately, she is not the lady from this story, as her three sons value, love, and treasure her deeply for the wonderful mother she is. With luck my son will turn out to be like her sons.

BEING A MOTHER

After 21 years of marriage, My wife wanted me to take another woman out to dinner and a movie. She said, "I love you, but I know this other woman loves you and would love to spend some time with you." The other woman that my wife wanted me to visit was my MOTHER, who has been a widow for 19 years, but the demands of my work and my three children had made it possible to visit her only occasionally.

That night I called to invite her to go out for dinner and a movie. "What's wrong, are you well," she asked? My mother is the type of woman who suspects that a late night call or a surprise invitation is a sign of bad news. "I thought that it would be pleasant to spend some time with you, "I responded. "Just the two of us." She thought about it for a moment, and then said, "I would like that very much."

That Friday after work, as I drove over to pick her up I was a bit nervous. When I arrived at her house, I noticed that she, too, seemed to be nervous about our date. She waited in the door with her coat on. She had curled her hair and was wearing the dress that she had worn to celebrate her last wedding anniversary. She smiled from a face that was as radiant as an angel's. "I told my friends that I was going to go out with my son, and they were impressed," she said, as she got into the car. "They can't wait to hear about our meeting."

We went to a restaurant that, although not elegant, was very nice and cozy. My mother took my arm as if she were the First Lady. After we sat down, I had to read the menu. Her eyes could only read large print. Half way through the entries, I lifted my eyes and saw Mom sitting there staring at me. A nostalgic smile was on her lips. "It was I who used to have to read the menu when you were small, "she said. "Then it's time that you relax and let me return the favor," I responded.

During the dinner, we had an agreeable conversation nothing extraordinary but catching up on recent events of each other's life. We talked so much that we missed the movie.

As we arrived at her house later, she said, "I'll go out with you again, but only if you let me invite you." I agreed. "How was your dinner date?" asked my wife when I got home. "Very nice. Much more so than I could have imagined," I answered.

A few days later, my mother died of a massive heart attack. It happened so suddenly that I didn't have a chance to do anything for her. Some time later, I received an envelope with a copy of a restaurant receipt from the same place mother and I had dined. An attached note said: "I paid this bill in advance. I wasn't sure that I could be there; but nevertheless, I paid for two plates - one for you and the other for your wife. You will never know what that night meant for me. I love you, son."

At that moment, I understood the importance of saying in time: "I LOVE YOU" and to give our loved ones the time that they deserve. Nothing in life is more important than your family. Give them the time they deserve, because these things cannot be put off till "some other time."

Somebody said it takes about six weeks to get back to normal after you've had a baby ... somebody doesn't know that once you're a mother, "normal" is history.

Somebody said you learn how to be a mother by instinct . somebody never took a three-year-old shopping.

Somebody said being a mother is boring .somebody never rode in a car driven by a teenager with a driver's permit.

Somebody said if you're a "good" mother, your child will "turn out good"....somebody thinks a child comes with directions and a guarantee.

Somebody said "good" mothers never raise their voices ....somebody never came out the back door just in time to see her child hit a golf ball through the neighbor's kitchen window.

Somebody said you don't need an education to be a mother ....somebody never helped a fourth grader with his math.

Somebody said you can't love the second child as much as you love the first .... omebody doesn't have two children.

Somebody said a mother can find all the answers to her child-rearing questions in the books.... somebody never had a child stuff beans up his nose or in his ears.

Somebody said the hardest part of being a mother is labor and delivery....somebody never watched her "baby" get on the bus for the first day of kindergarten .. or on a plane headed for military "boot camp."

Somebody said a mother can do her job with her eyes closed and one hand tied behind her back ...somebody never organized seven giggling Brownies to sell cookies.

Somebody said a mother can stop worrying after her child gets married....somebody doesn't know that marriage adds a new son or daughter-in-law to a mother's heartstrings.

Somebody said a mother's job is done when her last child leaves home....somebody never had grandchildren.

Somebody said your mother knows you love her, so you don't need to tell her.... omebody isn't a mother.

Wednesday, November 08, 2006

Amazing Story

http://www.break.com/index/truly_amazing_blind_kid.html

Humans are truly masterpieces with talents beyond our own awareness, and the capability to do the unthinkable. The link above portrays a story worth telling, and although it brought tears to my eyes, it filled my heart with immense joy. Let that story inspire you today to excel and be grateful.

Los humanos somos obras de arte con talentos más allá de nuestro conocimiento y la capacidad de hacer lo inimaginable. El enlace que aparece arriba muestra una historia digna de ser contada, y a pesar de que la misma me hizo llorar también llenó mi corazón de inmenso júbilo. Que esta historia te inspire hoy a ser todo lo que quieres ser.

Sunday, November 05, 2006

PENIS OBSESSION

I recently went back home to Puerto Rico, and took my two-year-old son with me. Upon our arrival, everyone was overly excited to see us. We were very happy to see our family and friends as well. As expected, everybody paid extra and special attention to Paul Vincent at all times, turning him into the center of the world in which he was the main and most important star.

As the days went by, I could not help to notice the special attention his genitalia was getting. I realized then something that I have grown up with all my life: the perpetual worship of the male reproductive organ. My son’s genitalia was the object of attention, questions such as: “to how many girlfriends does this belong to?”, “to whom does this belong to?”; and comments such as “this is mine”, and “I am going to get it”. To people from other cultures these comments might sound perverted and outrageous, but to the Puerto Rican culture these are comments that have been passed on from generation to generation, unquestioned, celebrated, and widely accepted.

For some reason, those comments hit me now, although I have heard them all my life, directed toward boys, of course. This time those words got me thinking: what is it so important about male genitalia that deserves to be celebrated on a regular basis? Why is everybody, males and females, obsessed with babies penises and teach them they are the epitome of their lives? Why has no one questioned the penis worship before? (At least, not anyone I know). And lastly, does anybody celebrate female genitalia?

Growing up in Puerto Rico I cannot remember anytime my genitalia was celebrated as a baby or a small girl. Nobody asked to how many boyfriends my genitalia belonged to; nobody said how big or pretty it was, or told me I would break many hearts with it (or get a lot of penises with it for that matter). I am sure someone would be totally disturbed at this article, especially when the questions about my genitalia come about, however, it seems totally permissible, admissible, and even expected to talk about male genitalia in those terms, at least in the Puerto Rican culture. My point is, I finally realized machismo and its perpetuation starts with the adoration and reverence of the male penis (which by the way, the bigger the better according to my culture), by all in society.

Needless to say I had to advice everyone to stay off and clear my child’s genitalia, as it is just that and not a totem, and I do not want my child to think of himself in terms of his penis as it does not define who he is or who he will be. I am not against celebrating any body part, really, but I do not want my son to get the narrow perspective that he is his penis and that his penis controls him and dictates his present and future behavior and place in society.

Friday, November 03, 2006

Ausencia y Regreso








Estuve ausente. Me fui a recorrer el pasado y anduve en él, con el paso lento que permite mirar las cosas desde otra perspectiva. Ya regresé a mi presente, a mi ayer no terminado, a mi futuro en construcción y aún no forjado. Regresé de mí hacia mí por el cual pasó el tiempo dejando su huella sin saberlo y sin pensarlo. Regresé igual y otra, con muchas otras adentro de mí haciéndose eco en mis palabras recordadas del ayer que se nutre de mi hoy. Volví al ayer y regresé al presente, diferente e igual. Fue reconfortante viajar al pasado y devolverme nuevamente al actual ahora que me llamaba. Desde aquí y desde siempre estoy.