time for some gratitude

I'm grateful for the privilege to have raised my children,

grateful for my own life, for the privilege of being,

for the experiences I've faced along the way,

the good, the great, the bad and the ugly,

all taught me something, and gave me the happiness

I enjoy today.

I'm grateful for inspirational music of all sorts,

for exquisite talents and spirits such as

Joan Manuel Serrat, Elton John, and Quantz,

Mozart, Piazzola, and Markama,

Santana, Julio Sosa, Queen,

Domingo, D'Arienzo, Yupanki,

Zitarrosa, Mecha Sosa, and la Parodi,

Paco de Lucía, Denver, Zupay...

I'm grateful for all the people

that have crossed my path,

for what they've given me

without even noticing, without even charging me.

I'm grateful for the country where I was born,

because it made me the way I am,

It's a place of peace, quiet, much water and green,

of solidary people who have all the free time

to listen and talk while drinking maté.

I'm grateful for the open doors

that let me go and come, fly away to far countries,

and always want to return home.

I'm grateful for the beauty of the world,

for reverence, for God,

and the wings of my soul.

turkey matters

It's turkey day! People gather at the "turkey" table once -maybe twice a year to give thanks honoring a historical event that happened more than four centuries ago. The story could already have the status of a legend. And it actually has much of a myth. Like Roland Barthes, I am also "fascinated by the meanings of the things that surround us in our everyday lives." The turkey is no longer just an edible animal, but a symbol, with so many connotations, that people could even wear its image on a pin and deliver a cluster of meanings to choose from, depending on the reception of the reader.

Does not the "turkey" represent a baggage of values, traditional customs, the quality of relationships, a people's idiosyncrasy, its identity? Does the turkey represent American solidarity, will for progress, resiliance, family support, mutual help, charity, and good will...

I'm not blind either to the other side of history and its corollaries, but I guess, a people has the right to show that human nature has its contradictions, they are real and are not mutually exclusive; on the contrary, we constantly cohabit with the good and the evil. In any case, I chose to write today only about the positive meanings of the turkey. The news had a story today about some people who found new uses for a frozen turkey, like knocking down a thief with it, bowling, covering holes, etc. Funny! I don't have that much imagination. Additionally, I'm glad to learn that people are giving away free turkeys; that we, the immigrants are learning how to celebrate with turkeys (something unheard of in the country where I came from, because we don't have any problem finding something to celebrate, but with cows! And even though we don't celebrate any Thanksgiving Day it doesn't mean we are not grateful for the cows, the gauchadas and the mates. Because, ¡un buen asadito no te lo niega nadie! y el mate, ¡menos! There I have another chapter of daily life mythology that I promise to address some other time.)

the pink women of India

What could happen when women take the law in their hands? Can they stop drinking, gambling, infidelity and government corruption? Check out the Gulabi Gang (the pink women of India).

If women unite their fight, they can "banish" injustice, corruption, poverty and discrimination. "If a woman really wants, she can put a man in his place" says the leader. Men are scared. These women don't even have any formal higher education, but they chose to fight for what is right. Think about what women could do if they just stand up for their rights and the justice. Their children will grow empowered, the future generations will also fight and live for what is right!

To have or to be, that’s the question!

A couple of days ago, one of my coworkers told me she always gets depressed about Christmas. Just thinking about buying presents for her children, family members, friends and everybody else in the whole wide world makes her sick. Sounds familiar? What is it about this snow ball that society rolls down the hill to catch everybody in its way? Are we agents of our lives or there is someone or something else trying to live our lives? I think we should be in charge of creating the dream Christmas we want to live and share with our families. So, let’s revive creativity! Dare to be!

This year we have an additional factor: a good dose of adversity and hardships worsens the matter... or not. I am personally grateful for the hard times, adversity or challenges (too many for me to count), because they help us go back to the basics, grow from the inside out. Everyone gets what he or she needs in life because God knows us well, and gives us opportunities to learn about and develop ourselves. When I'm in tune, I too know. I’ve learned to accept gracefully whatever may come because in the end I always realized that it has been the best for me, even & especially, when it tasted bitter. This holiday season we may not be free from experiencing some kind of hard times, either ourselves or close to home. So let’s revive courage and will! Dare to face it with gratitude and humility! Dare to be!

But remember, challenges are opportunities to go back to the basic meaning of the celebrations. All belief systems accept that "true love never faileth" (1 Cor 13:8) , which is the underlying meaning of Christmas, a celebration of the Love of God who “so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son [to save it]” (Jn 3:16) . From my experience, happiness comes when one learns how to love. If you believe in God, tap into the treasure of His Love. Have the courage to breathe deeply, to live in the present, to love intensely, to laugh loudly, and to BE. And let your loved ones enjoy the gift of your being! Dare to be! A few years ago, I discovered the tale The Gift of the Magi, a sweet Christmas story. It shows us that it really does not matter what materials things we buy, ultimately, what touches our hearts is the love that we give each other. It reminds us that what really makes a difference in enjoying the season is the gift of our time, of our life, of our talents, of OURSELVES. After all, isn't it what life is all about, just LOVE yourself and others to learn how to love God? Dare to love! I wish you peace and love every step of your way now and beyond this Holiday Season. May that peace make you a feather in God’s breath. Dare to be what He wants you to be!

Happiness is a state of being

It makes me sad to encounter frowning people. Yesterday I was so deeply touched by one person, that I haven't stopped thinking about that mind state that is the always seemingly fleeting happiness. I often wish I could make that person happy, but I know that's not possible.

I discovered it one day when I realized that I was the only person responsible for my own happiness. To that point, I'd never found anyone that could make me happy. No wonder I felt so miserable waiting for the fairy! I finally realized that I am the only one living my own life! From that day on, I decided to be the builder of my own happiness. And I kept my promise. I am the only one responsible for it, it's my work, I can't blame anybody else for feeling miserable. I know. It sounds like a lonely job to do. But actually, it could be lots of fun when we discover our own potential, and realize that God gives us the energy that we need to do it.

The decision had its price tag though. In my case, I had to make new choices, and when I made choices, I had to give up things, to sever my contradictions and shortcomings and become true to myself. I had to make painful changes that I had avoided out of fear for many years. Very often we keep feeling miserable just because we don't have enough courage to change and abandon the security -or insecurity, of the comfort zone. We are so much afraid of the unknown, including happiness, that we rather stay within the limits of the known. We are afraid of facing our own fears. It happens to the addicted individual as well as to the battered woman or man, to the mediocre student as well as to the hypocritical professional. Sometimes our lives look like we're parading the wrong way, but we keep going as if nothing is wrong... and we expect to be happy anyway.

To develop the courage, we need to first ground our soul on a safe place, so we can feel supported. Yogi Bhajan said : "Dwell in God. Dwell in God. Dwell in God. Befriend your soul. Dwell in God and befriend your soul. Dwell in God and befriend your soul. All the faculties and facilities of the Creation, which are in your best interest, shall be at your feet. You need million things; million things will reach you, if you are stable, established, firm, patient. Remember, Creator watches over you and Creation is ready to serve you, if you just…be you."

Once I learned to befriend my soul, a new world blossomed inside me. It envolved forgiving and loving myself. Today, I can go everywhere and be happy, I can face anything and be happy, I can hear good and bad news and be happy. It's like riding in the safe hands of God. It does not really matter what goes on around. I know He is in charge and will give me what I need in time.

In my life I had many wrong-bound parades, (I still have some that I'm working on), so I had to turn around and walk the way I suppose to go. Suddenly, not only have I found happiness but freedom within, the freedom of being me. We need to find our true self before we can find happiness. Then, all the rest falls back in place. Sat Nam! (truth is my identity)

metamorphosis

Uprooted and family deprived, I turned onto a spiritual experience quest through yoga practice. Even though many people practice yoga as a physical fitness program that will also help them to keep healthy –which is true-, it is also true that yogis invented this “technology” to help them develop the necessary preparation to be one with the divinity, the higher consciousness or creative power. Under this light, yoga practice is much more than physical exercise. I’ve proven it.

During the more than three years of practice, I’ve undergone a transformation. It started at the physical level with the healing of some chronic dis-eases I used to have, but then, there was a turning point when in my path of an always increasing consciousness, I realized my inconsistencies and inner contradictions and felt the need to be consistent, to become true to myself and to God. I had a personal life crisis, long and painful, but worth it. I decided that I couldn’t continue to hold my values true and keep acting and living under a different set of unconsciously imposed principles that were directing my decisions like a preset computer program. I was becoming aware! As a consequence, I had to make major & painful changes in my life, more painful than sciatica and muscle sore. I recently was told that I have a younger look. My body probably changed too, but the most important rejuvenation went on inside; I feel light and open to the world like pollen in the wind.

Last month I wrote of my concern with spiritual discernment (“see what you can” October 23, 2008) and being able to identify truth. I realized how much influence emotions have on our perception of the world around us. Then I decided to work on clearing this problem too, and was advised on a certain meditation that I practiced for 40 days. This was my most recent amazing metamorphosis. Becoming aware (or conscious) is comparable to clearing the lake waters to a transparent state that allows us to see through a limpid lens. Then we are able to see what’s at the bottom and in detail. Unfortunately, this is not a state you attain and “you got it!” Although it’s nice to have a taste of how it works and the experience of using it, you need to work hard to retain this ability, practice, practice, practice! It seems that’s the way it is with all the good things in life. Let’s say: love; some people seem to think that love between two people come naturally, well… no!, it’s 100% sweating (conscious) work; one need to make it happen, being aware, making the right decisions and staying focused on creating the kind of love one wants. It doesn’t come out of the blue.

Here are some of the changes that I’ve experienced so far:

I overcame my uprooting by learning to ground myself physically, trust mother earth to sustain me, and realizing that God is in charge of my life. I know that He gives me exactly what I need to develop myself, and become what I am supposed to be. My favorite is tree pose, it proves me that I have roots and gives me the balance I need.

I overcame my lack of a partner by learning to redirect my creative power to project myself to the world in a compassionate offering. I feel good vibrations wherever I go, in all I do. And... after many years of planning on it, I can finally write. I was amazed that even some poetry came out!

I am overcoming my insecurities by developing a stronger life will for action instead of reaction. I go out and just do what it takes to be me!

I am learning to tune my heart with the truth and act from the love center. It helps me see others not for what they seem to be, but beyond into their true infinite being. Since we are essentially the same substantial creation, we are in truth one with and from God. So, Love is the true working line of connection.

Just these accomplishments, have made me a happier person. I feel I can take my circumstances and turn them for my good. I come from feeling absolutely powerless, denied, rejected, unwanted, zeroed, to having the sense of strength and endurance necessary to go on, no matter what. My heart is full of gratitude for it!

smiles and sweet words

How is it that we are treated like kings and queens with smiles and sweet words, and later we find out that our skin was ripped into pieces in our absence?

I may follow Alceste’s argument on the good manners of his time –our time?-, for his indignation about the falsity of people in society, because he was as sick and tired of deceit as I am. How is it possible that people lost the ability to be honest and develop all those deceit skills instead. Hypocrisy takes a lot of skill, don't you think? I found that, especially at work, people do not want to confront others. Instead of telling the truth in a loving manner, they disguise in a friendly sheep skin, or under a poker face, they tell you how nice you are and how great a job you do on your face, wheareas behind your back, they go and tell everybody else how horrible you've been, and all the mistakes you've done.

However, I'm not as bitter as Alceste as to hate society, and I can agree with Philinte to a certain extent, I still have the hope that things will change. There will be a time when nobody will be able to hide behind a poker face or any fake composture. Now, don't be fool to believe that nobody sees your faking. We'll be transparent, we won't be able to lie to each other because it'll be apparent. We'll be able to speak and act from the heart when we disagree with others.

There will be a time when we'll care for others as we do for ourselves and will be better at being human. We'll have respect for others' feelings and viewpoint, more able to place ourselves in others' shoes.

There will be a time when we'll want for others what we want for ourselves and be more willing to share from inside, not only from our material possessions.

There will be a time when we'll live in peace. I believe in it, and "I'm not the only one!"

be mediocre!

Who told you that being mediocre and underachiever was the way you’re supposed to be?

By now, haven’t you realized that something or someone tries to convince you that you shouldn’t be doing well in school? What is it?

Whenever you do something right and well done and receive a commendation for it, you feel strange, like you did something you were not supposed to do, something wrong. And pretty soon, there is someone who scorns you for it, make you feel or even tells you are inadequate, stupid, teacher’s pet, not one of “us” &&&&&&&. Remember! You’re not supposed to be better than yesterday, do a good work, excel at anything, or be a highlight anywhere. After all, why go through all the trouble: if you don't do well, someone will design a special test for you so you pass it.

If you study hard and make good grades, you may be successful, and others won’t like you. Actually they’ll make all the efforts to put you down! They’ll make fun of you and ostracize you. So if you want to be part of the herd, don’t disappoint them, you may end up alone or (running for) become the President of the USA. (Edition on November 5, 2008:)

telling the tale

This weekend at the Celtic Festival I was again captivated by storytelling. You can meet a great Irish storyteller at http://www.mairtinmusic.com/. Mairtin de Cogain not only has a fancy accent but there is a charm about him that totally take you out of yourself to a joyous space of worries suspension and relax. Maybe the quiet and calm waters of the Ladybird Lake behind him made half of the work, but it was a very pleasant experience I shared with a full audience.

By the way, about storytelling, I grew up being told stories and tales, raised my children the same way and I am still enchanted by the magic of the interaction with fantasy. Every time one listens to a story, one has the opportunity to transfer personal anxieties, dreams, and inadequacies onto the main character and find oneself liberated, walking the next miles like a feather in the light breeze of a fall day. It’s a shame that our day has forgotten about this centenary tradition. I believe that reviving it can even help us find creative ways to solve today’s problems, and may even solve them just by practicing it.

Let’s observe some of the mechanisms that could take place: TV will be off, family members will find themselves facing each other and actually talking abut their days and eventually about themselves. People will be trained at listening to each other with some degree of attention, they may laugh together, learn how to see humor in their daily happenings, realize that essential human concerns are still the same, they will develop a better imagination that can improve daily life creativity. Family members can grow closer together just by sharing an hour like this. Try it, and prove me wrong!