Food for thought-HANDBOOK for 2010

HANDBOOK for 2010

Health:
1.       Drink plenty of water.
2.       Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
3.       Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants..
4.       Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy
5.       Make time to pray.
6.       Play more games
7.       Read more books than you did in 2009 .
8.       Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day
9.       Sleep for 7 hours.
10.      Take a 10-30 minute walk daily. And while you walk, smile.

Personality:
11.    Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12.    Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead, invest your energy in the positive  present moment.
13.    Don't over-do. Keep your limits.
14.    Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
15.    Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
16.    Dream more while you are awake
17.    Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need..
18.    Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with His/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present        happiness.
19.    Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20.    Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
21.    No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22.    Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn.  Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade          away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23.    Smile and laugh more.
24.    You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree...

Society:
25.    Call your family often.
26.    Each day give something good to others.
27.    Forgive everyone for everything..
28.    Spend time w/ people over the age of 70 & under the age of  6.
29.    Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30.    What other people think of you is none of your business.
31.    Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:
32.    Do the right thing!
33.    Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
34.    GOD heals everything.
35.    However good or bad a situation is, it will change..
36.     No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
37.    The best is yet to come..
38.    When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
39.    Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.

Last but not the least:
40.    Please Forward this to everyone you care about, I just did

Food for thought-2010

The Awakening
(Author unknown)

A time comes in your life when you finally get…when, in the midst of all your fears and insanity, you stop dead in your tracks and somewhere the voice inside your head cries out…ENOUGH1 Enough fighting and crying and blaming and struggling to hold on. Then, like a child quieting down after a tantrum, you blink back your tears and begin to look at the world through new eyes.

This is your awakening.

You realize it’s time to stop hoping and waiting for something to change, or for happiness, safety and security to magically appear over the next horizon.

You realize that in the real world there aren’t always fairy tale endings, and that any guarantee of “happily ever after” must begin with you…and in the process a sense of serenity is born of acceptance.

You awaken to the fact that you are not perfect and that not everyone will always love, appreciate or approve of who or what you are…and that’s OK. They are entitled to their own views and opinions.

You learn the importance of loving and championing yourself…and in the process a sense of new found confidence is born of self-approval.

Your stop complaining and blaming other people for the things they did to you – or didn’t do for you – and you learn that the only thing you can really count on is the unexpected.

You learn that people don’t always say what they mean or mean what they say and that not everyone will always be there for you and everything isn’t always about you.

So, you learn to stand on your own and to take care of yourself…and in the process a sense of safety and security is born of self-reliance.

You stop judging and pointing fingers and you begin to accept people as they are and to overlook their shortcomings and human frailties…and in the process a sense of peace and contentment is born of forgiveness.

You learn to open up to new worlds and different points of view. You begin reassessing and redefining who you are and what you really stand for.

You learn the difference between wanting and needing and you begin to discard the doctrines and values you’ve outgrown, or should never have bought into to begin with.

You learn that there is power and glory in creating and contributing and you stop maneuvering through life merely as a “consumer” looking for you next fix.

You learn that principles such as honesty and integrity are not the outdated ideals of a bygone era, but the mortar that holds together the foundation upon which you must build a life.

You learn that you don’t know everything, it’s not you job to save the world and that you can’t teach a pig to sing. You learn the only cross to bear is the one you choose to carry and that martyrs get burned at the stake.

Then you learn about love. You learn to look at relationships as they really are and not as you would have them be. You learn that alone does not mean lonely.

You stop trying to control people, situations and outcomes. You learn to distinguish between guilt and responsibility and the importance of setting boundaries and learning to say NO.

You also stop working so hard at putting your feelings aside, smoothing things over and ignoring your needs.

You learn that your body really is your temple. You begin to care for it and treat it with respect. You begin to eat a balanced diet, drinking more water, and take more time to exercise.

You learn that being tired fuels doubt, fear, and uncertainty and so you take more time to rest. And, just food fuels the body, laughter fuels our soul. So you take more time to laugh and to play.

You learn that, for the most part, you get in life what you deserve, and that much of life truly is a self-fulfilling prophecy.

You learn that anything worth achieving is worth working for and that wishing for something to happen is different than working toward making it happen.

More importantly, you learn that in order to achieve success you need direction, discipline and perseverance. You learn that no one can do it all alone, and that it’s OK to risk asking for help.

You learn the only thing you must truly fear is fear itself. You learn to step right into and through your fears because you know that whatever happens you can handle it and to give in to fear is to give away the right to live life on your own terms.

You learn to fight for your life and not to squander it living under a cloud of impending doom.

You learn that life isn’t always fair, you don’t always get what you think you deserve and that sometimes bad things happen to unsuspecting, good people…and you lean not to always take it personally.

You learn that nobody’s punishing you and everything isn’t always somebody’s fault. It’s just life happening. You learn to admit when you are wrong and to build bridges instead of walls.

You lean that negative feelings such as anger, envy and resentment must be understood and redirected or they will suffocate the life out of you and poison the universe that surrounds you.

You learn to be thankful and to take comfort in many of the simple things we take for granted, things that millions of people upon the earth can only dream about: a full refrigerator, clean running water, a soft warm bed, a long hot shower.

Then, you begin to take responsibility for yourself by yourself and you make yourself a promise to never betray yourself and to never, ever settle for less than you heart’s desire.

You make it a point to keep smiling, to keep trusting, and to stay open to every wonderful possibility.

You hang a wind chime outside your window so you can listen to the wind.

Finally, with courage in you heart, you take a stand, you take a deep breath, and you begin to design the life you want to live as best as you can.

Sunday night

Current mood: quiet, mentally preparing to go back to work (first day of school anxiety)
Current Obsession: Stella McCartney Spring Performance Collection 2010
Currently reading:Pushing Forward by Randy Snow
Last movie: Avatar ( it rocked! now, I want to see it 3D)
Upcoming events: Laundry, work, 3 kings day, laundry

What a year!

2009 was a year I would love to forget, but I’m grateful it happened. I have faced my demons, issues that haunted me for years. I recently discovered the blessing of having a support group from friends, family and strangers. I have understood that God has an amazing plan for me and I’m looking forward to it. I have a job that sometimes doesn’t let me sleep but I’m happy to be tired and great colleagues who have the patience to deal with some serious PMS-ing. If I hurt in some way: I’m sorry. I rediscovered my capacity of doing something, trusting my instincts and later having satisfaction and the validation of the people who matter.

I have been faced with friendship betrayal, yet I’ve been blessed with so much more, good souls around the globe who really want the best for me. I reconnected with old friends (Carla B) and strengthened new ones (Maricelle, Mercybelle, Stephanie R). I continue to give thanks to God for: Aileen, Anushka, Arlene, Aimet, Alba (you rock!), Annabelle, Ariel, Beatriz Luna, Beatriz Tamayo, Beba, Cagiu, Carla M. Charlisse, Cheska, Chetzil and Hector, Cristinita, Cynthia Carrion (bless you, my friend, in Germany), Cynthia Rodriguez, Dari, Darlene, David L, Dia, Edmarie and Ernie, Edwin, my kid bro Efrain, Elda, Erika Peña, Erika and Axel, Eunice, Ingrid ( you and I go waaaaay back, love you), Ivanette, Denise, Lara, Jaen and Melvin, Javi Gazu, Jay Z, Jeannie( love you to pieces), Jessica, Joel, Jorge, Julie, Kariliz ( love you and your family), Lara, Le Roy,Lorna, Maitecita, Manolo, Manolito, Mariel, Marnie, Michelle and Norein, Mitin, Morayma, Nanma, Omar, Oscar, Rafa, Paquirri, Chupi, Wilo, Raquel, Sheila, Tony, Valeria, and W*. Yep, I’m lucky. Also I have a new friend, let’s call her G. Yes, it was our fate to meet.

On the family front, I’m happy to report that Mia is thriving and Carmela continues to mature. Rebeca and Fabi are great. I have my grandparents in good health and so is my Titi Cuqui, who laughs at my jokes. Tony and Yasmine, thanks for your support. Dad- I’m rooting for you and I love you. Jennifer is blissful in her marriage and in her new role as mom (although this thing about having her far away is hard for me). Jenni, just one thing: thanks, you have the biggest heart. Georgette, my partner in everything good, bad, ugly and the very ugly has shown an enormous capacity of strength, even when she doesn’t realize it. I love you, tots. We have an amazing spring ahead of us (wink,wink). Have I told you I have the best brother in law? Georgie, I heart you. Tania continues to amaze me with her capacity to be great at everything: hard worker in her job and being the best mom and wife ever while being my voice of reason, which is a tough job by itself. Typical Tania. Mom is healthy and continues to be my example of true love and courage while keeping her smile, her sweetness and most important her faith. You are my angel in my world; no words can thank you enough. On the love front I am happy to report that I’m dating someone. I didn’t give credit to this person in the past but recently I have discovered that what we have together is truly amazing. We have a long way ahead of us. That person is me**:

I take this year as THE toughest one EVER, but I met myself, and slowly I have been falling in love with me. I am learning to forgive and care for myself; these are the lessons that I’m taking to the new decade. I thank the Lord for making me His princess. A true honor.

So what’s left to say? My wishes to you of blessings, health, love and peace. Happy 2010… God bless

(*Disclaimer- if I missed you sorry, I only checked my cell contacts but I still love you, for reals)

(** “The most important relationship is with yourself”-Diane von Furstenberg)

Culebra girl

So after years fantasizing about spending New Year's Eve in Culebra, I'm glad to report that I just made it. We were kind of worried about the swell that hit yesterday (25 ft waves people!) but the ocean was like oil, the best ferry ride ever. I'm with three Culebra virgins: my mom and her husband and my grandmother. My aunt is on her way with her car, and my two new roommates: Carla and Gaby.

I'm already on "island mode" even with cold and wind. There is something magical about these little bit of paradise. And after realizing that we are just finishing a decade ( wow, I'm still recuperating 2000's hangover) I'm elated that I'm starting a new one here. A different one. I'm missing people here of course: Carmela my angel, my sweet Tania, Mia and Georgie, my two choice sisters Georgette and Jennifer. I just wished they were here with me, but I know we are going to be holding hands in spirit when the clock hits midnight.