grateful soul

Usually, this blog is a platform for me to try to provide tools that can help us all work towards a better future. Sometimes this entails reflecting on the past, and I have come to notice that I often paint this picture of “moving from the past,” which may have negative connotations. Through my recent travel and life experiences, I have been extremely appreciative of the past in a new light - I think it is healthy to recognize that this thread that I discuss as connecting us all as humans, is also one that spans time and generations.

Daintree Rainforest, Cairns, Australia // June 2019

One of the reasons that I use writing as my mode to reach others is because of the fact the written word has been used for ages, connecting us to the experiences and lives of those before us, as it will continue to do for centuries to come. There is a way in which seeing someone’s handwriting or digesting typed text that helps to provide an emotional feeling that ironically can almost not be put into words. I remember looking at my great-grandmother’s handwritten recipes and notes, which brought about a lot of feelings. In that moment, I not only cherished the beauty of how written works can withstand time and catapult the past into the present and the future, but I also felt as if I was in the presence of a distant piece of myself, recognizing that my existence could be traced back to the creator of this words in front of me.

Even more recently, I had a similar sensation when I went to the Daintree Rainforest in Cairns, Australia. My tour guide pointed out that the Daintree is the oldest rainforest, estimated to be 180 million years old, which meant that as I stood in the thicket of the lush greenery, I was in the same spot that dinosaurs used to roam. There was one tree in particular that shot far into the sky, towering over the rest. It was in that instant that I experienced the complete collapse of time. It was as if a film reel was playing in my mind at an incredible fast forwarding speed, taking me from the scene of a brachiosaurus munching on this tree’s leaves, through my current moment, and into the future of the next generation being mesmerized as they stand before this great treasure. I felt as though I had illuminated a mutual fragment of life that I now shared with beings far beyond my grasp of understanding. This thread that weaves together time helps us to also knit together all of existence. As much as I can advocate for us all to recognize this aspect of life, there is something incredible about actually feeling the sensation that you are a small, but vital, part in the greater scheme of the universe. And with that being said, the universe that we are a part of goes beyond the definitive periods of our personal lifetimes.

So essentially, this time I encourage us all to reflect on the past to understand where we are now, but in a manner that focuses on a level deeper than ourselves. Look beyond just your personal history – what did your ancestors go through so that you could be in this exact moment? What parts of your identity do you attribute to distant lands or ancestral experiences? Through pondering these questions, we might gain a better understanding of our context, as well as a clearer and broader conception for how we came to personify our identities. This in turn allows us to have a stronger motivation to appreciate the people we currently have in our lives, acknowledging the people who came before us, in addition to relishing in the current natural landscapes and recognizing that we play a crucial role in shaping the lives of generations to come. Choosing to be your best self and striving for this more positive society is a decision that impacts more than just the now; it builds upon the efforts of humanity and pledges to pay it forward to those who will follow in our footsteps.

Here’s to tracing the thread of our individual stitches and sewing a foundation that others can look back on with pride! xoxo

To my Mima (10/20/30 - 8/9/19) –My tenacity sprouts from the Cuban heritage that was so strongly rooted in you, and one day I hope to visit the land that you left behind so that your children and grandchildren would have better opportunities. I hope I will leave this planet in a state that is void of the hardships that people saw in your lifetime, and in doing so, I will never forget that I am in a position to have my voice heard and my words read thanks to my lineage who braved more than I could imagine. I will always treasure the keepsake of your handwriting that says: “Te amo siempre.”

Happy July! Lately I have been reflecting a lot on how so much has changed in a year! If someone had asked me a year ago where I saw my life headed, I would have said something completely different than what I would respond today. Despite the fact that the emotions and experiences that this past year held were not always the most pleasant (and at times I questioned if I would even survive to see another day!), I couldn’t be more grateful for where I am now. I think it is important that we all realize that with time comes change, and though it can be change in either a positive or negative direction, all change serves a purpose.

I know I have written about embracing all that life has to offer in any given moment, which is somewhat repetitive of allowing for change in either direction, so I’d like to focus this post on setting intentions for the future, knowing that as time goes on, we have the opportunity to transform into our most ideal lives. Change can be scary, unexpected, and stressful, but I honestly believe that there is always some, even if it is small, positive takeaway from any situation. So, no matter where you are currently in your life, where do you hope to see yourself in three months? A year? If you think back a year ago, could you have predicted all that was to happen from that moment up until now? Life is a whirlwind of sensational occurrences, it is doubtful that one’s life will remain forever stagnant in the way it currently is. As individuals, we have the power to analyze where we are, and then make decisions to fine-tune our paths in a stronger direction towards our dream.

Growing up, my parents always reminded me that no matter how hard it seemed to push myself to do something, whether it was to go on a run to stay healthy or even sit down and try to write a blog post, that someday I would look back and wish I had started today. Essentially, we can’t gain time back, but we can make the most of what we have. Every day is a new beginning. If the life you wish to be living someday includes daily yoga, then find an outlet to take your first class this week. Why wait for “someday” when today is waiting for you to take the reins and live life to the fullest? I think that it is just so important to recognize that although we might not have complete control over what happens in our lives, we do have some power in the choices we make to place us on different paths, and it is never to late to take some new exits and find ourselves on new routes.

With this fairly fresh start of a new month, I think it is a healthy exercise to reflect on how your life has changed in various ways. What was a change you weren’t expecting, and are you happy with how you handled it? How have you evolved into your current position in a positive way? Taking the lessons from the past, then apply these thoughts to the future, coming up with some first steps to progress towards a happier and healthier you. Live in the now, in a way that your future self will thank you!

P.S. These sunset photos are from the same night, taken within the span of 10 minutes! I thought it was symbolic of how fast things can change and seem completely different than one might expect! :)

The Collapsing of Time

The Sands of Time