“Live On Purpose” Challenge Day 5: Who’s On Your Team? Get your squad up!

There’s a saying in Spanish that says “Dime con quien andas y te digo quien eres (Tell me who you walk with, and I’ll tell you who you are).  Who we surround and align ourselves with has a huge influence on who and what we become. The same way running with the “wrong” crowd can get us into unnecessary trouble, rolling with the right crew … Continue reading “Live On Purpose” Challenge Day 5: Who’s On Your Team? Get your squad up!

Why Rejection Is the Best Thing That Can Happen to You

Every experience we go through (whether good or bad) influences where we ultimately end up. I firmly believe there are no coincidences in life. Everything happens exactly as it’s supposed to; to teach us, to make us uncomfortable, and to help us grow, this includes being rejected. Whether it’s the job you didn’t get, the life changing opportunity that you missed out on, or the lover who cheated on you understanding that everything that happens to us happens for a reason can help us better deal with rejection when it comes. Rejection isn’t forever. It’s a moment. It will pass. And what is meant for you will come when the time is right. Continue reading Why Rejection Is the Best Thing That Can Happen to You

The Mamí Chronicles: The Gift of Mothering

I watch you in the morning while you are sleeping. I prepare my altar carefully so not to disturb you. I burn sage to remove unwanted spirits. They say this is how you keep the evil away. The smoke fills the air. The faint light of dawn creeps through the window highlighting the softness of your face. The stillness of the room interrupted only by … Continue reading The Mamí Chronicles: The Gift of Mothering

NOT MY MOTHER’S DAUGHTER: On mothering and changing my legacy

*The following essay was originally published on MUTHA Magazine* I haven’t always had the best relationship with my mother. There were times when I felt like I hated her; despised her even. There were times when I needed her and she wasn’t there. Times when I wanted her to fight for my sister and me, but instead she chose herself. My father says that we … Continue reading NOT MY MOTHER’S DAUGHTER: On mothering and changing my legacy

How Cancer Saved My Marriage

Music lyrics often talk about how great love is and it is great, most of the time. Sometimes external influences will blind us into believing that if our relationships aren’t like those detailed in the songs or movies then it isn’t love. No one ever tells you that you can fall in and out of love with the same person, or that romance is something you have to work at every single day of your marriage. The stresses of everyday life can become burdensome on a relationship and when there’s bills to pay, children to take care of, and work to do it can leave you feeling exhausted, unappreciated, and even resentful causing one to feel as if they want out of that loving relationship they were once in. Continue reading How Cancer Saved My Marriage

One thing I know for sure, marriage is hard!

Everyone warns you that marriage isn’t easy, but when you’re in the romantic stage of love that’s the farthest thing from your mind. You’re not thinking about how he calls his mother two to three times a day to “check in” which at the time you think is cute, but will make you turn into a raging lunatic reminiscent of the Exorcist foaming at the mouth and head spinning, five years down the road. Or how your ambitious go-getter attitude and dedicated work ethic that he initially found so sexy turns into resentment and jealousy later on. Or how opening a joint bank account turns into the Spanish Inquisition whenever you spend or withdraw money. There are so many things that factor into a marriage, many of which you have no clue about until you are in the throes of it. Continue reading One thing I know for sure, marriage is hard!

The 4 Key Elements to a Successful Marriage

There’s something about being with someone that makes us feel complete. This is why most of us spend our lives searching for “the one”. However, once you’ve found the one how do you make sure the marriage lasts so that you don’t end up another statistic? Every relationship is different and there’s not a one size fits all approach for having a successful marriage, after … Continue reading The 4 Key Elements to a Successful Marriage

I Love You But…

Relationships are something else. Those that are in one want to get out of it and those that aren’t in one want one. At this present time I know about 5 different people with relationship issues. The majority of them have found themselves single because either they or their significant other “doesn’t know what they want” right now. Oh, how I hate that explanation. In fact, … Continue reading I Love You But…

Ordinary People: Lost in music & love

I love music primarily because I am defined by words and music gives words a different kind of life. All morning I have been listening to the song Ordinary People by John Legend. Listening to this song has made me think about the nature of relationships and love as a whole.  In relationships, we often forget that no one is perfect, although we like to make ourselves believe as much. Putting … Continue reading Ordinary People: Lost in music & love