Friday, July 23, 2010

Let it Go

Happy Friday!!

I woke up this morning to intense emotions about what I have to do today. I got up from my bed flustered with worrying. I decided to return to my bed. Sitting down. I began to meditate. And the words flowed out of me: Let it Go.

Let it all GO!!

Like me, many of us spend our time worrying about everything and anything. We fret about the past, the present, and future situations that haven't happened. We worry because we fear. As someone, who suffers from anxiety disorder I know what it's like to deal with constant worry. I have to work really hard to reduce my anxiety, let go of worry, and just be in the present. I have to practice yoga at least 3 times a week, pray, meditate and do vigorous exercise. If I don't....you do not want to be around me! TRUST ME.ha ha! I know it is not easy......but we must LET IT GO. LET IT GO. LET IT GO.

We worry about the things beyond our control. Why not make a radical shift? Focus on what we have the power to control. Yes, we have more power than we give ourselves credit for.

Think about and answer: What is actually within your control?


We have the power to be happy. We are the architects of our destiny.
We choose how we feel on a daily basis.
We have the power to change our thoughts, actions, and behaviors.
We are NOT alone. Our creator is always with us. We are not given more than we can bear.

Today, whatever is bothering you, whatever you are worried about, whoever you are worried about....Just know that this too shall pass (Listen to India.Aire!!). Worry only leads to more worry. Worry will make you physically, emotionally, and mentally ill. It leads to stress, depression and an infinite cycle of anxiety that is good for NO ONE.

My Affirmations:
Today is a new day. The past is behind us.
I am strong, brave, and courageous.
I will do my best today.



How do you deal with worry? Any positive affirmations you would like to share? Please do send me your comments.



From my sister Migue's words: Choose to be a WARRIOR not a WORRIER!!!

with courage,
RP

Friday, July 16, 2010

poetry in motion: the other side of happy

we all have those days. where nothing seems right. the poem below is one of those days for me. i cringe before i click 'publish post' because this poem feels incomplete. like there is more to give but i don't. i cringe again. but its time i let go. sometimes things are not the way you like them to be but you try anyway. this is my way of trying and letting go. hope you enjoy.


the other side of happy

i do not feel fulfilled
i am on a path with no direction
loved ones surround me with their own
dreams and narrow roads
while i am winding, turning, hitting dead ends,
heading on curvy paths that lead me to unknown destinations
feeling incomplete

the glass is half empty

but i hold on to my cloaks of hope
and my main accessory that is love
i am destined for greatness
for things unheard of
for magical gifts unseen

the glass is half full


a little embarrassed but still tough,
RPoet

Thursday, July 15, 2010

moving mountains..

i woke up this morning and went right on the mat. my yoga practice is essential just like brushing my teeth. so i did just that. i did not feel like power yoga so i turned on fit tv and followed shiva rea's vinyasa flow: water and shanti practices. the shanti practices were all downward facing dogs, warrior poses, back bends and hip openers. as yogis and yoginis know, hip openers help open and release emotions. for me they always help release the tension i have in my root chakra. my body desperately needed these hip openers. my soul was desperate to release the tension, anxiety, fears i have been carrying the past five days. in releasing all these emotions and energy something happened.. i cried. i went upstairs and talked to my partner about the things i have been holding in. all of my fears about my past, present AND future. (the easiest way for me to be overwhelmed, stressed, and confused is to obsess over my baggage! don't we all?) he simply listened. gave me useful advice but he knew i was not listening. i went to the bathroom to get in the shower.. and i heard him call my name. something told me to walk back into our office. and that is when he told me "I want to read something to you. Just sit and listen." He began to read Matthew 17:14-20. I began to cry. I am not a religious person. I've only read the bible as an obligation (born and raised catholic). But today. I was ready to listen to those words "So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief;[b] for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you." Beautiful words!! With faith the size of a mustard seed (truly a small, small seed) you can move mountains!

that is what i know i can do..move mountains. all i need is faith and belief in the greater (supreme) being. With God I am not alone. (I am still not a religious person. I prefer to focus on my spiritual (soul) foundation. I enjoy reading the bible, buddhism and I hope to read the Q'uran soon). With God you are NEVER alone.

sending you love and much courage,
RPoeta

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Bicycles ( Thanks to Nikki Giovanni)

In my 28 years of living I never owned a bike in my life. Actually my three siblings and I never had a bike we could call our own. Mami couldn't afford it. Yet that didn't stop us from riding one. Thanks to the community of friends who let us borrow theirs surrounding the few blocks that made up Hunts Point we learned. Early on, I was desperate to learn to ride a bike. I watched all my friends get up and go their merry way up and down the street blocks. I envied their carefree attitudes. "I wanted what they had...the freedom to ride." So I got the nerve to ask my friend to give me one ride. I wanted it real bad. I couldnt help myself. I was itching to ride. And when I did. it felt good!! That was the best ride of my life! lol Okay, maybe not the best but I always remember that day like it was an adventure...a climb up Mt. Everest. I was so proud of myself.

I learned to trust my body by balancing on a friend's two wheels. I wanted that part of my childhood back. That moment in time as an eleven year old (before the sexual abuse and internalized self-loathing) where I did not second guess myself or doubt my greatness.

I listened to the inner-chica in me and did just that. Eight weeks ago I went into Target like a kid in FAO Schwartz (or Toys R Us). Trying on bikes like a diva tries on shoes. And found the bike that was just right. I got on that bike like I been riding for years! It felt so good to ride...free. I loved myself enough to believe in myself and seek balance in order to ride freely down the Philly streets!! I learned that bicycles, like love, requires trust and balance (Nikki Giovanni).



with courage,
rebel poet