Learning to Trust

Wow, it has been a while since I have last posted, almost an entire year. It has been a whole busy year focusing at work, and school. Trying to seek balance in life has not been easy. I had started my practicum last year, so that kept me really busy. I am currently, still seeing clients as a student counselor, and working full time, and going to school. How do I manage, you may ask? Well, I have a support system. I could not do it on my own. My husband is a huge support, and motivates me when I am feeling discouraged. Life has taught us a lot of lessons. Life challenges are lessons that need to be learned in order to grow, or to take us to the next level in life. I am currently in a stage of learning. I am learning to trust the process, and most importantly trusting in God. It is easy to tell people to just trust in the Lord, and everything will be okay, because we are not physically going through the same trials as our neighbor, it is not our lesson to learn. However, when you are on your knees begging for strength to keep going, and to put all your problems to God, it is when He lift us up, and hugs us with His immense love. In that moment of trial you start learning to trust in God. It is a process. Every lesson learned takes time. Some days will be easier than others. For example, I don’t become a counselor by taking one class, and then BOOM I get my license. Even though that would have been great, I would have save a lot of money, and time, but then I wouldn’t be an adequate counselor. However, I am starting to trust the process, and that each stage I have challenges that will equip me to be a wife, a daughter, a sister, and a counselor. Learn to trust the process. 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. – Proverbs 3:5

How to live the moment

It is come to my attention that at some point in life whether it is in our 20’s, 30’s or 40’s we might feel lost due to a disturbance of our life experience. I have been trying to figure out the meaning of “feeling lost”. It is a terminology most of us use when we are trying to find a purpose in life, or struggling with our identity. It is important to acknowledge the meaning of feeling lost. From my personal experience, when I was feeling lost, I had to come back to the present, and be in the moment, where I new I was safe. There were a lot of times where I got caught up planning the future, and talking about all this choices I had. It really made me feel lost, because I couldn’t figure out what was the best path or decision to take. However, it is important to know that regardless, of the situation, or the choices one has to make whether it leads us to success or failure we are still breathing. If you are breathing you are living. And if you are living you are learning. 

Last year was a little tough for me. It was my second year of marriage; I changed jobs three times, and at some point navigated two jobs while being in school. I was trying to find myself within the career I wanted to go into. I was really accelerating and juggling my life choices in one year. I am currently enrolled in a masters program for Clinical Mental Health Counseling. I am for sure passionate this is the path I want to take, of course it has not been easy trying to finish school, and working full time, but each day I know it is taking me to my life long goal. Yes, it is easy to go into social media and see everyone’s perfect life, but it is just a glimpse of their happy days. I will probably never post a picture of me crying past midnight, because I am so tired, and have no inspiration in writing a case behavioral plan for a class. However, I might show you that I finished the assignment, and that I aced the class. I will probably never show you the real struggle it is taking to finish this program. So let us not be so hard on ourselves. Let us love and care for ourselves a little more each day.

Coping with Change

There have been a lot of changes going on in the world. There is a lot environmental, and social alterations due to the health crisis we are facing. It has not been easy for many people; it has affected a lot of us with finances, and our social life. As humans we crave the intimacy of others, and the ability to commence actions in order to achieve our goals and dreams. However, it seems impossible to even start. 

Recently, my husband graduated from college and has received his degree in Sports management; however we all know most sports are cancelled, so there is no business there. I know the stressful situation he is dealing with after years of education it is difficult to take this career path into action. It has not been easy for both of us to continue life without accepting the changes around us. It is difficult for many couples to adhere a peaceful, healthy relationship when a lot of changes in our life are occurring. I understand that it may not be easy having to cope and grasp the situation we are facing, but through this crisis it is important to maintain peaceful. I know, it seems quite cliché to say that, but at this moment all we can do is actually live the moment, and learn from it. I can sit down, and think about how dreadful this year has been, and how all of our goals, and travel destinations have been cancelled. However, I am deciding to be patient, and let life be, and live the moment to the fullest. It is not easy, but not impossible. Every morning we can decide to be bitter or to be sweeter. I am deciding to be sweeter, and give others the good energy the world needs. 

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Isaiah 41:10

” BIBLE STUDY TOOLS, HTTP://WWW.BIBLESTUDYTOOLS.COM/TOPICAL-VERSES/BIBLE-VERSES.

Together we have a Voice.

Being born in the U.S alone should be a privilege. Privilege to be in a country of opportunities, a country where your dreams can come true. And sadly that is not true; I tear in sorrow and shame of how people of color are being treated. I cannot imagine the fear a person goes through because they are of a different color. Unfortunately it is the country we are living at the moment. Even when the world is going through a crisis people have the bitterness and hate in their heart. God created us to love one another, not to kill one another. It is time to stand up, and not let our differences defeat us. I stand with my brothers and sisters in the black community. We are all one voice, I am a Mexican American, and I am not illegal, or in a gang. Yet, others might identify us this way. We have seen many Americans take advantage of the minority communities, because they think we have no rights or a voice. We are all one voice, and together we will stand for what is right. Let us start by teaching our future generations about love and kindness. 

“No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love.” — Nelson Mandela

Pray for world peace!

The mind is powerful, it has potential to change our emotions, and the perspective we view the world. Because it is powerful it is important for my mind to be fed with the power of God. Today I am thankful for my life, and for being prosperous in health. I am thankful for a loving husband, and a supportive family. I pray for healing in our world. There are people who are hurting financially, mentally, and physically. This is a time people can seek for inner peace. The world is silent. Get off your phone for a couple of days, and enjoy the moment. This week I will seek self-awareness of my physical body, and mind. I will be fasting, and praying for the world. I want my mind to be at peace, and I want to grow my relationship with God. I will be praying for guidance, and direction in this path of life. I will take a moment and acknowledge the love the Lord has for my life.

“Even now,” declares the LORD, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, and weeping, and mourning.” Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity. -JOEL 2:12-13

” Bible Study Tools, http://www.biblestudytools.com/topical-verses/bible-verses.

He has Risen!

Pause for a moment. Breathe and feel refresh. Life is about experiencing moments, and living with a purpose. He has risen to give us an opportunity to seek him whole-heartedly. His word is water to my soul, and a prayer gives energy to my spirit. Everyday I want to strengthen my faith. I can lack in many areas of my life, but through trials I want to run to His arms, and have hope for a better tomorrow. 

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die, Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26

DailyVerses.net, dailyverses.net/resurrection.

How to stay Motivated during lockdown?

I want to encourage you to keep pushing in life. Do not let a small problem, or differences amongst other people bring you down. Life brings us unexpected experience, and we go through it like warriors. We all have one life, and need to live it to our fullest potential. It is easy to bring yourself down during a worldwide crisis. However your strength, and potential to fight in unity is stronger.

Therefore, it is important to remember the purpose of living in this world. I have realized that simple moments with our friends and families have been taken for granted. The simple moments of having dinner together, going out for ice cream, or going to the movies have been vanished from our calendars. I had plans to go to my brothers and husband graduation, and both were postponed for further notice. A lot of activities planned for April were cancelled, and we were only left with plans to go to our living room. It is a time in our life that we will always reminisce about.

It is important that I stay motivated physically, mentally, and spiritually. Every week let us focus on achieving each of these areas in our life. This week I have walked my dogs, practiced on my “planks,” I was optimistic during work, and I prayed. It is important to find balance in all of these areas in my life, because it is what makes me a human. I am not perfect, but everyday I strive to be a better person. I challenge you to focus on YOU these next couple of weeks. Make a change. Breathe, laugh and love. 

Marriage.

Marriage is not always easy. There have been a lot of disagreements that we had to compromise in order to come up with a solution. I marry my husband for better and for worst. And even though in the beginning of the marriage it is a little rough, there is nothing like having a partner to talk and listen to. It is not easy living with someone and compromising all the time, it takes patience and love to really achieve it. This June we will be together for nine full years. Oh my goodness nine imperfectly perfect years. 

            We started dating during our teenage stage, and well it is a time of exploration, and identity. At that stage we are trying to figure out the world, and the things it can offer. I left to college. I decided to build a relationship with God, and was a firm believer that everything always happened for a reason. I was confident in everything I wanted in life, but sometimes I would doubt myself. 

            I was a Christian with high expectations in life, but I would doubt a LOT. I knew that those feelings were not coming from God. In an instant I started doubting if He was even real. I grew up in the church, and knew that He was real, but during times of confusion and being alone you tend to get lost… I got lost, and stopped seeking the Lord, and decided to do things with my own abilities. I decided that being “religious” and always being the “good kid” in the group was not convenient, and then I decided to stop living. 

            It brought issues in my relationship with my boyfriend (my now husband). I was rebellious, and wanted to live the college life. I then tempted him to have sex with me. I knew I should have not dragged him in my problems. But I was hurting, and needed distraction. He then was in my same boat. However, he was stronger in everything, and I was sensitive, and selfish in the relationship. He decided that he would be patient with me, and prayed for me. He never judged me, or put me down. He was healthy mentally, and wanted me to get better. I became anxious, depressed, and self-conscious about myself. But my boyfriend motivated me, and was there, he listened and loved me. 

He could of walked away and left me there with my own problems. But he made my problems his, and worked along with me. I then realized that love is not always flowers, letters, jewelry, or ect. It is the act of love, showing up, being there, and loving you regardless of your flaws. I learned how to love myself, and truly Love others. My husband met this perfect Christian girl nine years ago who was confident, and sometime during the relationship she went downhill without looking back. His patience, and his Faith in God saved me. God saved me. And through my Husband I was saved by His Grace.

A new Era

Yes, we were all anxious and excited to start a new decade. A decade that some of us prayed for. Personally, I prayed for strength in my faith, and hope for my life. It is a fact that we are all experiencing world crisis. A crisis we never imagined to be part of. Who do I trust? Where do I look for answers about this virus? Of course, we all know there have been other diseases that have been deadlier. But it is not a competition. It is another disease added to our agenda. A disease that can perhaps be overpass, or it can be deadly if your immune system is weak. I look around me and there are people in fear of contagion. Yes, it can be scary, I can think about it every day, and get anxious. I am not quarantining, or working from home, I have to physically show up to work, and help those who cannot help themselves. I am part of the behavior services team, and just like patients need doctors and nurses to help with diseases, they need help with their mental health. It will only worsen due to change in their environment. We are here to not only help patients, but also help staff overcome this crisis. It is important to maintain calm, to breath, and to be thankful we are able to serve others in an era of a worldwide crisis.

The Art of Life

Life is beautiful. Life is not easy. Each day it’s a challenge to move forward and enjoy the beauty within us. We are all unique, and have our own battles. I personally struggle with self-motivation from time to time. I have a goal and a dream for my personal life. I have a plan and it seems like forever to reach. Time will always pass us by. Time does not stop for us to figure out our next decision. I choose to let time pass by as I live moment by moment. Living the moment will lead to fulfill our purpose in life. Breathe in, and know you are free to be human. A human who is imperfect, but is willing to grow and learn. Always live with purpose. Let your soul guide you into the art of life.