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Life is Now: Give Yourself a Break
When you want to punish yourself for poor decisions you made, before you knew they were bad, give yourself a break. Remember that there was a moment in time when you thought it was right. And even if you always knew it was wrong, but continued to go on because, after all, it was your choice, give yourself a break. Whether personally, socially, morally acceptable or not, it must’ve given you something to feel good about if you risked it all (or some) to make room for it in your life. It gave you joy at some point and that moment in time mattered. When you look back and see…
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The Era of The Influencer
One good thing about trends is that, eventually, they fade. Why is it a good thing? Some trends are so terrible that they need to make their way out as fast as they made their way in. I have respect for people who saw an opportunity in a movement and made a living out of it, but I’m biased, I must say. If it’s something that influences people in a negative way; I’m not buying it, I’m not for it, I’m not supporting it, and I don’t think others should. To be very direct, the dieters, the anti-vaxxers, the conspiracy theorists, and everybody else selling false happiness (and excessive pizza…
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Red Flags and All That Jazz
Sign language is an artistic way of communication that not all of us can interpret, nor master. Isn’t that the same reason that not all of us can read signs—as in, metaphorically? Red flags aren’t always red; green lights aren’t always green; and sore points aren’t even visible. Science says humans are at the top of the list for most intelligent creatures, but some animals have a better response and reaction time when they sense harm or fear. I get it. Things aren’t always clear. You need a voice to go along with that sign, don’t you? I regret to inform you that you’re on your own. The good news…
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Your Own Rhythm
Sit down and write even when you have nothing to whine about, they say. But it’s hard. Especially, after some time apart from your vibe, that which makes your talent shine; that which tells you how bomb you are; that which motivates and inspires you to be the brightest star, someone’s best advice. It can be hard. Why do I always end up with rhymes? Ahh, that poetic life… A writer’s life is all about stories, visuals, someone else’s life. Picking stories from the doctor’s visit, the grocery store, the car wash, a baseball game, the bar… One has to get involved, be social, cross oceans, and actually live life,…
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¿Cómo Se Dice…?
Every day week, I’ll post a Spanish word or phrase with its English equivalent or definition via my Instagram Story. If you miss it, most of those words or phrases will be posted here for reference. It’s a free daily Spanish lesson from me to you. 🙂 Happy learning! Spanish Word of the Day Como Pedro por su casa – (Usually it is used to mean that someone acts as if they own or know a place they’ve never been to very well and make themselves at home.) Tener algo entre ceja y ceja – (To be dead set on something or someone / Keeping an eye on something or…
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Feel the Pain
Put away the meds; I want to feel the pain, may her wish not be in vain. I want to know just how much life is willing to hurt me. Put away the meds.
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That Moment When Your Identity Can’t Be Identified
In an online magazine interview, the very famous and talented Asian actress Lucy Liu said that she struggles to find work as the main character in movies because of her race. She is found either “too American” for Asian films or “too Asian” for American films and she feels like she gets “pushed out of both categories” — even though she was born and raised in the US. Friends, I’m no Hollywood star, but I feel her pain. That’s an all-too-familiar dilemma for me. An inner dilemma, as well. I feel equally pushed out of my two cultures. I believe the term for this revolution is Bicultural Identity. I’ve lived…
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High Five
For finding the courage to let go of weaknesses however benign; thoughts of cake? Cigarettes? Drugs? Or maybe wine? High five! For getting your degree against all odds rubbing it in the face of those who said you wouldn’t get jobs. High five! For working out every day until seeing the results you wanted feeling confident in your own skin knowing every effort counted. High five! For cutting out of your life that loser causing your hurt who polluted you over and over with the same f*cking dirt. High five! For taking initiative to talk to that cute guy ignoring the things they say that women shouldn’t try. High five!…
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Forgiving
For some of us, there isn’t a divine intervention; no promise of a heaven or paradise. We simply forgive when we come to the realization that we, too, are human, and we’re far, far, far from perfect.
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Artist meets artist, and one is confused
One time, when I lived in North Jersey, I was sitting outside waiting for my laundry, minding my own business. I was sketching a masterpiece on my iPad when a guy in his late teens to early twenties walked up to me and asked, “Are you interested in listening to my Hip Hop CD?” He was an “upcoming artist,” apparently, and was distributing his music for free or for a few pennies, I can’t recall. After seeing the cover image to his CD — a woman on all fours wearing a g-string — I thought, ugh, more of the same. (If you’ve seen mainstream hip hop videos, you know what…
