I was afraid of sounding selfish, not empathetic, because of the news I wanted to share with all of you. I was fearful of having the worst timing ever in the midst of what we are living as a human community.
Yesterday during the peak of my overthinking, I saw a message popped up on my Instagram. It was from a college friend, one that I have not seen in almost 10 years. She sent me a picture of a quote and the message: “This made me think of you.”
My friend Danna, sent me this quote.
I have written before that sometimes, “realizations can be explosions.” Her gesture-more so than the quote- caused a boom. It made me think that sharing a dream that has come true could never be selfish. It made me realize that sharing and hearing good and happy news helps. These thoughts brought me a much-needed sense of peace, one that comes from an ever bigger realization. We are at our best when we are rooting for each other. And the coronavirus is proving just that, we, humans, are at our best when we root for each other.
So, here are my big news: My book is officially in production! After a few rounds of editing and the initial design cycle, it is on the works! I found a great self-publishing platform called Bookbaby. If all goes well, it will be available on Amazon International, Barnes and Nobles’ website, and other channels during the summer!
During the next few weeks, I am planning to do the title reveal and share more about the editing, design, and other relevant steps!
Let’s allow gratitude to guide our days, during these difficult times and then beyond.
This picture was taken the day I printed my finish manuscript for the first time.
Thoughts from an Eternal (and very anxious) Optimist.
Yesterday I did one of my infamous self-interventions (many of my friends know about this and find it funny, but I promise you they are real). Basically, a self-intervention is when I called myself to a meeting to have a talk out loud. These meetings usually take place in the shower or while having a cup of coffee.
Around 2:00 p.m., after going twice to the supermarket, cleaning our entire apartment, and going into several online rabbit holes about coronavirus, I told myself to stop, to breathe, and to regroup.
I am an optimist by heart, but when my anxiety kicks in, it creates a fog that distracts me from the positive. On the other hand, I have come to realize that (at least for me), positivity IS one of my greatest tools to keep my anxiety in control. Yesterday I struggled, it was hard to find the positive in this situation. Mainly because I caught myself reading and dissecting every article about the virus from every possible source. So, yesterday, during my self-intervention, this is what I told myself:
This is a not-so-kind-reminder of what immeasurable wealth is all about (our own and our loved one’s health). Yes-it is a shitty reminder-but it is a reminder.
There is a fine line between taking precautions, getting provisions responsibly, and panicking.
You need to be a responsible adult and be informed, but that does not mean you need to check the news every hour. (And PLEASE stop with the crappy sources!)
If you want to know specific details about what is happening in Honduras, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, and the US because of your loved ones, stop obsessing, trying to read everything. Instead, call and text them more often (be there for them!). They will tell you anything worth knowing.
You work from home every day so it shouldn’t be as big of a change. Focus on what you can still do.
You will actually have more time with your loved ones.
K I N D N E S S (always) M A T T E R. Everyone has specific worries, fears, and situations. Be kind to yourself and be kind and empathetic towards your loved ones and people in general.
Remember, this, too, shall pass.
In the spirit of focusing on things we can still do, have compiled below a list for your inspiration.
Love, M.
For your inspiration. Will try to keep adding to the list. : )
Extended breakfasts, coffee breaks, or epic Facetime catch-up calls with your loved one(s).
Free Online Courses: Coursera offers a great variety of free courses. To the right some of my favorites so far.
Extra-Interesting Podcasts: such as Super Soul Conversations.
Learn or Practice a Language: Duolingo. I have been learning Portuguese since the beginning of the year, and I am starting to feel more confident in speaking. Plus, it is entertaining!
In-house Training: There are a lot of apps and accounts that you can use if you want to exercise at home. Sharing an account I really like, she has an app with a 7 day free trial. Also outdoor runs and walks if not against local recommendations.
Through my window, I can see the first signs of spring. I instantly think of jacarandas and how the Mexican streets transform into a Monet painting every spring. Believe me, you don’t know deep, rich purple until you have seen the streets of Mexico City decorated by jacarandas.
Today, March 9th, 2020, will be one for the ages. Today the women of Mexico are on a national strike, but a very different kind. Today the women of Mexico are disappearing from the streets. They are staying home, not going to work, not buying anything, and totally silent in social media. The message transcends the economic impact, it is a message of “what if one day I actually disappear, for real, because someone thinks my life is worthless.”
Yesterday millions of women in Mexico and around the world marched against gender inequality and female violence. In Mexico, many of my best friends marched against the extreme rise of violence against women. And the indifference of the government towards the crimes. I cried a little bit today when I saw the photos and messages they shared.
Mexico will always be one of my homes, a big part of my chosen family lives there. My dearest cousin’s wife is Mexican, their daughter-my niece-is Mexican. I know that today will be a milestone. It has to. I am eager and full of hope to see what happens next.
Every girl and woman in the world has the right to walk her streets looking up instead of back. Every Mexican girl and woman has the right to blossom, to stop freely at any corner, and enjoy the unique purple shade of a jacaranda tree, just before returning safely home.
I am sure that in 20 years we will still be talking of what happened during March of 2020.
Un Dia Extraordinario en México
A través de mi ventana, veo un parque con los primeros signos de primavera. Inmediatamente, pienso en jacarandas y en como las calles mexicanas se transforman en una pintura cada primavera. Créanme, no sabrán lo que es el color morado hasta que hayan visto las calles de la Ciudad de México decoradas de jacarandas.
Hoy, 9 de marzo de 2020, es un día épico. Hoy, las mujeres de México están en paro nacional, pero esta, es una huelga diferente. Hoy, las mujeres de México desaparecieron de las calles. Se quedaron en casa, no salieron a trabajar, no compraron nada en ningún local comercial y están totalmente en silencio en las redes sociales. El mensaje real trasciende el impacto económico de este acto. El mensaje real es “¿y si algún día realmente desapareciera, de verdad, porque alguien piensa que mi vida no tiene valor?”
Ayer millones de mujeres en México y alrededor del mundo marcharon en contra de la desigualdad y la violencia femenina. En México, muchas de mis mejores amigas marcharon contra el aumento extremo de la violencia hacia las mujeres. Y la indiferencia del gobierno hacia los crímenes. Confieso, que hoy llore al ver las fotos y mensajes que compartieron de la marcha.
México siempre será uno de mis hogares, una gran parte de mi familia elegida vive allí. México hizo muchos de mis sueños realidad, durante los tres años que lo llame, mi casa. La esposa de un primo querido, ahora mi prima, es mexicana. Mi sobrina es mexicana. Se que hoy es un día trascendental. Tiene que serlo. Estoy ansiosa y emocionada de ver que sucede después de hoy.
Todas las niñas y mujeres del mundo tienen derecho a caminar por sus calles mirando hacia arriba en lugar de mirar hacia atrás. Todas las niñas y mujeres mexicanas tienen el derecho de florecer, detenerse libremente en cualquier esquina y disfrutar de la sombra púrpura única de un árbol de jacarandas, justo antes de regresar a su hogar a salvo.
Se que, en veinte años, seguiremos hablando de lo que sucedió en marzo del 2020.
I want to dedicate this post entirely to praise a book that reminded me this week, why people write books and why we read them.
Educated by Tara Westover will blow your mind. It is not only beautifully written, but it is also told in a tone and in a rhythm so particular that it makes you feel somehow part of the story. This book affected me; it is one of those stories that makes you want to sleep, take a breather, have a cup of tea, all at the same time.
Thank God for books like this. Books like Educated are little physical certitudes that the need for storytelling and story sharing is and will be eternal.
In her memoir, Tara Westover recounts her journey growing up in rural Idaho with parents that genuinely believed that the End of Days was coming. Her upbringing was traumatic and filled with brutal experiences, which she shares in the book, however, this story is more about self-preservation and the astonishing power of education.
If you like books that cause emotional and physical reactions, if you require inspiration, if you want to feel in awe of women’s conviction, this should be your next book!
I have been hooked recently with these emotional and insightful conversations between Oprah and her guest speakers. The interviews touch upon realizations, living a fulfilling life, mental health, self-love, making a difference, amongst other inspiring topics. These conversations are part of Oprah’s 2020 Vision Tour. Below my favorites so far, but to be fair everyone of the interviews is great. Conversations with Lady Gaga, Tina Fey, The Rock and Amy Schumer can also be found in https://www.instagram.com/ww.now/
I love me some good metaphors. Metaphors in books, music, and everyday lingo always inspire me. Hence, I will use one to describe the past few weeks: Obstacle race with museum days as aid stations. Museum days is a term I started using after reading The Big Five for Life.
I know I talk a lot about this book, but I really do love it. The book invites us to think, what if every day of our life was cataloged? Every feeling, interaction, and how we spent our time. And what if at the end of our life, our own museum was built? The museum would have a picture of every single day of our lives. Would we be satisfied with what we are seeing? Do we look happy in the photos? Fulfilled? Would we be proud of having visitors to our museum? Do we want them to see what is in there?
I absolutely love this, I usually find myself thinking wow, today was a real museum day or wishing people museum days on their birthdays. I also find myself thinking: “Wow, I wouldn’t like this day to be pictured in my museum.”
The past few weeks have felt like an obstacle course, mainly due to delays with my residency process in Denmark. It has been a long and very tedious process, one that has sucked a lot of our energy. But it made us make the following reflection, also inspired by TBFFL. We all have highs and lows, what we need to make sure is that our life curve ascends. This means reaching new highs, not just oscillate between the same highs and the same lows. We all have lows, we are experiencing some lows right now, but it is only because we are reaching out for higher highs.
The two pictures below explain TBFFL life curve better. The first one shows a life curve oscillating between the same two points. The second picture shows ascension; it still has lows but also higher highs
Everyday is a good day to have a museum day. Let’s go and make it happen!
I share the feeling with what seems to be the whole world. January indeed felt like it had 57 days. However, for me, this was actually a good thing!
If you read my post about winter in Copenhagen, you already know that after the holidays, I was cruising a writing flow. January felt eternal, but this little eternity helped me much. I finish my manuscript.
Yes, I finish my manuscript! I have been in utter shock for the past week. My brain and heart feel blissfully tired. But it is the type of fatigue you feel after you had a fantastic trip, or after you do an important presentation and made a customer happy. Or, the tiredness that comes after a race where you gave your best. It is the that-was-so-worth-it type of tired.
I am pretty sure this is the reason why I have been so intermittent with the blog and em’s Instagram page. The initial shock has started to slowly transform, and I am feeling incandescently happy.
This week I just wanted to share part of the definition of Feminism by American activist Bettina Aptheker. (Below is an excerpt).
“Feminism means that women shall have at least as much to say as men about everything in the arrangement of human affairs, including especially the meaning, purpose, and activities of their own lives.
Feminism means the collective empowerment of women.(…)
(…)women cannot achieve a collective empowerment without economic independence from men, full and gainful and meaningful employment, (and the education and training required for it) and freedom from poverty. Similarly, women’s collective empowerment requires that women have control over their own bodies.(…)
Likewise, women cannot achieve a collective empowerment unless they are free from all forms of violence and sexual coercion. (…)
Feminism is the complicated enterprise of achieving equality between women and men, and among all peoples. Feminism is about the elimination of all forms of hierarchy, and all systems of domination. It is about honoring the preciousness of all life. (…)
For these reasons feminism, as defined here, requires a radical reconstruction of human society.”
Feel free to share in the comment section or via direct email (Contact Tab) any insights you may have.
This week Em’s Extras is actually Em’s extra. I was feeling a little blue since I had nothing extra-interesting to share with you this week. (Yes, it was one of those weeks!) But then, this morning, one of my best friends sent me this video.
The Secret to Superhuman Performance: personally, I am most identified with the novelty trigger. This trigger goes on whenever I seek inspiration. It could be a new book, a new spot to write, a new online class, a trip to a place I have never been to, a conversation, a new idea, or concept.
The video was a good reminder, to actively search for triggers. What’s your favorite trigger? Are you actively seeking them?
Have an amazing weekend filled with flow triggers,
Em and the Shelf 