Persistence...makes a difference

Persistent thought is your ticket.
Persistent gratitude makes it easy.
And persistent action makes it happen.

Mike Dooley

As we move toward our dreams and desires, it is important to remember that persistence is the key. Thinking, feeling, appreciating, and enjoying our journey will lead us to abundance in thought and deed. And with abundance, we can make it happen for our families, ourselves, and our communities.

I find that as I show up and take action, all that is wonderful and beautiful in this world is at my disposal and the serendipitous happenings, the people that I meet, the opportunities that are presented, leave me feeling heady, enjoying life and enjoying the journey. And Mike Dooley is not the only one saying, how many of you have heard,

Pray
Let go
Let God

It is the same idea, once we pray, we have to let go and let God into our lives to work the magic of our dreams. We think we are in control, but we really only live when we let God and say to God, I am ready, thy will be done.

So move with persistence towards that which you want, no stressed persistence, but fun, lighthearted, you know your prayers are being answered persistence.

And in case you still need convincing, Andy Dooley says it this way,

Dream your dream
let go
and let it happen

Andy dooley

Con un pan y cafecito,
Seguimos adelante,
Zulmara Maria


Quien siembra vientos recoge tempestades
You reap what you sow

This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine

This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine

Harry Dixon Loes

There are so many gurus out there talking about living your dreams and finding your purpose. I have been listening and reading these gurus for many years and feel that the message is consistent and loving — see your light shining from your inner core and you are where you want to be.

When you are living the life of your dreams and living your purpose, you literally glow all day long and you know those people when you meet them. They are happy, they are heady and it feels good to be around them. They exude positive energy, their light is shining bright and they glow with the alignment of purposeful living and dreaming the life of their dreams.

Your inner light comes with clarity, wonder, playfulness, and hope. Esperanza, not just for yourself, but for a better world, a renewed sense of being, and a release of energy that is filled with compassion and inspiration.

So go forth into the world and set your light free and let your energy glow…with love, serenity, and joy.


Con un pan y cafecito,
Seguimos adelante,
Zulmara Maria


En la unión está la fuerza
In unity there’s strength

Purpose and Dreams

Set your intention
Focus your vision
Get into action

As you are trying to find your purpose in life and achieve your dreams, be aware that you are in control of your purpose and you get to decide what you want. You merely need to set your intention, focus your vision and get into action. The action that you want is dependent on your vision and intention. If you are having trouble finding your purpose or what you want, then you have to go within and be guided by spirit. Listen to your gut is not far off the mark. If it excites you, make you feel good, makes you feel heady, then spirit is telling you to go for it, have fun, and enjoy the ride.

Said another way,

Think it through
Let it go
Go with the flow

Don’t try too hard and don’t make things difficult, achieving your dreams and living your purpose should be fun, easy, and heady. It is a wonderful and beautiful experience and it is yours for the taking…so let it go and go with the flow and have fun, enjoy the journey!!!

Con un pan y cafecito,
Seguimos adelante,
Zulmara Maria

Querer es poder.
Where there’s a will there’s a way.

LA Latina Bloggers

LA Latina Bloggers

On Thursday night, May 18,2012 a group of Latina Bloggers met at Beso, Eva Longoria’s Restaurant in Hollywood for a night of networking and talking and meeting under the sponsorship of Ford. It was a great evening and I had the pleasure of meeting so many different bloggers that I follow on Twitter and Facebook. I was so grateful for the opportunity. We had a hosted bar, wonderful appetizers and great company.

I was all arranged by the indomitable, Monique Fausto, blogger extraordinaire who is constantly looking our for all of us and trying to make sure we are all well taken care of…she is truly a gem among gems. I met so many bloggers that I will not try to name them all here, just know that I have your cards and will be stalking you, as the fabulous Cynthia Martinez would say.

And to round off the evening, we got a goodie bag sponsored by these beauty companies:

COVERGIRL

• "Like" them on FB www.facebook.com/covergirl
• Follow them on Twitter www.twitter.com/covergirl

PANTENE

• "Like" them on FB www.facebook.com/PanteneNA
• Follow them on Twitter www.twitter.com/pantene

ARTISTRY

• "Like" them on FB www.facebook.com/artistry
• Follow them on Twitter www.twitter.com/artistrybeauty

L'OREAL PARIS

• "Like" them on FB www.facebook.com/lorealparis
• Follow them on Twitter www.twitter.com/lorealparisusa

I already use Pantene, so that was great. I needed some skin firming cream for my upcoming trip, so the Artistry gifts were great. I loved the Covergirl and L’OREAL products, the gloss I will be sharing with my daughter.

Over all, it was a great evening and I hope we have many more to come. LA Latina Bloggers ROCK!!! And are such a wonderfully, positive group.

Con un pan y cafecito,
Seguimos adelante,
Zulmara Maria

Cada quien con su cada cual
Birds of a feather flock together

My Tribute to Mom Continues

Dear Mom,
I Will Never. . . /I'd Like To . . .


I will never understand people who are angry, negative, and upset about their lives.
I'd like to understand those who are able to let it go and let it happen.

I will never forget the good times that we shared, the love and laughter we exchanged.
I'd like to forget the times of misunderstandings and lack of compassion.

I will never forgive those who have hurt others, especially innocent children.
I'd like to forgive those who are sorry are trying to make amends.

I will never change my feelings of compassion for others and the positive attitudes about life that I have.
I'd like to change those who are constantly putting themselves down and focusing on the negative.

I will never say, “I know I am right.”
I'd like to say I’m sorry.

I will never appreciate the anger and negativity that fuels some people.
I’d like to appreciate the little things in life we take for granted, a fresh glass of water, a beautiful sunset, a God sent moonrise.


Con un pan y cafecito,
Seguimos adelante,
Zulmara Maria

Vale más una verdad amarga que muchas mentiras dulces
Honesty is the best policy

I used to think, but now I know

I used to think, but now I know

I used to think that being a mother was easy,
      but now I know it is the hardest job I have ever had.
I used to think that you eventually let them grow up,
      but now I know you never let them out of your site.
I used to think parenting gets easier,
      but now I know it is never easy and you will always be on call.
I used to think I had all the answers,
      but now I know there are more questions than answers.
I used to think I would miss them when they were grown,
      but now I know the adult relationships I have are ever sooo sweet.

I used to think that one day they would grow up,
      but now I know they will remain my kids forever and I will forever be concerned and worried about them.
I used to think that parenting was the hardest job I would ever do,
      but now I know it is the most fulfilling and life enhancing job that I have ever had the pleasure and honor of doing.

Con un pan y cafecito,
Seguimos adelante,

Zulmara Maria

Nunca es tarde para aprender
                It is never too late to learn

I am a Mother

I am a mother

I wonder what life holds for my children
I hear their joy and laughter
I see their smiles and tears
I want the best for them


I am a mother

I pretend they will never get hurt
I feel what they feel
I touch their souls
I worry about them incessantly
I lament that I cannot protect them


I am a mother

I understand that I cannot protect them
I say I want them to be independent
I dream of their happiness
I try to instill good morals and values
I hope I have done a good job


I am a mother

Con un pan y cafecito,
Seguimos adelante,

Zulmara Maria









En la unión está la fuerza

In unity there’s strength

Asking mama?

Asking mama?

I wonder what you are thinking today
I wonder where your dreams are taking you

Are you dreaming of a new life
Are you dreaming of a life unlived
Are you looking for a new adventure
Are you feeling as if there is something...

...More to this life than you are living
...More to this journey than you are experiencing
Where will the next adventure take you
Where will you go,

How will you get there
How do you change the current path

Do you cut a new swath
Do you tell a new story
Do you make a new friend
Do you turn a different corner

Or

Do you stay the course
Knowing the dreams you are dreaming
Are just dreams
Nothing more
Nothing less



Con un pan y cafecito,
Seguimos adelante,
Zulmara Maria

Si todos supieran que error van a cometer, nadie aprendería nada.

If everybody knew the errors they were going to commit, no one would learn anything.

En el dia que naciste

En el dia que naciste

On the day you were born. Every mother remembers the day her baby was born and as an educator, I am often surprised at how much a mothers and children forget that very special day and the feelings and emotions that penetrated that day. The way one feels when first holding your baby for the first time, this baby who has been a part of you for the past 9 months that you have come to know and love and you finally get to meet him or her. And as you hold your baby, you are consumed with love and dreams for your newly born child. And you start thinking of all the dreams you have for this baby, your baby, in your arms.

But, the dream stays there and you don’t ever share it with your child…that very special moment when he/she is first in your arms. So take a moment to remember that magical moment as a mom and write a letter to your child. You can then give it to them on a special occasion…with graduation and  mother’s day coming up, this is a very special way to connect with your child.

Hope you all have a wonderful Mother’s Day!!!

Con un pan y cafecito,
Seguimos adelante,

Zulmara Maria

Cada quien es el arquitecto de su propio destino

Every man is in charge of his own destiny

Roger Nix, President on Page Six

.

Roger Nix President at Age Six

Inspired authors can make such a difference in all of our lives and this one by Nick Daze is no exception. I am inspired by Nick’s vision to self-publish his first children’s book and since I love children’s books, I needed to share this visionary author and his project with all of you. I love this story with its emphasis on what is important in childhood, “school, summer vacation, learning and imagination.” What every parent is looking for for their children. Written in a lyrical prose, the rhymes in the story are a wonderful and beautiful way to play with language, for bilingual and monolingual children alike. If you order one now for that favorite Kindergartener or pre-schooler in your life, it will be sure to delight as they understand the wonders of going to school, learning, playing, and then Summer Vacation.

Roger Nix President at Age Six is a story about kindergartener Roger Nix, an ordinary boy: Roger loves kindergarten, playing make-believe, and hanging out with his imaginary friends (a baby donkey named Jack and a baby elephant named Abe). But when he learns about the plans of Old Man Plee, a perennial presidential candidate, to shut down schools and send kids to work in factories as an austerity measure; Roger decides to run against Old Man Plee as a defender of “school and summer vacation, learning and imagination”. Of course Abe and Jack are there to help him every step of the way.

Nick Daze, the author, is running a Kickstarter campaign (http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/787960356/roger-nix-president-at-six) to raise money to put the book into production. The book has been fully written by Daze and the illustrations beautifully crafted by Bill Robinson www.FlimFlammery.com. Each $30 pledge towards the Roger Nix campaign comes with a first edition hardcover copy of the book, delivered in time for the new school year this fall.  This is a timely story that is fascinating, engaging, and a thought-provoking read for both kids and parents written by a imaginative adult who was encouraged to explore his imagination as a child and is currently being very imaginative about his publishing debut.

Here is an excerpt from the book:

Roger stood up quickly. He had something to say
With a wink from Jack and a trunks-up from Abe.
“I’ll run against him,” Roger said with a shout.
“I’ll run for president, have you no doubt!

To close school would be nothing short of a crime
You can't fool all us kids, not all of the time."

He stood on his desk and they all watched and wondered
As Roger kept talking, his voice boomed and thundered.
“We’ll beat him and keep all the schools as they are
Or make them way better. We’ll shoot for the stars!
We go to school so one day we'll go far,
Not because it is easy–because it is hard!
We are KIDS! The whole point is to learn and have fun
And to use our wee noggins...

THIS RACE HAS BEGUN!"

So Abe, Jack, and Roger got to work right away.
"That kid's on to something," his parents would say.
He made lots of speeches; he shook lots of hands
He toured a big factory that made rubber bands.

Then one night on the tube, to Old Plee’s disdain,
The news ran a story on Roger’s campaign.
“Roger Nix, daydreamer and ultimate kid,
Is gaining on Plee in his presidential bid.”

But everyone knew that sooner or later
Roger would have to be quite the debater.
Because one night soon, under some bright marquee
A debate would take place between Roger and Plee.

So if you have a special someone in your life that is about to start school or know a kindergarten or pre-school teacher looking for a fun read, you can find more information and link to donate below:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/787960356/roger-nix-president-at-six


Con un pan y cafecito,
Seguimos adelante,
Zulmara Maria

Hay dos palabras que te abrirán muchas puertas: "Hale y Empuje"There are two words that open many doors: “Pull and Push”

Mother's Day Reflections

Mother's Day Reflections

May 13th, 2012 is set aside to celebrate our mothers' role in our lives and to remember the women we call “mom” or “mama” or “mami” who mean so very much in our lives. Como Latinas, our mothers hold a very special place in our hearts and our lives. Sometimes the relationships are the best in our lives and other times, they are fraught with turmoil, however, no matter which one it is, our moms do the best they can in the situation they find themselves in. Mothers day is a great day to say, Thank You, for doing the best you could in the situation you found yourself in. Thank you for being my mom.

Here are a few prompts to help you focus on the role your mom has played in your life and the difference she has made in shaping you to be the person you have become.

 

What was your mami’s greatest influence on you?

Was anyone else, other than your birth mother, like a mother to you? Who? What made this relationship special to you?

What kind of mother do you want to be or are you? How are you like your mom? How are you different from your mom?

List ten traits that made your mom a wonderful mother. List ten traits that make you a wonderful mother.

Write about your best mother's day ever.

Reflect on a time when you were at odds with your mother. What was going on? How did you finally get past it?

Con un pan y cafecito,
Seguimos adelante,
Zulmara Maria

Se nota cuando has llorado, pero no cuando has reído.

We notice when people cry, but we do not always notice when people laugh.