The Eagle--Achievement

The Ebb and Flow of Our Lives Through the Eyes of Metaphors
There are times in our life, when metaphors help us to make sense of how we are being guided by spirit to be the best we can be. In the month of April, I will be exploring the metaphors of my life and hopefully, you will find connections to your own life or to your own spiritual path. Or you will share with us the metaphors that guide your spirit, your muse, your way of being and way of knowing in this life we all share, on this earth we all call mother, on this journey we are all privy to.

His Hand

The Eagle--Achievement

“I can fly higher than the eagles, for you are the wind beneath my wings.” (Bette Midler)

For the human soul, achievement is the succor that allows us to breath, grow, and become enlightened. It is the nourishment the soul needs to soar and the spirit needs to roar. I love the concept of achievement, success, and accomplishments as long as it is not narrowly defined and we can all participate in the way our soul sees fit. When we are guided by spirit, we have our own definition of success. It could be a great success like being an awesome mother who has the best kids in the world, or it could be small, like being a millionaire, or it could be in-between, having a home that offers light and nourishment to any who grace our doors.

However you define success, if you are guided by spirit, you will soar and be happy. Do not let anyone else define success for you, but sure that you are always in the driver’s seat, listening to the wind, heeding the call of spirit, and tuning into your heartsong.

Silver Leaves

"Like a glider with a slight breeze, a soul with a little support and encouragement can soar."

And to soar like an eagle, we must first honor the wind. Know what gives lift to your sails, know who is the wind beneath your wings. Give thanks to those you allow you to ride the thermals to success. However you define success, it is up to you to find that right level of support and independence to achieve your heart’s desire.

What is your purpose, your goal, your heart’s desire?
What are you here to do? Accomplish?
How will you find the support to live your purpose?

Con un pan y cafecito,
Seguimos adelante,
Zulmara Maria

La mejor manera de ser original es ser tu mismo(a). Paulo Coelho

The best way to be original is to be true to yourself. Paulo Coelho

(c) Art for this blog was graciously provided by Lizabeth Perez Noeggerath an artist on Art by Latina Artists.

The Pot-of-Gold—Potential

The Ebb and Flow of Our Lives Through the Eyes of Metaphors
There are times in our life, when metaphors help us to make sense of how we are being guided by spirit to be the best we can be. In the month of April, I will be exploring the metaphors of my life and hopefully, you will find connections to your own life or to your own spiritual path. Or you will share with us the metaphors that guide your spirit, your muse, your way of being and way of knowing in this life we all share, on this earth we all call mother, on this journey we are all privy to.

5charm (c)

The Pot-of-Gold--Potential

“In order to enjoy a rainbow, you have to accept the rain.”

Some will find it odd that I have the idea of chasing the Pot-of-Gold at the end of a rainbow as a metaphor for life, for it is a bit Quijotic, like fighting windmills, however, to me the pot-of-gold signifies our dreams and our ambitions, the essence of who we are. The pot-of-gold signifies our destiny, what we came here to do, what we are trying to accomplish, and as such, chasing it brings joy and exuberance.

Truly, it is in the journey that one finds ecstasy, not in the destination, so it is not in finding the pot-of-gold where you will find your potential or your destiny, it is on the rainbow, playing, running, laughing, and having a good time where you will find your bliss, your joy, your way of being and knowing in the world. It is there that you become aware of how to truly walk in this world at one with your soul and your spirit as your guide.

As you play on the rainbow, your destiny is miraculously unraveling the essence of who you are because your soul and your spirit are dancing by the light of the moon and the warmth of the sun. The rainbow shows you potential and how truly fun and engaging life can be when you living a life united with purpose and avocation.

Carla

"Unleashing the potential of the soul requires a pot of gold."

Yes, the pot-of-gold is just a metaphor and it has a lot to offer, because it signifies the wealth that we have within, the wealth we have when we follow our dreams, the wealth we have when our soul and spirit are united.

When do you feel united?
Have you been dancing, singing, and running on the rainbow of your dreams?

Con un pan y cafecito,
Seguimos adelante,
Zulmara Maria

La vida es como internet. A veces es casi imposible establecer una conexión. Paulo Coelho

Life is like the internet. Sometimes it is almost impossible to establish a connection. Paulo Coelho

(c) Art for this blog was graciously provided by Lizabeth Perez Noeggerath an artist on Art by Latina Artists.

The Teddy Bear--Security

The Ebb and Flow of Our Lives Through the Eyes of Metaphors
There are times in our life, when metaphors help us to make sense of how we are being guided by spirit to be the best we can be. In the month of April, I will be exploring the metaphors of my life and hopefully, you will find connections to your own life or to your own spiritual path. Or you will share with us the metaphors that guide your spirit, your muse, your way of being and way of knowing in this life we all share, on this earth we all call mother, on this journey we are all privy to.

Cupcake Heart (c)

The Teddy Bear--Security

"Hug a Teddy Bear in the morning, and you can feel him hugging back all day long."

Teddy Bears are my favorite stuffed animals. For me, they signify the security of a past well lived, of home and hearth, of a time gone by, of nostalgic memories, although bittersweet, always reflective of a life lived.
When we are reaching beyond perceived limits, the soul uses the past for security and guidance. The past will let us know how to approach the future, either with the tried and true, or not going down that path again. The past offers us a window into the future, and offers us the comfort of security, because if the past was good, then we know there are good things to come. If the past was adversarial, it lets us know that we can survive anything that is thrown our way. God knows what we can handle and gives it to us in the doses we can take.

Love (c)

“The stretch of the soul is equal to the security of the past.”

Connecting the unknown to the known provides the bond, impetus, and enticement into new ventures. When we have succeeded in the past, we know what path to follow to allow for more success, when we have failed, we now know what road not to travel, otra vez. It is like when given a teddy bear, the soul will explore new horizons. The Teddy Bear being our anchor to the past that lets us know, we have arrived, we are it, we can and we will make it. Life is good and our Teddy Bear is a constant reminder that we are where we should be and life is unfolding, como Dios quiere...and that the plan is all good.

What anchors do your past offer you?
What have you learned from your past that you take into your future?

Con un pan y cafecito,
Seguimos adelante,
Zulmara Maria

Deja de pensar en la vida y resuélvete a vivirla. Paulo Coehlo

Stop thinking about life and start living life. Paulo Coehlo

(c) Art for this blog was graciously provided by Lisabeth Perez Noeggerath an artist on Art by Latina Artists.

The Lighthouse-Guidance

The Ebb and Flow of Our Lives Through the Eyes of Metaphors

There are times in our life, when metaphors help us to make sense of how we are being guided by spirit to be the best we can be. In the month of April, I will be exploring the metaphors of my life and hopefully, you will find connections to your own life or to your own spiritual path. Or you will share with us the metaphors that guide your spirit, your muse, your way of being and way of knowing in this life we all share, on this earth we all call mother, on this journey we are all privy to.

El Musico (c))

The Lighthouse-Guidance
Like a lighthouse
Standing bold against the gray
Shining through the night
To warn of dangers in our way. (author unknown)

A lighthouse reminds me of those times in my life when I am a beacon of light offering guidance and hope to others. It also serves to remind me of when I need a beacon of light and am looking for guidance and hope. Sometimes I find it in individuals and other times, I find it is spirit. No matter where the light comes from, like a lighthouse, we all need to be warned of the dangers, to have a way to illuminate our path, calm our fears, and encourage exploration of the soul.



Los Muertitos

"The leader, like the lighthouse, encourages the exploration of the uncharted territories within the soul."

You are a leader in your profession, in your home, or among your friends, if you are offering hope and encouragement for others to explore the uncharted territories of their souls. If you are helping others discover their legacy, you are leaving your own legacy of helping others to be the best they can be. If you are illuminating the path that will enable others to walk with spirit and be one with their word, then you are a luminary. By the same token, if there is someone in your life who is helping you to be guided by spirit and offering you a safe harbor, then you are truly blessed.

When are you in need of a guiding light?
When are you illuminating the path for others?

Con un pan y cafecito,
Seguimos adelante,
Zulmara Maria

Si quieres ser comprendido, debes saber escuchar (Babel)

If you want to be understood, you need to learn to listen. (Babel)

(c) Art for this blog was graciously provided by Kleya Forte-Escamilla an artist on Art by Latina Artists.

Apple-Impact

The Ebb and Flow of Our Lives Through the Eyes of Metaphors
There are times in our life, when metaphors help us to make sense of how we are being guided by spirit to be the best we can be. In the month of April, I will be exploring the metaphors of my life and hopefully, you will find connections to your own life or to your own spiritual path. Or you will share with us the metaphors that guide your spirit, your muse, your way of being and way of knowing in this life we all share, on this earth we all call mother, on this journey we are all privy to.

Our Lady of Guadalupe Altar (c)

Apple-Impact

"You can count the number of seeds in an apple,
but you cannot count the number of apples in a seed."

Apples come to mind when I am in a particularly nurturing mood and have been helping others. You never know when you are planting seeds and nurturing others, what seeds will flow and what seeds will flourish. It is a way of paying it forward, since you may have no idea what took hold or what flourished, but you do it for the joy of nurturing.

Likewise, you can also create a fertile environment for ideas, love, kindness, and caring to flourish. This can be at work, at home, within your family, or with your group of friends. It does not matter where, just that you can have a lasting impact with your kind words and deeds.

Our Lady de Guadalupe (c)

“Leaders are the gardeners that create the caring and nurturing environment that enables ideas to flourish.”

If you are leader, you are like a gardener-you plant seeds of ideas, and then nurture, support and care for them until they flourish. Being a leader allows you to set the stage for creativity to soar and for individuals to find personal and professional engagement that is truly life satisfying.

What gardens are you nurturing?
How are you fostering an environment that allows individuals to flourish?

Con un pan y cafecito,
Seguimos Adelante,
Zulmara Maria

No podrás cambiar una conducta si primeramente no cambias tus pensamientos.

You cannot change your actions, if you do not first change your thoughts.

(c) Art for this blog was graciously provided by Kleya Forte-Escamilla an artist on Art by Latina Artists.

Trees-Roots

The Ebb and Flow of Our Lives Through the Eyes of Metaphors

There are times in our life, when metaphors help us to make sense of how we are being guided by spirit to be the best we can be. In the month of April, I will be exploring the metaphors of my life and hopefully, you will find connections to your own life or to your own spiritual path. Or you will share with us the metaphors that guide your spirit, your muse, your way of being and way of knowing in this life we all share, on this earth we all call mother, on this journey we are all privy to.

Los Pobrecitos (c)

Trees—Roots
"A man doesn't plant a tree for himself. He plants it for posterity."
Alexander Smith

I love metaphors, as can be attested to by the name of my business, Roots and Wings, roots to keep us grounded and wings to let us soar. I truly believe that trees, in all of their majesty give us a symbol of roots, raices, la tierra from which we came, the land to which we shall return. To me trees are not only majestic in all of their grandeur and splendor, they also symbolize time immemorial. They live our lifetimes, they out live our lifetimes, they go deep into the ground and they go reach for the sky. As a metaphor for our lives, our purpose, our dreams, and our desires, trees offer a tremendous amount of comfort and design.

Trees plant roots that take a while to grow. They are not fast growing, not our biggest tress at least. And some trees, like bamboo, maybe sending down roots for three to five years before they begin to sprout, but sprout they do. and they are the stronger for it, for they have built a strong foundation.
The same is true for our families. If you spend time laying a strong foundation and building on that foundation, the roots that sprout are amazing and are able to withstand all sorts of hard ships, all kinds of adversity, all types of calamity.
We grow and soar when times are good, we rely on our foundations, en nuestras raices when times are tough.

Otra vez (c)

The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago.  The next best time is now.  ~Chinese Proverb

In our businesses, the same is true. If you spend 3 to 5 years to be an overnight success, your business will have sustainability, it will have traction, and it will have a strong footing. It takes time to build a strong foundation, but a strong foundation makes is so much easier to grow, change, adapt to the changes in the climate, and react to the unforeseen circumstances that will come your way.

What roots have you been sending into la tierra?
What wings have you set in motion?

Con un pan y cafecito,
Seguimos adelante,
Zulmara Maria

"Si quieres que otros sean felices, ten compasión, si quieres ser feliz, ten compasión." - Dalai Lama

"If you want others to be happy, have compassion, if you want to be happy, have compassion" -Dalai Lama

(c) Art for this blog was graciously provided by Kleya Forte-Escamilla an artist on Art by Latina Artists.