I Was Pulled By An Angel In Times Square (Of All Places— I Know)

By: Gabriela Yareliz

I am pretty sure I met my guardian angel today.

It was a commute like any other. Kindle in hand, and noise everywhere. My train was four minutes away. I like to stand in an area of the platform where the police usually stands, next to a shed structure in the middle, near the arrival clocks. Today, no one was there. I saw no police today.

An express train had pulled away, so the platform was pretty empty. As I am reading, the only man nearby suddenly snaps and is screaming by the benches under the arrival clocks, but I unconsciously try to block him out with the rest of the noise for some reason. I am deeply engrossed in my book about breath (see yesterday’s post). If breath makes us live, this book almost killed me. Kidding. My stupidity almost killed me.

Suddenly, it feels like two things are happening at once. This man is losing it. I am basically left alone on the platform with this man. I look up, and our eyes meet— he looks straight up crazed and possessed. (Ugh, eye contact— cardinal NYC sin #1. NEVER make eye contact). As I am looking on in terror thinking Oh, f***, it’s just me and him in this section (he is by some wooden benches), I suddenly feel I am moving away from him.

I feel a gentle tug on the top of my backpack handle. It continues to tug, I go along with it, and I turn and see a man with curly blonde hair. He is wearing a hat. He is wearing a brown jacket and has big blue eyes. He looks at me reassuringly and nods. I nod back. I continue walking as he is pulling me, and we both stop together further down on the other side of the shed structure. We are standing near the edge of the platform for my incoming train. I tell him ‘thank you’, and he smiles. He didn’t say a word. My train is pulling into the station, and we are standing there for a split second together. I look up again, and the man who helped me is gone.

I turn every which way (there aren’t too many places he can go quickly in this section of the platform). I don’t see a trace of him. Nothing.

The train doors open, and I have chills up and down my arms and back. I continue to look around and through the window at the extreme end of the platform. Nothing. Or maybe, everything I needed to know. There was a knot in my throat (the kind that makes you feel like you will cry if you try to say a word) and a knowing in my heart.

I get a seat because again, there aren’t people around. (Weird for rush hour). As we pull out of the station, I see the crazed man sling his backpack over his shoulder, and he angrily walks down the length of the platform.

I share this because we all need a reminder— (yes, to pay attention. I need to stop reading interesting books in transit, and also to never make eye contact with crazed people), but importantly, God sends His angels to protect us.

I think no matter what prayer I am praying throughout the day, I always pray for protection for myself and my loved ones. Always. Even when I am praying over food. You never know what someone is facing elsewhere. And today, a man with kind eyes quite literally dragged me away from an insane scene where I was pretty much alone in the middle of the Times Square yellow line platform.

Times Square is usually a place of seedy and strange encounters. Today, it set the scene for a divine one.

I’m Learning to Breathe

By: Gabriela Yareliz

We’ve all had moments of anxiety, panic and/or pain. Sometimes, it can feel like walls are closing in on us. Or maybe, it feels like a knife is stabbing us in the pelvis. At times, we can leave a present circumstance and reset (best case scenario). There have been times where I should have walked away or gone home, some instances where I did, and other instances where I simply couldn’t, but you know what saved me when I was stuck in my circumstance/environment? Breathing.

Breath can come in clutch when circumstances or our body assails us. Hilariously, we often think of learning to breathe in association with pregnant women— breathing is key for men and women (and for women, wayyy before childbearing).

I was stuck in train delays when I decided to go to my favorite podcast to calm the impatience— Theo Von’s This Past Weekend.

The episode I went to was a great interview with James Nestor, and I knew I had heard him before. When I looked in my Kindle library, I saw I had bought the book (but hadn’t read it yet). This usually means I had heard him on another podcast before. I started reading it this weekend.

I am about to be 2/3 of the way through. I recommend it to anyone who has sleep apnea, snoring issues, allergies, a mouth that is too small, crooked teeth, high blood pressure, fatigue and anyone who is a parent. One thing that has really sunk in is that teaching children how to properly breathe can, not only improve their appearance, but can avoid braces and all kinds of health issues and infections later in life. It’s pretty wild research.

Here is the video interview, in case it is of interest.

I think that something that has helped me be more mindful of my breathing and has served as training is mouth tape. I am excited to keep learning about breath.

One of the things that struck me the most were the “monks who could melt circles in the snow around their bare bodies over a period of several hours” just by breathing a certain way. I read Wim Hof’s books a few years back, and how he trains breath is impressive. It’s a mysterious art worth exploring. It deeply impacts our wellbeing in every sense.

I am always learning. I know that some of the first times I explored breath were through low-impact movement like Pilates and Yoga. And even before that, I know I ignorantly used breath to manage how I experienced pain. Breath can change how pain is felt (as someone who experienced routine chronic pain, breath became a tool). Breath is a powerful thing, and I am sure I am only at the tip of the iceberg.

How are you breathing your way through life? Are you ready for allergy season? Are you sleeping optimally?

I leave you with a song from the celebrated A Walk to Remember soundtrack— a Switchfoot classic, Learning to Breathe.

Begin Again

Image via Pinterest.

By: Gabriela Yareliz

It’s officially spring.

This week, many cultures celebrated something. There was Hindu new year, Eid, and the Persian new year Nowruz. New beginnings abound. The sky is a pale blue, and I overheard a bird song this morning.

I had lunch with a new friend, this week. It was the first time I had lunch away from my desk in a while. It was good for the soul.

Our yummy meal.

I have been deep in my spring reset, cleaning, donating, washing— doing all the things. Yesterday was another action-packed day.

This week reminded me that we need different. We need to step out of routines and the predictable. We need fresh. We need new. We also need old favorites we haven’t revisited in a while.

The plants, the sunshine, the possibilities— all remind us we are alive. What will you do to celebrate your humanity and nourish your soul, this weekend? How will you begin again?

Keep Space

“Maybe there are still dreams inside of you that have not yet come to light.” Brianna Wiest

Have you thought of the fact that you haven’t yet dreamed up all the dreams you will dream? Is there something emerging for you? Are you building up your courage? Are you prepared for the unexpected?

Keep space for the dream that hasn’t been born yet.

Simple Habits

“And it’s funny how often we have to course correct and bring ourselves back to these simple habits. Because life changes, routines shift, and suddenly the things that once grounded you fall out of rhythm.”

Kenzie Burke

By: Gabriela Yareliz

Every time I hear a podcast with a health expert, the interviewer often asks for a tip or secret hack. Often, there is no top secret hack that is special. Often, what works is going back to the basics. I was listening to James Nestor who said a breath solution will “bore you to tears.” It’s that simple.

It has been a season of finding my rhythm again and simplifying. Winter can throw us off, in some ways. A big thing I wanted to do this year was simplify the clutter of subscriptions and things I try. I love being a guinea pig. (I do it wisely, not wastefully, but it still takes up time and energy). I achieved the simplification, so far.

I completed many courses I was doing, narrowed down coaching resources, narrowed down workout platforms I have time and energy for— all the things.

I am still on round 600 of cleaning my closets and clearing out things that are years old that are done. I really need to get my husband closet space. This week, I did a preliminary round. It’s still too cold to swap closets to warm weather clothing, but I managed to get three small donation bags out of this round. Cleaning closets is a full workout. *see me sitting on a pile of hangers with sore arms*

I found a nice drink to help replace/kick my matcha habit. It was killing me. The level of inflammation I was allowing to just have some fleeting energy and not drag myself was detrimental. (Let’s be real— I was still dragging myself). As someone who grew up on no regular caffeine (just the occasional soda with pizza), it just doesn’t agree with me. What is my new drink of choice this week? Ballerina Farm’s Hot Chocolate Bone Broth. Yup. Already putting into practice my Chinese Medicine course.

I see a girl scrolling and looking at social media marketing on this train that smells like pee (I kid you not). Even the before-and-after plastic surgery posts are advertisements. Everything is just so extra— reaching. Where has our simplicity gone?

James Nestor stressed that so much of today’s disease is a disease of “civilization.” Going back to the basics has its benefits. And it’s not about cutting or having less (I don’t like minimalism for the sake of minimalism) but about focus on what works; the quiet vs noise. Or a phrase I heard recently, “signal over noise.”

“We always want something else, isn’t that interesting that this is how we operate?” Theo Von

You know me, I am no minimalist, and I don’t promote it. What my thinking is it’s more about coming back to center. It’s not about reducing routines or steps or factors but about going back to the ones that ground and heal. It’s about focus.

It’s time again for the warm drinks, the white rice, the slow movement with breathing, echinacea and the things that spark joy. Notebooks, pens and the warm socks. A card in the mail. A book with beautiful illustrations.

I’m a simple girl in the most complex of ways.

“Cesar Chavez is just a man.”

By: Gabriela Yareliz

One woman was 13 when the abuse began. Some were 8 or 9. Horrible to let that sink in.

Dolores Huerta and other women have come forward to detail the abuse they suffered at the hands of Cesar Chavez, the NYT is reporting in an explosive report. There are archives, recordings and 23andMe tests linking.

It saddens me to think of how long women have silently carried their stories of molestation, abuse and rape (in some cases secret pregnancies) and giving children up for adoption and the shame that all this brings, culturally. Sadly, I find that in my culture this is not rare or strange. And it honestly makes my blood boil like when the water is popping out of the pot.

When my mom brought the news to my attention, I was shocked. I hadn’t heard, yet. I, like many others, have always held Chavez in high esteem. I worked with (and advocated for) farmworkers during my undergrad years. I have always been passionate about the plight of the farmworker. This broke my heart. It made me wonder what triggered this revelation. I am glad it happened. The truth shall set us free.

I can imagine people stayed silent on this for a long time for many reasons. I am sure one is that this man is so revered in Hispanic culture. You don’t understand the amount of murals his face has made its way into. We have few heroes, and here is one that turns out to be worse than a piece of sh*t. Typical.

One of the women, Ms. Esmeralda Lopez said to the NYT recalling what she told her mother after meeting him (where he propositioned her)— “Cesar Chavez is just a man.” A sick man at that.

I can’t even write about this in any poetic form—

I am tired of society going off of optics or what things seem.

I am tired of people’s agendas, charisma and/or talent overriding their character.

I am tired of weak preying men who lack character. The society we have now is a reflection of what is rotting people to their core.

I am tired of (and enraged by) men who abuse girls.

I am tired of men who abuse women.

I am tired of men who think it’s ok to cheat on their wives.

I am tired of men who attempt to look pious and “lead”, when they use power for personal gain and manipulation of innocents.

I am tired of a culture that allows, shields and looks the other way when there is abuse present.

I am tired of young women not having support and feeling alone.

I am tired of a culture that normalizes all of this behavior and excuses it, allowing it to thrive.

I am tired of a culture that always shifts blame and/or responsibility to a woman because it can.

We are tired here, and so f***ing pissed.

“Cesar Chavez is just a man,” Ms. Lopez said. These mf are all “just men”.

The only thing we have to hold onto is the justice God promises will come. Nothing will be hid. Everything will be unveiled. No one will be able to hide.

Dolores Huerta via NYT.

For the time being, strip that mf of his presidential honors, his day, his parades and blot him from the murals. Replace him with Dolores Huerta, a woman who led the movement while suffering heinous abuse. Honor her for carrying all of this weight for years. For carrying two of his children as a result of such abuse. It’s backbreaking pain. Heartbreaking pain. Honor the tragic silence she kept because she didn’t want to harm her own community. Let’s honor that strength and resilience, because that sh*t is supernatural.

I am sick to my stomach because Cesar Chavez was “just a man.” But I say we honor Dolores Huerta because she is not “just a woman.” She represents a Hispanic woman in all of her strength, dignity, resilience and poise.

Ask

“The biggest unlock of my 20s: Ask for things. The raise. The introduction. The favor. Most people never ask because they fear rejection. But your silence guarantees it. If you’ve done the work, ask for the crazy thing. The world rewards those who ask. Closed mouths don’t get fed.” Sahil Bloom

Don’t forget to ask!

The Therapy Review

By: Gabriela Yareliz

There are some wild product reviews out there. They can be the most fun part of the website— kind of like the comments section.

This sad review comes from Mrs. Pam, and it’s about a heated razor. But it’s also about more, you know? It’s about relationships, disappointment and self-worth.

This post was like talk therapy in a review.

Mrs. Pam— I feel like it’s time to know your worth and stop gifting this man anything, including your presence…

Also, I love how she still gave it three stars.

This man sounds like a mean alcoholic who needs intervention from professionals. Give yourself the gift of freedom, Mrs. Pam.

Here is to hoping she is free now.

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Wisdom from AF

Wisdom and words by Andy Frisella:

“FAIR WAS NEVER PART OF THE DEAL.

WHO EVER TOLD YOU THAT LIED.

SOME PEOPLE WILL HAVE IT EASIER.

SOME WILL START AHEAD.

YOU’LL BE TEMPTED TO THINK:

“THEY GOT LUCKY”

NO, YOU GOT LUCKY.

BECAUSE THEY NEVER LEARNED TO FIGHT.

THEY’VE NEVER FELT REAL HUNGER.

THEY NEVER HAD TO CLAW THEIR WAY OUT OF THE SHIT.

YOU DID.

..AND EVERYTHING YOU DEVELOP THROUGH

THAT JOURNEY ARE THINGS THEY WILL NEVER HAVE.

THAT’S YOUR SUPER POWER.

THAT’S WHY WHEN YOU EVENTUALLY MEET THEM ON THE BATTLEFIELD OF LIFE YOU WILL FUCKING DESTROY THEM.

DONT GET IT TWISTED:

YOU GOT LUCKY.

NOT THEM.”

#100to0