“The difference between people who succeed and people who struggle isn’t discipline. It’s not willpower. It’s not motivation. It’s whether they found a system that actually works or kept buying stories that just felt like they would.” Arnold Schwarzenegger
Author Archives: Gabriela Yareliz
A Key
“What did you do as a child that made the hours pass like minutes? Herein lies the key to your earthly pursuits.” Carl Jung
A Historic Day
By: Gabriela Yareliz I think we all woke up knowing the world was shifting right beneath our feet. I woke up to the headline below, and clicked into it wondering if this was real. (A sort of déjà vu for Latin America and those who know its history). Mandoka, a Venezuelan cookbook author based outContinue reading “A Historic Day”
Waldorf Glamour
By: Gabriela Yareliz Night fell on the Upper East Side. After a delicious raclette sandwich, we navigated the pockets of sidewalk ice and dark residential buildings. We passed the new JP Morgan Chase building, which is stunning (like a monument to capitalism— it stands there with the biggest Christmas wreaths I have ever seen, ‘HappyContinue reading “Waldorf Glamour”
Wintering Reminder
“Plants and animals don’t fight the winter; they don’t pretend it’s not happening and attempt to carry on the same lives that they lived in the summer. They prepare. They adapt. They perform extraordinary acts of metamorphosis to get them through. But that’s where the transformation occurs. Once we stop wishing it were summer, winterContinue reading “Wintering Reminder”
Closing Out 2025
By: Gabriela Yareliz It’s cold and gray out here in NYC. Feels like 12F outside. It’s sick, but this is the price we pay for all seasons. Some slushy mountains of snow remain. The truth is, there are days when I can close my eyes and see the sunset at Cedar Key, salty air hittingContinue reading “Closing Out 2025”
My 2025 Library
By: Gabriela Yareliz It’s almost time to let go of the year. Before we do, I wanted to say ‘thank you’ to all of you for reading, the comments, and engagement this past year. Whether you are new this year to the site or you have been with me for the 16 (yes, crazy, 16)Continue reading “My 2025 Library”
Traditions
“Traditions carry hidden powers. They shape us, steady us, and teach us who we are. They’re worth maintaining. And when they eventually fade, they’re worth rebuilding.” Michael Easter By: Gabriela Yareliz I saw the funniest video of David Grutman on his stories the other day. I mean, “funny” and Grutman often go hand-in-hand. I haveContinue reading “Traditions”
Detector
“The world is full of people with agendas, trying to persuade us to act on their behalf (spend on their behalf, fight and die on their behalf, oppress others on their behalf). But inside us is what Hemingway called a ‘built-in, shock-proof, shit detector.’ How do we know something is shit? We watch the wayContinue reading “Detector”
Do Less
“This is not the time you stop believing. You simply can’t afford the luxury of skepticism.” Sarah Ban Breathnach By: Gabriela Yareliz I have enlisted the help of ChatGPT to come up with a nice adjustment to my morning routine. I am not going to lie— I am excited to try it. Might as wellContinue reading “Do Less”
GABRIELA YARELIZ 