Happy Birthday, America

By: Gabriela Yareliz Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. [Constitution of the United States of America,Continue reading “Happy Birthday, America”

Puerto Rican

By: Gabriela Yareliz When I die, I want them to say they looked into my eyes and saw my fire. That I aged with my head held high by a backbone of resolve. And that with that same fire in my eyes, I confronted life without flinching. That I had the heart of Jesus, theContinue reading “Puerto Rican”

June 2019 Insights

By: Gabriela Yareliz The insights of the month of June. The insights come to me in between the walks past the bakery that just opened, with its “Grand Opening” funeral flowers, getting elbowed in the face while exiting the train (almost broken glasses– nerdy much?)– only to find the permanently broken escalators of the trainContinue reading “June 2019 Insights”

A Short Prayer

God, come meet me in my anger, in my brokenness, in my abandonment, in my pain, in my defensiveness, in my heavy burdens, with my empty hands, and don’t leave me there. Make my life the evidence of all you can do, to make all things new. Don’t let me dismiss all of the brokenness,Continue reading “A Short Prayer”

Obstacle Brain Dump

I am currently reading The Obstacle Is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph, by Ryan Holiday. I am a fan of his thoughts and analysis on Stoicism. I get his daily emails, and oftentimes, there is one that is perfect for what I am dealing with that day, or sometimes, itContinue reading “Obstacle Brain Dump”

The Abolition of Man

Thoughts by: Gabriela Yareliz, based on The Abolition of Man (all quotes are from the book, unless otherwise specified). There was a hypothetical presented at a meeting. The hypo: A person commits a crime and is arrested. What are possible solutions to this, was essentially the question posed to the group. The serious suggestions offeredContinue reading “The Abolition of Man”

Reaching Impressionable Minds With Hope

By: Gabriela Yareliz How do we help children who have suffered the trauma of a broken home to have a vision for a better future? This was something I was meditating on. Maybe you have thought about this if you come from a broken home or if you are parenting, co-parenting or step-parenting a childContinue reading “Reaching Impressionable Minds With Hope”

Liberation

By: Gabriela Yareliz Sometimes, life feels like some weird social experiment. Have you noticed? People seem to get less caring and crazier, by the minute. And by crazy, I don’t mean funny-cute-wild, but reckless-not appreciating-consequences-and-mental-health-issue crazy. Life on this sinful planet can make us a bit crazy. Life’s pain and unpredictability can leave us likeContinue reading “Liberation”

Spring

By: Gabriela Yareliz Somehow, I ended up in that train car. It’s one I seldom end up on. It’s the one that starts in the Upper East Side and goes to Brooklyn filled with young, hip, beautiful people. You have the friends who are chatty and distracted, standing at the poll, giggling every time theyContinue reading “Spring”

Camping

By: Gabriela Yareliz In our camp, no one needs people to throw water on their fire. No. The world is full of those people. The people we need in our camp are the ones who love good conversation, love the warmth of the fire (and some s’mores), they do a little dance, and the onesContinue reading “Camping”