Happy Week: January 24, 2016

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By: Gabriela Yareliz

We are thawing out, my people. The blizzard left us magnificent heaps of white glittery snow. I took a walk around my neighborhood today. Children were making bank. Adolescents were running around with shovels helping neighbors resurrect their cars. Neighbors would then hand them bundles of cash after a job well-done (meaning a car that can be seen).

Houses were lined with icicles; there was fresh snow everywhere; barely anything was cleaned. The sky was blue, and the sun was out, offering us a morning kiss. I had snow up to my thighs.

The weekend was very cozy, and our sunset to close out the weekend was spectacular and purple. Yes. I can see the bridge now. I enjoyed the beauty of nature and the beauty of seeing neighbors helping neighbors. Such classy people. I love my neighborhood.

Some Mercedes-Benz and Fiats are still buried in the street, but the week begins, with or without them.

I hope you had a cozy weekend filled with good food, as well. It’s time to begin, again, and this week, we are finishing January. Amazing how time flies.

You really notice who cares about you when you are trapped in a storm. I found that to be interesting. This week, let’s look at our relationships. Let’s analyze who invests, who doesn’t, how we invest, who cares and who may not deserve a “front-row seat” in our lives. Something so simple and perhaps obvious may change how much energy we allow to drain away on certain issues. And sometimes, it will be a wake-up call to new realities or to the fact that we deserve so much more.

And lastly, cherish the loved ones and squad that are always by your side.

May we start the week united in prayer for each other.

Warm hugs from a very frosty New York City.

XOXO.

***

“I have been bent and broken, but – I hope – into a better shape.” Charles Dickens, Great Expectations

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“If the world was blind, how many people would you impress?”

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“Grateful hearts are a magnet for miracles.”

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“He offered her the world; she said, she had her own.”

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“There are many things in life that will catch your eye, but only a few will catch your heart. Pursue those.”

Michael Nolan

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“Only empty spaces can be filled.”

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“Fear is a manipulative emotion that can trick us into living a boring life.” Donald Miller, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years: What I Learned While Editing My Life

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Be fearless this week! Climb that daunting snow mountain!

*grin*

[Images from Tumblr]

 

mi alma

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mi alma se fue caminado por un caminito;

fue a solearse en un vestido de encaje.

espíritu de marinero;

mi alma se ensucia las sandalias.

mi alma se sienta debajo de un girasol y luego salta una verja.

mi alma se acuesta en el jardín. se limpia con la lluvia del mediodía. se seca con el arcoiris que siempre extiende promesa.

mi alma se fue a nadar en el mar. en la orilla no se queda.

mi alma recoge frambuesas y se cubre con las enredareras de flores.

mi alma fue a solearse. en el calor dulce se broncea.

Gabriela Yareliz

[Imagen de Free People]

Blizzard Update

By: Gabriela Yareliz

9:26 a.m.: Here I am, at home, on Sabbath, in a pink Minnie Mouse onesie and with Amal Clooney hair. Seriously.

Yesterday, I let my abuela’s concern (and perhaps slight paranoia) about the weather get to me, and I bought water, snacks and candles that smell like “Cashmere Woods,” whatever that means. It smells good, don’t worry. It smells a lot better than the “Hawaiian Orchid” candle, which gave me flashbacks of body spray I used when I was twelve. I also found myself in the lipstick aisle but then decided this was not essential for the snow apocalypse.

My plan was to go to church. I was adamant, despite the fact that some family members equated stepping out into frigid temperatures with death. I was told my Mediterranean nose would fall off, and I would freeze. Okay. I want to keep my nose, but I am so stubborn. *Sigh*

I have no problem staying in, unless I see something as exciting and photogenic as fresh snow. I woke up, and apparently, because I live close to water (everyone in NYC does, technically, but I am really close), there is zero visibility. I can’t see the bridge from my window. It’s scary. In fact, I think that if you step out, you could easily get confused or lost. Everything is a blur of grey.

This reminded me of my snowy days in Michigan as a child. My mom would bundle me up, scarf around face, until I looked like one of Alibaba’s thieves, and off I’d go to the bus stop– until a glorious snow day was announced on the local news. Rejoice. (Snowy Gabby would then reenter the house and unravel).

I dream of sunny days, where the sun warms the uncovered skin and hair flows free. Heat that you can breathe in. No itchy stockings or leggings. Bare legs. No earmuffs or hats that give you flat hair. I can’t wait.

And if you think my sweet Florida would have saved me from this snowy mess…

I just got a phone call from my mother. It’s snowing, IN FLORIDA. What is this world coming to?

These are the days when you are left very alone with your thoughts, indoors. Nature’s weird solemnity inspires you to reflect.

I like solemnity. I live in my hippie home with no microwave, stereos or music players, WiFi or television. I keep it old world charm at my place… an attempt at peace, spiritual balance and realness. The only thing that occasionally disrupts the peace is my phone. I wish I could chuck it into the Hudson, sometimes.

Anyway, we still have power, thank God. I still have plans for this snow day. We’ll see. There is this crazy, Weather Channel storm chaser inside of me that needs to be appeased. And once the sun goes down, sofrito will hit the pan. I want a very warm, Latin dinner.

I have my Bible, a crisp, hardcover copy of Jesus on Trial: A lawyer affirms the truth of the Gospel, beans and chips and bananas. All the essentials, or in the words of Julie Andrews, “these are a few of my favorite things.”

I will warm up my gluten-free quiche and watch the snow fall, while I recalculate my plans.

Baby, it’s cold outside, but I got plans…

[Updates to come].

Reflections Before Bedtime #65

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The most interesting kind of eyes are the outspoken ones. They have no choice but to be honest. I love the ones that can tell a whole story. The ones that can’t feign interest. The eyes that pretend to ignore but can’t. The ones that can hold a different conversation than the mouth. The eyes that laugh and spark. The eyes that tease secrets and then spill them out, not leaving a drop. The eyes that say, “I love you.” The eyes that plead with the human heart. The ones that soften in forgiveness. The eyes that have witnessed pain but have seen a great light. The ones that linger until they are met. Eyes that behold the unseen, the most important things of all.

Gabriela Yareliz

[Image from India Times]

Monday Inspiration: January 18, 2016

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[Image from Pinterest]

By: Gabriela Yareliz

Feliz just broke the news to me… High School Musical 10-year reunion!! This is gold for those of us who were in high school with the Wildcats.

It’s the trilogy that helped people pronounce my name (the lead character is Gabriella Montez, played by Vanessa Hudgens). It’s the trilogy that made us sing, “You are the music in me.” This trilogy made those of us who were nerds, like the lead characters, feel cool. It taught us about friendship, trying things in spite of our fears, making tough decisions, not fearing the future, letting go of the status quo, inner beauty, how we choose who we become and what’s important to us every day, and how one person can change many lives.

In high school, while my friends and I were getting schooled by Cambridge, I would write out my assignments with my right hand, which had hanging on the wrist a silver, chain link High School Musical watch with a silver music note charm dangling off of it. Oh, the memories.

Kenny Ortega, director, and the cast are wickedly talented. And this reunion just shows we are still all in this together. Thank you Disney Channel for the reunion! (It airs at the end of the month). A tribute to three movies that made our lives sparkle a little more.

Let’s take a walk down memory lane with the songs some of us sang in our high school hallways *blush*…

Let’s start at the beginning…

Bonus treat (one of my favorite scenes):

And then to summer greatness…

And then, Senior Year…

/Gonna run, while we’re young, and keep the faith…Every day/

Happy Week: January 17, 2016

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[Know that your potential in Christ is limitless. When we put Him first, nothing we need will be lacking.]

By: Gabriela Yareliz

Happy week my peoples. Last week was one of high intensity for many. As I was reflecting on this week that is just beginning, my attention was drawn to the story of the taking of Jericho. Here were the people of Israel, a weaker nation by comparison, but they were told they would take the city.

I was reading, and I came across this passage: “They were to become thoroughly impressed with the idea that their strength was not in the wisdom of man, nor in his might, but only in the God of their salvation. They were thus to become accostumed to putting themselves out of the question and relying wholly upon their divine Leader.”

“God will do marvelous things for those who trust in Him. It is because His professed people trust so much to their own wisdom, and do not give the Lord an opportunity to reveal His power in their behalf, that they have no more strength. He will help His believing children in every emergency if they will place their confidence in Him and implicity obey Him.” Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 4, pg. 163, EGW.

I pray that this week, you are able to face your Jericho with faith. The army of Israel was to be suited up in armor for war, but all the men needed to do was walk in obedience and let the Lord fight for them. They only needed to believe. Let us wear the armor for spiritual warfare, Ephesians 6:10-18, and simply believe. The walls will come tumbling down.

Go out and conquer.

XOXO.

“I have never had clarity; what I have always had is trust.” Mother Teresa

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“Quotes are like little keepsakes from books I’ve read, people I’ve met, stories I’ve heard. I carry around these quotes because they make me feel a certain way or think a certain way. They are my own collection of words. I want to hang them up on all my walls like paintings. Because just as the artist sees the beauty in art I see the beauty in words.” (via amiramania)

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“May you dream of lovely things. And awake to find them real.” Lullaby, JJ Heller

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“Something will grow from all you are going through. And it will be you.” (via thursdays-at-the-coffeeshop)

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“Such matchless love [the love of Christ], such infinite sacrifice, claims our strictest obedience, our holiest love, our unbound faith.” Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 4, EGW

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“In the day when I cried out, You answered me, And made me bold with strength in my soul.” Psalms‬ ‭138:3

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When the 12 spies were sent to the land of Canaan, most came back with a defeated report. All they saw was impossibility. “As the people listened to the report, they gave vent to their disappointment in bitter reproaches and wailing. They did not wait to reflect and reason that God, who has brought them out this far, would certainly give them the land. They left God out of the question. They acted as though in taking the city of Jericho, the key to the land of Canaan, they must depend solely on the power of arms. God had declared that He would give them the country, and they should have fully trusted Him to fulfill His word.” Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 4, pg. 148, EGW.

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“To love with the love of Jesus is to seek others, and not simply to wait around for them to find their way to us.”

T.M. Moore

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‬[Images from Tumblr]

Go Forward

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“There are times when the Christian life seems beset by dangers, and duty seems hard to perform. The imagination pictures impending ruin before, and bondage or death behind. Yet the voice of God speaks clearly above all discouragements: ‘Go forward.’ We should obey this command, let the result be what it may, even though our eyes cannot penetrate the darkness and though we feel the cold waves about our feet.”

“[But] faith courageously urges an advance, hoping all things, believing all things. Obedience to God is sure to bring the victory.”

“Faith is not certainty of knowledge; it ‘is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.’ […] ‘Go forward’ should be the Christian’s watchword.”

Taken from Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 4., chapter 3, by Ellen G. White. (I am finishing all nine volumes this year. It’s happening. I am on volume IV.)

[Image from Tumblr]