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Remembering Nabeel Qureshi (1983-2017)
“All suffering is worth it to follow Jesus. He is that amazing.”
Nabeel Qureshi, Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus: A Devout Muslim Encounters Christianity
“Why this Muslim-turned-Christian speaker resonated with so many before his death at 34” By Ravi Zacharias, The Washington Post
Friday Inspiration: September 15, 2017
“The Bible doesn’t call us to continually duplicate our highs. We’re called to remember the Most High in our lows.”
J.S. Park
Set Free
“Through the Redemption, God undertakes to deal with a man’s past, and He does it in two ways: by forgiving him, and by making the past a wonderful culture for the future.” Oswald Chambers, in Run Today’s Race
By: Gabriela Yareliz
Today, I read something that moved me deeply. You see, lately, I have been on this journey of how I can improve aspects of my life, my reactions, myself– and for some reason, it led me down this bizarre path of comparisons and self depreciation. It happens to all of us at some point in life. We start seeing our flaws glowing brighter and brighter, and what we want is one of those giant white eraser sponges to take away our grime and imperfections. We want to be our best for those we love. And sometimes, we need to hit a pause button before we go all Monica Geller on ourselves.
I read Romans 8:1-4, and it’s a passage I have read before, but scripture always offers us inspiration in the moment when we need it the most.
This passage says: There is no condemnation in Christ. The Spirit gives us life, and it has set us free.
Gary Thomas writes in his book Cherish, “In Christ, our self condemnation offends God; it doesn’t please Him. To walk in condemnation is to call God a liar and Christ’s work insufficient. […] Saved sons and daughters [are] growing more magnificent every day as they are eventually made perfect by Christ Himself at the end.” (pg. 134)
I needed that today. Maybe you do, too. So here is a quick reminder, that you are made perfect in God, through His working in you. Some of us strive too hard for perfection and just end up hurting ourselves and those who love us.
Next time you want to talk down on yourself, remember, there is NO condemnation in Christ. You have been set free by love.
“Live! Come alive!”
“A good marriage, if we cherish each other as God cherished Jerusalem (see Ezekiel 16), is to proclaim to our spouses, ‘Live!’ We see them in their very weaknesses, and even ocasional ugliness, breathe life into each other and refresh each other. Dormant parts of our spouses’ personalities and giftings can come alive under our support and encouragement.
Too many marriages instead breathe death– death to self-esteem, death to peace, death to joy. Our disappointment leads us to attack each other for what we are not, while cherishing grows the best parts of our giftings into their full power and adornment. A good marriage, a cherishing marriage, says to each partner, ‘Live! Come alive! Be all that God made you to be!'” Cherish, pg 94 (A Bride Made Beautiful) , by Gary Thomas
Saying This Once
By: Gabriela Yareliz
As my friend Milica used to say, “I AM ONLY GOING TO SAY THIS ONCE,” so listen up:
Today is yours. No more wasted emotions, thoughts and words.
You are more powerful than you think, and it’s time to acknowledge that. Be emboldened.
Step out of the box you were put in. Take items and people out of the boxes in which you put them.
Use your passion to live a passionately joyeous life. Be intense with your laughter.
Don’t worry about the past; it only shades you if you let it. Step out into the sun.
Someone chose you. Trust their choice, and stop trying to fix yourself.
If something takes away your peace, then it’s too expensive.
You don’t have to be older, thicker, speak a certain language or have a certain personality. You are 20-something, strong and speak enough languages to manage the UN on your own. #worldpeace
Just because things are happening differently than what you envisioned, doesn’t mean they aren’t still fabulous.
Plan, but also, stop planning. Live.
Educate yourself to arm yourself, and then, go win your battles.
Life isn’t perfect. That’s ok. You will be ok.
Don’t lose yourself in your job, in a city, in an image, in a number or in anything else.
Go after your dreams. There are no limits.
Cook until you run out of ingredients. Then buy more.
Stop bringing up past wrongs. Let things go.
Show others the kindness you want to receive.
Stop weighing yourself. Stop criticizing yourself. You are beautiful, so treat yourself as such.
People’s disrespect says nothing about you and everything about them.
You don’t always have to cut your hair or change your look. It’s okay to settle into something for a while. It shows you are committed. You’ve donated enough hair for wigs, now, keep your hair. It’s ok to keep your own hair. You don’t always have to be giving something away.
Every time you spend time in God’s presence, He blesses you with peace. Every time. Don’t let anything or anyone rob you of your blessing.
Be a flamingo.
Wear your glasses. People who wear glasses know everything.
Live life on the edge, sometimes. I dare you to let your phone battery reach 2%.
Forgive those who can’t love you in the way you need them to.
Know that you are never alone.
(What would you tell yourself?)
Figs, Noodles & Torrential Rains
By: Gabriela Yareliz
Hello everyone!
What a day. I have been dealing with pelvic pain and ache due to my lovely endo. Don’t worry, this won’t be a Lena Dunham-style vent on the struggles with my uterus (not that there is anything wrong with that. See my post on raising awareness about women’s issues). But not today. Still, lately, my cycle seems to color so many things. It’s draining. One gets tired of the fatigue and apologies that follow irrational mood swings after a hormone nosedive. I don’t know what is more exhausting, the hormone plunge and fluctuation or the apologies and damage control that follow. They should make greeting cards for times like these. But I digress… #uterusdiaries
My prayers are with the people of the Caribbean, my Boricuas and my Floridians. Hurricane Irma is sparing no one from her wrath. I got an email from my friend and former supervisor saying, “Nena, esta feo…” (Girl, it’s ugly), with a link to live broadcast from Puerto Rico. Please join me in praying for our family, friends and brothers and sisters who are experiencing Irma and who experienced Harvey.
What else is new? I have planned two successful picnics. I made some yummy Thai rice noodles. Recipe here, created by my former colleague Nisha Vora. (So proud of her).
Today, I ran through some torrential rains in Manhattan; my shoes felt like cardboard. I discovered a huge chunk of my paycheck never makes it into my bank account because the lovely City of New York takes it. I ate a fig for the first time. Yesterday, I ate ice cream under a string-lit tree next to the Brooklyn Bridge, with my love (enjoying the last of summer weather).
Did I mention I ate a fig?
Speaking of Lena Dunham– Garance Dore published her open letter about her IVF experience on Lenny Letter. I read it like 20 times. I cried each time. Tears always spilled out when I got to the part where she says, “I cracked jokes when I learned how to place the needle on my belly, hiding in a corner of the house like a wounded animal. Telling you this still makes me cry.” I am so grateful for women who have the courage to be raw. If you haven’t read her essay, you must.
I am excited about Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. I followed Meghan’s blog, The Tig, back before people were obsessed with her. She is a really neat woman.
And lastly, regarding things that are on my mind, I am working on a super exciting project. It’s personal and something I have wanted to do for a long time. I will be sharing more details soon. I am grateful to have an army of awesome women working with me.
I am off for now. Maybe, I will lay on a mat and stretch. This was just a quick update. More to come. I leave you with my news about figs, noodles and torrential rains. XOXO
Sunday Girl: August 27, 2017
“She always had something to say. Maybe too much to say. She had many flaws and wore them like a badge of honor. And when she was down, she got right back up. She was a beast in her own way, but one idea described her best.
She was unstoppable…” @kushaalagband
Sunday night, my people. Another Sunday is gone; the last one for August 2017. This weekend was lovely. I did my first picnic– basket, with checkered blanket and all. I caught up with a friend I hadn’t seen practically all summer. I cooked, a lot (you really got to love the kitchen if you are going to spend hours in it with no AC). I saw stunning places and walked and walked with my love until we almost fell over with exhaustion. It was a different, relaxing, country style weekend. I saw cows, goats, adorable monkeys with cheetah print blankets and bunnies. I felt 50F weather on my skin (autumn is announcing its return).
On Friday, I took the day off to recalibrate. I chatted with my friend at Amy’s Bread in Chelsea Market. We talked about love, life, and how God is so amazing. He gives us good things; restores us; loves us and keeps growing us (if we are flowers, I choose to be a peony). I was moved to hear her talk about how God has been working in her life. We laughed at the notion that there is so much we don’t have figured out. The journey ahead of us awaits.
We are constantly overcoming and figuring out our next move– whether it be overcoming an illness, getting financially healthy, focusing on physical and mental wellness, new jobs, tough jobs, and even navigating relationships (communication, being less independent and sharing your path, being more independent and not being codependent, overcoming traumas and insecurities, building and healing our flaws, etc., etc., etc.). There is always something we are working on.
I loved the opening quote of this post, the minute I read it. It reminded me to smile and remember the big picture. Sometimes, we need to look at the big picture. It’s simple. We get bogged down in the minutia (which is important), but it’s the big picture that helps give us the strength to keep growing and blooming. We need to remember who we are, all we have come from and overcome. We need to remember life is brilliant, and we are God’s stunning works of art.
Wishing you a lifetime of being unstoppable. May you have an empowering start to your week!
Wednesday Inspiration: August 23, 2017
“Prayer is earthly permission for heavenly interference.” Dr. Tony Evans
Iconic Wedding Favorites
As wedding season is in full swing, I thought I would pull together some of my favorite wedding ideas, iconic looks and inspiration.
Wedding Veil
I like traditional and symbolic elements, like the veil worn over the face, pre-ceremony.
Kate Moss
[Photo from Once Wed]
A Church Wedding
There is nothing like starting your union in the house of God. Super old school (used to be the norm). The Royals and Downton Abbey have this on lock.
Pippa Middleton
The Unconventional Reception
Celebrating in a funky unique way that is memorable, and not having a traditional cake is even cooler. Margherita Missoni had a raspberry tarte, and Laila Gohar had a fig tarte in lieu of the traditional cake.
Margherita Missoni
[Photo from Town and Country Magazine]
Natural Makeup
You should look like yourself, with an extra glow. Airbrush finish not required.
Amal Clooney
[Pinterest]
Lace
Classic elegance.
Kate Middleton
Unadulterated Joy
She is a queen at NGAF. She had garlic cloves dangling from her ears. She couldn’t wait to get married, and that was her makeup that day– JOY. #inspiration
Laila Gohar
[Photo by @Polidano]
GABRIELA YARELIZ 