Weighing for Change

By: Gabriela Yareliz I am sitting in the basement of TJ Maxx on a chair that is for sale. I am not kidding. I am sitting here with no makeup on, with my New Yorker grocery cart beside me. I am writing this blog on a chair that isn’t mine. All morning, I have beenContinue reading “Weighing for Change”

Gaman

Image from @candicekumai “The contrast from barely paying rent to where I am now is incredible. And I just want to tell you guys that I am living proof that you can do anything in your life, but you will have to work for it. And when I am running those races, I always hateContinue reading “Gaman”

What do you see?

By: Gabriela Yareliz I was sitting in court when a court staff member sat beside me. He asked me how my weekend had gone, and told me that now that I am young, I should make sure each weekend is the best weekend I ever had. I smiled politely, taking a break from my NewContinue reading “What do you see?”

Great Spirits

“Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds. The mediocre mind is incapable of understanding the man who refuses to bow blindly to conventional prejudices and chooses instead to express his opinions courageously and honestly.” –Albert Einstein By: Gabriela Yareliz Honesty will often cost you. People often lie to protect themselves or moreContinue reading “Great Spirits”

Construction Paper Hearts

(A vulnerable and open brain dump that marks the beginning of some serious healing. Proceed if you dare.) By: Gabriela Yareliz Some of us in the world experience a deep rejection and distancing from a close family member. Maybe, it’s a sibling or even a spouse. Where close love can exist, true pain can alsoContinue reading “Construction Paper Hearts”

Following Coach Orders

By: Gabriela Yareliz Coaches, lifestyle and career coaches alike, do it. They make you say and write things. They make you act on things. They force you to visualize and strategize. There is this thing where you write out your purpose. It’s like your own personal mission statement, if you will. It’s about who youContinue reading “Following Coach Orders”

Class

“Hope we can teach our daughters that the word ‘class’ doesn’t involve flying private, wearing loboutin shoes and carrying a Kelly bag. ‘The word ‘class’ and ‘classy’ should mean what happens when you are able to be thankful, able to give and be a true friend to anybody regardless of their background and where theyContinue reading “Class”

Pad Man

Countless Bollywood actors are rising up in support of the film Pad Man, based on the true story of a man whose pad-making skills changed India and women’s health. It’s a fantastic film celebrating a feminine hygiene pioneer. It has been powerful to see some of India’s most famous faces holding a pad. No bigContinue reading “Pad Man”

Awakening

[Image from & Other Stories] By: Gabriela Yareliz “It is not we who choose to awaken ourselves, but God Who chooses to awaken us.” New Seeds of Contemplation, Thomas Merton, 10 What a privilege that God is constantly pursuing us. He is constantly trying to open our eyes to things, as soon as we areContinue reading “Awakening”

Transformation

“Change is inevitable, but transformation is a conscious choice.” Heather Ash Amara By: Gabriela Yareliz The quote above has been my lock screen wallpaper now, for months. (Thank you The Chalkboard Mag!) It has been a sort of theme in my life. “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” (Proverbs 23:7) KingContinue reading “Transformation”