Where does this road go to?

It is so comic to hear oneself called old, even at ninety I suppose! ~Alice James

Today we had rain and then sun and then cloudiness and now sun again.  Nature sure knows how to be moody at the moment.  Not that I blame it, if I was being mistreated for years upon years, well one day I would too loose it and be an emotional (climatic in Nature's case) mess.  So instead of complaining I think myself lucky to have 4 seasons in one day and also responsible to take better care of our planet, just to be kinder to it.
     Seems to me we are living in an age where everyone has a cause (even those that have no cause usually say:" screw it, I don't care about anything" that's their cause.)
     I am aware we are different from say my grandfather's days.  He would not think about raising awareness about global climate, modern day slavery to name a few.  But once again, my grandpa had a vegetable garden, never used plastic bags, there was a grocery bag at his house to take to the store & as I remember he always stood up for whats right.  He didn't do that because he read it in a book, or was an activist, he was not a special case, everyone from his generation lived a similar life.  Which got me thinking that we pride ourselves in being so smart, advanced, educated, tech-savvy and such, but we have missed the point in a lot of things that came naturally to generations before us.
     Talking to someone my grandpa's age (my grandpa died when I was a kid) he was telling me that in his family too they had a vegetable garden and lived a similar life.  He told me about the "three sisters."  Three Sisters is what they would call the growing of corn, beans and pumpkins.  The corn plant would provide a place for the bean's vines to grown on.  In turn the beans would oxigenate the earth where the corn plants were.  On top the pumpkin plant would provide shade for both of their shallow growing roots and keep weeds of the garden.  When harvested, you would have a lot of what your body needs by cooking with beans, corn and pumpkins.
They didn't go to a seminar to learn this, they didn't research it, or anything like it, it was common knowledge.
     Somewhere along the lines we lost that bounty of information.  Probably because we were too busy enjoying the new technologies, or watching TV or not believing what was coming from our elder's mouth because there was no scientific data to back it up or was not mentioned in our favorite tv show/magazine/blog.
     I feel I am lucky enough to have older relatives to call them, visit them, chat with them and ask them to share their wisdom with me.  More and more I find that a lot of things that we are "discovering" now, were already common knowledge for our elder ones and we chose not to listen.  Think about it for a second.  Put aside all the wives-tales but think about the real things they knew.  As in every generation they got a few things wrong (sometimes really wrong, but let's look at ourselves for a second) but as in everything in my life I like to concentrate on the positive.
     I feel when we lost respect to our elders and chose to ignore them, we made a mistake and there is a disconnect between us.  We are loosing the wisdom that is ours, about our ancestry, our background, first hand accounts of historical moments and so forth.
     This week I will seek out the elders in my family and the community I am in.  I will ask, listen and share respectfully.  I will honor those that lived before me, those that have seen things I never will, those that were on this ship we call Planet Earth a lot earlier than me.
I invite you to do the same and share your stories.
Pablo

2010 IS HERE!!!

2010, a whole new year, it is new, its different and it will be what we make out of it.  Yesterday, as the end of 2009 came close I didn't think about what I've done or didn't do.  Instead I concentrated on being PRESENT to the moment.  As opposed as many new years in the past I had decided to do something new.  I avoided the party route in the traditional sense and decided to celebrate being.  I chose to be away from the city, in the country side.  Being summer here, the sun didn't set until 9ish pm.  I sat on the grass, surrounded by trees.  It was the perfect evening, the sun finally left the stage for a beautiful blue moon, another gift of 2009, a second full moon in a month, 13 in a year.  As I was sitting looking up at the sky and the moon I felt fulfilled.  Earth, or Pacha Mama as it is known by our ancestors, breathing with me, in the trees, the grass, the breeze.  I looked up the sky, being bathed by the clear white light of the moon.  At that very moment a shooting star winked at me.
I thought about what to wish for.  For the first time I realized that my life is pretty good right now.  I reaized that what I want to wish for does not include wealth, material possesions or anything like that.
That got me thinking that 2009 had done a good number on me.  It has brought lessons in my life that are priceless, lessons that came through people, experiences, insights and everything in between.
I am extremely grateful.  Gratitude became a force within me in 2009.  To be grateful is to be aware and present to everything that is given to us, each day.  From the daily meals to the daily lessons.  By being grateful I also became more aware of where I stand when it comes to what I put in my body, mind and soul.  I became more aware of Pacha Mama,the home we have and we call earth.  I became aware that I need to take care of this planet and that it does make a difference.  I learned to be grateful for the bounty of food coming from the earth, fresh, tasty and nutricious.
By being grateful I stand on a place where nothing is taken for granted.  My friends, family and even interactions with strangers become a gift and a message, meant just for me and gratitude has taught me that.
2009 has taught me that I do have a voice and that it can be heard.  When tackling issues that are important to me, I have two options: a) to think:"I cannot possibly make a difference" b) I WILL make a difference.  And guess what? even if the world at large seems unaffected by me trying to make a difference, I am changed by the efforts, so yes, it is worht it to stand up for what you believe.
As I waited for 2010 I was overwhelmed by the good wishes and love from so many people.  I decided to accept it all and to know that love has come and found me and to be present to that feeling and absorve it all.
It also got me thinking that if we would not only wish the best to others for one night, if we were to hold on to that thought, we would change lives.  The power of our thoughts (positive or negative) is not fully understood by us.  Regardless, IT IS.  So, let's keep sending positive thoughts to those we love, to those we hate, to those we don't know, all through 2010 and beyond.
Another lesson from 2009, give, give and give.  And when you think you have nothing left, then give that.  
Let's be grateful, present, inspired and loving.
I, for one, love you. A lot.
Pablo

Holidays

Just a simple thought to live by, this holidays season and always.

Every time we love, every time we give, it's Christmas. Dale Evans

It's a few days before Christmas.  I am not going to get into it, talk about what it should mean, be like, what do we all celebrate and what we are not getting right.  I am no one to tell you how to celebrate and what Christmas should mean to you.
However I will celebrate with you and share with you what it is for me.  Over the years it has changed a lot.  As a kid it was going to granpa's house, playing with all the cousins, then a big dinner as we all waited for the clock to strike midnight.  Then we would all kiss eachother on the cheeks, family, friends, neighbors would come from near by and we would wish all the best to each other.  Then we would sit and have dinner, cheer, and us kids, we would go out on the sidewalk and light sparklers and laugh and watch fireworks.  This is one of my first memories of Christmas in South America as a kid.  Coming from a Christian family without any ties to any religion, I am sure Jesus was mentioned here and there but to me it was all about the fireworks, the cousins and of course the dancing.  After everyone was done with dinner the tables would be cleared, music would be playing and we would all dance.  The older cousins would head to clubs, us "the kids" would stay and dance with the uncles and aunts as well as the grandparents.

Then in the States I remember my first white Christmas, amazed at the snow and the freezing cold.  I truly experienced the "quiet night", no fireworks, no people coming to greet each other, but everyone sleeping early to wake up early to see what Santa brought.  Waking up to see all white, in my jammies with the siblings, next to the fireplace. Big breakfast, lazy day fulL of family love and then the visits and again a big dinner.
Then I realized that besides the weather/scenario change, it was the same: family, friends, love.
Ever since Christmas is to me the same as love, family and friends.
As times goes by I also realize that there are others that lack that.  How is that? My Christmas has become a challenge to be extra kind, to share more love, to the ones I know and the friends to meet.  A smile is the best gift.
The realization that if I carry this love all year long, Christmas does not have to end.  I have made it my purpose to give each Christmas things that I cannot buy: a hug, a heart felt letter, a smile, and one of my personal favorite traditions, to take something I own and love and give it to someone I love.  The act of giving of whats meaningful to me truly teaches me to be generous and not selfish.
I invite you, look for something you own and love, look for someone that would love to have that, and lovingly make their Christmas.

Present is a gift.

It is more important to know where you are going than to get there quickly. Do not mistake activity for achievement. -Mabel Newcomber

Today I got up really, really early. I went for a morning run, the sun was slowly climbing up the sky, lazily but with purpose. I love my morning walks/runs. I put some music on, let it be my soundtrack and let my thoughts take over and stretch their arms.
More often than not I llook ahead on the road, like to play this game of seeing things getting bigger as I get closer to them and imagine I am shrinking. I usually like to be completely present at the moment, feel each pebble on the road, see each plant, flower or bird. Feel that there's no where else I rather be, not the future, not the past but right then and there.
Things of beauty are seen and experienced when we do "stop to smell the roses."
I felt so full of energy while walking, surrounded by beauty and we were one, together. I was breathing with my surroundings, and we were breathing the same air. I was sweating, drops falling back to the ground, ground that gave me the water I drink.
I realize that nothing exists in isolation. Everything I am is connected to everything and everyone else. I believe that when I radiate joy, it does affect my surroundings. When I interact with everyone and everything with love and kindness, I am treated the same way. Sometimes I think I am crazy I am very fortunate to be aware of this. Before I was struggling, between darkness and light, joy or a crippling depression. I had and have to put a lot of effort towards my happiness, and its well worth.
Kindness, when practiced as a way of living and not an act, can change your interactions, your perceptions, your life all around, and also, it does change the ones you touch with it.
On my walk I saw this beautiful flowers, sky that looked like out of a painting or postcard. Fat clouds lingering slowly. I am glad I do take the time to be present, to see it, to feel it and I want to share it.
Whatever our roads in life, let's be present to the journey, lets be aware of the flowers, the clouds, the sky, the beauty all around.
I feel only then, the journey will be its own destination.

Nobody can

"Nobody can make you feel bad without your permission." Paulo Coelho


I've had a few interesting days. Days when I seemed to have lost my center and be like a balloon drifting away, no direction, just carried away by the drift. When this happens I know is time to slow down, turn off the "noise" around me and really listen to myself.
When I quieted down, when I put aside all the stimuli and sat by myself, things started to be more clear. It has taken me three days to understand what I am doing or not doing.
I've realized that I have allowed situations and people make me feel bad. I do mean allowed. No one has the power to make me feel any particual way unless I give it to them. I thought I knew this and was living by it and then here I am, realizing that I let my guard down.
I understand I cannot make everyone happy, nor do I want to. I understand that when standing my ground for my well being first I might come across as callous or not interested. What I didn't understand that even though I was living life that way, I had allowed others make me feel guilty or bad for being the way I am.
It is really hard for people to understand (myself included) that the world is not centered around ourselves. So when I tell someone: " I am not ok with this. I will not do that" it's not about them. I am not out to hurt them. I am taking care of myself. I will remind myself not to allow others make me feel any particualr way when I KNOW that I am doing what's best for me.
As I said many times, I cannot give you what I don't have. I need to be well, happy, centered, kind, full of love, then I can share that with you. To be in that place in my life, I need to set boundaries, they have nothing to do with you. If you choose to feel a certain way and blame it on my behaviour, well, I have no power over that. I wish you didn't give that power to me or anyone. It is yours. It is sacred.
When you give the power over your own emotions to others, you also give the responsibility.
I won't. I won't allow you to make me feel any way I don't choose to feel. I do take responsibility for it.
It's a freeing thing. Give it a try.

Kombucha, serendipity, grandpa & more random stuff

We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are. - Anais Nin

A few months ago I started a journey in Salt Lake City that landed me in Buenos Aires, via Sao Paulo and Mexico. From there I continued moving, arriving at what is now my "home-base" away from home, the colonial, vibrant and full of life city of Salto in northern Uruguay. The city where my grandparents and theirs before them settled in when arriving from Brasil, Russia and Spain and mingling with the locals. Hence me being such a mutt, I've earned it.
So far it has been an incredible trip, meeting new people at every corner, discovering amazing wine for $4 a bottle and superb food for cheaper, all against the backdrop of amazing views.
While traveling I've decided to learn more about modern day slavery, work on my own project about that (will tell you at some point I promise) and leave room in life to surprise me.
Well, when not every second of your day is planned, when there journey IS the destination, then life has room to show you a thing or two.
I was on twitter (back off, I gave up my cell phone, my cell phone!!! while here, I need a little something) through a series of twitter-twatter ended up talking to @MOMBUCHA about kombucha. I was intrigued about the tea (it is a tea) and upon further inquiry @MOMBUCHA sent me a very useful link with information about the brewing of the tea and pictures (very important to the story, wait for it...)
While looking at the pictures I had a sudden spark of memory (its mostly gone, my memory that is) and remembered seeing kombucha before: in MY house. Well, then the memory unraveled itself in front of my eyes. When I was about 6 or 7 years old, my grandpa was dying of cancer. I remember he would drink some of the tea. So I talked to my mom about it and sure enough. She told me that he did drink the tea till he died as it was the one thing that provided him with nutrients, vitamins, hydration without also "feeding" his cancer cells as his doctor said.
That turned into a whole conversation about granpa, about how my sister and me were the ones in charge of brewing the kombucha for him. Above that, was a great chance for me and my mom to talk about grandpa, his humor, his temper, etc.
Yes, it all started with a twitter exchange.
I also found out that kombucha is quite common here for medicinal purposes or just as a health drink. So, I am on the kombucha wagon and you should give it a look, the @MOMBUCHA website is a good start, take a look: http://mombucha.com
My point here is that little unexpected exchanges, even when across the world, can be meaningful, we all have a message for each other, it's just a matter of listening.
It might be the person you run into the store twice in one night, the guy looking at you (not the creepy one, the other one), the sign on the side of the road, the tweet you just read.
BE ready for the message, open your eyes and ears with me and we will hear, see and feel, that every little thing in life, is designed as signposts to lead us where we belong: living a better, higher LIFE.