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Tuesday, July 20, 2010

What's missing?

It has been an interesting last couple weeks.  I have an uncle who is over 70 and due to some long, complicated health issues had to have one of his legs amputated.  It was a long process that came to that less than pleasant end.  There was a lot that he cold have done, things that could have been changed, things that could have been different.  Regardless, what was done or not done happened and he has only one leg left.
He was telling me that one of the hardest things now is that he experiences a lot of pain, waves of pain.  On the leg that is no longer there.  He also gets itches on that leg and clearly there's nothing that can be done about this, since the leg is no longer there.  Apparently, its something that happens normally when people get a limb amputated.  They go for a log time after the surgery with the sensation that the limb is still there and that it hurts, itches, etc.
This got me thinking of other situations in our lives.  It actually got me thinking about relationships that we are in, relationships that could have been one way or another, that could have gone in a different direction.  However, then the relationship ends and for months we are left hurting/itching over something that is no longer there.
I think there is a healthy time period of mourning for a relationship, what ever kind of relationship that is.  I also think at some point we need to let go, don't give in the "phantom pain or itch" and move on.  When something is no longer there, we need to let it go.  Apparently, even when it is gone, we can be attached to it.
Like my uncle, looking at his missing leg,still feeling it it, sometimes we look at the empty space a relationship used to occupy and still feel it there.
It's going to take a lot of courage for my uncle to keep moving forward, to learn to live with what is no longer there, to learn to be independent again.  I invite you to join me, like him, let's look at what is no longer there, let's take a deep breath and re-learn to heal, to move forward, to let go of what is obviously already gone.
Thank you,
Pablo



它是一個有趣的最後幾個星期。我有一個叔叔是誰在70和由於一些長期的,複雜的健康問題已經有一個他的雙腿截肢。這是一個漫長的過程,來不到愉快的結束。有很多,他做了寒冷,事情可能有所改變,事情會有所不同。無論如何,這事或沒有做的事,他只有一條腿了。
他告訴我,最難的事情之一,現在是他經歷了很多痛苦,海浪的痛苦。在腿上是不再存在。他還獲得癢該腿,並清楚沒有什麼可以做這一點,因為腿不再存在。顯然,其發生的事情通常當人們獲得一個肢體截肢。他們去了測井時間與手術後的肢體感覺仍然存在,它痛,癢等
這引起了我的思想,在我們生活中的其他情況。它實際上是讓我思考的關係,我們正處在關係,可能是這種或那種方式,這本來可以在不同的方向。然而,當時的關係結束,剩下的幾個月中,我們傷害 /瘙癢多的東西不再存在。
我認為有一個健康的一段時間內悼念關係,什麼都種關係,這種關係。我也認為在某些時候,我們需要讓去,不給在“幻肢痛或癢”,繼續前進。當事情不再存在,我們必須讓他走了。很顯然,即便是走了,我們可以連接到它。
我的叔叔一樣,看著他失踪的腿,仍然感覺它,有時我們看空的空間佔用和利用的關係還是覺得那裡。
這將需要相當的勇氣,我的叔叔繼續向前走,學習與生活不再有什麼,要學會獨立了。我邀請您加入我,像他這樣,讓我們來看看什麼是不再存在,讓我們深呼吸,重新學習癒合,以向前邁進,放手顯然已經走了。
謝謝你, 


これは面白い最後の数週間されている。私は70のためにいくつかの長い、複雑な健康上の問題は彼の足を持っている必要があったことです叔父が切断。それは以下の快適な最後に来て長いプロセスだった。たくさんは、彼が冷たい、異なっている可能性がものを変更されている可能性が物事を行っているでした。にもかかわらず、何か行われていたが起こった行われていない、彼は1つだけの脚を持って参加しました。
彼は私に1つが難しいこと、今、彼は多くの痛みを、痛みの波が発生さ言っていた。もはやそこにある脚で。彼はまた、足とかゆみを取得明確にあるこのことについて行うことができます何もない、足がもはや存在しないからである。どうやら、通常、人々は手足を取得起こるのか切断。彼らは感覚が手足はまだそこにであること、そしてそれが、かゆみなどが痛いと手術後のログの時間のために行く
これは私たちの生活の他の状況の考えるようになった。これは、実際私は私達が、1つの方法または別のことができた関係は関係について考えるようになった、異なる方向に行っていることができます。しかし、その後の関係が終了し、月間私たちは傷つけ/もはやそこにある何かをかゆみ残っている。
私はそこの関係を、どのようなこれまでの関係のようなことです喪の健全な期間だと思います。私はまた私達は行くように必要ないくつかの点で、"幻肢痛やかゆみに与えていない"と思うに移動します。何かがもはや存在しないが、我々はそれを手放す必要があります。どうやら場合でも、それは消えて、私たちはそれに添付することができます。
私の叔父と同様に、彼の行方不明の足を見ると、まだそれを感じ、時には我々は空のスペースの関係と占有するまだそこにそれを感じる使用見てください。
それは私の叔父の前進し続ける勇気がかかるし、一緒に暮らすことを学ぶだろうもはや存在しないが、どのような独立を再度することを学ぶ。私はあなたが、彼のように私を招待し、の、もはやそこにあるものを見てみましょう、深い呼吸と再癒すために学ぶみよう、フォワード、明らかに既に行っていることを手放すに移動します。
ありがとう、
パブロ

Saturday, July 3, 2010

The Cup of LIFE


Oh, there's so much we need to talk about.  Granted, I've been MIA due to the World Cup. It is not just about the sport, its about life and life lessons learned on the field.  That is what totally sucks me in this tournament.  To see countries that have historical, political beef face off in a field and be civil to each other, gives me hope.
Also, like in life, logic does not apply, teams move forward based on preparation, chance, luck and sheer heart.
This world cup many of the favorites were out, Italy (reigning World Champion), France, Argentina, Brasil, England. Many teams that were the underdogs made it far.
I find a common denominator in life and the world cup = HEART, BEING IN THE MOMENT & VISUALIZING DREAMS AS REALITY.
Oscar Tabarez, the coach for the Uruguay team was asked what he thought about being in the finals. He said he could not think that far, he and his team were HERE & NOW (present) and they were consumed into winning in the here and now.  He said, once we are over this, then we will think of the next game.  I wish we could all face life that way. It's not about being in the future, its about being in the here and now.
In Uruguay's game yesterday, seconds from the game ending, Luis Suarez stopped a goal against his team with his hand, knowingly getting a red card and a penalty for Ghana. His other option was to let the goal happen and Ghana would win. The penalty didn't score and Uruguay got a chance at penalty kicks and hence won and got a ticket to the semifinals.  Sometimes in life we need to sacrifice for the bigger goal.  And it has to be decided in seconds.
Uruguay was the host of the first world cup ever.  And they won. In 1950 they were finalists in Brasil, which was the host country.  Against all odds they won.
None of that impresses me as much as the fact that Uruguay has always done what it does with respect, low profile and no ego.  It has done it getting strength from where no one ever thought there was any strength left. It has quietly gone forward.
I want to be like the Uruguay team. They were the one before last team to qualify to the world cup. They quietly made it to one fo the 4 BEST teams in the world. They were classy and respectful all along.
If they make it to the finals, I will ask for pointers on how to be GREAT and HUMBLE.
P.

Saturday, June 5, 2010

There is a field


Beyond right and wrong, there is a field. I will meet you there.~ Rumi

Today its a beautiful day.  The sky is impossibly blue, the greens are greener and the sun is directly speaking to each one of the cells in my body.  I have had that Rumi quote running in my head since I woke up.  I had a great breakfast, a fritatta I made myself of fresh mushrooms, onions, eggs and fresh pepper with a strong cup of coffee.  As I kept on thinking of this field beyond right and wrong that Rumi speaks of I thought about what is right and what is wrong, I thought about what that means to me and how it is completely different from your definitions.  I realize that we invest words with meanings that are personal and come from our personal life experiences.  What is wrong to you it might be perfectly normal, righteous and fine to me and vice versa.
I think this makes communication so hard and misunderstanding so easy.  Not because we are not aware that we have different points of view, but because we want ours to prevail, we want to be right, we want our view to be the one that prevails.
I have given that up a while ago.  I don't want to be right, I don't want to make you wrong.  I want my views to be respected as I put effort on respecting yours.  
Imagine this field beyond right and wrong.  Imagine this beautiful place where we can walk, maybe even hand in hand.  There is a light breeze, a beautiful sun and we have left all our preconceived notions of who we are far behind.  We are there to enjoy each other's company, we are not there to prove anything, to be better or worse, to be right or wrong.  We simply are.  In this field I don't need to understand all about you, or even agree with it, I just need to respect you and love you as you are.
Truly, let's meet in that field and lets make it be the field we walk on every day, our whole life.
Would you come with me for a walk?
P.

Friday, May 28, 2010

Wave your flag

Start listening HERE first.
Here's the thing, the World Cup is upon us and I am so exited.  I cannot say i am me without saying that there's this passion, this part of me that goes crazy over World Cups.  Its not like the Super Bowl, I get crazy over that too, but this is different.  It happens every 4 years, it involves pretty much the whole world and it is part of my identity.  I remember growing up and even though I was not a soccer fan, I remember it being a part of my life.  I remember days of school because our team was playing.  I remember parades, I remember the "hand of God" controversy with Maradona.
So here I am, years later, being a sports freak, loving soccer. I love it not just because of the game itself.  I love that most of the world will sit still during games and we will turn our eyes and hearts to a field and 90 minutes to be crowned the new World Cup Champion.
From Gianna Nanini in Italy here to Ricky Martin in France hereand now Shakira in South Africa, here each song of the world cup has given us passion, power, love in a language we all understand, the language of rhythm. If only us, as a species could get that rhythm, could understand that the same way we can peacefully play games across the world, deciding on the field who we are, we could solve most problems.... We are those kids playing with a ball, maybe not understanding each other, maybe not fully aware of the game but being driven by the passion inside.  If world matters were to be discussed and treated with the same passion, there would be no wars, there would be a game, and flags and passion.  So this world cup I will be waiving my flag and its not one of a country, its a flag of peace.

Friday, May 21, 2010

Just sit with me for a while.

Would you?  Sometimes I am running and sometimes you are.  I know we keep on thinking we will have a minute and catch up...as soon as we have a minute.  Well, that minute will never be there unless we MAKE IT.  So, stop what you are doing, don't worry about it, make this minute for you and me.  How are you? How was your day? What's worrying you? Let's chat.
I've been good, I am sometimes concerned about my life and the world and how my own experience can have a positive effect on the world.  Crazy huh? However I am aware this is all I got, my life.  I want to make the best of it, not in a financial/power way.  I want to make the best of my life so when I look back and I am this old withered man I can say:"damn, that was beautiful."
I have been traveling for almost a year now.  People ask me "why?" the most.  They seemed perplexed when I always say:"I felt I needed to."
What do you feel you need to do? Are you doing it?
I just wanted to have a minute, check with you and say hi.  I'm glad you are in my life.
Pass it on.
P.

Monday, May 10, 2010

Dear friend:


This one is for you.  We've known each other for a hundred years the day we met.  We didn't meet, we just ran into each other again.  Ever since we've been remembering what we know about ourselves and what we will find out together.  We are now walking this path together, reminding each other what matters when one of us seem to forget.
I could find famous quotes about friendship.  I could go on about what friendship is or means.  I won't.  Friendship needs to be felt and experienced. Tonight, my friend told me: "it's better to be scared of something you understand, than to pretend you are not."
Go out there, hug your friend, Be thankful they are in your life.
And to you my loved friend: thank you.
P.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

It's my birthday, I can change the world if I want to.

So help me!!! Today: 5 de mayo, on the 7th, my birthday, coincidence? Probably not.  I would like to think my mom was really hoping she could have a shot of Patron on the 5th and it just dragged a bit too long because I was putting my best face to be greeted by the world.  If you know me, the chance of that happening is rather high.

Over the years I have learned to make my own definition of what a birthday means to me, like with everything else in life.  I am seriously taking the time to not agree with definitions given to me (when I had no input) and making my own.
If you could read my journals, (right after you were discussed by my behavior) you would find a pattern. Its been a long time since I refer to my birthdays or years in my life by a number: it's just too impersonal.  Instead you will find: the year of the acne revenge, the year of feeling like a hurricane, the year of deep depression, the year of hope and so forth.  Some years are named after the things experienced and some were named after the things I would hope for.  Last year was the year of the challenge.  It was a year when I dropped my life as I knew it, bought a plane ticket and went into the world to learn, experience and be challenged.
As my birthday approaches, do not ask me how old I am turning, instead, ask me "what's this year for?"  The momentum I've gained and the place where I am in life have already defined this next year of my life that will start on Friday: THE YEAR OF THE ARMOR.

What the hell does that mean?  Well, it means its the year I am putting on the armor of love, kindness and hope I have been building this past year of the challenge and I am going out to battle.  The year of the challenge, did just that, challenged me.  Challenged my commitment to love, to the things I believe in, the things I personally want to do to make a difference.  While being challenged, day by day, I slowly built an armor, an armor of conviction, love, hope and all positive.  Starting Friday, on the anniversary of my birth, I will wear that armor and enjoy "the year of the armor" going out there, being a voice to those that have none, loving those that feel no love, hoping upon hope that the changes I want to see in the world are manifested on my behavior first.
This is not an armor to protect me from outside forces, I carry that with me all the time.  This armor is to remind me, inspire me, strengthen me and guide me on this path.  This armor is all of you, with your thoughts, your love, your positive influence.  I always say: people do not think of us because we exist, on the other hand we exist because people think of us.  There you have it, you thinking of me, you ARE my armor.
Over the past years I have had some raging parties for my birthday, I have been next to all my friends, I have blacked out, I have been carried home.  Even then, you were my armor.  This time, I am far away and still feel you being my armor.
I'm, going to ask you for a couple things for my birthday.  You can send me an under 2 minutes video (recorded on your webcam, phone cam, etc) or a few pictures.  Tell me: 1- your name, 2- your location, 3- what freedom means to you 4- what do you know about human trafficking?  DO NOT research either of the subjects, just sent me your candid answers.  This pieces will be edited into a larger piece to raise awareness about human trafficking (DO NOT RESEARCH TILL AFTER YOUR VID!!!)
If you can't do that, here's something else I would love for you to do.  In the past you might have taken me out for dinner, bought me a drink, a present, ect for my birthday.  Here's what I ask you to do on Friday, buy lunch to a homeless person, buy a drink for a stranger at the bar, give, give, give!!! And as you do say "Happy Birthday Pablo!"
It's my birthday, and with your help, I can change the world if I want to.
P.