Meditation 24: What is found in the darkness? ~ Day 9

Day 9: 40 Days~

“If you can see beauty instead of ugliness, beauty will appear. Cease weeping over the mistakes of yesterday and steadfastly beholding the face of the great and divine Reality, walk in that Light wherein there is no darkness.” ~ Ernest Holmes

 “This is the highest hope ever placed before the vision of man’s search for something that can make him whole.” ~Ernest Holmes

What is found in the darkness?

Good morning day! Today I woke up really quiet. I feel incredibly at peace. Last night I went to bed frightened. I was afraid. I was scared to be alone. It was the first time in months that I would have my apartment to myself. 

Sitting in the darkness…

I was watching a movie last night on my laptop and the computer kept shutting down. It would not let me watch the movie. I kept finding myself in the darkness and wanting to be on the phone all night so that I could feel safe.

Why do we fear the darkness?

It is in the darkness where the truth resides. It is in the darkness where the pain lives. It is in those darkest hours where the lessons can be found. There is no light without darkness. We can’t just skip a step! It doesn’t work that way.

What frightened me about being alone?

This is what I am meditating on today…

What is frightening me? What frightens us?

For me, I believe that what frightens us is that we are being forced to face something… to face ourselves.

When we are alone this is where we must do the work. In stillness. In the darkness.

The word FORCED is interesting to me… being forced to face something… forced to look at something… forced to go within… forced to accept… forced to stop!

The body and mind are amazing creations… the body wants to do something but it cannot work without the mind sending a signal and giving the OK… signals and signs… we are constantly receiving messages and signs drawing our attention to something... but its really about the SOUL! 

Are we paying attention to what the soul wants and needs. The soul feeds off of the darkness. This is where we must sit and really listen. 

What we are looking for is found in the darkness… it is the very core of our soul. Here is where the truth lives… our souls… the darkness is our soul crying and communicating with us to pay attention. In the darkness we understand what we must do. 

While I was reading this morning I came across this lovely prayer:

“Today, bright with hope and filled with promise, is mine.

Today my heart is without fear.

I have implicit confidence in the good, the enduring and the true.

Today I shall guard my thoughts and speech; I shall keep my consciousness steadfast with the realization that there is a spiritual Power upon which I may rely.

I shall turn resolutely to that Divine Source which knows no confusion, to that spiritual Center which knows no fear.

The Spirit is not afraid of anything; the Divine has no enemies; the Spirit knows no opposites.

I enter into a faith made perfect through love and confidence, an assurance made complete by the abandonment of myself to good.

Acknowledging good in all my ways, desiring only the good for others, I rest in calm assurance.

I believe in myself because I believe in God.

I believe in my destiny because I know that the Law of Good is operating through me.

I have confidence in the future and enthusiastic expectation of good things to come.

Therefore, I accept the fullness of life this moment.” Excerpt from This thing Called You by Ernest Holmes

Perhaps this is why I was afraid last night of the darkness. It might have to do with some of the choices that I have made… I am being (forced) a gentler word is “called…”  I am being called to look at some things.

I AFFIRM:

I am being called to look at some areas of my life.  

I am being called to not run from the darkness.

I am being called to not fear the darkness.

I am being called to know that I am safe in the darkness.

I am safe.

Nothing can harm me.

So today I will hold that truth!

I AM RESTING IN CALM ASSURANCE... abandoning myself to good!

And I accept the fullness of my life in this moment.

And so it is~

Aché

Meditation 23: If You Believe~ Day 8

Day 8: 40 Days~

And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.” ~ The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho

One of my favorite quotes and life mantras… is that when I want something, I believe that the universe conspires in helping me to achieve it. I trust and know that the universe is conspiring to bring me what I desire. And as long as I am taking steps towards my personal legend I know this to be the truth.

This is what I am meditating on today~ If you BELIEVE~

New Thought books and New Age teachers write a lot about changing your thoughts and how simply changing your thoughts you can change your life… “Think positive!” we are told.

We make wishes for things but do we believe we can have that which we are wishing for?

Several months ago I received a text message from my daughter in the midst of a very challenging and dark moment in her life where she wrote:

“Mommy, can you teach me how to pray?”

“Actually, a prayer is not a process, a combination of words or thoughts, nor statements, declarations, affirmations, or denials. Prayer is a state of consciousness in which we experience the realization of harmony, perfection, oneness, joy, peace, and dominion. Often, prayer or communion brings to the individual some specific truth...”  from The Infinite Way, by Joel S. Goldsmith

She went on to say to me that she believes she doesn’t know how to do it… believing that she is somehow doing it wrong. She believed that her prayers weren’t being answered. And she wanted to know how I pray because she says my prayers seem to always get answered.. that everything I ask for I receive.

I just smiled.

I was thrilled to see my daughter exploring beginning a journey that she has always had access to… desiring to attain something that she believes is happening outside of herself. That praying to someone or something outside of herself is where she will find the answers she is looking for.

I smiled because I know that she is on her way to receiving everything that she desires only if she believes. It’s not about praying to God or to Jesus… it is about an internal faith… it is about willingness to be still and believing in something. Prayer is communing… a private conversation that no one can teach her to have… its about asking for those things… the answers that she needs for herself in faith that it will arrive.

I certainly don’t have any magic wand that makes my desires a reality. What I have is a firm belief in all that I pray for. I have a willingness to remain open and an expectation that the universe always brings me what is for my highest and greatest good. I trust that the universe is conspiring and aligning in my favor always. This is what I BELIEVE!

I believe that when I say something, pray for something, believe in something and meditate on something there is a power that brings it to me—EVERY TIME! RIGHT ON TIME!

Perhaps it doesn’t show up in my life five minutes after praying for it. However, I believe that it will arrive to me when the universe decides I am ready to receive it.

“Only those who have believed has the proof come. The highest hope and aspiration of humanity have been built around the lives of those few who have believed. Through the manifestation of the power that is within you, you can project any objective experience, which you may legitimately desire. Be certain that you are accepting this, that you are living in joyous expectation of good, that you are accepting abundance.  –“What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them”?” ~Ernest Holmes

I AFFIRM:

I believe that Spirit brings me closer to everything I pray for in faith.

I know that when I am still I can commune with Spirit knowing that my prayers are being answered.

I believe that we all receive what is meant for us.

I believe that the universe is generous, loving and kind.

I believe that in prayer I am connecting to a Source who listens closely to my requests and only provides me with that which is for my highest good, that which is meant for me.

I believe that my beautiful daughter will receive all she desires… all she has to do is ask and listen.

And so it is~

Aché

Prayer is really about listening... its listening to our intuition... the answer to our prayers if we get quiet and really listen... this is where the answers are written~

Through prayer... I will make my mark!!!

Meditation 22: Giving in Gratitude ~ Day 7

Day 7: 40 Days~

Today I am meditating on giving without expecting anything in return. There is a spiritual practice called “tithing” that I have been thinking a lot about. Giving without fear of lack and limitation. Practicing this spiritual law of prosperity that ensures that as I give I receive. But the point is not to give expecting to receive. Giving with all our love and all of our faith.

I am incredibly grateful today. I have received so many blessings this year. I attended VONA at Berkeley thanks to all the angels who backed me financially. I went on countless college visits for Afrolatinos. I traveled to Cuba and met amazing women that I am working with. My finances have improved enormously. I am back in my home THAT I LOVE SO MUCH! And all of this is because I set an intention of gratitude at the beginning of everyday.

Everything I do begins by setting an intention. Before I go up on stage to speak in front of a crowd I set an intention for what I want to give or leave with the people I meet and I offer each event to someone special. In my writing I set an intention for a specific character or scene that I want to explore. I even have a life intention…

My life intention is to provide women with spaces where they can be who they are and say what’s in their souls.

The Women of the World Writing Workshop that I am offering on Sunday, October 27^th is my gift to women… but it is not without an intention!

My intention is to give ALL of me to these womyn in gratitude for all that has been given to me.

My intention is that this workshop be filled with 100’s of womyn from all over the United States and the world who feel that thing in the pit of their stomach… that tightness in their chest… that loss of breath... that thing that is pointing them in only one direction… YOUR SOUL! And once you acknowledge the conversation that is happening we have no other choice but to honor the calling and answer.

This is why in addition to the Women of the World Workshop I will offer a second workshop entitled Writing With Intention!

It is about being clear about what we are here to do… and beginning the process. As 2012 comes to a close I would like to support you in beginning and moving toward that thing you are dying to write. It’s about setting an INTENTION to move forward no matter what the obstacles. Nothing before this moment matters. I am envisioning something so beautiful… so HUGE… my intention is to see women from all over the world writing their stories… writing our stories.

“Life fills all space and Spirit animates every form. It is this Spirit in you, as you, which is the true actor in everything you do, but since you are an individual, even the Spirit can not make the gift of Life unless you accept it. Life may have given everything to you but only that which you accept is yours to use. This is why it is written that the word of power, of life and action is in your own mouth—that is, in your thought.” ~Ernest Holmes

Will you accept?

 To register and for more details: http://findingyourforce.blogspot.com/2012/09/women-of-world-writers-workshop.html

Email: findingyourforce@gmail.com

And so it is~

Ache

Our History! Our Words!

It’s Hispanic Heritage Month, Latino History Month… However, everyday is Latina Heritage month in my house.

What does it mean to be Latino? What is Hispanic Heritage beyond the self-imposed/societal barriers and what we are told it means to be Hispanic or a "real" Latino is? 

Is it speaking Spanish? Is being Latino about knowing how to cook comida from our countries? Is it hanging a Dominican flag in our houses, hanging them outside of the windows and displaying them on the rearview mirrors of our cars? What does being Latino mean to us? Is it a box we check off on a census form? 

There is so much more to our story than that... issues that go deeper.

How are we celebrating our culture? What do we know about our culture? What are we sharing about our culture? What are we learning about our culture? How are we preserving our history? Who will tell our stories?

First of all, we must begin by knowing our stories! 

Si no sabes de donde vienes como vas a saber para donde vas! If you don't know where you come from how will you know where you're headed!!!

If we don’t share our history and write our stories… WE will become extinct. Our stories will no longer matter. In some cases they are not mattering now. We should be furious that the Tucson School District is banning and removing our books from the bookshelves –

Books were banished because it was believed that the Mexican American Studies program was racially divisive. As a result, books were ripped off the bookshelves… and taken away.

Our history is being banned… our stories removed… an attempt is being made to erase us from education!

RACIALLY DIVISIVE?

What about racial exclusion? The most important issue here is that OUR STORIES ARE BEING REMOVED! We have never been included in the textbooks and now an attempt is being made to completely erase us! 

Our desire to see characters who reflect our experiences and learning our history as written by us is being threatened!

An attempt is being made… has been made… to ban our culture, the contributions that have been made by our ancestors, the sacrifices of our families and our beautiful stories that MUST exist in order to be passed down to our children!

Join me this month at any event where I will be presenting Afrolatinos: The Untaught Story, reading from Finding Your Force, performing poetry and participating at several events honoring our history. 

I am completely dedicated to ensuring that our stories are told… our story can never be taken from us!

OCTOBER 2012

Thursday, October 4th  ~ St. Josephs College, Brooklyn NY ~ 12:30pm - 1:30pm

Wednesday, October 10th ~ Afrolatinos Presentation~ Webinar

Thursday, October 11th ~ Hofstra University

Monday, October 15th ~ Pennslyvania ~ Department of Education Afrolatinos Workshop

Monday, October 15th ~ 6th Year Anniversary of the NYC Latina Writers Group

Thursday, October 18th ~ Pace University

Sunday, October 28th ~ Women of the World Writing Virtual Workshop~ FREE

NOVEMBER 2012

October – November ~ Bogota, Colombia ~ Afrolatinos: The Untaught Story~ 

November 11, 18, 25 and December 2, 9, 16 ~ Writing with Intention Workshop~

December 31, 2012 ~ DOTR Manuscript Completed~

2013 Events, Performances, Readings

February 2013 ~ Cornell University

June 2013 ~ VONA

August 2013 ~ Michfest ~ Writing Workshops

Keynotes, Travel, Presentations, Panel Discussions, DOTR Manuscript submitted for publication, FYF V2 ~ begin writing~ LIVING A LIFE OF GRATITUDE!

Meditation 21: A Prayer for Women~ Day 6

Day 6: 40 Days~

Today during meditation I found myself thinking about every woman I have ever known, every woman I have ever worked with, every woman who has entered my life, all the women who have left their marks on my soul. As I got quiet I found myself repeating words of strength for each woman…

I pray for every woman who has ever been hurt~
I pray for every woman who has been abused~

I pray for every woman who has been abandoned~

I pray for every woman who is in pain~

I pray for every woman lost in confusion~

I pray for every woman searching for answers~

I pray for every woman searching for healing~

I pray for every woman in need of forgiveness~

I pray for every woman who wants to forgive~

I pray for every woman afraid of how powerful she really is~

I pray for every woman feeling helpless~

I pray for every woman feeling hopeless~

I pray for every woman feeling alone~

I pray for every woman afraid to trust~

This is a prayer of surrender. Today I pray for your strength. My prayer for you is LOVE~ a love so deep that it brings you to tears…not tears of pain but tears of joy because when you see who you really are you will be never the same. This prayer is written with so much love for you.

After I finished praying I read for ten minutes…

“There is a God Power at the center of every man’s being, a Presence that knows neither lack, limitation nor fear, sickness, disquiet nor imperfection. This Presence and Power is at the center of all people and all things.” ~Ernest Holmes

Getting quiet and tapping into the very center of our being… at the center of EVERY being. For too long we have carried unstable, insecure emotions that have been placed on us as our “cross to bear” whether past down by generations, by ancestors, by mothers and women and men that we have met. My prayer for you is a prayer of strength. What I am praying for is an internal strength that NO ONE can take from you although there might be those experiences, occasions, moments of insanity and people who will try to take it, they will try to remove that strength from you, they will try to erase the strength in you, they will not like the strength in you, they may be threatened by the strength that is you…

This is what it all comes down to… they will be afraid of your strength. Your strength poses a threat to their strength… or at least this is what is believed.

This reflection of strength poses to ensure you never see that strength in you. But there is no running from it. It lives in you… that strength is your very essence.

My prayer today is that you see how strong you really are.

My prayer today is that you KNOW that your strength is unlimited.

That you stand in the truth that there has never been anyone like you and there will never be anyone like you.

This is no competition for the strength that is yours.

This isn’t a race against anyone.

You don’t need to run from it anymore. 

You don't need to hide it. 

That greatness is you.

“Beloved now we are the daughter’s of God. Your kingdom of God is at hand. You have already inherited everything that belongs to this kingdom. The riches, power, glory and might of this kingdom are yours today. You do not rob others by entering into the fullness of your kingdom of joy, your kingdom of abundance. You recognize that all people belong to the same kingdom. You are merely claiming for yourself what you would that the law of good should do unto all.” This Thing Called You

Take a deep breath… Look in the mirror…this is what I see:

 A Prayer for Women~

The woman I see standing before me is unlimited

The woman I see is spiritually strong and complete

The woman I see is worthy

The woman I see is entitled to all she desires

The woman I see is always guided and protected

The woman I see expects her good

The woman I see is greatness with every breath and every move she makes

The woman I see has forgiven herself

The woman I see has forgiven others

The woman I see is filled with hope

The woman I see is reconnecting to that internal power that is available to her at any moment.. a power within that knows that there is nothing she can’t have and there is nothing she can’t do.

The woman I see is pure love

The woman I see is a power that the world must know

The woman I see is no longer in hiding

The woman I see is no longer afraid

The woman I see is beginning to live TODAY!

This is my prayer and affirmation for you!

“Today I enter into my Divine inheritance, shaking my thought clear from the belief that external conditions are imposed upon me.” ~Ernest Holmes

And so it is~

Aché


There are still seats available: Join me for the first  ~ Women of the World Writers Workshop~

This is a FREE writing workshop being offered with the intention of providing a sacred space for women to gather virtually from all over the world to write together.

Have you been carrying a story that is suffocating you... a story that will not let you sleep?

Do you want support in beginning that project unsure of where to begin?

Are you ready to stop procrastinating and take YOU seriously?

Have you started the story but are feeling blocked or paralyzed?

Are you afraid to answer your call?

Workshop will be held on Sunday, October 28, 2012 @ 6:00pm – 10:00pm EST

To register and for more information please email me at: Findingyourforce@gmail.com

http://findingyourforce.blogspot.com/2012/09/women-of-world-writers-workshop.html

 

Meditation 20: Guard your thoughts~ Day 5

Day 5: 40 Day Fast

Guard your thoughts~

I am struggling today with holding onto my state of peace. There is a situation that I am being called to face today that really makes me uncomfortable. My entire body is having a reaction to the action I must take. I am really trying to shift my thoughts and stay in my meditation. Continuing on this fast of feeding myself positive affirmations and words of love when all I want to do is be mad and stay mad. 

Then I read:

“You are either attracting or repelling according to your mental attitudes. You are either identifying yourself with lack or with abundance, with love and friendship or with indifference. You cannot keep from attracting into your experience that which corresponds to the sum total of your states of consciousness. This law of attraction and repulsion works automatically. It is like the law of reflection—the reflection corresponds to the image held before a mirror. Life is a mirror peopled with forms of your own acceptance.

How careful, then, you should be to guard your thoughts.” ~ Ernest Holmes

So what is it that I see in the mirror? What is being reflected back to me? There is a contradiction of sorts going on internally around ideas of order and chaos. What choices am I making? What am I thinking? I am incredibly grateful for that reminder to guard my thoughts. I am being called to guard my attitudes around what I believe to be the truth about this situation and about myself. 

REPELLING… what a great word! 

This idea that I could be repelling the good just by the thoughts I am allowing myself to experience. Repelling the good just by the choices I am making in my life.

I AFFIRM:

I BELIEVE without a shadow of doubt that all is divinely ordered and aligned in my favor.

I KNOW that this experience is not who I am and I consciously shift my focus to the GOOD that surrounds me.

I KNOW that my every thought, every word and every deed is expressed in love and with love.

I BELIEVE that as I give… I receive.

I EXPRESS gratitude for every person I come in contact with today for I know that you hold a lesson for me.

I EXPECT goodness and greatness for my life and for the life of others.

I TRUST that all is well.

BE STILL and KNOW… the answers are right here!

As I breathe into this day… I let out a huge sigh. I am one moment at a time. One thought at a time. I know that I do not need to stay in the feelings I was struggling with this morning. I choose to release all of it and begin this beautiful day filled with peace.

“You know that Life cannot withhold Itself from you. All that Life is and has is fully given to you to enjoy. Life is God’s gift to you. It is always ready to manifest Itself through you in Its entire fullness.” This Thing Called You by Ernest Holmes

I AFFIRM:

NOTHING is being withheld for me.

EVERYTHING that I desire is available to me.

I AM living the fullness of this experience.

I AM standing in LOVE, JOY and GRATITUDE!

And so it is~

Aché

There are still seats available: Join me for the first  ~ Women of the World Writers Workshop~

This is a FREE writing workshop being offered with the intention of providing a sacred space for women to gather virtually from all over the world to write together.

Have you been carrying a story that is suffocating you... a story that will not let you sleep?

Do you want support in beginning that project unsure of where to begin?

Are you ready to stop procrastinating and take YOU seriously?

Have you started the story but are feeling blocked or paralyzed?

Are you afraid to answer your call?

Workshop will be held on Sunday, October 28, 2012 @ 6:00pm – 10:00pm EST

To register and for more information please email me at: Findingyourforce@gmail.com

http://findingyourforce.blogspot.com/2012/09/women-of-world-writers-workshop.html

 

Meditation 19: Return to the Land of MY Soul ~ Day 4

Day 4: 40 Day Fast~

Return again… Return to the land of your soul! 

I have that song on repeat this morning

Return again…

Return to who you are

Return to what you are

Return to where you are born and reborn again

Return to the land of your soul

I am meditating on what it feels like for me to return to the land of my soul… returning to who I am.

Today I release everything that has happened before this moment.

I am returning to the land of my soul.

And as I breathe…

I am inhaling so much peace.

“You must find and maintain a close communion with your true Center. Your creative power is not an act of will. It is, rather, an act of your willingness to believe. And you are believing in something greater than your objective self, something deeper than your subconscious self, something beyond the collective thought of the world. Your creative power comes from the originating Spirit Itself, which knows no limit, is conditioned by no circumstance and governed by no law outside Itself.” ~This Thing Called You~ by Ernest Holmes

I am reminded that I must find and maintain a close communion with my center…

When I pay attention…

When I get still…

When I honor myself…

When I listen… really listen…

The answers are always there. The messages may not always be clear but I am called to remember where I can turn to and who I am. I am reminded where I should go and what I am called to do. I can place all my issues, problems and dreams on my altar of faith. This place brings me so much peace. I believe in something greater. I know that I must go deeper and as I go deeper I can see beyond what appears to be in front of me.

“Divine Guidance, like the Presence of God, is where you are, at the center of your being. When you turn to the Spirit for the solution of your problem, Spirit answers by intuitively knowing, not the problem, but its answer.” This Thing Called You~

“As your consciousness lifts itself above the problem into a spiritual atmosphere of affirmation, the problem, as such disappears and the answer takes its place. Every problem contains its own answer if you think of the problem merely as a question, an inquiry, and not as an obstruction. Thinking of it this way, keep your mind not on the repetition of thoughts about the problem, but on the receipt of a definite answer.” ~Ernest Holmes

I AFFIRM:

I know that the Divine is guiding me right where I stand.

I know that I am unlimited and my past errors have been forgiven.

Today I begin anew… yesterday is gone… all that matters is this moment.

I am constantly guided, protected and loved.

I am blessed and am a blessing to this world.

I know that Spirit is working miracles through me AS ME.

I am FREE.

During my reading today, Ernest Holmes writes:

“Each autumn brings its harvest… There will be a new planting new blossoms and new fruits, new seed times and new harvests. It makes no difference what your harvest may have been last year, today you can create a new future if you have the faith to believe that you can.”

“Lay them on the altar of your faith…”

Several months ago I created a vision board for all the things I want for myself. I can’t draw to save my life, however it is my vision so it’s a work of art. 

I drew my two homes... a brownstone in Harlem and my farm in the Dominican Republic complete with a labyrinth and a beautiful garden that I would plant myself. I was on a phone call with some women and we were talking about setting intentions for manifesting our dreams and desires for the new moon.

One woman used the example of planting seeds…

When I hung up the phone I took a piece of paper and cut it into many pieces. On the small sheets of paper I wrote down each goal, dream and vision I see for myself. I listed everything I wanted to achieve and receive. I wrote every desire I intend to attract. Those pieces of paper are the seeds in my garden. If you look closely at my vision board you see can see these little dots… those are the seeds of my dream garden.

Originally, I placed the small sheets with my intentions on my altar, once I created the vision board I decided that the seeds needed to be all over and around the board.

What I’m reminding myself of today is that it takes constant communication and connection to source to manifest all of my desires.

I AFFIRM:

Today and always I AM planting seeds and laying them on the Altar of my Faith.

And as I look at my garden I am ecstatic because so much of what I have cultivated is bearing the most delicious and beautiful fruit.

And so it is~

Aché

I leave you with absolutely beautiful song by Neshama Carlebach & The Green Pastures Baptist Choir~

There are still seats available: Join me for the first  ~ Women of the World Writers Workshop~

This is a FREE writing workshop being offered with the intention of providing a sacred space for women to gather virtually from all over the world to write together.

Have you been carrying a story that is suffocating you... a story that will not let you sleep?

Do you want support in beginning that project unsure of where to begin?

Are you ready to stop procrastinating and take YOU seriously?

Have you started the story but are feeling blocked or paralyzed?

Are you afraid to answer your call?

Workshop will be held on Sunday, October 28, 2012 @ 6:00pm – 10:00pm EST

To register and for more information please email me at: Findingyourforce@gmail.com

http://findingyourforce.blogspot.com/2012/09/women-of-world-writers-workshop.html

 

Day 3: 40 Days~ It is being in the world but not of it~

While I was re-reading my memoir I came across a section that reminded me about following through and commitments:

“I was rubbing your head, touching your hair. While I was watching you, I started crying. I felt so much guilt about what I had done to us with this move to NYC. Was I being selfish? I took you away from the life you knew. I started to doubt myself. I doubted my ability and questioned what I was doing here. This was just too hard and now you were sick and it was my fault. I didn't think I could do it. I was alone. I have aunts and uncles in New York but they didn't live close and couldn't take care of you because they all have jobs. You had never seen me cry like that before. I just looked at you and said, "Baby do you wanna go back to Florida? Do you wanna just leave NYC and go back to our life? This is just too hard! You could have your pool again and go swimming all the time. You would have your abuelo and abuela, your Tia Josie, Tia Fabiana and Tio Fabin… do you wanna just go home?"

You just looked up at me with those beautiful eyes and said, "NO MOMMY!!! This is your dream. I don't want to leave. You came here to be a writer. You can do this!"

It would have been so much easier for me to leave and go back home to be closer to my family. I know the life I would have there. I could have packed us up and headed south again and they would have welcomed us back with open arms. They would have made our life easier. We would have had our support system back. It would have been much easier to go back and do what I have always done. It’s so much harder to stay and work my ass off for what I want. I didn’t believe I could do it. I'm so thankful you encouraged me to stay. You believed in me when I didn’t. What would I have taught you had I quit? This July 2011 we celebrate NINE years living in New York City. What I hope you see in me now is someone who follows through to the end.” Finding Your Force A Journey to Love~

"The closer one gets to realizing his personal legend -- the more that personal

legend becomes his TRUE reason for being." The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.

Today I had a nightmare. In my nightmare there was a woman in my dream stepping on me. She was stomping on me. She was speaking badly of me. She was calling me out of my name. She was telling lies about me.

I spent a few hours meditating on what the message was in the dream. I decided that the dream was about moments where I didn’t feel supported and my issues with trust.

Yesterday during my fast… I reminded myself that no one can take anything from me and then today I read:

“It is neither the Power, the Presence, nor the Law that you lack, if you do lack anything. It is a consciousness, an inner spiritual awareness. This consciousness is a thing of thought and conviction. It is a thing of faith and understanding. No one can give this to your yourself, and if you have it no one can take it away from you. Pg. 110”

“When you turn to the spirit for the solution of your problem, Spirit answers by intuitively knowing, not the problem, but its answer.”~ Ernest Holmes

I AFFIRM:

I know I am capable of achieving what I need and will have everything that I desire~

I remind myself that I've done this many times and will complete everything I begin~

I know that I am completely supported at all times.

I know that spirit answers all of my prayers.

Where I AM ~ God is. I am never alone.

I release all selfishness.

I release all fears.

I am a continuous feeling of love and forgiveness.

“It is being in the world but not of it.” The Infinite Way~

And so it is~

Aché


There are still seats available: Join me for the first  ~ Women of the World Writers Workshop~

This is a FREE writing workshop being offered with the intention of providing a sacred space for women to gather virtually from all over the world to write together.

Have you been carrying a story that is suffocating you... a story that will not let you sleep?

Do you want support in beginning that project unsure of where to begin?

Are you ready to stop procrastinating and take YOU seriously?

Have you started the story but are feeling blocked or paralyzed?

Are you afraid to answer your call?

Workshop will be held on Sunday, October 28, 2012 @ 6:00pm – 10:00pm EST

To register and for more information please email me at: Findingyourforce@gmail.com

http://findingyourforce.blogspot.com/2012/09/women-of-world-writers-workshop.html

 

Day 2: 40 Days~ They can’t take it from me~

Today I am fasting from the idea of worry and feasting on the idea that all is divinely ordered.

“Do you really expect the signs following your belief? You seem to when you pray, you feel you are using the right words, but are you sure that your prayers or affirmations are made with complete acceptance? It is not the form of the treatment which you give, or the prayer which you make, that gives it power. Rather, it is your faith. Pg. 105” ~Ernest Holmes

I am sitting with this idea of uncertainty, worry and doubt. I have been meditating on how my thoughts have been centered around others and what they may be thinking of me.

I am fasting today on this idea… releasing all of it!

I am releasing all uncertainty, worry and doubt. What others think of me is none of my concern and it doesn’t effect me.

I am feasting on the truth that I am deeply loved, appreciated, valued, respected and trusted.

I release all negative ideas that people are sending me energy that does not align with who I am. I release ideas that people are threatened by my power because what I know to be true is that WE are ALL incredibly powerful.

Powerful Women… this is what I am thinking about today… women who have entered and left my life who carry a tremendous amount of power and beauty a power that has created beautiful things together and a power that has separated us.

Yet I know that we are never SEPARATE we are all connected.

Today I fast on insecure thoughts~

I feast on the truth that your gifts are yours, my gifts are mine and no one can take it from me.

We are each here to do something magnificent… and together our power and force is unshakeable and builds beautiful things.

I don’t fear what you have… I don’t fear your greatness… I am standing in my own!

Today I honor the power in YOU while honoring the power in ME!

I AFFIRM:

I release smallness.

I am open to receiving the hugeness and bigness that is ME!

Today I am lifting my vision.

Today I am relaxed and receptive.

Today I am becoming a better listener and hearing the messages that are meant for me.

My faith gives my words power!

I am living in complete expectancy of my deepest desires!

I live and lead my life through the power of love.

And so it is~

Ache

There are still seats available: Join me for the first  ~ Women of the World Writers Workshop~

This is a FREE writing workshop being offered with the intention of providing a sacred space for women to gather virtually from all over the world to write together.

Have you been carrying a story that is suffocating you... a story that will not let you sleep?

Do you want support in beginning that project unsure of where to begin?

Are you ready to stop procrastinating and take YOU seriously?

Have you started the story but are feeling blocked or paralyzed?

Are you afraid to answer your call?

Workshop will be held on Sunday, October 28, 2012 @ 6:00pm – 10:00pm EST

To register and for more information please email me at: Findingyourforce@gmail.com

http://findingyourforce.blogspot.com/2012/09/women-of-world-writers-workshop.html

 

Women Writing the World~ Writers Workshop~

In honor of the beginning of this beautiful fall season I am offering a FREE writing workshop for women.

On Sunday, October 28, 2012 @ 6:00pm – 10:00pm EST

Join me for the first  ~ Women of the World Writers Workshop~

This is a FREE writing workshop being offered with the intention of providing a sacred space for women to gather virtually from all over the world to write together.

Have you been carrying a story that is suffocating you... a story that will not let you sleep?

Do you want support in beginning that project unsure of where to begin?

Are you ready to stop procrastinating and take YOU seriously?

Have you started the story but are feeling blocked or paralyzed?

Are you a closeted writer?

Are you afraid to answer your call?

This is the time.  I will be facilitating a writing workshop for women who are ready to BEGIN… for women who want to WRITE. This is a safe space to share your story and be SUPPORTED on this writer’s journey, which is one that can be incredibly lonely.

You have an important story to tell! You were BORN TO TELL THIS STORY! Don’t waste another day.

See you on Sunday, October 28, 2012

To register and for more information please email: findingyourforce@gmail.com

In your email please include the following:

Your name:

Email:

State/country:

Once you are registered you will receive more details.

About the Workshop Facilitator:

ALICIA ANABEL SANTOS

Alicia Anabel is a proud New York born writer who is passionate about writing works that empower and inspire women to find their voices, speak up and demand that they be respected. She is a Performance Artist, Producer, Playwright, and Activist, who after reading one too many stories about women she could not wholly relate to, decided to write her own tales that would honor women throughout the world.

She recently published her memoir, Finding Your Force: A Journey to Love and is currently completing a historical fiction novel titled, The Daughters of the Revolution. Her one-woman show I WAS BORN was selected as part of the ONE Festival in 2011, held in NYC. She is the Founder of the New York City Latina Writers Group. Alicia has spent the past six years facilitating writer’s workshops.

Alicia has worked for renowned magazines BusinessWeek, Glamour and Domino, but it was an article published in Urban Latino Magazine, "Two Cultures Marching to One Drum," that would change the direction of her life. In 2008, Alicia joined Creador Pictures as Writer /Co-Producer of its first documentary, "Afro Latinos: La Historia Que Nunca Nos Contaron / AfroLatinos: The Untaught Story" WWW.AFROLATINOS.TV, partnering with Renzo Devia, on a project that will change the way the world sees color and race relations in Latin America. Alicia lives in Harlem, NYC with her daughter Courtniana. She works as a freelance writer and activist against sexual and physical abuse towards women and children. She attended New York University and Rhode Island College.

Santos has spoken, performed and held workshops at Stanford University, Yale University, Brown University, Arizona State University, Johnson & Wales University, New York University, SUNY Albany, SUNY Plattsburg, SUNY New Paltz, Bowdoin College, Cornell University, The New School, Pace University, George Mason University, University of North Carolina (Wilmington), Medgar Evers College, Columbia University Teachers College, George Washington University, Haverford College, Five College Pa’Lante Event (Amherst College, UMASS Amherst, Smith College, Hampshire College, and Mount Holyoke College) the LGBT: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center, Brooklyn Book Fair, Nuyorican Poets Café and Bowery Poetry Club.

Keynote address at Syracuse University: Without Limits: A Women’s Movement! (2012)

Conferences: National Dominican Student Conference (2012, 2011, 2011), Fuerza Latina’s 22nd Annual National Latino Collegiate Conference,"El Poder De Ahora: The Dawn of a New Era" (2012).

Voices of Our Nations Arts Foundation (VONA), Completed the Fiction Writing Workshop with Maaza Mengiste, University California, Berkeley (2012).

NYC Latina Writers Group ~ Writing Workshop Facilitator (2006 – present).

Day 1: 40 day fast~ This Thing Called YOU!

I was reminded that today marks the Autumnal Equinox—the beginning of the Fall Season.

We are being called to really listen to the stirring in our souls. We are aching to do something. But we are frozen. The year is coming to an end and we are wondering what significant things have we achieved this year. Have we kept our resolutions? Are we following through on those things we say we want for ourselves? Are we living our most authentic selves? Are we honoring who we are? Are we walking towards our vision? Perhaps some of us are feeling like we haven’t accomplished anything.

I am here to inform you that it is never too late… the New Year does not have to start on January 1st a new day can begin today.

I read something earlier today that made me stop and pay attention. It was around this concept of fasting and detoxification.

I began to think about other terms and processes: reinvention, release work, healing, personal transformation, rebirth and cleansing. I am meditating on the many paths taken on this continuous journey towards transformation and all the ideas around healing and cleansing. There are so many ways to arrive—the point being that we arrive. I have been doing some work around “changing the old story that we tell ourselves.” I am always seeking new ways to Spiritually Cleanse myself. A way that I cleanse spiritually is creating healthy rituals that are a symbolic way of releasing the old story (people and experiences of my past and present) so that I can begin writing the new story.This is how I detox... I write... I release it all on the pages. This is where most of my healing work is done through writing.

We are being called to do some detoxification work and remove toxic substances and people from our lives that are no good for us. We are being called to release the OLD STORY! We are being called to make different choices. We are being called to make a difference! We are being called to find our force! We are being called to live our life’s purpose! It’s about being WILLING to abstain from those things that don’t serve us and let go of those things that do not bring us forward. We are being called to release the negative thoughts and behaviors that are harming us.We are being called to make a new commitment to ourselves. We are being called to live the truth of who we are TODAY!

Fasting is defined as being the act of willingly abstaining from some or all food, drink, or both, for a period of time.

While reading a book titled: This Thing Called YOU by Ernest Holmes, he writes:

“You have been told that you should fast and pray. Perhaps true fasting is a determination no longer to entertain negative thoughts, perhaps it means continually to be affirming the good. The act of physical fasting is merely a symbol of this inward grace. It is good practice to fast, so far as the negative is concerned, and feast on affirmations only. Why not fast from the idea of lack and feast on the idea of abundance. Pg. 97” ~Ernest Holmes

“Your search is after something great enough to lose your littleness in, something within you worthy of immortality and eternal expansion. Pg. 95” ~Ernest Holmes

So as today marks the first day of the arrival of the fall season I am beginning a 40 Day Fast and making a conscious choice to release those things that don’t serve me and I am only allowing in my body those experiences that are for my highest good. Today I am making a new commitment to me, my life, my writing and to all those I serve!

In honor of the beginning of this beautiful fall season I am offering a FREE workshop for women.

On Sunday, October 28, 2012 @ 6:00pm – 10:00pm EST

Join me for the first  ~ Women of the World Writers Workshop~

This is a FREE writing workshop being offered with the intention of providing a sacred space for women to gather virtually from all over the world to write together.

Have you been carrying a story that is suffocating you... a story that will not let you sleep?

Do you want support in beginning that project unsure of where to begin?

Are you ready to stop procrastinating and take YOU seriously?

Have you started the story but are feeling blocked or paralyzed?

Are you a closeted writer?

Are you afraid to answer your call?

This is the time.  I will be facilitating a writing workshop for women who are ready to BEGIN… for women who want to WRITE. This is a safe space to share your story and be SUPPORTED on this writer’s journey, which is one that can be incredibly lonely.

You have an important story to tell! You were BORN TO TELL THIS STORY! Don’t waste another day.

See you on Sunday, October 28, 2012

To register and for more information please email: findingyourforce@gmail.com 

In your email please include the following:

Your name:

Email: 

State/country:

Once you are registered you will receive more details.

About the Workshop Facilitator:

ALICIA ANABEL SANTOS

Alicia Anabel is a proud New York born writer who is passionate about writing works that empower and inspire women to find their voices, speak up and demand that they be respected. She is a Performance Artist, Producer, Playwright, and Activist, who after reading one too many stories about women she could not wholly relate to, decided to write her own tales that would honor women throughout the world.

She recently published her memoir, Finding Your Force: A Journey to Love and is currently completing a historical fiction novel titled, The Daughters of the Revolution. Her one-woman show I WAS BORN was selected as part of the ONE Festival in 2011, held in NYC. She is the Founder of the New York City Latina Writers Group. Alicia has spent the past six years facilitating writer’s workshops.

Alicia has worked for renowned magazines BusinessWeek, Glamour and Domino, but it was an article published in Urban Latino Magazine, "Two Cultures Marching to One Drum," that would change the direction of her life. In 2008, Alicia joined Creador Pictures as Writer /Co-Producer of its first documentary, "Afro Latinos: La Historia Que Nunca Nos Contaron / AfroLatinos: The Untaught Story" WWW.AFROLATINOS.TV, partnering with Renzo Devia, on a project that will change the way the world sees color and race relations in Latin America. Alicia lives in Harlem, NYC with her daughter Courtniana. She works as a freelance writer and activist against sexual and physical abuse towards women and children. She attended New York University and Rhode Island College.

Santos has spoken, performed and held workshops at Stanford University, Yale University, Brown University, Arizona State University, Johnson & Wales University, New York University, SUNY Albany, SUNY Plattsburg, SUNY New Paltz, Bowdoin College, Cornell University, The New School, Pace University, George Mason University, University of North Carolina (Wilmington), Medgar Evers College, Columbia University Teachers College, George Washington University, Haverford College, Five College Pa’Lante Event (Amherst College, UMASS Amherst, Smith College, Hampshire College, and Mount Holyoke College) the LGBT: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center, Brooklyn Book Fair, Nuyorican Poets Café and Bowery Poetry Club.

Keynote address at Syracuse University: Without Limits: A Women’s Movement! (2012)

Conferences: National Dominican Student Conference (2012, 2011, 2011), Fuerza Latina’s 22nd Annual National Latino Collegiate Conference,"El Poder De Ahora: The Dawn of a New Era" (2012).

Voices of Our Nations Arts Foundation (VONA), Completed the Fiction Writing Workshop with Maaza Mengiste, University California, Berkeley (2012).