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).