tumblei:

Which birthday Are You In?

JANUARY=CHATTER
Loves to chat. Loves those who love them. Loves to takes things at the centre. Inner and physical beauty. Lies but doesn’t pretend. Gets angry often. Treats friends importantly. Brave and fearless. Always making friends. Easily hurt but recovers…

So much of what moves people politically is based on fear rather than hope, particularly in communities who repeat the slogan, “Never again will ‘this’ happen.” What they mean is never again to us! I think it has to mean, NEVER AGAIN TO ANYBODY! To take FEAR and use it as a justification for abusing other people’s Human Rights is not only wrong but is itself a violation. It’s like saying, “Because of what happened to us, we have the right to do whatever we want to other people.” Whereas the message should be exactly the opposite. The message should be: Because of what happened to us, we have to make sure that nobody’s Human Rights are EVER violated, regardless of their politics. I AM PASSIONATE ABOUT MAGNIFYING THAT MESSAGE. Passion gives LIFE meaning. If you don’t have Passion, you’re coasting, and this was an issue I simply could not coast by. Reflections, Journey to Balance 

It wasn’t until I was in college that I began to discover that so much of what I had been taught simply wasn’t true. I call it an “unlearning process.” It was meeting new cultures for the first time that led me to change. I became disillusioned with intolerance. It didn’t matter who was practicing it. My goal became to help people shift out of old assumptions and perspectives around what was happening globally, which many didn’t understand why and how it affected them. Reflections, Journey to Balance

Photo: Spain, Age 18 

How can I not see the creator in all living things? How can I not gaze at the future and recognize a liberating path? How can I not move towards a realization that there is an infinite amount of work to do in the community around me? We all serve a larger river, the infinite source from which we come, a Love that renews us simultaneously. Reflections, Journey to Balance 

Photo: Swiss Alps, Age 25

Let us express ourselves freely; express Love; express Power; express Passion. Let us understand that we are all part of a larger creative impulse capable of sparking, spontaneously, a renaissance. Reflections, Journey to Balance  

Photo: Prague, Age 26

I act on an instinctual desire for partnership and accept that sometimes understanding should allow for creative conflict between parties. A global player; I work with image and language, attempting to synthesize many voices and stories into one. Connecting the world will give us the missing colors in our collective palette. I recognize I must first find these colors in myself; thus committing myself to the building resources of our culture. 

I need to express Truth and I am not afraid to peer over the cliff of the unknown because I know this is how clarity comes. This is the truest part of me which paves the way to new perspectives. Reflections. Journey to Balance 

Let us shine from the center of our story. Let us explore the balance of our inner and outer life. Then, let us release to spirit what we cannot balance. Blessings, Maritza (jtb)

This blog serves as a reflection of who I am : An empowered woman , a journalist, a human rights activist, social and political commentator committed to raising the consciousness of our global family regarding issues that affect and unite us all. I believe our true purpose is to be life-giving. My aim is to bring more trust into the world, not more fear. I believe that those who seek power for its own sake will always meet a greater power, which inevitably leads to fear thus losing power. We, as a humanity must understand how to have power without needing to display it. Then the power struggle with others will be replaced by the idea of empowering others. I have a natural instinct to communicate and use my voice to speak publicly as a unifier. As an ACTIVIST concerned with how the media uses information, I counteract propaganda by listening to local voices who not only have a point of view but also represent the values of the community. As a RESEARCHER, I find that the airing out of every level of information is the first step in attaining a philosophical shift. I am committed to speaking from a free place; my heart. I am committed to the future; to the healing of myself and others. My deepest hope is self expression and soul growth. I look to the inheritance from the past to harvest clear lessons and negotiate a path to an enlightened future. ________________________________

You can expect to find personal essays, poetry, quotes, and adages accompanied by beautiful photography and inspirational videos. Occasionally I will reblog that which I feel promotes optimism and serves to inspire and motivate others. You are welcomed to visit my other pages within this blog, to submit questions, topics you would like to be discussed, etc. I believe each of us is born into this life with purpose; each of us is part of and responsible for the greater whole and I encourage you to have your voice heard. Blessings, Maritza

I am in the middle of an open book so what is behind me (my past), brought here (to this moment) and what is ahead? (the future)… I don’t know. I am just present as it feels good Now. So every moment is an opportunity to create as I understand that what I am doing this second will impact my next second and the next..tomorrow. Every breath is important. Every thought is just that, and I can choose to acknowledge what enters my head, my space, or not. It is as simple as closing the book, and setting it down for a moment to ponder… it’s about coming full circle … 360 degrees of inspiration … jtb

LITTLE BITS OF “LIVING IN THE NOW” …

I like going for a walk with my dog. In this hurried existence of plans, goals and to-do lists, we live so much for our tomorrows that in the process we forget our todays. 

Going for a walk out in nature; out in the wooded trails with my dog; feels natural; feels comforting and safe. I listen for the birds. I feel the dry leaves beneath my feet. I look up to notice the rustling of the branches.

I am able to relax and take in all the pleasures of the senses. Suddenly I feel part of it. I feel connected …to the self…to the divine…which then becomes the perfect moment; the present perfect moment ….Reflections, Journey to Balance

HOW MUSIC SAVES ME:

Music has always been my best friend and most empathetic companion. When I am feeling sad, a little depressed, sometimes for no particular reason, not really knowing why; I like to play a sad love song. I’ll play a ballad, perhaps some jazz or blues. Then, as though by magic, I imagine the artist feels my pain, feels compassion for me. 

Other times I feel jubilant and full of hope. I’ll play some classic salsa. Suddenly the world is celebrating with me and I feel a sense of camaraderie.

When I am in a pensive mood or when I need to concentrate on a particular task I turn to classical music. Yes! Beethoven, Vivaldi, all seem to encourage me to think; make me proud of my intellect; a self empowering reminder of how far I’ve come.

Music helps me do my job too. Here’s a question. Do you think music has a role in politics? I do. Coming in contact with different rich and dynamic folkloric dances and music from other cultures helps me put a face to human emotion; helps me seek to understand more; judge a little less.

Yes Music! My friend, my compassionate companion, saying things for me during those times when I can’t….Reflections, Journey to Balance  

I would like to take this opportunity to offer my sincere thanks to those of you who have chosen to follow my blog and extend to me your hand in friendship. This April will mark one year since I started this little experiment as I often refer to it. It has been and continues to be a cathartic experience for me; one of growth; exploration; and self reflection.  

Those of you who know me personally, know that I am a spiritual person who firmly believes in the Law of Attraction; therefore it behooves me to surround myself with positive energy, creative, and open minded individuals who will unknowingly help me in this journey. I will never know if my words of encouragement or advice have reached others in a positive way, but what I do know is that I feel a great sense of relief and of purpose and of rejuvenation every time I use words that heal instead of words that hurt; though I forgive myself for those moments in which I fail; a further reminder of my imperfect nature and thus my humanity.

However,  I want you all to know that THIS IS NOT A ONE WAY STREET. If there is ever something I post to which you disagree, or if there is ever a topic you would approach differently, please let me know. In addition, if there is ever a topic you wish me to discuss, please let me know as well.

Ideally, I would prefer you see my blog as a conversation; as an invitation; to share; to be your unique self; to be a part of the process; a part of the roundtable…this is how I see us…All part of the puzzle; all part of the greater whole; all part of this unique kaleidoscopic experience…

Be Blessed…In Humble Gratitude…Maritza, Journey to Balance  

Day by day, hour by hour, second by second I am figuring out the puzzle of me. What I love. What I hate. What makes me happy. What makes me sad. What makes me strong. What makes me tremble. What my passion is. What my weaknesses are. I’m discovering the parts of me that will make me whole. Page by page, moment by moment, breath by breath, I am creating myself by finding out who I am and who I choose to be. I look forward to spending the rest of my time in this life putting me together, piece by beautiful piece…Live, Laugh, Love…Journey to Balance 

I am in awe of the vast mystery of the Universe and celebrate all forms of life and Divinity. I feel we have just peered through a peep hole in our scientific understanding of all that is. I believe we will never know all of the answers, because Creation is always expanding.

I know the essence of Creation lives in my heart and it fills me with a splendor of richness there are no words for. No one can teach this ; this is only “felt” and I describe that I am in “love affair” with what I can only describe as the Divine.

This love is ALWAYS giving, it seems to get more tender with each moment … I have fallen into forever love with a love that will never leave me. Everyday my love affair with Source/Creator grows, everyday this Source guides me in all that I do … if I but surrender. So I feel EVER BLESSED and I say the words BLESSED BE … for it is my wish for all to feel what I have experienced.

:)

We are experiencing first-hand transformative experiences and situations - those areas of life that we may not care to face, but we must face sooner or later… the so-called ‘inevitables’ of life. I feel that we, as a people are going through somewhat of a catharsis; the getting rid of excess parts of ourselves that we no longer need. We must follow or perform activities where we find ourselves transformed toward a more integral position. We must, as a people, take care of any jointly held resources, because both the problems and their benefits follow us. Globally, and personally, changes will become the routine…the expected…the predictable. Much love to you and yours ♥ Maritza …Journey to Balance