Turn Back Tuesday: Nurturing the Ways of the Goddess

the Goddess Circle

A few years ago or so, I became excited with the idea of really living my feminine energy in balance with my masculine energy.  I'm an information sponge so I naturally took to reading as much as I could in order to understand and practice the ways of bringing forth this balance and living in this powerful energy.  I had already been exposed to what it meant to be in the feminine and what it meant to express my natural Goddess, but I invested more time to educating myself on the subject.  I reference some of my Goddess knowledge, insight and intuition in my recent Earth Day post but also here and here.

Worktastic Wednesday: Where Has Half the Year Gone?

I'm back from my family reunion trip that took place in Arizona. My folks, my sisters and I stayed at Tia D's house and had the best time with my cousins, my other aunt as well as my grandmother!

Yesterday, we landed safely in NYC- home sweet home. Yes, upon arriving and seeing my NY, it was damp, a little dreary, humid,and overcast, but it was home- home is the sweetest!

Now, as I get back on my semi-regular routine (traditional work, academic work and non-traditional work) here in NYC, I am writing this post while on the subway on my way to my research recruiting job. Two thoughts came to mind: Where has half the year gone? And, Why is this random guy pushing on my arm with his body like he has no idea my arm is resting there (part of the charms of NYC life ey!)?

Ok, but more importantly where has half the year gone? Oh, and I know it's not quite half the year yet, but it's very close. I get a little momentary anxiety bubble thinking about this. By the way, deep breathing from the lower belly really helps cure anxiety bubbles!

So, in case you thought the same thing as you looked at the calendar or had an anxiety bubble moment, please make sure to practice those deep breaths and think about 1 or 2 things you have done this year so far that you feel good about! Then think about 1 or 2 things you are looking forward to doing, taking part in, experiencing or accomplishing for the rest of 2012.

I think the anxiety bubble appears (and grows) when I don't remember what I actually have accomplished along the way and then worry about what's left to do. It helps me to remember to give myself credit for the good things that I was able to get done, how excited I am to actively work on my next projects, and to reward myself along the way.

Giving Credit to myself:
I am very proud of myself for having completed the New Latina Renewal project at the start of the year and for regrouping my academic efforts!

Exciting Projects Ahead:
I am super excited about working with the Latina Smart Campaign, working on a very important academic paper, and beginning a business plan with my very bestest bestie, Tita.

Celebrations & Rewards:
I will be celebrating both my Lil sister's birthday on 5/31and a successful completion of the Spring Semester. I will also reward myself at then end of each coming Summer month with a treat as I will be in Summer School of my own making continuing my academic work.

Your turn!

So, almost at the half-way mark of 2012 (remember to breathe through those anxiety bubbles to get to other side), what do you feel good about that you have done? What are you excited about that you have in the works or will be starting? How will you reward yourself?

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Motivational Monday: Knock Out Your To-Do List

How many things do you have on your to-do list today?

I know I have a ton of to-dos! Obviously, I can't do everything. As the saying goes, "Rome was not built in a day." Still, we can get caught up in the slim chance possibility that we can do it all in a 24 hour fixed time frame. Boy, I have made this mistake over and over!

So, on this Motivational Monday, I want to knock some sense into you (and me)! Let's be real and in the process knock out your to-do list!

Knock Out Your To-Do List today means you actually get to cross out all the tasks on the list because they are DONE!

But is that possible? YES!

How?

Mindfulness and action.

1. SIT STILL for at least 5 minutes (I won't accept your automatic response, "I don't have 5 minutes let alone time to sit still doing NOTHING!" You actually do! It's your life! Now, create the space for at least 5 minutes. In this space and time you will RELAX your mind, heart, and body. You will breathe great big breaths and heave them out loudly (or quietly if in a public space). You will simply focus on your BREATH- in and out, in and out, in and out. I like to add a mantra or affirmation to my breath work, like, "breathe in love, breathe out peace" or a variation of something I am re-framing positively given whatever is going on in my personal life. The point of sitting still (and meditating) is to QUIET YOUR MIND. In this space of QUIET, you can ask yourself important questions and actually more clearly provide answers to yourself!

2. ASK YOURSELF: Once you've done some of this quiet time you are ready to ask yourself some questions. What really needs to get done today? How best do I plan the day so that gets done and I feel good about how I spend my day? How do I break down a task that feels overwhelming so that starting doesn't feel too difficult or burdensome (painful, unwanted, threatening, etc)? If I could only do two things today that would allow me to feel good tomorrow if I were to complete them today, what would they be? If I could choose two tasks, one that would feel harder to get done and one that would feel easier to get done what would they be? If I had a top three list of tasks for today instead of the mile long list that I usually write up (of which I only get to complete a fraction- right?), what would these three tasks be?

3. WRITE YOUR TOP 3-5 To-Do's
Once you've really asked yourself some or all of these questions and have answered yourself honestly, you'll be ready to write down your REAL TO-DO list for today. You've actually created a do-able short list that you can feel good about. For me, it looks like this today due to being still, breathing, and from relaxed and clear place really getting to what needs to get done that would a) Move me along and b) help me feel better:
My Short List & how I would have framed it before (there would be more on the list and a lot to panic about- no bueno)
One - Upload Research Protocols vs Submit ALL Documents
Two - Edit Paper vs Complete ALL Edits of Paper
Three - Prepare and send invoice for payment vs ---NOTHING-------- (many times I would not put this on my long list let alone my short one and it would become last or lost, but claiming your money is so important and for me, something I've been embracing slowly but surely).

4. ATTACK YOUR LIST!
Be a warrior about what you have set in motion. Move with confidence through your SHORT LIST knowing you're taking care of exactly what needs to get done. So knock out your to-do list today by sitting still, getting clear, and setting your do-able intentions by writing what really counts versus making more noise (endless list) for yourself and then feeling guilty for not even coming close to getting it done- Actually get it done!

Wishes of powerful Motivation,
Vicky
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Thoughtful Thursday: 7 Lovely Logics

-by Heidi Schwab 

Dreaming Smart and Strong for Success: 5 Things You Must Do To Catch Your Dreams

I have a dream.  You have a dream.  

No matter what it is, the question that comes up is, 

How do I make this dream come true?  

What will it take?  

Life Update on May Day: Activism, Health, Academics, & Dating

May Day 2012

Quickie Recap
Happy May Day!  I am back!  I spent a week cruising from NYC to the Bahamas with my folks and sisters in honor of my mom's 60th birthday!  It was an amazing time.  Now, back home, as usual after a vacation, I am in need of rest as well as in need of moving quickly and effectively on some awesome short term goals!  Waking up this morning, my thoughts went to how proud I am of the Occupy Movement, its endurance, and its strength!  Also, I realized I wouldn't be making the demonstration I have been wanting to go to.  Also, I really can't make some of the social outings I would love to be a part of- something has to give when you have big things to accomplish in a short amount of time.  The problem with having a handful of passions as well as many good friends is that there are lots of places to be and your friends are always up to something and you really want to be with them as much as possible! I am so blessed because I love feeling passionate about something I believe in and have the best friends a girl could ever ask for!  Beyond my besties, I have really good and close friends that I love to spend time with.  Let me not even get started on my family network- endless cousins!  Anyhoo, I have 15 Days before I take off for Arizona (the state of backwards legislation, but it houses some of my beautiful family) and tons to do!  I have doctors to see, blog posts to write, a research job to do, and academic papers to write... ay ay ay!! Time to FOCUS, wouldn't you say!