Above all..... choose to live with INTEGRITY

"Whatever values you hold dear—whether it’s kindness, gentleness, calmness, or honesty—live it. Be it, even if the people around you don’t seem to value the same things; especially if the people around you don’t seem to value those things. That might be the very reason you came into their lives."

Looking at this pic, it makes me think about that thought.

Wanted to share this with you.. If u know me by now, I'm quite the "ponderer".

Our wonderful receptionist comes to my office and tells me I have a "visitor" --It was a busy day at work and I was not sure who it was" she proceed to let the "visitor" in... A sweet woman (one of our patients) walks in carrying this big green beautiful plant and a gift box in hand.. Enters my office and says:"I'm sooo sorry" me>>> shocked at this point thinking that she got the wrong person... 

She proceeds:" I am very sorry, I was so Rude to you yesterday and I went home and kept thinking about you and how unfair I was to you with the way I treated you.. , and even though I was out of line, I was impressed of how calm and collected you were and I could not sleep"

Me:>> at this point remember about the situation, but  really after the incident yesterday I didn't think too much of it and went about my normal duties.. --

So I said:" Oh my Gosh! Everything is fine, don't worry about it, I didn't think to much of it"

She goes:" No I'm embarrassed and I'm very sorry.. Is this your office?! ... Here I got you this ( referring to the plant) I hope you like it in your office" and handed me the gift box..

I gave her a big HUG and told her she didn't needed to do all that and She said :" I know but I wanted to, I appreciate your kindness" 

I thanked her and she got teary eyed and told me how hard of a week/month she have had. 

And so you know, when she was gone I felt joy in my heart.. her thoughtfulness and gesture. she did not needed to do it, but she did anyway! We are all human, we all have "our bad days" but even though we have bad days too, we can all choose to live with integrity above all! She encouraged me today and I hope you Be encouraged too! 

 Especially when we live in a time that media only shows the bad and negative.. But forget to add emphasis in the many many many moments that a lot of us CHOOSE to keep our Humanity! 

Pretty amazing if I say so myself! 

"Being human is given. But keeping our humanity is a CHOICE" 

#ThatIsAll 

Much Love!

""The eyes are the windows to the Soul"

So a good friend send this to me early this afternoon..... :-) 

Thank you Dre'! You are soooo talented, thank you for "enhancing me" ;-) hehe!! I really Love it! And it really inspired me...!!!! Xoxoxo! 

Now, everyone don't be fooled about all the filter and the editing involved! ;-) 

But it does like something that could be from a magazine...(when I get there, I for sure be calling you Dre') Lol! 

Now, in all seriousness, I let that quote Sinked IN for a minute! 

And then I wondered, how and what do people really see through my "windows" ... It made me wondered, do they see a perfect life, do they see happiness, do they see suffering, pain, Joy?!!! Strength?! 

And I often get emails, messages and calls of amazing people that tell me that I at some point have inspired them, and they lifted me up...... But I still wondered what do they really see?!

And so I decided to invite you through the "windows" of my last 2 days. (Only the last 2days, believe me there is so much more going on but I'm only sharing those last 2)!

My son woke up yesterday morning coughing in the verge of asthma (it's very mild and only gets it seasonal occasionally) 

So, I dropped my daughter, took my son to the office (thankful for my job and boss) and worked part of the morning making sure I finished some job responsibilities and then headed home to take care of my son... Making sure I did everything I could to make him feel better and healthier. Picked up my daughter and it seemed she was coughing too. Took care of them (the usual) put them to bed and started to get everything ready for the next day. 

Woke up today, son was feeling better (Hallelujah) and my daughter well was feeling better too.

Then before I left work, it started  to rain..(hear me out here, I know that there is snow in some places, I get it) but I picked up the kids and headed home... Knowing that I had to go to the grocery store to get a few things, but because I have 2 sick children did not wanted to expose them to the bad weather. Got home and fed them homemade soup, give them baths and realized that I have to go to the grocery store after all because I Really needed to get water among other things...

And so at this point, I can feel the little voice inside of me starting to say, "I can't believe I'm on own and have to do this" ... I try to ignore it and I just put on my big girl's panties and out the door I go...  

It was pouring outside and had to really maneuver so that the kids did not get wet, and all I needed was about 7 essential items! 

Got my groceries and loaded kids, trunk with the groceries and headed back home... On my way home, inside of me I was really having a pity party... Tears started to roll down my cheeks as I started to questioned God in my head...:"Why?! Why everything I have to do feels 5 times harder!? Why?!!... How long does He expects me to keep doing this on my own... How long?!" Then more tears started to roll down my face, because I don't want to be ungrateful... I'm glad I have a job, money to buy those groceries and car that runs well to take me here and there.... But I get Weary too!!! And I Dare NOT get Sick!! I simply Can't.....Yes, this so called "Super Woman" gets weary too. And with tears in my eyes, got home, took the kids inside first under the umbrella and then headed outside on the rain with no umbrella because I need both hands to carry groceries including a Big case of water... And right there when I was about to lose it.... 

A thought came to me about one of the staff members that works with me--nice lady called Stephanie--

And I remembered how this morning when I got to work, she came to my office, told me to get up and gave me a tight BIG HUG and held me for about 40 seconds....Followed by her sweet words:" I am Sooooo Happy YOU are HERE" it felt as she was not  meaning only at work but here In Existence. <3

And you know those words Carried me through the rest of the night and got me Out of the pity party I was about to embark... Lol!

Now, please don't take pity on me... I realized that there is actually a very GREAT percentage of single mothers out there that are having a REALLY tough time... It was not easy for me to be in the place I am today, but I'm glad, that I keep my life somewhat "together". And every single sacrifice that I have had to do and continue to do, it is all WORTH IT!!! Nothing compares to the Joy one can feel!

I want to encourage you today to really look at your "windows" what does your soul say?!

Whatever it is... Acknowledge it, all of it is important...a very good friend reminded me this week that Healing comes from letting enough room in your soul to be angry, happy, enough room for grief, for relief, for misery and for JOY! 

So Be encourage, just the same way I am... And never forget that there is always someone, somewhere that is having a Tougher time than us!!!!

-Thank You Leisa- <3

And to my Single Mommas out there... I'm sending you a BIG HUG and I want you to know that I am sooooo HAPPY You Are HERE... I am very glad of your Existence!! Keep pushing forward!!!!

 

Thank you Dre' for your inspiration today!!! Xoxo! 

Muah! Besos!! 

Sooo...

This Diva is Checking OUT!! 

#Peace #ThatIsAll #OffMyChest

#singleMotherREALChronichles 

#divachronichles #keepPushing #itsgoingToBeOK #Beencouraged

www.giveherwings.com

http://giveherwings.com

#TroubledHeart

Heartbroken...... We are so used to know this word out of a complete negative impact. Pain, disappointments, betrayal. 

I have been there and One feel such an excruciating pain. Your heart inside that chest pocket.....Same place but completely shattered to pieces. Feeling as if you can't even breath anymore, not knowing how to put the pieces back together, how to heal.

But then your heart heals and it feels good to be able to have the courage to be vulnerable again.... To Love! 

Now, how about a different side of heartbrokenness...... How about been heartbroken in the most wonderful and beautiful way you can ever imagine. Having someone in Your life that would do anything to be with you... that someone that 

, WHEN YOU KNOW THAT YOU KNOW....Yet, circumstances of Life, Distance, makes it close to impossible to follow your heart and give it a try....

The irony of it all!

 

Yet.... Caring and loving enough to wish nothing but the very best for you.... To be willing to continue in your life even if it is from the "side lines"....An act of unselfishness that only a "Heart of Gold" would do. A true act of Love. You don't come across many of those in a lifetime.

A moment like this that will challenge your mind/soul and makes you think....:"Should I conform myself to the cards dealt to me from life?!" Am I able to live with the "What if"?! Am I really willing to let Life circumstances DICTATE my future?! 

One thing I know for sure though, years ago I decided that I would never ever again would allow myself to live trapped on limitations. I promised myself I would Have the courage to listen and honor my heart and follow the desires within my heart. To honor myself on that decision.., to always Dare to go BEYOND MY LIMITS."

Yet, I also remember saying to myself years ago too..... "Lord, I want your ways to become my ways"

**Holding ON to His promises****......."Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me." -John 14:1-

**I** Believe! 

#DroppingUpTheMic #ThatIsAll 

#offMyDivaBox #ConfessionsofAHeart #AlwaysKeepingItReal 

How Can It Be?!

Today at church I was reminded of this truth:

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" Romans 5:8

While we are still sinners, He loves us. We are all imperfect and we can Never measure up to His Love, yet He still Loves us. You and me just as we are. We all go through different forms of temptations, we struggle with thoughts of shame and... guilt. And even though is refreshing to hear this same truth, deep inside of us, we still question....How can it be?! Oh, Jesus, How can it be when at some point we all been guilty?! How can it be when our "dirty" bodies and souls, will never measure up to your Holiness? How can it be that you will love me like this?!
We struggle with this truth and we doubt ourselves that there is no way possible we will be able to be "clean enough", to be "perfect" enough to follow Him and receive His promises into our lives. We hide all of this inside of us and we tell to ourselves that we will wait until we are good enough to turn our face to Him. Yet, we forget that there is no way possible of us doing all of this in our own strength and power.
What about the message of His Grace?! Yes, what about Grace?!
A message that remind us that He Breaks our CHAINS, in Him we can overcome, He gave His life so we can be FREE!
You see We are all the same, but what set some of us apart is that we had make the decision to follow Him with our shameful "baggage" and place it in His hands knowing that we are still guilty, ashamed of what we have done, but trusting that we will continue to overcome. We still struggle but we wake up every morning with the choice of turning back to Him and try ONE MORE TIME... We never STOP TRYING, we NEVER GIVE UP!

And as I write this message to you in "Social platform" I asked of of you to Never put me up on a pedestal, never perceive me or my life as something so "perfect" and "unattainable " because it is NOT! I carry the same struggles within me as you do. I wake up sometimes ashamed of thoughts, behaviors, old habits. I feel sometimes Tired of following a path that feels as if is not taking me anywhere, to then be reminded of this same truth, then I shake myself up, get back up and try it one more time. To be reminded that I was made for a purpose and therefore I should never Give Up! We are all in this constant battle together and I am here today to remind You that yes YOU are Good Enough especially in the place you are in your life. I am here to remind you that YOU DO NOT Need to MEET God where He is at.... That's nearly Impossible, But I Promise you if you let go, He will MEET YOU RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE!!!
I pray that He will shake your heart, I pray that He will cover your life with His perfect love and that He will give you a glimpse of the perfect purpose He has set for you.

I hope you are encourage in Him today,
As always Much Love from this Diva's heart to yours,
Muah!
Besos! Happy Sunday!
#DivaontheLoose #chekingout

My $15 Christmas Tree (There is Potential in Everything)

"The kind of light I am talking about can’t be measured on a spectrum; it’s the kind of light that guides from within, the same as that found on earth at Christmastime."

I Just put up my Christmas Tree with the kiddos today.... Yes, I know 3 days until Christmas :-/ A little late than usual this year, but the joy a heart feels while decorating it remains the same. 

This year, I had to get a new Christmas tree as my super thick, beautiful, super tall, already lighted  Christmas Tree of 8 years (which it felt part of the family) lol! Broke off last year. And so this year, I went shopping for one. Yes, as you can imagine, I was determined to find one either very close to the one I had or BETTER!!!! Lol! 

I went around a few times last month, saw a few "potentials" but I really could not stomach spending $300 for a Christmas Tree. Not after the lessons learned this past years, NOT after my trip to Africa and what my eyes were able to see....Then, I realized..... I'm CHANGED, Different..... I'm MARKED by Life experiences, by journeys, by past sorrows. What kind of meaning does a Life marked by trials have if you don't apply your lessons to the future? What kind of value does your opportunities have if you don't learn to appreciate them, if you don't apply the wisdom given on those unique experiences?! NONE... Right?.... So, I went home empty handed, no Christmas Tree inside my trunk, feeling "defeated" because I didn't take advantage of a good "sale" 

Then, a few days later, one of my cousins called me.... He found a Christmas tree for a "whooping" $15.00. He told me:" Well, is not super big, and it's probably not thick, but $15 Prima you can eat that at Mcdonalds"( haha) you can get it and then if you find another one then no big deal"

So, I said yes! Bought lights for a few bucks and just finished decorating it! And you know, I'm so glad that I decided to "work" with this Christmas Tree... While putting it together, It "Lighted up" a few places in my soul and I'm pretty sure it open up some "light" in the hearts of my little ones. 

And Here is why........

The first comment out of my sweet Little E's mouth with a horrified face after seeing the size of the tree box was: " O....m...g!!! MOM our Christmas Tree is soooooo LITTLE :-O    LOL! I'm laughing now, but let me just say, I was NOT laughing then.

I told him: "You know what son?! It doesn't need to be the BEST kind to be beautiful, you should be grateful that you have one and I will show you how amazing this is going to look. "

And to myself I said at that moment...:" Challenged accepted" LOL! 

Now, I'm going to be honest, I had little faith for the poor little "skinny tree" but I was determined to make it work, even for myself. But It was until I started adding the LIGHTS that I got "inspired" I started to see how parts of the Tree were getting a new Life, so of course my little pondering self started thinking how the same way LIGHT changes us, it gives us new life. When we find His light it brightens up even our most darkest places and that same LIGHT breaths in a New Life in us. We can spread that same light unto others. 

Then right at that moment I felt God whispering to me...:" Even the smallest things can be BEAUTIFUL, if you know where to find the Light!" Wow!  POWERFUL, isn't it?!

Many times we find ourselves in a dark place brought up to us by disappointments, failures, bad choices, habits and we forget to realize that we all carry the same light but yet we keep ourselves in that dark tunnel waiting for a signal, a flashlight..... A sparkle. And in the midsts of all that we forget to look closely at what is in front of us, no matter how insignificant it may seem, no matter how "hideous" it may look, if we shift our attitude and utilize our light in the midst of all that.....EVERYTHING in FRONT of us has POTENTIAL even if is a MOUNTAIN, a challenge! 

Recognize the Potential of everything in your life. ;-) 

Now, back to the story...... You know what my son said when we were almost done with the tree???! 

This time his face lit up, sparkles on his eyes and dimples on his face:" Mommy, WOw.... I cannot believe how Good and beautiful our Christmas Tree looks, is so amazing !!!... Who knew it could look like this!!!" 

And you know what I told him: " You know Ez, let's this be a lesson to you  . Does it really matter to have the Best of the bEst...?! No! What's the purpose of having a BIG HOUSE, Big tree, and everything we want and not have any Happiness in our hearts..... What's the purpose of having everything in the world that we would want and yet we feel BROKEN inside?!... I much rather not have everything I want as long as my heart is full of peace, love and happiness. I much rather not have all the things I wish I could have, but be surrounded by the love of those dear to me... That's what's important!"

And guess what?! He looked at me, Smiled and gave me a BIG HUG and said:" Yes, you are right...and Thank you for our beautiful Christmas Tree" !!!!!!!!!!

Friends, May you be reminded this season the importance of seeing the Potential in everything. May you be reminded to NOTICE what's right in front of your eyes. Sometimes your blessing might not come the way you EXPECT but it is right there in front of you, don't waste the opportunity. May you be reminded that sometimes what you have in mind is not the same with what God has in mind for your life... And I don't know about you but I know that EVERYTHING that comes from The Lord, is not just GREAT but amazingly PERFECT!! 

Cherish the season!!!

Much Love,

Muah! 

<3 Besos <3

This Woman is ME!

I have been asked by a good friend of mine Karlo Gomez to Join the Sunday Morning View Movement. Which is to upload a picture embracing yourself with an inspirational quote every Sunday.

Spreading Inspiration of woman of all sizes, shape, color, background while drinking tea/coffee. It is an amazing thing to come up with something like this to Uplift one another, to EMPOWER women. 

So here is mine for this week!! 

#SundayMorningView  

"This Woman

Has fought a thousand battles 

And is still standing.

Has cried a thousand tears 

And is still smiling.

Has been Broken, Betrayed, Abandoned, Rejected, 

But she still Walks Proud. 

Laughs loud, lives WITHOUT fear, 

LOVES without Doubt.

This woman is Beautiful.

This woman is HUMBLE. 

This woman, 

is ME!"

 

This quote is totally Me, it describes EXACTLY just the way I feel.

To my beautiful ladies out there in the #SundayMorningView  And out there....

We all have this woman inside, we have been broken, betrayed, abandoned, rejected. 

May you find today strength within all of your struggles, challenges and disappointments. And May you find today the Courage to not only look at yourself in the mirrow, but to also BELIEVE, that the woman in the mirror still has the POWER to LOVE, to SMILE. May You recognize that woman is Beautiful, HUMBLE and that Indeed, that woman is YOU!!!!! 

Muah! 

Much LOve from this Diva on the Loose!! 

Why do I always call myself a Diva????>>>>>

Divine

Inspiration 

  for a 

Victorious

Attitude

On the Loose???!!! <<<< because I am set FREE, I have Freedom to choose and build the kind of LIFE I am intended to LIVE!! 

BoOM! 

#handleit #divawisdom #divaempire #divainspiration #divaontheloose #curlyhair 

#Embrace #Upload and #Follow @sundaymorningview  

@karlogomez  and @mariegomez313 BESOS!!! Tons of Besos!! Miss you always!!

May We Never Forget One another

Tonight, I wept. Not because of me this time, but I wept because there is so many people hurting quietly out there. I wept for the quiet soul that pretends to smile during the day. For the couple SCREAMING at each other at the unit right on top of mine at night. I wept for those who lose someone they love by suicide. I wept for the struggle and the pain that some have to go through on a daily basis. 

Life as beautiful as it can be, it is so HARD! The pain is REAL, challenges are REAL, weariness is REAL. And most of us have forgotten to be present in each other's lives. We have forgotten to Reach out, we have lost the courage to love on friends and those around us. We have learn to hide our fears, pain and our own reality in social media. 

And so my heart wept tonight for YOU, for all of US. 

I pray that God will continue to fill us with His unique strength and LOVE. I pray that We do not try to search for UNDERSTANDING  but to search for his TRUST! 

May you please go out tomorrow and look someone straight in the eye and say "Good Morning" with a smile on your face. May you please acknowledge someone you don't know and wish them a good day. May you just hug someone today, just because you are happy that all of us are still Alive. 

Each day we get is a new opportunity to pour our hearts into the living world.... May you please make each day COUNT??!!! :-D

May we NEVER forget ONE Another. 

Much Love to you my friends, from this Diva on The Loose....

Besos!! Muah!! 

#divacheckingout

Photo: from 5 weeks ago #Africa #missionarytrip @ Mbare Village #Rwanda