As a follow up to my last post, I have recently been seeking out a yoga studio to offer a message to others that they are welcome, worthy, and enough, and that they can do more than they dream possible. I have been searching for a place to offer a yoga practice that is inclusive, open, and supports those who could use a little extra care in their time of need, and I believe I have found that place with Twisted Pretzel Yoga. From the moment I was introduced to Maria through a mutual friend, I felt at ease and knew that I was in the presence of a good human. She is one of those people who is filled with integrity and a deep sense of care for others, and a personal responsibility to spread this care through the way she lives her life. I am happy to know her, and thrilled to be collaborating to offer my first teaching experience to support survivors with Thrive ICT and in a Yoga for Healing and Wellness Camp environment. In keeping with my own commitment to personal growth and integrity, I know that I will be able to share a yoga practice that encourages others to reach to the outer limits of their comfort zones, while remaining in the inner limits of one's safety zone, as this is how I practice daily as well. I am thankful for the opportunity to share in the beautiful dance that is seeking the mind, body, and spirit connection and to be able to do so with empathy, respect, and humility. I am passionate about eventually being able to invite survivors of domestic violence to join my yoga practice in Cochabamba, Bolivia, and am excited to give the opportunity to survivors locally to experience the same care and love for self until I am physically present in Bolivia once more.
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I have added a couple more mentors to my list of references and resources in my journey towards opening a domestic violence shelter in Cochabamba, Bolivia, and I am blessed to consider Rob Simon among this mix of genuine individuals who humbly give of their time to support me. Rob is inspirational, an individual whose personal mission is to “ignite within all of us the desire and the power to live a fruitful life.” I met Rob because of his work in dating violence awareness and prevention, using theatre as a unique and creative medium to speak to teens on a peer-to-peer level about a challenging topic. For more information on Rob, including his company Positive Rhythm Productions, you may visit his website here. I was gifted with Rob's advice recently, when he shared this competing priorities analogy with me: Your priorities are like drivers of a car on a road trip. You start out the trip with one driver, and your values have to be in alignment with that driver and their current position in your life. Then, at some point in the journey, another priority says, "It is my turn to drive," or as I personally like to think of it, "Pick me, pick me!" When that happens, you have to allow that priority to take center stage, and that priority has control over your ambitions and what gives meaning to your life at that point in time. Only one priority can be in charge at a time, and that priority is the one to which you are giving your focus and that is receiving the true benefit of your presence. Rob also shared an awareness meditation with me, which can be a helpful tool in the developing of your current priorities, per below: Awareness - what is in my awareness? Love - what would love do about it? Creativity - how can my creativity help me do what love requires? Communication - how does all of this inform my communication to myself and others? Often, when we are stuck in life, it is because we are not listening to our intuition, but to the overstimulation of everything around us. Rob's suggestion helps us to refocus our attention to where we really want to be and to what matters most in the moment. Finally, let's address the idea of selfishness in this world. Isn't it selfish to dedicate so much time and attention to ourselves? One of the gems that I took away and hold most dear from my formation program with Franciscan Mission Service is this: you can't take care of anyone else until you take care of yourself. If we do not love ourselves, how can we love anyone else? If we do not take proper care of our bodies, minds, and spirits, how do we expect ourselves to have enough time and energy to take care of others? Thank you to Rob Simon, and all of my mentors, for reminding us to live in the present and cherish each and every moment, so that we may give of the best version of ourselves when it matters most to help one other in this journey called life! Today my Thank You Thursday post goes out to Dr. Ernesto Fidel Gamboa Cruz. He has been working with me to find a cure to my stomach woes since the beginning of August. What happened? Well, first I got amoebas. Nothing new or unusual for missioners in Bolivia, as I lasted seven months without stomach issues and this in itself was a feat to be admired. But why do people in Bolivia suffer from stomach issues? Simple, really. No access to clean water. For this reason, all water must be boiled before drinking or use in cooking foods. Sounds pretty basic, right? Wrong! Not only does the CDC, and any other scary websites one might read about contractable diseases in other countries, encourage you to boil water 10-20 minutes before use, but also there are other things to worry about. For example, if you are eating somewhere and receive a plate, cup, or silverware that hasn't been dried, there is a good likelihood that you could be exposed to parasites or amoebas. In addition, eating any fruits or vegetables that do not have a hard shell, or especially eating lettuce which is hard to clean, is suggested to be avoided. And what do you have to do with fruits or vegetables that do contain hard shells? Peel them before eating or cooking them, which takes additional time as well. Actually, all fruits and vegetables are encouraged to be cooked in boiling water (for 10-20 minutes) before eating. A lot to think about, right? Unfortunately, this is not where the rubber meets the road. Not only do a small percentage of people have access to clean water, but "according to the Ministry of Water and Environment, sanitation services are available for 47% of the population (54% in urban areas, 37% in rural areas). Moreover, 2008 ENDSA results show that in 6% of these homes in rural areas, water recollection is the responsibility of school-age children, preventing them from attending school or involvement in recreational activities." Now back to my amoebas. I got them twice in several weeks. And what happens when you take antibiotics? Side effects that are sometimes equal to the cause of the problem. So along with my amoebas, I was dealing with other not-so-fun issues. And where am I now? With so much bacteria in my small intestines that the doctor (and others consulted) suspects that I have small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. What does this mean? That along with having a stomach that casi never unbloats, I get to follow a strict diet for two weeks that consists of foods that are intended to starve the bacteria of their normal meals. It is easier to tell you what I can eat than what I can't: certain fruits, certain vegetables, and a certain amount of protein. What foods do I have to avoid? Gluten, corn, rice, potatoes, and milk (including cheese), which pretty much sums up the entire Bolivian diet. In addition, I need to avoid soy, any foods with almidon (starch), and any foods with added sugar (think sweets) or any other additives (think preservatives). It also means that I am restricted to only foods that I buy and cook myself, adding a lot of time and energy to my daily routine. What is the good news in all of these? Besides eating a very healthy diet (although it is hard to eat enough), I go back to the doctor on Thursday to find out the next recommendation. Please say prayers for me that the road to recovery is not long, but please say more prayers for the people of Bolivia who suffer through these kinds of illnesses untreated because of lack of resources on a daily basis. Today I would like to thank my housemate and friend, Hady. Although we spent 13 weeks in Franciscan Mission Service's formation program sharing a wall, I have really gotten the opportunity to know Hady better over the past several months that we have shared living space in Cochabamba, Bolivia. It is here where I have come to appreciate Hady's care for her family and friends, from near in our city, to far in places like New York, California, and Minnesota. Hady is always first to post updates on Facebook, to tag friends in pictures, and to check in with friends and loved ones all over the globe. Her generosity goes without saying, but for those of you who do not know her, let me tell you anyway. Hady goes out of her way to write a card of thanks, give a thoughtful gift, or share her food with friends and with people she meets on the street alike. She sends birthday cards and postcards, as well as creations of recycled plastic bags and goodies from her ministry site, to those who are celebrating special occasions. In this way, she is sharing a part of her world with her new companeras y companeros with those who have been in her life from the different places she is happy to call home. But I would be remiss if I did not share more of Hady's personality with you, because it is such an integral part of explaining who she is. Hady is a tried and true, proud New Yorker, and if anyone has anything negative to say about her state, she will defend it til the death. She is also quick-witted, fast-talking, full of life, and does not let a disagreement last more than a day. She makes strong connections, and even stronger relationships. She looks each challenge straight in the face, and dares it to defy her. She has the self-confidence of a tiger, and she fervently reverences the Virgin Mary. She prays hard, works hard, and lives life to the fullest. Thank you, Hady, for being an example of a strong woman and an honest Christian believer! I look forward to our future adventures, and can't wait to see you knock whatever potential curve balls life continues to through us here out of the park! Today I would like to honor my friend Elena. She is one of the kindest, most open people I know. From the first moment we met, she was inviting me over to her apartment for a meal, and has since been a very present part of my life. She constantly reaches out to talk, share food and drinks, and spend time together. Elena has been there for me during difficult times, and is always there to listen to the good and the bad. When I had a surgery, Elena stayed overnight at my apartment to make sure I was okay and tend to my needs. She values friendship, family, and the bonds that tie us together. What I love about my time with Elena is that we are always bound to have deep conversations about real issues. She does not stray away from touchy topics, but neither does she negatively judge others for their situations. At the heart of the matter, Elena realizes that we are all human and that we are bound to make mistakes, but that we need each other to navigate the ebbs and flows that life brings. Elena is also a positive person. She may not believe it, but she always greets friends and family enthusiastically and with a genuine interest in finding out how life is treating you. She likes to explore new things, and is always up for a party or simply lounging by the pool after a long day at work. She is always looking for the joy in life, and for this reason her positive nature is contagious! Since I have been in Bolivia, I have been especially appreciative to have Elena in my life. She helps me navigate the experience of moving to a new country by sharing her life experience and the wisdom in her perspective. Whenever I have a new challenge with the transition, I know she will tell me that it is normal and share an anecdote of her own to make me feel better. Thank you, Elena, for being a great friend and for always being up for sharing your time and thoughts, no matter the distance! There are so many more people to thank, and today I would like honor my friend, Erica. She has a heart so big it could fit the whole world, which is partly why she is willing to do things like have movie nights from the US to Bolivia, and support all of her friends when they are in need. Erica never has a bad word to say about anyone, and she has a real knack for seeing the best in people. She is also ready to have fun at the drop of a hat, and considers hanging out with you, no matter what you are doing, as fun. We met through a mutual friend, Ciana, when we were both in her wedding, and we have been close ever since. Of course, Erica doesn't know a stranger, so it would be hard not to be friends with her. Even though she is at times too humble to know it, her friends number the stars, and this is also because she will drop everything to be at a friend's side and shed tears alongside them when necessary. Not only all this, but she also is perceptive enough to see things that others do not. When everyone else may look at something in a certain way, she gets that things can be different, and knows just what to say to shine light on a difficult situation. Erica is not afraid to wear her heart on her sleeve, which is why she is able to be kind to strangers and an attentive friend to her loved ones. But I would be remiss if I forgot to mention one of my favorite things about Erica - she lives every day to the fullest. I am sure that she would be ok with me sharing with you that it is because when she was very young, she was in a serious car accident. She realized at that time that life is short, and you have to value every second. Thank you, Erica, for your example, and for the gift of your friendship in my life! Today my thank you goes out to Joe Loney, who is also known as "Jose" in Bolivia, and is the American attorney who helped walk us through the arduous path that eventually led to a Bolivian carnet! What is a carnet, you ask? For those of you who have been fortunate not to have to walk this path, a carnet is a "get out of jail free" pass for those of us whose 30 day visas expired...let's just say some time before the carnet was a mere light at the end of the tunnel. If this still makes no sense, check out the picture on the left :). What it means is that we became regulars at Interpol, the police station, and more governmental offices that we can count after having a full medical check-up including x-rays, dental exam, drug test, and being fingerprinted so many times that our fingers may as well have been endlessly purple. We made trips to notary offices, the Archbishop's office, and pleaded our way through each new document that was requested in a language that we did not understand very well. We signed our names to countless forms, that for all we knew, could have been promising our first born child and that we would only eat ice cream on Tuesdays. We showed up, nodded and kept our heads down, and only asked questions in the most humble of demeanor and when absolutely necessary. We said "muchas gracias" after being told the fifth time that we had to get yet another document and come back to the same office. We begged nuns at the convent and asked for children to testify as our Bolivian witnesses. We asked Jeff, fellow FMS missioner, to accompany us when he could very well have had amoebas, and we shamelessly asked him to show up at more places and make more copies of his documents. Finally, we made multiple visits to different banks to deposit required fees that could not be accepted in government offices because no money could change hands there. And through all of this, who was right by our side guiding us and saying, "yes, I understand, thank you very much" right along with us? None other than Joe Loney, who is a practicing attorney with a busy schedule and a family of his own to boot. Thank you Joe, for your constant patience with us and the entire visa process! Food for thought: The next time you see a foreigner in the US who is having difficulty with the visa process, please remember that he/she is trying to tackle a daunting process in "lawyer speak" in a language that he/she may not understand, and that a little patience goes a long way! There are many people in this world whom I would like to thank, and today I would like to honor my grammy. She blesses me with her presence, her laughter, and her love. I know that whenever I call her, I am going to be greeted warmly, and that no matter what is going on in her day, she still truly cares to find out how I am doing. There are many strong women in my family, and she exemplifies the strength that I would like to embody. True strength comes with compassion and a heart for service, and this is shown in the way she selflessly gives her time to her church, as well as the time she shares with The Lord's Diner. From her family, to her extended family, to her friends and all who come into contact with her, I know that they will too be blessed by her presence. She is quick to play with her grandkids, and only has a nice word to say for everyone. When I am in the kitchen and have a doubt about anything from the temperature of the oven to what a recipe means, she answers my questions with patience and without making me feel like I should throw in the towel :)! Although she appears in many ways like a "normal grandma," she has a lot of spunk and used to be a pro at riding horses bareback - why would you waste time with a saddle when you have a perfectly good horse and the wind in your hair? My grandpa used to say that she is always out and about, because she couldn't sit still when there is a world out there to be explored. In this way, I guess we are the same. I love you, Grammy! |
AuthorValerie Ellis, who is in alignment with the Black Lives Matter Movement and everyone whose life is impacted, now or before, by times of social injustice. Archives
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