Yoga, Meditation and Me

“When you listen to yourself, everything comes naturally. It comes from inside, like a kind of will to do something. Try to be sensitive. That is yoga.” 
― Petri Räisänen

It's 5am on a Saturday morning and all I hear is literally the tick tock of a very old clock on the wall above my patio door. This blog post is two weeks late and that makes my Type A, neurotic self want to burst(into a neat and organized pile of matter I can control of course). This feeling is only exacerbated by the fact that I haven't slept all night and that the acid reflux burning through my chest, up throat and into my ears is my own fault because no one forced me to eat pizza and drink coffee.

But like I said, the clock on the wall ticks away. This post is two weeks late. And yet, despite my desire to want to spontaneously combust, I am at peace. Crazy how both of those feelings can exist simultaneously within me now. And I credit that to yoga and meditation.

For the last few months I've gone on and on about how I'm changing my lifestyle. Redefining my "normal." Setting and sticking to my "non-negotiables." And finding a realistic balance. I've changed the food that I eat, the time that I rest, and how much and how often I work and pray(meditate). I've attempted to control what I can, so that when everything else around me spins out of control, I don't completely lose it.

Einstein said that "insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." I had to stop doing the same things hoping to "get better" or I was going to end up back in a hospital, of the mental institution kind.

After many months of slowly removing the bad and incorporating the good, I came to the final chapter of my "transformation/rebirth" saga: consistent yoga and meditative practice.

Now, many will cringe when you say those two words and feel like it's some new aged hippified trend made popular by the likes of that unnecessary lady who wrote Eat, Pray Love, Oprah and other Hollywood stars. But the truth is that true, honest, and meaningful yoga and meditation really does have the power to change your life. Why? Because it can change and teach you how to control your mind. If you can control your thoughts, and bring peace to your life (at any venture) then you have experienced true freedom.

I decided on yoga and meditation because it is unattached to religion. (At least in my practice) I did not want to have my Catholic guilt interfering with my connection to my higher self, and though I still read passages from the Bible to give me hope and inspiration, it is easier and more beneficial for me to find that same comfort from within.

It's taken me many months to finally make yoga and meditation a habit but over the last two weeks I have had several "aha" moments that solidify it all for me.

1. While sitting in a yoga class (with a very awesome and bubbly teacher/quite the opposite of what you'd expect in a yoga class) I realized that yoga was more than just a good workout with mental and physical health benefits. Yoga is a philosophy. A way of life. When people think of yoga teachers and "yogis" they think of chilled out "zen" and hippified individuals. But the truth is, that's not the case. Yoga teachers and avid yogis have problems just like the rest of us, but they have learned to be in the chaos and trauma of their daily lives and find stillness. (This is something my yoga teacher told me in the very first class we had together, and it didn't hit me until 4months later) It's like those commercials where someone stands in the middle of a busy street and all you see is the blur all around them and they're moving in slow motion, only in yoga, you're completely still. I now know that no matter what life throws at me, I WILL be ok. (I was very unsure of this in the past)

"Let the light within shine through the darkness that surrounds you."- Rhia R., Yoga Teacher(paraphrased)

2. My second "aha" moment came when I did two things by instinct without making excuses or trying to convince myself into it. One morning last week I woke up, sat up in bed and just instinctually started meditating. It wasn't even until about ten minutes into it that I realized what I had done (breaking the meditative state BUT...) it was an awesome moment. The other moment happened when I realized that I didn't "feel" right because I hadn't practiced yoga in a few days. I noticed a HUGE difference in my joints, muscles and even energy levels. When I started to analyze why I felt this "strange" (and it wasn't pain that I felt, just different) I realized it was because I hadn't practiced in a few days. So, I simply put out my mat and practiced for about 20min. It completely changed my mood and my body.

3. The last epiphany I had, was while watching TV with the hubs. There was some random movie on that was not a comedy. Hell, it wasn't even a drama. It just was. (One of those talky talky indie films) But while watching it, I found myself involuntarily smiling. It wasn't like a full on cheesy smile, just a soft easy one. This is NOT a usual "face" for me, so after only a few seconds of this I realized what I was doing but couldn't stop. My type A self took another moment to analyze the situation and decided that this MUST be my inner peace expressing itself. I know it sounds hokey, but people, if you know me, you know I don't smile "just because." I make A LOT of contorted faces, smiling is rarely one of them. I knew then that this stillness and peace was coming from somewhere deeper and I was happy to embrace it.

I am not trying to "push" yoga or meditation. It is my perception of how to achieve a more balanced life and each person has to find that for themselves. But I will say, for those people who have often told me that they "can't" do yoga (too unfit or whatever) or that they can't sit still for meditation, you are wrong. You have to find the right kind of yoga. The right kind of meditation. And by "right" I mean what works for you and your body. I practice Yin Yoga and Restorative Yoga (until I'm ready for something faster) because they are both slower practices that focus on healing the parts of my body that I know need healing. And when I meditate, I lay or sit in a position that is comfortable and let all my bodily twitches just happen because I have to learn to let go of control of those things. (Live in the chaos, be in stillness)

We show our love to the ones we love by listening to them. Considering their needs and doing what we can to fulfill those needs. Like the quote above says, yoga is about listening to your body. Why not stop for a moment and listen to what your body is telling you and give yourself the love you deserve?

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The clock is still ticking violently. The sun still hasn't come up. My husband is still asleep. And I know that it's going to be a long, busy day where I may get cranky because I haven't slept. Despite this, I am happy, because if THIS is as chaotic as it's going to get, then I have so much to be thankful for. (And that is what yoga can do)


(Disclaimer: I am not a yoga teacher/master etc. I have a lot to learn and understand. This is just the beginning of the journey for me and this is what I've learned so far, I just hope to share what I know and dispel preconceived notions of what it means to practice yoga and meditation) 

Keeping Up with the New Girl: SVU

“So, please, oh please, we beg, we pray, go throw your TV set away, and in its place you can install, a lovely bookcase on the wall.” 
― Roald Dahl

Living with a chronic illness that flares up unpredictably and at times with a vengeance means you can count on doing one thing: watching A LOT of TV. Sure, you can "attempt" to read, but usually one is too distracted by the pain or has to sit/lay in awkward positions in order to stifle the pain/discomfort, rendering reading impossible.

So, to keep from going insane, you invest in NetFlix, Xbox Movies, HBO, Showtime and 200+ satellite network channels. Which means, you succumb yourself at times to the trashiest most mind numbing and mundane crap that gets broadcast all to escape from your own unbearable reality.

The last two weeks I've experienced a couple of flares that have left me bed/couch-ridden for most of the day and I've come to realize Lupe and I have what it takes to have our own TV show, reality, fiction or otherwise.  Of the nonsense that gets televised, only about 10% of it is actually worth watching, 70% is inane, trivial BS that makes money, and the other 20% is religious or infomercial based. I've realized that all you need to get viewers is a slightly unrealistic blend of  high-stakes, fabricated drama with a touch of obnoxious or 7th grade humor.

Lupe and I have all of that- and then some.

1. Like Guilana and Bill, Lupe and I would like to have kids but keep hitting roadblocks in our journey. I, like Guiliana have had health problems, been sent to the ER multiple times and advocate for others who have been through what I have been through. Lupe, like Bill, is a public speaker/motivator and overall awesome hubby who supports me and my shenanigans at all costs.

2. Like Jess from New Girl, I make up songs about EVERYTHING. Especially when I'm happy. And I like to speak in a British accent that no one can understand and that Lupe hates. Both she and I are teachers, and though I don't share an apartment with a bunch of dudes, I always hang out with Lupe's friends who are often very much like those guys on the show.

3. Lupe and his friends often sound like the nerds from Big Bang Theory. (Enough said)

4. Lupe and I let our dog Whiskey lick our faces like Ice and Coco. I also have crazy ideas and projects like Coco that could make for good entertainment. Like attempting to make gluten-free pizza crust (epic fail). Or deciding to go to a water park where all I can actually physically do is go on the lazy river because I can't climb all the stairs to go down the water slides. (womp womp)

5. Like SVU- we've often heard gun shots outside our window. (true story)

6. Like the infamous YouTube videos: Shit Girls Say, most of my sentences to Lupe begin with- "Honey can you do me a favor?"

7. Like any other happy married couple we bicker and fight about every unimportant thing under the sun: putting the toilet paper on the roll, washing the dishes, leaving clothes in the living room, earrings on the floor, walking/feeding/bathing the dog, directions, the weather, what's for dinner and hygiene. Add to that a couple hours a day of me being a quite hilariously drug-induced haze, stressful often dramatic and/or tear jerking and inspiring hospital visits, and two sets of cute parents that are overtly Mexican and Dominican and you've got hit show.

As you can see we have a an amazing array of dramatic and comedic experiences and moments that would make for what the general population considers entertaining TV. All we need now are a few cameras set up in random locations, a couple dozen sponsors and a makeup-artist or two to make us attractive to the general public. We are likeable, interesting and best of all I'm pretty sure we'd be the first Hispanic couple to have their own reality TV show. I mean c'mon a Dominican and a Mexican in ONE show?! We'd appeal to the massess!

But, since there aren't any producers knocking on our door, and because I don't really trust anyone else with my life story, I think we'll both stick to writing our stories for now. Because at least in our writing, we're the ones doing the editing and not anyone else.

You Had Me At Hello

Drop the last year into the silent limbo of the past. Let it go, for it was imperfect, and thank God that it can go. - Brooks Atkinson


As I'm sure you noticed, I have been on a mini vacation the last couple of weeks. With the holiday season upon us (now coming to a close) I became very busy with arduous tasks such as shopping, cleaning, traveling, cooking etc. It all left me very tired and with little to no mental energy for writing.

I am back this week, however just to wish you all a very Happy Holiday season and a blissful New Year. The last few months I have shared what this year has been like for me, so I do not feel the need to reopen old wounds. If you've kept up with my blog or with me on a personal basis, you know all too well what my ups and downs have been this year and now, I am just happy to see them all go.

I want to say goodbye to the good because if the good stuff happens again I want it to feel like the first time so I can enjoy it naively, innocently with joy, awe and wonder.

I want to say goodbye to the bad because, well it was bad and I want to forget the pain, the tears and the sorrow. Not what I learned from it, but just how much it hurt.

I want to say goodbye to the ugly because I know that there is so much beauty in the world and I refuse to let the ugly control or define me.

In 2013 I hope to say hello to many things including:

In 2013 I want to say hello to a new job: Learning Strategies and Development Specialist with the Jesuit Virtual Learning Academy. I start Jan 7th! However, I understand that it will require learning new things and being very patient with myself, but I am ready for the challenge.

In 2013 I want to say hello to new friends and old friends whose lives are changing drastically. Know that I want to be there for you even though your uphill battle will not be an easy one.

In 2013 I want to say hello to better health, with the understanding that on a daily basis the definition of "better health" will change, and accepting that that's ok.

In 2013 I want to say hello to new experiences and forgotten, unfulfilled dreams.

Finally, I want to say hello to 2013 without the foolish expectation that it will be any better than any other year. I am thankful and blessed to simply say: "Hello."

Do You Hear What I Hear?

We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature - trees, flowers, grass- grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence... We need silence to be able to touch souls. 
Mother Teresa 

I have been accused of being an "over sharer." And truth be told, I plead guilty. My constant Facebook status updates, my weekly (very personal) blog, and my incessant word vomit during every day conversations confirms this accusation. At first I was offended by this label, but the more I thought about the more I accepted and embraced it. 

You see, in my mind, the only way I can be a true advocate for myself, my disease(s) and those who suffer on a daily basis like I do, is to be an "over sharer." The way I see it, since the media isn't shoving it in people's faces like they do everything else, then I have to. My pain, my reality, my normal aren't going to go away just because you stop listening.  

However, I also recently discovered the power of silence. Sometimes in our lives we need to share less and listen more. This doesn't mean that I will stop blogging, or writing my memoir or even posting updates. It simply means that I am more aware of how much I share and how often. I am slowly learning that a good listener can be just as influential as a good speaker. 

There are two areas in my life where I have decided to speak less and embrace the silence: My personal life and my prayer life. 

My Personal Life: 

The realization that perhaps I need to shut-up more often came to me while having dinner with a few friends. I knew one of the girls I was dining with and she brought her sister to meet me. Her sister also has Lupus. We all wanted to get together to chat and share our experiences in order to feel connected, validated and like we weren't alone in this hellish battle. However, by the end of the night, I realized that while they both now knew my whole life story, I knew almost nothing of theirs. I had chatted almost the whole night and had rarely paused to ask any questions. I thought to myself: "Did I share too much?" "Do they even care how many pills I take?" "Why did I even mention the miscarriage?" "Why was she so quiet when I asked about her symptoms?" "Am I the crazy one for talking so freely about my illness?" 

This is not the first time this has happened to me. I have met with other young women who are diagnosed with one auto-immune disease or another and I always share more than they do. In my head I have rationalized this by believing that not everyone is as comfortable with their illness as I am. Not everyone is ready to air out their dirty laundry like I am. And that if I just keep talking about all the terrible times I've been through they'll think I'm strong. They'll think I'm a survivor. 

But the truth is, if I'd just taken even 30 seconds to close my mouth and listen I might have learned something. I might have truly made a connection with these ladies instead of simply trying to gain their approval. 

As important as it is to me to share my story with others, I need to not forget that their stories are just as important. Just as meaningful and inspiring. I've realized that I will probably impact more lives if I spend more time listening to their stories rather than sharing my own.

My Prayer Life: 

In my meditation practice and in my prayers I have also found that I am doing way too much "blah blah blah." In my head, all my words, thoughts, prayers etc are so loud and redundant. I ask God for things, I talk myself through my meditation practice and repeat my mantra over and over and yet I still feel a lack of peace in my life. I still feel like I'm missing a true connection with God. 

To remedy this situation, I came to the conclusion that I need to do less talking to God and more listening. Both in prayer and in meditation. Perhaps He's been trying to tell me things and I've just been too busy chatting away to hear Him. I need to embrace and accept the silence within me in order to hear God's and the Universe's words. I need to stop asking for health and wealth. I need to stop divulging all my fears and concerns. God knows all of these things already. He knows the desires of my heart. So, instead of talk talk talk talking my way to peace and prosperity, I will simply be thankful for what I do have, and wait silently for the rest. 

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Sometimes I share too much because I don't want people to forget what I'm going through. Sometimes I share too much because I'm nervous or anxious and I want to hear comforting words. Sometimes I share too much because I fear that being silent would mean I have given up. 

But I've learned that with silence comes strength. The strength to listen without judgement or prejudice. The strength to carefully distinguish between what needs to be spoken and what can be left unsaid. The strength to let go and be still. 

"Side Street" Spouses

A long marriage is two people trying to dance a duet and two solos at the same time.  ~Anne Taylor Fleming 

“Her mind traveled crooked streets and aimless goat paths, arriving sometimes at profundity, other times at the revelations of a three-year-old." 

-Toni Morrison 

As I drove my overly-medicated self to the Dr.'s office last Thursday, I found myself taking back roads and side streets to get there. I chose this because I did not trust myself on the freeway. For some reason my meds decided to kick my ass that day and I was not feeling particularly alert or energetic enough to brave the Houston freeway. I felt lethargic all morning, my face had acquired the numbness of a cold winter's day (it was 78 degrees outside), and my head was swimming. All I had been able to do that morning was stare at the wall and zone out or sleep. 

So, of course, the responsible adult in me decided to take side streets half way across town. Which fortunately, in Houston, is quite easy to do. You really don't need to get on a freeway to get anywhere...except perhaps Humble...but I've never been out that far so I wouldn't know.  

As I drove through each stoplight and pothole (the main disadvantages of taking side streets in this town) I realized that I wouldn't know half of those roads were it not for my husband Lupe. He is notorious for taking side streets wherever we go, And I say "notorious" because HE does it at the most inconvenient times, like when we're in a rush to go see a movie. Or when we're already late to meet friends for dinner. He says it's because he's avoiding traffic and it's "faster." I used to argue with him about his "it's faster" defense, but I have found that I'm better off keeping my mouth shut and avoiding a raise in my blood pressure. Besides, it's better to get there late rather than never. 

Although, I am usually annoyed by his "side street" route taking, I found that I was uber thankful for this habit of his on Thursday. Because without him and his frustrating habit, I would not have made it to my Dr.'s appointment on my own.  

While at the doctor's office I thought about how the side streets we often forget to take are like the spouses/partners of those of us who live with chronic illness/pain. (Of course I think these things, I'm a writer) Those of us who are ill are the major freeway, always hustling and bustling. So much going on with pills, prescriptions, appointments, allergens, pain, progress etc. etc. Our spouses/partners (if they are good to us) take care of us, support us and love us despite it all. They celebrate our pain free days with us, and comfort us during our darkest nights. 

BUT, after all is said and done, what about them? We must not forget that they too have goals, dreams, heartache and hopes for their own future. That they too accomplish so much on an every day basis and it is our responsibility as a spouse/partner to celebrate those accomplishments in whatever way we can. We cannot risk losing our marriages/relationships because it all becomes about us all the time. 

For example, Lupe is an accomplished writer and a great teacher. On his best days he is getting published or being asked to read at a local University, or coffee shop. I do my best to celebrate these successes by attending the reading or baking his favorite dessert. If I don't have the energy to do either of those I send a simple congratulatory note on Facebook or via text. It's not much but he knows I'm listening and I care. 

On his worst days, he feels like a failed teacher or an incompetent writer and sulks by playing video games or fishing for compliments. So, I give him compliments, don't complain about the endless hours of Left for Dead game playing and again I bake something just for him. I give him hugs despite my self-proclaimed claustrophobia and strong aversion to hugs. (Because sometimes he squeezes too hard and my tender muscles ache and hurt when he does that) 

On his great days and horrible days I try to not bring up Scleroderma, or the side-effects or anything about me. I realize, during those times that the chronic illness freeway is closed and our marriage MUST take a detour on the side street of his life/his needs in order to survive. 

In my mind, I hear the GPS lady saying "recalculating...recalculating" and I know what I have to do.  

I change our usual route and head straight for the back roads and side streets,  and in the end I am always happy that I did.