My Recent Trip To Cuba

Earlier this year I set the intention to travel to Cuba again. I traveled there for the first time in 2006 on my own for 6 weeks to see it through my eyes and understand it for myself. My parents, both born and raised in Cuba yet met and married in Puerto Rico left their country at different times but for the same reason, to leave a dictatorship that took away their democratic way of life. They each suffered in various ways, my mom watched her father’s business taken away from him and then forced to work within his own shop as a state employee. My father saw many of his friends, including his brother arrested for protesting their civil liberties then each one leave the country.

Growing up in Miami I heard numerous stories of devastation and sadness about a country they loved that was taken over by a man they grew to hate which led to disgust for Cuba. However, I wanted to learn about the people, the food, and the music that I grew up with in my bi-cultural home.  Traveling in Cuba for the first time was an amazing and enriching experience. I vowed to return.

So, this year I stated it was time. I reached out to people and other resources but found it challenging so I turned it over to Spirit. Then in October, my birthday month, I received an email from a colleague announcing a fundraiser for an upcoming trip to Cuba. I almost fell off my chair. I immediately reached out to the organization to apply and was approved within a day.

 Within two weeks I was able to raise over $1100 out of $1500 which covered my flight, lodging, and food while in Cuba. I also used monetary donations to take over 50 pounds of much needed supplies. From October 25-30 I volunteered with Cuba One, a non-profit founded by Cuban Americans, and numerous others to assist Cubans with donations of toiletries, bedding, over-the-counter medicine, and much more as they focused on recuperating from Hurricane Irma, a category 5 hurricane that battered many small communities along the coast.

Being in Cuba and helping however I could was moving and inspiring. Yet, the hope and dedication the communities had of coming together to help one another was incredible. It shows how in spite of any crisis situation the human spirit is stronger and can overcome anything. Spending those days in Cuba with a group of other like-minded individuals was one of the best birthday gifts I’ve ever received and I’m thankful to all those who helped me make it possible.

CubaOne representatives will continue to provide support and material to the Cubans after this trip. They’ll be returning in a few months to view the work we did and continue projects we started. If you can continue to assist with a monetary donation, which is tax deductible, rest assured the money will go straight to the communities that have been affected by the hurricane. Donate now by clicking here.

Explaining OTC meds to an elderly woman

Ophelia with her new bed and sheets, her bed was moldy and house almost collapsed

Helping rebuild a community center in Bolivia

Thank you for being a part of my expanding family.

Love and light,

Paty, La Mariposa, Hernández

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Cruisin’ with the family!

For the most part of this summer, except for a couple of weekend trips I have stayed focused in Miami so I could spend time building my business, be with my family, and enjoying my new apartment. Since moving into my new space I’ve actually felt more rooted, happier, and focused.

As much as I love traveling, I’m learning how to find a balance between it and staying settled. Part of my business plan is to travel because I love the idea of being somewhere new and getting away from my everyday routine, even if it’s just for a night or two.

What do you do to get away from routine?

Somehow August is turning into a traveling month and I’m so excited about the different trips. First I’ll be traveling with my family for a week long cruise to the West Caribbean. We’ll be visiting Mexico, Honduras, and Belize. Then I’ll be traveling with another friend to the mountains of South Carolina as I’ve been dreaming about being in the mountains for a few months now. The purpose of our weekend trip is to see the eclipse.

Finally, the last weekend of August I’ll be spending with a group of enlightened people who are seeking personal growth through Passionate Manifestation, the 2nd empowerment phase of Essence of Being, a 3 day workshop about bringing more abundance into one’s life. I have already taken this workshop and will be volunteering to staff. Yet even through volunteering one receives as one gives. This workshop is happening at the perfect time for me because I’m definitely coming into more abundance yet also facing many fears surrounding it.

My preferred way of cruising

What was your summer highlight?

Point of this newsletter is not to boast about my upcoming trips but to share that vacations or getaways I believe are a necessary part of self-care, especially if you have a family. That being said, it’s also important to find opportunities for getaways or even staycations without the kids for even one night to ensure you rekindle your romance with your partner or have time for yourself if you’re single.

If the thought of this being selfish comes up then I encourage you to dismiss it immediately. It’s not selfish, it’s soulfish, as my colleague Michelle Alva states. She’ll be speaking more about this at our free event on August 27 in Miami. For those who won’t be available, join us on Mariposas Holistic Healing Facebook Live on August 27 at 5:30pm.

Remember, before you were a mother/father/Employee, etc. you were you with your own passions and dreams. So take some time to enjoy yourself, enjoy this life, and take a trip however that means for you without guilt or judgement. Release the guilt of always having to be together because honestly that’s not healthy either. The kids need time away from you as you need from them. It’s about practicing independency for when they do finally leave home.

If thoughts of guilt rise up then schedule a complimentary session with me and let’s discuss it so we can release it. Click here for my online schedule.

PS: People in Miami check out my upcoming Reiki 1 and 2 classes. For those outside of Miami let’s discuss how you can receive Reiki through my Reiki Love On program.

Love and light,

Paty, La Mariposa, Hernández

The 4 agreements!

I remember coming across the Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz while visiting my sister during her healing journey 8 years ago. I recall how I sat on her couch and read through the book that teaches how following these 4 agreements will release you from endless suffering.

I also remember at first thinking, yeah right, but then over time as I stepped more into my spiritual awakening I found these to be true. Throughout the years these agreements got lost in my quest for more information yet it was time for a reminder. The universe, I believe, put these agreements, rather this image, back on my path as a reminder to focus only on what I can control, which are my thoughts and actions.

Do you believe the universe (God) puts people and ideas in our path?

Once I saw this image, I knew it was a reminder to be more present as I assess who I am and where I want to go. To ensure I kept it in plain site, I immediately printed it out and hung it on my wall where I could see it every day. I’m happy to note that I’ve done very well in my self-empowerment progress of not taking things personally. Granted there are still times that someone can cut me to the bone with their words yet I’m more aware of my reaction and the pain doesn’t last as long.

The agreement I’m currently working on is about being impeccable with my word, being authentic. As a healer and counselor, I’m very much aware of what I say and to whom. Most importantly though it’s about how I’m showing up. For example, when I offer suggestions or recommendations they are of resources and techniques that have worked for me at some point or other in my life.

Authenticity is about being honest and not portraying someone I’m not. When I teach Reiki, I share my truth that my self-Reiki daily practice may only be a few minutes of practicing the Reiki principles and 1 or 2 hand positions or it can be a full session that lasts 10-15 minutes.

So now, I pass these on to you, my tribe, as a reminder that self awareness is a daily practice towards self-empowerment. Transformation is a lifelong journey and when you have learned your lesson, then it’s time for you to transition. Harsh, but true! What’s important is finding a spiritual practice that causes you to look within and above for assurance you’re on the right path.

What spiritual practice do you incorporate on a daily basis that helps you stay present?

If you’re struggling with finding a spiritual practice or techniques to assist you in being more present, then I invite you to a complimentary discovery session. With over 17 years of experiencing listening to thousands of people expressing their stressors, I’ve been able to identify at least one technique that can be of support regardless of your situation.

Enjoy your life and every minute you’ve been given because today is a gift as tomorrow is not guaranteed. Take a moment today and choose a time to speak with me by phone so we can discuss your struggles with spiritual practice. Click here and find the time that works for you.

Feel free to reply to these emails as I’d love to hear from you. Pass this email along to someone who may benefit from it as we all need love everyday!

Thank you for being a part of my expanding family.

Paty, La Mariposa

PS. Within a few months I’ll be releasing a 21 day Reiki Refresher course via a private Facebook group. Stay tuned for more information or respond to this email

Balance your Chakras Tip of the Day

Date: Every Wednesday Location: Our Wheels of Life Facebook page Time: 9:00 AM (EST) Cost: FREE https://www.facebook.com/groups/810509645717345/

5 tips to help you focus better!

“Focusing is a challenge for me!”

 

“I’ve been told I have ADD.”

“I get distracted easily.”

“I can’t focus and it’s stressing me out.”

Do any of these ring a bell for you? 

Have you stated one or more of these statements?

Honestly, I can say that focusing has always been a challenge for me yet it wasn’t until recently that I really understood why for me and my clients, especially as this issue has been mentioned by many them as a main stressor for them.

In order to help myself and my clients, I set out to research why we struggle with focusing. I have found that there are numerous reasons for our inability to concentrate which range from brain and hormonal imbalances and physical and mental health issues. Within my research I found a condensed article form Healthline that I’ve included by clicking here that discusses 24 reasons why we can’t concentrate.

A few of these reasons, such as anxiety, insomnia, adjustment disorders, depression, migraines, PTSD, and stress are ones my clients specifically struggle over which then impacts other areas of their lives. However, another one not mentioned here is boredom.

If any of those stressors, even boredom, are reasons you have identified for why you can’t concentrate then I want to share a few tips that I have learned to improve focus.

5 Focusing Tips

1st tip: Maintain a regular and consistent sleep schedule. Identify how much time you really need to wake up feeling refreshed and ready for your day, 6-8 hours.

2nd tip: Eat a colorful array of foods; especially blueberries, fresh caught fish, organic produce as much as possible or speak to your holistic professional for a mind enhancing supplement. (Check out Whole Detox for more information, click here)

3rd tip: Incorporate at least 5 minutes of meditation/mindfulness practice a day. Here’s a 1 minute meditation that you can use to bring your mind back into focus.

4th tip: Find your reason why you are doing the work that you so you feel more motivated to do the most challenging and boring tasks.

5th tip: Block schedule the tasks you don’t like and balance them with ones you do.

Block scheduling? What’s that?

For those who don’t know what block scheduling is, this is a tip that has been helping me to really stay focused (still a work in progress). To put it simply, each day you assign specific tasks and times for you to work on those items that you struggle with. Let’s say you know your most productive time is in the morning, so schedule the most time-sensitive or most challenging activities at this time.

For example, I block at least 2 hours a month towards bookkeeping, not my favorite task but one that needs to get done. I recently created a calendar, titled block calendar, with a different color within my google calendar in which I identify the tasks I know I need to do each week. Then once I complete the task, such as bookkeeping, I celebrate with a predetermined reward, perhaps taking myself out to eat, calling a friend, taking myself out somewhere fun, visiting my godson and niece or ending my work day early and laying in my hammock watching a comedy or reading a book.

It’s still a work in progress in regards to staying focused on tasks that are a bore to me yet I’m determined to ensure that I have fun and continue to create the life that I love.

Speaking of the life that I love, I want to welcome a new group of Reiki 1 and 2 students that I had the honor of teaching last weekend in the Gables Optimal Health workshop room where I see clients. They are a reminder of why I want to continue finding support for my challenges which I know you, my tribe, also struggle with.

Eric, Susan, Priscilla, Yvette, Daniela, and Alexandra

Reiki 2: Vanessa, Lina, and Mimi

So, to recap, if focusing is an issue for you, first begin by understanding the reason why. Is it a hormone deficiency, lack of nutrients, or boredom?

If you’re unsure I’d love to help you identify which one so let’s start with a complimentary stress release session which you can book by clicking here.

Then get organized at the beginning of your work week or day by identifying the tasks you need to accomplish, both fun and not so fun. Prioritize them and then schedule them within your calendar by blocking specific times that you can dedicate to that task.

Finally, reward yourself after you accomplish the most challenging and boring tasks. This can range from time on social media, to shopping, texting, going out for a walk, etc. Remember though put this in time increments too because if not you can get “lost” or spend too much time on other activities.

I hope this was helpful. Please respond and let me know what your favorite tip was or any ahas you received from this. Pass this along to someone who may benefit from it as we all need love everyday!

Thank you for being a part of my expanding family.

Paty, La Mariposa

PS. Remember to join me for a Facebook Live every Wednesday morning (or when you can) at Our Wheels of Life Facebook page for a stress less tip of the day.

Mindfulness with Syrian Refugees!

Last Saturday, July 8, I had the pleasure of collaborating with Elizabeth, one of my Reiki students and Lai Fan an acupuncturist I met recently to offer mindfulness techniques to 3 Syrian families. Although we met only for an hour or so, everyone left feeling so happy and grateful to have shared in this beautiful experience.

It all began when Elizabeth asked if I would be interested in putting together a mindfulness class for Syrian refugees that were living in South Florida. The families are supported by Gulf Coast Jewish Family & Community Services for Trauma. Of course I said yes, because I had been itching to volunteer for sometime and thought it would be an interesting experience. The event was titled, Mommy and Me Mindfulness event as it was geared for moms and children. It would be the first of its kind to be held through this organization in South Florida and hopefully not the last.

Elizabeth and I chose mindfulness activities that could be easily explained with few words because we expected that the women would speak little English and weren’t sure if we would have an interpreter. One of the activities was to have Lai Fan put seeds in a specific ear point which promotes stress release. Apart from myself and Lai Fan, no one had any idea about ear acupressure. If you haven’t experienced this I highly encourage you to try, especially since seeds are used and not needles. Plus, you can keep the seeds in place for up to 2 days so you can self-soothe and then take the bandaid off.

We decided to have Lai Fan put the seeds on myself and Elizabeth first so everyone could see how the experience was. She then went around the room to put the seeds on the others. Everyone, except two kids said yes.

Lai Fan and Elizabeth

Fortunately, Lai Fan’s husband spoke Arabic and so he was our unofficial interpreter which we were so grateful for, especially the Syrian women. We began the class with an icebreaker I learned while serving in the Peace Corps, called Move like this. The idea is that each person says their name and creates a movement, then everyone repeats it. It’s a great way to begin any class with laughter and silliness. Then we dove into the mindfulness practice.

As we only had an hour we chose 5 mindfulness techniques which we also reviewed at the end of the class.

1. Ear acupressure
2. Deep belly breathing (expand your belly as you inhale and suck in with exhale)
3. Inner Ease Technique
4. Mindful Eating
5. Connecting to your body with tapping on specific acupoints

Of the 5 techniques most said they will practice the deep breathing and mindful eating tips.

Teaching inner ease technique

The highlight of this day was being able to collaborate and share simple techniques to assist others who are feeling stressed, which after all is my life’s mission. Going across borders, we offered an afternoon of engagement, education, and a chance to try something new. We all left feeling fulfilled and content This was a fun opportunity and experience to share with people on a beautiful Saturday afternoon.

Volunteering your time in any capacity is an opportunity to give to others without expectation. It truly warms the heart and builds upon community.

Have you had an opportunity to volunteer this summer? If so, please share with me as I’d love to hear from you.

Pass this blogs along to someone who may benefit from it as we all need love everyday!

Thank you for being a part of my expanding family.

Paty, La Mariposa

PS, Remember to join Our Wheels of Life, Fun in July Challenge

Celebrate your independence

Can you believe it? We are now more than half way through 2017! If you haven’t yet, go ahead and take a few moments now or schedule some time to reflect on your intentions for when you began the year and where you are now. Don’t complicate it, simply think about what you stated and where you are now.

Have you accomplished what you set out to do? Or are you still feeling as though you’re gasping for air?

I’ll be honest, I’m not a big fan of new year goals, but I do make it a point of creating a theme for the year. For 2017 it’s “limitless abundance” and reflecting back I feel that I’m doing very well as my business is growing, I’ve been offered a part-time position within social work, I’ve moved into my own apartment, my physical health is great, and I’m dedicated to doing the best that I can.

As we move forward into July and approach Independence Day let’s focus on gratitude for what we do have, the freedoms, the abundance, the family, the opportunities, etc. Yes, it’s not perfect, however, when we focus on what we do have that’s going well then it begins to dim what we are struggling with. Afterall light does outshine darkness. It’s also about continuing to take imperfect action. If you don’t like something or someone, what are you doing about it? Complaining or taking action?

All seriousness aside, this July I want to put some fun back into the summer with a Fun in July Challenge 2017 (#funinjuly2017) which will happen within Our Wheels of Life Facebook group. The challenge is for each day you do something fun and post it, either via video or picture in the group. I created this challenge as a push for me to ensure that I have more fun and to be creative. So I double dog dare you to join me and have more fun as we embrace our inner child’s silliness.

Feel free to reply to this blog as I’d love to hear from you. Pass this blog along to someone who may benefit from it as we all need love everyday!

My purpose is to empower you on your healing journey and my mission is to offer you health-related insights, practical tips, inspiration and stories that will support you in living balanced towards a happy and healthy life as you embrace your joy and purpose.

Thank you for being a part of my expanding family.

Paty, La Mariposa

5 Lessons I Learned From Living With Papi

Just the other day I heard someone groan, “Oh, I sound just like my mother/father.” Have you uttered these words before? This is a fear many of us have yet it’s important to really take an honest look at what it is we fear. Within my life I’ve heard this time and time again and I believe it’s fair to say that most if not all have mommy/daddy issues that cause them to struggle within their personal relationships. Granted our parents (or lack of) greatly impacted our lives as we grew up, especially if we held certain expectations of them or compared them to other parents. Honestly, I used to say the same thing until life circumstances and personal choices brought me back to living with Papi, my dad the man I had emotionally struggled with for many years. So, those daddy issues I had were about to be faced head on and it was my responsibility to identify the tools and resources so I could move forward.

As the youngest child of 3 I tethered most to Papi during my childhood, always feeling as though I was daddy’s little girl. I would always envision us spending time together and craved his attention whenever he was home from a business trip.  Yet that dream was shattered when the childhood home I grew up in was taken by the bank due to a bad business investment my parents took part in. For years I resented and blamed Papi for losing my home (never occurred to me to inquire how he felt about it) and then how he focused more on work than being with his family.

I didn’t realize then that my expectations of my dad and how I wanted him to be clouded my vision of what was reality. I knew in many ways I was very much like my dad, and was also told by others how similar we were in looks. For years, I would become upset whenever someone mentioned our similarities until I decided to look more closely at what characteristics we shared. Since 2014 I have been living with my dad which has been both a blessing and a challenge yet one I appreciate now every day for the lessons I have learned. Just this month I took the next step to move out on my own as we are both more emotionally and physically stable within our personal lives.

As I celebrate Father’s Day I am grateful for the opportunity the universe offered me and to learn how to accept him just as he is. I’ve taken 5 top lessons I’ve learned from Papi, which once drove me crazy yet now I realize how much they have positively influenced me. Most importantly though, the challenges I have faced while living with him from his sometimes egotistical behavior to his negative attitude towards life have encouraged me to focus more on compassion then frustration. After all, being annoyed with him for how he looks and experiences life is my problem and he has chosen how he wants to live his life even if I can’t always understand it.

I thank him for being one of my teachers in life and am so grateful that he’s still with us today. I love him unconditionally even though I don’t always like or appreciate his actions or words.

5 lessons learned from Papi

1) It’s okay to talk to strangers: For as long as I could remember, I always saw my dad striking a conversation with just about anyone. We could be in the line at the airport, grocery store or eating a meal and he would begin to speak about anything and everything. He was so engaging with everyone. So naturally it was a skill I adapted to as I’ve always engaged with children and adults while traveling, waiting in line or just out and about. I’ve met amazing people by talking about the weather or comment on whatever they had in their hands. Simple conversations sometimes led to long lasting friendships. As a primarily solo traveler it’s been these conversations that have enhanced my trips and encouraged me to withdraw out of my sometimes introverted shell.

2) Delegate: I would always get so annoyed (sometimes still do) with my dad when he would call upon anyone (sometimes various times a day) in our family to help him even with the most simplest tasks. Seriously, I would think to myself as I pounded a nail into the wall or fixed something around the house, why couldn’t you just do it. Recently I learned that he would even pay the neighborhood kids to teach us how to ride our bikes during our childhood. Now instead of getting annoyed I actually marvel at how this man could delegate just about any task that he didn’t want to do and people would say yes. As I became more independent in life I took pride in being able to do just about anything myself yet that has also been a drawback as I would usually do things by myself rather than ask for help. However, I’ve been changing that pattern as I’ve come to recognize that asking for help builds community and shares the responsibility of accomplishing a task. It’s actually so much more humbling to ask for help than to do it on my own all the time. It’s still a work in progress for me but one I’m more aware of thanks to my dad.

3) Family is everything: Since living with my dad I’ve been able to see much more clearly how he shows his love towards his family.Whenever I returned home for long periods of time I would walk on the beach with my dad. We established early morning walks as time for us to talk. This was my chance to ask him questions without distractions. It was during these walks that he shared how he regretted not spending more time with us kids as we were growing up because he was traveling. He admitted that his focus was only to provide for the family. As he’s become older and since my mom passed away I’ve seen a more tender side as he’s been more engaging with his grandchildren. I have come to appreciate how he shows his love for each of us in his own way thus releasing expectations of how I think (or would prefer) he should show it.

4) Travel to learn cultures: I give credit to my dad for encouraging my gypsy spirit (although I know it’s not one he would take pride in accepting). I could remember traveling on an airplane since I was a little girl to visit family in Puerto Rico or travel to Latin America for a business/family trip. Our trips were about learning new cultures and seeing new sights, which I continue the tradition to this day. Traveling for me has always been a way of life and I am doing all that I can to incorporate it into my business and personal lifestyle. Because of my dad’s joy of traveling with the family I have been able to visit numerous countries and regions growing up and then found new places that I enjoy traveling to. I am grateful and very fortunate to have experienced this because I know many have not.

5) Stay focused: Throughout my life my dad only had employers working as a sales engineer for Latin American countries selling welding and then medical equipment. He began with Hobart Brothers shortly after leaving Cuba while living in Puerto Rico and remained with them for over 20 years until the business was sold. He then took over the company my mom started while I was young, Servitech Corp while she focused on building South Florida Medical Equipment, a family business. He loved selling these products and traveled extensively to share his knowledge with companies around Latin America and the US. His goals were always to provide for his family and stay committed with his tasks at hand. Although my path as an entrepreneur wavers as I figure out all the ins and outs of running my own business, I’m focused on creating a freedom based business that empowers others to release stress naturally. As he was able to stay focused and committed towards his goals in life, which has always empowered me to have goals and objectives within my life.

In summary I am grateful for the opportunity of living with my dad and the challenges I encountered while living there, both personal and professional. I’m grateful that I was able to be present with my mom as she transitioned and then supporting my dad however I could and still do. I’ve learned to view challenges as opportunities with lessons to learn while also taking responsibility for my life and what I can control. I know my dad does not view life in this manner yet that is his choice and I love him unconditionally even though I may not like all of his actions and viewpoints.

If you have been struggling with a relationship with your mom or dad which you know is holding you back in life, then I encourage you today to book a complimentary stress release session with me and share your story. Then we can identify a supportive plan to assist you in releasing your frustrations so you can lead a balanced life towards health and happiness.

Join me every Wednesday at 8:00 am in my Facebook group, Our Wheels of Life, for a new weekly meditation tip to help you feel more balanced within your life through your chakras. Or join my YouTube channel to receive the meditations each week in your email.

 

Feel free to reply to these emails as I’d love to hear from you.

 

Pass this blog along to someone who may benefit from it as we all need love everyday!

Paty, La Mariposa

Join Mariposas Holistic Healing at these upcoming events in Miami.

Graduating through transitions!

As we head into summer many of us are celebrating the end of school with graduation ceremonies for our loved ones. Many schools choose to hold celebration ceremonies to honor each student for their hard work and dedication, regardless of what school year they are in. For parents it means their children are transitioning into a new grade with more responsibilities or a new lifestyle if they are headed towards college.

Within the school of life, however, there isn’t an official graduation day which identifies the ending of one chapter and the beginning of another. Life just continues to flow with daily responsibilities and challenges, with some feeling the weight of what we are learning or experiencing heavily on our shoulders or feeling it elsewhere in our bodies.

The school of life is a concept I use and that of being a perpetual life student. This frame of mind encourages me to remain curious about each experience regardless of its intensity and it is one I share with my clients. Each problem I believe is really a challenge that requires you to approach it with curiosity and compassion for yourself and others. If you think of each situation as your worst teacher, say one that criticized you often or even slapped your hand whenever you didn’t answer correctly, then you will stay with the fear of doing the right thing that works for you. However, if you recall your most supportive teacher who listened and encouraged you to make your own decisions regardless of it was right or wrong you would be optimistic of making your own decisions. It works the same way in regards to looking at the problems you are facing. You have a choice of how you are going to react. If you choose to blame others, stay angry or upset when situations don’t go as you expect and focus on frustration because you can’t control others, you are prime for a breakdown either mentally or physically due to the stress you keep on yourself. Yet, if you view it as a student and you’re trying to figure out the best possible solution you can save yourself lots of pain and suffering, especially when you reach out to others for help.

Recently I was speaking with a new client about a problem she was facing. She was stressed about her current situation because she felt burdened about taking care of someone she wasn’t expecting to. Her anger carried into focusing all of her attention on this other person and neglecting her own self-care. Throughout our discussion I listened as she released, which she admitted she hadn’t shared with others before and then we identified at least one self-care technique she can bring back into her life in a realistic way.

After our discussion she received a stress release energy session and said she felt so much better and at ease. She admitted the knot in her throat was gone (talking and the energy release supported that) and she felt better, especially now that she had someone to release to and an activity to plan in her week.

The point is the problem didn’t go away that she was having but she found solutions that would help her manage the situation and release some of the stress she was carrying. Looking through the eyes of a student you become more powerful as you realize you have more options in front of you then the feelings that were holding you back.

By remaining locked in feelings of anger and resentment you actually give your power to others, whether they know it or not, yet when you problem solve and talk it out (not think it out for it mainly goes round and round without resolution) then you identify what is important to you, what are you able to control, and what are some solutions that you can bring to the surface that can help you move through the situation.

Stay curious regardless of what age you are and embrace the School of Life and the lessons it offers you every day.

To all the graduates, congratulations on your next venture and may you have continued success in all that you do.

Join me for meditation time every Wednesday at 8am for Facebook Live in Our Wheels of Life Facebook group, or watch the recording after.

Feel free to reply to these emails as I’d love to hear from you.

Paty, La Mariposa

Embracing change without fear

Change, do you embrace or fear it? 

Within my holistic healing practice change is a major reason my clients first come to see me because they admit they are unable to deal with their current situation. They share with me their fears about change happening in their lives which entail dealing with loss due to moving, losing a loved one or employment, relationship issues, etc. They explain how the loss, whether unexpected or they knew was coming, felt like they were knocked over by a tidal wave and they are still struggling for air. Transitions such as these are to be treated as as a trauma because it can cause the body and mind to react with either anger, disbelief, guilt, resentment or even feelings of numbness, shock.

Other reactions to change can be anxiety, nervousness, insomnia, substance use, depression, and self-doubt to name a few. These are normal reactions to trauma through the freeze response as the person is unable to fight (verbally or physically) or run away from the situation.

Throughout our discussions we break down these responses to understand the core issue which is fear of the unknown. Before this situation or trauma happened life was going according to the plan that they created or rather expected. Therefore, when a big change or transition occurred they were left unprepared much like a storm coming unannounced and uprooting everything in its path.

Can you relate to this?

However, change and transitions are a normal part of life. There is no guarantee that you will always have the same job forever or that your loved one will be present each day. By accepting that change is inevitable and it’s reality it can be easier to process life changes without feeling as though your heart is going to jump out of your chest or your world is falling apart for the rest of your life.

My earliest memory of a life transition was when I was 12 years old and I felt my life had changed forever because my parents lost the mortgage to the house I grew up in due to a miscalculated business plan. We didn’t have a family discussion, we didn’t have a choice, we were just told that we had to leave the house by a certain date. I fell into a deep depression, so deep I even considered suicide. However, the thought of my parents finding me kept me from following through because I didn’t want them to be sad about losing me too. It took me years to move through the resentment I held against my parents for taking my house away, although I never realized I resented them, especially my father, until someone else pointed it out. That experience has taught me that all I can control is myself and my reactions towards changes and transitions. By looking within I was able to take hold of that resentment and let it go (with lots of support of course) because it was eating me up inside.

If you’ve been following me for awhile then you know my life has been filled with abundance and losses of all kinds, just like I know yours has. Change has been a constant in my life due to the choices I’ve made (lots of moving) and also losing loved ones through various reasons. Once again a life transition is happening in my life as I will be moving into my own apartment in South Miami. Honestly, I have mixed feelings because for the last 3 years I have been living with my dad in his beautiful apartment facing the ocean and I have been hesitating on moving because I was unsure of where I wanted to go (US or Latin America). Finally, the universe has pushed me out of my nest and into a new experience. The hesitation comes from fear of not having it all figured out financially as I have been putting all of my resources and attention into my business and I wasn’t sure if staying in Miami was where I wanted to be. Yet I also knew it would be in both of our best interests for me to leave and be independent again. So, I pushed through my fear and doubts by choosing a date (I wanted August but the universe decided June) by when I wanted to leave.

Life is about how we handle transitions and situations, meaning your reaction towards them and the faith in the universe. By viewing change as inevitable and ensuring you have support, such as friends and family or other outlets to release pent up stress then you’ll be able to accept change easier.

As I have identified the root causes of my fear I am now able to embrace any kind of change easier and most importantly by accepting it. I’ve regressed at times when change has been unbearable by feeling angry, lonely, and frustrated yet by holding onto these feelings and blaming others or situations only hurts me. The same applies to you.

If you’ve been struggling with changes in your life and you’re unsure how to embrace it, let’s discuss it through a complimentary stress less phone conversation. I’m here to support you with a step-by-step plan to balance your life, embrace your power, and focus on health.

Feel free to reply to these emails as I’d love to hear from you.

Pass this blog along to someone who may benefit from it as we all need love everyday!

Paty, La Mariposa

Grateful for Mom every day

It wasn’t too long ago that around this time I would be searching online for flowers to send to my mother for mother’s day and a heartfelt card, regardless if I was home or traveling. Now, I stand on the beach where she used to walk and imagine her next to me. My mother passed away in 2014, 3 years after her body battled cancer and chemotherapy. Every day I give thanks that I was by her side when she took her last breath. Every day that she was in the hospital I would give her Reiki to help her body relax.

Reiki, Japanese energy healing technique, has empowered me to be more in tuned with my body and become more sensitive to energy. Usually I feel my mom (and other loved ones who’ve passed) when I sit outside on the beach (or nature). I close my eyes and just breathe. Sometimes I cry and sometimes I smile. Whatever I feel I just allow it to be without judgement as I know it’s my body releasing pent up stress, otherwise known as energy.

Recently, I began to work with a new client who lost an adult child a few years ago and is really struggling. The pain has been intense yet this client is finding hope in various ways, which I support. One of the techniques I will be teaching this person is Reiki as it allows the body to heal naturally by removing blocked energy. I will be teaching my client Reiki remotely, a new opportunity that the universe recently placed in my lap.

In 2013 I became a Reiki teacher as I was on a mission to share this amazing healing technique with whoever wanted to learn. I was inspired by Reiki to help with stress and grief after learning the first level in 2009. Honestly the reason I learned was to help Yoli while she was finding the best way, her choice were natural techniques, to defeat the cancer that was consuming her body. Since then,I have been incorporating it into my life and my profession with a long break after Yoli passed. Yet once I began to understand Reiki the more I embraced being a teacher.

My first Reiki workshop was alongside my friend and yoga instructor, Libby in Costa Rica. It was a successful weekend workshop on a quiet beach on the Costa Rican coast. My parents came as my mother was taking the class and to support me on this endeavor. I had the honor of teaching her Reiki and Libby taught her yoga. It was amazing on so many levels.

That’s my mom to my right.

My mom back right. She gave it all. 🙂

To me, Reiki is a spiritual love connection. It doesn’t always offer a direct explanation yet it helps the body to chill so it can heal however that needs to be. It helped me move through my grief whenever I lost a loved one or was struggling through emotional stressors. Now, I’ve created my own reality with a successful healing business so I can continue to serve people in a way that’s unique and beneficial too so many people. I know my mom would be so proud of me. Shoot, I’m super proud of myself. 😉

So this Mother’s Day we (brother, his family, and my dad) will raise a glass of wine in my mother’s honor and celebrate her life. I’ll send her a blessing into the heavens along with a kiss.

This mother’s day give a mother (your mother or any mother you love) a big hug and say thank you for her dedication to ensuring you are fed, taken care of, and loved.

How will you celebrate Mother’s Day this year?

Feel free to reply to these emails as I’d love to hear from you.

Pass this email along to someone who may benefit from it as we all need love everyday!

Paty, La Mariposa

PS. Join me on YouTube Live on May 17 at 7pm as I talk about Reiki; real or woo woo. Click here to join live on May 17.

If you’re in Miami join me for my upcoming Reiki 1 class in English and Español.