Meditation #17 Growing Pains

Meditation # 17 Growing Pains

We left off two weeks ago, with the unfolding of our sexual selves and very befittingly, last week my life was reshuffled in order to help someone dear to my heart and I decided to postpone this writing until I had crossed the bridge over troubled waters, knowing that there had to be something in my experiences that was meant to feed my words. Today, as I read a story about the Giant Sequoias in the new Nat Geo, I recalled my duty, as I read: "Giant Sequoias are gigantic because they are very, very old. They are so old because they have survived all the threats that could have killed them."

Well, so have we, but growing pains truly never seem to go away. I remember reading in disbelief that the "terrible twos" are described by some psychologists as the first adolescence, when a child no longer feels dependent on Mom and Dad and reacts with the need to assert individuality, frequently with tantrums and very audible drama.

And then, there is the very adequately named Adolescence: something hurts deep in the soul, we are not quite children anymore, drowning helplessly within deep thoughts and the surge of hormones and peer pressure that only make matters worse. A lack of a serious sort unnerves mind, body and soul and we can't stand even our own shadow.

But during that stage, there was also an excitement, a curiosity, an unquenchable desire for thrills, adventures, discovery and a vibrant zest for what was yet to unfold in our lives. This is what I recall the most about my teen years and what I want to reclaim today. That glow of the novelty of life, of movement, of taste, of touch, of sight, of aroma. I remember the thrill of going by myself to the movies or taking a bus ride all alone, or with my sister, and deciding consciously that it was not truly a simple Circular Sur journey, it was an adventure, full to the brim with possibility, with people to be met, places to be seen, experiences to be lived, and I remember feeling that I was so lucky to be there, free to drink it all in, eagerly. This same thirst for change inspired me to leave my country, at the ripe old age of 18, all by myself, on a quest to find my destiny, packing fear and doubt in a locket without a key, and soaring high on fresh, strong wings. I stare at my forty-three year old self in the mirror and want to find the Brave Fledgling that hopped off the nest and somehow, managed to catch a warm wind.

Peer with me into the mirror of life and back at your teenage self and refuel from the impetus of young, unrestrained heart and soul, and dare to jump once again into your life, with the vigor and advantages that only experience, wounds and time can provide. If you don't believe me, dare to learn more about the Giant Sequoias, the towering Masters of Survival.

With Love and Zest,

Lina.

Meditation # 15 Dancing Around the Fire

Meditation # 15 Dancing Around the Fire

Let me hold your hand as we move from school memories about longing to belong and evolving new selves onto the trunk that is filled with our most cherished and joyous memories of our school days. We are invited to focus on the laughter, the wonder urged by the thrill of discovery of the gifts we found in our hearts, such as friendship and caring for our oth

ers; the new muscles being flexed in our brains, as we were led to explore our creativity and new skills were developed; and our physicality, as we were taught to enjoy sports and games with others. I remember vividly asking everyone I met about their after-school activities. I enjoyed school so much that I longed to stay active and engaged once the bell rang for dismissal. I now realize that might have been precisely the seed that matured into the books I have written; inspired by the urgency I felt to make the best of every day, to learn and explore the world relentlessly.
This weekend, I was reminded of the careless intense joy achieved while lost at play in the most magical way imaginable. I ended up dancing around a bonfire, laughing and singing with abandon at a phenomenal party to which I had not even been invited originally. Life conspired so that I could meet a new friend who needed to be reminded of her value, surrounded by love and care, and so we danced around a swirling bonfire, praying for fertility, joy and hope to flood her heart and body. I felt like a little girl, and allowed the powerful pull of the collective to surge through me. I surrendered to the primal irresistible pull of beating drums and syncopated human hearts and the seduction of the fire, which filled us all with euphoria as we shared intentions and the sincere desire for the well-being and happiness of a soul in need, mercy and compassion uniting us all.
In this very moment, I watch with trepidation fire and smoke burning as Gaza and Israel tumble to the ground in a tight suicidal embrace, brother against brother, blind strokes aiming at innocents and instigators, and I wonder…
Can we surround the burning fires of our self-destruction with the forces of self-less love,
the belief in hope,
the defiance of optimism amidst tragedy,
the confidence of forgiveness disarming betrayal, and manage to defeat the burning fires of doubt and fear with the love shared by beating and caring human hearts. I think about the millions of children that are being denied a serene, happy day at school or at home because of our adult complications, and I wonder if we, the lucky few who knew days filled with laughter and now have the gift of happy memories to cherish, can feel summoned to surround their wounds with prayers and care and manage to find the heart to persist and never desist and insist on dancing around the bonfire.
With love and an intense desire for peace in my heart,
Lina.

Invitation to Come Into My World

Before posting the pre-reading, pre-writing and then subsequent readings of spanish books to guide the process of Spanish teaching at home, it is important to point out that the journey towards language acquisition and its maturation begin in early infancy, even in the womb.
Every maturation activity contributes to prepare the brain and the body of the baby to move from talking and listening to comprehend the more complex processes of human communication.
In our book, Come Into My World, we describe 365 activities for children between 0 and 5 years of age (which is merely a practical classification, the text is useful with older children and has even been used as a tool to help people recovering from a psychological trauma). These proposals cover a wide range of life experiences which help to prepare the future reader to explore letters and learn about their power. 
Every activity of rhythm and music, rhyme, stories, poetry, tongue-twisters, aid 

in maturing listening skills and the awareness of rhythms and rhyme in spoken language.
Every exercise of graphic practice, even as simple as doodling, edifies spatial relationships, directionality, and the specific exercises that I will describe will prepare the brain for reading. Just as a Child invites us in the introduction to Come Into My World:
"So let's fall in love together,
Let's find the magic in a drop of morning dew. Let's enjoy all the range of colors waiting to be spotted in the sky, from the sun's first rays to the sunset at the end of each day.
Look into my eyes and lead me.
Watch me closely, and you will realize that I also have much to teach you!