You May Say I’m A Dreamer

“Imagine all the people living life in peace. You may say I”m a dreamer, but I”m not the only one. I hope someday you’ll join us and the world will live as one.” —- John Lennon

Cute image. I love the message!

Wishing you a blessed weekend!

Sincerely,

Lena Jácome

The Truth Shall Set You Free

“I pretty much try to stay in a constant state of confusion just because of the expression it leaves on my face”  —- Johnny Depp

I thought sweet potatoes were orange and the one basic difference between the yam was more about texture. I got into a discussion at my local farmer’s market because I had been so confused, “Aren’t sweet potatoes orange in the middle?”. Well guess what? I bought some organic sweet potatoes that were pale yellow in the middle….  they were sweet and delicious…. A little piece of heaven on earth! After spending some time on the internet I found a site that discusses the differences: Sweet Potato VS. Yam. The below information was taken from The Cook’s Thesaurus:

sweet potato  Notes:   In American supermarkets, sweet potatoes are displayed next to something called “yams,” which are moister than sweet potatoes and have darker skins.  But according to the rest of the world (and botanists), we have it all wrong.  To them, our  “yams” are just a variety of sweet potatoes.  They use the word yam to describe a completely different vegetable, something we call a tropical yam.

Sweet potatoes are quite versatile, but they’re most often baked, candied, or made into pies.  It’s best not to boil them, as they’ll lose much of their flavor.

Substitutes:  yams (less mealy and sweeter than sweet potato) OR boniato (less sweet and fluffier) OR mashed cooked pumpkin (especially for pies).

 

If I haven’t confused you more then I don’t know what will…. You’re Welcome!

Above – Me in my confused state!

Sincerely,

Lena Jácome

Unraveled

“There will be a few times in your life when all your instincts will tell you to do something, something that defies logic, upsets your plans, and may seem crazy to others. When that happens, you do it. Listen to your instincts and ignore everything else. Ignore logic, ignore the odds, ignore the complications, and just go for it.” — Judith McNaught

When I spend time worrying about what others think, it limits me. I lose focus and I’m unable to stay true to what feels right. And sometimes this insecurity just sneaks up on me, ultimately causing me to end up at a roadblock and being completely baffled on how I got there. Not good. I’ve lost me somewhere along the way.

It can happen with the smallest things. Sometimes I’ll be half-way through a decision when I realize, “No, this isn’t what I want.” Sometimes I only become aware when I’m reflecting on my day, either through journaling or meditation.  For me, this practice provides clarity and answers the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of my choices.

I guess what I’m trying to say is that everything is a practice: Being happy, forgiveness, eating healthy, honing one’s skills. The list goes on and on. And it takes work. Sometimes it may seem easier to go along with ‘the crowd’ and go against your instincts, but it ends up causing more problems in the end.

I know this: The more you practice honoring ‘you’ the easier it gets.

Sincerely,

Lena Jácome

Trust The Dance

I just discovered Dharma Comics and I love her work!

Image from: www.dharmacomics.com

I’m home in Arizona after the Thanksgiving Holiday and jumping back into my schedule. I’m really excited about it! A bright and shiny smile sent your way!

Sincerely,

Lena Jácome

Happy Creations!

“I am a citizen of the most beautiful planet in the world” — Jean Houston

Happy Creations!

Sincerely,

Lena Jácome

Warming Up The Cold

“Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.”  — Winston Churchill

I recently caught the flu and I’m still getting over some of the symptoms. I haven’t experienced this kind of ‘ugly’ in a long time…  The last time I had a full blown flu like this was about 12 years ago. Being that I rarely catch a cold or flu, it was really, really hard for me to stop working and stay in bed. It has been a humbling experience.

I realize how fortunate I am as health has been a good friend of mine and as a result I have had the ability to lead a very physically active lifestyle. So, I embrace this under-the-weather experience and I’ve chosen to smile today for the health I do have.

Here’s to your health in all aspects of your life.

Sincerely,

Lena Jácome

A Young Girl’s Voice

I had recently posted a blog about my experience at the Anne Frank Museum while visiting Amsterdam and somehow all the words were deleted in my post. All that remained was a single image of her. I’m making my second attempt to briefly blog about my experience.

Everyone has inside of him a piece of good news. The good news is that you don’t know how great you can be. How much you can love! What you can accomplish! And what your potential is!  — Anne Frank

I had the honor of visiting the Anne Frank House in October and that day will leave an imprint in my life for eternity.  As I walked through the house where she once lived I was reminded of my time in middle school where I  learned about a young, courageous girl whose voice became the voice for many. I was saddened by the amount of suffering that took place during the Holocaust and I was inspired by Anne Frank’s ability to write so eloquently and her ability to touch me so deeply.

Sincerely,

Lena Jácome

Finding My Faith

“Stepping onto a brand new path is difficult, but not more difficult than remaining in a situation, which is not nurturing to the whole…”  — Maya Angelou

My father was diagnosed with Esophageal Cancer over a year ago.  When I learned of his diagnosis though, it sent my world spinning. I felt lost and as if I was being punished. I wanted somehow to control the situation and my perception of this was to ‘fight’. I had a lot of anger in me and a lot of anger with the Universe for ‘doing this to me.’ I love my dad and I’m very close with him. Now, there are a lot of positives in this story. At the time, however, I was so blinded with my own fears that I refused to see any positives. I played the ‘victim role’ very well. “Cancer was something that happened to other families, not mine.”  Yet, here I was, watching a loved one go through radiation and chemotherapy and much pain. It was hard and when he has ‘bad’ days, it’s still challenging to hear about it and observe.

Posing with my dad

There are a lot of blessings in this story, but the one that has been most profound for me was my ability to find my ‘true self’ in all of this. I found that a deep faith resides within me and an inner strength that has provided me much comfort. It took me a while to have the ability to say, ” I accept this new change in my life.”  In addition, I realize that we all have a journey that is unique. This is my dad’s journey. I am here to support and love him along the way, but I know his path is his.

Photo taken at Elephant Butte, NM by my brother

We all have a limited time here on this earth. When his journey in this life comes to a close, I know he will still be with me. He will always be with me and I with him. My faith tells me this. Where I once was fearful, I now find comfort and peace. I believe miracles surround me and I know Divinity smiles upon me. I know we are never alone and I know we are all connected. I know we are all unique and I know above all that love is the most powerful thing in this world.

I am spending time with my family in New Mexico over the Thanksgiving Holiday and I have much gratitude for the people in my life. I have much gratitude for the life I’ve been blessed with and I am eternally grateful for having such a wonderful father.

Sincerely,

Lena Jácome

Wherever I May Roam

“It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.” —- E.E. Cummings

I used to think that something was wrong with me because I didn’t want to go into a career like everyone else around me. Even in graduate school as a dance major, I’m sure that I looked ‘lost’ to some. Most would say that the entire purpose of spending so much time in education would obviously mean that I’d want to teach in an institutional setting. Please don’t get me wrong, I love to teach. But, somehow, becoming a full-time instructor right out of school didn’t ‘feel right’ for me. And I did think that something was wrong with me at the time…. and I did teach dance within the community colleges for a while. I gained some great experience in doing so, however, my passion was for the stage; for travel; and teaching wherever I may roam.

 

With this type of lifestyle came many unknowns and some raised eyebrows; yet it ‘felt right’ and to this day, I’m very happy and fulfilled. Every time I get home from another traveling adventure I’m excited to begin the next project and my creative juices pave the way. I normally feel inspired by what I learned, what I experienced and who I met. My heart is satisfied and filled.

 

It took me a while to get here and yet, I’m still figuring out the path. There are many goals that I have yet to realize, but I see them as if they are in my grasp. I look back on the past and recognize that I didn’t have a solid plan, but I knew what made me happy. Somehow I had the courage to ‘listen’ to that inner knowing that seems to always have the answer.

 

I’m proud of the life I live. I believe it takes courage to live out your dreams and follow your heart.

Sincerely,

Lena Jácome

The Choice Is Ours

I read this quote the other day and it really spoke to me. Sometimes we create our own walls; our own boarders. And we restrict ourselves from the freedom of having a better life. We don’t allow ourselves the permission to live happier and healthier. The choice is ours and the opportunity is there:

For what it’s worth: it’s never too late or, in my case, never too early to be whoever you want to be. There’s no limit, stop whenever you want. You can change or stay the same, there are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or worst of it. I hope you make the best of it. And I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you feel things you never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view. I hope you live a life you’re proud of. If you find that you’re not, I hope you have the courage to start all over again.” — F. Scott Fitzgerald

Sincerely,

Lena Jácome