My after thoughts and feelings

My afterthoughts and feelings
June 30, 2014
By: Gina Yoryet Roman

Last week my fellow writers and I, were asked to share our after thoughts, feelings and impact about this writing project, so here they are!

After thoughts:
Being part of HERspectives is yet another long-sought victory.
A  childhood dream turned into passion, a passion diverted into reality. A verdict that reveals my essence and proves that obstacles are nothing but tiny matters. These principles were written very enthusiastically and every word that comes out of my heart and soul has a reason. ´YOU!´ and millions of women worldwide for you to resonate with it all and keep going despite all the stumbling blocks lying ahead.

Ayn Rand once stated,
“I want to see, real, living, and in the hours of my own days, that glory I create as an illusion. I want it real. I want to know that there is someone, somewhere, who wants it, too. Or else what is the use of seeing it, and working, and burning oneself for an impossible vision? A spirit, too, needs fuel. It can run dry.”

My spirit would´ve run dry long ago had I not had a reason. Yet, I found it and that´s what´s ignited me and kept me going...


To all the women in the universe.

Affirm yourself daily that you owe the woman reflecting in the mirror to be nurtured with love, tenderness, confidence, trust, appreciation, respect and devotion, to unleash her maximum potential and reach success.

‘I've been absolutely terrified every moment of my life - and I've never let it keep me from doing a single thing I wanted to do.’
Georgia O’Keeffe

IT IS HARD TO BE A WOMAN
You MUST act like a lady,
Think like a man,
Look like a young girl,
And work like a horse.

Following these simple rules

Following these simple rules
can be very easy
June 30, 2014
By: Gina Yoryet Roman


It may seem like a lot but we can tackle them all for the most part. Just yesterday I found these great rules that can help every woman stay on track. Unbelievingly, I follow a lot, if not most of them!

1. Starting fresh every day is a must, every day is a new beginning that brings different opportunities.
2. I disagree with this one, for me exercise is a priority even when I am not at my best physically, it has become a lifestyle for me.
3. I always check my statements and I am up to date with my payments/bills.
4. I don’t necessarily skip meat on Mondays but I don’t eat meat every day. I can do without it just fine.
5. I drink a glass of water with a slice of ginger, sometimes lemon and sometimes cucumber right before going to the gym.
6. I’ve cut down on sugar, I don’t eat as much sugar as before but I have to get better at that.
I NEVER try to keep up with anyone, I am my toughest opponent.
 I need to find out what retinol is exactly and then I may take the risk since I am starting to get some ‘wisdom marks’ as I like to call them. Use a retinol if you’re starting to get wrinkles.
 I don’t check with Human Resources since I am self-employed.
When I am pissed off,  I try to counting up to a million but it doesn’t always work out!
 I used to enjoy bike riding a lot more than now, I need to grab my bike and pedal a couple miles or kilometers. 
 Since I have internet on my phone, I use it a LOT MORE than before
 I always beat myself up for the littlest things but I get over them very quickly.
 I have to boast that I have NEVER done ANY type of drugs, not once in my life.
 Neither have I ever smoked.
 My clothes are very well taken care of.
 I consolidate my debts as I go, I like taking care of that aspect ASAP.
 I have never had a problem with alcohol, I used to drink socially but now I am not a night person so I don’t worry about it!
 Snacking when I am hungry!? Now we’re talking, I have to get MUCH BETTER about this one, I always give in to my cravings. I used to have more discipline.
 I don’t know what the 2/30 rule is so I don’t practice it.
 I used to love getting sunburned, I am not very careful with it! My face cannot be exposed to the sun AT ALL!
 Practice the 20/20/20 rule. (To help you deal with this problem, the 20-20-20 rule suggests that after every 20 minutes,  the computer user should take a break for at least 20 seconds and look at objects that are 20 feet away.) I just learned about this one and yes I spend a lot of time using the computer and I don’t apply the rule but I will start applying it just to see what results I get.
 I have never taken any sleeping pills.
 Consider taking liquid chlorophyll. I I have been consuming chlorophyll for quite a number of years.
Don’t skip your yearly gynecological appointments. NO COMMENT!
Eat whole foods as much as you can. Sometimes I do, sometimes I don’t.
I always make sure to keep myself hydrated so I drink lots of water without sugar.
Practice safe sex. NO COMMENT!
Smell an orange. Uhm, what for?
 Make your home a place you want to be. I love being home after running around all over the place. I love unwinding here at the end of the week.
 Treat big purchases like big purchases. Sure!
. Never use your gym membership? Sometimes I take a 2, 3, 4, 5 day break but I am really good for the most part.
Keep the change. I do!
Clean smarter. That’s a good idea! How? Because I HATE domestic chores!
 Cook (a little) more. I would need some cooking lessons first!
Stand up for yourself. I learned to do that since my early 20’s!
Read labels. I have to get better at that!
 Take medication seriously. I do but do they really do their job?
 Don’t skimp on sleep. Sometimes I sleep very few hours but I sure make up when chronic fatigue hits me.
 Listen to your body. I still have to work on this. I am NOT super woman or either can I perform physically like I did 10, 15 years ago!
Always, always, always wear a seatbelt—even in a taxi. I really dislike seat belts, I pester myself about this. I NEVER wear it when I take a cab.
 Wash your hands often. I ALWAYS do!
Go on a social media diet. NEVER have been on a diet, probably NEVER will. I don’t believe in them.
Optimize your fertility if you plan on having kids. NO COMMENT!
Floss! I have flossed since I was a teenager!
Sneeze into your arm, not your palm. That’s a good idea! I have to remind myself.
Stash snacks. Sometimes I do.
 Shop on a full stomach. Why? To walk off the food? Or to avoid spending too much because you are soo full that you makes you sleepy?
Learn to take constructive criticism. I detest this but as a writer, I have to take the blows as they come!
 Never let Google diagnose you. I don’t! Google is very informative but it is NOT definitely not my doctor!


50 HEALTHY HABITS EVERY GIRL SHOULD HAVE

50 HEALTHY HABITS EVERY GIRL SHOULD HAVE
Stylercaster
June 28, 2014

1. Start fresh every single day.

2. Understand that exercise doesn’t have to be a big time commitment.

3. Check your credit card statements, bank statements, and pay stubs regularly. 

4. Adopt a “meatless Monday” mentality.

5. Drink a glass of lukewarm water with lemon (and cayenne pepper, if you dare) first thing every morning.

6. Cut back on evil sugar.

7. Don’t try to keep up with the Jonses.

8. Use a retinol if you’re starting to get wrinkles.
Instead of continuously wasting money on the latest anti-aging creams, ask your dermatologist to prescribe you a good retinol product—it’s the only thing that really works, anyway.
9. Check in with Human Resources.

10. Count to 10 when you’re pissed off.

11. Start biking.

12. Put. Down. The. Cell. Phone.

13. Stop beating yourself up.
14. Don’t do drugs.

15. Likewise, don’t smoke.

16. Take care of your clothes.

17. Consolidate and pay off debt as soon as possible.

18. Don’t overdo the booze.

19. Don’t snack if you’re not hungry.

20. Practice the 2/30 rule

21. Take pains to prevent getting sunburned.

22. Practice the 20/20/20 rule.

23. Don’t rely on pills to sleep.

24. Consider taking liquid chlorophyll.
25. Don’t skip your yearly gynecological appointments.
26. Eat whole foods as much as you can.

27. Drink water.

28. Practice safe sex.

29. Smell an orange.

30. Make your home a place you want to be. 

31. Treat big purchases like big purchases.

32. Never use your gym membership?

33. Keep the change.

34. Clean smarter.

35. Cook (a little) more.

36. Stand up for yourself.

37. Read labels. 

38. Take medication seriously.

39. Don’t skimp on sleep.

40. Listen to your body
41. Always, always, always wear a seatbelt—even in a taxi.

42. Wash your hands often.

43. Go on a social media diet.

44. Optimize your fertility if you plan on having kids. 

45.  Floss!

46. Sneeze into your arm, not your palm.

47. Stash snacks.

48. Shop on a full stomach.

49. Learn to take constructive criticism.

50. Never let Google diagnose you. 


A feeble body a strong mind

A feeble body
A strong mind
June 27, 2014
By: Gina Yoryet Roman

Today is an utmost important day because ‘HERspectives, Rules and Tools that Build Successful Women - How I Created Work, Life Balance,’ published/launched. This contribution as a writer is by far one of the most remarkable events in my life (until I write my next book). Since I learned to write I never let go of this soul and mind soothing therapy that was always nothing more than a guided dream.

I still haven’t fully assimilated things yet I don’t know why? The same way I am still doubtful about my ‘fitness’ photo shoot first thing tomorrow morning and the health and fitness radio interview/talk scheduled towards the end of July. In better times (physically), I would’ve been enthused about striking a pose for the camera. NOT now! I am still happy but more than anything, I have mixed emotions, I am dreading those couple of hours for the following reasons.

1. I haven’t done a photo shoot in two years and am feeling very insecure!! I don’t have another choice than face my fears until the rain in my mind subsides. 
2. I am not even close to depicting health or fitness (the last couple of weeks I’ve gone through constant work related stress and on top of that, my operated knee hasn’t healed completely a year and a half post surgery. Therefore, I have had very random work outs - only twice a week for the last two months).
3. The infection in my eye is still somewhat visible.
4. The hideous sun spots on my face are starting to barely fade.
5. And a million other reasons.

I could solve all those issues with photo shop or air brush but I am seriously debating, inclining more towards NO because I have NEVER used them. Then why bother now? As opposed to concentrating on my physical weaknesses, I’ll do the best I can with the good aspects, embrace my fuller body, love it and celebrate another victory, another milestone as I get closer to another decade.

In spite of being physically feeble, my mind is going through a bout of strength. Nevertheless, I would never give up that mental soundness, not in a million years.

Like throughout my athletic career when I prided myself with hard rock abs, very toned muscles all around,  a very resilient and attractive physique, yet all along I longed for mental peace...

“I never confessed this to anyone but during all or most of my high-intensity season trainings up in the mountains at  Howarth Park in Santa Rosa, on the Sacramento River trail, at Mckinley park, or at the stadium in Sacramento City College, Sacramento State University, or during most of my state meets and competitions, I constantly prayed silently and did a lot of self-talk. Time after time, I asked God to manifest his unconditional love to me by helping me find my (his) way. I asked him to reach out to me not based on my appearance, my intelligence, the color of my skin, my social status, or my  failures but based on the grounds of being another one of his disoriented children who wanted to serve his purpose, yet those talks went ‘unanswered.'"

I possibly denied myself from sensing and seeing his intense, direct and clear presence.  I kept telling myself, “I have the right attire worthy of a competitive and professional athlete and I’ve done quite well at keeping at a physically fitness level...yet, I long for mental fitness which is as equally important to compete for God’s glory. If my head is not fully in him, I will always lose.” 

I don’t want that to ever happen again! With this prior experience in hand, I will do whatever it takes to avoid being sidetracked. This post helped me assuage my fears, gave me the courage to look at tomorrow right in the eye and prevail because I can now see myself through the eyes of God...

This is one of my favorite quotes.

“I've been absolutely terrified every moment of my life - and I've never let it keep me from doing a single thing I wanted to do.”
Georgia O’Keeffe

The many uses of tea tree oil

The many uses of tea tree oil: 80 Amazing Uses for Survival
Featured on: www.evolutionenzine.net, by Gaye Levy
June 26, 2014


I have used tea tree oil in the past but I was unaware of all its marvelous uses. I ran into this really informative article yesterday.

Essential oils have been used for healing and medicinal purposes for centuries and most certainly long before we had pills, capsules and big pharma to take care of our medical woes. And while there is a place for manufactured pharmaceuticals in our survival medicine kit, there exists the possibility that none will be available or that they will be in such scarce supply that they should be reserved for only the most dire of circumstances.
For that reason, many preppers and individuals seeking self-reliance are learning to use essential oils to manage the both routine and not-so-routine maladies that occur in daily life. There are about a dozen or so essential oils that belong in every survival kit including tea tree, peppermint, lavender, clove, rosemary and lemon among others. All of these essential oils have healing properties but today I would like to focus on just one, tea tree oil.
A Brief History Of Tea Tree Oil
It is believed that the Aborigines of Australia have been using the leaves of the indigenous Malaleuca Tree (whose leaves are used to make tea tree oil) in their medications for centuries. They inhaled the oils from the crushed leaves to treat coughs and colds, sprinkled crushed leaves on their wounds and used an infusion of soaked leaves to treat sore throats or skin ailments.
Use of the oil itself, as opposed to the un-extracted plant material, did not become common practice until researcher Arthur Penfold published the first reports of its antimicrobial activity in a series of papers in the 1920s and 1930s. In evaluating the antimicrobial activity, he found that tea tree oil was 11 times more active than phenol.
The commercial tea tree oil industry was born shortly thereafter although interest in tea tree oil ebbed after World War II, presumably due to the development of effective antibiotics and the waning image of natural products. Interest was rekindled in the 1970s as part of the general renaissance of interest in natural products.

80 USES OF TEA TREE OIL FOR SURVIVAL
For thousands of years, the derivatives of the Malaleuca Tree have been effective in treating a wide variety of ailments. Here are 80 reasons why you should use it, too!
Abrasions & Minor Cuts: After cleaning the area well, apply a few drops of the oil directly. If a bandage is needed, allow a few drops of the oil to penetrate a cotton ball, then lay it face down on the wound with a bandage on top.
Acne: Add a drop to your normal cleansing routine or dab a very small amount on acne breakouts. You can also add 20 – 40 drops of the oil to your regular face wash.
Air Freshener: Keep a supply of cotton balls soaked in tea tree oil packed away in a plastic bag or tin. When confronted with foul smells from cooking, musty orders from dampness or even the medicinal smell in a sick room, take a few out the freshen the air and remove the nasty smell.
Allergies: Use topically by massaging into the chest, abdomen or the reflex points of the feet.
Arthritis: To help reduce pain associated with the swelling of arthritis, add 20 drops of tea tree oil to 2 ounces of grapeseed or other carrier oil. Massage into affected area 2-3 times a day.
Asthma: Add a few drops of oil to a pan of water and heat on stove. When cooling, drape a towel over head and breath in for a few minutes.
Athletes Foot: Clean feet thoroughly, especially between toes. Add oil directly to feet every two weeks, dusting with corn starch after. Or add 10 drops oil to 1 tbsp of grapeseed or other carrier oil and massage on feet and between toes daily.
Baby Care: Keep your diaper pail clean and fresh with a spray of tea tree oil mixed with water.
Bacterial Infections: Use topically, either massaging into the reflex points of the feet, adding several drops to a bath or cautiously applying over an infected site.
Bad Breath: Rinse with 1 ounce water and 1 drop oil. Do not swallow!
Bladder Infection: In a shallow bath, add 10 – 15 drops of oil. Sit and wash area carefully.
Blisters: Wash area carefully, then apply as for cuts and wounds.
Boils: Apply a warm washcloth for a few minutes. Then apply a drop or two of oil to the area – the infection should rise to surface and eventually be released.
Bronchial Congestion: Use as directed for Asthma. Add 5 – 10 drops to 1 ounce of carrier oil, and massage into chest and throat 2 – 3 times daily.
Bronchitis: Add 1-2 drops to a pan of hot water and breath in the steam, or massage the oil over the chest.
Bruises: After icing, apply oil as directed for Arthritis.
Bunions: Massage area with 5 drops oil to 1 tbsp. of carrier oil.
Burns: Run icy cold water on area. After a few minutes, add a mix of 5 drops oil with 1 tsp. raw honey. Repeat 3 – 5 times daily.
Calluses & Corns: Massage area with 5 drops oil to 1 tbsp. of carrier oil. Repeat 2 times daily. Once the corn or calluses have become soft use tweezers to remove, and apply a few drops of tea tree oil and cover with bandage.
Canker Sores: Apply a drop or two of oil directly to infected area with a cotton swab, 2 times daily. Also, rinse as directed for bad breath.
Carbuncles: Add a drop or two of oil to cotton swab and apply directly to carbuncle. Repeat twice daily.
Chapped Lips: Add 1 or 2 drops of oil to lip balm. Apply to lips as necessary.
Chicken Pox: Apply a drop of oil directly to blisters. Allow to dry, then dust with corn starch. Repeat every few hours or until blisters disappear.
Chigger Bites: Apply a drop of oil directly to bites.
Cold Sores: Apply a drop or two of oil directly to the sore with a cotton swab. Re-apply 2 – 3 times daily.
Coughs: Use as directed for bronchial infections. For a vaporizer, add 10 drops to steamer and leave on 5 – 10 minutes.
Dandruff: Add 20 – 30 drops oil to any shampoo. Apply a few drops to scalp and massage after washing.
Dermatitis: Add 10 drops oil to 1 tbsp of grapeseed or other oil and massage into affected areas. Repeat 2-3 times daily.
Dry Skin: Add 5 drops oil to 1 tbsp sweet almond oil. Massage into skin.
Earache and Infection: Add 2 – 3 drops of oil to 2 tbsp warm olive oil. With a dropper, drop a small amount into aching ear, tilting head to one side for a moment. Use cotton swab to absorb oil. Repeat 2 – 3 times daily.
Eczema: Add 10 drops oil to 1 tbsp grapeseed oil or coconut oil and massage into affected areas. Repeat 2-3 times daily. Also can be applied undiluted.
Emphysema: Use as directed for bronchial infections. For a vaporizer, add 10 drops to steamer and leave on 5 – 10 minutes.
Flea Bites: Apply a drop of oil directly to bites.
Gout: Add 10 drops of oil to 2 tbsp of carrier oil; massage into affected area 2-3 times a day.
Gum Disease: Create a mouthwash with purified water, 1 drop of peppermint oil and 1 drop of tea tree oil.
Head Lice: Add 20 drops of oil to 2 tbsp shampoo. Massage into scalp and hair, leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse. Repeat 3 – 4 times daily, until eggs are gone.
Hives: Add 10 drops of oil to 4 tbsp of witch hazel. Apply with cotton ball. Or, mix with coconut oil (which is naturally healing and soothing itself) and gently apply to the infected areas.
Homemade Mouthwash: Make a simple homemade mouthwash with purified water and tea tree oil.
Household Cleaning: Can be used aromatically or added to homemade cleaners to kill germs and prevent the spread of colds and flus. You can make a general tea tree cleaner by combining 2 teaspoons of tea tree oil with 2 cups of water in a spray bottle. Shake to blend and use for household cleaning tasks. This is especially good in the bathroom and in toilets.
Immune System: To stimulate the immune system, diffuse through the air on a regular basis, massage into the soles of the feet to increase your immune response.
Infected Wounds: Adding the oil to steaming water, hold the infected area over the steam. Or dilute 1 drop of tea tree with 1 cup of water and rinse the infected area 1-2 times a day, as needed.
Inflammation: Massage over the inflamed areas, gently and always toward the heart, or diffuse and inhale the tea tree oil directly or indirectly.
Ingrown Hairs: Add 1 – 2 drops of oil directly to area. Repeat every 2 hours or until signs of infection disappear.
Insect Repellant: Add 15 drops to a quart of water and use as an effective insect repellent.
Jock Itch: Apply 10 – 15 drops of oil to 2 tbsp of carrier oil. Apply 2 times daily. Dust with corn starch, to reduce chapping.
Laryngitis: Add 5 – 10 drops of oil and pinch of sea salt to 1 cup of warm water, gargle 2-3 times a day. Do not swallow!
Laundry Helper: Add 1/2 teaspoon tea tree oil to your laundry for towels and other fabric prone to getting moldy.
Mildew and Mold Remover: Spray an all-purpose cleaner made with 2 teaspoons of tea tree oil and 2 cups of water on growing mold and mildew. Shake well before using and do not rinse.
Mosquito Bites: Apply a drop of oil directly to bites.
Muscle Aches and Pains: Add 10-15 drops of oil to half cup Epsom salts, and dissolve in bath. Add 10 drops of oil to 2 tbsp of carrier oil. Massage well.
Mumps: Massage over the body and into the feet, and diffuse through the home.
Nail Fungus: Add 1 – 2 drops of oil directly to nail and the surrounding tissue. Allow to dry completely on hands before touching anything. Repeat morning and night for a week.
Pest Control: Household ants and other pests dislike Tea Tree Oil, so a few drops put at the point of entry will deter them. Wipe cupboards out with an oil and water solution to keep ants away.
Plantar Warts: Apply oil undiluted to affected area 2-3 times daily.
Psoriasis: Add 10 drops oil to 1 tbsp carrier oil and massage into affected areas. Repeat 2-3 times daily. Also can be applied undiluted.
Rashes: Mix with coconut oil and massage over the affected areas.
Rheumatism: To help reduce pain associated with rheumatism, add 20 drops of tea tree oil to 2 ounces of carrier oil. Massage into affected are 2-3 times a day.
Ringworm: Apply a drop or two of oil undiluted, repeat 2 times daily. Can also mix 1 drop of tea tree oil with 1 drop of lavender oil for added benefit.
Rubella: Dilute as needed and massage into the affected areas.
Scabies: Apply 1 – 2 drops of oil directly to area in the morning and at night.
Sciatica: Add 10 drops oil to 1 tbsp carrier oil and massage into affected areas. Repeat 2-3 times daily. Also can be applied undiluted.
Seborrhea: For skin: Add 10 drops oil to 1 tbsp of carrier oil and massage into affected areas. Repeat 2-3 times daily. For scalp: Add 10 drops of oil to 2 tbsp shampoo. Massage into scalp and hair, leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse. Repeat 3 – 4 times daily. Bath: Add 10-15 drops of oil to bath.
Shingles: Add 10-15 drops of oil to half cup Epsom salts, and dissolve in bath. Add 10 drops of oil to 2 tbsp of grapeseed oil or coconut oil and massage well.
Shock: Massage tea tree oil into the soles of the feet as needed.
Sinusitis: Use as directed for bronchial infections. For a vaporizer, add 10 drops to steamer and leave on 5 – 10 minutes. Also add 2 drops to a neti pot.
Sore muscles: Fill your bathtub with warm water. Add a few drops of tea tree oil to the water to relax tight muscles.
Sore Throat: Add 2 drops of oil to 1 cup of warm water with pinch of sea salt, gargle 2-3 times a day. Do not swallow!
Staph Infection: Best used topically, rubbed into the soles of the feet to increase the immune response and fight infection.
Stye: Add 5 drops oil to a pan of steaming water. Drape towel overhead and steam 5 minutes. Apply warm compresses directly to stye.
Sunburn: Mix 1 TB coconut oil with 1 drop of tea tree and 1 drop of lavender and gently apply to to sunburned areas.
Tattoos: Apply after tattoos to avoid infection. Use undiluted, diluted with coconut oil or as a spray with purified water.
Thrush: Gargle with sea salt, warm water and 1 drop of tea tree.
Ticks: Apply a drop or two directly to the tick and the surrounding area.
Toenail fungus: Rub the tea tree oil directly onto the affected toenail and underneath the tip of the nail. Apply 1 to 2 drops of tea tree oil. Apply the oil once a day, preferably at bedtime.
Toothbrush Cleaner: Apply oil directly to toothbrush 1-2 times a week to kill bacteria.
Tonsillitis: Inhale from steaming water with tea tree, gargle, and massage into neck and soles of feet.
Vaginal Infection: Add several drops to the bath water.
Viral Infections: Diffuse tea tree oil throughout the home or inhale from steaming water.
Warts: Apply undiluted directly to wart. Use morning and night, until wart begins to disappear. Dilute if necessary for sensitive skin.
Wounds: Soak wounded area in water with tea tree oil, or spritz from a bottle of water with several drops of oil. Depending on the wound and your own sensitivity you may be able to apply directly.
A NOTE ABOUT CARRIER OILS
In order to effectively use essential oils – not just tea tree oil – it is often necessary to dilute the essential oil in another oil so that it can be easily spread or massaged on the affected area. These oils are called “carrier” oils. Common carrier oils include coconut oil, grapeseed oil, sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, olive oil and others.
Fractionated coconut oil [remains liquid] and grapeseed oil are favorites because they are odorless and in the case of fractionated coconut oil, immune to rancidity. In practical use, any oil can be used if you do not have one of these more therapeutic oils on hand.
The properties of the various carrier oils is beyond the scope of this article but my favorite? Easy. Fractionated coconut oil. Is is relatively inexpensive, odorless and has a long shelf life making it perfect for the survival kit.

Eliminating distractions

Eliminating distractions
June 20, 2014
By: Gina Yoryet Roman


Exactly 10 years ago I told two people that I wanted to write a book, yet I never envisioned it, planned it, strategized or set a deadline. That statement was only a distant mirage that my childhood dreams made me yearn for when my love for writing first came forth. Precisely ten years later, I still haven’t written an entire book but I have become co-author with eleven other women from different cities, ethnicities, backgrounds and cultures of a life-changing script. This victory (I call a book a victory), will be published on Friday June 27, 2014, exactly a week from today through the International Women’s Leadership Association.

Just yesterday when I received the manuscript as I skimmed through it for a final revision, I finally got a real sense of what a powerful project this is. I was filled with joy and a burst of Esperanza (hope) and I couldn’t help contemplating all the different ways I can eliminate all distractions to fully focus on another one of my victories. I was on the verge of tears caught amid excitement, pride and contentment when I started resonating with the other co-authors who I don’t even know. I still can’t get over the bewilderment of how all of us came together to give life to a shared passion. Real soon I won’t only resonate with my fellow writers but with all the women I will share this book with. My female students in two different groups have already asked me to meet once or twice a week to talk about it because they are just as eager as I am to see my final product.

It is a pleasure for me to share my work with them if it’s going to impact them and other women in a positive way. Now that I am barely crawling to reach one of my triumphs, I want to get motivated by all the women who want to see my work. One of my goals is to change my life by changing that of others, that’s why I am certain that this will be the best approach and I can’t wait till next Friday. From now until then I will be counting every single second I hear the echo of the ticking clock.

This project is the result of focus, discipline, arduous work, incredible self-control and all those moments that I didn’t feel like writing, yet I didn’t give in to my cajoling mind. Through insistence, resistance, persistence and resiliency I retaliated to eliminate all distractions roaming in my surroundings. Now I can challenge myself to accomplish something bigger and even better, perhaps my biography, maybe it’s too soon for that? Perchance I am daunted about certain dark stages in my childhood and I am terrified some wounds may reopen and my heart will bleed again?

Never mind about my biography for now, right now I want to eliminate all distracting factors and think about all the marvels I can do with this particular achievement!

A dose of reality

A dose of reality
June 17, 2014 

By: Gina Yoryet Roman

Health & fitness is one of my realities

It is now 8:18, I am just getting home and I still have a myriad of pending issues before I hit the sack. Just thinking about them overwhelms me. I’m trying to debate whether to listen to the recorded webinar I missed yesterday for the upcoming ebook, ‘Rules and Tools that Build Successful Women,’ which will publish on the 27th, write another post, send some quotes to a couple of clients, or fully focus on my sweet potato and glass of milk and really enjoy them as opposed to taking a little bite and sip here and there unable to savor them in their entirety.

Ok, some of these pending tasks can hold off till tomorrow so I am going to post because I miss writing. Writing has always been one of my greatest loves in life but when I developed the habit to do it consistently, it diverted into a passion which will reveal my purpose one day sooner rather than later...

Really? The other day when I was asked if a movie were being made about my life, what would I call it and which actress would play me, It didn’t surprise me because I’d thought and asked myself the same thing many times prior to that.

My answers:
Name of movie:
Gina Yoryet's biography.
What actor would play you? The one who'd play me would be an ordinary young woman who resembles me physically and who's gone through similar experiences because not one single actress can relate to my life.

Ever since I was a little girl I was restless, later as a teenager, I was still antsy, I became a dreamer but was at a loss so I didn’t take any action, in my twenties I started making some things happen slowly and progressively but was still indecisive, insecure and daunted by life. In my early thirties I was still terrified but made a huge transition, stepped up and empowered myself. Ever since every day that goes by, I’ve looked at the palm of my hand to count the gifts, skills and the power lying in my grip.

There I was able to find all the answers and learnt that despite the diversity and consternating and painful setbacks, I’ve been physically and emotionally resilient and even when I’ve been bent temporarily countless times, I’ve never been completely broken.

That’s why if I were able to make a movie about myself, (I would love to have the opportunity one day!), choosing an actor to depict me wouldn’t be hit or miss,  it would be a complete miss. That’s why I emphasized that the someone to represent me would be an ordinary young woman who resembles me physically and who's gone through similar experiences because not one single actress can relate to my life. Not a single actress comes close to who I am, what drives me or the contributing factors that have shaped me into the woman I am meant to be.

Actors/actresses do an amazing job but each human being has their own ambitions, aspirations, dreams, reasons, expectations, objectives, drives and desires. Mine are only a few: Spirituality, family, work and business ethics, health and fitness, charity work, reading, playing with words, reflecting and embracing the simplicity of life.

I can’t miss my purpose through them in my biographical film!

If it happens one day, that will be my dose of reality!

It doesn’t matter who my father was

It doesn’t matter who my father was
June 16, 2014


"It doesn't matter who my father was;
it matters who I remember he was."
                                                     -Anne Sexton



Those Winter Sundays
Sundays too my father got up early
and put his clothes on in the blueblack cold,
then with cracked hands that ached
from labor in the weekday weather made
banked fires blaze. No one ever thanked him.

I’d wake and hear the cold splintering, breaking.
When the rooms were warm, he’d call,
and slowly I would rise and dress,
fearing the chronic angers of that house,

Speaking indifferently to him,
who had driven out the cold
and polished my good shoes as well.
What did I know, what did I know
of love’s austere and lonely offices?
                                  -Robert Hayden

There is always hope

There is always hope
June 14, 2014


“Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift of God, which is why we call it the present.”
― Bil Keane

“Listen to the mustn'ts, child. Listen to the don'ts. Listen to the shouldn'ts, the impossibles, the won'ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me... Anything can happen, child. Anything can be.”
― Shel Silverstein

“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

“I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge. That myth is more potent than history. That dreams are more powerful than facts. That hope always triumphs over experience. That laughter is the only cure for grief. And I believe that love is stronger than death.”
― Robert Fulghum, All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten

“When we love, we always strive to become better than we are. When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too.”
― Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

“Hold fast to dreams,
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird,
That cannot fly.”
― Langston Hughes

“It's really a wonder that I haven't dropped all my ideals, because they seem so absurd and impossible to carry out. Yet I keep them, because in spite of everything, I still believe that people are really good at heart.”
― Anne Frank, The Diary of a Young Girl

“There is neither happiness nor misery in the world; there is only the comparison of one state with another, nothing more. He who has felt the deepest grief is best able to experience supreme happiness. We must of felt what it is to die, Morrel, that we may appreciate the enjoyments of life.
" Live, then, and be happy, beloved children of my heart, and never forget, that until the day God will deign to reveal the future to man, all human wisdom is contained in these two words, 'Wait and Hope.”
― Alexandre Dumas


“Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul
And sings the tune without the words
And never stops at all.”
― Emily Dickinson

Practicing Resiliency

Practicing Resiliency
because my body deserves it
June 11, 2014
By: Gina Yoryet Roman


Sometimes two, three, four, five days go by without taking a single bite of veggies. Yes, I am all for sports and for the most part, I live a very physically active lifestyle because my body is my most valuable asset. Or so I make myself believe.

Over the weekend I brooded over not having had any vegetables AT ALL in three weeks!! Yes, that’s how bad it got this time. I thought that as I got older, my cunning mind would NOT convince me into skipping those nutritious and healthy legumes but the total opposite happened. The older I get, the more challenging it gets to develop a habit to eat clean. I mean, I don’t eat junk all the time, I’ve cut back on a lot on sweets, bread, potato chips, salty and spiced up low quality food. On the other hand, I eat rice quite frequently, I started eating red meat (I eat it once or twice a week), and other meals that don’t necessarily have any nutritional value. That’s why I haven’t been able to go back to my pre-surgery weight, although I am getting closer.

This early afternoon’s phone call and the end of May, were a wake up call to remind me to get myself together and try A LITTLE harder. This is very challenging at this time because the pain on my knee won’t subside, plus I must have pulled an agressive move at the gym because I have a very sharp and throbbing pain on my left calf and ankle. On top of that, I’ve only managed to pay a visit to the gym two or three days per week because my energy level is at its lowest ever. All I want to do is sleep, snooze and nap, OH, and EAT!

The first reminder came late last month when I finally found a new photographer who I had a brief talk with a few days ago to explain to her (this is the first time I will work with a woman) what I am looking for and to set up a time and place for the fitness photo shoot. The original idea was early April but I was far from being emotionally or physically ready so I was very glad to postpone it. Now that I am more focused, I am definitely shooting for Saturday June 28, which means that I’ve got exactly sixteen days to do the best I can and to NOT be subdued by all my physical impediments.

The second memorandum was the phone call I got today, it was Simplemente Adriana, 105.9 FM radio who interviewed me last November 27 to give a talk about the importance of writing. We’ve been playing tag since early April to have a second talk about health and fitness, and perhaps a third talk about my upcoming project, “Rules and Tools that Build Successful Women,’ to entice young tapatias to thrive in the business world. The moment I read the caller's name on my phone screen, my heart beat faster and I nagged myself for not pushing myself further.

In result of that, I came up with a resolution which so far, I’ve made happen two days straight. I want to boost my energy level and make my body more resilient so I’ve had a green juice, celery, spinach and small chunks of beet root and as of yet, I’ve felt more hyped up despite making it to my 5am work outs three days this week. I will alternate my greens to avoid getting bored and this will be my ritual for the next sixteen days until the BIG day arrives!! This time I am going to applaud my effort, and strength as opposed to beating myself for NOT reaching perfection.

As far as the radio talk, they wanted to go live this Friday but I couldn’t cancel all other work related activities, that's why we are going to work around my time away in July and August. This is very exciting because although I am not an expert, I am confident enough to hold a talk about the different blood and body types as it is a very serious topic that many people are oblivious to.

A book is never lonely

A book is never lonely
June 8, 2014
By: Gina Roman


“A book,
a book full of human touches, of shirts, a book without loneliness, with men and tools,
a book is victory.”
Pablo Neruda

LIBRO
hermoso,
libro,
mínimo bosque,
hoja
tras hoja,
huele
tu papel
a elemento,
eres
matutino y nocturno,
cereal,
oceánico,
en tus antiguas páginas
cazadores de osos,
fogatas
cerca del Mississippi,
canoas
en las islas,
más tarde
caminos
y caminos,
revelaciones,
pueblos
insurgentes,
Rimbaud como un herido
pez sangriento
palpitando en el lodo,
y la hermosura
de la fraternidad,
piedra por piedra
sube el castillo humano,
dolores que entretejen
la firmeza,
acciones solidarias,
libro
oculto
de bolsillo
en bolsillo,
lámpara
clandestina,
estrella roja.

Nosotros
los poetas
caminantes
exploramos
el mundo,
en cada puerta
nos recibió la vida,
participamos
en la lucha terrestre.
Cuál fue nuestra victoria?
Un libro,
un libro lleno
de contactos humanos,
de camisas,
un libro
sin soledad, con hombres
y herramientas,
un libro
es la victoria.
Vive y cae
como todos los frutos,
no sólo tiene luz,
no sólo tiene
sombra,
se apaga,
se deshoja,
se pierde
entre las calles,
se desploma en la tierra.
Libro de poesía
de mañana,
otra vez
vuelve
a tener nieve o musgo
en tus páginas
para que las pisadas
o los ojos
vayan grabando
huellas:
de nuevo
descríbenos el mundo
los manantiales
entre la espesura,
las altas arboledas,
los planetas
polares,
y el hombre
en los caminos,
en los nuevos caminos,
avanzando
en la selva,
en el agua,
en el cielo,
en la desnuda soledad marina,
el hombre
descubriendo
los últimos secretos,
el hombre
regresando
con un libro,
el cazador de vuelta
con un libro,
el campesino arando
con un libro.

A positive attitude + A powerful mind

A positive attitude

+ 

A powerful mind

June 7, 2014

By: Gina Yoryet Roman

I am now getting back from ‘Actitudes Poderosas,’ a motivational talk in which Francisco González Martínez, author of ´Reinventa tu vida,’  was one of the guest speakers. He was by far my favorite one, the other speakers were good too but Francisco’s words really enticed me to reflect since I am always too hard on myself even for the smallest things. 

I liked him for the following reasons.

1. He is a very attractive man. LOL! That was definitely a plus but that was not the main reason.
2. He was very energized and smiled all the time, 
3. He got the audience involved by assigning a small exercise. 
4. He used prompts and questions
5. He delivered a message of hope based on his own experience.
6. He emphasized that we must never give up based on life's setbacks. No matter how low we feel, we have to bounce back and face our fears. 
7. He was very genuine and honest because he established rapport with us. 
8. He was able to connect with us and that got us emotionally involved. 
9. As opposed to only talking he asked questions to be able to read us, he showed interest by asking what we were going through without getting into details. Based on that, we worked together on small tactics to learn to let go of our past. 

Once we were through with the interacting exercise, he went on telling us something very important. 

“It is normal to make mistakes but when that happens, we have to take time to reflect to know when and how we failed, learn from those flaws, let go, and take action to avoid making the same mistakes. Don’t beat yourself for that, don’t be too hard on yourself, instead, take time to praise yourself of how hard you are working to be better. 

Do that and don’t hold a grudge on the past because life is full of opportunities to be better people.” 

He also reiterated this:

“Don’t be daunted by life’s mishaps, why not you face your fears, overturn the negative feelings and do the best you can with them?”

He talked about his initiation as a writer and speaker, when he was in school he always failed all his writing classes and on top of that, he wasn’t a good public speaker. When he graduated from college, he went to look for a job at a middle school and ironically one of the classes he had to teach was advanced composition. To make the story short, he was bullied by the girls in his class to the point that he lost all power and control over them. One day they made him sit down on his chair, then all the girls in the class cornered and surrounded him started touching him and took off his belt and tie while the only young man in the class was holding him down so he couldn't move. Coincidentally the principal walked into the room at that precise moment and needless to say, he was fired. His heart was torn into pieces, he felt like a failure and it took him two years to recover from that unpleasant and humiliating incident. 

Once he had gotten over that, he decided to tackle his fears and went back to that same school to ask for a job again. He was given another opportunity and excelled. Now he is one of the most influential Mexican speakers because he has faith, a positive attitude and a powerful mind. Not everyone retaliates against the daunting obstacles in life. We let our circumstances hold us back. 

Francisco is not one to let life play with him, that's why his positive attitude is still resonating in my mind. This event was just the boost I needed after the unwanted outcome of a couple of events in my life that I had no control of and which I kept beating myself for. I want to know more about him and his marvelous and touching words through writing, so the next step is to buy his book, ‘Reinventa tu vida.’

Lie, Lay or Lie

Lie, Lay or Lie
June 6, 2014
By: Gina Yoryet Roman


My mind was ‘divagating’ for a couple of days and I was left in awe because I couldn’t believe that my written master piece that came ‘close to perfection’ (according to me) was completely trashed last week. My eyes opened a lot wider than normal, my jaw dropped, I felt very insecure and vulnerable and questioned my skills when I saw all the red parts through the entire document.

This comment was a very strong blow right on my face -
“There are a few places where it's unclear what you'd like to convey and I think this is due to language differences.”

True, English is NOT my mother tongue but I’ve been exposed to it from a very early age on. Since then, I’ve impulsed myself to improve all around: reading, writing, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar and listening and I feel very confident about it. I understand and accept positive feedback but I’d never ran into any ‘language differences’ as my mind is fully trained to think and work at both Spanish and English with the same rapidness and efficiency.

“So - what is a 'divagate'? Also, am unfamiliar with the word 'parallelism'; how does that differ from 'parallel'?”

GRY: "The above words in quotation marks, actually do exist and I can back that up because I use real words and always push myself to expand my vocabulary to enrich my second language further."

After this small disagreement and a few other scenarios this month, I’ve been overly sensitive which led me to feel offended and hurt much quicker than normal, as a result of that I fired right back,  argumented and backed up my reasoning not because I like to always be right but because I like to prove my point when I've done my homework.

One of those points is the similarity between the following three verbs which the majority of people are not even acquainted with, and the ones that are, always get them mixed up, including me.

One of my comments on my writing was, “All the answers lie in your hands”
Incorrect,
It was changed to, “All the answers ‘lay’ in your hands.”
I was right. 


1. To Lie  (to lie down/recline/)
Lie lies lying lay lain

2. To Lay (to set/put/place)
  Lay lays laying laid laid

3.  To Lie (to be dishonest)
   Lie lies lying lied lied

Ralph Waldo Emerson used the right word in his quote many years ago.

"What Lies Behind Us and What Lies Before Us are Tiny Matters Compared to What Lies Within Us"

So according to my investigation,
People lie when they are dishonest,
I am going to lay my book on the desk, and
All the answers are indeed lying in my hands.

Plus
Divagate, parallelism do exist

In addition to that, I don’t have any language barriers, that’s why I counterargumented my point. I always do that when I know I am right and of course when I can back it up.

Now I am at ease and peace with myself and my skills are no longer being questioned...