The best things in life are priceless

“The best things in life are priceless”
February 6, 2012
By: Gina Yoryet Roman

After coming back from my early rush hour at 6:45 this morning, I hopped back into bed and wrapped myself around with my blankets like a huge “tamal.” I didn’t have to storm out of the house because today is “Día de la Constitución” which was drafted in Queretaro during the Mexican Revolution and later approved by the Constitutional Congress on February 5, 1917.

Squeezing in more zzzzz’s wasn’t a bad idea but I felt amazingly great since last weekend I got more than plenty of sleep. 13 nonstop hours and then I took another two hour nap yesterday so I was more than caught up.

I grabbed “Atlas Shrugged,” instead and read almost a chapter. Most people are not too keen on this story and I can see why because it seems endless. I love that Dagny Taggart character, even though it is only fiction, she’s the type of personality I feel connected with. She’s strong, independent, represses her feelings especially after that player Francisco D’Anconia breaks her heart.

Ayn Rand managed to project her writing very vividly so every time I come across Francisco, I just want to slap the man and tell him that Dagny is an amazing woman and what a fool he is for letting her go. LOL!

Just as I was getting into the story, the chirping of the birds caught my attention so I put the book down for a few minutes to hear their chant announcing spring. At that moment I realized that I had NEVER in my life stopped to enjoy the best things in life which are free of cost.

We are always bombarded with projects, deadlines, goals to accomplish, house chores to be done, endless work demands and limits we set ourselves that we never stop and smell the coffee.

We seem to ignore many things and richness of our countries. A few weeks ago I read an article in yahoo news titled like this, “Energía Solar para alumbrar tu casa, el sol sale para todos y regala electricidad.” Meaning that México has one of the highest solar ratios in the world making it legal for people to generate electricity for self-consumption. México would be able to develop a whole industry from the production of solar panels to the industrial consumption.

My question is how many are aware of this? It is our nature that which must be given a much higher importance than what we give it and not concentrate so much on vain and materialistic issues.

"NO ESTUDIO POR SABER MÁS, SINO POR IGNORAR MENOS"

"NO ESTUDIO POR SABER MÁS, SINO POR IGNORAR MENOS"
February 5, 2012
Gina Yoryet Roman


"NO ESTUDIO POR SABER MÁS, SINO POR IGNORAR MENOS"
Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz

“Ignorance is the mother of all crimes.”
Honoré de Balzac

“If you think education es expensive, try ignorance.”
Derek Bok
“The only thing that interferes with my learning is my education.”
Albert Einstein
“We are all very ignorant, but not all ignorant of the same things.”
Albert Einstein
“There are three kinds of ignorance: not knowing what should be known, to know evil is known, and knowing what should not be known.”
Rochefoucauld

“The first step of ignorance is presumed to know.”
Gracian, Baltasar
“Ignorance is not able to distinguish between what you need proof and what does not.”
Aristotle
“The disease of the ignorant is to ignore their own ignorance.”
Alcott, Amos Bronson
“The worst thing is that ignorance .. .. as prolonged, gains confidence.”
Anonymous
“The ignorant, if silent, will be held by a scholar, and go through wise to not open his lips.”
Solomon
“All that is ignored, neglected.”
Machado, Antonio
“Ignorance is the night of the mind: but a night without moon and no stars.”
Confucius
“There is the same difference between a wise and ignorant that between a man and a corpse alive.”
Aristotle
“Ignorance and error are sources of bad humor.”
Holbach, Baron
“Nothing in the world as common as ignorance and charlatans.”
Cleobulus
“Being aware of one’s ignorance is a great step to knowledge.”
Disraeli, Benjamin
“Everybody is ignorant, only in different subjects.”
Rogers, W.
“The ignorant have value, the learned fear.”
Moravia, Alberto
“Ignorance is less far from the truth that prejudice.”
Diderot, Denis
“Ignorance is the mother of fear.”
Kames, Henry Home
“Human ignorance not stay behind the science, as it grows so quickly.”
Jerzy Lec, Stanislaw

NEVER ASK “WHY ME LORD?"

This is Why We Should Never Ask, “Why Me Lord?”
February 3rd, 2012
By: Gina Yoryet Roman

Towards the end of December I was very pumped up although things are always very low work wise during that season (they always pick up starting January). Unlike most of those days I was trying to keep the flame of hope alive and not panic majorly as usual or infect anyone with my bad vibes.

Everything was well internally but then all these unexpected things came up and it seems as if I keep stumbling with the same tedious little obstructions that keep pulling me down.

Two weeks ago I couldn’t even stand myself and I wondered, “Why do these things happen, why me, why now, why here, what for, am I supposed to learn a lesson from this, will that forge the person I was meant to be, am I supposed to tackle problems one by one and refuse to take anything other than the good and do the best with them?”

While looking at my inner chart and trying to control the battle within, it appeared as though a powerful incline started taking a toll but suddenly it hit again... The usual pump and dump with my mood swings.

Yesterday and today I was on the verge of insanity since I had a deadline so I stayed up till 2am working and this morning I did my usual rise at 4:30, 4:40 but not because I went to the gym but because I had to comply with the due date. It was very satisfying to release all the tension when it was done but at the same time it was impossible because there hasn’t been one single second for me to rest (it’s 10pm and my bed is snowed under with clean clothes to put away, I’ve got one last phone call to make and get some documents ready to meet a colleague of mine) so I’m estimating to hit the sack at about midnight or 1am.

One factor as to why everything is gloom and doom at this moment is the random yet repetitive dreams of my childhood. It feels as if they will always come back to haunt me… I am not quite ready to air it out just yet, I am allowing myself a two year window frame for all the traces of writing to merge into a whole.
Among other reasons is my usual overwhelming agenda which is the least to be preoccupied about as I’ve chosen it that way because I enjoy it. The busier my mind, the better, I use it as a weapon to help me fight against my demons. LOL! But it really hit me this week. Three or four projects are in the works and the amount of information to read and fill out is amazingly tiring, uninteresting, tedious and time consuming. I shouldn’t complain though because everything is a learning experience.

The only thing that keeps me hopeful is that these will only be a one time LONG process and pretty soon I’ll be able to shake off all the fatigue, refresh myself, shrug my shoulders and give myself a pat on the back.

Therefore, instead of wasting energy unnecessarily in wanting to know a million things, I should make a HUGE copy of this reading and paste it to my ceiling so I can read it every night before I go to sleep or when “Señora Insomnia” decides to pay me a visit.”


“Never Ask, “Why Me Lord?”
Me (in a tizzy) : God, can I ask you something?
GOD: Sure.

Me: Promise you won't get mad?
GOD: I promise.

Me (frustrated): Why did you let so much stuff happen to me today?
GOD: What do you mean?

Me: Well I woke up late,
GOD: Yes

Me: My car took forever to start,
GOD: Okay....

Me (growling): At lunch, they made my sandwich wrong and I had to wait
GOD: Hmmmm..

Me: On the way home, my phone went dead, just as I picked up a call
GOD: All right

Me (loudly): And to top it all off, when I got home, I just wanted to soak my feet in my foot massager and relax, but it wouldn't work. Nothing went right today! Why did you do that????
GOD: Well let me see..... the death angel was at your bed this morning and I had to send one of the other angels to battle him for your life. I let you sleep through that.

Me (humbled): Oh...
GOD: I didn't let your car start because there was a drunk driver on your route that might have hit you if you were on the road
Me (ashamed): ............

GOD: The first person who made your sandwich today was sick and I didn't want you to catch what they have, I knew you couldn't afford to miss work
Me (embarrassed): Oh.....

GOD: Your phone went dead because the person that was calling was going to give a false witness about what you said on that call, I didn't even let you talk to them so you would be covered

Me (softly): I see God
GOD: Oh and that foot massager, it had a short that was going to throw out all of the power in your house tonight. I didn't think you wanted to be in the dark.

Me: I'm sorry God.
GOD: Don't be sorry, just learn to trust me.........in all things, the good and the bad

Me: I WILL trust you God
GOD: And don't doubt that my plan for your day is always better than your plan

Me: I won't God. And let me just tell you God, thank you for everything today.

GOD: You're welcome child. It was just another day being your God and I love looking after my children.

Scriptural References: II Samuel 22:31, Proverbs 3:5, Hebrews 2:13
"The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.. .."
(Proverbs 11:25)

The 10 Commandments of Working out

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS OF WORKING OUT

January 28, 2012

I was just going through my list of goals for this year and one of them was to be more disciplined with my eating habits, and to stop doing mindless, unnecessary, emotional and compulsive eating to shed the two stubborn extra kilos clinging on my muffin top because of the food spree we had over the holidays and to stay at 50 kilos…no more, no less.

So I’ve unconsciously had bread only three times in 28 days! About two weeks ago I had Alfredo, then last week I only had two tiny slices of bread and today I had another two very small ones with my pasta.
The funny thing is that I didn’t record that goal in my exercise and diet journal nor register it in my mind, it happened without even thinking about it.

On the other hand, I’ve been splurging on cheese and tortillas!! I’ve lost count on how many tortillas and cheese I’ve gotten a hold of but what makes me anxious the most is the frequency, most of this week and last I’ve had them twice a day every day. No wonder my 6 pack cannot be developed! Maybe I am not doing the appropriate workout, perhaps I should give the Hottie Body Hum Pilates Club a shot!

So I am once again devoting myself to making a serious attempt to stop pigging out and look for ways to control my crazy cravings and stay focused on my workouts by finding alternatives to not aggravate the unbearable pain on my left knee that’s been killing me.

In fact, just a little while ago I was studying my material for the Sports Nutrition Certification I am doing (another one of my goals for 2012) and I came across this list of workout commandments that I will do my best to always have in mind (I made a small change to the title).



THE TEN COMMANDMENTS OF WORKING OUT


1. Thou shalt always be ready to exercise at thy appointed time.
2. Thou shalt call at least twelve hours ahead to cancel or pay full price for thy missed session.
3. Thou shalt do all that the trainer tells thou with no murmuring.
4.Thou shalt eat the way thou are commanded to by thy teacher.
5.Thou shalt not bounce any checks lest thou pay a $20 fee for it.
6. Thou shalt tell all of thy friends about the wonderful things thy teacher has done for thou.
7. Thou shalt not use foul language or take the name of God in vain.
8. Thou shalt cheerfully and joyfully attend thy aerobics sessions, and reflect lovingly upon them.
9. Thou shalt get good results and blessings if thou doest all thy teacher commands thee.
10. Thou shalt have curses (fat and weak) if thou failest to follow any of thy teacher’s commands.
Thy mark: Gina Yoryet Roman, This day: January 28, 2012

Enjoy the Silence

Enjoy the Silence
January 15, 2012
By: Gina Yoryet Roman


I am biding my time as I hear the clock tick every millisecond. I watch the way my fingers create new words without a set direction, yet each of those words has a very profound significance as they will be another reached victory and purpose one day rather sooner than later.

Sometimes I go back and read my old posts and it is still hard for me to believe that it is really “Me” who has created those words. It’s been rather odd through my entire life to acknowledge myself for what I’ve accomplished because I am very critical towards myself and because whatever I do will never be good enough. And especially because during my youth I was NEVER one to think about what I’d become when I reached adulthood or much less one to set goals within a time frame.

Sometimes people ask how I can be so disciplined and they automatically assume that I grew up planning everything but they are far from the truth as I lived all my adolescence and early twenties like a vanishing feather flying up and about, a lost soul without a clear vision. When I tell them that I always inclined towards superficial and materialistic aspects without accomplishing anything other than “another” school or work week barely getting passing grades or enough money to get by, they always laugh skeptically.

My morals and values are much different than 15 years ago and my perspective now is that it is our duty as human beings to at some point grow out of the wrong actions and decisions we make earlier but sometimes it seems as if some don’t want to change for better.

That is one of the reasons why I now hold such high standards (“high standards” according to others) because that will lead me to the person I was meant to be and reach all my life’s victories.

People wonder, how I can manage getting up at 4:30am four or five days a week? How could I’ve stayed so loyal to my workouts after 16 years? How can I juggle the variety of projects; Teaching, Translating, Health and Fitness and Writing? (The latter I currently do as a hobby). How can I force myself to squeeze in and expect a little more of me every day, month and year?

Perhaps nothing is done at 100% perfection but I will always keep trying.
I’ve decided that the silent moments in my life would be the most productive ones as instead of choosing to be “sad and lonely,” I can use them to replenish my mind and soul.

Many people don’t manage solitude too well, they don’t appreciate that alone time we are given. Silence is indeed hard to find. Cities are notoriously noisy due to the high concentration of traffic and people. There seems to be no escape from loud music, loud machines and loud voices. But the kind of noise that endangers our spiritual well-being is not the noise we can’t escape but the noise we invite into our lives. Some of us use noise as a way of shutting out loneliness: voices of TV and radio personalities give us the illusion of companionship. Some of us use it as a way of shutting out our own thoughts. Other voices and opinions keep us from having to think for ourselves. Many of us do it to hide behind a mask or for many other reasons

My perspective to such behavior is that most of us are afraid to face and reach to our inner selves and strive for spiritual growth. There is an amazing documentary by Philip Gröning, “Into Great Silence,” released in 2005 in which has neither commentary sound effects added, consisting only of images and sounds of life in a monastery. This film should hold high praising and awards as that is what society has been in desperate need of.

There was also this inspiring phrase by singer Meg Hutchinson about this matter, “My next record should be 45 minutes of silence.” “Because that is what we’re missing most in society.”

And last by not least, there is “Enjoy the Silence,” by Depeche Mode that holds a very true verdict of such vain and empty society we have created.

Ladies

Ladies
January 12, 2012

A young wife sat on a sofa on a hot humid day,
drinking iced tea and visiting with her mother. As
they talked about life, about marriage, about the
responsibilities of life and the obligations of
adulthood, the mother clinked the ice cubes in her
glass thoughtfully and turned a clear, sober glance
upon her daughter..

Don't forget your sisters,' she advised, swirling
the tea leaves to the bottom of her glass. 'They'll
be more important as you get older. No matter how
much you love your husband, no matter how much you
love the children you may have, you are still going
to need sisters. Remember to go places with them now
and then; do things with them.'

Remember that 'sisters' means ALL the women...
your girlfriends, your daughters, and all your other
women relatives too. 'You'll need other women. Women
always do.

What a funny piece of advice!' the young woman
thought. Haven't I just gotten married?
Haven't I just joined the couple-world? I'm now a
married woman, for goodness sake! A grownup! Surely
my husband and the family we may start will be all I
need to make my life worthwhile!'

But she listened to her mother. She kept contact
with her sisters and made more women friends each
year. As the years tumbled by, one after another,
she gradually came to understand that her mother really
knew what she was talking about. As time and nature
work their changes and their mysteries upon a woman,
sisters are the mainstays of her life.

After more than 50 years of living in this world,
here is what I've learned:

THIS SAYS IT ALL:

Time passes.

Life happens.

Distance separates.

Children grow up.

Jobs come and go.

Love waxes and wanes.

Men don't do what they're supposed to do.

Hearts break.

Parents die.

Colleagues forget favors.

Careers end.
BUT.........


Sisters are there, no matter how much time and how

many miles are between you. A girl friend is never farther
away than needing her can reach.

When you have to walk that lonesome valley and you
have to walk it by yourself, the women in your life
will be on the valley's rim, cheering you on,
praying for you, pulling for you, intervening on
your behalf, and waiting with open arms at the
valley's end.

Sometimes, they will even break the rules and walk
beside you....Or come in and carry you out.
Girlfriends, daughters, granddaughters,
daughters-in-law, sisters, sisters-in-law, Mothers,
Grandmothers, aunties, nieces, cousins, and extended
family: all bless our life!

The world wouldn't be the same without women, and
neither would I.. When we began this adventure called
womanhood, we had no idea of the incredible joys or
sorrows that lay ahead. Nor did we know how much we
would need each other.

Every day, we need each other still. Pass this on
to all the women who help make your life meaningful.
I just did. Short and very sweet:

There are more than twenty angels in this world.
Ten are peacefully sleeping on clouds and ten are
playing at this moment.

My biggest attraction

My biggest attraction
January 8, 2012
By: Gina Yoryet Roman


The end of 2011 and the first week of 2012 have been very fulfilling as I started off with one of my many goals – that is to spend time with positive and successful people.

Sunday December 18, I had dinner with the producer of“The Road to Tequila,” and planned and strategized 2-3 issues that we are making happen this year. The following two days we went to do some interviews at La Cámara de la Industria Tequilera and to the Consejo Regulador del Tequila, to wrap our day up, we had dinner at Santo Coyote.

On Tuesday we went to Tequila to do another interview but we were out of luck since some people are afraid to bring up some topics on camera because that could be detrimental for their business.
On December 31st I had brunch with my mentor, a woman who has achieved and done so much in Guadalajara since her arrival in 1960.
That same day, New Year’s dinner, two of my sisters, my nephew, my mother and I had some special guests…
The priests from our church, they came with another 5 people.

We couldn’t have ended the year any better, surrounded with love, peace, harmony and affection, food in a cozy place in the midst of chaos, death, tragedy, despair and pain that many families are going through. Thank God there are always angels in our journey.

So getting rid of bad intentioned people is on my top list. It is nice to know many people and spend time with them but what matters to me more than quantity is quality and talking to priests is always very peaceful because they project good vibes and they are filled with warm and kind words, they have so much wisdom but more than anything, they have the power of healing hearts and guiding humanity to follow the right path.
We talked about many things but the one that made me reflect the most was vanity.

If someone had asked me before what is my biggest attraction? Perhaps I would’ve said, “my legs, my nose, my arms or my face because those are the body parts that I’ve been complimented the most about.”
I would’ve said that because I’ve let myself be induced in this vain and superficial world. I chose to incline towards the outer aspect but I would like to change that.

From now on when someone asks me about my biggest attraction I will respond like this, “My brain is my biggest attraction and my most valued asset.”
Appreciate it and act like a lady, like the priest said this morning during mass.
Only loving words must always come out of a woman’s mouth to her partner, not orders as a woman is very powerful and it compliments the man of the house.

If I am blessed with a loving partner someday I will use my biggest attraction for us to succeed all the stages in our relationship and I will also use it to make wise decisions, to talk to the right people.
My brain will be my guide to lead me through the right path.