Still Hibernating

Hello All,
Snow storm #1 has passed and storm #2 is on its way. Stocked up on groceries, movies, hot chocolate and I have enough notebooks and pens for a small lifetime, so I'm good. I'm going to sit in my favorite chair and write. It makes me happy just thinking about it! This hibernating season is something I look forward to all year. It is a time for clarity and reflection. I need it and it needs me. I will come forth with new discoveries and plans. Always do and always will.

2013 is the year of change. I feel it and understand that I just need to be in position. That position starts with my pen.

Dear Archuleta (a letter to my younger self)

Dear Archuleta,
This life is as unpredictable as it is wonderful. A simple statement, but something that I always want you to remember as you blossom into the woman you will one day become. When you are a child, those closest to you will tell you exactly what you want to hear. They will tell you that you are smart and pretty, but being smart is what will last. I know that girls will use their looks to get the boys. But, you just keep being who you are. You don’t need to do all that. At this age, your self-esteem is being formed. Sometimes, those closest to you will say or do things to break your confidence. Yes, it will hurt your feelings…bad. But, channel those feelings into your writing. Never allow people and their words to shape who you are. As you get older, you will learn to stop trying to “fit in.” You are going to look around and see that light skin and long hair are favored. You will travel down this road a lot. You will survive and get through it. Your cocoa skin is to be celebrated and please remember that you are more than good enough. God said so. You will not understand this until you are much older, but one day you will look at yourself in the mirror and realize how beautiful you really are. One day, you will be a positive voice for women. Pay attention to the relationships around you as a child, because they will help mold and shape you as an adult. You will recall everything Mama and Nana taught you and it will set you apart as a woman. This is what real men look for in women, believe it or not. It’s not about the girls you see in the videos and magazines, but it’s about character and real love. Just to let you know, high school is going to be tough. Mainly because you won’t think like everybody else, but also because of your battle with low self esteem. You will make good decisions about who to give your heart to and that is a credit to your intuition. Of course, you will make mistakes and it will take you a minute to bounce back. But, you will and you will do what feels right. You always do. Trust your gut instincts and never apologize for doing what is right for you. Eventually, you will meet someone who lets you know that love is real. You will have a life with this person and become one. Always remember to put yourself first and never lose who you are as a person. You love deeply and try everything you know to keep the relationship in tact. But know that sometimes, even what you thought would last forever won’t. Don’t be afraid to ask for what you need in a relationship. And don’t be afraid to give 100%. It’s okay to do what is best for you. Ask questions and know where you stand. Believe that if love can find you once, it will certainly find you again. It will be even sweeter because you will be wiser. You will find out who your friends are in times of trouble and who has your back. Don’t forget about your friends. Sometimes, you have the tendency to shut people out. It’s not that you intend to do it, but you’ll get so consumed with what is happening in your personal world that you forget to lean on others for help. Your career goals will come to fruition and you will eventually pursue your passion and become so fulfilled in your life. You will have people that support you and cheer you on each step of the way. Your creativity will blossom more than you can imagine right now. It will carve your very existence. Fear and pain will be in your life due to tragic events. Please don’t allow those circumstances to run your life. They will eventually turn into strength, but it will be up to you. Don’t waste valuable time in your life by dwelling in the past. Practice forgiveness and understanding. Face things head on and always communicate how you feel. Be patient and know that your time will come. Always pray and ask God for guidance. You can make it through all of your problems in life. Don’t worry about love. Love will find you and make you feel safe. It won’t be perfect, because nothing is. You will accept love and be a better person because of it. He’ll be excited for you as you live out your dreams. He will tell you that you are beautiful everyday…and mean it. He will challenge you to go further and push harder. Of everything you will go through, know that your faith and obedience will bring you to your destiny in every area of your life. I will say it again; always put yourself first! Follow your path and no one else’s. Don’t apologize for who you are or what you look like. You are going to grow into a very beautiful woman. Always be humble and gracious. Keep smiling. Be happy. Live your life to the fullest.

Love you so much,
Archuleta

p.s. Rock that short hair!

Are our little girls growing up too fast?

Hello All,
Studies show that girls as young as 9 understand very clearly what sexy is and what it looks like. When I was 9, I was playing with Barbie and Baby dolls, watching cartoons and waiting for the ice cream truck to come down my block. Being sexy was the furthest thing from my mind. Now, our girls are hailing Beyonce and Rihanna as their "role models" and trying to live up to an unattainable standard.

Our society is over-sexed and all the images on television, in the movies and magazines and on social media have almost brain washed our young queens into a fantasy worled that takes them away from who they are. Who's fault is this? Society or ours? Can we expect society to be responsible for what our girls see and hear? No, that is the job of parents, guardians and family. This type of exposure lends itself to growing up too fast, having sex early and low self esteem.

Young girls are too focused on how their bodies look, rather than who they are on the inside. Nowadays, girls are learning from a very early age that there is power in their bodies. What they need to know is that there is power in their minds. They have the power to do anything and everything. We have to make sure they know this. We have to make sure they know it and live it.

Blessings,
Archuleta

New and You

Hello All,
This will be the year to speak up. Progress will not be gained by remaining silent. In any situation, think about what you want the outcome to be. Then ask yourself what you need to do to make it happen. You must speak up in all your relationships. Even where there is difficulty and you're facing difficult situations. Your words are important and have power. God is going to ask you to do things that you know you can't do on your own. However, God is going to equip you and call you out of your comfortable, normal box. Seek Him. There are truths that God is going to reveal to you. He is going to confirm ideas and plans that you have had for a long time. He is going to place people in your life that will help you on your path. It will change your life forever. Stop operating in the past. Even if you are dwelling on something bad that happened yesterday, you are giving life to it.

This will be the year to speak loud! Your life will settle for mediocrity if you don't give this life all you've got. Promise yourself that you will not allow anyone or anything to halt your blessings. Promise that you will get out of your own way.

Take a deep breath, roll your sleeves up and get with it. Do it. Create it. Write it. Plan it. Make it ALL happen.

Blessings,
Archuleta

Who among us doesn't have an insecurity?

Hello All, One of my favorite cartoons growing up was Charlie Brown and the Peanuts gang. The Thanksgiving specials were the best. Well, last week the gang was on television and it took me back to being 10 years old. Selfish Lucy, took Linus' blanket and made a kite out of it. Of course, Linus was furious and asked her why did she do this! As she proceeded to explain to him, she inadvertently let go of the kite (blanket). Linus chased it but couldn't catch it and he watched his precious blanket take flight. He couldn't think straight, couldn't eat and had to have Charlie Brown sit with him in order to sleep that night. No one was understanding his torment, except for Charlie Brown. The next day, the whole gang gathered around to tell him how stupid that blanket was and he was better off without it! Linus asked the group, "Who among you doesn't have an insecurity?" No one said anything. He began calling each of them out on their shortcomings. He stated that he needed his blanket and couldn't be functional without it. What is your security blanket? What are you holding onto today that you just refuse to let go of because you "need it"? Linus admitted he had an insecurity and needed his blanket or else he wouldn't be able to function. God understands your insecurities and is here for you, just like Charlie Brown was there for Linus. God will not be your crutch. God will not enable you. He will help you get rid of the thing that is hindering you from living your best life. We all have them. There are things and people that we cling to so that we don't have to face our fears and deal with issues. It is safer to rely on what's inside of the box rather than to step outside of it. If you want something you never had, you have to be in position to let go. Life changes and God needs us to be receptive to change so that we don't miss out on any of our blessings. Whatever you need, God has it. Let go and be free. Blessings, Archuleta

Stress Reliever

Hello All, I bought new pens today. Well, what's so special about that? This week has been busy, stressful and trying. I have been taking long breaths, praying and then praying more. Today, as I bought new pillows in Wal-Mart, I made my usual b-line for the pen aisle. I could feel my spirits rising. As I stood there with my head tilted to the right, the pretty pink one caught my eye. Home with me it went! Whatever happens to be going on in my world, buying pens and paper always make things better. I know that I will write with them the same day. Therapy. All is put back into perspective. Blessings, Archuleta

Ultimatums

What causes us to give another human being an ultimatum?  The inner time frame that we have established into the fibers of our being.  Once that time has elapsed, frustration kicks in and we become restless; angry even.  Oftentimes, the other person knows nothing of our time frame and frustration, and the ultimatum is a shocker.  Where is this coming from?  Human nature is an unyielding truth.  We can't help how we feel but we forget to share those feelings with the person that will be affected by it.  We always hope for the best and we think time is our friend.  Time is not our friend.  We let time take over and have control.  That is not time's job and it hates being put in these situations.  One of the main reasons is communication.  We really suck at it.  This menacing, almost torturing deliberation, is our friend.  It is always there, however, we take it for granted.  We rarely recognize its importance until its too late.