Words to live by: 
"I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow. I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights. I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life. I've learned that making a 'living' is not the same thing as 'making a life'. I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance. I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw some things back. I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision. I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one. I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug or just a friendly pat on the back ... I've learned that I still have a lot to learn. I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." - Maya Angelou

"TRUE Desire in the heart for anything GOOD is God's proof to you set beforehand to indicate that it's YOURS already - You already have it - claim it - understand this also - you have these dreams - dreams without goals remain dreams - goals on the road to achievement - cannot be achieved without discipline and consistency - we all have this unique gift - understand it, protect that gift, appreciate that gift, utilize that gift. We already have it - use it - share it - that's what counts - claim it - it is what you do, with what you have - understand this, we are all in this eternity together - I'm just one of y'all" ~ Denzel Washington

For a year and half, I stepped back from being an active participant in Social Media. For me, it was the perfect time to get some introspection on how to practice mindfulness in this web of connections. And what I found in my quest of inquiry, was that the conversations all around me and the photos that were being taken around me: were all parts of Social Media connections that were way too fast for me to be apart of. So I stepped back. I stepped back and observed, connected from a distant, absorbed all the information I could muster during that time and mindfully sat with it. And that was what I did. Now that most of my loves are far away from me, the only way I can truly connect with them is through Social Media. My mom constantly asks me, "We haven't seen your face or selfie on Facebook". We talk on the phone, we skype and all that, but I think; pictures are old school connection. And so I came back, but I came back with a fresher perspective on how I want to part take on all of this. Social Media is a place for me to share my Love Letters: nature, flowers, raindrops, poetry, storytelling, art, dance, theatre, plants, shadows, sun, moon, sky photos taken from my old school iphone 4s. For mom, dad, brothers, uncles, aunts, Carl, his family, old school friends - elementary, high school, university, and acquaintances from all the travels and places I've been and seen. These are my Love Letters. And I will simply create and share it with my LOVED ones and post them. 

I've heard so many times over and over and over again that "people are just posting and have nothing to do with their lives" Meanwhile we live in a time where inspiration is important. And that most of our friends who are posting, are actually creating change in this big.bad.ass world economy. These friends are working creatively, collaboratively and collectively all day, tirelessly working 2 to 3 jobs a day just to get by. I mean Social Media can be a source for knowing what is local and supporting friends who are starting up their own thing and going for it.  These are the friends who fulfill their passions and at the same time put a roof on top of their heads and food on their tables. With all this happening organically in Social Media, we become a UNIT of different people with warm hearts for one another. Supporting each others' dreams, hopes, problems and fears. So there is a positive side --a heArt warming side. And please remember that there are so many of us on Social media sharing our heArts n' Souls everyday in every post.

Photo taken while going for nature walks "Cotton.Candy.Sky" by Rose Cortez, while listening to "PowWow" by Tribe Called Red.

When I saw this, I thought of all the creative people that I've met, worked and collaborated with. Thank you for constantly reminding me to keep falling in love to that true nature. Thank you for always sharing your truth and for being you. Here's a reminder from Lao Tzu: 
“Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habit. Watch your habits; they become character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.”

Dreaming about a cave is a symbol of the heart.
I dreamt about a cave.
A cave inside a cave. 
A dark one, entered into another one.
Then recently I stumbled upon this Documentary.
Cave of Forgotten Dreams.
Written, directed and narrated by:
Werner Herzog.

He says in the documentary, "The painters of the cave seem to speak to us from a familiar yet distant universe, but what we are seeing here is part of millions of spacious points...We are locked in history and they are not."

For me a dream about a cave is a signal to my mind: to be present to the reality that's unfolding right in front of me.  A very inspiring and important time in one's life. A time to listen and understand by stepping back and understanding the past, present and future without doubt or fear. Trust the messages and most of all, Trust Your Dreams! 

Photo taken in Vancouver. "black coffee and half a teaspoon of coconut oil with maple syrup" by Rose Cortez