I've made a lot of mistakes in the past and when I look back, I realize how much I have changed and grown today. My journey to Spiritual Activism is slowly coming together one piece at a time. I moved to the West to activate this part of my journey. I came here for a purpose: to balance my life, to recreate a sustainable lifestyle for health and wellness and to be able to take care of the noise outside and inside my head.  And what I have realized over and over and over again is that it takes time, patience, and trust when taking care of ourselves. Especially when diving deeper to the many mistakes and victories we have seen, still seeing and witnessed, still witnessing in our lives. And when we are ready and when you are ready and when the universe knows you are ready - to step on to the next phase of your journey, it's there waiting...always there. So get ready. Prepare yourself. Heal. Listen. Be Patient. Practice your Love of/for...everyday. Seek inside the Soul of your Eyes and watch it move in front of the mirror. See yourself and Smile at her.  It is okay to create other things, to learn new experiences and take part in the many adventures ahead. To acknowledge the mistakes and victories while still Taking Your Time to See You. There are many peeling off of the many pasts we've encountered and recreated over and over again in our lives - so many passed down stories from generation to generation to generation that we walked all our lives that are currently not serving us anymore. Bringing Sacredness and Spiritual Activism in our Lives is one of the many steps we need to embrace today. Mistakes are Gifts - to learn, to change and to transform. Mistakes are for Pausing and Reminding us to sit for awhile and be Gentle for awhile. Victories are Gifts - to learn, to change and to transform. Victories are for Pausing and Reminding us to sit for awhile and be Gentle for awhile. They are the same lessons but we weigh them so differently in our society. It is Time that together we Relearn, Rediscover and Reclaim these words with an open mind and heart, so that we can truly See One Another and Be Seen from the Warmth from our Eyes.

“The Buddha advises us not to try to run away from our fear, but to bring up our fear and have a deep look into it. Most of us are afraid of looking directly at our fear. Instead of trying to distract yourself from this fear or ignore it, the Buddha proposed that you bring the seed of fear up and recognize that it’s there and embrace it with your mindfulness. [[paragraph break]] Sitting with your fear instead of trying to push it away or bury it can transform it. This is true of all your fears, both small ones and big ones. You don’t have to try and convince yourself not to be afraid. You don’t have to try to fight or overcome your fear. Over time you’ll find that when your fear comes up again, it will be a little bit weaker.”--Thich Nhat Hanh

Photo taken in Trinidad and Tobago. "A Snake on the Road" by Rose Cortez

I wrote this on March 2007, the last time I visited Philippines. For this New Moon, I offer my beginnings to my ever dearest Lola Antonia - one of my guardian angels on this life long journey of nurturing my expressions.


"My Lola was one of those people who waits. She'll wait for you by the window, infront of the house, pacing, sitting down, standing with a tobacco on her hand. She'll stay up until you get home. Until your safe. She was one of those people with an open mind. Who listened. Who always cared. Who always will be by your side. It seemed we always came first. She was so much fun to be with. She told many of us stories that were unforgettable. Her childhood, her bravery, her thriftiness, and most of all she gave us advice about life...unconsciously. She was very smart like that. She always knew our needs. Lola will always wait for us by the window, infront of the house, pacing, sitting down, standing with a tobacco on her hand.
You'll be greatly missed by all of us Lola. We love you!"

Photo created by my creative inspiring brother Robert Cortez and his business partner the beautiful Annie Chou http://www.arcandco.ca/

Pie 
by Rose Cortez 
November 15th, 2014
Inspired by the book: Women Who Run With the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estes

I see you and I thank you for sharing this piece of pie with me.
I see you and I see that you want to get to know the many facets of me.
I see you and tell you.
Are you Ready?
Are You Sure?
Because there are so many Wild Women in Me.
You said you want to get to know me?
Right?

I begin to share the many thoughts that cross my mind.
The many versions of me beginning to come out from me.
I am washed with waves of thoughts and emotions.
I share them and tell you. 
Not slowly but surely... the Truths that are washing over me.

Are you still listening?
Did you hear them?
Thank you for listening. 

And it's your turn.
I listen intently and agree and disagree with your thought formations.
I am sure that you did the same to me.
I breathe and drink some water and eat some pie.
I agree and disagree with the sweetness of my chai.
Waves of emotions are felt between you and I.
Still I smile.
Still I hold you and I.

But wait, I have to tell you that I kinda agree and disagree with the exchange.
I usually just nod and smile.
But I realize that your thoughts and my thoughts are not the same.
We will never be and that's the beauty and the chaos that's happening in real time exchange.
Still I smile.
Still I hold you and I.

Let's not Surface this centre.
Let's be real!
Like this pie...
my favourite part is the centre of this
Strawberry Rhubarb Pie.
It's healthy.
Don't you think?

If we don't converse like this?
What is the point?
Share your wild things that are coming out from your mouth.
I can handle them.
I've heard so many wild words coming out from so many people's mouths.
And doing this thing...creating my own kinda pie
as a life long practitioner and craft maker 
and 
Playwright, Artist, Yoga instructor, Creative Expressionists for life...
I've heard a lot...
seen quite a few intense moments...
with or without words,
I will be there.

If you want to Shout and Scream, I will listen.
I am here. 
I will hold you.
I will hold the space.
And be there.
Fully.
And nod and Smile.
And if I want to Shout and Scream?
About Life's bitterness, sweetness and sourness.
Are you Ready?
Are you Sure?
Will you be able to Hold me?
Thank you again for listening.
Still I Smile.

Oh the Pie.  
​Yes for the Pie. Thank Heavens for the Pie.
To taste bitter on our tongues.
It's part of the recipe.
To taste Sour is coming up as I scoop up this pie.
Yummm it's healthy. 
Now this taste is in real time. 

Looking at you, I still see you and thank you for holding the space.
For allowing me and all the wild women in me to shine.
And even if you don't understand them...I understand them.
And in fact I embrace them.
I illuminate them one by one.
And even if I nod and smile which is most of the time...

Remember that I still have the different tastes of Life's bitterness, sweetness and sourness in me.
And if I have Shared those different wild tastes of Life with You, which is not all the time...
I still thank you for Holding Humble Hummm Pie with Me.

#loverose 
Photo taken in Vancouver, British Columbia - at Moksha Yoga Vancouver circa 2011 

The best advice from Elizabeth Gilbert:

"He looked up at the sky..."Excuse me...Can you not see that I'm driving? Do I look like I can write down a song right now? You know? If you really want to exist, come back at a more opportune moment, when I can take care of you. Otherwise, go bother somebody else today. Go bother Leonard Cohen! You know!" - Tom Waits.

Thank you So So So much Elizabeth Gilbert for this Today!
i don't feel as Crazy WiseDom - November 2015 update.

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