Life is a Balancing Act

When I began to fall in love with essential oils, Balance was one of the oils that I could really see an emotional shift in, once I stare using it. It smells divine and has so many wonderful properties. The primary benefit is that it supports a sense of whole body relaxation. 

From the trusty doTERRA site:

• Begin your day by putting Balance on the bottom of your feet to promote feelings of calmness and tranquility throughout the day.
• Balance is a great oil blend to use during an AromaTouch® Hand Massage.

The Oil of Self-Acceptance

I have this incredible Emotions & Essential Oils book that explains the healing properties each oil carries. (This book never ceases to amaze me.) Here's what it says about The Oil of Self-Acceptance: #Bergamot

"Bergamot relieves feelings of despair, self-judgement and low self esteem. It supports the individual in need of self-acceptance and self-love. Bergamot invites individuals to see life with more optimism. Bergamot has a cleansing affect on stagnant feelings and limiting belief systems. Because of individuals' core beliefs of being "bad," "unlovable" and "not good enough," they seek to behind behind the facade of cheerfulness. They may fear revealing their true thoughts and feelings. Bergamot's powerful cleansing properties generate movement in the energy system, which in turn, brings hope."

Isn't that lovely? Just what the world needs. Message me to learn more about Essential Oils or RSVP to one of my events: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/essential-oil-basics-tickets-26079019048

In health and love,

Daisy

Honor Generations Before You With More Than a Diploma

Last week, my husband came home from a financial conference, eager to share his new found knowledge. As I listened to all of this great information pour out of him, one powerful quote stuck with me and I can’t shake it off. He said “...Why is it that a single mother can raise 3, 4 or 6 kids, but 6 kids can’t provide for their mother." Shit. How’s that for a rude awakening?

I’m going to let my husband chime in here and tell you the rest, it's pretty good stuff so pay attention:

As second generation Latinos, we are greatly indebted to our parents; sadly, many of us think that debt can be repaid with a diploma and career. This couldn’t be further from the truth and here’s why:

Can you imagine leaving everything you know, to move to a foreign country where you don’t speak the language, many times – completely alone, with a sack full of clothes, risking your life for just a glimpse of what you imagine could be a better life for your family? Many wouldn’t dare entertain the thought. Our parents came here with a vision of freedom and prosperity, and were ready to literally break their back so that their children and children’s children wouldn’t have to. When you think about the perseverance, resolve and selfless-love they have - it becomes clear - a simple diploma couldn't possibly do any justice, but it’s a start.

Changing your family tree and creating a legacy continues with you and me. The journey of freedom and a better life didn’t end with our parent’s arrival and sacrifice; we have to continue to build that empire they envisioned decades ago. This is no small task. In order to provide for previous and future generations, we need to be purposeful in gaining financial, spiritual and psychological freedom, in order to pass along fruitful resources. How can you justify living paycheck to paycheck? Are you investing in your future? How are you gifting financial freedom to those you love? Snapchat, Facebook and Twitter don’t have the answer. That old and tired song "the rich keep getting richer" is just an excuse; surely you can learn what they know about money if you really wanted to, right? It's one thing to ride the "you don't know what you don't know" wave.  It's another to be lazy.

Follow the ambition of the trailblazers before you. Think of this as a never ending relay where the baton is passed on from generation to generation; we have to start taking massive risk like the generations before us. I truly feel that, if you don’t take a big chance on life, you're not only doing our Latino heroes a disservice- but more importantly you're putting your own family at a disadvantage to achieving true freedom.

We also have to keep in mind that if we don’t pass down this champion mentality, this cycle of conformity will continue. How do we expect our own children to look out for us or others if we're not doing the same? Do you think this is something they're going to learn with their heads buried in their electronics? I'm sorry to disappoint but it's not likely to happen. We learn behaviors from those we admire. (And those we influence are always watching).

Start thinking and acting with the big picture in mind, take large risk in your professional and personal life to become financially independent but more importantly, be intentional about changing the path your family is on- just like your parents did before you. For my wife and I, this currently means guiding our parents into retirement; their golden years! For most 1st generation immigrants in this country – it’s safe to say they don’t know the first thing about receiving their dues. Who’s going to teach them? That is up to you, my friend. Set them up for success. They’ve done it for you, now it’s your turn.

Knowledge is not power. Knowledge is potential power; what you do with it is up to you.

-Osbaldo Alonzo
Twitter: @ozz_ito

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Ummm, how amazing is he?! And how luck am I?! Honoring generations before us can be as small and simple as: helping them use technology, guiding and connecting them with relatives on social media, using Google to search for a recipe, something they saw on Univision or whatever they want.

To share more profound knowledge, learn and teach them about investment opportunities, how to maximize their 401K, stocks, bonds... The beautiful thing is that - all of this information is good for you and your children, too!

Love your parents beyond words. It would be a pity to regret when its too late.

If you'd like to know more about investments, 401K, life insurance, etc. contact me and I can put you in touch with this savvy man right here.

-Daisy De La Cruz de Alonzo
Twitter: @hey_dais

Mis dos amores

You + Me, We Can Take on The World

Years ago, I found this in-depth compatibility horoscope between my husband, an Aquarius and I, a Libra. I still find it to be true today and am thrilled at the endless opportunities we have before us. But more importantly- the endless possibilities and values we will pass onto our son (also, a libra).  I wish I knew the source to give credit! If you find yourself in the same compatibility situation, consider yourself lucky and maximize your strengths together. 

To my rock, you inspire me in more ways I can mention; I love living life with you. 

--

When Libra and Aquarius join in a love match, their relationship can serve to heighten and strengthen both Signs' consciousness. These two connect on a high mental level; they share a love of art, people and culture; they both abhor restrictive influences in their lives. They are likely to get along well because they have such similar needs and will not require more of one another than they're both willing to give. Both Signs are also very energetic, enthusiastic types; this relationship is not likely to become stagnant.

Both Aquarius and Libra are concerned with the betterment of the world and their fellow people. Aquarius is the most progressive thinker of the Zodiac, and they always have a new idea in the works. Libra is the diplomat of the Zodiac; abhorring conflict of any sort, they are born balancers (hence their Symbol, the Scales). Libra's urge to avoid conflict put together with a love of intellectual freedom can lead them to be somewhat indecisive at times; when this happens, more decisive Aquarius can step in and help Libra figure out which direction to turn. Libra can return the favor by smoothing Aquarius's occasionally ruffled feathers that result from the Water Bearer's idealistic thinking sometimes crashing down in the face of reality. 

Libra is ruled by the Planet Venus (Love) and Aquarius is ruled by the Planets Uranus (Rebellion) and Saturn (Karma). This combination of influences can be an interesting and productive one; Libra and Aquarius should certainly take on other projects together than simply their love relationship, because they can make great things happen using their hearts, their urge for progress and their consciousness of the greater good. These two are an extraordinary duo for standing up for social justice or radical change in the community.

Both Libra and Aquarius are Air Signs. They have strong intellectual bonds to one another and constantly stimulate one another's ideas and communication styles and skills. Again, their ability to work together makes it obvious that these two Signs must take on larger projects in their life together -- they should concern themselves with the greater good. Libra can bring a certain balance to any undertaking that almost no other Sign is able to achieve. Aquarius and Libra together will also have many stimulating intellectual discussions about their interests and pursuits. 

Libra is a Cardinal Sign and Aquarius is a Fixed Sign. Libra sets things into motion but may have trouble finishing them, which is what makes Aquarius's determined influence so positive: The Water Bearer has a great deal of follow-through and can take Libra's ideas and run with them to the end. These two work especially well together as they tend not to argue about who does what, who takes credit and who works behind the scenes versus out in the spotlight. 

What's the best aspect of the Libra-Aquarius relationship? Their ability to work together as a team. Together they can learn much more than either Sign would alone. Their accomplishments and love of socializing and new projects make theirs a highly successful relationship.

Cleaning Up Stereotypes

We booked our first cleaning service today. And I feel really guilty about it. And a little paranoid I might add. But I'm sure it's normal the first time, right?

This is extremely stereotypical to admit - but when I heard a knock at the door, I expected a woman not a man. And I didn't expect him to look.... how do I say this.... a little rough around the edges? All the reviews about this company reflected upon how professional the "women in uniform" looked; this was not what I saw when I opened the door. No woman. No uniform.

I feel awful for even thinking it, but it's true. I am uneasy with the idea that a man is cleaning my home right now. Maybe because I've never met a man that could clean so good lol. I mean really, get down on his hands and knees and clean like my mom taught us to... To tell you the truth, I'm not sure I would feel better if woman did it either. But I would have some kind of false satisfaction knowing she would automatically do a great job.

The whole idea of having a cleaning person to begin with is incredibly taboo in my culture. I mean, (stereo-typically speaking) WE ARE the cleaning people! But my husband and I have found ourselves in a pinch and with super busy schedules, we decided to give it a shot. It's not that we're incapable of cleaning, but giving our home a good hands-and-knees-scrub-down would take a whole day, and right now we can't justify compromising the little bit of "free" time we have in return. I would rather go for a walk or catch a game or just lounge around! I mean, we don't have kids- so it's not THAT messy. But housework is housework, and right now, we are blessed with the option to have someone else do it for us... So why not?

This man (in my home) was very polite, arrived early and wasted no time in getting to work. He asked all the right questions and was careful when bringing in his equipment. So why should it matter?

I don't know where this preconceived notion came from, but I hope he proves me wrong so I don't think like this again. I've been stereotyped against (plenty), and I am completely mindful that it's not my fault - but he who judges, which, in this case- is me.

I am a progressive thinker and I'm disappointed in myself for thinking this way. But I couldn't help it today and I'm really trying to understand why. Maybe because, in my home growing up- my mom, sister and I did all the housework and my father didn't? Maybe because my aunts and cousins had the same routine... ? But my husband and I are not like that. We equally share the chores around the house and I love that. I wouldn't have it any other way. So where does this unsettling feeling come from? Cómo dicen por ahí, "sepa la bola". 

I won't go down that road, tough; my train of thought stops here.

No more feeding into the bullshit

Top Five Regrets of the Dying

I recently watched this clip on TED Talks Life Hacks with Jane McGonigal, a young game designer. It took me a good 5 minutes to warm up to her, and when I did – I just couldn't get enough of her. Her message was right on point and very powerful. It’s eerie to imagine what may go through someone’s mind on their death bed... In her talk, she brought the subject to light with a very eye opening list; the perfect opportunity for us to stop what we are doing and look at our current state in life. Are we happy with who we are /who we are becoming? What’s the point in all of this if we are not happy?

In her speech, she also makes mention that the top five regrets of the dying are also the top accomplishments of those that have experienced a life-changing/traumatic event. Is that what it takes for us to seize the day? Why wait?

Here are the top 5 regrets of the dying:

1. I wish I hadn’t worked so hard
2. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends
3. I wish I had let myself be happier
4. I wish I had the courage to express my true self
5. I wish I had lived a life true to my dreams, instead of what others expected of me

Which of these five do you associate yourself with at this very moment? What can you do to course correct the direction of your life? 

'If you don't like where you are, move. You are not a tree.' 

1. You don't HAVE to work like a dog. Find something you love doing, even if its for an hour or two a day.
2. Social media has made it incredibly easy for us to keep in touch with our loved ones, but how about a phone call? Or better yet - face time? REAL physical face time. How many times have you said "we should get together sometime!" ? Do it.
3. Being happy means different things to different people. Don't let someone elses defenition of happiness define yours. What makes you smile? What brings you peace? What makes you forget you have any troubles at all?
4. Being your true self means standing up for something that may go against the grain. Having the courage to go one direction when the masses go the other. Not being a follower. Here is another snippet from TED on what being a leader (or expressing ones true self)- looks like. Even the simplest notions count. 
5. There is no polite way to say this: FUCK what others "expect of you." This is such BS! Living up to someone else's expectations is a trap!! You are your OWN person. You were born to be an individual, not a replica of someones "ideal" you. 

Thank you for your speech, Jane. 

-Dais

Dream, Create, Inspire.

Currenlty inspired by the Workisnotajob Manifesto
“Work” is the transfer of energy. We like to transfer our energy into something creative and inspiring. Powerful dreams inspire powerful actions that can change our world. You are what you do. If you are active, it will lead to something, something you can work with. Follow your heart or it will forever remind you that something is missing. The world is you playground not your prison. Work on what you love and share it with the world. You are responsible for your talent that has been entrusted to you, go with it. What you do every day is more important than what you do once in a while. When you do what you love every day, if you get up and you’re excited about what you do, it’s good for everyone. Have a vision to strive for. Dream, create, inspire. What you make is important.

Peace Be With You

Symptoms of Inner Peace

1. A tendency to think and act deliberately, rather than from fears based on past experiences.
2. An unmistakable ability to enjoy each moment.
3. A loss of interest in judging others.
4. A loss of interest in judging self.
5. A loss of interest in conflict.
6. A loss of interest in interpreting the actions of others.
7. A loss of ability to worry.
8. Frequent, overwhelming episodes of appreciation. 
9. Contented feelings of connectedness with others and with nature.
10. Frequent attacks of smiling through the heart.
11. Increasing susceptibility to kindness offered, an uncontrollable urge to reciprocate.
12. An increasing tendency to allow things to unfold rather than resisting and manipulating. -Unknown

Inner peace is thee most amazing feeling in the world; I wish for all to find it soon. Asalaam alaikum.

-Dais

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