I admit; I have a problem. I’m a bit of a workaholic. Some would say a lot. But I’m recovering and taking better care of myself. Perhaps this applies to you, too.

I had a little bit of a health crisis this past spring, and learned that I can’t work all the time. Luckily, it wasn’t a huge crisis, and feeling immensely better was simply a matter of getting more sleep, and taking some time out.

This is not always the case. Sometimes we ignore the symptoms and the messages our body is trying to give us.

These breakdowns can either be a turning point for us – a time to push through to something better – or they can make us smaller, make us hide, and enhance our fear.

It’s up to us. When something doesn’t work, do we take a deep breath, reflect, and figure out how to take better care of ourselves? Or does our inner critic berate us with everything we’ve done wrong, and then we feel worse?

Importantly, the lessons I seek to impart through PowerfulLatinas.com are the same messages I need to listen to myself.

One of the key lessons that I’ve learned – which has been echoed by the Powerful Latina interviewees – is that learning is a lifelong endeavor. And toward that end, we are all called upon to continue on that journey of self-improvement, which includes being KINDER to ourselves.

So when I’m talking about “Heal. Grow. Lead.” it is truly a continual process. For me, too.

And this health crisis did more than simply make me change things for a day, or for a week. It made me rethink a number of priorities, and figure out how I can give back to myself, as well as to others.

And part of this (for me), is learning to say ‘no.’ As Latinas, we tend to give and give and give, to our own detriment. I fall into this trap, as well, from time to time.

So the message of Heal, Grow, Lead applies to all of us all the time. Even as we surpass one obstacle, learn one more lesson, tackle a new skill set, there is always something more to overcome, learn and accomplish.

This is NOT to say that you should not rest, relax and be proud of your accomplishments up until now. You are awesome, and you need time to reflect on everything you are and can do. Definitely give yourself a pat on the back!

And at the same time, knowing there’s always something more – for us to learn, accomplish, experience – is not about making us feel overwhelmed, it’s about enticing us to wake up tomorrow excited to meet the next set of challenges.

And hopefully we’ll do better next time than this time. (Or at least I hope I will!) I’m glad I’m still learning, while at the same time grateful and proud of all I’ve learned in my life up ‘til now….

Sometimes our breakdowns (whether they be major or minor) lead us to our next breakthrough.

When things are broken, I re-evaluate. I figure out what’s broken, as well as what’s working. I seek for something better, and a more effective way to get where I want to go.

Because moving away from pain is one of our big motivators, but moving toward pleasure can be one, as well.

So let’s use both to propel us forward. Adelante!

What was your latest breakdown, and what did you do with it? I’d love to hear from you…