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Aurelia Flores
I'm always interested in your comments and feedback. Feel free to post comments on the site or email me directly at aurelia@powerful latinas.com.

Why It Can Be Difficult to Get Support Sometimes

From Recetas Para la Vida Contributing Bloggers -Iliana Berezovsky y Becky Krinsky

[Note from Aurelia:  All month we've been talking about how to get and keep support around you.  What can get in the way of that human support?  Sometimes we let our egos interfere.  See the following insights from our contributing bloggers, and make sure to go to their newly created fan page on Facebook and "Like" them to help them get started!  Click here to go to the Recetas Para la Vida Fan Page] 

Recipe: "It's easier to argue than to apologize"

Arguments lead to distance and cool all relationships.

How difficult it is for some people to ask for forgiveness when they make a mistake or even to recognize that they have caused pain without wanting to! Apologizing sincerely, however uncomfortable it may be, accepting the mistake made and repairing the caused damage leads to better relationships without so many complications, unnecessary arguments and vain excuses. 

Most major conflicts are generated by a small incident that was not adequately resolved.

Several weeks ago there was a misunderstanding in Alegra's family. Sandra, a distant cousin, accused Alegra's son, Mateo, of having hit her son Nico. Mateo works as a leader of a group of kids that Nico participates in. 

Sandra complained to the program director without first investigating what happened. If she had done so, she would have discovered that Nico had fabricated a story. Sandra's hasty accusation harmed Mateo and made him feel very upset. 

Alegra's husband, got together with Sandra's husband, and they cleared up what happened over a cup of coffee. Alegra's husband commented that the right thing would have been to talk to Mateo and find out what happened, since the false accusation damaged his son's reputation and created unnecessary complications that could have been avoided. 

Sandra's husband apologized for having caused problems for Mateo and explained that his wife is sometimes impulsive and allows herself to be easily influenced by negative comments or advice. He agreed to talk to Sandra and explain to her what had happened. 

Sandra never got in touch with Alegra, but even so the matter had been cleared up, the families were at ease and, supposedly, there were no further misunderstandings.

A few weeks passed, and Alegra and Sandra ran into each other in the supermarket parking lot. They greeted each other in a friendly tone, and after chatting courteously, they got up to date on all the events of both families. A few minutes before saying goodbye, Alegra commented to her cousin that she wholeheartedly hoped not to have misunderstandings again and, if anything came up, to please talk to her directly and she would clear up the situation.

 

 

Without thinking, with rage and wild screams, Sandra said that she had every right to listen to and defend her son and had no reason to doubt him. She ended by saying that she did not want to have any more contact with Alegra or have anything to do with her again in the future. Alegra was dumbfounded, not understanding this reaction.

It would have been so easy to admit the mistake, simply apologize for what happened and end the day in peace….

"Each person can choose between taking responsibility for their actions or living in discord"

Recetas para la vida™ 
Apologizing for one's mistake

Ingredients:
   • 1 cup of acceptance
   • 2 cubes of courage
   • 3 cups of responsibility
   • 2 tablespoons of repentance
   • 1 bunch of sincerity
   • 1 pinch of consideration

Seasonings:

Noble eye, kindness and attentiveness

Caution: An excuse is not an apology.

Method of preparation:

   • A true apology shows great courage. It requires taking the first step, however painful and bothersome it may be, seasoning it with sensitivity and turning it into a humble yet grand act. Apologizing is not a weakness.

   • Making a sincere apology without excuses is vital to giving good flavor. Taking responsibility for one's own actions promotes genuine repentance, achieves a positive reconciliation and helps you cook with enjoyment and peace of mind.

   • The injured person's pain needs to be understood. Everyone has a different way of seeing things. It is important to respect the time that each person needs to be able to accept an apology, however well-intentioned it may be.

"Who is truly great? Someone who can accept his mistakes, take responsibility for his actions and manage to apologize wholeheartedly."

Don't forget, go to the facebook page now to become a fan of "Recipes for Life"!

Arguing

Earth Day!

Earth DayAccording to Wikipedia, "Earth Day is a day designed to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth's environment."  Earth day was April 22 this year, and an opportunity for us to stop and consider how we're helping or hurting our environment.

As you know, many environmental justice issues hit close to home for Latinos.  Recall that Powerful Latina interviewee Susana De Anda is founder and co-Executive Director of the Community Water Center which serves the Central Valley of California and seeks to ensure that all communities have access to safe, clean and affordable water. Click here to read more about Susana De Anda.

What have you done lately to educate yourself or those around you about making our world a healthier, safer, better place to live in?  Let's work together on these important issues!

Diversity Creates Learning Energy

Experience the Latino Leadership Development Program
presented by Mestiza Leadership International

May 23rd through 27th, 2010

Juana Bordas, Powerful Latina interviewee, and author of Salsa, Soul and Spirit:  Leadership for a Multicultural Age, will be leading an incredible training next month in Colorado.

Join an inspiring group of professionals and Latino managers for a dynamic week of leadership training.

The Latino Leadership Development Program (LLDP) assists professionals and Latino managers advance in their organization and maximize their potential.

Click here to find out more about the Latino Leadership Development Program (LLDP).

 

Please Sign this Petition!

A friend of mine is in a very unique program in the U.S. called the Philosophy, Interpretation, and Culture (PIC) program at the State University of New York. 

The PIC Program offers graduate and undergraduate courses unlike any other in the country. PIC begins by balancing Western philosophy with the exploration of non-Western traditions, specifically critical thinking that has emerged from African, Indigenous, Asian, Caribbean, Women of Color, Post-colonial, Decolonial histories and other traditionally marginalized knowledges.

This program is at risk of being de-funded.  If this is something you think you'd like to see more of, take a short moment and simply sign the petition supporting this program.  

Click here to learn more about the Philosophy, Interpretation, and Culture (PIC) program at the State University of New York!