Review of Themes from 2009 (Part II)

In our last post, we talked about the themes the Powerful Latinas site (interviewees, blog posts, newsletters, book and film picks, etc) centered around in 2009.  Here is the second half of the list…

In July, the theme was La Vendida (the betrayer or “sell out”).  We talked a lot about the theme of betrayal in our lives, both in personal relationships, as well as how the idea of a “sell out” in our communities can be a tricky one to navigate.  Shouldn’t we all be working together to support and build each other up?

In August, the theme was La Trabajadora (the worker).  As Latinos, we are often taught to “work hard.”  Unfortunately, this may not always be the most valuable advice, since while a good work ethic is key to advancement, other characteristics are also of prime importance.  However, we still want to recognize and appreciate the work ethics we’re taught, be grateful for those who have gone before and worked hard to make it easier for us (!), and also reflect on what projects we choose to work hard at.  Finally, we talked about OVER-working ourselves, particularly as Latina women.

In September, the theme was La Llorona (the crying woman).  While discussing the myth and story of the traditional La Llorona legend, we also talked about why we cry as women, and how crying can help and heal us.

In October, the theme was La Bruja (the “witch”).  We talked about how we as women wield “magic,” how magic infuses our everyday lives, and the magic of love.  We also considered why it is that strong, powerful women can be considered a “witch,” the history of the word, and how we can be not so nice at times…

In November, the theme was La Hermana (the sister).  We contemplated how sisters (biological or not) bring so much to our lives, how they support and build with us, and also how the division between sisters can be harmful to families and communities.

In December, the theme was La Anciana/La Vieja (the elder/the old woman).  We talked about the wisdom of our elders, how we respect (or don’t respect) the aged, how we can reflect on and learn from our experiences, and how we can embrace the lessons we’ve learned.  In short, Don’t be scared of “aging”!  After all, what’s the alternative?

As you may know, we have an archive of prior newsletters, which should soon have all the newsletters from 2009, so if you missed past newsletters and want to go back and read the articles, you can do so here.  Also, remember, you can always go back and read prior blog posts here.

Next week, I’ll be unveiling the themes for 2010!  I hope you  enjoyed the themes, were moved by the questions and enjoyed reflecting on these ideas.

If this site is interesting and useful to you, please share it with your friends and have them sign up for the newsletter.  Happy New Year!

Latina Leadership Lessons: When We Wear Masks

As a conclusion to October’s theme of La Bruja, and this past weekend’s celebration of both Halloween and Dia de los Muertos, I wanted to comment a bit on how and when we as Latinas wear masks.

Although playful and fun when at a costume party (and who doesn’t enjoy dressing up and playing make-believe from time to time?), we often wear masks in our daily lives to keep others from getting too close, from seeing each of us for who we truly are.

Many days we rush around so busy, working to get all the tasks done that must be accomplished in our lives, and fail to stay aligned with our true purpose, and our calling of why we’re here, and instead of doing what really matters, we get caught up in the pequeñesas (little stuff).

Over the past month, I’ve been encouraging you to step into your power, to recognize and honor the magic that is in you, and to celebrate the sparks you give to and receive from others in your world.

What are the masks we wear and why?

You probably know the mask of the “queen” — the mask that tells everyone that you have it all under control and no one can knock you off your game. While this can be a mask of power, it can also be a mask of fear — especially when it keeps us from asking for help or from sharing our burdens with others.

Another typical Latina “mask” is the mask of the martyr. Ay ay ay, I do everything for everyone else and am not appreciated! This mask is usually paired with manipulation that is wielded through the tool of guilt. It again can be a mask of pain, when we lack the ability to communicate our deep needs without demanding that others capitulate to our demands, and also the characteristic of irresponsibility when we fail to take care of ourselves and our own needs (claiming that someone else must do something for us).

Yet another mask is the mask of the victim — the wounded one, when we use our pain once again as an excuse to fail to take action. If we don’t work on healing ourselves, how can we expect anyone else to do it for us?

Quitate la máscara, mujer, and be the Powerful Latina that you are!

Part of my calling is to help us, as Latinas, to share courage, strength and wisdom through our stories. Our interviewees have been candid, and shown their own vulnerability, by opening up and telling us about the masks they’ve worn in their own lives and what they do (or have done) to take them off and be more authentic. Have you reflected lately on your own story? I know you have a unique and special one, too.

I know that I have my own masks that I put on to keep myself “safe” and sometimes even to deceive myself! It is a daily practice to figure out where I’m sending my energy and to make sure that I’ve got my priorities straight so that I can do what I really need and want to do… (and I’m constantly challenged, I’ll tell you that!)

Over the next couple of months, I’ll be unveiling a program to help we Latinas stay *grounded* in our power by reminding us of the truths we know deep inside us, and have been shared with us by our interviewees. I’ll be re-framing some of these stories we’ve heard, crystalizing the lessons for each of us to help them stay at the forefront of our minds and hearts, even as we each live the busy lives that we have.

What are your masks? Why do you wear them, and how do they keep you from being who you really want to be? How do they keep you OUT of your personal power? If I’m any indication, the masks can be subtle and tricky, and change as we heal one area of our lives and shift to work on another. It’s important to have the self knowledge of where we come from, where we’ve been, and where we are now, to be able to better direct where we’re going.

Let’s work on it together!