The name of the Christmas campaign I produced for my company this year is “Do more of what makes you happy” (if you want to check it out you can click here: https://youtu.be/gRRgsZtS8Tc?si=zyj1B5UP8RvWBGLU or here if you want to watch it in Spanish: https://youtu.be/4onZIdgyVIY?si=ZHqzXcRb1LqjBvzd and that is very appropriate considering I have been living by that mantra all year long.
After a disastrous 2022 I decided I was going to change my stars in 2023, and boy, I worked hard to achieve that.
By the end of last year, I was watching “Inventing Anna” the limited series about Anna Sorokin that was produced by Netflix in 2022, when I heard a sentence that deeply resonated with me. One of the characters said that if you stay mad at the person who wronged you, then you stop being the protagonist of your own story, to become a secondary character in the story of that person. And that made a lot of sense to me. I thought of several persons I had met at some point in my life… people who were angry at their own story, at somebody, at their own life… and I didn’t like the way they came accross – I had to reclaim my own storytelling.
So, I basically had two missions this year to fulfill my resolutions – I had to do more of what makes me happy and I had to take myself out of my comfort zone. And I repeatedly did both.
This year my family and I celebrated a lot, and we celebrated big – my parents 45th wedding anniversary; all of our birthdays, including my sister’s 40th birthday; my daughter’s first communion…
I completed over a dozen paintings, I finished a book I had been writing for over 8 years for my daughter, I started writing again, and even submitted one my texts to a literary contest, I got tickets for the baseball season for the LMP and I went to almost every game with my family and with many of my friends. I traveled, went back to school – although virtually, – got reacquainted with many friends I hadn’t been in touch with for a long time – many of them even for over 20 years! – I met new people and bonded with them in amazing ways, I baked, danced, sang and went to concerts, museums, tours…
As for the getting out of my comfort zone… that aspect was also well taken care of. I have to admit many of those uncomfortable situations were challenges I wouldn’t normally tackle if given the choice, but I literally forced myself to do them, knowing that it wouldn’t have been my first option. For example, one of those days when the traffic in my area got way worse than it usually is – and that is already saying a lot – my kids and I ended up having an impromptu karaoke night at a deserted restaurant, where the chef and a couple of his friends decided to make the most out of a slow night and have fun while the chaos lasted. Chef Hector is an amazing singer, by the way. My kids and I had a blast, when we could have lived a very uncomfortable ride home. If you ever have the chance, stop by Bistro Victoria inside Plaza San Miguel, on the southern part of town, right on Lopez Mateos… there’s good food and nice people, what’s not to like?
I also took a chance with my dear, dear friend Alejandro. I hadn’t seen him in almost 18 years and getting to spend a whole morning with him was super intense and exciting. Alex, you really made me uncomfortable, and I really thank you for that.
I had the opportunity to host my friend Adam while he was visiting Mexico, and I had the time of my life becoming a tourist in my own hometown. We had a great time going to the luchas, Chapala, Tlaquepaque, Tequila… and the reason why it was uncomfortable was because it was a challenge for the both of us, having been friends for over four years but only in the digital realm, and taking the chance to meet in person for the first time.
But my friend who must definitely get the award for putting me in the most awkward and challenging situations this year, is Omar – you, my friend, have taken me to poetry performances, to sell bread at a bazar, listen to interesting bands, watch interesting movies, told me the craziest stories and been there by my side all year long, and I deeply, truly, most definitely thank you for all those moments.
My sister has been my greatest support, my companion, my cheerleader, my accomplice, my partner and my business associate. I have no words to thank you for everything. Just my eternal love and loyalty.
And there are so many more people I love and I am thankful for this year, but whom I don’t mention specifically in this post, whether because I have had the chance to thank you personally, or because I know you appreciate your privacy, or because if I mention everyone who has shared their time with me and has helped me grow up and improve in many ways, I am sure to leave someone unmentioned and I would hate making you feel like you do not hold a very special place in my heart. You guys know who you are – if you have spent any amount of time with me this year, you can rest assured you mean a great deal to me, because I have come to the conclusion that, the most precious resource we all have is our time, and choosing who to spend it with is the greatest gift we can offer anyone.
Thank you all for an unforgettable 2023.
As for the follow up regarding my health process, some of you’ll be glad to know the last one of my surgeries will be performed on January 10th. I will have my skin removal surgery, and, in my personal process, I consider this is the last part of my process to wrap things up and keep taking care of myself for ever and ever, as any healthy person should do.
Some people have suggested I post some before and after pictures after the surgery. I have to be honest and tell you I am not sold on that idea. I mean, some of you have already seen my “before” body – you know I have no problem pulling down my pants or uncovering my arms to show how my extra skin looks now, because right now I am living in this body feeling it is not my body, so I have no problem showing that version, he he he, but I don’t know how I will feel once my skin and my scars are done with the process, so I’ll let you know about that one later on… no promises, though.
Have a wonderful 2024 y’all!
