This blog is born from a desire to understand life, to grow as a woman, as a wife, as a mom, and as a human being. Day by day, we enjoy or suffer our present and build our future. Each day of our lives has made us what we are today. But our past does not determine our future. No matter what your past has made of you today, you are the architect and you are in charge of making the change you want to see in your life, or let things keep moving along. Deciding not to act is also taking action. There is no right or wrong. There is passive and active and neither is better than the other. This is our life and what we decide to do for us will affect us and sometimes others, but it is our decision after all. Whatever we decide to do or not do is OK as long as we are OK with the decision and the only way to find peace is by being OK with the decision. Even when we make the “wrong” decision because of the consequences that it brings, it is the right decision because in the worst case, we can always choose to learn from our experience.
This is where this blog comes from. My past does not define me. My past, challenging or not just is. It is what it is and I cannot change it, nor do I want to. What I learned from my past is what makes what I am today. Perfect? Not even close, and I will never be. Nor do I know anybody who is. It is my decision, however, to be better because of it. I can be happier, I can try to make sure others are happier, healthier, safer. I can add a small sparkle to my life and try to add it to the life of others.
Why Elephant? Because I see elephants as strong, intelligent animals and they make me feel safe. Elephants do great mothers and grandmothers and caregivers. Elephants are born after 22 months of gestation, blind. They survival depends on their moms and sisters, and grandmothers and aunts. They all do their parts in making sure each elephant survives. If you asked me what animal I would be, they answer would always be an elephant. First of all, a 22 month pregnancy would be delightful (I know many people count the seconds until their little one is in their arms). For me, pregnancy is when I thrive, when I feel strong and healthy and I know I’m creating life. Nothing could be more enriching for me. Second, I do my best to be an elephant mom, sometimes overprotecting my kids, but I hope for the most part protecting them just enough in a loving caring way and guiding them to become happy, productive adults – eventually. Third, when danger approaches, I would like to feel like an elephant, again strong. If I am afraid, I would like to hide between the elephant legs. Looking back to my childhood, nothing but an elephant hold and trunk hug feels safe enough. It seems appropriate that this time when I’m looking for growth, I invoke my inner elephant to guide me.
Why synergy? According to The Free Dictionary, Synergy is “The interaction of two or more agents or forces so that their combined effect is greater than the sum of their individual effects.” We don’t live isolated in a mountain far away from others. We are part of the community and we give and we receive. We grow when we help others do the same. As long as I want to become a better person, I cannot do so if/when I don’t think about others, my boys, my husband, my siblings, my friends. I make them shrink, I hurt them, I negatively affect them in any way, I also get the effect like a snowball. What goes around comes around. So I will work cooperatively with my friends and family to become the best me and hopefully they will become the best them.
So in this blog I intend to share a little bit of my life, my experiences, my thoughts, what I find interesting, to write whatever is in my mind with the only purpose that whoever comes across this will benefit from it. I speak my mind and I have opinions, but I do not judge. I agree or disagree, but I will always respectfully understand that we are all different and it is never my job or my intention to decide for others or criticize.
Live and let live. And be happy.
Elephant Synergy 