Tag Archives: choices

Blowing the whistle on my own life

24 Feb

I’m very passionate about educating, equipping, and empowering women to make healthy choices for their wellbeing….this covers mind, body, soul and spirit.  However, after watching a movie today, I’m having to stop and reflect about what I do, who I am, and what I believe.

I don’t take a lot of time to watch movies but a free Redbox rental prompted me to stop at a Redbox location to pick a movie.  I decided on, Whistleblower.  Whistleblower is a movie based on the real-life experience of Kathryn Bolkovac.  She was a police officer in Nebraska who served as a peacekeeper in post-war Bosnia.  She uncovered a human trafficking scandal and outed the UN for covering it up. If you have not watched it, I highly recommend it.

I wept as I watched it…and the reality of human trafficking disturbed me to my very core.  The very idea that children/teens are sold into slavery in 2012 is incomprehensible.  AND, it doesn’t just happen in other countries….it happens here in the United States. We’re supposed to be civilized….slavery ended years ago, right?

I have two beautiful nieces…Eleighna is 17 and Morgan is 11; and all I could think about while watching the movie is that those girls were daughters, nieces, granddaughters, sisters….. Even now as I type, tears are coming to my eyes because I’ve been made more aware that beautiful, innocent girls are being hurt, beat, and raped right now all around the world.  (I do realized that boys are sold, too – but girls are more at risk and are a higher percentage of the statistics.)  This is NOT something we can pretend doesn’t exist just because we are comfortable and our loved ones are safe.  We cannot choose apathy or complacency.

I choose apathy if I do not do something with the information I learned today.  I went on Twitter to see if Kathryn was on Twitter…did not find her there.  I googled her name and found her official webiste.  I then contacted her and informed her that I watched the movie and would purchase the book and then asked her what I could do on a daily basis to help with this human rights issue.

As a woman, I cannot be at rest or at peace if other women are being sold as property.  These children/teens do not have a choice in what is happening to them.  Many of them are kidnapped/stolen and then sold into a life of sex slavery.  They do not have the freedom/privilege to choose health and wellbeing – someone else is choosing for them.  Their health and wellbeing is being stolen from them.

I cannot just ignore this.  Social injustice…inequality….slavery… My ancestors were fighting against these same issues years ago…..They fought for my freedom…that I would have the same rights as a man….  Now it is my turn to do the same for others.  I’m not really sure what that means for me… Maybe I use social media to spread the word…. Maybe I give of my finances ….. Maybe I give of my time…..  I will have to explore and discover what are my options.

All I know is if I’m as passionate as I say I am about my purpose, my mission, and my beliefs, then I will act accordingly….and that is a choice I must make for my own wellbeing.

http://www.bolkovac.com/

http://istoptraffic.com/

Follow Alex Sum  and  TIA Task Force on Twitter

Tags: , ,

Zumba Love :)

18 Feb

Zumba instructors having fun

One of the fun things of being a Zumba instructor is you never meet a stranger when you meet another instructor.  It’s cuz we are one big family and there’s lots of love to show.  We’re all so busy with life, classes, etc that we usually don’t get time to just interact, converse, have fun, and get to know one another.  Someone had the clever idea for us to meet at Pelancho’s so we could network, mingle, laugh, and eat.  At this first ZIN night out, there was 30+ showing the Zumba love…..and we were in “normal” clothes and not all hot and sweaty!!!  By the time we were done, everyone knew we were in the building….because Zumba instructors are always ready to throw some Zumba moves!!!  There was a group of people next to us celebrating “Angie’s” 40th birthday…..well, guess what?  We all knew Angie by the time the night was over.  We became part of her birthday celebration and even “performed/instructed/danced” three songs for her and her crowd….and then we sang “Happy Birthday” to Chris.  We do more than just “teach”….we bring laughter, fun, and movement wherever we go.  Life is too short to not live in the moment and spread the love and joy of moving.  Bailamos!!!

Tags: , , , ,

What is love?

14 Feb

So, it’s Valentine’s Day….. Stores are crowded with people buying last minute cards, flowers, & gifts because the pressure is on to make sure no one is forgotten or feels unloved. The simple fact that one waits until the day of to make a purchase makes me question the motive….is it done because it’s expected or is it done with love & thoughtfulness? I’m of the opinion that cards, flowers & gifts should be given throughout the year rather than just on one day that happens to fall on the 14th of February. Love is shown by choosing to spend time with someone when there are a million other things one could be doing. It is shown daily by a text that simply says ‘good morning’ or ‘thinking of you’. Love is listening and waiting to speak while the other person shares his/her heart. Love is choosing not to react – instead choosing to understand….even when it may cause one to feel sad, hurt, etc. And more than an emotion or feeling….love is a choice. Needless to say, Valentine’s Day is a not-so-subtle reminder that it is important to let our loved ones know that they are important to us, loved, & appreciated. That is something I choose to do on a daily basis – how ’bout you?

Tags: , ,

Newer Entries →