To the Ladies...

I wrote this post earlier this week. Probably March 22nd.

I miss you guys. You know who you are. You are the people in my life that believe in loving on every single person.

Sometimes I think that we care in a way that others think is impossible. I feel like I could be caught up in thinking that thinks are impossible too if I let myself get carried away in some of the nonsense of this world. I know in part that I already do. I love shopping and going to the mall, and off course shoes. But as soon as I start spending my days thinking about volunteering instead, all of that goes away. Jesus takes over.

People need Jesus, without him I get those looks of I work really hard for what I have, but it's just given to someone else. I can't deny that I don't have some of those same feelings towards people that are given things by birthright, but that's not okay either. It will not make the world better; it only causes more judgment.

The more people I meet, I find out who they are, the more I need to reevaluate my own prejudices and give them up to Jesus, our hope. I recently read something that the Dalai Lama said in a book by Scott Hunt, "The Future of Peace". In it the Dalai Lama explained to the Hunt that,

"Since you and I are both Buddhists, to us Buddhism is best. Buddhism is the only religion, the only truth we follow. But now, on a human level, on the level of community and society, there cannot be a concept of only one religion or only one truth. There are many religions, and many religions are providing benefits to many different people. So, therefore, in a community we must say that there are many truths. There is pluralism. That, I feel, is the only proper way to work out the differences and confrontations between different believers. Several religions, several truths on the community level; one religion, one truth on the individual level. I admit that to me, Buddhism is the only religion. But that is merely to me. Because Buddhism is the most effective religion to me, I can't think about following the idea of a Creator. It is difficult for me to conceive of this. But to another member of the community, such as a Christian practitioner, to him or to her, Christianity is the most effective belief. Therefore, to Christians, Christianity is the only religion, the only truth. So, if you put one Buddhist and one Christian together, you have a pluralism of beliefs. That is the reality of the situation.

I think that when we talk about religion, about faith, that is primarily an individual's business. That's my felling. But each of us must recognize that all other religions have the potential--whether it is the same potential or not-- to provide satisfaction or inner peace or tranquility to humanity. To me, I have full conviction that Christianity and Islam and Hinduism--in fact all the great religions--have equal power to provide inner peace and define the purpose of life. Today millions of people can benefit from these religions. And they can in the future as well. So, there are plenty of reasons to recognize the potential of all religions to help humanity. Therefore, I feel there is a real possibility to create harmony among the religious traditions."

He goes on to mention five ways to improve harmony. He believes that all religious leaders should come together and visit each others holy cities and see the good human qualities in each of them. He went to Jerusalem and Lourdes in France and other Holy places to see people getting inspired of these great traditions. He believes that religious leaders should "come together to talk peacefully in front of the eyes of millions of people."

He goes on, "I think that is a very strong signal to the follows of the religious traditions who might be fighting somewhere. Exchanging bright words, in some cases perhaps very sincere prayers, I think that would be very good."

"The fifth is a point which has been suggested by the Archbishop Tutu. We need to exchange in volunteer work, in cooperative work involving the different traditions. That also gives us an opportunity to forget about our own tradition and work together as brothers and sisters. I think that is an excellent idea.

Hunt replied that, "[it] would go a long way to end religious fighting. But I think that the trouble in establishing peace is not with the true believers who have a strong conviction that they should do right, but rather with those who don't sincerely believe in the teachings of their own faith about peace." 

The Dalai Lama then point out two important things. That in order to reduce fundamentalist thinking the follower of the religion tradition should truly implement peace in his or her daily life and that we must recognize out interdependence upon each other.

SO, I was thinking that by learning about other religions and knowing the values in others we can really see how to use those values to bring about peace and compassion. I truly believe that each one of us has the power to change the world. It is foolish to not believe it to be true. After all,

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."-Margaret Mead

I little reflecting goes a long way...

So because I don't have internet regularly I have been writing my thoughts down at work when I think of them. I think that this one is from March 16th.

I was in such a different place a year ago today. I had just gotten back from Costa Rica and had a new mind set & a new group of friends. I was happy, really truly happy. Life was good. It seemed like it had been so long since I felt that way, like I could relax again. Alas, the summer changed things around, shed some truth on where my life was going and sent me off on another adventure. It was really tough being so far away, especially when my mind wasn't focused on God. I had left so many things behind back home that I felt alone and helpless with the task at hand.

I pushed myself so hard during those six weeks to just be humble and take whatever came my way with a smile. It was so difficult, but I learned that a little perseverance goes a long way.

Tomorrow is St. Patrick's Day and unlike last year, I'm going to bed early because somehow I became an adult and I have to go to work in the morning. :)

Thoughts Along the Way...

So I wrote this earlier this last week when I was learning a bit more the community and the financial literacy class that I will be helping to teach...


I think that all along we have been taught the wrong way to go about our finances. Maybe part of thee differences between low, mid, and high income earning families is dependent mostly on education.


We are taught to go out and get a job, but our budget doesn't come into the picture in obtaining that job. We don't plan our lives out per say with the things that we want in mind in relation to our budget. If we decide to go get a 4yr, degree we may think about how we will pay for it afterward, but do we add up the vacations we want to take? Or the places that we want to see over time? Or the medical bill possibilities?


A lot of families are stuck on immediate needs, phone bill, rent for this month, food, car payment, etc. What about 5 or 10 yrs from now? Are we really planning for the future? In reality, the more we invest and plan for it now, the more we will be able to do in the future.The more financial education a family has, the greater their ability to acheive success and move up on the socioeconomic totem pole.


Investment planning needs to start early. I think that many of the simple things that bank and credit union employees know is oblivious to the general public. Yes, people need to educate themselves on their rights and available options, but I think that they also need to be taught that those things exist. People are coming out of their high schools not being equipped with the information they need to be financially stabile and the evidence is shown in the communities in which we reside. This is not acceptable.


We truly need to address these issues and give a hand up to our community members. I remember having to balance a checkbook and some small budgeting from high school, but none of that stayed with me. I had to figure it out on my own. How many students, or parents for that matter, from these low-income communities are being taught that these things are important, moreover crucial to their financial well-being? What makes them want to be financially literate?


There has to be more than part of a semester of learning about financial responsibilities for the younger generation; some thing that youth and adults will enjoy and will engage them. The financial literacy classes will hopefully get parents and kids excited about their financial futures and help them to really look at some of the areas where money could be saved or spend in a different manner. Hopefully people will be thinking things like: How much money do we need to earn to make this or that happen? Do we need to just open our closets to see our spending habits? How do we start budget for life events in order to make them happen and not spend too much money?

Today is one week in El Paso...

I finally found a place to rent Monday night. I moved in on Tuesday. I am renting a room with a husband and wife. They are very nice and allow me access to anything that I want in the house. It is kind of a neat place. They have an atrium in the middle of the house with like a cement cobblestone floor and some really big pretty plants. There are also two very large black dogs named Astro and Bella, which are very friendly and lovable. The only problem is that there is not internet in the house, but hopefully they will get it soon. All in all it is a good choice and not that far from First Light FCU, where I will be working.

I took the bus for the first time yesterday from downtown; it took about an hour and a half to get home, but I was able to see more of the city and get aquainted with more of the streets and local stores. My knowledge of the city is growing everyday, which is fantastic. I may even be able to give someone directions in the future...lol. :)

I have been learning a lot everyday about financial education and taxes jargon. I even got my books today so that I can begin studying up to get tax certified this year and help out with the VITA program. I am very exciteed for the weekend and to relax and get in some very much needed sleep.  :)

Last weekend I visited Mesilla and ate at La Posta, a very good mexican restaurant. Fun Fact: Mesilla is know for putting on the trial of the gunslinger Billy the Kid. There are gifts shops for souvenirs. I am wanting to go explore White Sands and Roswell.