“A Puerto Rican shall not be boring.” —I said that!

OD's WISDOM... “Worry about nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanks let your requests be made known unto God.” - Philippians 4:6 ---- Worry is thoughts, images and emotions of a negative nature in which mental attempts are made to avoid anticipated potential threats. As an emotion it is experienced as anxiety or concern about a real or imagined issue, usually personal issues such as health or finances or broader ones such as environmental pollution and social or technological change.  Excessive worry is the main component of generalized anxiety disorder.
--- DO NOT WORRY!

Sesame Street’s new Hispanic character
NEW YORK — As a child in Puerto Rico, Ismael Cruz was delighted by the colorful characters in “Sesame Street,” who not only entertained and educated him but helped him learn “inglés.” He could not have imagined that two decades later he would be playing with them in front of the cameras. Cruz is the newest Hispanic addition to the popular series’ cast, playing Armando, or “Mando.”

The children’s show wants to reflect the population changes in the U.S., where Hispanics are the fastest growing minority. It also features African-American, Asian and American Indian characters.

“’Sesame Street’ is a magical place. It doesn’t matter if you are working there or just visiting, or if you’re watching on TV, that magic is always there,” Cruz, 26, told The Associated Press. “I grew up watching the show, and for me it was a place that really existed and to which as a child I aspired to go, a place so diverse that I could see myself in the faces of the people that were there. Being on the set now is that, but with cameras.” Cruz’s character is a Hispanic writer from Brooklyn who writes everything from short stories to essays and movie scripts. He also loves technology and social media.

Cruz grew up poor in Aguas Buenas, Puerto Rico, and his mother tuned in to “Sesame Street” so his son would learn English. Cruz studied music and dreamed of being an actor, eventually attending New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. Before “Sesame Street,” he appeared on “The Good Wife” and in films “In The Blood,” ‘’White Alligator” and “Chaser.” “Mando” will make his debut on the 44th season of “Sesame Street,” which starts airing Sept. 16. Carol-Lynn Parente, executive producer of “Sesame Street,” said she and her team knew immediately that Ismael was the perfect addition. “He has a passion for creative expression and a warmth that comes right through the camera,” Parente said in a statement. — AP

Is It Possible to be Positive in Any Situation?
he power of remaining positive, whatever the situation, can never be underestimated. We are all here for a limited period of time, is it worth it to spend any of that time in a dismal mood? Being negative?

The true test of an individual to remain positive is when challenges become difficult. Remaining positive keeps one’s mind in the right state of balance and often opens resolutions to the problems at hand. Negativity is contagious; not only does it affect the individual, but it spreads to anyone they interact with. When only the negative perspective is in focus, the resolution process is impeded.

Eliminating negativity, or rather, being positive is a mindset that can be found at any moment, and turned into a habit. Here are some tips that can help you in shifting your mindset:

Shift Your Thoughts – Be conscious of your thoughts. Especially, when life just isn’t going your way. The moment you see that you are diving into frustration, agony, sorrow and low self-esteem – shift your thoughts, by thinking about something completely unrelated. This breaks the pattern of self-pity, mind-created stories, and negative downward spiral. What makes us different from other mammals is our ability to control our thoughts and think for ourselves.

Find the Lesson – There is a lesson to be learned from every situation. No matter how unfortunate the situation may appear, recognize the beautiful lessons waiting to be discovered. Sometimes lessons are expensive, but every problem is a learning opportunity in disguise. You may have made a mistake, but now you can accept it and continue, knowing that you will make a different decision in the future. Understand this and be appreciative for the experience.

Attitude of Gratitude – You cannot be both angry and grateful at the same time. Start counting the blessings and miracles in your life, start looking for them and you shall find more. What’s there not to be grateful? You are alive and breathing! Realize how lucky you are and all the abundance in your life.

Positive Affirmations & Visualization – Practice seeing yourself in a positive and confident light. Do this whenever you have a few minutes (examples; Waiting for a friend, sitting on the bus, riding an elevator.) Self-affirmations (list of positive statements about yourself and your self image) are another simple and powerful tool to train your subconscious to see yourself in a positive light. This is important, as many of us can be so hard on ourselves though social conditioning. I am guilty of being extra tough on myself, but have learned over time to recognize my gifts rather than finding false and self-imposed inadequacies.

Inventory of Memories – Keep an inventory of memories that can immediately make you smile. Occasions where you felt happy, appreciative and cheerful. When you were at peace with the world. Whenever you are in a negative frame of mind, consciously and deliberately pick up any leaf out of this inventory and dwell on it. Reminiscing those happy moments gives a balanced perspective to your situation. You realize that what appears negative today will change tomorrow. Nothing stays the same.

Criticizing Detox Diet – Change your approach and attitude. See if you can stop criticizing others and situations. Our cultural conditioning teaches us to find flaws and problems at all times. Shift from fault-finding to appreciation-finding.
Whether you are positive or negative, the situation does not change. So, we mind as well be positive....

So... As with any habit, the habit of remaining positive in all situations takes practice and a commitment to yourself to take control. But start small, start paying attention to your emotions, start by wanting to change. I am working on this constantly, and I am here with you, working towards better understanding of my emotions and becoming a better person. Keep going at it, and you will gradually become a positive energy source for the others around you!
Oye, ta' bueno eso, chico!!!
...MORE LATER

The Empty Bed
or The Fallacy of Friendship
few years ago I was playing my guitar at home. I came upon this old tango my Dad used to quote... La Cama Vacía" (The Empty Bed). I remembered the lyrics and went on to sing it as I played. Half way through the song I began to weep. I didn't stop playing, and my singing became a cry of sadness.

With tears in my eyes, I stopped! The words were too sad, so sad that I had the image flashing in my head while my heart was pounding in my chest. I was "living" the story... the empty bed... I was so brokenhearted that I had to translate this tango into English and share it in my website. The sadness lies in "the fallacy of friendship" and the fact that the words of the song are so true... so moving that you can't avoid "living" the story. ►Read More

"It's better dry bread in peace, than a feast in a house full of fighting." Prov.17:1

♥ To Honor Our Servicemen Everywhere ♥

Sugar Cane in Puerto Rico


n 1501, the first sugar cane field was put in production and in 1506 the first molasses was extracted using an indian "cunyaya". In 1515 the first "trapiche" was constructed and the first masters of sugar arrived from the Canaries Islands. It is not documented when the first plants of sugar cane arrived in Puerto Rico, but it is believed that it was when Juan Ponce de Leon began colonizing the island. It was first planted in the gardens to be chewed.

Following the record sugar cane harvest of 1952, the industry experienced an accelerated deterioration. Additionally, the production of sugar took a lower priority as the government undertook to industrialize the island. Between 1951 and 1968, 17 mills ceased operations. At the end of the 1960s, the government tried to rescue the industry through a recovery program. The Land Authority acquired a significant number of mills and in 1973 created the Sugar Corporation.

Despite the fact that the government became the principal sugar producer in Puerto Rico, the mills, both privately and publicly funded, were shut down, one by one. In 2000, operations ceased at the last mills still functioning: Roig in Yabucoa and Coloso, which had operated for nearly 100 years in the municipality of Aguada.

Some of the mills also included refineries and packaging operations whose refined white sugar, with its fine grain, built the reputation of the Puerto Rican sugar producers as true artisans. Aguirre Sugar Cane Mill, the last operational sugar cane mill in Puerto Rico, Aguirre Central closed its doors in 1993.

Identity: The Incredible Phenomenon.
Superman went to numerous ordeals in order to protect his identity, that is, who he really was behind Clark Kent’s glasses and fedora. So did the Lone Ranger, Spider Man and many other heroes that we know of. Identities can be stolen or eradicated. We’ve seen movies, read books, news and documentaries on that subject. Therefore, we can conclude that identity is, thus, a very important asset.

One’s personal identity can be manifested in many ways and in many parts of the world. All you need is behavior. Behavior will declare identity. You are who you are no matter where you stand. Your behavior will tell your peers where you are coming from. ►Read More

1945 photo -- Portacoeli Church built 1609 in
San German,PR; the Oldest in America

The Importance of Jesus Christ
by Don Jíbaro
Is Jesus Christ really part of our lives
or is He just an Icon at Easter and Christmas?

F YOU VISIT any town, ANY... in Puerto Rico, most likely you'll see a church in the town's main plaza or around it. Inside that church, Jesus will be the focus of the congregation's faith. Not Muhammad, not Joseph Smith (Mormons), not Charles Taze Russell (JWs), not Buddha, not Adventists, not Ying Yan... etc., ad libitum. Only ONE: Jesus. Mary was Jesus' mom, but that's another story... and I mean another story.

In a nutshell, Christianity is comes from the acceptance of the "Gospel" of Jesus, (Evangelion) The word is a calque (word-for-word translation) of the Greek word εὐαγγέλιον,) "Good News" ...by Faith through Grace. Jesus died for you on the cross and arose from the dead and He's coming back... That's it; whether you believe it or not!! ►Read More

I hated the Disco years because they wouldn't
let me take a decent guitar solo. Aargh!

GIMME SOME O' DAT LOVE? DEPT.
¿Love... Hurts?
here's a tendency to make mistakes that make us HURT inside; pain that we cause ourselves by not knowing how to LOVE one another. YES, not knowing. You might say, "Nonsense", but what I might not know in practice, I do know in theory. Love is the gracious (unmerited to others) self-giving of ourselves as unselfish human care. NO debate needed. Love is not sex, friendship, nor displays of affection... love is giving without expecting anything in return... and that's not easy, not for you, me or anybody. That's what makes it so volatile and fragile.

We expect, we don't get, we get mad and hold grudges because of it. We cry, go through hell because uncertainty haunts us like a fly over a piece of dead meat. Have we failed to be patient and kind? Have we  become jealous, conceited and proud to the point of being ill-mannered, selfish, irritable, and often-times curse at each other?

Love that you have to chase or wait for is generally not worth the chase nor the wait. NOT unless your name is JEHOVAH and folks have to wait for you. When it comes to LOVE, not doing the right thing is as bad as NOT doing anything at all. To a lover who knows what to do and NOT to do it, to him is a deplorable sin. Those who get caught in a narcissistic routine expect self-validation and NOT necessarily LOVE.

So, we can only live with the curses of conventional love by only caring for others without chasing love or waiting for the world to love us back! It's a two edged sword. OUCH!!! IT HURTS!  READ LOVE

Do We Need To Prove Ourselves?

roving ourselves and our worth can be insidious as we strive to be accepted. This is a basic human need. For instance, you might take on extra projects with the intention of looking good and impressing others. You might create drama or tell stories about how hard your life is to gain attention. You might participate in unhealthy relationships or not speak up for yourself when you’ve been hurt. However, you no longer need to prove yourself to anyone. This operating system began when you were young. It is how you learned to survive and get your needs met. It is not what you need now as an adult and a leader.

As a leader, looking to gain acceptance from others may show up as being unable to delegate or outsource. You may have difficulty handling conflict or challenging situations out of fear of NOT being accepted. You may question yourself and experience a lot of self-doubt. This not only increases your levels of stress and productivity, but also impacts your ability to lead and influence others.

When you accept that you are complete and whole, that you are not lacking in anyway, you stop looking outside yourself for something or someone to complete you. Whereas, when you operate from a need to prove your value, you seek attention and validation from outside sources and will keep looking for ways to prove yourself until the need is satisfied. The problem is that, because you don’t believe in your own value – because you have not yet accepted yourself – you continue to look for it from elsewhere. When you look outside yourself for validation of how you should be or act, you actually give your power away to some external person or thing! It is YOU who requires your approval and consideration.

Be self-accepting. Recognize your value as a human being and how amazing you are. Become more self-appreciating and celebrate the qualities that make you special and unique. So, THERE!

The history of a country
 ...is generally written by the conquerors. The "conquered" seldom writes a thing. Many things contribute to the correct and accurate depiction of historical data. Sponsorship by the wealthy was one of the favorite incentives. Such history tends to carry a partial or one-sided view of the facts.

It is, consequently, up to the passionate historian to do his or her own research to verify the facts. This leads to documentation which will totally eradicate any pre-conceived notion acquired during the student's whippersnapper elementary history education. Puerto Rico, more than perhaps any other nation, may fall victim to this phenomenon due to the simple fact that Puerto Rico is the oldest colony in the world today! Over 500 years, compadre! Yikes, sez me! READ HISTORY

¡OUCHO! DEPT.
The Boricua Black Eye?
by Don Jíbaro Barbanegra
The Black Eye Syndrome is simple.... Say, you have an uncle who's in jail for burglary, that's a "black eye" to the family. You have a sister who wears red and works the street corners... that's a "black eye" to the family. If any of the above is caught on T.V., Radio or Newspapers... that's a BIG "black eye" to the family. If they're on the Internet, that's a HUGE "black eye". Get the idea?" READ THE BLACK EYE

donjibaro@gmail.com

“Live in such a way that no one blames the rest of us  
nor finds fault with our work.” --(2 Corinthians 6:3)

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