WE CAN HAVE NICE THINGS
WE CAN HAVE NICE THINGS
By Sendy Tapia
We can have nice things. We can keep things neat. We can even keep things polished and maintained. All of this against the misguided narratives. So, entre nos, why is it always la raza que no se aguanta? Why not be proud of each other? Encourage each other? Uplift each other? Your friends, neighbors, relatives, even mentors and educators at school. We can’t maintain a community if we insist on cracking our foundation with mitote and good old-fashioned hater-aid.
¡Aguántense! I’m going somewhere with this. Opportunities and community are not few and far between in places like East San José, even with the systemic challenges that exist. There are no winners when we cave into the pressures of tear-down culture that has perpetually stirred the pots in our own homes.
“Ximena got a B+ on her project!”
“Well Katalina got an A+ and is in honors—” and the list goes on. That is toxic. That brews jealousy and hate, and you do not want those bitter flavors in your cafecito con pan.
“We can’t maintain a community if we insist on cracking our foundation with mitote and good old-fashioned hater-aid.”
As I am reminded by Janine from Abbott Elementary, “Sometimes pride and stubbornness share a fence.” Learning how and when to jump off that fence is a personal battle for everyone. So, entre nos, here is my recipe for having nice things:
Patience, Perseverance, Passion, and Chemical X.
But wait, are we building the Powerpuff Girls? Well, that depends on what you choose to plug in for Chemical X. For me, it is usually Xtra Art, Xtra Anime, and Xtra Boba. All laughs aside, patience teaches us about practicing mindfulness, when to slow down, how to be comfortable with being uncomfortable, and how to work toward solidarity a place where we remain undivided – powerful skills needed to survive when the muck of chismes are trying to pull you down.
“Patience, Perseverance, Passion, and Chemical X.”
If patience is a mental skill, perseverance is strength. Going on a run every day for twenty minutes is doable for some, but not for all. Taking baby steps toward eating healthy or taking the time to draw something every day may be the hardest challenge you may have, but it is not impossible. Learn how to set boundaries with negative influences, surround yourself with individuals who support your ambitions. Remember that failures are lessons in the making and serve as opportunities to learn.
Passion is the fire in our soul that keeps the salsa picante y las tortillas caliente. Find your passions in life, keep it separate from the haters that always lurk in the shadows. Invest your energy into it when you can, however much you can, and steadily throughout life. If the fuel runs low, that’s okay. It is normal. Don’t be afraid to have two, three, or more passions that ground you in this life because we are human. We are allowed to change and mold and reset as needed.
“Invest your energy into it when you can, however much you can, and steadily throughout life. If the fuel runs low, that’s okay. It is normal. ”