LIFE

 STAGES

From a very young age we always hear about the "stages of life" and how everything changes in the course of time: friends, family and of course yourself! They talk about how we mature, the responsibilities we acquire, jobs, projects, a little bit of everything; however, we don't really manage to measure what those words, said from someone else's experiences mean, until YOU yourself realize that 10 years have already passed since you were at school, and you are in a such different stage now.  

This week one of my friends and schoolmates got married, and I served as a witness. Let me tell you that I had many mixed feelings at that moment!! Obviously I felt so happy and excited for her, and for the special event we were celebrating, but on the other hand, the fact of witnessing her marriage made me reflect on the stage in which I am living. Clearly we are in different stages despite being the same age, which is not a bad thing, on the contrary, it is an example that we are all living at our own pace. 

I guess we are all aware that nothing and no one will stay the same forever, but I would dare say that we all (at least in our 20s) experience the constant fear of not knowing what direction to take, of not knowing if you are actually doing the right thing. You may wonder why? I'd simply say that we somehow realized that we have already grown up, that we are in a totally different stage of life now and some more are still waiting for us...

If someone reading this feel me... I wish you peace and wisdom to enjoy and learn at every stage and to make decisions that will always lead you towards growth. 🙌 

May God bless you!

 Thank you for reading!

POETRY

 If I date you and you don't speak Spanish

I'll spend my whole life explaining me 

in a different language, 

entirely from my most authentic self;

who you may never get to see.

It's usually okay for a while 

I ignore it as best as I possibly can,

I mean it's just a language right,

and you're still such a nice man.

But then, there are certain sayings 

that I only speak at home

and I've spent my entire life translating 

what it feels like to be alone.

You see, there are two parts of me

my heart is split in two 

one will always be in Mexico 

and one may end up marrying you.

I've only ever spoken Spanish at home,

it's the only way I know 

how to pray, how to say my name

how to answer the phone;

that part of me will always stay.

If I date you and you don't speak Spanish,

I could be very happy in theory,

but every night when I go to bed 

my heart will cry from being so weary.

I brought someone to Mexico once,

he didn't understand what that meant,

and maybe he loved me,

but just to a very certain extent,

a very small amount of time

to him I was "just a phase"

and I didn't know that I could cry in Spanish

for quite so many days.

If I date you and you don't speak Spanish

it could work out I guess

If you don't suddenly feel the need 

to make feel like I am less 

because I am double the excitement 

worth double the time 

I am a matcha green latte 

and simultaneously a tequila topped with lime.

I've been translating myself my entire life

all my worries and woes,

but the most intimate parts of me,

that English language still never knows.

If I date you and you don't speak Spanish 

eventually, I will lack

because I'll miss my first language 

and I'll desperately want it back. 

-Celia Martínez

@diaryofaromantica

A few days ago, sailing through the waves of my Tik tok, I found the amazing poem written above. I don't exactly know why it caught my attention, maybe because of its first verse referring to languages. I would like to point out that since it was a video recitation of the poem by the author, I am not sure about its punctuation or strophe division, but I wanted to share it with you as well as some personal comments about it. 

First off, how beautiful is modern poetry!!! The choice of words and the feeling that the young lady puts into her writing really hooks you. Personally, I think that the poem, beyond talking about the difference in languages, also refers to culture. I believe that our environment and experiences influence our thoughts and attitudes that is why there is usually a cultural clash between people from different countries, which can be something minimal and insignificant as well as a trigger, that on an emotional level makes you feel what the author conveys in this poem. 

The last three phrases are significant for me "eventually, I will lack because I'll miss my first language and I'll desperately want it back" because I get the impression that it refers to the power of loving yourself despite anything/anyone, learn your worth, and realize what you deserve. 

These other verses "and maybe he loved me, but just to a very certain extent" talk also about love. While it is certain that in a relationship we must keep in mind that each person shows love in different ways, it is important to pay attention if we are receiving a different love language than ours, or simply are not receiving anything at all. 

I really recommend this Mexican girl's poetry, I left her username at the end of the poem, right below her name so you can find some of her writings in her accounts. 

Hope you enjoyed it as much as I did!

Thanks for reading ❤