Willpower, “Si se puede, Yes I can!”
Change your thoughts from “I think I can to: “I know I can.” Yoga at Cabos San Lucas:
January 29, 2018
Si se puede, Yes I can!!!
Let’s be a go getter this Monday & start the week off right. This week I’m here to talk to you about WILLPOWER. Every thought that we have comes from the power of the mind. If we allow ourselves to manifest those thoughts into ideas and those ideas into action, then we can fulfill the desire of our hearts and live our true purpose. Gordita’s Way movement will talk about the significance of willpower, self-forgiveness, and shifting our thoughts from “I think I can,” to “I know I can!” Today’s message will also dive into my current detox from alcohol and how that relates to self-awareness.
As most of you know, I am from a super Puerto Rican familia and culture that loves to party and turn up every chance we get! Birthdays, holidays, new jobs, accomplishments, etc. You put my Latinos in a room and we can out drink everyone. Liquor is something that has always been a familial and cultural norm. I never entertained the thought of detoxing from alcohol because it became seemingly normal. However, through meditative yoga and self-awareness, a voice inside me told to detox/cleanse from alcohol. My initial thoughts were not receptive to this subconscious message, however, I knew I had to do it eventually. My first attempt to detox from alcohol was somewhat successful to say the least, however, my current detox & execution has been much more powerful.
The power of the mind has no limits!
What is Will Power? Power of the mind
You may have heard the saying, “willpower is like a muscle, the more you exercise it, the stronger it gets.” Willpower is a strong determination and willingness to overcome challenges that come your way. For me, I was subconsciously battling the constant desire to have a drink. I was no longer just socially drinking, however, the normalization for consuming it was affecting my body and my daily activities. I felt more tired on the weekends when I had to get up early for work. Not to mention hangovers and feelings of fatigue. For the holidays, I let loose unapologetically and ate and drank everything I wanted! Haha no regrets. However, I desired to reduce my intake and eventually detox after the holidays.
I think I can, I know I can!
Words are extremely powerful! When you commit yourself to something, you have to be careful of the words you use, as they will influence your actions. Eliminate the “I think I can” attitude and adopt the “I can & I will attitude.” If I allowed my thoughts to resonate in my mind and not follow through with my vision for the Gordita’s Way movement, I would not be a full-time blogger with a vision to destroy diet culture and exemplify the intersections of Latinx culture, diet culture, & body acceptance. In the same way, when I first attempted to detox from alcohol, I demonstrated a “I think I can” give up alcohol. With this framework, I lasted 10 days. After Dia de los Reyes (Three Kings Day), I made a decision and genuinely wanted to eliminate alcohol from my thoughts and habits. Today, your girl is 22 days without a drink!
Willpower cannot be obtained without self-awareness. You have to be willing to get uncomfortable. That’s not to say that you should feel guilty or shameful if you slip up. Remember mi gente, setbacks are not failures! Don’t forget to fall in love with the process. This loving and healthy relationship will set you free.
Changing the way you think about food/substances
Do not use guilt and shame to combat willpower. Be kind to yourself. This may require a sense of self forgiveness. Remember if there is any rule to abide by: its to take care of yourself by all means possible & never regret your last meal & drink! This break from alcohol was not for the purpose of cutting off liquor all together, but rather, developing a healthier more fulfilled relationship with alcohol. You may ask yourself, what was the purpose of abstaining from alcohol? The Felicita that you know is a walking contradiction, who struggles with navigating a fun carefree lifestyle and balancing that with fitness. I’ll tell you my friends, it was not easy, but it was phenomenal. I went out various times with my friends and family surrounded by alcohol but turned up on my own high hyper energy. Valuable lessons I learned, I can turn up and have fun without alcohol and I can save a crap ton of money when I do not drink. Budgeting & having a good time, that’s all a girl can ask for!
In order to destroy diet culture, we have to rewire our brains and change the way we think about food and substances we put into our body. This whole week, regardless of what I put in my mouth (food), I manifested positive thoughts and energy into everything I consumed. Surrendering alcohol this month has allowed me to stay in tune with my spirit, self actualize and challenge my mind, body and soul. By obeying my spirit and body, opportunities opened relentlessly. I was given an opportunity to be a SEVA and work at my favorite yoga studio in exchange for unlimited classes. I truly believe in the power of the mind and spiritual benefits of detoxing. My friends, you are strong and capable of doing anything you put your mind to! As my Papastro says, “Tu no tiene control con tu vida!” (You don’t have any self-control) I sure proved him wrong! I’m telling you mi gente, you can do ANYTHING you put your mind to. If your being called to detox and need some tips, try meditation, prayers, & citing “I” statements in the mirror. When you look within, you have the capacity to do anything you set your mind to. Si se puede! Yes I can! Yes you can!