Nicole Amora, HMT, RYT 200

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This painting was created when Allyson & I decided that one day we would try to have a child. We were on Ecstasy. In two and a half years we had our daughter. ...So grateful for every minute we’ve ever shared together. A family can be a nest of unconditional love and support, a refuge to heal the wounds inflicted by the world. There is hope in the world because you look forward to each day together, and a future you share. May you find a way to be grateful for your family, no matter what conditions you experience. Featured art: ‘New Family’ (1985-86) 60 x 90 in., oil on linen. Swipe to view full painting

Yesterday, I caught myself telling my daughter that she was spoiled. I told her that it was frustrating that she wanted to go to Target to buy a toy when she ha...s so many already and that she was spoiled. I watched her shrink down in sadness and then rise back up quickly in anger. YOU’RE spoiled! she yelled. Immediately, I heard my mom’s voice in my ear: Estas CHIPLE! Damn! Not only did I just put a big fat label on my child, something I have to recommit to not doing daily, but I wonder how many times I’ve done this without recognizing that they’re the exact words said to me, just because they are in a different language? Are are we good enough at translating those shameful words that made us feel less than so that we don’t say them to our kids while believing we are parenting differently? This was a rude awakening. As Latinx parents of varying stories and generations, maybe we are speaking the same language we grew up with to our children and it makes it easier to catch ourselves when we speak to our children with the same unkind words used by adults when we were kids. But maybe we didn’t. My children are somewhat bilingual, but not fully. [I know, I know, but my husband is white and change is hard ] This moment helped me realize that speaking in a different language than my parents spoke makes it sometimes difficult to identify which of my words are truly mine, and which are just recordings being replayed but dubbed over in English. The harder to identify, the harder to shift. Reflection comes before intention. But I’m working on it. Always. Fast forward to this morning when I see this graphic from @annecarly.mm. I heard all of these words growing up, but not in English. I wrote in some of the translations to help myself, and whoever else, remember how these messages might have been spoken to us. I need to hear myself clearly so that I can feel the impact of my language on my children. This includes when I’m violent with my words, the way I am when I label and judge them and project my criticism. I refuse to pass down the same wounds, the same sharp shaming words, regardless of the language they’re being packaged into. [From 2018]

Just used Square for the first time, how bow dat

Thank you for these soothing statements @survivorandco

Gatekeepers do not define your Indigeneity IG: @Yukka_Art