Monthly Moment featuring: Maria

Meet Maria. She was born in Mexico and came to the U.S. at the age of 13. She did not speak a word of English and it was not an easy transition for her. She was constantly pressured by gangs to either join the 'blue' or 'red' but instead found a safe haven in a church youth group. Not being particularly religious, the relationships anchored her in the group and she developed a desire to serve others. Maria graduated high school, with the support of her parents and a high school mentor, later finding herself getting her degree from UC Santa Cruz and eventually her Masters from the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology. Over the past 15 years, she has had an amazing career in Youth Development and Mental Health while volunteering as a mentor, advocating for and working with recent immigrant youth.

1) Where do you find your Moments of Positivity?

I think I find my Moments of Positivity in my relationships and connection with others, no matter what the relationship is. I have learned to roll with the punches and I intentionally welcome opportunities to expand my comfort zone to create new learning experiences. I choose to laugh when things don’t go as planned because I usually find myself in places and situations I would never thought of.

2) What do you do to Claim your Moment?

I claim my moment by making important events in my life count. Turning 30, I had a “double quinceañera” and took myself to Greece and when I turned 40, I went to a new place (Cabo). Without any running experience, I took the offer to run 200 miles with a team of 11 strangers and taking on the challenge of being the team’s captain-why? To challenge myself and to be living proof that fitness comes in every size. I am also claiming my moment by accepting my own body and rejecting the idea that in order to be a beautiful bride and I have to starve myself to fit into a smaller dress. I have grown to embrace my curves and every single “flaw” in my body because I believe that's where you truly find beauty.

Right on Maria! Thank you for sharing with Positivity Tribe and continue to Claim Your Moment.

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