Everything I Am Not

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I was about 5 years old when I realized I wanted to be an actor. I wanted to be a serious, Oscar worthy, staring at the camera saying nothing actor. My first acting gig came up during this time I got chosen to be one of the three wise men for the Christmas school play. I got into character, learned my lines, the beard and costume fitted perfectly. All I had to do was to get on stage and say, “I am Gaspar and I bring the myrrh”. I was ready!

The day came. All the parents and visitors were expecting the arrival of the three wise men. I was last. My two partners said their lines and my turn came. I approached the microphone looked at the audience and half way through saying my line I completely forgot what I was bringing to baby Jesus. “I am Gaspar and I bring…” I scratched my head, touched my beard, and looked inside the treasure box I was carrying while the audience erupted in laughter. I finally remembered I brought the myrrh. There was laughter and a lot of clapping as I moved to my position to allow the play to continue. I blew it! And it was AWESOME!

10400270_12997675351_1444_nDuring the school years all the way to high school I performed in many plays, talent shows, and events doing comedy. As soon as I began college I began working as a radio announcer and the comedy side began emerging even stronger to the point of becoming a paid job. I spent college between being on radio, television, performing stand up comedy, being a motivational speaker, and of course being an artist. After some years I was just working on a medical office then became a teacher and an instructional designer. At the same time I was developing my art career. I am not a writer but you are reading this now, so we can add that to the list too.

Late at night, before I fall asleep, all I want to know is that God loves me. I just want a chance to find my God-given identity. I would like to know that everything I am not serves a purpose and lifts someone’s spirit somehow. At the end of my life I want to be remembered by those who matter most as a “Loving son, husband, father, and friend”. The rest is just extra.

Missing The Point

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I enjoy watching archaeology shows specially those of ancient Egypt. Even more so when Dr. Zahi Hawass is in the show. He is a world-renowned Egyptian archaeologist . In one of the shows he is sitting in front of a recently discover tomb waiting for the workers to open it up. It is a very important moment. Next to him there is a young intern. She spent the time talking about her husband and how he was not happy with her being there. Dr. Hawass was getting very annoyed by her constant nagging. He explained that they were at the verge of a great archaeological moment. They were witnessing the opening of a tomb that was sealed for thousands of years. He advised her to enjoy the experience and ponder in the discovery. She just kept talking about her husband. She was missing the point even when she was right in front of it.

Once the tomb was opened they discovered a mummy inside. That just added more excitement to the discovery and Dr. Hawass was thrilled. As they uncovered the mummy with extreme care, the intern just kept nagging about her husband. By that point Dr. Hawass was so annoyed by the intern that he said, “I would be more than glad to mummify you just as this mummy if you don’t stop talking about your husband”. It was hilarious.

FullSizeRender-1The fact is that many of us are missing the point of Christmas. We celebrate the birth or the Savior. God himself became flesh, was born in not very fancy circumstances, grew up as one of us, to then give his life and forever seal a new covenant of grace with us. We follow our traditions but most importantly is the substance of those traditions. Focus on Jesus. You might be at the verge of a moment of enlightenment and revelation, but focused in other things you might just be missing the point. Merry Christmas!

The Eye of the Hurricane

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Coming from the tropical island of Puerto Rico talking about hurricanes is pretty common. Most recently with hurricanes reaching New York and New England in the past few years seems like a commonality here too. While we don’t get hurricanes during this season, Christmas time feels like a hurricane but not of wind and rain, but of people. Just sit back in the eye of the hurricane and observe. Look around you. Look at yourself. Are you falling in the same madness of the world during the holidays?

During this time people run around like crazy trying to fulfill the self-imposed demands of the season. People put too much emphasis in ‘getting stuff’ for the season and very little emphasis in enjoying the season. This time is for much more than buying stuff. Yes, giving is important. It feels great to give. Stressing and running over other people to get that ephemeral object, and falling in debt (less than ephemeral) to satisfy false expectations is of little sense and value.

If you are giving, give from the heart and within your means. Spend quality time with the people you care about. Call those who are far. Send a text message, a card, FaceTime with them. Let them know you are thinking about them.