I have waited quite some time to write this blog. Perhaps the reality that adulthood is still creeping in has marked my forehead with the words IN DENIAL. But, after many requests and a realization that I am growing; I decided to write it. Here goes…

I recently marked one official year since I graduated. Can you believe that? I can’t! Life after graduation has been so interesting; full of adventures and self discovery. You have probably read some of the summer blogs I wrote. If you have not, go ahead!

After my summer dreamland, reality soon kicked in reminding me I needed a job to pay off my loans. Oh, the burden of Sallie Mae! Unexpectedly, I started working for this small remodeling company in Brooklyn where I jumped in to be the Director of Administration. This was definitely not in my plans, yet it seems that the opportunity was placed in my life for a reason. For one I had the opportunity to do the two things I am best at: organize and administer. Soon I noticed that one thing remains constant in my life: the responsibilities on my plate. The joy! Immediately, I began to grow professionally and sharpen some of my strengths. Of course, I also learned about all of my weaknesses and how much work I really needed.

The months of September through December were crazy because I began to get deeper into ministry work. So many times my character was stretched, my temper tested, and my faith challenged. I was growing as a unique leader while unaware of what was going on behind the scene. God was getting ready to show me some realities that were going to change my life forever.

By the time it was January I was losing desire for everything. The New Year felt old and the burden of ministry was weighing me down. I was getting bored with everything. This was an awkward feeling for me because I hate boredom and try to avoid it! So much so that I have a list of things to research when ever I feel bored, that way I am still entertained. Yes, I love research.

I could not understand why I felt lifeless and unmotivated. Was this really Eliana? Was I missing something? Why was I not being productive at work or feeling on fire in my personal life? I could not stand being in my own head! My emotions were riding a rollercoaster everyday!

So one morning after I finished praying and got ready to go to work it hit me like a ton of bricks. I was still thinking like a college student!

What!

Life was challenging me! It was building character in me and weaning out of my spirit the cyclical tendencies produced in college students to hang in there with something for 3 ½ months and then go on break, then another 3 ½ months and our assignment as a student leader or staff is over. Here I was 4 months into my first post graduation job and it made sense why I was feeling that way. My mind was expecting a new assignment in January, but life said “No sweetheart you have work to finish and a purpose to fulfill.” I realized I needed to come up with strategies that will help compliment my weaknesses. My strength, for example, is motivated by passion, but when the passion is gone and my assignment is still undone, I need to have something in place that will carry me in faithfulness in the tasks until the second wind of passion kicks in. Have you been here before? Did you develop strategies or a game plan?

Let me assist you. Below are a few realizations that have helped me persevere during these last couple of months. So if you feel like you have been in my shoes or currently feel as if you are getting “bored” with what you are doing, read below and hope you are blessed!

1. Realize that there is always a bigger purpose at hand. Your life is one big assignment, and each season in your life represents a different step that is getting you closer to the completion of that mission.

2. Focus on the task life has in front of you right now. It could be school, a certain job, a certain position, etc… What can it help you develop and what are things you want to impart on it?

3. Take it a day at a time. You can’t conquer the world so quickly. Everything takes preparation. Do the best you can every day.

4. Let go of the things you have no control of. But rise up to take control of what is in your hands.

5. Balance! Wake up with a mind to work, but know when to relax.

6. Discipline yourself to finish what you start. Distractions will come. Don’t dwell in them, keep it moving.

7. When the road gets tough, don’t quit. Hang around long enough with something to know the value of why it’s in your life to begin with.

8. Be patient. Sometimes life presents us with the unexpected, but just because something doesn’t look the way we hoped, does not mean it will not work out for our good.

9. When its time to move on, move. You are not doing the world any good by staying where you are not suppose to. It’s like being a square peg in a round hole.

10. Realize that it’s not about you. Ever! Sometimes it’s about helping others reach their vision and soon enough you will stumble on your own dream

11. Lastly, know that your ending will be greater and sweeter than your beginning. You might not necessarily know what that end point is, but be assured that where you start or are currently standing is not where you will end up. Greater things are coming your way!

I hope that was helpful. Feel free to share realizations or truths that work for you! Knowledge is power, but the application and sharing of it is even more powerful.

As I write this, I am full of emotion and awe: Judge Sonia Sotomayor is President Obama’s nominee for the Supreme Court.

A Latina! A fellow Boricua! A contemporary! A lover of Nancy Drew books! Dios mio!

As I watched the live announcement, I couldn’t wait to hear her first comments about her selection. And she certainly didn’t disappoint us.

After thanking President Obama, she quickly zeroed on the people who helped her throughout her life: her family and friends.

But then she singled out her “life aspiration” – her mother.

I know Latinos across this country who were watching were already choked up just for the simple fact that a Latina – an Hispanic – was being named. But I know that we all lost it in tandem when she began to speak in honor of her mother, Celina.

“I have often said that I am all I am because of her, and I am only half the woman she is.” said Judge Sotomayor who blinked rapidly to keep her tears at bay.

Awwwwwwwwwwwww!

I know many of us thought of our own mothers who did all that they could to make sure their kids had better lives. They fed us hot meals, forced us to go to school when all we wanted to do was hang out, yelled at us, went without so we wouldn’t, perhaps administered a few beatings with la correa, and were ready to give up their last breaths for us.

Today, on this historic day, Celina was the stand-in for all of our mothers who prepared us for our lives. But, for now, the spotlight was on her hijita.

“Awesome news about Sotomayor!” wrote Cynthia Maldonado Gonzalez, a Bronx native now living in Paterson, in a text message she sent me just moments after the announcement. She said her own mother, Miriam Maldonado, who is still in New York, got very emotional at the news. “Yeah, that’s us Bronx Puerto Ricans. That’s where my family made it out from housing projects and it’s a success for us all!”

Idida Rodriguez made sure she took breaks during her business meetings to get updates and share her sentiments about the nominee.

“It’s a great day for Latinos in this country, particularly for Puerto Ricans,” said the Paterson native who grew up in public housing just like Judge Sotomayor.

Idida said she was touched that Judge Sotomayor, who will be one of the most highest profile Puerto Ricans ever in history, described herself as just “an ordinary person who has been blessed with extraordinary opportunities and experiences.”

Perth Amboy Mayor Wilda Diaz, who made history in 2008 when she became the first elected Puerto Rican female mayor in New Jersey (and considered to be the first one in the nation) described Tuesday’s announcement as “one of the proudest moments” for Latinos.

“This shows that we count,” said Mayor Diaz who as a child also lived in public housing.

I also believe that one of the best things about Sonia Sotomayor’s nomination is that people from around the world will learn a bit about Puerto Ricans and our roots. The mighty New York Times recently got such a lesson.

On May 16, 2009, they ran this correction: An article on Friday about Judge Sonia Sotomayor, a possible candidate for nomination to the Supreme Court, referred incorrectly to her parents. As people who moved to New York from Puerto Rico, they were United States citizens. They were not “immigrants.”

So felicidades Sonia Sotomayor! Felicidades to us all!

And, with all due respect, may I add the three little words that sums it up for Latinas all over this world?

You go girl!