I have been there.  For almost two years after my daughter was born, I focused solely on her, my husband, and my job.  I threw myself into the role of working mother and began comparing and judging my success based on my mother, grandmothers, and previous generations.

My mother and mother-in-law were both working moms who came to the U.S. from Puerto Rico in the ’60s.  After they got married and had children they continued to work, many times doing multiple jobs, outside of the home to help their hardworking husbands make ends meet.  They kept many Puerto Rican traditions of food, music, dance and family — including taking on all of the responsibility of work inside the home.  They did it all. Todo. Without one complaint or day off.

I looked up to these Superwomen and used them as my standard. I compared my cooking, cleaning, and childrearing to them.  Little did I know, they secretly were overworked, depressed, ignored their health and felt pressure to be perfect because of tradition.

For too long, I did the same thing. I didn’t think twice about where my next breath was coming from because I really didn’t appreciate that each breath is a gift.

It doesn’t have to be this way.

To change things for myself, I started to think about what my family and I truly deserve.  Shifting my logic helped me kick into gear a healthier lifestyle.

I acknowledge that my body has not been pushed to its fullest potential with exercise and that I have not made sure that it rests.  Like a neglected child, I have not spent time loving my body. I never saw exercise and rest as serving my family when it actually does.

My daughter deserves an energetic and happy mother. I really notice a difference when I play with my daughter after taking some time for myself and find that I am more focused, energetic and loving towards her.  Because my needs are met, I am in a better position to meet hers.

My husband deserves a fun, happy, sexy wife. I am more loving towards him after I had been more loving towards myself.

I deserve to show myself off and be proud of who I am.

I want to project a positive self-image to other women and girls.

It’s time to come out of my shell and declare that I am a strong, energetic, beautiful and amazing woman.

I am strength

I am love

I am me

So are you.

The Internet, and specifically social media sites and tools, are defining the new economy and our future success.  We can lead the call, as we are a growing economic superpower.  Research from the Selig Center for Economic Growth at the University of Georgia shows, “In sheer dollar power, Hispanics’ economic clout will rise from $212 billion in 1990, to $490 billion in 2000, to $951 billion in 2008, and to almost $1.4 trillion in 2013.”  The Multicultural Economy 2008.

Teaching our communities the power of the Internet to promote their businesses, and non-profit organizations while creating powerful intellectual networks with colleagues, investors, and constituents is vitally important.  Our economic independence and prosperity depends on it.

We have all witnessed the power of the Internet during the last presidential campaign and in bringing awareness to important environmental and charitable causes.  As an educational tool it is limitless.  With adult monitoring and supervision, we can help our children navigate responsibly, share ideas and engage with their peers in a productive way.  Social media used maturely, is a great tool to challenge negative stereotypes and perceptions by showcasing our intellect, personality, and spirit.

Whether you agree or disagree with Sonia Sotomayor’s confirmation, you cannot deny its significance to America’s history and its positive impact to the greater American Latino community.

Cited: The Multicultural Economy 2008, http://www.terry.uga.edu/selig/docs/buying_power_2008.pdf