Afternoon Pep-Talk with Steve Jobs

Got inspired this afternoon reading up on some Forbes issues when I came across some of Steve Jobs' famous quotes. I couldn't help but share with you all one that has stuck with me.

It [what you choose to do] has got to be something that you’re passionate about because otherwise you won’t have the perseverance to see it through.

Steve Jobs believed that passion was a critical component of success. He talked about the role of passion constantly, so it’s no surprise that this quote would appear in ‘Jobs’, the film. The 2005 Steve Jobs commencement address at Stanford University has been viewed millions of times and it’s the event where his thoughts on passion are most clearly articulated. Jobs told the graduates that day, “You’ve got to find what you love… Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it.” This could very well be the greatest piece of career advice ever given, with the exception of #10. I have been blessed to have always enjoyed the jobs that I have had especially in a career that I love and enjoy. I strongly believe that my hard work and dedication has allowed me to be fulfilled in this aspect of my life. If you like to read more on his 10 most powerful quotes of Steve Jobs from Forbes I have went ahead and added it for you. Peace & Love, Miss Mari

Just Kauz It's Right Begins Back to School Supply Drive for 2015-2016

It is that time again where we begin to raise funds and awareness of our efforts. We kindly ask for your kind donation to help make our efforts in the lives of school children a continued success. I strongly believe one act of kindness leaves a long lasting impression on the lives of school children to better their future. We typically receive monetary donations or school supply donations. With all sponsorships and donations we attain, they go to purchase the school supplies needed for each child in our service area. Our service area includes the following cities: Edinburg, Monte Alto, Mercedes, Weslaco, Pharr, McAllen, Mission, and La Joya, Texas. For example Edinburg CISD Supply List include:

You may donate online through PayPal. We could not be a success without the volunteer board, all our sponsors, and most importantly community and business partners.

We are also hosting an annual softball tournament in July, date to be announced. However you may register your team at maricela.deleon4@gmail.com. Entry fee is $250.00 for a team of 10-14 players. We are hoping to have up to 20 teams compete and is not limited to just co-ed teams. We are having all male team competition as well.

Thank you!

Love, Faith and Trust heals all Sorrow

This evening I'm confronted with lots of prayer and lots of cold medicine and lots of little giggles, tears and smiles.

Some may say "Poor Mari" but I say "Thank you Jesus." I've accepted the fact that God thinks I'm a badass (and yes I have a smile on my face as I wrote that). You see my family has dealt with a lot in the past few years and He has always granted me peace and comfort. He has always reminded me that He will never give me anything I can't handle.

I've been trying to process some information regarding my uncle's health and it has made me understand how important family really is. Being miles away from them I always make sure I make time for them when I visit. At times I do feel guilty being away and living a life I've always dreamed of and today a colleague of mine helped me to not be so hard on myself.

My uncle will be fighting for his life now, my family is reuniting its bonds and all I can think of is how strong my family is during this rough patch we are going through. A young pretty lady I know shared with me some scriptures over the weekend that I read myself to sleep and that I want to share with you.

James 5:15 "And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven."  Love, faith and trust heals all sorrow and brings light and joy into our hearts and life.

I ask that you keep my uncle Raul Leal in your prayers for a healthy recovery. I ask that you pray for my Aunt Rachel and her boys so that peace can comfort their hearts during this time. And pray for our family that we may stand united through prayer and love for each other.

Peace & Love

November Elections 2014

Are you registered to vote? If so go VOTE! Its easy. In my opinion I see it as arriving to Happy Hour! 

It's the day I look forward to every year or every two years. So you may be asking where do I go vote?
Right now we are in Early Voting. Early voting for the November 4, 2014 General Election runs Monday, October 20 - Friday, October 31. You can find early voting locations here. 

Curious to know whats on the ballot. The Secretary of State has this sample ballot for you. There is also a constitutional amendment on the ballot. Don't know what that means. Let me share some info I took from the Secretary of State's website.

Amendment No. 1 (S.J.R. 1) Providing for the use and dedication of certain money
transferred to the state highway fund to assist in the completion of transportation construction, maintenance, and rehabilitation projects, not to include toll roads.

Analysis of Proposed Amendment

S.J.R. 1, approved during the 83rd Texas Legislature, 3rd Called Session, 2013, proposes an amendment to the Texas Constitution to require the comptroller of public accounts to allocate to the state highway fund, for the sole purpose of constructing, maintaining, and acquiring rights-of-way for public roadways other than toll roads, up to half of the amount of oil and gas production tax revenue the comptroller currently is required to transfer each year to the economic stabilization fund. The proposed amendment requires the legislature to provide for a procedure by which the allocation of oil and gas production tax revenue may be adjusted to provide for a transfer of a greater amount to the economic stabilization fund, with the remainder, if any, allocated for transfer to the state highway fund.

Now, Proposition 1 the "Vote Yes" campaign effort that you have been seeing around town is also something to pay attention to. I personally voted against the proposition. I made my own judgements you can make your own. KRGV 5 put this quick news clip. Watch it.  It is worth the quick 3minute of your time. TAXES are HUGE! Especially when you have a rise in inflation, wages remain the same and in a community where poverty is HIGH I can't see how this will benefit our region. 

Feeling Inspired

Hello my fellow readers, yeah I am talking to you. Its been a while since I last wrote something. I guess you can say I am feeling a little tad better. I kinda wanted to remove myself from here but I figured why stop now.

I am in a life of transition. Everyone has their moments, times of self pity, times of loneliness and well times of change. That is me. I am one that loves to reflect on many things. The decisions and choices I have made. Those that I am not so much proud of and then there is hope. I have been clinging on to hope. At times I feel like letting go but I am holding on tight in hopes that my future is going to be oh so promising and how I imagine it to be.

If I could I only write my deepest thoughts but then I wouldn't have anything to share with my children. They should be the special one's to know about my mistakes especially in love. I've made many mistakes in that area. But I console myself with there is someone greater out there for me.  But lets not go there.

So, one thing that I am extremely and excited about is the fact that my nonprofit had a very successful distribution year. We assisted 875 students throughout the Rio Grande Valley with much needed school supplies. Despite my personal life roller coaster, this was smooth sailing for me.  Thanks to my board, volunteers, donors and community we had a great donation year.

I had some kids run after me at the end of the presentations to hug me and tell me thank you. Those little hugs are so meaningful to me. I wish I could help them much more but we try and we do are our very best and have increased our donation size each year. I am extremely blessed to have been able to do this again. It is hard trying to get a buck or two but those that do give help us out a long way in distributing school supplies to student an schools that benefit greatly from our act of charity.

I wish at times though that I had a special someone accompany me as I do my deliveries and speeches only then will they understand my heart a bit more. I am a hopeless romantic if you had not caught that but I am optimistic in time he will walk into my life fully committed to me and each other.

As that came to end my total time and energy is dedicated to self. My journey has one last academic trip and you will be excited to keep up with me. I am not going anywhere, my life is just beginning to flourish and many will be benefiting greatly.

God Bless you!

Carpe Diem Y'all!

A lot has happened to me since my last post. I lost my paternal grandmother, where I know she is with my grandfather in heaven. They were a big part of my life. My parents instilled in me great love for family and not having them around sure has tested my strength but I can affirm to you today that I grow stronger each day knowing that the Lord has taken them, they are now at peace and they loved me very much.

Prior to departing home to be with family while grandma was ill, I came across an elderly couple. I noticed that they looked puzzled and were trying to figure something out. My normal self decided to reverse and ask if they needed a ride. They were so delighted and I became their chauffeur; I was quite happy to be it. Seeing their smile on their face of such peace and thankfulness I knew God sent me into their path. As I waited for them in the parking lot, I couldn't help but notice that I had tears running down my face.  You see that day, God reminded me that He does Live in each and every one of us. Towards the end of my adventure with this couple, I decided to drop them off at their home because it was the least I could do and it was only 101 degrees Texas weather. In conversation they told me that as they stood deciding in the parking on what bus to take to the post office and which bus ride on the return home that would have them home in time for bible study...They said "Lord how would we do it?" Jesus heard their prayers and sent me. 

That same day earlier, I had asked God to show me His Love. I needed His comfort and I needed to know that He was with me and that I was going to be okay.  I don't expect everyone to understand my experience because this was my special experience and encounter. But, what I do wish is that there is a Greater Being in this world we live in and He has a Son that I love with all my heart.   After that I got notice to return home that my grandmother was not well. I am glad I was able to spend some time home even though it was difficult. I prayed for strength in me so that my family could get through the ceremonies. Grandmas funeral was much more a celebration of a life well lived. 

Everyday since then, my faith has grown stronger. I continue to praise Him for all my blessings, misfortunes, joys and sadness. Just yesterday I had a feeling I had to visit the elderly couple I had given a ride to. They had told me I was always welcome to their home. After my afternoon workout, I felt the need to take them some groceries. Upon arriving, after a few door knockings, I found their home. The lady seemed very delighted to see me and her husband was still trying to figure out how he knew me. Once they both remembered their faces were priceless. I felt compelled to see how they were and turns out they were not well.  The lady had an accident and because of language barriers it was very difficult for her to articulate to her employer what has been happening to her at work. I am fortunate enough to know a lot about laws and know a few attorneys that I can call on speed dial. For all they know, they think I am a cleaning lady :-) I kinda like that.  But, I think visiting them made me more aware that I need to put my trust completely in our Lord, Jesus Christ and He affirmed to me my calling is exactly what I know it is. Follow through on my passion is on my list and I am so determined to fulfill it in the next three years. 

God plays so many tricks and jokes on me but more importantly He gives me life lessons that are priceless and that my parents can't give me. Yesterday, I learned to just not give thanks to Him but to learn to pray for the things that I want and need. He listens and although I always knew He did, I just never asked Him for anything wholeheartedly. It is so comforting to know that His Love is not just for me is Grand but it is the same Love He wants you to experience and have.

I am so thankful to have such a foundation of faith from my parents and learned through my grandparents because my strength comes from their love of God and trust in Him. For the first time in my life I know what it truly means to be a daughter of Christ and for that, I can truly seize each day with confidence!

I just had to share this special moment in my life with you. Despite whatever obstacle or hardship you may be going through be it financial, friendships, relationships learn to leave your worries with Him and trust that He will hear your prayers. 

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. John 14

Peace & Love

ART Reception with Special Guest Speaker Joe Straus

Was invited to attend a reception with Speaker Straus this evening. Must say it felt good to be surrounded by colleagues and friends at this event. Reality has sunk in and I am a self dependent individual breaking the glass ceiling.

I had the pleasure of catching up with former Rep. Rodney Anderson, Rep. Burkett, Rep. Larry Gonzales and last but not least former Rep. Dee Margo. Its amazing how I have worked around these amazing leaders as a former staffer and continue to be among their midst.

Also had good conversation with Senator Cornyn's Campaign Manager and former staffers was just as fun. I was reminded today I have to always be on my A-Game and I am a proud RGV native, UTPA alum; proud to be ME!

More so than anything, having the Speaker remember me was priceless!

I met some new friends as well. What can I say I got some happy hour buddies to add to my list.  God, you definitely brought a smile to my face today. Thank you.

Peace and Love

Post Juicing - SUCCESS!

Okay people, not gonna lie those 10 days of juicing were def an experience. I lapsed maybe twice but I kept consistent towards the end of the days on my challenge. Must say my body felt very healthy, I had a lot on energy and have not had one cup of coffee during the challenge nor to date.

I actually will be juicing twice a day with one meal throughout my day. This is to help me establish a healthy weight and to help clean my stomach. So my words of wisdom are: when you decide to make that step stay committed and follow through. You will not see any result unless you stay consistent. Also you should weigh yourself and measure your body and upon completion, do not do daily, re-measure yourself and weigh yourself. You will see your results.

I am so proud of my sister. She did this challenge as well, well she encouraged me to do it with her and she lost a total of 8lbs. She feels very healthy and feels so good! I am so proud of her.

Alright, if you have questions for me let me know! Comment on this post.

Peace & Love