tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54557502024-03-14T11:05:43.007-04:00Centered SoulA spiritual journalPhil Vélezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734846949875705704noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455750.post-19171388398943994002023-12-28T21:32:00.005-05:002023-12-29T21:23:02.502-05:00Born Again Catholic - Returning to the Religion of My Youth After a 40-Year Absence When I look back at my life, it's clear to me that I was not a seriously religious person. At one time early on, I questioned the very existence of God. I was born Catholic but did not practice Catholicism. My family believed in God, anchored into the faith by my grandmothers, but we did not go to Mass every Sunday. We were church-going Catholics at least twice a year, during Easter and ChristmasPhil Vélezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734846949875705704noreply@blogger.com2New York, NY, USA40.7127753 -74.005972812.402541463821152 -109.1622228 69.023009136178842 -38.849722799999995tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455750.post-74243469543682374882022-09-28T22:06:00.000-04:002022-09-28T22:06:03.835-04:00Obituary - Lydia Gomez y Ruiz de Lopez - 1949 to 2022On Saturday, September 17, 2022, the family and friends of Lydia Gomez y Ruiz de Lopez held a Celebration of Life Service at Hess-Miller Funeral Home in Middle Village, Queens to pay tribute to a life well lived with love and laughter. Lydia Gomez Lopez passed away from cardiac complications on Thursday morning, September 8, 2022, at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center. She was 73 years old. Phil Vélezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734846949875705704noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455750.post-18642710960293015632014-05-25T12:29:00.001-04:002014-08-09T09:49:19.555-04:00Family is ForeverNo matter if you like it or not, family is forever. I have been blessed with a gigantic family but unfortunately I know some much better than others. Throughout my life there have been precious moments shared with family members that I will remember forever and I look forward to future events. Unfortunately, because of its size, I may really never know each member as well as I would like. HoweverPhil Vélezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734846949875705704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455750.post-24864135110138278442012-11-22T22:14:00.002-05:002012-11-22T22:28:42.059-05:00Being ThankfulSometimes I complain about what I don't have, or what I might have missed out in life. But I should really be thankful for just being here today. I'm truly thankful for a blessed life. It really has been a good one, and continues to be. When I have a bad day, I think about those in my life that are no longer here. Sometimes I feel a little guilty and wonder, why them and not me? But there is a Phil Vélezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734846949875705704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455750.post-84293425684746463002011-12-28T20:23:00.003-05:002011-12-28T20:25:03.047-05:00Spiritual Goals for 2012This past year has been a tough one, but it is ending on a brighter note. I realized that I have not been much in touch with my spiritual side. I pretty much put it on hold. I've noticed the lack of spirit in my life overall. It wasn't a good place to be in and I hope I never again leave my spirit behind.
This coming 2012 I plan to be connected more frequently, if not everyday, to my spiritual Phil Vélezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734846949875705704noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455750.post-78684203741044192152011-08-11T21:43:00.001-04:002011-08-11T21:46:45.245-04:00Hang In ThereThe economy has a lot of people full with fear and frustration. The country's financial uncertainty has many, including myself, wondering what the future holds. Sometimes this crazy climate pulls me down and makes me feel like giving up hope. But I hang in there.
Some friends are going through the same thing, and I know of an entire online community that shares their hopes and dreams and lean Phil Vélezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734846949875705704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455750.post-4972133430572829962011-06-06T01:10:00.002-04:002011-06-06T01:18:08.467-04:00Life Goes OnI have not posted to this blog in over a year. I have been concentrating on my "real work" but it's time to get back to posting some spiritual thoughts. Life is just crazy right now and I am at a lost for some answers. But no matter how much I worry, or feel uncertain, or fear the unknown, life goes on. It doesn't stop for anyone or anything. There is no pause button. I have to adapt to the Phil Vélezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734846949875705704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455750.post-28488623440162113822010-05-27T10:17:00.002-04:002010-05-29T05:55:30.843-04:00Asking for What You WantThe universe wants to give you good things. That's what we must all believe. I truly think we bring good and bad things into our lives. The goal is to try to focus on only asking for what we want as oppose to what we don't want. So the question becomes what do you want? Once you take the time to really decide what it is that you really want, then one must ask for it. Ask, as it is said, and you Phil Vélezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734846949875705704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455750.post-10470784694227547272010-03-31T14:12:00.000-04:002010-03-31T14:12:49.798-04:00Letting GoSometimes, no matter what you want or try, some things are just meant to be what they are. Acceptance. Faith. Letting go of what you cannot control. Everything does seem to fall into place. Awareness is key and motivation. Learn what you can during the process of just letting go and letting God, in a spiritual sense. Go with the good energy. The path is sure to present itself. The tricky part is Phil Vélezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734846949875705704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455750.post-39487077955984278352010-02-17T02:06:00.000-05:002010-02-17T02:06:39.542-05:00Having FaithSometimes you don't know what direction life has in store for you. Sometimes the future looks uncertain and hope runs dry. No matter how difficult the journey may be, one must hold steady and continue on. Keep showing up for life and before you know it a path becomes clear. Patience is important during life's low points. You think you may be ready for the next step, but maybe you need to learn Phil Vélezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734846949875705704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455750.post-30892723735385212832009-12-31T16:28:00.003-05:002009-12-31T16:41:06.414-05:00Being GratefulAs 2009 comes to an end I reflect on the highs and lows of the year. It was one of great change, both personally and professionally. Personally, I learned to accept things much more for what they are while also accepting my strengths and limitations. Professionally, I learned that sometimes taking career detours do not always work out. In any case, I still hold on to my basic principle in life Phil Vélezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734846949875705704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455750.post-75450720383765699772009-12-01T00:07:00.003-05:002009-12-09T12:32:15.198-05:00Living LifeDon't hold grudges. Let people be. Don't make stories up in your head. Things are not always what they seem. Accept people for who they are. Don't try to change them. Treat people well. Be generous of your soul. Do what you love. Acknowledge beauty. Seek wisdom. Enjoy peace. Listen to the silence. Be in the moment. Hear your heart. Speak your voice. See.Phil Vélezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734846949875705704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455750.post-35845852743790238182009-10-31T15:56:00.002-04:002009-10-31T16:11:20.122-04:00Taking a BreakSometimes you just need to take a break. Though I have had a lot of free time on my hands, I have tried to keep busy with various volunteer activities. I have stepped back my fraternity and political involvement recently. Politics is really tough work and I found myself doing things I really disliked, such as cold calling and knocking on strangers' doors. It is part of the political world but notPhil Vélezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734846949875705704noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455750.post-74061891716033289882009-08-30T16:30:00.008-04:002009-08-31T03:35:26.730-04:00Ted KennedyIt is an end of a era. Rest in peace, Ted Kennedy. This weekend he was memorialized all over the Sunday morning news shows. His life and character were grand. He made a difference. He was someone we should all aspire to emulate. We can't all be Ted Kennedy, but we can make the world a better place by embracing something greater than ourselves. Maria Shiver was on Meet the Press today and talked Phil Vélezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734846949875705704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455750.post-86932006209217993532009-07-03T14:25:00.005-04:002009-07-05T15:14:45.133-04:00SummerThe summer is here and I have been keeping busy. I continue to work on my four blogs and am learning a great deal about social media. I am also volunteering time at a cultural arts non-profit organization and a political campaign. I'm also reflecting on what path I want to take in regards to my working career and am trying to find ways to incorporate this time off into my next full-time job. It'sPhil Vélezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734846949875705704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455750.post-56925992289717116982009-05-30T13:01:00.004-04:002009-07-05T15:15:14.569-04:00Sonia SotomayorA young girl is raised in a Bronx housing project by poor dedicated parents who tell her she can be anything she wants when she grows up. It happens all over the United States. Parents of every background face challenges they must overcome and only hope the best for their bright-eyed, curious children. Some of us are raised with the idea that race is not an issue, but for sadly, sometimes it Phil Vélezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734846949875705704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455750.post-30355660849963630492009-04-18T16:15:00.003-04:002009-07-05T15:16:42.644-04:00Cross RoadLife has its way of keeping it interesting. The only thing truly constant is change and right now I have an opportunity to create a new path. It's an exciting and anxious time. The energy is vibrant and keeps my mind engaged in deep thought. Many new directions are present and I look forward to the revealing journey. All in due time is my motto now. There is no rush. The clear way will present Phil Vélezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734846949875705704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455750.post-68246691538461973282009-03-24T19:53:00.003-04:002009-07-05T15:17:08.128-04:00Natasha RichardsonNatasha Richardson’s sudden death last week reminds us all of life’s fragile and fleeting nature. A seemingly innocent fall ends a life and makes us think of our mortality. I have had my share of falls in my lifetime and thankfully I am still physically here. It makes me wonder I could have been gone long ago. There is no way to really explain fatal freak accidents. Richardson’s death echoes thePhil Vélezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734846949875705704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455750.post-44374075637855042262009-02-21T18:54:00.005-05:002009-07-05T15:18:03.562-04:00DramaRecently I had a conversation with a friend about why certain people cause a great deal of drama in their lives. What I mean is that some people like to argue a great deal, make small issues major ones, and overall must have some type of crisis or problem they feel a need to focus upon. I have always been a pretty laid back kind of guy. Life is too short to get all charged-up about things we havePhil Vélezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734846949875705704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455750.post-16659921785232122832009-01-30T22:06:00.004-05:002009-07-05T15:18:47.225-04:00Destiny?Is our life drawn out for us ahead of time or do we have control over where we end up? If you let go of trying to control every thing in your life, do you end up where you were suppose to all along? Or does every decision you make put you in a different place? I wonder if my life is predestined no matter what I do or can I create the life I want and deserve? Or am I living the life I was brought Phil Vélezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734846949875705704noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455750.post-56928267392241162242008-12-31T10:25:00.003-05:002009-07-05T15:19:19.170-04:00CancerIt has been a tough 2008. The last six months have been quite challenging. In July my good friend Michael passed away from colorectal cancer. He was 32 years old. My cousin Alyssa continues to fight her battle with a form of brain cancer. An aunt was also diagnosed with breast cancer during this same time period. Cancer just seems to be everywhere and it's a shame. More effort and money has to bePhil Vélezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734846949875705704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455750.post-83330948995494420052008-07-10T12:02:00.003-04:002009-12-24T00:00:33.276-05:00"A New Earth"I finished reading “A New Earth” by Eckart Tolle earlier this summer. I have been on a spiritual path for most of my life, trying to make sense of it all. I have to say this book was very helpful. Like all spiritual self-help books, there is no real evidence that what the writer is saying is of absolute truth, however his points do make intellectual sense. Like millions of people, I was born a Phil Vélezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734846949875705704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455750.post-58359568059517998742008-04-11T16:45:00.004-04:002009-07-05T15:21:25.281-04:00Feeling GoodI am feeling good these days. I was in a rut for a while, but things are starting to look brighter. I am letting go of a lot of "should haves" and "could haves" and trying to just be. I am trying hard not to get all obsessed about the past or the future, and just be in the moment. It is tough, but worth the effort. I recently started listening to the audio iTune version of "A New Earth" the book Phil Vélezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734846949875705704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455750.post-68861450668766946642007-12-31T12:14:00.001-05:002009-07-05T15:22:27.447-04:00Death in the Family2007 ended with the death of two family members on my mother's side. The toughest year we have had to date. My second cousin passed away on Dec. 4, 2007; he was 3 and 1/2 years old. My grandmother passed on Dec. 11, 2007; she was 76 years old. My family was strong. I still can't believe that my grandmother is no longer here with us. I knew she would pass on some day, but never really thought it Phil Vélezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734846949875705704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455750.post-1130740111218184662005-10-31T01:25:00.001-05:002009-07-05T15:23:30.109-04:00Good-bye DadMy dad passed away on Saturday, Oct. 29th, 2005 after a long battle with liver cancer. I am in a weird space and preparing mentally and emotionally for his funeral. He was an absentee dad while I was growing up, and in my mid 20's I thought of writing him out of my life. But I decided rather than having life-long resentment toward him, that I would forgive him for not being the dad I wanted or Phil Vélezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10734846949875705704noreply@blogger.com0