Pivot

With Christmas just about two weeks away, the world around us is already full of movement—busy roads, crowded parking lots, and coffee shops buzzing with energy. None of it is a surprise, which is why I’ve started giving myself extra time to move through the day—whether it’s work, errands, or gift shopping.

At home, I’ve been staying productive too. Packing away my fall decor and bringing out my familiar Christmas pieces. I’ve even returned to my herbal teas and the comfort of my kettle. Whilst in the middle of decluttering, a thought came to me: What else can I purge that isn’t materialistic at all?

That question opened a deeper reflection.

I mentally began looking back over the years—revisiting the times when I felt aligned, grounded, and whole, and comparing them to where I find myself now emotionally, spiritually, and mentally. Somewhere in that space, I realized I had drifted. Not all at once but through the accumulating years, thus not recognized while occurring. Like gradual growth spurts you only notice decades later in old photos.

And these patterns weren’t the positive kind.

One truth I had to face was dishonesty—not only with others, but with myself—and how that dishonesty found its way into other areas of life. Small lies that felt harmless at the time. Moments where I allowed convenience to override integrity. Whether it was relationships, work, friendships, or responsibilities, I can see now how those little habits became a bigger problem.

Another pattern was using influence to gain what I wanted, sometimes pushing boundaries farther than I should have. And then there were the red flags from others that I ignored—warnings I brushed aside until, later, everything connected.

Been criticized, called out, and talked about—and yes, some of it was deserved. The recent chapters of my life haven’t been ideal; wanting to change them, reverse them, or pretend they never happened is natural, but it’s no longer in my hands. What’s been written has been written. People may continue to view me in an unfortunate light, stay angry with me, or think of me however they choose—and I respect that. I can’t change anyone’s perspective. Those dark moments don’t define who I am. My job is not to change their perspective, my job is to change mine. I can only flip the page left and write better healthier chapters ahead. Losing sight of myself does not erase the good that still lives within me. The parts of me that once blissfully flourished still exist, reminding me who Jorge really is.

That realization is why I’ve chosen change—intentional change. A pivot to my path that will redirect me not only how to interact with others, but in how I live, breathe, think, communicate and move through this world. A detox of the heart and mind: releasing stagnation, dishonesty, arrogance, selfishness, judgment, manipulation—all things that cloud our inner clarity.

Sometimes you need to silent yourself from the noise. Listen intently to your surroundings, be in touch with your mind and heart without judgement, obey your gut if something is out of place, gain noble words of wisdom and practice love above all. Love drives passion but should be done with awareness.

As I release old habits and work toward a healthier change, I hope to develop a new outlook—living with purpose, a balance mind, staying present, and smiling more often (genuinely!). Life’s beauty stems from wanting to learn, reflect, and understand more within oneself.

In many ways, my New Year’s resolution has already begun—quietly, thoughtfully, and right on time.

On Gratitude

Now onto something lighter 😅. This week I came across some meaningful thoughts about gratitude—especially when it feels far away. When life isn’t where we want it to be, gratitude can seem out of reach. And when someone reminds us to “be grateful,” it can feel like pressure to pretend everything is fine when it’s not. That’s where gratitude gets confused with denial—classic toxic positivity.

Being honest about your struggles while still acknowledging something you’re grateful for doesn’t mean you’re comparing them. It simply means you’re being truthful about your reality. You might think, “My career isn’t where I want it to be, but I’m thankful for my family’s support.” Gratitude shouldn’t mask pain. Its purpose isn’t to erase discomfort but to sit with it. When we separate gratitude from denial, we give ourselves permission to be both honest and hopeful. Gratitude isn’t pretending the storm doesn’t exist—it’s standing under the rain while recognizing that something inside you is still alive. After all no rain, no rainbows.

I also learned about the 10-second rule—taking a brief moment to appreciate small, beautiful things around you. Maybe it’s a laughing family, sunlight brightening a patch of flowers, a baby giggling, or a stunning sunset. Remembering these moments helps shift your brain from fear toward calm and can lower stress.

Another insight was about waiting. Most of us dislike waiting seasons—they can make us feel stuck while others seem to be moving ahead. But waiting isn’t useless. It’s preparation. It’s when your roots strengthen. A valuable question to ask during that time is: Who am I becoming while I wait? Eventually, the door you’re hoping for will open.

And one important reminder: don’t compare your journey to someone else’s. Feeling behind doesn’t mean another person is ahead. We’re not running the same race. Everyone grows and flourishes at their own unique pace. Your story unfolds in its own time—let it.