Well... here is how we are summarizing our mission: To Save a Life Today.
It really explains what we are trying to do in a very short sentence.
We know that many children, young adults, and even adults we know are struggling with all kinds of difficulties in their lives: depression, terminal illnesses, bullying, stress, suicidal thoughts... And most of these things, no matter their source, can be alleviated if we shifted our perspective and make the person suffering feel loved, appreciated, and important.
Perspective is everything in fighting any and all pains. It is the one thing that can bring light back into our thoughts, because a new perspective can change the course of action we take towards anything. ANYTHING!
The right perspective is not a single option amongst the milliard of them that can be chosen to address an issue, it is simply the one that made you survive, made you conquer, made you come out of your problem successfully... It is not black or white, it is any shade of gray that works for you to go through the worst situation successfully.
Are you or someone you know being harassed? Is bullying an everyday thing at your school? Are you depressed beyond any measure of hope? Are you suffering from the loss of someone close? Do you want to end your suffering by ending your life? Well.. CHANGE YOUR PERSPECTIVE!
Look at your problem from a different angle: Have you got resources available to you to stop the harassment? Have you reported your situation to your closed ones? Have you forgotten how many people are in worse situations than you in the world? Do you believe that what doesn't break you only makes you stronger??? We DO! And most of all, WE BELIEVE YOU CAN TOO!
We strongly believe in you, and in everyone's inner strength, and we believe that with the right perspective, and the right tools, everyone can find their inner strength and live a happier life. That is why we created Strength Avenue, and the products in it: to help you shift your perspective about your issues and to help you believe in yourself, so that you can overcome any obstacle, and any pain.
We are convinced that if our products, and the messages they promote can save just one life today, our mission has been accomplished! Because every life is worth saving, and living! We are committed to saving one life every day, that is 365 lives each year... We think we should be able to make that contribution to this world, and to its people! We would certainly feel moved by such an accomplishment because in a world where the numbers are reported in terms of "deaths per minute", considering "lives per year" is just uplifting and inspiring.
We will be launching our company in July 2011 and making our products available to the public. Our messages will look towards saving one life each day by reminding everyone that they are loved and that they are an important part of the world with a unique contribution to make. No matter what issues we may face, we all have the strength to overcome them and to thrive as individuals. We want to remind everyone that the life of their dreams is within their reach, and it is a product of their perspective towards life's many issues.
May Love and Strength fill your heart every day, and may you be committed to Save a Life Today!
Cristal
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Monday, February 14, 2011
LOVE and STRENGTH
As it is customary, today I've heard a lot of "Happy Valentines!" It is a beautiful thing to celebrate the day of love and friendship. It is also a time for me to reflect on the many people that are not feeling the love today.
Valentine's Day, as we know it, is a day in which people give each other beautiful cards expressing love and joy for having others in your life, chocolate and stuffed animals have made the list too, and the much anticipated bouquet of flowers... Valentine's, as we have created it, is a big-o redandpink day with tons of sweet feelings floating around, which is just wonderful...
It is however, within this plethora of love-evoking products around me, that I sometimes wonder... What about the real love? Yes, I said it! All of these things, products, and details, although a great way to express love in the "traditional" way for Valentine's Day, are also NOT the only way to show real love.
Expressing love can be as simple as a much overdue hug, and as powerful as a subtle kiss from those who care about you. Young adults are especially prone to expecting "things" that "show love," and are often quick to miss the very important signs of True Love in their surroundings. They are easily distracted with the mountains of imagery and influences that dictates everything they know to be, from what is "cool" to wear, going through what is "so-on!"to behave-like, all the way to defining and showing love to others, and to themselves.
It seems as if most young people -and a fare share of adults- are just sitting on a surfboard, riding the waves of life, wherever these may take them, with this month’s pop-hit (from anyone with enough money to make a sad comeback) as the love-song of choice, and a minimalist sense of understanding for what it is to give love to others in the first place.
I would like to see love in high school hallways where other's are being bullied, in countries where people are being killed, and in households where people are being taught to discriminate. I would like to see less "text-me" and "be-mine", and more "stop what you are doing to him!" so the Real Love can come out from wherever it is. I would love to see the day in which love is not shown with a card but with a firm stand for others' rights, because we are all deserving of protection, of affection, of love... Anywhere and everywhere.
Valentine’s Day is a special day, by tradition. Let's make it even more so by making someone that did not expect it feel loved, for any and every reason! Have a sweet valentine gesture towards someone in need of your help, of your comfort, of your strength and help them find theirs too! We need to start thinking of all of us as responsible for one another, and maybe we will see the day when we will embrace others differences as just that, simple and basic differences that create diversity, and that present opportunities for us to evolve into a more loving human race.
May Love and Strength fill your heart every day, and may we find you walking through Strength Avenue in the company of a new Valentine today!
LOVE & STRENGTH!
Cristal
Valentine's Day, as we know it, is a day in which people give each other beautiful cards expressing love and joy for having others in your life, chocolate and stuffed animals have made the list too, and the much anticipated bouquet of flowers... Valentine's, as we have created it, is a big-o redandpink day with tons of sweet feelings floating around, which is just wonderful...
It is however, within this plethora of love-evoking products around me, that I sometimes wonder... What about the real love? Yes, I said it! All of these things, products, and details, although a great way to express love in the "traditional" way for Valentine's Day, are also NOT the only way to show real love.
Expressing love can be as simple as a much overdue hug, and as powerful as a subtle kiss from those who care about you. Young adults are especially prone to expecting "things" that "show love," and are often quick to miss the very important signs of True Love in their surroundings. They are easily distracted with the mountains of imagery and influences that dictates everything they know to be, from what is "cool" to wear, going through what is "so-on!"to behave-like, all the way to defining and showing love to others, and to themselves.
It seems as if most young people -and a fare share of adults- are just sitting on a surfboard, riding the waves of life, wherever these may take them, with this month’s pop-hit (from anyone with enough money to make a sad comeback) as the love-song of choice, and a minimalist sense of understanding for what it is to give love to others in the first place.
I would like to see love in high school hallways where other's are being bullied, in countries where people are being killed, and in households where people are being taught to discriminate. I would like to see less "text-me" and "be-mine", and more "stop what you are doing to him!" so the Real Love can come out from wherever it is. I would love to see the day in which love is not shown with a card but with a firm stand for others' rights, because we are all deserving of protection, of affection, of love... Anywhere and everywhere.
Valentine’s Day is a special day, by tradition. Let's make it even more so by making someone that did not expect it feel loved, for any and every reason! Have a sweet valentine gesture towards someone in need of your help, of your comfort, of your strength and help them find theirs too! We need to start thinking of all of us as responsible for one another, and maybe we will see the day when we will embrace others differences as just that, simple and basic differences that create diversity, and that present opportunities for us to evolve into a more loving human race.
May Love and Strength fill your heart every day, and may we find you walking through Strength Avenue in the company of a new Valentine today!
LOVE & STRENGTH!
Cristal
Friday, February 11, 2011
Birth and Growth
Today is a very important day for me... My daughter was born eight years ago today, and that gets me thinking about the dynamics of life, and how it shapes people, and who they will become.
My daughter Sofia was born a healthy, happy, gorgeous baby, who was breached and almost pre-term. My pregnancy was not perfect, but I consider myself lucky and blessed to have been able to do all I needed to do to give her the best odds at having no complications. I was successful at this, and I am humbled to have received such great gift!
As I see her now, eight years old, smart, happy and completely unaware of so many things yet to come, I wonder what I can do to make her transition into a young adult one that will have a strong sense of hope, and excitement at the prospect of the contribution she will make to the world. I see her and remember how small she was just "yesterday" and how she learned, and grew into this very familiar and yet very new person I see in her every day. I can recognize the experiences I have provided to her life and the ones that have been absorbed from the environment, the media, and her social groups and I wonder, with a little bit of worry, who will she be when she grows up?
I wonder if she will be strong, courageous, independent, happy? I wonder if she will love herself as we love her now... I certainly hope so.
I am blessed to have a daughter that communicates with me all the time, about small and "big" things too. I am blessed to have been taught to listen patiently, carefully, and with respect for the individual she already is. And although this has not really made her exempt from difficult situations, it has certainly helped her stepped up to them, solve them, or at least address them, evaluate them and understand them, even if she does not always agree.
Sofia has a strong, amiable character. She was born sweet, raised strong, and grown a balanced mix of the two, easily approachable, not easily tainted... Quick to smile, but not to trust... She evaluates everything before she engages, and stands her ground any time without allowing conflict to take over. But the truth is, she is just a little girl.
Like so many other children, 8 or 20, she seems strong, and independent, but life has not really taught her enough to be able to respond to every situation on her own, and like so many parents, we have to make a conscious effort not to forget this, and to let her know it is ok to seek help, advice, and support.
I celebrate Sofia today by celebrating all the children in the world to are born and growing with innate hope for the beauty and delight of tomorrow, and for the many parents who work hard to be the mentor all children need!
May Love and Strength fill your heart every day!
Happy birthday my Sofia! Mom loves you and is here for you today and always!
Cristal
My daughter Sofia was born a healthy, happy, gorgeous baby, who was breached and almost pre-term. My pregnancy was not perfect, but I consider myself lucky and blessed to have been able to do all I needed to do to give her the best odds at having no complications. I was successful at this, and I am humbled to have received such great gift!
As I see her now, eight years old, smart, happy and completely unaware of so many things yet to come, I wonder what I can do to make her transition into a young adult one that will have a strong sense of hope, and excitement at the prospect of the contribution she will make to the world. I see her and remember how small she was just "yesterday" and how she learned, and grew into this very familiar and yet very new person I see in her every day. I can recognize the experiences I have provided to her life and the ones that have been absorbed from the environment, the media, and her social groups and I wonder, with a little bit of worry, who will she be when she grows up?
I wonder if she will be strong, courageous, independent, happy? I wonder if she will love herself as we love her now... I certainly hope so.
I am blessed to have a daughter that communicates with me all the time, about small and "big" things too. I am blessed to have been taught to listen patiently, carefully, and with respect for the individual she already is. And although this has not really made her exempt from difficult situations, it has certainly helped her stepped up to them, solve them, or at least address them, evaluate them and understand them, even if she does not always agree.
Sofia has a strong, amiable character. She was born sweet, raised strong, and grown a balanced mix of the two, easily approachable, not easily tainted... Quick to smile, but not to trust... She evaluates everything before she engages, and stands her ground any time without allowing conflict to take over. But the truth is, she is just a little girl.
Like so many other children, 8 or 20, she seems strong, and independent, but life has not really taught her enough to be able to respond to every situation on her own, and like so many parents, we have to make a conscious effort not to forget this, and to let her know it is ok to seek help, advice, and support.
I celebrate Sofia today by celebrating all the children in the world to are born and growing with innate hope for the beauty and delight of tomorrow, and for the many parents who work hard to be the mentor all children need!
May Love and Strength fill your heart every day!
Happy birthday my Sofia! Mom loves you and is here for you today and always!
Cristal
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
THIS IS AWESOME!!!
Yes! This is AWESOME!
It is awesome to start a company, help others, to do what you love... But what is even more amazing is to absolutely love what you do, love who you are, and love your life...
That was not always the case for me, and it certainly is not the case for many young people out there, who struggle on a daily basis to even like who they are. Be it due to outside influences, or the loud inner voice that talks to them to put them down, many children, young adults, and even fully grown adults are not happy with who they are. Some hate the image in the mirror, some hate the sound of their own voice, some would love to love themselves, but they feel too much pain. Some even give up on themselves, on their dreams, and on their future, and they go through a path that is dark, lonely, and completely destructive. That path exists in their choices, and in their thoughts, and anything that exists in there is as real as the blood running through their veins...
That's why we started this: Strength Ave.
A year ago my 7 year-old daughter asked me what "suicide" was. I was shocked! I asked where she had heard that and she explained I had talked about it with a friend while telling a story about a boy in high school. [Now, you may think I was being careless talking about these topics with her around, but it is not the case... She has ears in every wall in our house!] I have a personal policy not to lie to my kids so, shifting the tone to a more appropriate one for a 7 year-old, I explained how depression caused by bullying had led him to desperation beyond any measure and had pushed him over many limits, causing him to make the wrong decision to end his life.
I was devastated by her face. I felt as if she had just woke up in a different world, and she probably did. This knowledge had given her a new perspective about how life really is for other people, and how incredibly sad it can be. And then... My 7 year old founded Strength Avenue with the words: "We have got to do something about it!" So we did.
I went to work on the Strength Avenue project as if it had already taken over the world!
She loved the name [Check!],
She loved the logo [Check-Check!],
And the most important thing... She LOVED our Purpose [A perfect smile!!!]
I explained that because we wanted to make sure we did things right, we actually had to do 2 things, so our mission and our purpose became:
1) To gain victory against hate, discrimination, and violence in the world, (and)
2) To instill love, self esteem, and inner strength in the hearts of all people.
That was just the start, back in February 2010. We are standing here, February 2011, celebrating many beginnings and remembering many ends to continue to pursue this dream of a little girl and her mom, who want a better world for all and just "Have got to do something about it!"
She gave me her latest design with the words "My Soul is Strong!"
I just have nothing more to say as to why, THIS IS AWESOME!!!
May Love and Strength fill your heart every day, and may you find our products the tools they are meant to be to see yourself finally walking through Strength Avenue!
Cristal
It is awesome to start a company, help others, to do what you love... But what is even more amazing is to absolutely love what you do, love who you are, and love your life...
That was not always the case for me, and it certainly is not the case for many young people out there, who struggle on a daily basis to even like who they are. Be it due to outside influences, or the loud inner voice that talks to them to put them down, many children, young adults, and even fully grown adults are not happy with who they are. Some hate the image in the mirror, some hate the sound of their own voice, some would love to love themselves, but they feel too much pain. Some even give up on themselves, on their dreams, and on their future, and they go through a path that is dark, lonely, and completely destructive. That path exists in their choices, and in their thoughts, and anything that exists in there is as real as the blood running through their veins...
That's why we started this: Strength Ave.
A year ago my 7 year-old daughter asked me what "suicide" was. I was shocked! I asked where she had heard that and she explained I had talked about it with a friend while telling a story about a boy in high school. [Now, you may think I was being careless talking about these topics with her around, but it is not the case... She has ears in every wall in our house!] I have a personal policy not to lie to my kids so, shifting the tone to a more appropriate one for a 7 year-old, I explained how depression caused by bullying had led him to desperation beyond any measure and had pushed him over many limits, causing him to make the wrong decision to end his life.
I was devastated by her face. I felt as if she had just woke up in a different world, and she probably did. This knowledge had given her a new perspective about how life really is for other people, and how incredibly sad it can be. And then... My 7 year old founded Strength Avenue with the words: "We have got to do something about it!" So we did.
I went to work on the Strength Avenue project as if it had already taken over the world!
She loved the name [Check!],
She loved the logo [Check-Check!],
And the most important thing... She LOVED our Purpose [A perfect smile!!!]
I explained that because we wanted to make sure we did things right, we actually had to do 2 things, so our mission and our purpose became:
1) To gain victory against hate, discrimination, and violence in the world, (and)
2) To instill love, self esteem, and inner strength in the hearts of all people.
That was just the start, back in February 2010. We are standing here, February 2011, celebrating many beginnings and remembering many ends to continue to pursue this dream of a little girl and her mom, who want a better world for all and just "Have got to do something about it!"
She gave me her latest design with the words "My Soul is Strong!"
I just have nothing more to say as to why, THIS IS AWESOME!!!
May Love and Strength fill your heart every day, and may you find our products the tools they are meant to be to see yourself finally walking through Strength Avenue!
Cristal
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