By: Rhonda Gutierrez

Forty is quickly creeping up on me and I honestly don’t mind.  I was more upset to turn 30 because I could no longer claim I was 20-something.  As I approach the big “over the hill” hurdle, I feel good.  I still have my health and energy.  I still feel beautiful and I am more confident than ever.  What’s so bad about forty?

As I was watching a morning show the other day, a Vogue model was being interviewed.  I thought, “Wow, she is naturally beautiful and elegant!” Guess what? She was 74! Her confidence and energy consumed me.  I want to be that at her age.

For me, its all about aging gracefully.  Forget the Botox and face lifts.  This is me! Although I hate looking at the frown lines in my forehead, I realize that they are just part of me getting older.  The gray hairs can be covered and make-up helps perk up the spirit.  The most important thing is feeling good.

My mother is approaching retirement and still looks wonderful.  She has never had any cosmetic procedures, but faithfully uses Oil of Olay.  She has never been a sun worshipper and stays away from cigarettes and alcohol.  Age has been good to her.  She must take after my grandfather, who just turned ninety and always enjoys dancing to a good DJ.  He looks wonderful and knows how to enjoy life.  I can only hope that I follow in their footsteps.

As women, we are pressured to be sex symbols at the age of fifty.  What we fail to realize is that airbrushing and surgery are a common practice for most movie stars.  We can’t fall into the trap of ruining our health to meet a stereotype of what we should be.  We must set an example that beauty shines from the inside.  There is nothing sexier than a confident, natural woman.

“You don’t love a woman because she is beautiful, but she is beautiful because you love her.” Author Unknown

After the race is over stick around for the St. Patrick’s Parade that will go down Michigan Avenue at 2:00pm.

By: Rhonda Gutierrez

I’ve been thinking about this question a lot lately. Could I possibly be a workaholic? It seems I am constantly looking for something to do or finding a shift to work. I love being home with my kids but they’re at school all day. I pick up extra shifts and volunteer for many acitivities. Writing for the magazine, taking care of the house and my family, college classes, substitute teaching and serving are keeping me very busy, but I still feel like I could be doing more.

The question is: Can we ever work enough? Endless school loans, bills, house repairs, car repairs, credit card payments, everyday necessities and oh, yes…GAS! It seems that no matter how many jobs I have and how much I earn, it’s never enough! I can’t seem to give myself a break.

Even when I’m at home, I’m listing textbooks on Amazon for sale or starting an auction on eBay®. I even found a way to make extra money during the holidays. Long hours in the kitchen making empanadas proved to be exhausting.

After much contemplation, I have come to realize that there will never be enough money and I must focus on doing what I love. The truth is that I love to work. I love to be busy. I love to feel like I am making a difference in this world. I’m hyper. I can’t even sit still without shaking my leg. My name is Rhonda Gutierrez and I am a workaholic.

“All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.” Martin Luther King, Jr.

For more information visit Motown Winter Blast.

My daughter and I were having a discussion regarding beauty and ugliness the other day and it really made me think.  I remember telling her, “I really don’t know any ugly people.”

Everyone has something beautiful about them. Ugliness to me is not a blemished complexion or a disproportionate body.  Ugliness to me is evil.  Ugliness is rude, mean and hateful.  As we stroll through the produce department searching for the perfect tomato, we often fail.  I think to myself, “What’s the importance of a perfect tomato? An oddly shaped tomato can be just as delicious.”  I made it a point to buy the most imperfect tomato I could find.  After all, why does everything have to be perfect?

If we all put effort into living beautiful instead of looking beautiful, we would have much happier lives.  Imagine waiting in line, at the dreaded Secretary of State office to renew your license.  Wouldn’t it be nice to wait with a bunch of happy and kind people? Instead of spending thousands on plastic surgery and make-up, why not spend time and money volunteering in homeless shelters and schools?

It makes me sad that it has taken me almost forty years to find comfort in my own skin.  I was always trying to change my hair, my weight, my make-up and my clothes.  I have, finally, learned to change the way I see myself.  I am comfortable being me.  I wouldn’t change anything physically about myself because then I wouldn’t be Rhonda Gutierrez.  However, I will continue working on being the best person I can possibly be on the inside.  Pretty is as pretty does.  Smiles are beautiful, imperfect teeth and all.  Wrinkles are attractive, when they are products of many years of smiles.  Frown lines…not so much.

There is no perfect person and there are no perfect lives. We are all here together, in this big beautiful world.  Let’s make it shine with smiles and happiness.  Be the most attractive, magnetic person you can be—just by being nice.

“That which is striking and beautiful is not always good, but that which is good is always beautiful.” Ninon de L’Enclo

Image: David Castillo Dominici / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

If you are looking for something unique and entertaining this weekend don’t miss out on this!

Everything in our lives depends on attitude.  We can dread work or we can walk in each day with a positive attitude and embrace the job at hand.  Even exercise can be enjoyable with the right music.  Housework is fun with my favorite CD playing.  I dance through the house, while dusting the furniture.  The broom is my favorite dance partner.

I feel bad for those who find no joy in their lives.  Bad things happen.  It’s part of life. Death, sickness and struggles can ruin our days, but, while we’re here and breathing, we must live for today.  Today is a gift.

People who have never had to struggle may not appreciate the everyday gifts, such as sunshine and breath.  Those of us who have, truly look forward to hugs and kisses from our children and another chance to witness life.

Make this year your opportunity to shine.  Do all the things you’ve always dreamed of. Don’t wait until tomorrow, next week or next year.  Today is the day.  This is your year! Whatever makes you happy….do it!

Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence” – Aristotle

Author: Rhonda Gutierrez

Image: graur codrin / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

I believe resolutions are mainly an American tradition.  It makes us feel good to have a fresh start and try to get a better idea of what our lives should be.  We order exercise videos and join gyms only to waste the money.  We rarely stick to a strict routine of diet and exercise.  Life is busy and, after working many hours each week and driving kids around, we often feel exhausted.  The last thing we want to do is drive to a gym.

Everyday stresses cause us to eat for pleasure.  Comfort foods and familiar desserts give us a false feeling of reward.  We fail to realize that true organization and health will give us the most satisfaction.  Everything in moderation.  Yes, we can exercise and diet too much.  However, we can also relax and overeat too much.

This year, I have vowed to be happy.  Nothing more. Nothing less.  Happiness includes healthy foods, exercise, organization, family time and an occasional treat.  These are the tools needed to make me happy.  Decide what makes you happy and stick with it.

“Being happy doesn’t mean that everything is perfect. It means that you’ve decided to look beyond the imperfections.” – Author Unknown

Author: Rhonda Gutierrez

Image: dream designs / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The one episode that I saw was where the Fordson High School coach was invited by the White House to celebrate the Iftar.  I  also saw another’s journey to start wearing the hijab and a story of converting to Islam for love.  I was fascinated by watching some of the issues discussed that are universal to many other ethnicities.

This is why I was extremely shocked when I heard about how Lowe’s decided to pull advertising from All-American Muslim, as the result of the Florida Family Association’s efforts.  From what I have read, the FFA is concerned about the show’s supposed hidden agenda.  Was I missing something? I was learning about the experiences of another minority.  These experiences are something that I am extremely familiar with.

I do think that the FFA thinks that they’re coming from a good place.  In their About Us section, they say they want to “…Educate people on what they can do to defend, protect and promote traditional, biblical values.”

One of the principles that I have tried to live up to is acceptance.  I believe in letting people live their lives in a way they see fit, so long as they are violating no laws and not presenting a danger to their community.  If somebody wants to wear a hijab, why should I care? If somebody wants to convert to Islam or any other religion, what business is it of mine? It’s not my business and it’s not really that of the FFA either.

I applaud the Lowe’s boycott.  If they were really that afraid of what could happen from advertising on AAM, then they shouldn’t have advertised.  To see them pull out makes me question their dedication to diversity and inclusion.  Either they are or they’re not.

In writing this piece, I’m exercising my rights as an American just as the FFA are.  I will not dictate to anyone how to live their life.  However, there are some well-intentioned people that don’t follow this path.  The danger is in not knowing where to draw the line.  Once we start cramming our beliefs down someone else’s throat is when we cease to be American.

Author: José A. Rodríguez

Image: Getideaka / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Every time I think of complaining about something I say to myself, “Are my kids healthy? Did I wake up today?”  Yes.  Yes.  Okay…today is a good day.

We should all be grateful for our health, our jobs (like them or not), a roof over our heads (renting or owned) and food in our mouths.  If we are sincerely unhappy, we should do something about it.  I love the people, who continuously tell me how miserable their lives are.  When I offer a solution to a problem, they always answer with, “I would but….”  But, what? Excuses, excuses!  There are no excuses to be unhappy and miserable.  There is always a solution, but laziness often prevents corrections from being made.  Let’s face it, some people just love to complain and listen to their own drama.

I have quickly learned to surround myself with positive people as their energy often rubs off on me.  Those negative statuses become irritating and create bad feelings that are never wanted or needed.  We all need a shoulder to cry on sometimes and we all need moments to vent, but when venting and complaining become an everyday event, medication may be a good alternative.

A loved one was recently depressed and negatively rambling about his life and failures. My response to him was, “There are people in hospitals, all over the world, holding their children for the last time.  They are spending these last moments with their dying child. In comparison to that, you’re pretty blessed.”  He was silent and it was apparent that my words were piercing.

Life is what you make it.  It’s all about attitude.  Joel Osteen says, “Don’t say, ‘I have to go to work today.  I have to take care of my kids.’  Say…’I get to go to work today.   I get to take care of my kids.’”

What are going to do to change your life today?

“I am convinced that life is ten percent what happens to me and ninety percent how I react to it.” Charles Swindoll

Author: Rhonda “Roni” Gutierrez
Images: 123RF Stock Photo